Naval Gaming Introduction

Line Abreast

A line abreast is a line of bearing in which the relative bearing from one ship to another in the line is either 090 or 270 (i.e., the ships are side by side). The line abreast is a formation well suited for scouting lines and anti-submarine screens. It provides the best possible forward visibility across a broad front. For anti-submarine screens, the line abreast allows ships' sonars to cover a large, unbroken area to their front. For scouting, even a few ships, widely placed, are able to observe hundreds of square miles of ocean (ex. four scout cruisers could, with clear visibility, see well over 1,000 square miles). As with all lines, the line abreast is somewhat cumbersome to maneuver as a formation. Simultaneous turns will allow the line to adjust itself to its own left or right, but for the formation to come to a new course requires a wheel. While not a difficult maneuver conceptually, when a line abreast wheels either the inner ships must slow dramatically, or the outside ships must increase speed significantly. The line abreast is a very poor formation for battle lines, as it allows only the fore or aft weapons to be used against an enemy, and ships block each other's line of fire to the sides. It is, however, an excellent formation for smaller ships when attempting to deliver a torpedo attack. It allows all of the vessels to approach the enemy quickly and at the same time. The line abreast is a poor night and low visibility steaming formation for a small group of ships. Small errors in maintaining course by a ship can easily cause the formation to fracture. In the figure D = Distance.

Wheel

Also Known As. Formation Turn or a Line Abreast Change of Front. Purpose. A wheel allows a line abreast to change direction while retaining the line abreast formation. Description. When the turn is executed the inner ship immediately changes to the new formation course. The other ships execute a turn equal to half of the final course change. They then steam straight until approaching their stations, at which time they execute another turn to bring them onto the new course. If the guide is not the inner ship, then the guide automatically shifts to the inner ship when the turn is ordered. Another method to change the direction of a line abreast is the Search Turn. Limitations. A wheel has an upper limit of 90°. Beyond this it is not possible for any ship other than the innermost to safely reach its final position without passing through another line of ships. Problems. For any notable course change, this maneuver requires that the ships move at significantly different speeds to complete the maneuver. Either the outer ships must have sufficient excess speed to reach their stations, or the formation speed must be slowed to keep the inner ships from out running the outer ships. This is not, therefore, a good battle maneuver for large ships as it typically causes the inner ships to move slower, making them easier and more predictable targets until the maneuver is completed.

Simultaneous Turn

Also Known As. Turn Together. Purpose. The simultaneous turn is used by a line abreast to shift either into a line of bearing, into a column, or to reverse direction. Description. When the turn is executed all ships turn at the same moment to the new course. Limitations. There are no limitations on the change of course for a simultaneous turn. The ships may turn up to 180°. A turn of 90° results in a column. A turn of 180° results in the line abreast reversing direction. Any other amount of turn results in a line of bearing. When turning into a column, the flagship must normally be in the lead, at least through the end of World War I. Problems. This maneuver takes the ships out of the line abreast. The greater the amount of course change, the greater the likelihood of ships being out of formation when the maneuver is complete.

Lateral Shift

Purpose. The lateral shift allows a line abreast to move sideways without disrupting the basic alignment of the ships. Description. The ships execute a simultaneous turn, hold the new course for a period of time, and then execute another simultaneous turn to return to the original course. Thus, this is simultaneous turn into a line of bearing, followed by a simultaneous turn back into a line abreast. Limitations. An initial turn is limited to a maximum of 90°. Problems. There are no real problems with this maneuver that are not already present in the line abreast.