Battle of the Java Sea | Ship Challenges BS Midway Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Units at your disposal: two Japanese destroyers, "Nachi" cruiser Enemy: a few (exactly 5) groups (flotillas) of American warships; each of them always consists of two destroyers and a cruiser (in first three flotillas - light cruiser) Level of difficulty: 6

Primary objectives:

• The "Nachi" must survive (1)
• Eliminate the USS "Houston" (2)

Potential medals to earn:

• Navy Distinguished Service Medal
• Navy Cross
• Sea Unit Service Medal

This is a pretty difficult scenario in which your small forces (a cruiser and two destroyers) are again attacked by a few enemy flotillas approaching one after one from the north. You have to face to five these groups of enemy warships. Each consists of three units: two destroyers and a cruiser (so has a composition similar to yours). But in first three flotillas you'll see light cruisers, when in last two - heavy versions of this warships. Your main task in this mission is to send to the bottom an American cruiser USS "Houston" (2), which sails in the last enemy flotilla. Of course your own warship, the "Nachi" cruiser, must not sink (1), if you want to successfully finish this scenario. Just after starting the game order your units to use their torpedos at free will by pressing the Alt key and choosing a suitable option. [#1] A moment later starts the battle. I have invented in my gameplay a tactic of escaping, which demands from a player a pretty big dose of patience and an accurate eye. This tactic consists in turning round to the left with all my warships (sailing in a row formation with the "Nachi" cruiser) and retreating to the south-west just after I'll see first enemy units. My destroyers sail in front of the "Nachi" cruiser and slightly to his left board (side) so they keep themselves farther from the enemy. Thus the "Nachi", which deck guns have the biggest range, will open the fire at the pursuing enemy as first. And the opponent pursues us by sending forward his two pretty fast destroyers at first- his cruiser lags behind. Just the thing! But you must remember (when also using this tactic) about sailing with a slightly obliquely course (as you see on picture [#2]) to let all of your deck guns see the target and fire at him. This is generally the tactic against all enemy groups of warships - to escape from them with a slightly obliquely course. [#2] You can make one innovation (introduce small variation) by following the "Nachi" with your destroyers, so they will open fire as first. However, I was trying to protect them/save them from destroying to have them at my side as long as possible (they're useful).

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We're switching to deck guns (artillery) when sailing, zooming in the view with binoculars and start shooting at fast enemy destroyers just when they're entering our range (so we're already firing at them from a max. possible distance). Usually you must aim slightly below the enemy unit's silhouette. Our accurate artillery salvo is often very effective and causes an explosion of ammunition on enemy warship, then sends him to the coral in consequence of this last event. [#3] But if you're not a good shooter and the enemy units have managed to get dangerously close to you, they should also enter in the firing range of your destroyers. This way you're taking down first enemy destroyer and a moment later - 2nd. When American cruiser lagging behind them finally stays alone, you can sink him pretty quickly by attacking him with all three your warships now. Then return to the row formation and once again escape from the next enemy flotilla of warships entering the scene (map) from north, simultaneously sending to the bottom all these units one after another. Till you'll see the USS "Houston" in a company of two destroyers (the last, 5th group of enemies). But don't change your tactic even now and sink his destroyers' escort at first. Then you'll only have to destroy this lonely American cruiser (2). [#4]

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