Way it looks is either the potential +3 option above or go with a flag and non initiative based SAs. My preference would be the latter but that's because I pictured this with a flag foremost.
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"
Hmmmm,i just noticed that we've got a southhampton subclass (sheffield) and of course belfast and edinburgh.
The gloucester subclass is unrepresented. Possibly why we'd put manchester in, in the first place. The options there, glouscester, manchester, liverpool.
My second though on review of the comments is, instead of initative. Vector is a similar mechanic we can use.
I think that's going to open it all up again if we look at the class choices. The subclass argument is not a biggy for me, marginal difference. The Edingburgh's were the obvious different's. If we had a clear choice from the whole lot I'd be looking at Glasgow and then possibly Birmingham following.
I'd still vote Southampton even if turns out different to what I first thought.
What is the Vector option?
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"
If i'd realised the subclass was a factor i'd have stayed with Manchester. Not changing again though
Vector X based upon
VECTOR FIGHTERS: After each turn when this Aircraft is placed, you may redeploy 1 Fighter in a sector not containing enemy Aircraft to a sector within range 2 that does contain enemy Aircraft.
** VECTOR SUBMARINE: At the beginning of the Air Return phase, if this unit was not aborted, you may choose a friendly Submarine within 2 sectors of this unit. That Submarine may immediately move one sector towards the nearest enemy Ship.
What about just having the Establish screen SA that TrickiVic proposed with a flag for a relatively cheap option. That SA can obviously be used for both destroyers and cruisers.
Would have a vibe of control and leadership overall.
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"
Yeah, the town choices from this starter battle are not a lot and not the best. If one of the more lengthily active options was there, we would have fallen good. Apart from Glasgow and maybe Birmingham the others had either short or average wars, similar to some of the other initial slot choices - Peary below average, Kelvin average etc. Southampton is at least symbolic as class leader and first of the new class promoted into public conscious pre-war. If we're looking for a cheap town, this doesn't have to be spectacular. If something like the option I mentioned above or variation of is not fancied, I would say just go back to having it as flotilla leader if that's whats more preferred game wise. I was coming at it more from what she represented in being, rather than adding SA's for the games sake but I wouldn't go totally against that. Has been precedence either way long before now anyway.
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"
Ergo the sub class thing. Differentiation os key. Establish Screen i think is a novelty for a commonwealth cruiser. There's lots of flagships, another flag 1 is neither here nor there.
Flotilla leader was always going to compare with jamacia and her, speed+guns+initiative suite.
So that seems like the choices
Est-Screen + Flag1 (no well know commanders or battles as flag, squadrons only) Or
I've just thrown some text together whilst it's fresh in my mind. Use as you will when you need it.
Lead ship of her class, Southampton started the war as flagship of the 2nd cruiser squadron. After suffering light damage during the first German air raid on Rosyth naval base, she saw extensive sea time with fleet and escort duties up until taking part in the evacuation of Norway. Later present at Cape Spartivento, she scored at least one 6" hit on the destroyer Lanciere . On 11/01/41 during Operation Excess, she was caught by Ju87 elements of the recently arrived X Fliegerkorps in a surprise attack out of the sun. Bombed and set on fire, she was scuttled by friendly forces.
"That's right son, join the navy. Get behind a bloody big gun and knock the hell out of somebody"
"We went out, got our arses kicked, then came back again"