71 by TINS =[oFilel§) co-author of the best-selling Red Storm Rising EATTLES modern naval warfare scenarios for roa igOf © The © Third © World © War8 = Dedicated to my wife, Jeanne. Thank you to everyone who has helped me with this book: you know who you are. Battles of the Third World War is a compil naval wargame rules. tion of scenarios intended to be played with Harpoon All photographs courtesy of the US Navy. Designed by Larry Bond. Edited by Marc W. Miller. Graphic Design by Lauretta Oblinger. Cover by Steve Venters. Copyright © 1987 Game Designers’ Workshop, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA. Made in USA. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher 123456789 Harpoon is Game Designers’ Workshop's registered trademark for its modern naval wargame. ‘The designer of Harpoon is prepared to answer questions about the play of the game system. He can be reached in care of Game Designers’ Workshop. Game Designers’ Workshop, PO Box 1648, Bloomington, IL 61702-1646 Ri eee a lllBattles of the Third World War Table of Contents INTRODUCTION PLAYING THE GAME. THE WAR, THE OPENING MOVES. Tattletale Surface Contacts. The Russians are Coming, Bear Hug. Ambush... Power Sweep... THE CONVOY PERIOD. Whose Minefield Incoming Mal Get the Kiev! The Experiment. Icepick Roenforcements. POWER PROJECTION. Hammer and Anvil Bastion... Lone Wolf US MARITIME STRATEGY. SOVIET MARITIME STRATEGY. NAVAL TACTICS 101 ADDITIONAL RULES, ‘SURPRISES. ANNEX-A. ANNEX 8. ANNEX.C, ANNEX-, ANNEX-E: ANNEX-F..... ANNEX-G ANNEX-J ANNEX-L ANNEX-M ANNEX-R. ANNEX. ANNEX-Q.cowBattles of the Thi Introduction Battles of the Third World War is a compilation of scenarios for the contemporary naval wargame rules in Harpoon. The in- dividual scenarios provided by this booklet are all set against 2 single background: the North Atlantic theatre of a hypothetical World War Il. The various situations provide insight into precise- ly why specific naval battles will take place in the North Atlantic and how they will be fought. Some of the battles are selections. from many similar ones in a long battle of attrition. Others are ‘strategic: their outcomes will affect the course of the war. In- stead of simply playing until the "last man is standing,” players have missions, and these have a major effect on how they use ‘their forces. In some cases, the mission is simply to avoid a fight. This book is a supplement to Harpoon. If you do not have Har- pon, this supplement may stil provide some insight into modem aval strategy, but you will not be able to play any of the en- closed scenarios, This is not a complete game. To help the players use these scenarios, this module includes three chapters on modern naval strategy and tactics. Although they are far from exhaustive, they do provide guidance for the players, as well as give them some new ideas. US Meritime ‘Strategy presents the US battle plan for fighting World War il in @ naval environment. Soviet Naval Strategy deals with their very different system of military thought. Naval Warfare 101 deals with naval tactics and is applicable to both sides. “The scenarios inthis book are also intended to extend the Har- ‘pon rules into new areas of interest. They address such sub- jects as diesel submarine battery endurance, attacks on shore targets, mine warfare, and limited amphibious warfa The scenarios also involve four nations not covered in the criginal Harpoon rules. Consequently, ship specifications are pro- vided for the Netherlands, and Norway. Additional material on ship sensors and equipment is also provided in supplemental an: ‘exes in this book. If you are familiar with Harpoon, you should be able to play the scenarios in this module without further ado, If new rules are required to play a game, the scenario notes will inform you ‘of what sections to read. The sections on naval strategy and tactics ean be read whenever you choose, although you should bbe able to play a smarter game after having done so. ‘Some of these scenarios are adapted from or submitted by Harpoon players who have written to me. I maintain a lively cor- respondence with players regarding both scenarios and rules ex- tensionsiclarfications. | hope that if you see some way to im- prove the system, or if you do not understand some aspect of the rules, you will contact me through GOW, | always answer my mail Larry Bond Game Designers” Workshop, Attn: Harpoon, PO Box 1646, Bloomington, Ik 61702 USAPlaying the Game ‘Most of the scenarios in this book can be played in an after ‘noon; sometimes they may extend into an afternoon and eve- ning. Some (Reenforcements, for example) will take more time and should be played as a series of mini-battles. ‘Harpoon scenarios will be played in one of two ways: with the players alone, or with a referee. Naval combat is well-suited to hidden movement, and | recommend that as soon as the players are comfortable with the game, they try a referee. One person does not play but instead receives all orders for each side's units. He maintains a master plot that shows the posi- tion of everybody's units, detected and undetected. The referee simulates the part of reality that allows players to hide or to ‘sneak up on each other. jaring for Play: All of these scenarios will go more ‘smoothly if you organize them. Some things can be done ahead of time: filing out the ship reference sheets and making up maps fe the two most time-consuming items. If possible, the referee should hand out assignments to the players ahead of time, so when everyone shows up to play they have already read their Parts of the scenario and know what they are supposed to do. If you play a pickup game, where everybody gots together and then decides what to do, expect to spend one to two hours set- ting up. Writing Orders: Always write orders down in a log. This eliminates memory probleme leter. Players should also get used to giving orders in a standard format: one that ensures that no information is forgotten and that prevents misunderstandings. For ingtance, when giving movement orders, always state both course and speed. When launching an aircraft, always describe its payload immediately, not when it reaches the target. When ‘turning a radar or sonar on or off, specify the status of all the ship's sensors. ‘The orders logis an important part of making the game move smoothly. There are too many numbers and orders to trust to memory. During a game, typical facts | look up are the time an aircraft was launched, the number of missiles used shooting at a target (telling me how many are left), and the number of turns: 2 ship has been on a particular course. Adding contact reports, can also be useful, especially for tracking an elusive enemy. Promoting Realism: The referee can do a lot to make the game: ‘more realistic. When first playing, he should help the players use the rules inteligently, and if he sees one side failing to make {an obvious move, he may hint at an option or two. Intelligent play makes the game better for both sides. ow ‘Sensor inaccuracy: After the players are familiar with the basic rules, the referee should start adding layers of reality (for ex- ample, sensor inaccuracy). No sensor, however finely tuned, ‘can provide the precise position of another unit. Radar, for ex ample, can be off up to three degrees in bearing, and 1.5% of range. Active sonar is more, 1-8 degrees in bearing and 1-5% of range. The referee should fuzz up the detection reports to each side by appropriate amounts, preventing each playe receiving perfect information. SENSOR INACCURACY Sensor Type Bearing Range Radar True Bearing + True Range + (1D6~3) degrees (206 ~7)% Passive Sonar True Beating + Not Available (106 ~3) degrees True Bearing + True Range + (206-7) degrees (206-7)% Note: 106~3 means roll a six-sided die and subtract 3; the result ranges from ~2 to 3. 206-7 means roll two six-sided dice and subtract 7; the result ranges from 5 to 5. For exemple, if the true bearing is 90 degrees, aa die roll of 1 (minus 3= ~2) produces an inaccurate reading of 88 degrees. Changing Orders of Battle: Another thing the referee can do is alter the order of battle for each side, by varying it from the ‘one provided in the-scenario. It is very unusual for both sides to know exactly what they are up against; sometimes they don’t have the foggiest idea. Altering orders of battle usually means changing the class of the destroyers, or adding or subtracting @ unit. A more radical change would involve adding sircraft where there are none, or removing the submarine threat, or substituting one type of formation for.another. A naval com: ‘mander must be flexible enough to adjust his plans if he finds his original information is faulty ‘Changing Weapons Specifications: The next thing to change Is the specifications of the weapons, sensors, and platforms, Both sides have genuine secrets: capabilities they have managed ‘to keep secret from the other side. There are also problems of unexpected equipment failures or weapons that perform much better than expected. There are three different sete of perfor mange data for any system: what it can do, what its owner thinks, and what the enamy thinks. They are rarely the same. The simplest weapons specifications change to make is to alter the hit chance or speed of a weapon. Most weapons in wartime perform slightly poorer than they do in exercises or tests. The referee would determine ahead of time what changes to the Annexes he will make. For example, he might change the hit chance of @ missile from 75% to 55%. The first time one reaches its target, the player rolls the die and gets "62". The referee says ““You missed,”’ and the player has to have the wit to understand that his weapons aren't performing the way he ‘expected. Other changes might be more subtle: changing sen- sor performance would be harder to spot since the referee com- putes all the chances and rolls the dice. Also, ifthe player had rolled a °52’ for his missile attack, he would not know that his ‘weapon's performance had been altered, until the next attack. Changes in weapon performance can be. the result of ‘Active SonarBattles of the Third World Wi last-minute upgrades or capabilities never demonstrated to the ‘other side. For example, the Harpoon missilo’s range was in. ‘creased from 60 to 80 nm by using better fuel in the Block IC version. A player who thought he was out of range at 70 nm froma ship could discover otherwise. Intelligence sources also might have simply been wrong in estimating a weapon's or sen 80r'¢ performance. Itis important that the referee not change every weapon and sensor or turn the geme into some sort of Russian roulette. Small changes ate all that are needed, and one or two weapons per side are plenty. Concentrate on weapons that are new or have never been used in combat. Older weapons or ones whose per: formance has been seen before hold few surprises. Secret Woapons: The final category of performance changes are the “secret” weapons: ones whose existence the other side doesn't expect. | provide some samples later, but a wargame is the perfect place to try out exotic weapons and concepts to see how well they work. The referee should be careful, though, 10 avoid making a secret weapon too powerful. Many new or surprise weapons made very litte impact at first because they were poorly employed. A smart opponent might be able to win anyway of at least avoid defeat and withdraw with a whole skin. ‘Those changes add excitement to a game by creating uncer: tainty for the players. A commander can only be ‘‘pretty sure” ‘that he’s out of range or hasn't been detected. When should he fire? Hidden Movement: Hidden movement and limited information offer many ways of making @ game interesting’ One of the simplest techniques is to put the players in two separate rooms with the referee in a third. Another trick is to separate players fon the same side to limit coordination. Two submarine captains fn the same side might be or prohibited from discussing tac- tical mattors once the game has started. Other techniques can be used to enhance the realism or suspense thet makes the game fun. One group | know simulated aerial reconnaissance by placing the ship miniatures on a table, then taking a picture from six feet above the table (make sure it's strong enough to stand on with @ Polaroid camera. The pic ture was then handed to the other side, who had to identify the ships. Of course, the picture might be out of focus, or maybe there were clouds, simulated by cotton. Rather than just telling the player the ship class on the horizon, hold the miniature up about six feet (for 1/2400th scale) away. Use the same technique with aircraft photos or miniatures.TS The War “The reason for The War was named Etienne Duperre, a Belgian with @ French father and a German grandfather. As a minor politica figure, a functionary in the Banking Committee of the European Economic Community, he was quiet, efficient, and ‘young for his post. His personal passion was the idea of a United Europe—a single political entity composed of all European na~ tions. The combination of the industries, populations, and creativity of Western Europe would create @ third superpower (the fourth if you count China) He was not alone in his passion, especially at the EEC, where ‘many people assumed that “'someday” there would indeed be ‘United Europe, in the same sort of way people assume that “someday’’ men will land on Mars. It took a disaster to do it the Depression of 1990. The EEC had gone to great lengths to Integrate the economies of its member nations, much more so than even their close proximity would dictate, When the crash ‘came, they all fal ‘THE DEPRESSION OF 1990 West Germeny had made development loans to many third ‘world countries, and when two of them defaulted in April 1990, three of its largest banks collapsed. Other countties had also ‘made loans, and were also hurt by the default, but their bank- ing systems feebly held on. Germany's banking system dis- solved, and the Deutschmark was devalued ten times in a week. ‘The last three times were desperate attempts by the German government not to stop the rate of fall, But to just slow it down, Unsuccessful even in that, the government fell, losing all con trol ofits economy. Bankes in the other EEC countries, holders ‘of large amounts of German credit, or owed large amounts by German firms and already weak, followed, thors also suffered in the crash, although not nearly as badly {88 western Europe. The Soviet Union was more insulated from world economic effects, and besides, they didn’t have as far to fall. The United States weathered the storm, but at the cost ‘of a collapsing stock market; its effects were felt by pensioners, investors, and a broad cross-section of the American popula tion. Tentative isolationist policies began to emerge from Congress. ‘THE RISE OF DUPERRE Duperre stood in the middle of the maelstrom and saw it as ‘an absurdity. The monies lost in loan defaults could have been easily borne by Europe as a whole. But when one country fell, the others were too tied up with it to survive. The EEC wes on- ly as strong as its weakest member. When others saw disaster, he saw opportunity, and he made an intuitive leap. All the ‘monies were worthless, and more than one Parliament was in ‘chaos. He must revise the EEC so that it really wes one ‘economy, but to make that succeed, it must also be one political ‘entity. Now was the moment in history that might not come again In less than a week's time, he drafted a modification of the previously proposed European Constitution, and he proposed 3 plan for Europe's economic recovery based on a single cur: rency. He also displayed a gift for rhetoric that opened doors ‘and made him a media star. Many diverse populations, united in their common experience of financial ruin, saw him as the man with the Answer: fix the system so it couldn't happen ‘again, and at the same time, achieve what many had thought was only a dream: Europa. By August, France, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands had all agreed on a Federation of European States (FES), commonly called Europa. Modeled on the Canadian system, each province has more autonomy than a state does in the US Constitution, ‘As other countries, originally reluctant to join, saw the plan pro: ‘ceeding, they asked to be admitted. Duperre convinced them it would work, and to hold him to it, they elected him the first Prime Minister of Europa. He was almost its last. ‘SOVIET REACTIONS TO THE COLLAPSE OF EUROPE The Soviet Union had been quick to react to the collapse of Europe. Clearly, this was the beginning of the end for Western Capitalism. Marxist-Leninist theory predicted that the proletariat ‘would now arise and new socialist states would surely emerge. ‘All was beyond human control. Historical forces would be the masters of all events. The Soviet Union, in its commitment to the ultimate triumph of the workers and the proletariat, sent large amounts of money and supplies to its cells and agents throughout Europe. Military action was not necessary nor desirable; Europe was still well-armed and nothing helps an economy recover faster than war; the Soviets saw no need far overt attack. ‘The Politburo watched as governments fell, and worker's movements, centered on the Communist Party cadre in each ‘country, started in many countries. Then Duperre started the United Europa movement and destroyed the Soviet hopes for 2 United Soviet Europe with an almost offhand remark. This handsome, articulate answer to the problems of Europe was giv ing an interview; Duperre was asked if Communist philosophy had influenced his formula at all. He replied that "There are no successful Communist economies.” His word was taken as Gospel, and support for the Party movements dwindled away. ‘The Soviets then made a mistake. They tried to kill him, mak- Ing it look lke @ terrorist attack. The plan was executed, but Etienne was only wounded, and the gunmen captured. The source was determined, and the political boost of the KGB at- tack was added to his public image. On election day, December 1, 1990, there seemed no one in Europe who was not a follower of Etienne Duperre or an enemy of the Soviet Union. ‘The Politburo met on December 2nd, deciding what its course of action must be. The collective mood was shock and uncer- tainty. What had been an ideal situation, almost the dream of Socialism, had been turned around. Europe was now both united {and hostile. Duperre seemed an able leader. With a wide base of support, the future looked rosy, from the European point of view. Europa's members were already members of NATO, soaBattles of the Third World War Unified military command structure was in place. It would become more integrated, and with Europe's industry, it would be a formidable military machine EUROPE IN DISARRAY Europa’s industrial level was at a low in late 1990: nearly @ third of her workers were unemployed; a large fraction of in dustrial capacity lay idle; national revenues were depressed Duperre was faced with multiple priorities: economically to bring bback prosperity; politically to bring stability; diplomatically to ‘maintain intemational order. But all that would take time. A con: stitutional convention meeting in Milan was struggling to turn Duperre’s plan into reality. Until the constitution was adopted, there could be no promise of political stability. Without political stability, the single European currency could not exist and there Could be no economic stability. Without political stability, there could be no effective foreign policy, and no diplomatic stability, At that moment, Europe was vulnerable. In a year she would be a young giant. ‘THE DECISION FOR WAR ‘The Politburo decided. If Europe’s latent industry and political ‘chaos was going to be organized into a force against the Soviets, they must strike as soon as possible and try to destroy any coal tion, FES, NATO, or the EEC. The goal was simple: Impose the Soviet Union's political will on the post-recovery phase of Europe. “At best, they could acquire some new satellites, Fin- landize a few more states, and prevent the implementation of the Duperre Plan. At worst, they would still top formation of Europa by throwing the already fragile economies of the Euro- ean countries into further disarray. America had also been Weakened by the crisis. She was ambivalent towerd a United Europe, and might secretly approve of the Soviet's goal The attack was set for May 15th, 1991; it was not the time they would have chosen. Army reforms were incomplete: the Navy's cartier was not yet operational; the number of first-line submarines was very small, The Air Force was well-equipped with modern aircraft, but it could not guarantee alr supremacy ‘or even air superiority. Nevertheless, the Soviets felt they had 4 few surprises to spring on Europe, and that the FES's fragile unity would crack under a strong enough blow. The Soviets extended diplomatic recognition to Europa, but that was the only smooth part of their relations with the new government. Soviet trade payments to European countti stopped immediately, on the grounds that the governments they had been made with were no longer in existenee. Europa’s néw Diplomatic Corps was swamped with Russian demands for @ new embassy, rulings on verious issues, and concessions on everything imaginable, PREPARATIONS FOR WAR The Soviet preparations for the attack were careful, but not ‘completely hidden. Increased training, equipment upgrades, and ‘unusual movements were detected by US and FES intelligence. Knowing things does not guarantee action however. Some na tions were convinced but chose not to act; others were not con. vinced and waited for more information; others were powerless 10 act at all. The NATO Council of Ministers was the decision. ‘making body for FES, and it was paralyzed and would be until ‘the Constitutional Convention concluded its work next summer. All the nations of Europa were convinced on April 30th, 1991 TASS released @ statement that Europa planned to include the German Democratic Republic and Czechoslovakia, annexing them by force of arms if necessary. The Soviets released an FES ‘operations plan (turned over to them by a “freedom-loving citizen") which detailed Europa’s assault on Eastern Europe as the first task of its combined military forces. The Supreme Soviet ‘met in emergency session and declared that although it was weakened by the economic crisis, the USSR must act to defend those of its members subjected to imperialistic aggression. _—— ———w10 The Russians issued a list of demands (which would have ‘meant the virtual dissolution of Europe and NATO's military structure in the bargain). There was no question of agreement oF compromise; both sides started mobilizing. For simplicity and in the interests of speed, Duperre ordered that the existing NATO command structure be utilized, especially since some members such as Turkey and Greece were not ‘member nations of Europa. The US began REFORGER (Return Forces to Germany) and assembled ground forces for transship: ‘ment to Europe. Some troops were flown over to mate up with ‘their equipment at POMCUS sites. A Marine Amphibious Brigade was flown into Norway and mated up with its equipment. Norway posted the best performance during mobilization. From a standing army equivalent to one division, they mobilized ‘another four divisions in three days and deployed them into prepared positions. British forces also deployed into Norway. French divisions, now fully integrated into NATO's command structure, moved towards the potential front line. One hesitation occurred: the “National Ministers” of Britain and France both retained control oftheir nuclear arsenals. Ithad been assumed that the issue of existing nuclear weapons would be decided later, when the military command structure was established and when it could be seen that control was pass- ing to a firmly established government. It was too late for that ‘now, and Duperre had to hope that the missiles in national hands ‘would still have a deterrent effect on the Soviets. The Russians also mobilized, and because they had time to plan, their forces came together quickly. Large naval forces sor- tied from the Black Sea and Baltic Fleets, and joined their com- tados in the Barents and Kara Seas. Russian ASW groups. attempted to escort Soviet subs out of harbor, tracking and blocking the NATO subs that they could find. They also tried ‘to mark their positions for future attacks since they knew when ‘the war would start. Their targets didn’t. THE WAR BEGINS The Assault started fifteen days after the first TASS state- ment. The Warsaw Pact, under Soviet control, had achieved strategic (but not tactical) surprise. NATO troops in Europe were deployed in prepared, dus-in positions. Last-minute hangups and ‘confusion in the European ranks would have taken another week 10 sort out, but the Soviets did not give them the time. Reen- forcements were pouring forward, but were not yet in place. The badly needed heavy equipment in America could only be shipped by sea, and would net start to arrive for another two weeks. SPETZNAZ troops started the attack, circulating through a depressed and restless population in the months preceding the war. Their missions were concentrated on command and con- ‘rol facilities, nuclear missile installations, and (most iniportant of all) political targets: three of Europa’s new ‘‘National Ministers" lost their ives in the space of two hours. In all, over forty commando attacks were launched throughout Europa and allied NATO territory. Some were exceptionally successful: most failed but kept security forces occupied. And over three hun: dred false attacks were reported by a near-hysterical populace. ‘At sea, the Soviets had aurged over 70 submarines into the North Atlantic in the days before the attack. Most were second line nuclear and diesel-electric boats, which took in some cases ‘two weeks to reach station. All began to attack surface ships ‘at midnight, Moscow time. OPERATIONS AGAINST ICELAND The main attack was targeted against Iceland. Three regiments of bombers, armed with two large cruise missiles teach, attacked the US base at Keflavik. F-18s defending it made some inroads into the attacking aircraft, but the Russians were escorted by Flanker fighters (which had been refuelled by new ‘Midas tankers). The missiles destroyed all aircraft on the ground, including tankers, transports, and a precious AWACS plane. US fighters in the air were forced to divert to England. ‘Transports followed the missiles in. The Soviets had the capability to lift one airborne division, and they took it to Iceland. Ina classic parachute assault, they took the airfields at Keflavik ‘and Reykjavik and then commenced a massive logistic buildup. ‘Over the next week, aircraft, radars, SAMs, garrison troops, and engineers would bulld up the former NATO base into a Soviet stronghold designed to tighten their grip on the Norwegian S ‘An amphibious group, centered on Moskva and /van Ragov, moved to the Norwegian coast. For this assault, Moskva car- ried Mi-24 Hind helicopters and Ka-27 Helix troop carriers, some partially disassembled. She was escorted by Kirov and Novorossiysk, a Slava-class cruiser, numerous escorts, and several first-line submarines. They had the initiative in this assault, since they could attack at several points along the coast and could pick the weakest point. They took losses from NATO aircraft based at Bodo and Banak, but Moskva and Ragov both survived. They entered the Kvaenangen fjord and established beachhead ‘OPERATIONS IN CENTRAL EUROPE Meanwhile Soviet ground forces were moving in Central Europe. The ‘Central Front’” had formed: the one scenario ‘everyone thought was the least ikely. The Soviet goals were not to destroy military forces, but to occupy territory and destroy centers of command and support. Hostile ground troops were ‘tobe cut off from supplies and isolated, so they could be mopped Up later with litle cost. The Soviets had claimed before the war ‘the ground forces could advance forty kilometers a day against ‘opposition. They managed ten. OPERATIONS AT SEA ‘At sea, independent shipping was attacked by submarines and patroling long-range aircraft. Each day, the Backfire and Badger bombers would leave bases in the Kole Peninsula and attack ‘targets in the Atlantic or Norwegian sea. In the first week they attacked independent ships in vics of three aircraft each. They attacked land installations and radar bases in squadron strength, land convoys and cartiers in regiments of 27 planes each. If a carrir battle group had ventured in range, additional regiments from the Strategic Nuclear forces would have been loaned out, allowing them to attack a large force with up to six regiments of aircraft, each carrying one missile, or if close enough, two. ‘These formations had immense striking power and range and allowed the Soviets to concentrate massive firepower if necessary. These were the stars of the Russian War effort —— SSSThe Soviets’ immediate goal was the security of their waters. ASW patrol aircraft and surface groups patrolled inside a bar tier of mines and submarines, looking for enemy submerines that hhad to be there. They stationed their ballistic missile submarines in the Kara Sea, nearly enclosed by Novaya Zemlya. They blocked the straits with mines and surface cratt, and helicopters {nd aircraft overhead. The Barents and Kara Sea were another worry. Up to the edge of the Ice Cap, US submarines could launch Tomahawk missiles against targets on Soviet territory with conventional or nuclear warheads. Many Russian planners remembered 9 widely-disseminated photograph of @ Tomehawk missile test, where a missile with a conventional warhead flew over two hundred miles and then detonated directly over the center of an aircraft revetment, destroying the target plane in- side. Submarines could also do other things in home waters. ‘There were rich pickings: warships, merchant ships supplying the Iceland and Norway garrisons, tenders, and other sub- marines. They could also land agents and collect intelligence, (Once they had secured their own front yard they intended to control the Norwegian Sea, A ring of Soviet air and naval bases in celand, Norway, and eventually entirely surrounding the body ‘of water would prevent NATO forces, especially carriers, from attacking. The bases close to the North Atlentic, especially Iceland, would sllow them to interdict the supply lines from ‘America to Europe. Fighters based at the airfields there could force the transport aircraft to take a more southerly route. This ‘would lengthen the flight and make it less efficient. The fighters Could also support the submarines by making it hot for any P-3s, Nimrods, or other NATO ASW aircraft. They could escort at- tacking bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, and of course they ‘would also defend the airbases against NATO air attacks. The Soviets had no intention of moving in strength south of Iceland. With that base secure they can operate subs in relative ‘freedom in the Atlantic, but surface forces would now be faced with a ring of bases sulrounding the Atlantic. What the Russians wanted to do in the Norwegian Sea NATO had already done in the Atlantic. Their objective at sea was to make it harder for NATO to at tack their home bases and for supplies to reach Europe from America NATO, including America, had to slow down the Soviet ad- vance and convince Russia that she could not win the War. The quicker the Soviets could see that the War was going against them, the quicker they would sue for peace and allow Europe to.continue its rebuilding. To do this, NATO had to slow the Rus- sian advance and keep the reenforcement lanes open, As soon as the shooting started all independent merchants headed for the nearest friendly port. Some made it. Convoys were formed and escorted by NATO ASW groups centered on helicopter carriers. The five US and one French aircratt carriers formed up into two battle groups and escorted high-speed prior- ‘ty convoys or tried to provide air cover for the slower convoys. ‘This took time, though, because the carriers and, thelr escorts had to be brought together. It took over a week, and NATO lost many single ships to submarines and aircraft NATO ASW aircraft operated in a “‘target-rich environment,"” that is, there were too many subs to handle. Several submarines died immediately after hostilities started because they were be- ing passively tracked by Nimrods or P-3s. SOSUS held dozens of contacts and quickly reached saturation, Soviet subs formed barriers across the probable convoy lanes. Cruise missile subs (Charlie fs and Ws) would be in one line, attacking the ASW ships with missiles. Torpedo carrying subs would then go in the holes Tipped in the screen and attack the merchants. The convoy commanders countered by placing ASW helicopter carriers inside the convoys, where they were pro- tected by the bulk of the merchant ships. Helicopters, especially those equipped with dipping sonar like the SH-3s and French Lynx, accounted for over 50% of the sub kills near the convoys. the convoy was attacked from the air, the escorts themselves —K12 ‘would assume positions in the convoy formation, so that they ‘could not be distinguished from their charges. Ifa helicopter car rier was not available, two container ships would be taken in hand and given helicopter decks and crude berthing and maintenance facilities. The “ASW merchants’ were a useful supplement to the carriers Those convoys “fortunate” enough to be escorted by three aircraft carriers resigned themselves to a fast, dangerous trip ‘across the Atlantic. The first one, CFO7, had Nimitz, Kennedy, and Clemenceau forming Carrier Division One. Two Aegis cruisers, Yorktown and Antiecam, were placed in the lattice for- mation of the convoy itself. The convoy's base speed was 18 knots, which limited the effectiveness of the ASW escorts. They would spend 15 minutes at ten knots, listening, and forty-five ‘minutes at twenty, catching up. This meant that only one-fourth of the escort’s sonars were capable of hearing anything. The carrier's ASW aircraft had to take up the slack. They did, with 'S-3¢ and Allzes patrolling out in front while SH-3s and SH-GOFS watched in close ‘The Soviots were presented with an extremely valuable target Not only was the convay full of high-value cargoes and ships, but the carrier escorts were potential strategic strike platforms. ‘The Russians launched five regiments of strike aircraft against CFO7. It was supported by jammers, reconnaissance planes, and every submarine within 200 miles of the convoy's track. In a five-day battle, CFO7 lost ten merchants, had one carrier dar aged, and had four escorts sunk. The Soviets lost five sub- ‘marines, including an Oscar SSGN, and 20 aircraft. NATO call edit a draw. The commander of the Atlantic TVD knew better. Farther north, NATO submarines in the Norwegian Sea were trying to stop the Soviet buildups on Norway and Iceland. Diesel boats attacked logistic ships close inshore, while nuclear boats from France, England and the US broke through the Soviet sub- marine screen and attacked the amphibious ships and mer- chants. Soviet sonars and ASW weapons could not stop the NATO boats unless they were heavily concentrated, and there were not enough escorts to go around. Inthe Barents and Kara Seas, NATO nuclear boats had taken positions during the crisis that would allow them to attack if ‘there were hostilities. When the shooting started, they attacked ‘the submarines and ships in the Russian home waters. This not only attritted the Soviet forces and caused them to concentrate fleet assets close to home, but it was also meant to show them that they were not safe anywhere, even on their front doorstep. Unfortunately, the erisis had come on too quickly, and only @ few subs had been close enough to reach the area. Those that attacked were swamped with ASW sircraft, both fixed wing and helicopters, Some ware ost to the dense minefields that literally tinged the Barents Sea, and some encountared pairs of first-line ‘submarines: Akulas and Sierras on offensive ASW patrol. Two NATO subs escaped to report on the strength of the Russian defenses. AFTER TWO WEEKS [At the end of the first two weeks of the War, the first sup- plies and reenforcements were just reaching the front. Soviet subs had taken terrible losses trying to stop the convoys, for Questionable gains. The helicopter was the hero of the day, and cow ——— (Se ‘any ship that could be spared was being converted to carry half ‘dozen or more. One move that would make it more difficult for Russian eubs was a barriar of eaptor mines that was laid by aircraft in the US and Britain. It was originally supposed to be laid from Iceland, but luckily not many of the mines had been ‘moved there when it was invaded. Now the mines were laid. Each was @ Mark 46 ASW torpedo that would be activated by {Soviet submarine passing by. It had an immediate effect on transiting Russian subs. “The submarine war ranged north from Iceland, with the quality of the opposition steadily increasing the closer one got to Rus: sian home waters. The Norwegian Sea was in flux, but NATO had faith in the final outcome, The Barents, the most lucrative target, was going to be a tougher nut to crack. Submarines had done most of the fighting to date, mostly because they were the only units that could get at the enemy without being sub- jected to air and surface attack. Iceland was a real problem. In Russian hands, it was a base for fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, for recovering damaged bombers, and for ASW aircraft attacking NATO subs transiting orth. Valuable aircraft were taken from the Central Front to attack the new Soviet base. They had some effect, but no ‘ground target can be completely neutralized from the air without huclear weapons. The fighters and SAMs also meant any suc- ‘cess was paid for in men and planes. The Supreme Allied Com- ander, Atlantic (SACLANT) ordered the amphibious invasion of Iceland, It would take two weeks for the ships to assemble. Before that, the Soviet land-based air threat would have to be reduced. Not only were the convoys taking a beating, but the chance of the amphibious group making it to Iceland intact was not good. Pairs of Los Angeles-class submarines loaded with Tomahawk missiles headed north, moving through the Davis Straits and under the Icecap. In one to two week's time they would launch their missles at Russian airfields and ammuni- tion dumps. ‘To reduce the submarine threat, subs were sent north to mine possible transit lanes and snorkeling havens. Operations in Soviet home waters were conducted with stealth for the time being, until their forces could be reduced. Finally, special wai fare teams from the US, the UK and Germany were landed on Iceland and even the Kola peninsula. Some were lagded by air craft, some by submarine. One team even went in over land, through Finnmark. Once in place they destroyed installations, provided valuable intelligence, and tied up a large number of Soviet units watching an impossibly long coast. “The NATO plan had come together: Attrit the submarines in the Atlantic, where they were away from supporting units. Cut off the Iceland and Norwegian garrisons from supplies and keep preseure on them with air attacks and special warfare teams. Reduce the long-range air threat with Tomahawk attacks. This, had to be accomplished by the time the amphibious task force would sail, in two week's time. When the Task group lett Norfolk for Iceland, it was the largest formation of ships to sail since WW Il. It was certainly the longest opposed transit in History. One British and one Spanish ‘ASW group sanitized the path ahead of the Task force, while CARDIV Two provided fighter cover and closesin air support. Three Soviet submarines were detected and destroyed beforeBattles of the Third World War they could make their attack. Many others were attacked over the next five days. The group took its time approaching the target. CARDIV One was in position to attack Soviet Backfires as they came south to attack. Almost 20 bombers were lost the first day. In combination with the ongoing Tomahawk strikes, the air threat was much reduced. After that the bombers Concentrated on CARDIV One. This was bad news for them, but the amphibious force was left relatively unmolested, and the Russian aircraft continued to take losses. ‘As they approached the amphibious area of operations, the carriers’ escorts fired Tomshawks at SAM positions mapped from space. Any missile launchers that had not moved or could ‘not be moved since the last satellite pass were knocked out. Fout of the six carriers thed launched a total of fifteen squadrons of attack aircraft: F/A-18 Hornets, A-6 Intruders, A-7 Corsair ‘and Super Entendards. The Hornets engaged Flanker and Fulcrum fighters, while F-14s from five of the six carriers kept the Soviets from sending any help at all. The Iceland gatrison was both isolated and pinned down, and the assault was @ foregone conclusion. It took only a week to end organized military resistance. The fall of Iceland was the shock the Russians needed to see the end of the war. With that island back in NATO hands, and with thelr air and submarine forces reduced, they had no way of stopping the NATO carriers from clearing the Norwegian sea, retaking Norway, and steaming into the Kara Sea. Rather, they had one way, and NATO knew it. When the Soviet ambassador in Geneva presented a plan for @ cease fire, NATO was willing to listen. The war was over.14 THE OPENING MOVES “The following scenarios provide a glimpse of the naval action that will characterize the opening moves of the next war. Tattletale ‘STANAVFORLANT is NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlan: tic. With the creation of the FES, it was used as a test group for integrating the operations of the ships belonging to the various individual FES navies. STANAVFORLANT normally con- sists of five to six frigates, one from each NATO country, and ‘an auxiliary ship. As the Soviets mobilized, STANAVFORLANT. was assigned to the North Sea in search of a reported submarine. The Soviets have also decided to assign a unit to STANAVFORLANT. Blue Operations: The NATO ships are limited in their responses Until the Soviet ship fires. When it does, they should blow it away, Red Operations: The Soviet captain should seek the best place for his ship to fire from. Once the time arrives he should open fire, Kling or damaging as many ships as possible. He has two options: retire and fire his $S-N-2C missiles, then depend on his defensive systems to survive, or close with the formation to engage with torpedoes and guns and SAMs in a surtace-to-surtace mode. cow TERS a Russian may then position himself astetn oF to either beam of the formation, no’ closer than 1 nm. Environment: This engagement takes place in open ocean, with sea state 4 and winds of 20 knots from 070 degrees T. Visibility is nighttime, 60% due to rain. Game start time is 2100 hours. Blue Orders: STANAVFORLANT has been assigned to con. duct ASW operations in the North Sea. Peacetime rules of engagement are in effect, except that they have been modified 0 that locking a weapons radar on a NATO ship or aircraft is, considered a hostile act. All ships will maintain Condition Il, that is, wartime steaming, with one third of their weapons and all sensors manned. These are normally antiair ot defensive weapons such as Sea Sparrow or point defense gun systems. If another unit fires at you or suddenly maneuvers, you will set Condition | (General Quarters). This will ake D8 minutes for each ship. Onee Condition |is set all weapons are manned. If 2 poten- tially hostile eubmarine is detected, track it but do not fire unless it fires or unless another Soviet unit fires at you. Forces: USS Copeland, FFG-25 (US O.H. Perry-class). Emden, F 210 (German Bremen-class). HMS Ariadne, F 72 (UK Leander Batch 38). Van Kinsbergen, F 809 (Netherlands Kortenaer class), UMCS Huron, DDH 281 (Canadian ‘roquois-class). Poolster, A 836 (Netherlands auxiliary ship) Blue Victory Conditions: Sinking the Soviet ship with no loss fr less than 60% damage on any ship is a victory. Sinking the Russian with the loss of one ship or more than 80% damage ‘on one ship is @ draw. Sinking the ship with greater loss is a defeat Red Orders: You are the captain of a Mod Kashin guided missile frigate. At 2101 hours, you will.attack the NATO units you are trailing. You will then escape at your best speed Forces: Smyshlenny (Mod Kashin FF). The SS-N-2C missiles all have conventional warheads. Red Victory Conditions: Sinking three or more ships is @ decisive Soviet victory (50% or more damage is considered equivalent to a sinking). Sinking two ships is @ draw. Sinking fone or no ships is a defeat, Setup: Allow the NATO player to determine his formation. TheBattles of the Third World War Surface Contacts P-3s are used not only for ASW patrol, but also for detecting, tracking, and attacking surface contacts. They are the only plat form with the range and sensors to track surface units in open ocean. In this engagement, a P-3 attacks a surface formation it has previously located, Blue Operations: The biue player must pick his target carefully Although his four Harpoons will damage or sink a unit, the target's defenses must be considered. In no case should the P-3 tty to attack more than one ship. There is no reason to make the attack on the first pass, and the US player may want to con: sider feinting, to distract the Russian or to cause him to change ions: When the P-3’s direction of attack is deter- ‘mined, change your formation to put escort ships between the aircraft and the eruieer. Setup: Allow the Soviet player to determine his steaming for- mation. The P-3 has previously located this formation, so it may approach from any direction at any altitude it chooses. The P-3 knows the composition ofthe formation but not ite arrangement, ‘soto target specific ships he must either detect them with radar or FLIR. Environment: Gamo start time is 2200 hours, nighttime, with 15 100% visibility. Sea state is three, with 15-knot winds from 280 degrees T. Sonar conditions are irrelevant for this scenario, Blue Orders: You are the pilot of a P-3C Orion on a surface Classification and tracking patrol. You have previously detected 2 formation made up of a Kresta /-class CG, a Krivak IFFG, and 2 Kashin DDG. Use your Harpoon missiles to attack the forma tion, inflicting meximum possible damage. Report results of your strike and of the location of the surviving units. Forces: One P-3C Orion, carrying 4 Harpoon missiles. Blue Victory Conditions: Sinking one unit is a victory for the P-3. Damaging one unit at 50% or less is a draw. Failing to in flict any damage on the Soviets is a loss. Losing the P-3, regardless of results, is a loss. Red Orders: You are the commander of @ Soviet ASW task ‘group in the Norwegian Sea. You are en route to a suspected NATO submarine position at the start of hostilities. A maritime patrol aircraft has been tracking your position, and you can ex- ect it to now make an attack Forces: Admiral Nachimov (Kresta I-class CG) Soobrazitelny (Kashin-class DDG) Dostoiny (Krivak H-class FFG) Red Victory Conditions: Preventing damage to any ship is a ‘decisive victory. Having one ship damaged up to 50% is a draw. One ship or more sunk is a loss. Shooting down the P-3 raises the victory by one level Variants: Besides varying the composition of the Soviet ASW ‘group, have the P-3 be unarmed, but serve as the contoller for two to four British Buccaneers armed with Sea Eagle. If this force is used, make sure that there are at least two Russian ships with SANG.16 The Russians are Coming ‘To retain strategic surprise, the Soviets have delayed sortie ing any surface ship formations until H-hour. Off North Cape, the Norwegians keep a Nordkapp-class patrol ship on perma- rent station, It observes the comings and goings of the Soviet Fleet, gathers intelligence, reports weather, and waits. Bue Operations: During the crisis, the Norwegians have ‘moved a squadron of patrol boats into a fjord near the Nord kapp's position. Its existence is unknown to the Soviets. Once fired on, Andennes must sound the alarm, provide what infor: ‘mation she has on the Soviet formation, return fire, and try to stay alive. The patrol squadron should close at maximum speed, Using the poor visibility and EMCON to hide their approach for as long as possible. Use the data provided by Andennes to posi tion the patrol boats for a coordinated attack. Try to bypass the destroyers and frigates and attack the two cruisers. Red Operations: The Soviets must try and kil the patrol ship {8 quickly as possible. The best way to do this is with Oulchny’s 130mm guns. Ifthe Lynx is airborne, it must also be destroyed. ‘They will then proceed on their ordered course and encounter the PT boats. They should keep an aggressive watch for sur: {face threats, keeping one of Kafnin's helicopters aloft. They may ‘choose to radiate some of their radars, but the fewer they radiate, the less the Norwegians will know about the composi- ‘tion of the force. Once the PT boats attack, the Russians must defend themselves, expending the least amount of ordnance cow ————— A It’s going to be a long war, and there will be other engagements after this attack. ‘Setup: This engagement takes place near the Finnmark coast, off Vardo. Place the Andennes 045 degrees T (Northeast) 15 ‘nm from Vardo. Group 2 (the patrol boats} are concealed in Ham- mingberg Fiord, 25 nm away. It will take them 5 minutes to remove the camouflage netting and get underway, once they receive word from Andennes. You may use pieces of masking tape to denote the shoreline, fon a scale of 1°"=1 nm, or you may simply place the units in their respective positions. The lead ship of the Soviet formation is placed 080 degrees T to 100 degrees T from 30-80 nm from the Nordkapp. An- dennes’ position is known exactly by the Soviets, so they may place their units anywhere within this area Environment: The wind is from 300 degrees T at 10 knots, 80a state 2. It is foggy, nighttime, with 20% visibility. Sonar conditions are 90% of normal. The water depth is less than 1000 fathoms, so there are no convergence zones. Game start time is 0300 hrs local time. Blue Orders: You are the commander of a Norwegian patrol bboat squadron and the Nordkapp patrol ship. In these last few days of crisis you have moved your PT squadron under the cover of bad weather and night to a fjord @ short distance from the Norakapp patrol station off Vardo. It is concealed along the wall of the fjord, under camouflage netting. It will take the squadron five minutes from the order to remove the netting and get underway. Inteligence believes that if the Soviets do start hostilities, they will attempt to destroy the Nordkapp to prevent NATO from {gaining too much information on sailing times and group com- positions. They will probably detail a strong group of surface ships to destroy it as they sortie. The Nordkapp's role is to report on the movements of any ‘surface or air units encountered. It is to keep all radars radiating. It may return fire with its own weapons only after it has detected hostile action by the Soviets, i.e. missiles or guns being fired. It may leave station only if potentially hostile units close to gun range. If either of these two things happen, it may notify the PT boat squadron in the plotting phase of the next tactical turn I1it is attacked and destroyed in a single turn, e.g. by gunfire it will only be able to repor Ifa Soviet group does attack, you are to engage it and destroy own demise Hammingbera Hammingberg AndennesBattles of the Third World War any surface units, especially cruiser-sized and larger. Forces: Group 1: Andennes (Nordkapp-class patrol vessel) Group 2: 3 Hauk, 2 Snogg, 3 Storm-class patrol boats Blue Victory Conditions: NATO forces win a decisive victory If they sink Kafinin, a major victory if they sink Nikolayey or damage Kalinin over 50%, and a minor victory if they either sink ‘two destroyers or frigates or sink a DDIFF and damage Nikolayev over 50%. Red Orders: You are the commander of Task Group Kalinin, ‘As part of the opening of hostilities against the NATO/FES forces, you are going to attack and destroy the Nordkapp located 15 nm northeast of Vardo. Be alert for other ships or submarines escorting the patrol ship. During your approach, deny the op: posing forces as much information as possible on your composi: tion. Destroy the patrol ship with gunfire if possible or with missiles if this is not possible. After destroying the patrol ship, continue to proceed on course 280 degrees T towards Hammingberg. Maintain an alert watch for surface, submarine, and air contacts. Remember thet this is the first battle of what may be a long war. Conserve your forces and ammunition, especially those missiles that can be reloaded only in port and that willbe needed for more dangerous vessels. 17 Forces: Kalinin (Kirov-class BCGN) (flagship) Nikolayev (Kara: class CG) Vasil'vevsky (Udsloy-class DDG) Otlichny (Sovremennyy-class DDG) Zharkyy (Krivak (-class FFG) Red Victory Conditions: If no other ships are detected, the Soviets win a decisive victory if the Nordkapp is destroyed with ‘two missiles or less, no losses, and if no other information is reported to NATO beyond word of the attack. They win ama jor victory if the Nordkapp is destroyed without loss. Ifa ship is damaged, they suffer a minor defeat; if a ship is sunk, itis a major defeat. other ships are detected, the conditions of vietory change: ‘The Soviets must prevent serious loss to themselves while in- flicting maximum damage on the enemy. The Soviets win a vic~ tory if at most one of the escort ships is damaged, while two ‘or more hostile ships are sunk. It is a draw if a cruiser is dam- aged or an escort is sunk, and if four or more hostile ships are ‘sunk. The Soviets sustain a loss if a cruiser or more than one escort ie sunk. Variants: Instead of a surface attack, give the Norwegians 2 Type 210 or Type 207 submarine, patrolling near the Nord- kapp. As a reenforcement, give them 4 F-16s equipped with 2 Penguin Mk3, or 4 USMC F/A-18s with 2 Harpoon missiles each.18 Bear Hug “Three days after the start of hostilities, @ Soviet amphibious task force is approaching the Norwegian coast. Their mission Is to occupy Kvaenangen fjord, north of Troms. This will cut off Norwegian and other NATO ground units to the north and provide a base for repair and resupply of subs and ships. The Bansk airbase nearby will also increase the effective range of Soviet tactical aircraft. NATO must try to stop them, ‘Only the naval engagement and defense suppression is gamed outhere. Vietory conditions will determine ifthe landing is suc- cessful, depending on the performance of the surface ships. ‘Blue Operations: NATO should use the coastal radar sparing, ly, s0 it is not located and attacked. The aircraft should be brought on as early as possible to locate the formation exactly. ‘The missile boats should make @ coordinated attack, concen- ‘tating fire on the primary targets. The aircraft have the duel role of destroying ships and attacking helicopters. They should under no circumstances be brought in too close to the Soviet missile ships. Red Operations: Tho Soviets should launch their Hormone Bs Immodiately to scout the waters nearby. They can also provide ‘extra warning of sea-skimming missiles approaching. The Hinds ‘should also be launched to scout the coastline and the fjord Alexander Nevsky should approach with one escort, probably the DDG, to attack the pillboxes. Hinds should have already located the missile battery and destroyed it. Use the Kara and ‘Krivak to screen Moskva. Setup: Transfer the map to graph paper. Allow the Norwegian player to place his pillboxes. Roll D100 for each pillbox; there is a 25% chance that the Soviet player is aware of its location, ‘There is no chance for the Russians to know the location of the mobile missile battery. Allow the Norwegian player to station his two:ship groups and the missile battery, with the ships up +10 100 nm to the south of the entrance to the fjord. Place the Soviets 50-70 nm bearing 270 degrees T to 330 degrees T from ‘the entrance. The Soviet player then secretly declares his in- ‘tended landing area. All amphibious ships must land the Environment: This occurs near the Norwegian coastline Visibility is daylight, 100%, with sea state 3 and fifteen knot winds from 240 degrees T. Sonar conditions are 80% of nor- mal. The water depth is Shallow: less than 100 fathoms. Sub- marines may not operate at Intermediate or Oeep depts. There are no CZs, and towed arrays cannot be streamed. Active towed sonars can be towed at shallow depth. Game start time is 0400 hours. Blue Orders: You are the commander of a mixed NATO force dofending the Kvaenangen fjord. The assault echelon of a Soviet amphibious group is approaching your position. At the start of this scenario itis 50-80 nm away to the west, northwest, or orth. Sink all Russian amphibious ships and support vessels. Escorts and other warships are secondary priority unless destroying them would facilitate your attack on the primary ‘targets. Limited air support is available 3D6 minutes after they are called. The Group 1 units may be stationed in the fjord itself ‘or along the coastline to the south. The Group 2 units must be stationed to the south. You may position the (fixed) 105mm. pillboxes and the mobile Penguin missile battery before the game begins. The mobile battery may not be placed on eny of the islands. Forces: Group 1: 2 Norwegian Snogg-class PTMs, 1. Norwegian Storm-class PGM, 1 Norwegian Mauk-class PTM. Group 2: USS Pegasus (PHM-1), US Pegasus-class PHM, USS Hercules (PHM-2), US Pegasus-class PHM Either group of ships may be stationary along the coast. Group 11 may be stationary along the walls of the fjord as well. While stationary and close to the coastline, they cannot be detected by radar, and they may only be detected visually at 2 nm range (or 5 nm if they fie). Unguided weapons (bombs, rockets, guns) have a +20% modifier to their hit chance when attacking a sta- tionary ship. It takes five minutes from receipt of the order for the ships to remove their camouflage and get underway. Six 105mm pillboxes with 60 damage points and a general armor rating of Medium. They are small targets and are ~ 20% for all weapons to hit. They are stationary and are + 20% for all unguided weapons (guns, rockets, bombs) to hit. The pillbox Is destroyed if itis reduced to zero damage points, orifit receives 2 critical hit, which will automatically destroy the gun. The box cannot be seen on radar, but it can be located visually lat Tam, or 5 nmifit has fired in the same 30-second turn, Each pillbox is equipped with three RBS 70 SAMs. (One coastal Penguin missile battery is mounted on three trucks. Each truck has 10 damage points and is not armorad. ‘One truck has @ generic navigation surface search radar. The other two carry four Penguin Mk2 missiles each. Rate of fire for the missiles is two per truck per tactical turn. The batteryBattles of the Third World War is also equipped with four Stinger man-portable SAMs. The ‘rucks must be stationary for three minutes before they may fire, and they may not move while firing. They are subject to the + 20% modifier for unguided weapons as stationary targets. they wish to move, it takes three minutes from the time the order is given until they may move. After that, they move at 25 knots (30 miles per hour) across country. They can be seen at 2 nm if stationary, 5 nm if they are moving, or if they fire. They cannot be detected by radar. Two Norwegian F-16Cs are on call, armed with 4 Penguin Mk3 and 2 AIM-SLs and cannon. They will arrive 306 minutes after they are called. f they approach over land (Low altitude), ‘they may use terrain masking and will nat be detected until they are within 10 nm of a ship. Blue Victory Conditions: NATO must prevent the assault elements from arriving within 2 nm of the objective area. The Soviat player will rol D100 to determing if the assault succeeds, The chance of success is based on the units surviving: /van Rogov: +60%, each Ropucha +10%, Moskva +20%, Alex: ander Novsky + 10%. Red Orders: You are the commander of the assault echelon of a Soviet amphibious task force. Your mission is to approach the target (Kvaenangen fjord) suppress any defenses, and move the amphibious ships van Rogov and Ropuchas) within 2.nm of the assault area. Norwegian defenses are expected to be light bbut may consist of the following: small missile craft, coastal bat tories, sub, mobile missile batteries, and aircraft. Use 19 Alexander Nevsky and, if necessary, Otchayannyy to suppress any shore defenses, Forces: Moskva (Moskva-class CHG). She carries 4 Ka-27 Helix A helicopters, 6 Ka-27 Helix B troop carriers, 4 Ka-25 Hor- ‘mone B helicopters, and 4 Mi-24 Hind E attack helicopters Nikolayev (Kara-class CG), Alexander Nevsky (Sverdiov-class CL), Otchayannyy (Sovremennyy-class DDG), Doblsetny (Krivak class FFG) Nanuchka lsclass corvette, Ivan Rogov (Ivan Rogov-class LPD), 3 Ropucha LSTs. Rod Victory Conditions: The assault elements must artive within 2 nm of the declared objective area, and there must be ‘no shore-based defenses within range and no other units able to attack. The chance of success is based on the units surviv- ing: /van Rogov: + 50%, each Ropucha + 10%, Moskva +20%, Alexander Nevsky + 10%. Roll D100 to determine success. Variants: The easiest change is adding or subtracting units from each side, such as doubling the number of F-16s. Another change is to eliminate one entire category of defenders, such as the coastal missile battery, or add a new one on, such as mines, perhaps with command detonation. Require the Soviets to complete the assault by some set time, or the follow-on echelons will be exposed to attack. ‘A separate game could be played with SPETZNAZ troops land- ed by submarine to suppress much stronger defenses while minesweepers try and destroy any fields guarding the entrance. Their success or failure would then determine what opposition the assault elements face.20 Ambush During the weeks of crisis prior tothe war's outbreak, Br naval forces began assembling into task groups, “‘just in case the balloon goes up."" As part of the process, intensive ASW ‘exercises were held to shake down the units and get them used ‘to working together. In peacetime, such surface forces are often trailed by hostile submarines. Both sides get to practice. Blue Operations: The UK force may receive warning of the ‘sub’s presence before it fires, depending on how aggressive the Oscar's skipper is. Once the missiles are inbound, the British formation must defend itself and rapidly prosecute the Oscar ‘submarine. It is @ capital unit of the Soviet navy, and the UK task force should exert @ maximum effort to sink it, without Using nuclear weapons. If the subs are detected before they launch, the Oberon SS may be used to try and close their posi- tion to classify them and later attack. Red Operations: The Soviet commander must decide betwe launching a bearing-only attack, based on scanty data, and clos: ing in to get better information and risking attack himself. The Victor lis @ powerful antisurface unit as well, with its Type 65 torpedoes. It is more detectable though, and it can be used as a decoy to protect the much more valuable Oscar, but itis not to be casually expended. A good tactic might be to send the Victor i ahead to locate the task force, then at a prearranged time, have both units come to periscope depth and have the Victor transmit its information to the Oscar. The Victor is then in good position to launch a torpedo attack. Setup: The llustrious task group and Odin are exercising in 40 nm-square box. The task group should be placed anywhere in one of the box's four quadrants, steaming at 15 knots. Odin should also be placed randomly in one of the other quadrants, creeping at intermediate depth. Their base courses should keep ‘them in the box. They may choose to zigzag. Place the Soviet ‘subs approximately 30 nm from one of the edges of the box, creeping at § knots. They may choose their starting depths. Since the Oscar's second convergence zone (62-65nm) divides the exercise area in half, at game start the Soviet player knows whether the task force is in the near or far half of the box. The last CZ bearing wil allow him to know whether itis in the left- or right-hand side of the box as well. After 3010 cow LA A minutes of play, the UK player receives word that hostilities have ‘commenced between NATO and the Warsaw pact. At that time, it he has detected any Soviet submarines, he may attack them with live ordnance. The Soviet player may attack immediately. Environment: This scenario takes place in open water in the northern Atlantic. Sonar performance is 100% of listed values. Water depth is 1000+ fathoms, allowing convergence zones at 31, 62, and 93 nm with a 3 nm-wide annulus. Sea state is 3, with a 15:knot wind from 228 degrees T. Visibility is 100%. Game start time is 2300 hrs. Blue Orders: Task Group Illustrious has been ordered to con- duct ASW working-up exercises with HMS Odin, NATO has set Warning Level two for al forces, meaning there is an imminent threat of hostilities between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. You will prepare to continue ASW exercises with Odin tomorrow at (0600 hrs. At that time you will search for, localize, and simulate attacking the submarine as it attempts to penetrate your screen and attack flustrious. Both groups are required to remain within the 40 nm exercise area If any potentially hostile forces are detected, they are to be localized, and tracked, and units should be positioned to attack them. If they enter the exercise area, or are in position to at- tack, the exercise is cancelled. You are to avoid being localized (or tracked by hostile units yourself. If they fire you will defend yourself and immediately counterattack. If a submarine closes to within § nim of a surface unit you may drop depth charges at least 2nm away from the sub between the ship and the sub- marine as a warning, Forces: Group 1: HMS ilstrious \Invincible-class CVH) HMS York (Type 42 Batch 3 DDG) HMS Liverpoo! (Type 42 Batch 2 DDG) HMS Boxer (Type 22 Batch 2 FF) HMS Amazon (Amazon-class FF). Group 2: HMS Odin (Oberon-class SS}. She carties 20 Mk24 Tigerfish torpedoes. Blue Victory Conditions: The UK sutters a major defeat if I: Justrious suffers more than 50% damage and no hostile sub- ‘marines are sunk. Itis a minor defeat i lustrous is 50% or more damaged and the SSGN is sunk. If the SSN and one other (DD, FF or SS) British ship is sunk itis a draw. If the SSGN and one ‘other British ship is sunk it is a minor victory. If bogh subs are sunk and at most one escort is sunk it is a major victory. Red Orders: You are the commander of 2 two-ship group assigned to trail and attack a British ASW group before NATO. ‘can conduct a surprise attack on the Warsaw Pact. You are to commence hostilities at 2300 hours local time. In accordance with standard doctrine, the primary targets are aviation ships, then ASW escorts equipped with towed array sonars. The Vic- tor SSNs to screen the Oscar and act as a decoy if necessary. This is not to include outright sacrifice of the unit. The Vietor iimay conduct its own attack with long-range torpedoes, coor- dinated with the Oscar. Once it has launched its missiles, the Oscar is to retire north at best speed for evading sonar detec- tion, while the Victor l covers its escape. There are no external targeting aids available for this attack. Forces: One Oscar SSGN (a later unit equipped with LF sonar). It carries a standard weapons loadout, including nuclear|—20 nm — = | | weapons. One Victor Il SSN. It carries a standard weapon: loadout, including nuclear weapons, 21 Red Victory Conditions: The Soviets win a decisive victory if dlustrious is sunk and neither submarine is damaged. Sinking three or more other ships (including the sub) is equivalent to sinking the CVH. Damaging Mustrious {25% or more) or sink- ing two escorts is @ draw. Sinking one escort or failing to damage Mustrious is a loss. Losing the Oscar SSGN reduces the victory one loval. Variants: Instead of an Oscar SSGN, have the task group at- tacked by one or two squadrons of Tu-22M Backfires, with nine aircraft per squadron and two missiles per plane. The Victor Il has been informed of the time of the attack, and it can either try and sink a missile ship before the attack begins, ot wait tll after the aircraft attack and pick off stragglers, or both. The raid will be supported by 2 Tu-95 Bear D, although the Victor has been providing the task force's exact position data over SATCOM.22 Power Sweep This engagement shows a Soviet SSN escorting two other units as they proceed south through the Norwegian Sea. Once the group has reached the Atlantic, the SSN will perform its own ‘mission while the SS and SSGN attack surface shipping. Fist though, NATO tries to stop them. Blue Operations: Keep the two units close together so that they may both have a good chance of detecting the same thing, ‘The Swiftsure's towed array is the best sensor NATO has. NATO will probably get the fist detection if they move slowly and use the layer. If detection is made at long range, use the Swiftsure 10 close in while the diesel sub positions itself along the possi- ble line of attack. The Soviets have very little chance of picking up a creeping NATO diesel Red Operations: The Soviets should place the Victor lf with its towed array well out in front, so tht it may maneuver and attack any hostile subs before the other two units can be detected. Try to keep them within direct path range of each ‘other, 60 that they will know each other's location. Keep the Tango's batteries over 50% capacity. If it has to snort, mit the time so that hostile units cannot establish passive track. ‘Sub Group Lb aro suns cow Change course immediately after snorkeling, and conduct stan- {dard random zigzags along base course. The Tango has better weapons than the SSN. One useful tactic is to have the Victor J maneuver past the Tango as it creeps and let it get in 8 sur prise shot. ‘Setup: Allow each side to determine their starting formations, depths, and sprint and drift patterns, if any. Watch the Type 207s and Tango's battery levels as the game progresses. See the additional rules for information on diesel submarine battery endurance. Randomly determine a point within 10 nm of the lead Soviet unit. Place the lead NATO sub 65-70 nm bearing 160 degrees T — 200 degrees T from that point. Give the NATO player that location as the last known position of the Soviet subs. Environment: This engagement occurs in open ocean, off the Norwagian coast. Sonar performance is 90% of normal direct path range. Sea state is 4, with 20-knot winds from 200 degrees T. Visibility is night, 100%. Game start time is 0100 hours. CZs occur at 31, 62, and 93 nm, with 2 width of 2.6 nm, Blue Orders: You are controlling two NATO submarines that, have beon detailed to intercept @ Soviet wolfpack transiting south. The group was picked up by patrol sircraft, but the plane was forced to flee before it could attack. The group’s last known course and speed was 190 degrees T at 10 knots. There are at least two subs, possibly more, and one is known to be a diesel. Units equipped with towed arrays may be present. The ‘others’ types are unknown. You will be given a point at game start which is their last known position. Intercept and destroy the submarines or any other hostile units encountered. Forces: HMS Spartan, S 105 (British Swiftsure-class SSN) with a weapons loadout consisting of 19 Mk24 Tigerfish and 4 Harpoon missiles. Two Mk24s have already been expended. Kuna, § 319 (Norwegian Type 207 SS) with 6 Type 61 and 2 NT3TE torpedoes. Blue Victory Conditions: NATO wins 8 decisive victory if the loss ratio of subs is 1:3 in NATO's favor. A marginal victory is 1:2. A draw is 1:1, and anything else is a loss. Rod Orders: You are in command of a group of Soviet sub ‘marines. The Victor i SSN is assigned to escort theether two units, which have less-capable sensors. You will proceed on course 170 degrees T, maintaining an average speed of 10 knots. Use the SSN to occupy or destroy any units encountered, while the SSGN and SS escape and proceed south. The two escorted units may engage hostile forces if necessary. Forces: One Victor lf SSN carrying standard weapons loadout. (One Charfie 1! SSGN carrying standard weapons loadout. One Tango SS carrying standard weapons loadout. Red Victory Conditions: If hostile submarines are encountered, the Soviets win a victory if the Tango and Charlie I! escape unharmed. It is @ draw if one is sunk and a loss if both are destroyed. Variants: Use two NATO diesels instead of a mixed force. Have an ASW patrol plane (P-3, Nimrod, Atlantic) back up the NATO subs some distance to the south. Make the escorting Rus: sian SSN a Victor J, or eliminate the escort entirely