HARPOON BATTLESET GIUK: THE SKAGERRAK CONVOY Scenario Concept by Lance Micklus Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 TECHNICAL NOTES _______________ MEMORY REQUIREMENTS: This scenario requires all available memory unless it is run in CGA mode. More than 400 ships and planes play an active role in this action packed naval exercise. Once the missiles start flying (that won't take long) and each side starts launching attacks, both the software and the hardware will be taxed to the maximum. To reduce the impact of such a large amount of activity suddenly coming on line, set the game options as follows: NATO/USSR (OPTIONAL) - Decide which side you want to play. You'll find that playing both the NATO and USSR side offer an exciting yet different challenge. It's one thing to be the hunter, but it's something else to be the hunted. POSSIBLE NUCLEAR RELEASE (RECOMMENDED) - The scenario is designed to be played with this option selected "YES". SNORKELING SUBMARINES (REQUIRED) - The USSR will be at a disadvantage if this option is disabled by selecting "NO". REALISTIC WEATHER (OPTIONAL) NORMAL MAINTENANCE FAILURE (OPTIONAL) START WITH FULL ORDNANCE (OPTIONAL) AUTO FORMATION AIR COVER (REQUIRED) - This scenario is designed to give both sides good air and sea cover at the start of the exercise. By selecting "YES", the computer will automatically position hundreds of planes and ships in a good starting position. This reduces set-up time, helps the program operate at maximum efficiency, and use the least of amount of memory at the start of the game. Program overload will be a potential problem during the first couple of hours of game time. By selecting this option and using [ALT]-[F6] to monitor your available memory, you shouldn't run into any difficulties. STARTING THE GAME: Select any game (Dawn Patrol is a good one) from the GIUK menu. Once the game has begun, press [ALT]-[F1] to QUIT and go to the game scenario menu. Select SKAGCNVY and LOAD it. Select the above game options when prompted. When the game clock starts ticking, give the program 30 seconds of game time to settle in. Use this time to set up your radar and sonar configuration. After the 30 seconds is up, you can start launching your attacks and patrols. May victory be yours. HARPOON BATTLESET GIUK: THE SKAGERRAK CONVOY Scenario Concept by Lance Micklus Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 BACKGROUND __________ One problem the Soviets face in dealing with an attack from the West is that NATO controls the sea in an area known as the GIUK. In a confrontation where the USSR must have free access to the Atlantic Ocean, it would have to break NATO's stronghold of the area. Most likely, the Soviets would come down the Norwegian coast and secure airbases there. Using these positions as a launch point, they could then take Keflavik, Iceland. Were that to happen, they would have control of both sides of the Norwegian Sea and clear access to the Atlantic Ocean. The loose screw in this whole plan is the base at Oslo, Norway. If NATO could keep this base supplied, then they could drive a knife up the Soviet's back. This is the problem that this exercise will focus upon. A look at the map will be very informative. Soviet bases in Norway at Bodo, Orland, and Bergen are far enough away to make a strike in the North Sea difficult. On the other hand, to get from Britain to Oslo means going through a narrow area at the Southern tip of Norway. This would be an excellent place for a blockade. Fortunately, NATO presently controls this area with air reconnaissance from Oslo and Stavanger - but this could change during a conflict. SYNOPSIS ________ FOR NATO: Their objective would be to establish and secure a supply line to Oslo. Oslo would then become the launching platform for a major offensive up the Norwegian and Swedish border to divide the Soviet invaders. FOR THE SOVIETS: Their primary objective would be to destroy any supply line to Norway. Then, once their positions along the Norwegian coast are secure, they can launch a second offensive to take control of Iceland. HARPOON BATTLESET GIUK: THE SKAGERRAK CONVOY Scenario Concept by Lance Micklus Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 +-------------------------------------------+ | | | NN NN AAAAA TTTTTTTTT OOOOO | | NNNN NN AA AA TTT OO OO | | NN NN NN AAAAAAA TTT OO OO | | NN NNNN AA AA TTT OO OO | | NN NN AA AA TTT OOOOO | | | +-------------------------------------------+ OPERATIONAL ORDERS: 1) You will safely take Carrier Convoy Group ADC from its departure point in the Northern UK, across the North Sea into the Skagerrak Sea and Oslo base. 2) You will protect Oslo base from attack since it is a prime Soviet target. 3) You are to destroy the Soviet bases at Orland and Bergen in Norway. 4) You are to attack and destroy all other enemy contacts encountered. INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: The Soviets have brought in a formidable arsenal of aircraft, surface ships, and submarines. Fortunately, most of this force has not had time to properly organize into an effective offensive group. Most of their surface ships are scattered in the North Sea. Their air strikes must come from bases far to the North where they must cross great distances and will lose the advantage of surprise. The enemy is also at the disadvantage in that they may not know the exact location of your Carrier Convoy Group ADC. However, they don't have to be too smart to figure out where ADC eventually be - which is at the entrance to Skagerrak Sea. Therefore, they may set up a blockade there and wait for you. We also know they have a few of their best subs in the area and will resort to nuclear weapons if they need to. The President of the United State is presently considering granting you permission to use nuclear weapons. You will be notified if he approves your request. VICTORY CONDITIONS: 1) You must get at least 14 ships from the Carrier Convoy Group ADC into the Skagerrak Sea and Oslo Base. 2) You must destroy the Soviet bases at Orland and Bergen. 3) You have 36 hours to complete your mission. HARPOON BATTLESET GIUK: THE SKAGERRAK CONVOY Scenario Concept by Lance Micklus Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 +-------------------------------+ | UU UU SSSS SSSS RRRRR | | UU UU SS SS RR RR | | UU UU SSS SSS RRRRR | | UU UU SS SS RR RR | | UUUUU SSSS SSSS RR RR | +-------------------------------+ OPERATIONAL ORDERS: 1) You will locate and destroy all shipping attempting to enter the Skagerrak Sea and reach Oslo base. 2) You are to destroy the bases at Oslo and Stavanger in Norway, as well as the base at Kinloss, UK. 3) You are to attack and destroy all other enemy contacts encountered. INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Although NATO has always had a strong influence in Europe, they have underestimated Soviet strength in order to justify reduced military spending. The convoy is a desperate attempt to hold on to Northeastern Europe and the GIUK. Intelligence information coming in at this time indicates that NATO enjoys superior air cover - by virtue of their bases in the area - but lacks good surface support. What little surface shipping they have been able to organize appears to have joined up with the rest of the convoy making the trip to Oslo. Thus, you can expect to meet strong air resistance and a single but well protected group of ships. The convoy is known to be made up of at least 14 ships - one of which is an aircraft carrier. Since the exact location of the convoy is not known, you will have to find them using surface radar from shipping, reports from your air cover, and by sending out reconnaissance aircraft from Bodo. After neutralizing ASW activity from Oslo and Stavanger, you should consider using your submarines to set up a blockade at the entrance to the Skagerrak Sea as a second line of attack. TOTAL VICTORY: 1) Destroy Carrier Convoy Group ADC or delay its arrival at least 36 hours. 2) Destroy the air bases at Oslo, Stavanger, Kinloss.