Herman Hum
28 Aug 05, 03:33
AAR: Force Z
By Harold Hutchison
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/396/forcez2tr.th.gif (http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=forcez2tr.gif)
HMAS Stuart found herself amidst three unidentified vessels. She immediately launched her SeaSprite helicopter to classify them. Unfortunately, one of her charges, Iowa Farmer, happened to be between her and one of the unidentified vessels. The merchant's master was particularly ornery today and refused all requests to turn his vessel to starboard and allow the Stuart to screen him. His reply was, "You're the [expletive deleted] Navy. It's not my job to get my [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] shot off. You do your [expletive deleted] job and I'll do my [expletive deleted] job." With little choice, the Captain ordered flank speed to interpose themselves between the Farmer and the 'skunk'.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/2876/3skunks7sr.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3skunks7sr.gif)
In short order, the helo pilot reported that it was an Indonesian Siada-class vessel. He overflew it a number of times, but it did not exhibit any hostile action so the pilot was ordered to train his Maverick missiles on the vessel and proceed to identify the other two skunks in the area. Stuart's Tactical Action Officer [TAO] ordered all weapons trained on the Siada. If she was up to no good, he was determined to make her antics very short-lived and fiery, indeed.
http://img104.echo.cx/img104/3388/neutrals7lr.gif
As the Stuart manoeuvred herself between the intruder and her lamb, repeated messages were sent questioning the intentions of the Indonesian ship. No reply was received. All of a sudden, at a range of 1nm, the Siada opened fire. Upon seeing the muzzle flashes, the TAO lost his composure and said, "Fight's on!". He then calmed down when the Captain ordered a turn to starboard and the age-old command, "Fire as you bear."
The little vessel was raked from stem to stern with .50 calibre machine gun fire and 5' naval gunfire. She blew up in a shower of sparks. Well, the Captain thought, looks like Indonesia is serious about this exclusion zone. He immediately order his SeaSprite to launch her Maverick against the other confirmed Indonesian vessel. The Todak was struck amidships and left dead in the water.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4888/raidone7yp.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raidone7yp.gif)
No sooner had this action ended when the CIC announced, "Air Action Port!" A pair of F-5E Tiger had been detected. Both were engaged with SeaSparrow and killed with one SAM apiece. The Stuart returned to Emissions Control [EmCon] status and relied upon her helo for early warning.
The flock of merchant vessels was scattered over a large area. The Stuart and the Canberra elected to position themselves between the flock and the enemy airbase at Kupang. Hopefully, they would be able to intercept any aircraft before the rest of merchants could be detected. They maintained radar silence in hopes of ambushing any attackers.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5950/raidtwo5ys.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raidtwo5ys.gif)
A helo from the Canberra engaged and killed the Sibara with a Penguin before continuing on to destroy another gunboat. Soon enough, six bogeys were detected 50nm from the Stuart bearing 027T. Her Captain fervently hoped that they would be able to pull off an ambush against these aircraft. All the aircraft were making a beeline for the frigate.
At a range of 13nm, the radar was energized, the TAO declared, "Weapons Free" and one SeaSparrow SAM was fired at each plane. Two were killed in the first volley, but three more SAMs were needed to finish the job. There were two more hostiles out there. Again, they were allowed into the No-Escape envelope before a single SeaSparrow was able to kill each of them.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4522/3bogeys4ix.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3bogeys4ix.gif)
No sooner had this action ended than CIC reported, "Three bogies, multiple vectors, bearing constant, range decreasing." This was going to be a difficult day for the men of the Stuart.
The first one was a lone Skyhawk and she was killed with a single SAM. The second plane was a Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft [MPA]. The TAO did not believe her to be armed so she was allowed to close into gunfire distance in order to preserve the limited number of SeaSparrow as there were eight more bogeys heading straight for the Stuart. The ploy worked and the plane was hit by AAA and exploded. However, bad news seemed to multiply. Now there were TEN(!) aircraft aimed like the proverbial dagger at the Stuart along with a small flotilla of menacing surface contacts. This was like fighting a Hydra!
A SeaHawk and a SeaSprite were launched to attack the ships. The Stuart was able to kill all ten aircraft, but the SeaSprite was shot down by a marauding Skyhawk after it launched its ASMs. The SeaHawk hugged the waves and fled for her life, but she, too, was caught by a Tiger. Damn and double Damn. There went my long-ranged attack assets.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/9194/raidthree4ys.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raidthree4ys.gif)
Without any radar system airborne, detection times were almost at point-blank range. HMAS Stuart was again attacked by eight more Hawks/Skyhawks. She managed to kill them all, but also used up her remaining SAM inventory and had to kill the last two with AAA fire. She was no longer able to offer area protection to the merchants and would likely need protection herself so she set a course to bring herself under the Canberra's SAM umbrella.
Meanwhile in the Eastern part of the Area of Operations [AO], HMAS Newcastle and Voyager were experiencing their own trials and tribulations. Their helos had detected a small flotilla consisting of four missile-armed frigates; two with Harpoon and two with Exocet. They tried to engage at long range with Harpoons, but these were easily destroyed. The enemy concentrated their fire on the cargo vessel, Fosters Market, and sank her with SSMs before they stopped moving. With no other vessel in the area to protect and with their long-range armament expended, both frigates decided that discretion would be the better part of valour and retired to try and shield the incoming merchants in the west.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/848/twoprongsurvivors1mn.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=twoprongsurvivors1mn.gif)
Two groups of vessels were detected approaching the civilians' Path of Intended Movement [PIM]. These turned out be gunboats and there were aimed directly at the cargo ships. Immediately, the surviving helos were ordered to attack and thus hoped to keep them at arm's length. A combination of Maverick and Penguin ASMs killed most of them well over the horizon. One gunboat was killed by Stuart's 5' gun which far out-ranged the gunboat's little machine guns. As proven yet again, gunboats cannot stand up to a full-sized frigate.
The frigate force that had killed the Fosters Market made a re-appearance. All the long-ranged SSMs in my force had already been expended. The enemy definitely held the upper hand in this coming confrontation as he still had a significant supply of Harpoon and Exocet SSMs. However, there was never a question of their duty. The four frigates turned towards the four Indonesian frigates in hopes of engaging with gunfire. The helos made repeated ASM attacks, but the missiles were easily brushed aside by the super-effective CADS-1 point defence system on the frigates.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3924/decoy5oo.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=decoy5oo.gif)
The RAN huddled together to try and cover each other with their SAM umbrellas. However, HMAS Newcastle bore the brunt of the SSMs. Luckily, she had a full inventory of SeaSparrow so she was able to shoot down all the missiles sent in her direction. An air attack also materialized right after the SSMs were brought down. The massed SAM defences easily defeated them. The two groups were on a collision course.
As the ships closed on one another, one Captain remarked that, "Apparently, not much has changed since the age of Nelson. Here we are in the 21st century and we are still attempting naval manoeuvres like 'Crossing the T'." HMAS Stuart and Canberra engaged with their 5' mounts from maximum range and changed course to maintain the distance to their targets while Voyager and Newcastle lunged towards the enemy in order to deliver their torpedoes.
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7132/torpedospread0ab.th.gif (http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torpedospread0ab.gif)
The classic naval engagement saw the first surface torpedo engagement since World War II. Just like their Japanese cousins, the Long Lance, the Aussie torpedoes performed admirably and sank all four ships. With no other potential threats in the area, the RAN proceeded to the rendezvous point at Date1.
Thanks for a very stimulating scenario. Your most challenging one, yet!
This scenario can be found in the SZO file archives (http://www.warfarehq.com/archives/index.php?).
By Harold Hutchison
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/396/forcez2tr.th.gif (http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=forcez2tr.gif)
HMAS Stuart found herself amidst three unidentified vessels. She immediately launched her SeaSprite helicopter to classify them. Unfortunately, one of her charges, Iowa Farmer, happened to be between her and one of the unidentified vessels. The merchant's master was particularly ornery today and refused all requests to turn his vessel to starboard and allow the Stuart to screen him. His reply was, "You're the [expletive deleted] Navy. It's not my job to get my [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] shot off. You do your [expletive deleted] job and I'll do my [expletive deleted] job." With little choice, the Captain ordered flank speed to interpose themselves between the Farmer and the 'skunk'.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/2876/3skunks7sr.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3skunks7sr.gif)
In short order, the helo pilot reported that it was an Indonesian Siada-class vessel. He overflew it a number of times, but it did not exhibit any hostile action so the pilot was ordered to train his Maverick missiles on the vessel and proceed to identify the other two skunks in the area. Stuart's Tactical Action Officer [TAO] ordered all weapons trained on the Siada. If she was up to no good, he was determined to make her antics very short-lived and fiery, indeed.
http://img104.echo.cx/img104/3388/neutrals7lr.gif
As the Stuart manoeuvred herself between the intruder and her lamb, repeated messages were sent questioning the intentions of the Indonesian ship. No reply was received. All of a sudden, at a range of 1nm, the Siada opened fire. Upon seeing the muzzle flashes, the TAO lost his composure and said, "Fight's on!". He then calmed down when the Captain ordered a turn to starboard and the age-old command, "Fire as you bear."
The little vessel was raked from stem to stern with .50 calibre machine gun fire and 5' naval gunfire. She blew up in a shower of sparks. Well, the Captain thought, looks like Indonesia is serious about this exclusion zone. He immediately order his SeaSprite to launch her Maverick against the other confirmed Indonesian vessel. The Todak was struck amidships and left dead in the water.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4888/raidone7yp.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raidone7yp.gif)
No sooner had this action ended when the CIC announced, "Air Action Port!" A pair of F-5E Tiger had been detected. Both were engaged with SeaSparrow and killed with one SAM apiece. The Stuart returned to Emissions Control [EmCon] status and relied upon her helo for early warning.
The flock of merchant vessels was scattered over a large area. The Stuart and the Canberra elected to position themselves between the flock and the enemy airbase at Kupang. Hopefully, they would be able to intercept any aircraft before the rest of merchants could be detected. They maintained radar silence in hopes of ambushing any attackers.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5950/raidtwo5ys.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raidtwo5ys.gif)
A helo from the Canberra engaged and killed the Sibara with a Penguin before continuing on to destroy another gunboat. Soon enough, six bogeys were detected 50nm from the Stuart bearing 027T. Her Captain fervently hoped that they would be able to pull off an ambush against these aircraft. All the aircraft were making a beeline for the frigate.
At a range of 13nm, the radar was energized, the TAO declared, "Weapons Free" and one SeaSparrow SAM was fired at each plane. Two were killed in the first volley, but three more SAMs were needed to finish the job. There were two more hostiles out there. Again, they were allowed into the No-Escape envelope before a single SeaSparrow was able to kill each of them.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4522/3bogeys4ix.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3bogeys4ix.gif)
No sooner had this action ended than CIC reported, "Three bogies, multiple vectors, bearing constant, range decreasing." This was going to be a difficult day for the men of the Stuart.
The first one was a lone Skyhawk and she was killed with a single SAM. The second plane was a Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft [MPA]. The TAO did not believe her to be armed so she was allowed to close into gunfire distance in order to preserve the limited number of SeaSparrow as there were eight more bogeys heading straight for the Stuart. The ploy worked and the plane was hit by AAA and exploded. However, bad news seemed to multiply. Now there were TEN(!) aircraft aimed like the proverbial dagger at the Stuart along with a small flotilla of menacing surface contacts. This was like fighting a Hydra!
A SeaHawk and a SeaSprite were launched to attack the ships. The Stuart was able to kill all ten aircraft, but the SeaSprite was shot down by a marauding Skyhawk after it launched its ASMs. The SeaHawk hugged the waves and fled for her life, but she, too, was caught by a Tiger. Damn and double Damn. There went my long-ranged attack assets.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/9194/raidthree4ys.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raidthree4ys.gif)
Without any radar system airborne, detection times were almost at point-blank range. HMAS Stuart was again attacked by eight more Hawks/Skyhawks. She managed to kill them all, but also used up her remaining SAM inventory and had to kill the last two with AAA fire. She was no longer able to offer area protection to the merchants and would likely need protection herself so she set a course to bring herself under the Canberra's SAM umbrella.
Meanwhile in the Eastern part of the Area of Operations [AO], HMAS Newcastle and Voyager were experiencing their own trials and tribulations. Their helos had detected a small flotilla consisting of four missile-armed frigates; two with Harpoon and two with Exocet. They tried to engage at long range with Harpoons, but these were easily destroyed. The enemy concentrated their fire on the cargo vessel, Fosters Market, and sank her with SSMs before they stopped moving. With no other vessel in the area to protect and with their long-range armament expended, both frigates decided that discretion would be the better part of valour and retired to try and shield the incoming merchants in the west.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/848/twoprongsurvivors1mn.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=twoprongsurvivors1mn.gif)
Two groups of vessels were detected approaching the civilians' Path of Intended Movement [PIM]. These turned out be gunboats and there were aimed directly at the cargo ships. Immediately, the surviving helos were ordered to attack and thus hoped to keep them at arm's length. A combination of Maverick and Penguin ASMs killed most of them well over the horizon. One gunboat was killed by Stuart's 5' gun which far out-ranged the gunboat's little machine guns. As proven yet again, gunboats cannot stand up to a full-sized frigate.
The frigate force that had killed the Fosters Market made a re-appearance. All the long-ranged SSMs in my force had already been expended. The enemy definitely held the upper hand in this coming confrontation as he still had a significant supply of Harpoon and Exocet SSMs. However, there was never a question of their duty. The four frigates turned towards the four Indonesian frigates in hopes of engaging with gunfire. The helos made repeated ASM attacks, but the missiles were easily brushed aside by the super-effective CADS-1 point defence system on the frigates.
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3924/decoy5oo.th.gif (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=decoy5oo.gif)
The RAN huddled together to try and cover each other with their SAM umbrellas. However, HMAS Newcastle bore the brunt of the SSMs. Luckily, she had a full inventory of SeaSparrow so she was able to shoot down all the missiles sent in her direction. An air attack also materialized right after the SSMs were brought down. The massed SAM defences easily defeated them. The two groups were on a collision course.
As the ships closed on one another, one Captain remarked that, "Apparently, not much has changed since the age of Nelson. Here we are in the 21st century and we are still attempting naval manoeuvres like 'Crossing the T'." HMAS Stuart and Canberra engaged with their 5' mounts from maximum range and changed course to maintain the distance to their targets while Voyager and Newcastle lunged towards the enemy in order to deliver their torpedoes.
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7132/torpedospread0ab.th.gif (http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=torpedospread0ab.gif)
The classic naval engagement saw the first surface torpedo engagement since World War II. Just like their Japanese cousins, the Long Lance, the Aussie torpedoes performed admirably and sank all four ships. With no other potential threats in the area, the RAN proceeded to the rendezvous point at Date1.
Thanks for a very stimulating scenario. Your most challenging one, yet!
This scenario can be found in the SZO file archives (http://www.warfarehq.com/archives/index.php?).