The situation for NATO forces in Norway is grim. Desperate, NATO decides to send a high-speed convoy directly from the U.S. to Bergen, rather than routing it first through the U.K. Since Keflavik remains under NATO control, the primary Soviet opposition is restricted to units in the Norwegian Sea.
This is a dual-version release for Harpoon 3 and Harpoon Classic and is the first scenario released by Alpha77 (a.k.a. FrankW). The sheer size of this scenario is capable of crashing computers in both HC and H3. Be forewarned!
The coup in Russia succeeded. Not only was the President imprisoned, but also the freedom movements in Poland and the German Democratic Republic were suppressed, not with violence, but more quietly. First, they were shocked by the turmoil in the Kremlin, but soon the relations between the sides normalized because the new government in Russia seemed reasonable. They wanted a new deal with the U.S. for delivery of non-military items and US business needed new deals (under pressure from the White House to be friendlier with the East). The West German Chancellor, who was mostly a puppet for big corporations that wanted more exports to the East, met with eastern President Lisy to discuss new trade deals. He was impressed by the change of language - the new officials seemed to be more realistic and friendlier than the old guard around Honecker.
They know little of what was happening. In reality, the military planned to get back the old Soviet glory and demand what was rightfully theirs. If demand wasn't working, maybe pressure would. First, the old Finnish wound should be healed. As their demand was not really bad (a 'least' of the old territories which the Generals felt belonged to Russia), the Finns caved in to avoid a second Winter War. However, the Russians did not stop there. They wanted better protection of their northern flank. Sweden was strictly neutral and too strong, so Norway was the only option.
NATO was not prepared. It had been lulled into a state of calm by the new warm climate between the blocs, but the Home Guard was not. Unfortunately, they were few. Russian Spetsnaz and paratroops suddenly stormed key bases and the tanks came later. There were not many NATO forces in Norway. It was over quickly. The Norwegian government called a cease-fire with the terms offered by the Russians that only the northern half of the country to be occupied. The remainder became a Norwegian 'Vichy'. The few US Marines fled to Denmark with their surviving helicopters and Harriers as well as remnants of the Norwegian Air Force.
While NATO was still discussing their reaction, the Russians made their next coup, demanding free passage for all shipping from Denmark. If this demand was met, the case would be settled and there would be peace. The Danes had a resolute Prime Minister who sent Moscow a package with a letter and a bottle: "You can have this bottle of Danish beer for free, but not more."
This scenario is a re-make of the Harpoon Classic scenario Lightning2 originally written by Alpha77 (a.k.a. FrankW) for the Harpoon Designer's Series III (HDS9 Battleset). It has been re-written for Harpoon3 and the PlayersDB with the consent of the author.
Hezbollah's rocket attack on Yom Kippur against Israeli cities---attacks which involved chemical weapons, and caused scores of deaths and hundreds of injuries---has provoked Israel's strongest response yet: a powerful invasion of Lebanon on October 7th, 2016, and another invasion of Syria on the 17th of October. The Hezbollah forces were crushed within days of fighting in Lebanon and capitals of both Lebanon and Syria were under Israeli control by the 2nd of November. With some 200,000 troops and some 1200 tanks seizing control of southern Syria, capturing two airbases and capturing Damascus, the Syrian Government fled to the northern provinces to make the air base at Aleppo its rallying point.
The Iranian Government, which had been supporting Hezbollah and Syria, was determined to come to their aid and to thwart Israel's complete conquest. A massive airlift was assembled on the 2nd of November and was to land at Al Raqqah, a base in central Syria that was used almost exclusively by Iranian forces. The Israeli Government had warned that any units, air, ground, or sea, seeking to aid Syrian and Hezbollah forces would be considered enemy units to be intercepted and destroyed. The Iranians chose to ignore that warning. The Battle for Syria is underway.
A period of rising tension, sparked by the U.S. announcement for withdrawal of the 2nd Division, has characterized relations between North and South Korea. Border incursions by North Korean special forces have increased and several acts of terrorism, carried out in strategic cities (e.g. the destruction of Pusan's main railway signaling centre), have been identified as occurring under North Korean instructions. The rhetoric issuing from both governments has become increasingly bellicose. In order to show commitment, the U.S. has moved the 7th Fleet to the East China Sea and has sent across both ground reinforcements and munitions. Although a number of U.N. resolutions have been passed, condemning the belligerent moves, only the U.K. and the Australians offer more than vocal support. A U.K. Marine Commando is flown to Twenty-Nine Palms and two frigates sent from the Gulf. Australia offers a battalion of troops, a DDG, and two frigates.
This scenario was inspired by the situation depicted in the Sea of Dragons publication from Clash of Arms.
1.0 SitRep:
South Korean forces are desperately trying to organize. Striking them while they are in port and vulnerable will greatly help our cause.
Author: Herman Hum
05.1 Night Raiders [ANW]
Sea of Dragons\NRaider1.SCN
"In a carefully planned series of attacks, the Warsaw Pact begins a war against NATO. Their goal is to seize West Germany, gutting NATO militarily and economically. The Soviets will demand a high price for Germany's return, or assimilate its industry and technology for their own use."
"The remnants of StaNavForLant fell back before the steamroller known as the Soviet Northern Fleet. Short on fuel and munitions, they are ordered to Hammerfest to replenish. Unfortunately, that just happens to be next on STAVKA's list. Local Norwegian forces have been ordered to attempt to stop Soviet Naval Infantry landings.
The Hammerfest occupation forces left port yesterday and rendezvoused with the strike force early this morning. StaNavForLant was brushed aside with heavy losses earlier and the only expected resistance in the area is the local defense force."
With the growing might of Chinese strength, China is more assertive in its claim of South China Sea. The Cold War was long over and Globalization was transforming alliance systems world-wide.
The dispute of Spratly islands is mostly between China, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia. Taiwan and Malaysia decided to stay out of the fight. USN is not present for the moment.
In this scenario, Japan is allied with the Philippines. India is allied with Vietnam. This is a three-way confrontation between PRC vs Japan/Philippines vs Vietnam/India.
This is ASW/ASu/AAW scenario designed for 1-4 players. Duration is 5 days and hope you enjoy.
Author: Lawrence Yu
Lawrence is the 39th author to publish a Harpoon scenario.
A period of rising tension, sparked by the U.S. announcement for withdrawal of the 2nd Division, has characterized relations between North and South Korea. Border incursions by North Korean special forces have increased and several acts of terrorism, carried out in strategic cities (e.g. the destruction of Pusan's main railway signaling centre), have been identified as occurring under North Korean instructions. The rhetoric issuing from both governments has become increasingly bellicose. In order to show commitment, the U.S. has moved the 7th Fleet to the East China Sea and has sent across both ground reinforcements and munitions. Although a number of U.N. resolutions have been passed, condemning the belligerent moves, only the U.K. and the Australians offer more than vocal support. A U.K. Marine Commando is flown to Twenty-Nine Palms and two frigates sent from the Gulf. Australia offers a battalion of troops, a DDG, and two frigates.
Re-supply will be an important part of the Imperialist's war effort. A combined task force has been infiltrated to an anchorage on islands bordering Maemul Sudo, with the expressed aim of disrupting any Japan-to-Korea convoys. Destroy as many of the ships in the first major convoy to leave Japan as possible.
Author: Herman Hum
07.1 Convoy Maemul Sudo [ANW]
Sea of Dragons\Maemul1.SCN
The Soviets have two weapons that can reach NATO convoys in the Atlantic: submarines and aircraft. Long-range strike bombers on the Kola peninsula can attack at will with Iceland in Soviet hands. A standard convoy includes 40-50 merchant ships spaced 1nm apart in a rectangular latticework. Eight to ten escorts, and, if they are lucky, a helicopter carrier will provide protection from submarines and air attack.
Here, a large NATO convoy has been detected by a Soviet Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellite (RORSAT) and Tu-95 Bear Ds are sent out to pinpoint their position. Following closely behind the Bears are two squadrons of Backfire bombers.
This could be a very bad day for NATO.
*NOTE - This is a rebuild of a scenario from the original paper rules of Harpoon as published in the "Battles of the Third World War" compilation from Game Designers' Workshop.
ORDERS FOR CDR TF Dedalo
While our convoy was forming up off the coast of Boston, a Soviet amphibious force landed on Iceland. They have since consolidated their position on the island and brought in reinforcements.
Reports indicate that Soviet bombers, including Tu-95 Bears, Tu-16 Badgers, Tu-22 Blinders, and Tu-22M Backfires are now based at Reykjavik and Keflavik. Expect attacks to be regimental strength. The submarine threat is unknown at this time.
Author: Herman Hum
08.2 Correo Entrante
Battles of the 3rd W.War\Correo.SCN
The "Bergen Express", as it was called, was a naval success for NATO. The convoy arrived with the aircraft carrier only slightly damaged. Unfortunately for NATO, the campaign on the Norwegian front was not as successful. Another convoy is needed to re-supply Bergen.
This scenario is a re-make of a Harpoon Classic scenario from the original NACV battleset and has been re-made for Harpoon 3 with the consent of AGSI.
The coast of Norway is made up of fjords and islands with high, rocky coasts. This is a perfect place for small surface craft to operate because the rock walls make them hard to spot on radar, and the short detection ranges make their smaller SSMs more useful than in the open ocean. Additionally, there are so many fjords and other places to hide such that no navy can afford enough large craft to do the job.
The coast of Norway is made up of fjords and islands with high, rocky coasts. This is a perfect place for small surface craft to operate because the rock walls make them hard to spot on radar, and the short detection ranges make their smaller SSMs more useful than in the open ocean. Additionally, there are so many fjords and other places to hide such that no navy can afford enough large craft to do the job.
The coast of Norway is made up of fjords and islands with high, rocky coasts. This is a perfect place for small surface craft to operate because the rock walls make them hard to spot on radar, and the short detection ranges make their smaller SSMs more useful than in the open ocean. Additionally, there are so many fjords and other places to hide such that no navy can afford enough large craft to do the job.
Feb 14 1994, Valentines Day. Less than 24 hours ago Soviet forces struck all across Eastern Europe in a bid to seize the initiative and establish themselves as the dominant fore in Europe once and for all time.
NATO, and particularly the Americans are not well positioned to challenge this sudden attack. The defences of Northern Norway were caught off guard and much of the Soviet fleet has left port. Over 100 submarines, the CV Adm Kuznetsov, two BCGNs, and four CVHs have entered the North sea. The NATO submarine patrols off the North Cape have been silenced.
Simultaneous with the attack on Jan Mayan, the Royal Marine Commandos and Danish Home Guard on the Shetland Islands and Vagar are bracing for an attack. These island outposts stand square in the middle of the GIUK gap and, if left in NATO hands, would form the basis for an ASW/AAW barrier. In Soviet hands, the gap is wide open.
The Royal Navy is moving the HMS Invincible TG North to oppose the Soviet move. Will it be enough?
Author: Bart Gauvin (a.k.a. Gunner98) in collaboration with Herman Hum
3.0 Bridging the Gap
Northern Fury\Bridging_the_Gap.SCN
"In a carefully planned series of attacks, the Warsaw Pact begins a war against NATO. Their goal is to seize West Germany, gutting NATO militarily and economically. The Soviets will demand a high price for Germany's return, or assimilate its industry and technology for their own use."
"Submarines have traditionally lurked near harbours, hoping to catch ships leaving port, before they can lose themselves on the open ocean. With the war underway, the waters off the Kola Peninsula are the best hunting ground in the world, if you can stay alive."
This scenario was inspired by the situation described in the "High Tide" compilation from Clash of Arms.
***** Flash ***** Flash *****
SSSSSS 090000Z18May88 SSSSSS
1.0 SitRep:
Kirov is leaving port after re-arming and will rendezvous with another group of ships. When Kirov sorties, he will be under heavy escort by coastal patrol craft. Kirov will be most vulnerable during the rendezvous, when he leaves one group of escorts and joins another.
"In a carefully planned series of attacks, the Warsaw Pact begins a war against NATO. Their goal is to seize West Germany, gutting NATO militarily and economically. The Soviets will demand a high price for Germany's return, or assimilate its industry and technology for their own use."
"The Northern flank of the Soviet assault on West Germany was exposed to possible attack from the sea. To secure this flank, the Soviets planned to knock Denmark out of the war quickly. The Poles and the East Germans have been invited to participate to show their solidarity with the Socialist cause. The invasion force was spotted by NATO aerial reconnaissance, but their destination could not be determined from the ships' movements."
Author: Herman Hum
05.0 The Russians are Coming
High Tide\R-Coming.SCN
The Soviets have captured Keflavik, Iceland, and are using their forces garrisoned there to disrupt NATO operations around the GIUK Gap. From there, they are launching attacks against the convoys crossing the North Atlantic to bring badly needed war supplies to Europe and their control of the air space around Iceland is allowing Soviet submarines to move through the Gap with little fear of attack from NATO ASW units. Soviet surface units are also able to re-supply there and thus operate farther from their home ports on the Kola Peninsula than they would otherwise be able to do.
This scenario is an interpretation of the account from Charles D. Taylor's, "First Salvo".
"The power structure in Washington had been privy to the Soviet Union's intentions well before D minus 7. In a world made smaller by satellite reconnaissance and instant communications, no nation could conceal such tactics for long.
It had been predicted by the CIA that, about one week preliminary to a concerted ground attack against NATO forces in Central Europe, the Soviet Union would initiate a series of military-political feints in various parts of the globe. The intent would be to confuse intelligence networks as to their exact goal. It could involve an increase in terrorist activities, an instigation of localized civil wars, previously unannounced military games in critical areas, and probable overt acts against U.S. forces -- all of which would be followed immediately by release of misinformation via KGB stations in major cities."
A wave of terrorist bombings has been perpetrated against Turkey resulting in the deaths of hundreds, including the President. Although instigated by KGB operatives, the blame and trail of evidence left behind led to Greece. As expected, war was declared within hours. The Turkish air force directed heavy bombing strikes over major Greek cities. The Greek retaliation was just as severe. Turkey announced the closure of the Bosporus and Dardanelles until further notice. As planned, the Soviet Black Sea Fleet had already passed through into the AEgean Sea.
In light of the situation in the Asia Minor, the annual exercises conducted by Russian divisions in Poland, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia were held over and Warsaw Pact forces did not return to base. NATO forces were placed on Condition Two alert with satellite photos showing reserve divisions mobilizing in the western sectors of the Soviet Union.
Four separate ramming incidents were recorded between Soviet and USN naval units in the Sea of Japan. In each case, the Soviets charged that American ships harassed Soviet units without provocation.
"The battle for the first salvo is taking a special meaning in naval battle under present-day conditions... Delay in the employment of weapons in a naval battle or operation inevitably will be fraught with the most serious and even fatal consequences, regardless of where the fleet is located, at sea or in port."
Adm. Sergei Gorshkov,
Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union
Author: Herman Hum
The Battle for the First Salvo
Mediterranean Sea\1stSalvo.SCN
This scenario is an interpretation of the account from Michael A. Palmer's, "The War that Never Was".
"As Soviet and Syrian forces battled the Americans and Israelis in the eastern Mediterranean, RADM Arkadi Filiminov's KPUG 2 initiated operations to secure the Aegean. At dawn, the Alligator-class amphibious transports Donetsky Shakhter and Alexsandr Tortsev began landing six hundred marines on the St. Barbara beach at Myrina, a small port on the west coast of Limnos. Overhead, specially modified army attack helicopters flying from the Moskva supported the invasion as the guns of the cruiser Ochakov pounded the old Genoese fort that overlooked the harbour. By noon, the island at the entrance to the Turkish Straits was in Soviet hands."
"As Filiminov left the bridge, he turned to CAPT Kamensky. 'We Russian officers,' he said, 'must always maintain our sense of the tragic. You know the old French proverb, "If you wish to learn to pray, embark on the sea."' Filiminov then retired to his cabin and committed suicide. Kamensky later found Filiminov's service revolver in his right hand; a small cross in his left."
Author: Herman Hum
8.0 Plight of the Moskva
Blue Water Navy\Plight.SCN