Harpoon Scenario List

Herman Hum

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Classic GIUK Battleset
The Norwegian sea is the rectangular area enclosed by Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and the north polar icecap. It is essentially a closed body of water. It can be entered from the north by going under the ice cap or around North Cape, and from the south through the straits between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. This latter entrance is often called the "GIUK gap".

All of these entrances can be mined, patrolled, and otherwise monitored by today's sophisticated electronic sensors.

If the Soviet Union and NATO ever go to war, the Norwegian Sea will be one of the most fought over bodies of water in history. The geography of the Atlantic and each side's strategic goals in wartime make this almost inevitable.

NATO has based its strategy on a defensive war, slowing down and attriting (using slow unit-by-unit destruction) the Soviets until they are convinced that the terrible risk they took was in vain, and they cannot fulfill their war aims. The only problem with it is that the massive Soviet Army can probably win unless massive reinforcements from the US get across to Europe quickly. Ninety-five percent of these American and Canadian troops, weapons, and supplies would have to come by sea. There are not enough aircraft in the world to move it all by air.

It takes a fast ship four or five days to cross the Atlantic, a slow ship twice that long. The war material must be unloaded at a busy port and then moved on an overloaded and probably besieged transportation system to the front. Starting the stream of reinforcements early and smoothly is one of NATO's top priorities.

In concert with this effort to move supplies, NATO naval forces would be attempting to attack Soviet forces as they advanced along the Norwegian coast (the "Northern Flank"), pinning down Soviet Naval forces and perhaps even putting them on the defensive. This might draw valuable Soviet assets away from the central front.

Finally, NATO submarines would attack "The Bastion". This is a semi-enclosed area of water, such as the Kara Sea, or under the ice, where the Northern Fleet's ballistic missile submarines would hide, escorted and shielded by nuclear attack subs, Soviet ASW aircraft, and hunter-killer groups of Soviet ASW surface ships. [These same NATO subs could also conduct Tomahawk strikes on Soviet bases on the Kola Peninsula.]

Soviet strategy is not the mirror image of NATO's. The Soviet Navy's most important mission is to support and protect the ballistic missile subs, in their Bastions, keeping them secure until they are needed, or for use as a bargaining chip for post-war negotiations.

Their second priority is to defend the homeland from strikes by NATO. To do this they will try to detect NATO units as they enter the Norwegian Sea, classify them (so that they can determine the probable threat they pose), and attack them with submarines and aircraft.

Next, they will support the Army's efforts in Norway, trying to gain sea control along the coast and providing air cover and "sealift" or cargo support. The Soviet Navy could easily support a series of small "coast-hopping" assaults, each one outflanking the defenders.

Finally, they will send submarines and long-range aircraft into the Atlantic to attack the supply convoys that NATO will send across. Although the convoys have a high priority for NATO, it is much lower for the Soviets since only a few submarines sent into the Atlantic will force NATO to commit strong forces to escorting convoys. Consider the fact that fourteen German U-Boats were able to sink 450 Allied ships between January and July of 1942!

This may change, though. Soviet and NATO doctrines are both moving away from a nuclear (short) war to a conventional (long) war strategy. The longer the war, the greater the importance of sea lines of communication become.

Both side's missions will draw them into the Norwegian Sea. It is the buffer between two enemy fleets, the highway to enemy waters, and a goal in itself.

Duel



The fighting over Keflavik has been so heavy that what remains of the airfield, currently held by NATO, is unusable. At the same time, the fighting in Europe has placed demands upon available resources that preclude either side sending long-range aircraft to attack or defend Iceland. The fate of Iceland will, therefore, be decided by a decisive surface battle.

This scenario is a re-make of a Harpoon Classic scenario from the original GIUK battleset and has been re-made for Harpoon 3 with the consent of AGSI.

Author: Herman Hum

Harpoon3.6.3 users can get the
Complete Harpoon 3.6.3 Library

Classic GIUK Battleset

These scenarios specifically require the PlayersDB 8.1.1.
 
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Harpoon Designers Series I GIUK Battleset
The demise of the Soviet Union has led many to speculate that the danger of war in Europe and the surrounding seas has been dramatically reduced. A student of history would note two major contradictions to this premise: First, that nature abhors a vacuum, and that something must fill the void created by the demise of the Soviet Union, and second, that what was once before and is now again Russia has never experienced a peaceful change between forms of government.

The GIUK Gap will thus remain essential to Russia, as their fleets (both merchant and combatant) must transit the choke points inherent in the Norwegian and Baltic Seas. Add to this the oil deposits in the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea, and the geography and politics once again make this region ripe for a war or power grab.

The scenarios presented here run the range from a resurgent Soviet Union to Civil War in and amongst the Commonwealth of Independent States. It will be for history to decide if the new politics of the region have really changed the spots of the leopard. The player may now explore the new dynamics of conflict in a newly unstabilized region with new tensions and shifting alliances.

 
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Harpoon Designers Series I NACV Battleset
Independent of the politics of the moment, the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC's) across the North Atlantic are the lifeblood of Europe. Trans-Atlantic trade has steadily increased over the centuries, and is essential to the economic health of both Europe and the Americas.

Wars over and about trade rights and shipping have raged through the centuries here, as various European and American naval powers have fought to either close or maintain the SLOC's. World War Two's "Battle of the Atlantic" (really more of a campaign than a battle) was the most costly in terms of lives and shipping tonnage, though fewer ships were lost then than in the wars of the Napoleonic period. The tendency towards fewer larger ships has continued, and the world's trade is now carried in fewer vessels than at any time since the early 19th century.

When this paucity of available hulls is compared to the increased lethality of Submarines, Aircraft, and Warships, the possibility of immediate and catastrophic losses to the shipping connection between Europe and the Americas becomes daunting indeed. The current proliferation of modern diesel electric submarines and the spectre of modern Nuclear Submarines for sale or lease by the successors to the Soviet Union cast further shadows on the stability and security of trans-Atlantic trade.

Trying to predict the "if's," "when's," and "who's" of such a future conflict is at best a crap shoot. The only historical certainty is that conflict is likely and may be inevitable. Harpoon's revised NACV BattleSet provides the player with Scenarios that run the range from small incidents, civil war, and police actions, to all out war. Welcome to the North Atlantic, a body of water well known for its own violent disregard for human life, where man adds to the carnage on a regular basis.

 
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Harpoon Designers Series I MEDC Battleset
The Mediterranean Sea is the cradle of Western Society. It is also the scene of more battles and has a longer documented history of sea battles than any other region of the world. All the great societies that developed along the shores of the Mediterranean grew to be dependent upon commerce carried on its waters.

With this dependency came conflict, and the conflicts have continued unabated through the centuries. As added fuel to the economic motivations, the various peoples and religions of the Mediterranean Basin have been warring and feuding for millenia. The introduction of modern weapons, sensors, and platforms has served to shrink the already confined waters of the Mediterranean Sea to a nearly unbearable point.

The Med is also rife with choke points through which shipping must pass: The Strait of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles, and the Suez Canal immediately come to mind, but modern sensors make the entire area a manageable body of water. The confined waters and prominent choke points also make the Med a fruitful hunting ground for modern submarines.

Land based air power also exerts a greater influence here than in most other locations. Virtually every nation that borders the Med has aircraft with the range and sophistication to present a significant air threat to shipping which must pass close by to reach its destination. A word of warning: only the geography remains constant here. Everything else is subject to change on short notice. The included scenarios reflect the range and scope of possible conflict here in man's most ancient battle grounds...

 
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Harpoon Designers Series I IOPG Battleset
This BattleSet would be a sleepy backwater, forgotten in the march of history, were it not for oil. Oil has produced the money for modern weapons, promoted envy and greed, and exacerbated religious and racial hatred.

The strategic significance of the oil fields of the Arabian Gulf are amply demonstrated by the continuous presence of U.S. Navy warships in the region since 1948, and the recent humiliation imposed on Iraq by an international coalition. Were it not for this strategic significance, the rest of the world would probably be glad to let the indigenous population get on with killing each other.

This area has been torn by violence for the length of recorded history, and there is every sign that this proclivity for violence is growing with time. The presence of "Westerners" and "Orientals" has added fuel to the flames of bigotry, just as oil money has bought the modern tools of death and suffering. These two factors make for an ugly set of circumstances.

As long as the industrialized nations rely on the region for oil, the pressure will continue to rise. The scenarios included with this revised BattleSet may be viewed as ventings of this pressure: sometimes a small blast, other times a huge explosion, but always violent and sharp.

 
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Harpoon Designers Series II GIUK Battleset
The passages of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom [GIUK] Gap remain an intense focal point even in time of peace.

The GIUK Gap is THE single most significant choke point for Russian merchant and naval shipping. These waters are also rich with abundant fishing areas and valuable mineral deposits and disputes regarding them are common. The resources that Russia once counted on are no longer guaranteed and a hungry Bear is a dangerous thing, indeed. At the same time, the Western Democracies are scrapping their naval assets faster than they built them in the 1980s.

The potential for armed conflict remains very real.

The choke-point nature of the geography dictates that the GIUK will remain a very busy place in terms of submarines and ASW operations with land-based aircraft playing a major role. The ubiquitous Tu-95 Bear and the omnipresent P-3 Orion remain prominent and, with the proximity of numerous land bases, you will also find the Atlantique, the May, and the Nimrod; each a major player in either closing or holding open the door to the Atlantic.


In Every Clime and Place

The war between the CIS and NATO has been raging for three weeks with the CIS gaining the upper hand with their swift conquest of the nations surrounding the Norwegian Sea. Gaining access to the Atlantic in this manner, many of their hunter-killer submarine groups have been able to sortie thus harassing NATO convoys and wreaking havoc with NATO's wartime plans. SACEur has had enough and finally convinces the USN to launch an amphibious invasion of Norway to stop the flow of subs that are sinking his supplies!

In order to pull off such a daring invasion, a CVBG is pulled from escort duty and ordered to soften up the air power that the CIS has built up in Norway. The USN also pulls together all of its newest ships in the 'Gator navy. Finally, the AV-8B Harrier II+ is embarked on the Wasp-class ships. This will prove to be its debut in combat.

There is little time left for NATO. At the rate the CIS subs are sinking convoys, NATO won't last another two weeks. This invasion must be successful!

Author: Herman Hum


Trade Barrier

The rise of the European Community in the mid-1990's had a dramatic effect on the political and economic divisions in the world. Following the prolonged recessionary period which ran rampant throughout the world during the early 90's, the EC was the first economic body to rebound and the recovery was astonishing. What some felt was retribution towards the United States for "forty years of tyranny," the Community took steps to ensure that the Western Hemisphere took a back seat to the new world economic superpower.

Soon enough, the EC's actions against the United States and Canada led to dissension within the EC itself. Britain, still closely tied to its allies in the West, continued to ignore Continental demands to isolate the USA. Over the next several months, a new alliance slowly developed between those English-speaking nations of the world which retained close cultural links to the United Kingdom; Britain, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, along with several smaller associates. The English Speakers Community, or ESC as it was named, thought still somewhat weaker than the overly aggressive EC, began an assertive campaign to recapture the world economic market.

In the middle sat the Russian Confederation, replacing the dead Commonwealth of Independent States. Russia was a vast, untouched market for the goods of either alliance. The EC was first to initiate open trade with their one-time enemy. Unspoken agreements became the basis for the EC's demands that the ESC remain out of northern Asia. The Russians, however, began to feel trapped in bargains and understandings to which they had never given assent. Moscow, dedicated to remaining neutral in the developing struggle between Europe and the West, announced it would send a "trade convoy" to America as a move to open new markets for its own goods.

The EC was furious and announced that such a convoy would be in violation of trade agreements. The move was seen as an affront to "Russia's European brothers," and that force would be used, if necessary, to prevent the West from receiving "European" trade goods. Russia's only response was silence and a large military escort for the ships.

Author: Herman Hum


Plug the Dike

The success of the Reformed Russian Republic in Norway increased the importance of supply interdiction in the Baltic Sea. The logistical requirements of the R3 army were enormous. Tons of supplies attempted to make transit of the shallow waters between Denmark and Norway.

The threat to these small convoys was limited in scope. Because of the success of R3 airfield strikes, the NATO aircraft that remained had adopted a defensive posture, awaiting reinforcements. The few offensive missions that NATO launched were primarily offensive counter-air and aimed at the R3 air bases. Convoys of five to seven ships were just too far down the list to merit much air attention.

The small missile boats of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany performed in the opening days of the war exactly as had been anticipated. They ducked out of hiding, acquired targets for their Harpoons and Otomats, launched their attacks, and died.

R3 commanders used this opportunity to try and move small quantities of sensitive materials back to research installations in the East. Only submarines remain to oppose them.

Quiet and small, if employed correctly, they are very hard to detect. The departure of the front-line R3 ASW units to the front as escorts for the R3 Carrier Battle Groups increased their effectiveness. Plugging the choke points out of the Denmark Sea provides the best opportunity to stop the transit of materials in this area.

Original author: Delwin Hinkle
Author: Herman Hum

Alone in the Snow

Sweden's neutrality lasted only as long as the Reformed Russian Republic had no need of anything that Sweden had and not a moment longer. The determined resistance of the United States' 1st Special Forces put the R3 theatre commander behind schedule by 36 hours. Behind schedule has never been a comfortable place for a Russian Commander and this commander was determined to be uncomfortable only for a very short period of time. His plan to get things moving again involved turning Norway's southern flank. But, in order to do that, staging bases closer than Germany were required. Unfortunately for Sweden, bases that fit the bill were Swedish. The remaining life of Sweden's neutrality was measured in hours.

NATO wanted to provide assistance. The problem was, other than providing advanced warning of the attack, NATO had nothing to give. The few remaining Norwegian F-16s could not be re-oriented to cover Swedish airspace without leaving the northern FEBA vulnerable. CENTAF simply had no aircraft to spare. RAF operational reserves had been released to guard the northern approaches to the UK. The German air force ceased to exist as an effective fighting force 90 seconds after the first shots were fired. Combined chemical, biological, and conventional missile, artillery, and air attacks have a tendency to do that.

Although alone in the snow, the Swedes were not without hope. Sweden had been neutral. Sweden had not been stupid. Sweden's defense expenditures had increased from 2.9% of GNP in 1987 to 4.5% of GNP in 1996. A large portion of that money was spent on the procurement of Viggens, Sweden's latest multi-role fighter aircraft. It was with the Viggens that this battle would turn.

Author: Herman Hum


Naval Infantry


The war between NATO and the CIS is in full swing, but neither side has gained an advantage over the other. CIS submarines have done well against NATO shipping, but CIS ground forces in Europe have not matched the successes of their naval cousins. The CIS surface fleet has been kept in reserve since the leadership knows that the NATO surface combatants are more powerful than they. Early on in the war planning, it was decided that the surface fleet would be used only on special missions and recalled as quickly as possible. While this theory goes against traditional doctrine, its advantage of keeping the fleet ready to respond to threats instead of sunk is appealing to many Admirals. Therefore, the brunt of the battle was borne initially by submarines.

That is about to change. While it is true that the CIS fleet is still floating, the folly of not using it has led in many ways to the current stalemate. To break the stalemate, CIS military leaders have decided to launch a two-pronged invasion of Norway. This is called Operation Overpower. Naval air has sunk most of the Norwegian surface fleet and no large NATO surface groups are near Norway. So, the fleet assembles a huge amphibious assault force and puts to sea with a heavy escort. The amphibious invasion is to coincide with an invasion from the border area. If Bodo can be taken and held for a week, the two prongs will link up and form a new threat against mainland Europe.

As for the Norwegians, they are caught in the middle. Their Air Force has been decimated and is nearly non-existent and their surface fleet is gone. All that is left are three small submarines. While not much, it is hoped that these three subs will be enough to discourage any further action from the sea.

Original author: Mark R. Lam
Author: Herman Hum

Lend-Lease 1994



The Second Russian Revolution was not the last -- most analysts knew this. The shaky economy the Yeltsin government inherited would not be easily fixed and a people with newly found rights had a tendency to complain and even defy.

However, a disenchanted populace was not the major problem. When high-ranking military leaders decided that the new government could not manage the economy and ensure the survival of the Russian Federation, they acted. The Coup of 1994 was much better planned than its predecessor. There were no protests in the streets of Moscow and the propaganda campaign which the military broadcast convinced much of the citizenry that perhaps the generals were right.

However, everyone did not give up and when the northern regions of Russia began open conflict with the new government, the West responded with aid. The United States sent a CV Battle Group to the region and eventually began conducting strikes in support of the growing Freedom Front. When the NSC agreed that troops should be landed to support the rebellion, the US leaders could not stop their plans with the damage of the carrier. The landing must continue.

Original author: Cass M. Johnson
Author: Herman Hum

Baltic Breakout



Instead of a peaceful transition in government, the Soviet Union, instead, undergoes two very violent and aggressive overthrows in one week. In the confusion during the change of government from communism to democracy and back to communism controlled by military leaders, a general war is started against NATO countries.

Two key naval units, though, aren't told in time. The Admiral Gorshkov and the Chernova Ukraina are still docked in the Baltic shipyards. Though the whole world is caught off guard, the German Navy puts up whatever patrols it can. Most units are sunk in the initial attack, but once the situation was stabilized, a few subs and surface groups were able to take positions in the Baltic.

The two capital units of the Soviet Northern Fleet are caught between a rock and a hard place. They sail, knowing the hell that awaits them as they try to manoeuvre through the narrow straits between Denmark and Norway. Once free, though, there will be clear sailing to Murmansk as the USN and RN are not in position to do anything about it. So, the challenge is there. Are the Soviet ships up to it?

Original author: Mark R. Lam
Author: Herman Hum

Matrix Lance



Baltic Sea game of cat and mouse. The passages of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom [GIUK] Gap remain an intense focal point even in time of peace.

This scenario is a re-make of a Harpoon Classic scenario from the Harpoon Designers Series II and has been re-made for Harpoon 3 with the consent of AGSI.

CIS
231015FEB93 CCCCCCC
From: Baltic Fleet HQ, St. Petersburg
To: Capt, Red Winter
Subj: Operation Matrix Lance

1. Acknowledge receipt status report 0200Z this date. German government confirms loss of Goteborg. Operation Matrix Shield has been terminated. NATO surface vessels are being withdrawn. U-Boat entry into your vicinity is deemed likely.
2. Objective: Continue to avoid detection. Remain within 25nm of your present position.
3. OpFor estimates: Signal intercepts and analysis suggest that German U-Boat U22 is enroute your position via the southern sector. Additional caution is advised for the northern sector as Norwegian diesel electric may be released to German Navy to prosecute mission now designated Matrix Lance.

Author: Herman Hum

Guardian


The events leading to the reformation of the old Soviet Union were numerous, anticipated by many, observed by many more, fatal for some and potentially deadly for the world. But famine, civil unrest, martial law, and dictators almost always are. The Reformed Russian Republic was neither reformed nor a republic. But it was Russian. Very Russian.

Seventeen months after the Marshals dissolved the Politburo, shot the President, and invited the Supreme Soviet to reconvene in a much cooler climate; the military machine that had been built by paranoid fathers and unleashed by older, misguided brothers was freed and pointed west. The time had come for the investment in tanks, ships, and aircraft to be redeemed.

Since the initiation of hostilities on 4 Feb, 1997, the R3 navy has enjoyed great success. Naval aviation attacks on Keflavik paved the way for a successful airborne assault. Andoya and Bodo in Norway soon followed. With newly liberated air bases allowing almost full coverage of the North Sea, the waters and skies north of England have become very unfriendly for Allied ships and aircraft. All of NATO's carriers and most NATO major surface combatants have been withdrawn to the North Atlantic to ensure the security of the sea lanes of communication. NATO command was willing to trade control of the North Sea for a period of time for a much better chance of getting the convoys of troops, tanks, and munitions that CENTAG would require across the grey seas from America to Europe.

Protection of NATO's north-eastern flank has fallen primarily to air power. Of the northern NATO bases, only Stornoway has remained operational. NATO's other air bases have fallen victim to standoff attacks from the Keflavik Bears, Badgers, and Backfires or to R3 surface action groups. NATO command's decision to re-deploy the majority of US air assets to bases in southern England to better support CENTAG has left only the RAF. The Air Vice-Marshall released the remaining reserves of the 41st Squadron and the 12th Squadron to provide tactical flexibility. A credible strike force could be mounted from Stornoway.

Author: Herman Hum

Matrix Siege



An exercise between the USN and Baltic naval forces. The passages of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom [GIUK] Gap remain an intense focal point even in time of peace.

The GIUK Gap is THE single most significant choke point for Russian merchant and naval shipping. These waters are also rich with abundant fishing areas and valuable mineral deposits and disputes regarding them are common. The resources that Russian once counted on are no longer guaranteed and a hungry Bear is a dangerous thing, indeed. At the same time, the Western Democracies are scrapping their naval assets faster than they built them in the 1980s.

The potential for armed conflict remains very real.

The choke-point nature of the geography dictates that the GIUK will remain a very busy place in terms of submarines and ASW operations with land-based aircraft playing a major role. The ubiquitous Tu-95 Bear and the omnipresent P-3 Orion remain prominent and, with the proximity of numerous land bases, you will also find the Atlantique, the May, and the Nimrod; each a major player in either closing or holding open the door to the Atlantic.

United States Z 221533ZFEB96 CCCCCCCC
From: CinCLant
To: Capt, USS Stark
Info: Capt, USS Stout
Subj: Allied Training Exercise - Matrix Siege

1. Commence exercise receipt this message. Observe the time limit strictly.
2. Objective: Safe transit of your group past island of Laeso.
3. OpFor Estimated as:
3.1 Up to fifteen small vessels (PT and FFL classs) arrayed to oppose your transit. The majority are assets of Germany and Kingdom of Denmark. Caution. Group "CAT" is deployed north of your present position.
3.2 OpFor is armed with Exocet and and Penguin. 3.3 No air or submarine assets are reportedly attached to the OpFor.

Author: Herman Hum

Matrix Shield​



Baltic Sea game of cat and mouse. The GIUK Gap is THE single most significant choke point for Russian merchant and naval shipping. These waters are also rich with abundant fishing areas and valuable mineral deposits and disputes regarding them are common. The resources that Russian once counted on are no longer guaranteed and a hungry Bear is a dangerous thing, indeed. At the same time, the Western Democracies are scrapping their naval assets faster than they built them in the 1980s.

From: Fleet HQ, Musko, Stockholm
To: Cmdr, K21, Goteborg
Capt, Kaszub
Info: Naval Attache, Moscow
Subj: Operation Matrix Shield

1. CIS Naval and government confirmation. A Kilo-class submarine is in your vicinity. It has been confirmed as a renegade and a contraband trader. CIS government requested assistance in his capture. Operation is designated Matrix Shield.

2. Objective: Locate and detain CIS Kilo-class submarine in your immediate vicinity. Use all means necessary.

Author: Herman Hum


Project Peninsula 94

Peninsula 94 is a series of 4 related scenarios (Recon, Ingress, Strike Ops, and Egress) representing different phases of a US multi-carrier battle group attack on the Kola Peninsula. From the Russian perspective, this is the mission the navy has trained for since its beginning: defense of the homeland.

These scenarios are related by a common order of battle and a concurrence of mission. Any discrepancies can be attributed to poor bomb damage assessment and better than expected damage control. They should be played in order and from the same side to appreciate the developing momentum an operation of this magnitude has.

Reconnaissance



From the NATO perspective, this scenario is a submariner's delight. A force of SSNs must enter Russian waters and conduct an intelligence sweep of the area prior to the arrival of the CVBG. This scenario is going to require discipline and restraint on the part of the NATO player if he hopes to be successful in the overall strategy. Many targets of opportunity may present themselves, but adherence to the Rules of Engagement is the only way to win.

From the Russian perspective, it's only a matter of time. Much of the fleet has been forced to retreat out of the North Atlantic and is now trying to re-group in the Norwegian Sea. The next logical step for NATO is an attack on the Kola Peninsula by a large CVBG which would surely be preceded by a submarine force to gather intelligence. This scenario is a large-scale ASW operation with a wrinkle, that being several unescorted capital ships in transit to re-organization points. The challenge here is force allocation. With limited first-line ASW assets, hard choices will have to be made and risks taken.

Original author: BI Hutchison
Author: Herman Hum

Ingress



This phase of the operation is probably the most nerve-wracking on a battle group command staff. Discovery now could mean fighting all the way to the target area and facing an alert enemy, or the cancellation of the mission, altogether. Emission control and long-range ASW operations are the order of the day. Russian search activity can be expected to increase as you close on the target. This scenario is primarily an escort mission and an exercise in staging. All capital ships must make it to their assigned operating area with time-on-station requirements.

From the Russian perspective, this is an offensive submarine operation. Any battle group attempting an attack on the Kola Peninsula has to enter very heavily travelled submarine routes and should be susceptible to detection. A creditable air component will be available to prosecute any surface contacts, although particular attention should be given to support groups. This scenario is designed to illustrate that there is more than one way to skin a cat. The Russian will be tempted to attack the first contact which will be heavily defended. The key here is the support group. Get to them and the operation is over.

Original author: BI Hutchison
Author: Herman Hum

Strike Operations



This is pay dirt for US forces: conduct large-scale strike operations against the home of the Red Banner Fleet. While the mission is straight-forward, this scenario promises to be a case study in contingency planning as situations change quickly in a high-threat environment. Asset allocation and formation rotation is the key to survival for surface elements in this scenario. To be successful in the strike arena of this scenario, solid adherence to the fundamentals is vital. Any deviation may have catastrophic effects on the overall plan as a carrier is useless without its aircraft.

From the Russian perspective, coastal defense has been the heart of fleet planning since its inception, though it was always expected that more high-value assets would be available for the task. The player will be expected to focus remaining assets in defense of land-based facilities. The nuclear option is available. Since no single group has the striking power to penetrate a CVBG defensive screen, coordination is the key in offensive operations.

Original author: BI Hutchison
Author: Herman Hum

Egress



For NATO, it's time to withdraw. Relentless attacks have begun to take their toll as casualties mount and magazines are down to their last reloads. Russian defenses are well aware of your approximate position and attacks are growing in size and determination. Speed is life. Return to safer waters as soon as possible. The air defense network is now operational at Keflavik, so air support will be available. This scenario will illustrate the difficulties a battle group commander will face in fighting a rear-guard action against a force receiving reinforcements. Deception should play a critical part of any strategy. Survival of the carriers is critical to future operations.

From the Russian perspective, revenge is the order of the day. Attacks by US forces have done grave damage to Red Banner Fleet facilities and eliminated much of the high-level command staff in the area. The President has committed the bulk of the naval aviation reserves in an attempt to punish the Americans. A nuclear strike is authorized, though only with cruise missiles. Any use of ballistic missiles may precipitate escalation. Early destruction of the American carriers will avert escalation so time is of the essence.

Original author: BI Hutchison
Author: Herman Hum


Anglo-European War



The EC was the first economic system to recover from the World Recession of the 90's. However, the advantage gained was short-lived, with the US economic situation strengthening rapidly. European leaders understood that if the US was to regain its advantage in economics held since the Second World War, the European nations would continue to live under the iron fist of North American dominance. They decided that things must change.

When the complete ban on trade with North America was passed in several legislatures of the EC nations, the world was aghast. In effect, the EC declared Cold War on America and the results would be nothing short of destructive.

The war which followed, however, originated from an unusual direction. Great Britain refused to pass the non-trade agreement and began unrestricted, even forced, trade with the United States. The US quietly rendezvoused with British shipping in the mid-Atlantic and escorted the trade ships across the sea. The Americans knew that they would be in a position of authority shortly and chose not to rustle the European feathers until such time.

But, the Continental EC would have none of this. Demands for British acceptance of the trade pact were fierce, but unheeded. The French were the first to respond. If the British would not freely accept the trade pact, they would be forced to adhere.

Author: Herman Hum


Harpoon3.6.3 users can get the
Complete Harpoon 3.6.3 Library

HDS II GIUK Battleset

These scenarios specifically require the PlayersDB 8.1.1.
 
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Harpoon 3 scenarios for the PlayersDB

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1670949

Reckall said:
With the demise of the Harpoon file archive on GameSquad, the PlayersDB and associated scenario files have been re-located to www.HarPlonkHQ.com

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Cold War Battleset
Global Conflicts 1 Battleset
Global Conflicts 2 Battleset
Global Conflicts 3 Battleset
Regional Conflicts 1 Battleset
Regional Conflicts 2 Battleset
Tutorial Battleset
WestPac Battleset


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Cold War Battleset
Global Conflicts 1 Battleset
Global Conflicts 2 Battleset
Global Conflicts 3 Battleset
Regional Conflicts 1 Battleset
Regional Conflicts 2 Battleset
Tutorial Battleset
WestPac Battleset

 

Herman Hum

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Harpoon 3 scenarios for the PlayersDB

Harpoon Designers Series II MEDC Battleset
The Mediterranean remains a hotbed of activity and strife. The old hatreds between the Semitic peoples seems to be simmering for the moment, while the old hatreds between Serbs, Croats, Dalmations, Macedonians, and Bosnians are in full flare.

With the redefinition of many national borders and the reopening of old strife, the Balkans is looking more like pre-World War I than ever before. The possibility of European Community involvement becomes more real every day, indeed, with many posing the question as "When" instead of "If." The geography of the Mediterranean basin is rife with natural choke points, and the entire basin can be effectively monitored by shore based aircraft.

The area also swarms with very small to medium sized combatants, and large numbers of diesel electric submarines. HDS-II MEDC should effectively show you just how little room there is for a Carrier Battle Group, or just how lonely it can be for a small force of surface combatants without friendly air support.


Missile Boats at Dawn



No nation in the Middle East, and perhaps not in the world, has a more effective intelligence service than the Israeli Mossad. Quiet and effective, they search out potential problems and deal with them. On occasion, the things they discover are of such magnitude that assistance is needed from other arms of the Israeli military.

Such was the case in mid-February, 1997.

Through the work of a single agent, the Mossad learned of the completion of a quantity of chemical and biological weapons in Libya. These agents of mass destruction were to be shipped to Egypt. No target had been ascribed to the weapons at this point, but the Prime Minister was a cautious man. An "accident" was to be arranged for the shipment.

Original designer: Delwin Hinkle
Author: Herman Hum

Black Sea, Black Hole



Operation Southern Swath is in full swing and going well for the CIS. In the Mediterranean theatre, CIS air power has dominated with Turkey being defeated by a combined amphibious invasion and aerial onslaught. The only Turkish units that survived the initial air campaign were those underway and not in the Black Sea. Eventually, most of these vessels ended up in Italian or French ports.

After two weeks of sitting on the sidelines, the Turks are ready to get back into the fight. To do this, they have decided to send two SS boats back into the Black Sea to generally harass the CIS Navy and, perhaps, gain some intelligence on the disposition of the CIS Mediterranean Fleet.

The CIS Navy is confident of its control over the Black Sea, but still conducts a few coastal patrols. Unfortunately, none of them picked up the submarines entering the arena. Moving through the Aegean was tough, yet accomplished with professional excellence. The subs are ready for action.

Original designer: Mark R. Lam
Author: Herman Hum

Alpha Strike 2​



As the Serbian Civil War reached its fifth anniversary, the UN's decision to withhold ground troops continued to be widely debated. Although the addition of US air power was welcomed, alone, it was insufficient to turn the tide. The ground-pounder's axiom that "Air power alone cannot win a war. No airedale ever has or ever will be capable of taking and holding an acre of dirt," continued to stand the test of battle.

As a result, the Serbian Civil War was not so much a civil war as it was a thresher of human bodies and spirits. Small battles ignited and then smouldered throughout the area. There simply was no "forward edge of the battle area". For each individual, the FEBA was where he or she stood confronting the enemy at one particular tick of the clock. Humans were fed into one end of the thresher and the chaff of broken bodies, broken minds, and human souls was discharged from the other.

Of the US military services with aviation capability, the Air Force had no interest in the kind of missions required here. None were high, fast, or stealthy. The A-10 Warthogs would have been ideal had any remained in service. The confining waters and the mission profile of close air support turned the Navy off almost as fast. For a dirty knife fight in the close confines of a dark alley, only the Marines had the know-how, the equipment, and the enthusiasm for the job. "Aye-aye, sir. Semper Fi!" was their response.

Author: Herman Hum
Original designer: Delwin Hinkle

These scenarios are re-makes of a Harpoon Classic scenarios from the Harpoon Designers Series II and have been re-made for Harpoon 3 with the consent of AGSI.

Harpoon3.6.3 users can get the
Complete Harpoon 3.6.3 Library

HDS II MEDC Battleset

These scenarios specifically require the PlayersDB 8.1.1.
 
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Herman Hum

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Harpoon 3 scenarios for the PlayersDB

Harpoon Designers Series II IOPG Battleset
The Indian Ocean is still the artery through which the life blood of Western societies flow. The recent downsizing of Iraq's military inventory has spurred yet another arms race in the region, and the CIS "Bargain Basement Sale of Slightly Used Weapons Systems" has further complicated the situation.

The prospects for conflict here remain grave, as do the repercussions of such a conflict on the oil supplies of the West. Each of the major maritime powers maintains a naval presence here, as do the regional powers of India, Pakistan, and Iran. The Indian Ocean also offers both large stretches of open ocean and severely restrained choke points. HDS-II IOPG examines both regional conflicts and superpower interventions, based on the current and some projected force structures of those powers.

The proliferation of arms in the region also presents the prospect of a major arms supplier having to fight an enemy armed with the weapons they have supplied...

Brown Water Transit



Unlike the United States and Canada, neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan have a distinctly cold feel. India's goal to be the dominant regional power is not a secret to the other nations of the area. Of course, a fleet of submarines, three aircraft carriers, and a nuclear weapons program communicate intentions without the need for words.

Unable to afford the quantities of conventional weapons systems to constitute an effective deterrent, Pakistan has turned to devoting a growing percentage of its defense spending toward development of nuclear weapons.

Assuring safe passage for the materials required for this program is one of the highest priorities of the Pakistani armed forces.

Original designer: Delwin Hinkle
Author: Herman Hum

Harpoon3.6.3 users can get the
Complete Harpoon 3.6.3 Library

HDS II IOPG Battleset

These scenarios specifically require the PlayersDB 8.1.1.
 
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Herman Hum

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Harpoon 3 scenarios for the PlayersDB

Harpoon Designers Series II - NACV Battleset

The North Atlantic remains the lonely seaborne highway between Europe and the Americas. The scenarios found in the Second Harpoon Designer's Series bear this out, and further refine the lessons on ASW learned in the GIUK Gap. The difference is the significant one of open ocean operations versus Choke Point operations. It is a very large ocean, and even large groups of ships can effectively "hide" by practicing EMCON and standing clear of the shipping lanes.

In the vast expanses of the Atlantic entire convoys are extremely difficult to find, and cooperation of aircraft and submarines becomes essential to both the hunters and the hunted. HDS-II will help you re-discover just how big the Atlantic Ocean really is.


Matrix Knight



O 221200ZFEB93 CCCCCCCC
FR: NATO HQ, Mons, Belgium
TO: Capt, USS Hartford AAS
Capt, FN S615 L'Inflexible ABS
Subj: Matrix Knight training exercise

1. Commence exercise receipt this message. Strictly observe the time limit.
2. Objectives:
2.1 French SSBN is the subject of search and destroy operations to be conducted by Royal Navy OpFor. Avoid detection for the duration of the operation. Maintain patrol zone within 25nm of your current position.
2.2 USS Hartford is to seek out and destroy a simulated Delta-class SSBN operating in your AOR.
3. OpFor estimates
3.1 Royal Navy Trafalgar, Valiant, or Swiftsure-class to be employed.

Author: Herman Hum


Alpha Strike 1



As the tide of battle in the North Atlantic turned in favour of the NATO allies, it became clear that the lynch pin was Keflavik. Without it, NATO lost the ability to track R3 submarines as they sortied into the North Atlantic to interdict the sea lanes of communication. Without it, the convoys in transit lost raid warning and attrition capability on the Backfires, Bears, and Badgers hunting them. With Keflavik, R3 gained a forward base for those same aircraft, extending their search and attack range thousands of miles further into the North Atlantic and making strikes on the ConUS a terrifying possibility. With Keflavik, in connection with the new R3 Bases at Bodo and Andoya, the North Sea became the R3 Lake.

A single CVBG was tasked to set this situation straight. The Tomcats and Hornets, supported by EA-6Bs and E-2Cs from the carrier and EF-111s and E-3s from Stornoway in England, began the process by launching a series of combat air patrols centred 75 miles south of the main runways of Keflavik. Pairs of Hornets were positioned along the threat axis to loiter undetected and silent at very low altitude. Reacting as hoped, the R3 AEW aircraft detected the Tomcats and sent most of two squadrons of Flankers and Fulcrums up to play. As the R3 aircraft crossed the coast, the Tomcats loosed a volley of Phoenix missiles. Four dozen of the most deadly air-to-air weapons in history sped towards their destinies. The Fulcrums and Flankers were not unprepared for this event and began making defensive manoeuvres and pumping out millions of electrons into the air. These counter-measures were surprisingly successful. Just over half of the R3 aircraft survived. What they were not prepared for was the appearance of a dozen Hornets, each armed with fire-and-forget AMRAAMs. Only four of the Fulcrums and one of the Flankers made it back to the runways of Keflavik.

With the air threat eliminated, all that remains is to get the strikers on target.

Original designer: Delwin Hinkle
Author: Herman Hum


Choke Point - Pig Boats 1



At first, the world considered the declaration of war nothing more than a formality -- a joke. How could Russia successfully stage a war against Spain? Sure, the Spanish had vetoed the EC trade agreement with their large eastern neighbour, but they had their reasons. The problems could be evaluated and resolved. The declaration of war, though unnecessary, was somewhat understandable. In any case, the two nations were so far removed that nothing would come of the "war" -- right?

The EC was completely shocked by the blitz the Russians conducted against the Spanish fleet. In only a few hours, the Iberian fleet ceased to exist, aside from a few patrol boats and one or two frigates. Did the remainder of the EC assist in the battle? Wasn't there a defensive agreement in the EC treaty? When Russia began assuring the EC that only the Balearic Islands would be the subject of the war, many European nations hesitated in joining the fray. The Russians were obviously angry and may actually invade the little-defended eastern borders of the Community.

Britain, however, did not hesitate. Within an hour of the initial hostilities against Spain, Britain warned the Russians to back off. Then, a Russian amphibious formation was spotted moving towards Gibraltar. With no other nations assisting, Britain ordered what few subs it had in the Western Med to battle stations. Had the British not been conducting ASW and bottom-contour mapping of the Gibraltar region, Spain would have lost the Balearic Islands. They still might.

Original designer: Cass M. Johnson

Sharks of Steel - Pig Boats 2



At first, the world considered the declaration of war nothing more than a formality -- a joke. How could Russia successfully stage a war against Spain? Sure, the Spanish had vetoed the EC trade agreement with their large eastern neighbour, but they had their reasons. The problems could be evaluated and resolved. The declaration of war, though unnecessary, was somewhat understandable. In any case, the two nations were so far removed that nothing would come of the "war" -- right?

The EC was completely shocked by the blitz the Russians conducted against the Spanish fleet. In only a few hours, the Iberian fleet ceased to exist, aside from a few patrol boats and one or two frigates. Did the remainder of the EC assist in the battle? Wasn't there a defensive agreement in the EC treaty? When Russia began assuring the EC that only the Balearic Islands would be the subject of the war, many European nations hesitated in joining the fray. The Russians were obviously angry and may actually invade the little-defended eastern borders of the Community.

Britain, however, did not hesitate. Within an hour of the initial hostilities against Spain, Britain warned the Russians to back off. Then, a Russian amphibious formation was spotted moving towards Gibraltar. With no other nations assisting, Britain ordered what few subs it had in the Western Med to battle stations. Had the British not been conducting ASW and bottom-contour mapping of the Gibraltar region, Spain would have lost the Balearic Islands. They still might.

Original designer: Cass M. Johnson

These scenarios are re-makes of a Harpoon Classic scenarios from the Harpoon Designers Series II and have been re-made for Harpoon 3 with the consent of AGSI.

Harpoon3.6.3 users can get the
Complete Harpoon 3.6.3 Library

HDS II NACV Battleset

These scenarios specifically require the PlayersDB 8.1.1.
 
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rkoelbach

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The issue regarding the "backyard 2" scenario has been resolved. It was a mutual misunderstanding. The scenario is ok from my side and anybody who plays it or even writes an AAR is welcome.

Regards,
Ralf Koelbach
 
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Herman Hum

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This scenario was created and released under all terms set forth by Mr. Koelbach. If there is any dispute, all correspondence and conversations have been recorded and can be released if so requested.
 
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