Scenario Design & Discussion

The 43rd NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! A Georgian Affair On 8 August, 2008, ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet deployed to the coast of Georgia to take participate in the "forcing to peace" operation. The Ukrainian government saw the writing on the wall. With this invasion, the Kremlin was re-asserting control over its sphere of influence on the former Soviet republics. In hopes of checking future aggression from Crimean bases leased to Russia, the Ukrainian parliament demanded that the vessels which participated in this naked act of aggression not return to those ports. Russian Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Anatoly Nogovitsyn…

The 42nd NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! Carrier Exercise Halfway through 2008, Europe started to realize that the Asian nations' sustained economic growth would eventually lead to a strong new powerhouse. Asian countries already built or bought several very effective carriers and, with China laying down both a 45000 ton and a 96000 ton aircraft carrier, Europe decided that carriers would become critical in the future. While England's 2 new carriers are still years away, the time was ripe for some serious exercise. This scenario has been designed for play with any combination of 1 to 4 players. Author: Freek Schepers With over 320,0…

The 39th NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! Prelude Tensions between China and Japan are growing after another violent incident between Chinese fishermen and the Japanese Coast Guard in coastal waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands. The tiny little Islands of the Senkaku Archipelago suddenly became very important for both nations after the discovery of huge gas and oil reserves in coastal waters off the Islands. Both nations are prepared to risk a military conflict to get control over the area...... Author: Frans Koenz This scenario has been tested in both H3 and ANW and is more challenging in H3. With over 310,000 PlayersDB scen…

The 38th NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! The Svalbard Incident Following the demise of the "Evil Empire", the West believed that the "Red Threat" had completely evaporated. However, those same Western governments failed to anticipate the profound effects that hunger and poverty would have on the people of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The government of the CIS, faced a hungry populace on the verge of rebellion, realized that the West either could not or would not provide the massive capital outlays required to end the depression within the CIS. This left the government with the belief that only two options remained: allow the …

The 34th NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! Liberation of Antilles ('75) This is the 1975 variant of the fourth scenario in the "Hugo's Folly" Battleset. The 'elected' prime minister of Venezuela, Perez, has invaded the ABC Islands to capture and nationalise the refineries built there to process the new Venezuelan oil. The Netherlands, still outraged over how they were forced to give up New Guinea to Indonesia 14 years ago, has decided not to invoke article 5 of the NATO charter, but to demonstrate to the world that it can take on a Banana Republic by itself. Netherlands has pulled together the largest Task Force it is capable of amassing…

The 32nd NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! Hemphill's Ordeal This scenario is an interpretation of the account from Michael A. Palmer's, "The War that Never Was". "About a dozen Soviet submarines of various types, both diesel and nuclear-powered, lay athwart the sea lanes leading toward the Norwegian Sea. The Soviet Northern Fleet staff had charged its submarines with three tasks: reconnaissance for long-range SNA strikes, delaying the movement north of key American convoys and task forces, and attacking NATO ships and installations with torpedoes and missiles. The Soviets had far better success with more traditional attacks. In the first t…

AAR: Sea King to Chile Incident [spoiler Alert] A Harpoon ANW scenario Author: Freek Schepers Jerome Chiecchio (a.k.a. Angle of Attack) and I elected to try out this hypothetical scenario set in the Falklands. One of the most mysterious events of the war happened on May 16th, when a Sea King was found burning and abandoned near Punta Arenas airbase. The British claimed a 500nm navigation error but, after the war, it became clear that SAS Special Forces had been planning a raid to take out the Exocet-armed Super Etendard aircraft which had sunk Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyor. Speculation on the nature of this operation still ranges from SAS-Hercules aircraft…

I would like to create a Harpoon scenario in the near future and would like to include one of my favourite fictional aircraft, the MiG-31 "Firefox" from the Craig Thomas novel. Possibles: * A carrier strike * A land mission * An AAW battle with a US version. Maybe 20 on each side. Thoughts?

The 54th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! Shadow the Boomer After several vicious carrier battles in the Barents Sea and with the ground war stalemated in the Nordic winter, negotiations started to end the war. Both parties observed a cease-fire, which held surprisingly well in the first week. However, NATO feared Putin would make use of the cease-fire to bring his boomers to bastions prepared in the Barentz Sea. USN and Royal Navy hunter-killer subs were sent to stake out Severomorsk and be prepared to shadow SSBNs exiting the harbour. Author: Freek Schepers Nordkapp Prior to war breaking out, a small Dutch Task force of…

The 44th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! Oubliette The war in central Europe is bogging down. Although NATO has suffered horrendous losses, the Soviet armoured thrust has lost its momentum. There are rumours of growing dissension and unrest among the upper echelons of military command in Moscow. The risk of the Soviets resorting to the use of nuclear weapons in desperation has climbed considerably in the past few days. US Navy ballistic missile submarines, already deployed and at sea, have been directed to their patrol stations in case things 'go south'. Several of these boomers, including USS Tennessee, have been ordered to take up …

The 46th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! Sea King to Chile Incident One of the most mysterious events of the war happened on May 16th, when a Sea King was found burning and abandoned near Punta Arenas airbase. The British claimed a 500nm navigation error but, after the war, it became clear that SAS Special Forces had been planning a raid to take out the Exocet-armed Super Etendard aircraft which had sunk Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyor. Speculation on the nature of this operation still ranges from SAS-Hercules aircraft landing on Rio Grande airbase in order to destroy the planes on the ground to the setting up of covert radar facilities t…

The 44th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! H-Hour As the arctic daylight fades into mid-afternoon twilight, the tension along the Soviet/Norwegian border erupts into a heavy artillery and rocket barrage. The Norwegian defence forces have been preparing for this day for many years. It is now time to defend their homeland or suffer a second occupation in 50 years. 'Helmets On!' this is going to be a tough one. As the Norwegian commander, the best you can hope for is to inflict delay on the overwhelming force coming towards you. Destroy key bridges or tunnels to slow Soviet ground troops and inflict as many casualties as you can. As …

The 166th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! Operation Island Wind Dateline July 1, 2008 North Korea has recently been threatening to test a long-range ballistic missile; shrugging off the concerns of the world community. Despite the threat of sanctions, they have persisted in their preparations. This scenario was originally written for Harpoon Classic by Scott Boles (a.k.a. Akula) and has been re-made for compatibility with Harpoon3 and the PlayersDB with the consent the author. Author: Herman Hum This scenario has been tested for compatibility with Harpoon ANW. Interfet-Stabilize East Timor is an old P…

The 170th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! Bluff Cove On June 8 1982, one of the most tragic events of the Falklands war took place. Two amphibious ships embarked with the Welsh Guards were taking too long to unload at Bluff Cove and, when daylight broke, were found and bombed by the Argentine air force with heavy loss of life. Later investigations speak of inter-service rivalry between the British forces, and of a blatant disregard of the basic principles of amphibious operations. Author: Freek Schepers With over 179,000 PlayersDB scenarios downloaded in the last 12 months alone, the PlayersDB has proven itself the unequivocal…

The 290th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! 4.0 Ice Picket Congratulations to Bart Gauvin for posting up his very first Harpoon scenario for everyone to enjoy. "Gunner98" is the 17th author to release a new scenario. Feb 14th 1994, Valentines Day. Less than 24 hours ago, Soviet forces struck all across Eastern Europe in a drive to seize the initiative and establish themselves as the dominant force in Europe once and for all. NATO, and particularly the Americans are not well positioned to challenge this sudden attack. There are two US CVBGs in the Persian Gulf area and a third transiting the Indian Ocean and a fourth patrolling near…

The 288th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! Pebble Island During the night of May 14th, 1982; SAS commandoes intended to attack the airfield on Pebble Island. The raid was to be carried out via helicopter from HMS Hermes, which had detached from the CVBG during the night to steam towards Pebble Island with a small escort. While the force was still 6 hours away from their attack, American SIGINT was received which indicated that the Argentinean aircraft carrier Veinticinco de Mayo had evaded British submarines and entered the 200nm exclusion zone. A unique carrier battle was now brewing.... Author: Freek Schepers With over 14…

SPOILER ALERT AAR Old versus new #2, Part 1. Before starting the game, I always explore the scenario [Where is what] and make notes on paper; I launch the aircraft I need in the first stage [mostly, available AEW/EW/ASW and fighters] and re-arm aircraft if necessary; I plot course for the naval taskforces and submarines, plot ASW-missions with the formation editor, etc. etc... It is always a challenge to engage the massive and technical advanced Armed Forces of the USA. In this second [of 3] scenario, I play Europe. This scenario is btw, one of my favourites: +++ Here are the Freek’s orders: #2.0 BATTLE FOR EUROPE This is the secon…

The 289th NEW Harpoon scenario in the last 12 months! 4.0 San Carlos By the 20th of May, there were strong indications that invasion was imminent. Destroyers had shelled Argentine coastal garrisons and rumours were rampant that SAS troops were on the ground. During the night, an Argentine freighter was shelled by an unknown British warship in Falkland Sound. By daybreak, Argentinean observation posts saw the amphibious force steam into San Carlos waters. Author: Freek Schepers With over 142,000 PlayersDB scenarios downloaded in the last 12 months alone, the PlayersDB has proven itself the unequivocal players' favourite. Harpoon ANW u…

The 291st NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! #2.5 Suomenlinna - Yuri's Gambit This is the second scenario in the Battleset "21st Century Ocean Wars" War between NATO and Russia is imminent. The Russian forces on Kola will need unhindered access to the Atlantic. Admiral Yuri Padorin has drafted an alternative plan to deal with Finland. Author: Freek Schepers With over 127,000 PlayersDB scenarios downloaded in the last 37 weeks alone, the PlayersDB has proven itself the unequivocal players' favourite. Harpoon3.6.3 users can get the Complete Harpoon 3.6.3 Library [PlayersDB-7.4.7] The 21st Century Ocean Wars Battleset is available at: …

The 290th NEW Harpoon scenario of the year! 3.0 May Day First of May 1982 was when hostilities finally broke out around the Falklands. South Georgia had been liberated by the British and, early in the morning, a lone Vulcan bomber cut the runway at Port Stanley in half. The Argentineans had their army dug in around the Falklands, had attack planes dispersed around the islands, and the Air force and Navy were ready to meet the British forces. In the next three days, the General Belgrano and Sheffield were lost, air attacks proved the effectiveness of the Sea Harriers and SAMs; but also demonstrated their limitations and damaged many ships …