AAR battle of Latakia

SPOILER ALERT

(Note played in latest beta GE 2010.019, that might make a difference)

Opening the game (playing blue) paused: it is just after midnight in calm conditions with three surface groups of patrol boats comprising 2 groups of three Saar (gabriel SSMs 12 mile range) and one group (AAS) of two Dabur ("pop-guns" only) cruising about 45 miles out from Latakia, the two Saar groups being close to each other and about 20 miles north west of the Daburs. No enemy are detected other than Latakia but intelligence indicates two or three fast missile boats (long range styxs SSM) are deployed.

The Saar groups are both conducting a similar curved patrol taking them in a loop to within about 25 miles of Latakia, the Daburs conducting a tight patrol. One Saar group (ACS) is re-directed on a generally easterly direction to provide some extra cover for the Dabur.

At 0233 keen lookouts on Saar unit Hanit (group ABS) spot an enemy P-4 5 nm out bearing 28 degrees. Its estimated doing 8 kts away from us (closing speed ~ 6kts). No threat in its self but may have more potent escorts and may detect us. Radar kept off and course altered to close. Group ACS redirected to North East heading to provide further cover if needed. ABS close to 5 nm and at 0235 open fire with 76mm/62 compact main guns. P-4 confirmed sunk. Group ABS course modified to run closer to ACS, lookouts maintained.

0303: ABS unit Saar lookouts spot merchant man (neutral) heading south east at 10 kts, group course altered to east of south east to run under cover of merchant.

0332: ABS course altered to cross close astern of merchant man and continue patrol towards Latakia. Enemy MCM T-43 detected by ESM from both ACS and ABS giving triangulation good position at 7nm ENE of ABS and 11nm NNW of ACS within both missile's range. Enemy headed towards ABS at full speed with radar on. ABS considers it is likely to have been detected and fires SSM salvo (radar on for guidance) then changes course and speed to shadow behind merchantman.

One missile self destructs one miss, fire 6 salvos main guns, one hit and enemy reduced to 7 kts, two SSMs fired and one hit, mine sweeper sinks, most importantly its radar is sunk.

ABS: Radar off, continue to hug merchant man.

0355: ABS leaves shadow of merchantman passing ahead and changing courrse towardsLatakia.

0416: ABS 10 nm from ACS, both groups heading 14 kts approx NE and East respectively with SSM overlap and about 20 nm out from Latakia.

0424: one Komar class PTM spotted by lookouts, 5nm easst of Saar Herev (group ACS) cruising NW at 8 kts. ACS radar on and 2 SSMs away and commence salvos from main gun, first round hits and PTM sunk but 6 Styx are in bound.

Two more PTM detected Ossa and another Komar, ACS engages two SSMs a piece and salvos from the main guns.

The smoke clears, two more enemy PTMs to the bottom but loss of three Saar (ACS wiped out).

But with three enemy PTMs sunk we get a victory... but go on for more. ABS comes up to 25 kts and heads easterly intending to proceed down to AAS and escort survivors home... But no more enemy units so we are granted a win....

Don