This is a follow on poll from the previous, more general poll found here.

 

Please reply to the poll only if you have an intention (however slight) of being involved in the wargame, should it happen.

 

A couple (Red Beach and Kola Strike) are drawn from High Tide, and I've tossed in a couple of new ideas just in case folks might want to pursue something a little off the beaten path.

 

For convenience sake, a bit of a primer on what those H4/HT choices entail ...

 

Red Beach, circa 16 May 1988

 

This is somewhat of a follow on to the scenario David and Goliath, which is being gamed right now under management of HG member Silent Hunter UK. STANAVFORLANT survivors from that scenario would go on to join the new battle, going into Hammerfest (Norway) to replenish just as the Soviets launch an amphibious assault at that location. NATO would call upon the remnants of STANAVFORLANT, a local defense contingent (including coastal batteries!) and limited air support to turn back a Soviet invasion that includes a Sverdlov class gun cruiser, escorts and phibs. The defense may hinge to some extent upon placement of a Norwegian Type 207 sub and a small contingent of fast attack missile craft. Depending on what route is chosen for the invasion, one of these two will probably be out of position. One potential point of attraction for this scenario is the ground combat phase, ie. an opposed amphibious landing. NATO forces would comprise an untrained Home Guard infantry company, a competent regular army infantry company, bolstered by coastal gun batteries and maybe even RBS17 Hellfire launchers, facing a reinforced Soviet naval infantry battalion and an occupation garrison.

 

Kola Strike

 

There are two flavours of this scenario, one taking place in June 1980 and the other in June 1988. Either way, the scenario models a two carrier US Navy attack on the Kola Peninsula, and more particularly, five key shore bases and facilities of the Red Banner Northern Fleet. Whether the 1980 or 1988 scenario is chosen will determine in particular the order of battle (as well as the weapons available).

 

In 1980, for the US Navy:

A force centred on the USS Nimitz and USS John F Kennedy carrying air wings with F-14A, A-7E, A-6E, etc.

 

And the Soviet defense:

SA-3 SAMs, various AAA, Su-15 Flagon, MiG-23MLD Flogger K and Tu-128 Fiddler B fighters.

 

In 1988, for the US Navy:

A force centred on the USS Forrestal and USS Theodore Roosevelt, carrying air wings with F-14A, F/A-18A, A-7E and A-6E, etc; as well as two Improved LA class submarines with TLAMs.

 

And the Soviet defense:

SA-11 SAMs, various AAA, Su-27 Flanker and Su-15 Flagon fighters with potential for MiG-31 Foxhound and/or MiG-25 Foxbat to also appear.

 

Points are scored by NATO destroying a certain amount of Soviet infrastructure (measured in DP). The Soviets win by a successful defense that keeps the damage to a minimum.

Only two replies (excluding my null vote)? We had better response to the earlier poll.

Red Beach...not enormous, and has land forces.

Reminds me that I should check on that old Sverdlov and see if Blue managed to put it out of action or not over at MythWeavers.

I've voted.

Red Beach...not enormous, and has land forces.

 

I have to say this is my preference among those listed, and while the vote is marginal, I think its the one.

 

Pete, what do you think would be the best mechanism for gaming the ground forces' battle?

Pete, what do you think would be the best mechanism for gaming the ground forces' battle?

 

As a companion to H4.1, let me think about it. First thoughts other than the GCS number crunching...hmm, hex and counter or miniatures? Hex/counter, perhaps World at War: Operation Garbo combined with some other forces from that series, or in miniature, Fistful of Tows 3. Both have platoon sized maneuver units.

 

More thought...