AAR Atlantic Convoys - DAY 1

[FransKoenz]

[center]SPOILER ALERT[/center]

After Action Report

Scenario : Atlantic Convoys
Designer : Freek Schepers
Side : NATO
Reporter: : Taitennek

Introduction.

This scenario takes several days to cover. So, I have decided to report by day.


I am in command of two large convoys [30+8 and 16+7], an Amphibious Group [12], a CVBG [7], 5 nuclear attack submarines [including the brand new SSN 21 USS Seawolf], as well as more than 200 aircraft and helicopters [some of the units are in maintenance or need longer readiness times before they can come in action].
My orders are to transit the convoys and the Amphibious Group through the Atlantic to Portsmouth in the UK. The aircraft carrier must survive in a position to cover future convoys. No losses of LHA, LHD, LSD and LST are allowed.

For a comprehensive version of the orders, please click here.


[center]DAY 1[/center]


November 26th, 2003.
00:06:00 Zulu Time.

Immediately after game start, 6 submerged contacts appeared on the screen. All contacts are more ore less within firing range of the 5 submarines under my command. I am not authorized to attack, but all units will defend themselves when fired upon [no sitting duck policy].
1 submerged contact was discovered east of convoy #1.
2 F-14 Tomcats are already airborne, supported by a EC-2C Hawkeye II. I ordered them to set course north of convoy #1 and #2.
2 F/A.2 Sea Harriers of the Royal Navy are in the air [supported by a SH-3D Sea King AEW.2 helicopter] within minutes, as well 2 USMC AV-8 Harrier II.

00:30:00 Zulu Time.

I am now authorized to attack the submarines. Meanwhile the USS Philadelphia [SSN 690] cruised at top speed to stay away of the fast approaching torpedo. The submarine which fired the torpedo is destroyed, as well as the sub that fired a torpedo at the USS Norfolk. Both submarines were killed before I was authorized to attack, but I am responsible for the safety of the crew and The US navy may own the boat, But I am the captain!!! I bet the Admiralty will put me in command of a rusty decommissioned WW II diesel for this, if I survive the mission.
Within the hour I managed to destroy 5 enemy submarines and survived their torpedo-attacks. What really concerns me are the 2 submarines east of convoy #1.
2 ASW-helicopters are trying to locate them before they are in range for an attack.

01:00:00 Zulu Time.

6 Russian Backfires are approaching convoy #2. 4 Harriers are available and on interception course. Soon they could launch their AMRAAM missiles and managed to destroy the enemy bombers and all 4 aircraft returned to the HMS Illustrious.
Meanwhile a third submarine was detected east of convoy #1 and the USS Seawolf [SSN 21] made her second victim after the enemy submarine was hit by a MK48 ADCAP torpedo.

4 enemy submarines are visible on the screen; a fast moving submarine close to the USS Augusta [SSN 710]. The USS Hyman G. Rickover has been ordered to assist the USS Augusta for the hunt for that submarine.
It seems that there is a complete Wolf Pack operating east of convoy #1; a 4th submarine has been discovered.

02:30:00 Zulu Time.

I just received a strange message that from now on I only am authorized to kill submarines only…..What the heck???? Is there a war going on or not?
From time to time 1 or more of the submerged contacts disappeared, but an earlier sub contact showed up again, I think it is the same submarine the USS Augusta was hunting for. The USS Hyman G. Rickover is in the neighbourhood as well, cruising south of the contact. Perhaps she is able to intercept the submarine. The enemy sub is still cruising at high speed [35kts] southwards.

03:00:00 Zulu Time.

All 6 helicopters available for convoy #1 are in the air to track down the submarines. 4 Tomcats are cruising north of the convoy, supported by 1 E-2C Hawkeye. 1 Tomcat is escorting the AEW unit.
The CVBG is heading north, but still is 500+ nm away. The 2 other surface groups do not report incoming threats and are heading to the English Channel on schedule.
No losses for NATO reported so far. Registered Russian losses are 5 submarines and 7 Backfire bombers.

The Hawkeye Radar is detecting several airborne contacts north of convoy #1.
My personal opinion is that Russia is about carrying out an operation to attack convoy #1 with combined forces.
Escorts of convoy #1 are actively involved in the hunt for the enemy subs and heading towards the contacts.
Suddenly a torpedo was detected! Later the contact disappeared, but I now know that one of enemy submarine is within firing range
Meanwhile, the exact course and location of 2 enemy air contacts were available and soon 1 of the Tomcats destroyed both aircraft with AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.
The bombers have arrived!
10 other air contacts are now identified as Backfire bombers, underway in two groups to convoy#1.
I immediately ordered all Tomcats to intercept the bombers [first thing I did with game start was to re-arm the Tomcats with 4 and 6 AIM-54 Phoenix each].

In a 20 minute air-to-air confrontation, my fighters managed to destroy at least 20 Backfire bombers with AIM-Phoenix-Sparrow-Sidewinder missiles, and a helicopter took out a submarine with 2 torpedoes. She was later identified as the Volgograd.
Convoy #1 managed to survive the first attack and is still intact.
There are, however, 3 enemy submarines laying in ambush and convoy #1 still had to travel 1,300 nm to safe waters of the English Channel.

05:00:00 Zulu Time.

The situation hasn’t changed so far. All involved aircraft in the past event are returning to the USS Theodore Roosevelt. They have been replaced by 2 Tomcats.
2 E-2C Hawkeye’s are non-stop in the air for EAW-duties.
Meanwhile, the USS Augusta [SSN 710] reported that she lost contact with the submarine in her area.

Suddenly 1 of the submarines was detected at periscope depth and launched 10 P-120 Malakhit [SS-N-9 Siren]. The USS De Wert [FFG 45] managed to intercept all incoming missiles.
One of the nearby helicopters immediately launched to MK50 Barracuda torpedoes. Both torpedoes hit target and destroyed the submarine.
Minutes later, incoming missiles were reported by the USS Roosevelt [DDG 80].
As soon the missiles came within firing range, the USS Roosevelt launched her Standard Missiles. [SM2MR III]. The incoming missiles, later identified as SS-N-19 Shipwrecks, didn’t came through the barrier. None of the Shipwrecks reached convoy #1. The DDG 80 has used all onboard SMMR. I will use her for ASW-duties now. These Shipwrecks came from an undetected OSCAR-class submarine southeast of convoy #1. I must locate and destroy this submarine. She may have fired all her Shipwrecks, her magazines still contain the deadly torpedoes.
A new sub contact has been detected by the HMS Argyll [F 231], one of the escorts of convoy #2. I Immediately set up a search & destroy operation with 3 helicopters.

06:00:00 Zulu Time.

FFG 50 Taylor has located a enemy submarine, classified as Goblin-504, cruising west of convoy #1 at a distance of 15 nm. The submarine later was identified as the K-157 Vepr. 1 of the helicopters launched a MK50 Barracuda and destroyed the submarine.
I lost contact with the enemy submarine west of convoy #2.

07:00:00 Zulu Time.

At the moment there are no enemy units visible. But I know that 1 submarine is active near convoy #2. Another submarine is moving with high speed southward.
An last but not least, the OSCAR-class submarine who fired the Shipwrecks at
convoy #1.
Intelligence reports Tu-22 over the Norwegian Sea, so I expect another attack on one of the surface groups.
The Helicopters of convoy #2 managed to locate the submarine and destroyed her with torpedoes.

09:30:00 Zulu Time.

An Airborne contact close to 2 Sea Harriers from convoy #2. Immediately it was killed by AMRAAM missiles. Some minutes later, more contacts appeared on my screen. Tomcats are underway to investigate the contacts. Minutes later the contacts were gone.
Some time later, a Tomcat destroyed a Cub C.

11:20:00 Zulu Time.

A submarine has been detected southeast of convoy #1. 2 helicopters are underway to find and destroy the contact. Later I lost contact
New airborne contacts appeared on my screen. It seems that this time the Amphibious group is target of the coming attack. 4 AV-8 Harriers are in the air and I decided to launch 4 more. This time the Backfires were escorted by Su-27 Flankers!.
I managed to kill 1 Backfire and 1 Flanker, but I lost 3 USMC-Harriers.
6 Contacts are visible. 5 Harriers are in the air. The CVBG is too far away to assist with fighters.
Kh-22 Kitchen missiles were launched. The USS Philippine Sea [CG 58] turned on her radars and directly started launching her SM’s. 2 more Backfires were destroyed by the Harriers, but the third Backfire launched her missiles. 2 more Harriers were shot down by Russian Flankers. The Amphibious Group survived the attack.

12:00:00 – 24:00:00 Zulu Time.

A new submerged contact [later identified as K-442 Cheljablinsk[OSCAR-II] was detected south of convoy #1. Three helicopters are on the spot and try to locate her. The submarine disappeared several times from my screen. Finally, after a long search [it took hours], helicopters managed to destroy the K-442 with torpedoes.
Meanwhile a large group Backfires approached convoy #2.
2 Sea Harriers were already airborne, but I launched 2 more and ordered 2 Tomcats to fly to the area for assistance. After some minutes the Tomcats could take out the first bombers with their AIM-54c Phoenix, soon the Sea Harriers followed with their AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
All Bombers [12] were shot down before they could launch their missiles.

At 17:30:00 4 air contacts were spotted, cruising northeast of convoy #2. Again, I ordered 2 Sea Harriers and 1 Tomcat to intercept incoming aircraft. 2 pair Su-27 Flanker fighters engaged my aircraft and managed to shoot down the Tomcat, 2 Flankers were destroyed, the other two disappeared from my screen.
The following hours nothing serious happened. From time to time some faint airborne contacts were spotted, but I couldn’t intercept the aircraft.

22:37:00… A new sub contact appeared on my screen. Cruising at a distance of 25nm east of convoy #2. As usual, I ordered 2 helicopters to investigate the new contact. Sometimes contact was lost.


The situation after 24 hours:

The escorts and aircraft have performed very well!
Not a single ship was hit by a weapon. Russia launched several air strikes on both convoys and Amphibious Group. Lot of the Russian submarines were detected before they could launch torpedoes. There were no attacks at the CVBG.

NATO losses so far:

Aircraft:

5 AV-8B Harrier II [USMC]
1 F-14 Tomcat

Russian losses so far:

Submarines:

4 Akula I
1 Akula II
3 Victor III [imp]
3 Charlie II
1 Oscar II

Aircraft:

44 Tu-22 Backfire C
1 Tu-16 Badger J
1 Tu-95 Bear J
1 An-12 Cub C
4 Su-27 Flanker D


A coverage of Day 2 is coming soon!

Taitennek.[:)]

[FransKoenz]

[font=tahoma]SPOILER ALERT[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]After Action Report[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Scenario       : Atlantic Convoys[/font]
[font=tahoma]Designer      : Freek Schepers[/font]
[font=tahoma]Side             : NATO[/font]
[font=tahoma]Reporter:     : Taitennek[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Introduction.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]This scenario takes several days to cover. So, I have decided to report by day.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]I am in command of two large convoys [30+8 and 16+7], an Amphibious Group [12], a CVBG [7], 5 nuclear attack submarines [including the brand new SSN 21 USS Seawolf], as well as more than 200 aircraft and helicopters [some of the units are in maintenance or need longer readiness times before they can come in action]. [/font]
[font=tahoma]My orders are to transit the convoys and the Amphibious Group through the Atlantic to Portsmouth in the UK. The aircraft carrier must survive in a position to cover future convoys. No losses of LHA, LHD, LSD and LST are allowed. [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]For a comprehensive version of the orders, please click here.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]DAY 2[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]November 27th, 2003. [/font]
[font=tahoma]00:00:00 -06:00:00 Zulu Time.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]First a report of the current situation:[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]As I reported on Day 1 of this operation, NATO performed very well. None of the surface vessels were sunken and no units damaged. NATO losses were minimum; 6 aircraft. The losses on Russian side, however, were much heavier; 12 submarines and 51 aircraft.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Estimated distance to Portsmouth.[/font]
[font=tahoma]Amphibs      525nm, [/font]
[font=tahoma]convoy #1 1,250nm, [/font]
[font=tahoma]convoy #2 2,000nm.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]The CVBG is cruising north in coastal waters of the Azores. The USS Norfolk [SSN 714] and USS Philadelphia cruising west of the entrance to the English Channel.[/font]
[font=tahoma]The USS Hyman G. Rickover [SSN 609] guards convoy #1, the USS Augusta [SSN 710] is underway to convoy #2, and the USS Seawolf [SSN 21] moves south to escort the CVBG. The convoys and Amphibious Group are behind schedule, but I will try to gain on the original schedule. [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]An unknown sub contact has been detected east of convoy #2; helicopters are in the air to intercept and destroy this submerged threat. Now it has gone again. It takes a lot of your nerves to be the captain of a ship within the convoy.[/font]
[font=tahoma]You see the helicopters taking off after a submerged contact has been detected. The enemy is there, perhaps even within firing range. It might be your ship or the floating super bomb [LNG-tanker] 3nm away from you. [/font]
[font=tahoma]Convoy #2 is now under attack! The just discovered enemy submarine is launching torpedoes. Soon more torpedoes cleaved the water, fired by the unallocated submarine. The helicopters finally managed to destroy the submarine, but, some of USET-80 and 65-76WH torpedoes hit their targets. 15 minutes later it is all over,  the merchants turned back to their position in the convoy and move on. Leaving 4 burning sinking ships behind; 3 supertankers and 1 bulk carrier. Another supertanker has been damaged [55%]. [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]The Hawkeye, now southeast of the CVBG picked up surface contacts south of the Iberian Peninsula. Two Tomcats, just took off the USS Theodore Roosevelt, have been ordered in that direction to investigate these contacts. However, if it is a Russian SAG, I have to wait 45 hours before I can launch aircraft to engage the surface contacts; almost all planes are in maintenance at the moment.[/font]
[font=tahoma]I will continue shadow these contacts and try to find out what is there.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]It is 03:45:00 and torpedoes have been detected near convoy #1. [/font]
[font=tahoma]The FFG 49 USS Robert G. Bradley, a frigate of the Underwood class was hit first, and sunk almost immediately. Helicopters are searching for the submarine. Her attack came as a complete surprise.  The enemy submarine fired 9 torpedoes and later even more. The structure of convoy #1 is a mess; merchants are fleeing away from the spot, away from the USET-80 and 65-76WH torpedoes. [/font]
[font=tahoma]13 Russian deadly fishes are underway to meet their partner for a last explosive waltz……. [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]The Russian submarine’s attack was very successful! I personally doubt if it was just 1 submarine, it fired in a very short time more than 13 torpedoes, but 17 ships were destroyed. I could have missed some torpedoes in the heath of this monstrous attack. The Russian submarine is still launching torpedoes. Another merchant hit.[/font]
[font=tahoma]The helicopters can’t track this monster. Later she even disappeared from my screen. And, again, there she was, in the centre of convoy #1!!![/font]
[font=tahoma]At 05:20:00 the attack was over. The USS Stump [DD 987] managed to take the submarine out with a torpedo. Now it is time to make up the balance. [/font]
[font=tahoma]The submarine was later identified as a Sierra-II class submarine. [/font]
[font=tahoma]She killed 17 merchants and 1 escort! Only 20 ships left, including 7 escorts.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]1 thing is for sure. I cannot match Victory conditions anymore. Convoy #1 suffered a loss of 17 merchants and 1 escort. Only 10% of each convoy may be destroyed. [/font]
[font=tahoma]But I will go on and make best of it.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]06:00:00 – 12:00:00 Zulu Time.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Intelligence reports that Tu-22 have been spotted over Narvik [Norway].[/font]
[font=tahoma]I launched 4 Tomcats to let them cover the northeast flank. The Amphibious Group must reach its destination intact. I ordered SSN 21 and SSN 690 to set course to coastal waters of southeast Portugal.[/font]
[font=tahoma]SSN 710 is 260nm east of convoy #2. SSN 709 is patrolling southeast of convoy #1, SSN 714 is patrolling northwest of the entrance to the English Channel.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]The CVBG is underway to her next turning point; 100nm south between convoy #1 and #2. The new position of the CVBG will make it possible to provide more frequent air support. But the Group is then also capable to intercept the SAG, now cruising south of Portugal in a northern direction. [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Soon 4 air contacts appeared north of the Amphibious Group. Tomcats making best speed to intercept the aircraft, but for now, I only can rely on 2 AV-8B Harriers, each armed with 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The rest of the Air Wing has been destroyed some hours ago in dogfights with Su-27 Flankers.[/font]
[font=tahoma]The USMC Harriers effectively took out the Backfire bombers with their missiles and now returning to their home base. Tomcats have arrived to take over CAP for the Amphibious Group. [/font]
[font=tahoma]Meanwhile A Russian RORSAT came over.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]12:00:00 – 24:00:00 Zulu Time.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]At 12:38:00 another submerged contact was detected north of the Amphibious Group. I immediately launched 3 helicopters to intercept the contact. For assistance I also ordered the USS Spruance to take part of the search. From time to time I lost contact with the submarine. The USS Norfolk [SSN 714] is cruising north of the AG.[/font]
[font=tahoma]The AG still has to travel 250nm before she will reach the English Channel.[/font]
[font=tahoma]Some hours later, the USS Philippine Sea reported a [new] submerged contact, west of the Amphibious Group, but soon it was gone. This happened a few times and no doubt about it that this game of mouse and cat will go on as long the Russians have submarines left to put in combat.[/font]
[font=tahoma]Finally, at 20:51:00, the Russian submarine was located and soon destroyed by torpedoes.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]The Russian SAG is moving north with high speed. I lost 2 Tomcats. They were destroyed by SAM after I closed in for identification. The 2 submarines are less than 200nm away from this Russian surface group.[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Russian losses this day:[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Aircraft:[/font]
[font=tahoma]5 Tu-22 Backfire C[/font]
[font=tahoma]2 Su-27 Flanker D[/font]
[font=tahoma]2 Ka-27 Helix AEW[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Submarines: [/font]
[font=tahoma]1 Victor III [imp][/font]
[font=tahoma]1 Sierra II[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]NATO losses today:[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Aircraft: [/font]
[font=tahoma]2 F-14 Tomcat[/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Surface vessels:[/font]
[font=tahoma]22 Merchants[/font]
[font=tahoma]1 Escort [FFG 49][/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Coverage of Day 3 follows soon![/font]
[font=tahoma] [/font]
[font=tahoma]Greetings,[/font]
[font=tahoma]Taitennek.[/font]