AAR Atlantic Convoys, Day #5.

[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 5[/center]

November 30th, 2003.
00:00:01 Zulu Time.

Convoy #1: 425nm from Portsmouth
Convoy #2: 1,100nm from Portsmouth
The CVBG is moving westward to ref. point “2ndc12”

2 enemy submarines are to be known active close to convoy #1 and #2. Several aircraft, helicopters and submarines are desperately searching for them, but so far without results.
Some minutes after midnight, 8 airborne contacts were detected. Fighters are in the air, but exact position of the detected aircraft is unknown at the moment.
At 00:50:00 Zulu Time, I finally was able to locate the enemy submarine close to convoy #1. A torpedo, fired by one of the helicopters, hit the target and destroyed it.

01:00:00 Zulu Time.

Missiles are in the air, underway to convoy #1.
1 missile came through the defence and heavily damaged a containership. More kh-22 Kitchen ASM were underway, but successfully intercepted by the escorts SAM’s.
I also managed to shoot down some more Backfire bombers.

The SSN 710 USS Augusta has been destroyed by a Stallion [Vsplesk] ASW-missile, launched by the undetected enemy submarine!
Convoy #2 now has to rely on her helicopters. And, believe it, or not, the same happened with the SSN 709. Just within an half hour, NATO suffered the loss of 2 high-valuable units. Most concerning is the fact that the Russian submarines still are in close range of both convoys. This convoy-trip to Europe is turning into a disaster for NATO.

06:00:00 Zulu Time.

Both convoys are behind schedule.

Convoy #1 is decimated by Russian attacks, but estimated arrival is now scheduled for 17:00:00 today. I expect another loss since a containership is badly damaged [76%], on fire and has problems with the rudder, but still can hold line at 18kts.

One specific order disturbs me; The order to pull back the CVBG far west of both convoys for future actions…..Both Convoy #1 and The Amphibious Group escorts will soon face shortage of SAM’s and only have few aircraft [USMC AV-8B Harrier, AIM-9 Sidewinders only [!!!]. They need the air cover provided by the CVBG. CVBG-escorts are running out of fuel. [Underway replenishment of ammunition is possible, but underway refuelling capacities are not included in version 3.6.3.]. A bad decision!!!
Convoy #1 and the Amphibious Group depend on air support from the USS Theodore Roosevelt. I would rather escort the Convoys, replenish in Portsmouth and move the CVBG to the Northern Atlantic. Fighters of the CVBG already have to bridge 600+ nm to the English Channel. So, I have to ready the 3 Vikings for Tanker duties, this, while I need them so much for ASW-duties [especially for convoy #1; only 6 helicopters for ASW operations available].

Convoy #2 has proven that it can defend herself. The Sea Harriers were very successful so far, in my opinion better equipped with the AMRAAM air-to-air missiles than the USMC AV-8B.
Convoy #2, however, still has to travel some 48 hours. She suffered only “minimal” losses so far [4 merchants], 1 supertanker [168,000 ton] is damaged [55%] and on fire, but still on course within convoy #2.

Both Amphibious Group and CVBG are still intact, the air losses not counted.

Only concern is that All three remained operational submarines [SSN 21, SSN 690, and SSN 714] only have few torpedoes left, but they have performed well so far.

06:05:00 Zulu Time.

FFG 45 USS De Wert suddenly picked up contact of a surfaced submarine. This time, however, I have exact location of this submarine. 3 helicopters and 1 S-2B Viking are underway. The nearest ship, the FFG 45, is 21nm away from the enemy submarine’s location. Soon, a torpedo killed the submarine. Convoy #1 is now cruising at 145nm from the entrance of the English Channel.

The submarine is now known as the K-418 Bars, An Akula-class submarine, identified by an OceanHawk.The helicopter launched all torpedoes [3]. Soon 1 of the torpedoes hit and destroyed target.

14:00:00 Zulu Time.

Convoy #1 has entered the English Channel. The SSN 21 and SSN 714 are patrolling just outside the English Channel, just in case if a Russian sub shows up.

There were no enemy contacts during the rest of the day, except passing RORSat.

Convoy #1 has reached the harbour of Portsmouth. She suffered great losses. Convoy #1 leaved the US coastal waters with 30 merchants and 8 escorts [CG, DD, DDG, FFG] and 6 helicopters.
At arrival in the coastal waters of Portsmouth, there were 20 ships left [including 7 escorts]. 10 merchants and 1 escort have been destroyed during the transit.

Convoy #2 is still heading to the safety waters of Portsmouth. Still 550nm to go, a 30 hour journey.
The CVBG is moving west to ref. point “2ndc12”

NATO losses:
1 San Juan [SSN 710]
1 Providence [SSN 709]

Russian losses:
1 Akula I
1 Akula II
1 Bear J
4 Backfire C

Coverage of Day 6 is coming soon!

Taitennek

[TonyE]

Excellent reading, glad I'm not playing you multiplayer at 1:1

[FreekS]

ahh Tony, playing ATLANTIC in MP would be more like playing it 1:0,01s !![;)]. ATLANTIC (one of my proudest creations) is likely to stay 3.6 fttb because it is full with delayed specific shipstrike missions, uses satelites that don't reach their orbitals (not a DB problem I can assure you) and is LARGE.
 
I'm very sorry about that but thrilled with Frans excellentplay -  I can hear Ed Morris from Red Storm Rising!
 
Freek