New HCE scenario - Back Door

[CV32]

A Harpoon Commander's Edition (HCE) scenario for the EC2003 Mediterranean Sea Battleset and the HCDB database (HCDB-100308 or later), by Don Thomas.

For EC2003, continuing my saga of UK/French fisty cuffs. The (I think last) third in the saga. Your British carrier group has to cruise to port in Gibraltar and dodge one or two French nasties. Depending on your luck with the groups initial (variable) positions this can end in a naval gunnery battle, or rather nasty sub attack (or both).

Download the scenario and the database at HarpGamer.

[Tarawa565]

That was a pretty cool scenario, I managed to get my CVBG into Gibraltar but lost HMS Sheffield, HMS Fort George, and HMS York was damaged. I didn't notice the 5 ships at Devonport until close to the end. If you start those ships at the beginning, will they get anywhere in time to make an impact?

******spoiler********

Those noisemakers gave me a pretty good scare, ecspeciallly since there were 3 of them, I took some evasive action and dispatched 3 helos before I realized what they were.

Thanks,
David

[hermanhum]

Yes, I found a use for those 5 ships if you sail them from Gibraltar.

[hermanhum]

Oops.  I mis-read Devonport for Gibraltar.  [X(]

No, I did not find any use of the Devonport ships.  I did find uses for the Gibraltar contingent.  [:)]

[donaldseadog]

I must confess the Devonport ships are a distraction, but they're something to defend so you might think about how many harriers to ferry down to the action.
I haven't managed to get my carrier to port yet, so you are one up on me, most of the groups have variable start points and I always seem to get an early hammering,
Any way glad you liked it.
Don Thomas

[hermanhum]

I like the 'distraction'.  I think it is a very good idea and an excellent scenario design technique.  Bravo.  [:)]

Their presence keeps a player wondering if something might be happening at Devonport some time in the future.  A conservative player would maintain defensive patrols and not simply transfer all the air units down to Gibraltar.

Touches like this add a nice flavour to scenarios.  I managed to get to Gibraltar and win the scenario, but it was touch and go for awhile, with those battle groups acting as corks in a bottle.  [&o]