Scenario 5: MEDC 5 – Come as You Are
Background
The world had been tending to its daily routine when the war broke out in Europe. Because NATO forces were caught off guard by the Soviet attack, they had to scramble to protect NATO interests, and then somehow hopefully manage to take the offensive. A state of war now existed between the USSR, with its allies, Libya and Syria, and NATO, allied with Israel and Egypt.
What Happened
SA-5 Gammon SAM batteries arrayed around Damascus immediately reached out and shot down a pair of Israeli E-2C Daya AEW&C aircraft that had just taken off from Tel Aviv. Not longer afterward, however, a flight of 10 Israeli F-4E Phantoms were detected making a strike run at the Damascus airfield. A trio of Syrian Floggers engaged, and during their slashing attack, downed 9 of the bomb laden Phantoms for a single loss. Finally, the Bekaa Valley disaster was revenged. But then a flight of the IDF/AF Eagles arrived, and the Floggers elected to bug out at high speed.
Northeast of Cyprus, a pair of Israeli F-15s overflew a Syrian naval group at high speed. The Syrian sailors engaged with their light caliber guns, but the shells fell harmlessly into the vapor trails of the speeding jets. Their position had no doubt just been reported to the Israeli Navy. It was a bad omen that would come to fruition soon enough. A Syrian Osa II missile boat was struck by three Harpoons and obliterated. It quickly became apparent that there was an Israeli naval group some 80 nm to the southwest. Several more missile trails appeared, but it seemed the bulk of them had been fired on bearing only at maximum range. Many of these Israeli missiles fell into the drink as the Syrians raced to the northeast, but a pair of Harpoons did claim another Syrian Osa I missile boat near Cyprus.
The Syrian group encountered the Israeli SAG again south of Cyprus, and a Syrian Petya II was lost to a Gabriel Mk 2.
The two groups met again later northeast of Cyprus. A Syrian Petya II and an Osa I were sunk by Gabriel Mk 2 missiles, after having already successfully evaded a horde of Harpoons. During the counter-attack, SS-N-2b Styx missiles struck and sank two Israeli ships – the Saar IV Nitzahon and Saar II Haifa.
Hours later, the solitary surviving Syrian Osa II missile boat, operating east of Cyprus, was struck by Harpoons, thus ending Syrian Navy participation in the war.
Meanwhile, a pair of Libyan Foxbats encountered four Italian Harriers while patrolling in the central Med, and killed them all. The MiGs continued to push north, and about 50 nm southeast of the Greek coast, they encountered a formation of 5 NATO helicopters. It quickly became apparent that these were scouting ahead of an as yet unidentified surface force. The MiG-25s then came under SM-2ER Standard missile attack and had to retreat to a safe distance.
The NATO ships were believed to be just over 200 nm northwest of the largest Soviet formation in the Eastern Mediterranean, a surface action group centred around the aviation cruiser Moskva, which was just now passing south of Crete.
Suddenly the Moskva was hit by three Harpoons and a Marte Mk II. Surprise attack ! She brewed up immediately. Four more Harpoons struck the ill fated ship, and her crew began to abandon her.
The attackers turned out to be a group of fast attack craft that had managed to sneak in close and launch their missiles. An Italian AB-212 helicopter was knocked down (it had likely fired the Marte Mk II that struck Moskva) by an SA-N-3 Goblet. The enemy group was quickly identified as a combined Greek/Turkish force. Amazingly, the two nationalities had come together to fight the Soviets. (The Turkish boats had even escaped to Greek waters earlier in the conflict, looking to fight another day). More Harpoons were shot down by the Sovremenny destroyer Otlichnny and its SA-N-7 Gadfly missiles, and by some Super 530F missiles fired by a nearby Libyan Mirage F.1ED. These Mirages now moved to shoot down the 5 Italian ASH-3D Sea Kings that had been spotted earlier.
A short while later, the survivors of the Moskva formation exacted revenge, shooting some 20 SS-N-22 Sunburn and SS-N-9 Siren missiles at the Turkish/Greek SAG. Not surprisingly, the Aspide SAMs had difficulty coping with the Sunburns. The big fast missiles penetrated the screen and knocked out the Greek FRAM I destroyers Apostolis and Kriezis, as well as the Greek Kortanaer frigates Elli and Limnos. Siren missiles struck the Combattante IIIN missile craft Simitzopoulos, the Combattante II missile craft Batsis and Anninos, and the FRAM I destroyer Kanaris. All were sunk.
The surviving two Combattante III missile craft continued to close, one of them launching a trio of MM38 Exocets at maximum range. All three MM38 missiles were downed by Libyan Mirages now performing combat air patrol over the Soviet group. Moments later, it fired another MM38 but this was also downed. A pair of Sunburns finished both the Lascos and Deyiannis.
A pair of Israeli F-15s flying far from their home airfield attempted to intercept the Foxbats orbiting near the Soviet formation, but the Krivak II frigate Gromky knocked them down with its SA-N-4 Gecko system. Two Italian Harriers attempted to penetrate the far side of the Soviet SAG during this confusion, but the MiG-25s picked them up and destroyed both with AA-6 Acrid shots.
Four Soviet Su-24 Fencers now arrived on the scene, and fired 8 AS-12 Keglers at the Italian missile cruiser Andrea Doria. None of these anti-radar missiles made it through the defensive anti-air warfare screen. The Otlichnny had launched its remaining six SS-N-22 Sunburns on a bearing only attack against an Audace class destroyer. Two of these knocked down by defensive SAMs, and the remaining four fell into the water short of their target. The Italians now resorted to shooting a mix of SM-2ER Standard and Otomat against the Soviets. Otlichnny took several hits from Standards, which damaged its sensor systems and wrecked the main mast, inflicting serious damage. The Otlichnyy would later succumb to a shipboard fire. The Otomats were shot down but the Kara missile cruiser Tallinn also took a few Standard hits, causing minor damage. One MiG-25 was shot down by a SM-2ER.
About 35 nm east of Malta, a pair of Libyan Foxbats encountered and shot down two French Navy F-8E(FN) Crusaders, indicating the presence of a French Navy carrier somewhere nearby. However, further reconnaissance by the MiGs revealed nothing. But when a pair of Libyan Flogger E jets were sent to investigate the area west of Malta, contact with them as lost. Other Libyan Flogger E's encountered two French Navy Crusaders about 100 nm west of Malta and destroyed them both, but two more Crusaders quickly appeared, and as the MiGs were low on fuel and weapons, they withdrew at best speed to Tripoli. There was almost certainly now a French carrier group somewhere west of Malta. The Libyans were directed by Moscow to immediately find and attack this French task force. Mirages sent to the area intercepted and shot down another two French Crusaders, ironically using French made Super 530F radar guided missiles, but by now their supply of serviceable missiles was rapidly dwindling.
A pair of Mirage F.1ED jets flying out of Tobruk were surprised by a pair of roaming Israeli F-15s, and during the missile exchange that followed, each side exchanged a single aircraft. A Foxbat E that was returning to Tobruk was then attacked by the surviving Israeli F-15. It managed to evade an AIM-7 Sparrow, but then fell victim to a heat seeking Python 3. The last Mirage exacted revenge with a close range Magic missile shot.
Off the coast of northeast Tunisia, and about 130 nm west of Malta, a pair of Libyan Mirage F.1EDs spotted finally spotted a French ship, the Georges Leygues class destroyer Jean de Vienne, a sure sign of the nearby carrier group. The Mirages splashed an elderly Alize while returning to their base. A force of Mirages and Fencers were immediately readied and launched from Tripoli to seek out the French Navy carrier. At the same time, a Libyan surface action group, now cruising about 70 nm south of Malta, was directed to move north toward the French.
Unfortunately, the approach of the Libyan SAG was not as clandestine as they had hoped, and a French Navy Alize scanned the group with its radar as they approached to within 65 nm of Malta. A patrolling MiG-23 was called in and shot down the Alize. Other Libyan Mirages shot down a French Navy Super Frelon helicopter about 25 nm south of Malta, but not before it had managed to sneak in close and put an AM39 Exocet antiship missile into the Libyan light frigate Al Hani.
The Fencers finally located the French group, 7 ships in all, about 110 nm west of Malta. As they approached, a pair of escorting Mirage F.1ED jets were surprised by two F-8E(FN) Crusaders. One Mirage was lost, but both Crusaders shot down. The Fencers closed the distance, and launched a barrage of 16 AS-14 Kedge TV guided missiles from maximum range, but only one of these managed to get through the air defences and strike the primary target – the carrier Clemenceau. A second strike flight was organized immediately. During this follow-up attack, two more AS-14s managed to strike Clemenceau, but the local supply of these weapons was now exhausted.
To the east, the battle between the Italian and Soviet naval formations continued to rage. The Italian air defense systems remained formidable, with only one AS-14 Kedge penetrating the screen and striking the cruiser Andrea Doria. The Kara cruiser Tallinn was hit by two Otomat Mk 2 missiles and heavily damaged. Moments before the magazines exploded, however, her skipper ordered her remaining six SA-N-3B Goblet SAMs fired in surface attack mode against the nearest Italian ship. Two of them struck the frigate Lupo, causing fairly minor damage. The Italian group seemed to have an endless supply of Otomats. With the Tallinn gone, the Sovremenny destroyer Gremyashchy took over the lead anti-air warfare role role for the Soviets, but slowly her load of SA-N-7 Gadfly SAMs dwindled. The Krivak II frigate Rezvy was struck by several SM-2MR Standards mode and while these cause only moderate damage, repeated hits began to inflict a cascading series of faults throughout the ship.
In a severe blow to the Libyan Air Force, two Israeli F-15s jumped two groups of Libyan Mirages as they were returning to Tobruk and killed 5 of them. A pair of Foxbats scrambled and intercepted the intruders.
In the mid afternoon, MiG-23 Floggers flying out of Damascus discovered a large Israeli naval group, probably the one that had ravaged the Syrian Navy earlier, about 70 nm south of Cyprus, and shot down both of its orbiting Dauphin helicopters. Seven Syrian MiG-29s, two escorts and five strikers, found the Israeli SAG and attacked, sinking the Saar 4.5 corvettes Geoula and Aliyah, and the Saar 4 fast attack craft Tarshish.
The final confrontation between the French and the Libyans occurred that evening within sight of Malta. A brutal exchange of fire followed, and the many tourists trapped in Malta because of the war and now watching from the tallest hotels, could easily see the missile trails and the flashes of explosions on the horizon to the south.
Four MM40 Exocets fired from the Jean de Vienne were intercepted by orbiting Libyan Mirages. But four more broke through the Libyan air defences, and a Combattante IIG fast attack craft that had just launched its load of Otomat Mk 1 missiles took two hits from the Exocets and exploded. One of these Otomats then struck and damaged the Jean de Vienne. Another MM40 Exocet homing on the Nanuchka II missile boat Zaara was downed by its point defences. It was now the Libyans' turn to fire. The Zaara released its four SS-N-2c Styx missiles against the wounded Jean de Vienne, but these were shot down by French SAMs. Another SS-N-2b Styx got through, struck the Jean de Vienne and broke her in half. An Otomat struck Clemenceau, while a SS-N-2c Styx hit and crippled the destroyer Jean Bart. Another SS-N-2c hit and sank her sister Cassard. A new and final French missile salvo followed. Three MM38 Exocets arrived and obliterated the Zaara. Two more MM40 missiles hit and sank the light frigate Dat Assawari.
After this brutal missile exchange, each side turned away. The French carrier group, bloodied but intact, limped away with the Suffren class destroyer Duquesne and a pair of Tourville class destroyers escorting a heavily damaged Clemenceau back to Marseilles. The latest battle of the Mediterranean had been fought to a stalemate.
Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 7: NACV 7 – Southern Crossing
Background
After the fall of Keflavik, NATO was forced to change its strategy of resupplying Europe. The convoys would face more opposition from Soviet air and submarine units and consequently had to take a more southerly route. Because the US and Great Britain had to devote more forces to neutralizing the new Soviet base and protecting Scotland, the French and Spanish were obligated to take a greater responsibility in protecting the NATO convoys. A new NATO convoy was believed moving along the southern route to Europe. Operating from Keflavik, long range Backfire and Bear bombers could be launched on strikes as far south as Gibraltar, while shorter legged tactical aircraft could reach targets in southern England. Some of the NATO supplies were also being transported by aircraft, and this NATO air bridge would be engaged using the new, ultra secret Tu-22MP Backfire "fighters".
What Happened
Early in the morning, about 675 nm west of Brest, the Kilo diesel B-354 detected two contacts about 37 nm to its northeast. One of them appeared to be a carrier.
A few hours later, a Tu-95 Bear D reconnaissance aircraft and several Tu-22M Backfire bombers arrived on the scene. Their ESM determined the target to be a French carrier group. 15 AS-6 missiles were launched from maximum range. One missile struck and destroyed the destroyer Jean Bart. Another three AS-6s found and sank the carrier Clemenceau, which had not yet been able to return to operating aircraft because of the pounding she had received in the Battle of Malta. (At the request of its allies, the French Navy had since moved many of its principal assets from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic, where there was a pressing need to protect the convoys bound for Europe).
B-354 maneuvered into the midst of the French Navy formation during the confusion, and sank the Georges Leygues destroyer Letouche-Trevil.
Later that evening, the Backfires returned. This time a pair of American F-15 Eagles, presumably operating from Lajes airfield in the Azores, were patrolling north of the French group in an attempt to provide air defense coverage. Four of the new Tu-22MP Backfire D’s – converted to air-to-air missile carriers and now performing escort for the bombers - managed to draw away the Eagles long enough for the bombers to loose their anti-ship missiles. One AS-6 missile found each of the Durance class oiler Marne and the Georges Leygues destroyer Dupleix, while three more missiles homed onto and struck the Suffren destroyer Duquesne. Both F-15s meanwhile fell victim to long range AA-9 Amos radar guided missiles.
Later, the Kilo diesel B-177, which had roamed across the Atlantic hunting convoys, detected an enemy surface group some 350 nm north of Lajes. Torpedoes were launched at the Spanish Navy's Descubierta frigate Diana. Although she had by now come under attack herself, B-177 was able to break away.
The Backfires soon arrived to "service" this new target as well, spotting five surface contacts remaining among the Spanish task group. Their efforts sank a tanker, a Baleares class frigate and one other unidentified escort.
The Kilo class boats B-177 and B-219 and later came under torpedo attack west of La Coruna, Spain, and both Soviet submarines were lost. French Atlantiques and RAF Nimrods were still exacting a heavy price among Soviet submariners, but would it be enough ?
Background
After the fall of Keflavik, NATO was forced to change its strategy of resupplying Europe. The convoys would face more opposition from Soviet air and submarine units and consequently had to take a more southerly route. Because the US and Great Britain had to devote more forces to neutralizing the new Soviet base and protecting Scotland, the French and Spanish were obligated to take a greater responsibility in protecting the NATO convoys. A new NATO convoy was believed moving along the southern route to Europe. Operating from Keflavik, long range Backfire and Bear bombers could be launched on strikes as far south as Gibraltar, while shorter legged tactical aircraft could reach targets in southern England. Some of the NATO supplies were also being transported by aircraft, and this NATO air bridge would be engaged using the new, ultra secret Tu-22MP Backfire "fighters".
What Happened
Early in the morning, about 675 nm west of Brest, the Kilo diesel B-354 detected two contacts about 37 nm to its northeast. One of them appeared to be a carrier.
A few hours later, a Tu-95 Bear D reconnaissance aircraft and several Tu-22M Backfire bombers arrived on the scene. Their ESM determined the target to be a French carrier group. 15 AS-6 missiles were launched from maximum range. One missile struck and destroyed the destroyer Jean Bart. Another three AS-6s found and sank the carrier Clemenceau, which had not yet been able to return to operating aircraft because of the pounding she had received in the Battle of Malta. (At the request of its allies, the French Navy had since moved many of its principal assets from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic, where there was a pressing need to protect the convoys bound for Europe).
B-354 maneuvered into the midst of the French Navy formation during the confusion, and sank the Georges Leygues destroyer Letouche-Trevil.
Later that evening, the Backfires returned. This time a pair of American F-15 Eagles, presumably operating from Lajes airfield in the Azores, were patrolling north of the French group in an attempt to provide air defense coverage. Four of the new Tu-22MP Backfire D’s – converted to air-to-air missile carriers and now performing escort for the bombers - managed to draw away the Eagles long enough for the bombers to loose their anti-ship missiles. One AS-6 missile found each of the Durance class oiler Marne and the Georges Leygues destroyer Dupleix, while three more missiles homed onto and struck the Suffren destroyer Duquesne. Both F-15s meanwhile fell victim to long range AA-9 Amos radar guided missiles.
Later, the Kilo diesel B-177, which had roamed across the Atlantic hunting convoys, detected an enemy surface group some 350 nm north of Lajes. Torpedoes were launched at the Spanish Navy's Descubierta frigate Diana. Although she had by now come under attack herself, B-177 was able to break away.
The Backfires soon arrived to "service" this new target as well, spotting five surface contacts remaining among the Spanish task group. Their efforts sank a tanker, a Baleares class frigate and one other unidentified escort.
The Kilo class boats B-177 and B-219 and later came under torpedo attack west of La Coruna, Spain, and both Soviet submarines were lost. French Atlantiques and RAF Nimrods were still exacting a heavy price among Soviet submariners, but would it be enough ?
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 8: NACV 8.0 – Forced Issue
Background
Large high speed merchant ships were extremely valuable to the NATO resupply effort. These ships carried vitally needed supplies quickly and with a higher degree of safety than did slower vessels. With Keflavik in Soviet hands, these faster ships were even more important to NATO on the long trans-Atlantic runs. Soviet intelligence has reported a high speed convoy now making a transit across the North Atlantic between London and the US East Coast. However, Soviet satellite reconnaissance had also detected a build-up of long range strike aircraft in Scotland. It was possible that the NATO allies were planning a campaign against the Soviet occupied base at Keflavik.
What Happened
Almost immediately the anticipated NATO attack on Soviet occupied Keflavik became a reality. Su-27 Flankers flying a defensive patrol detected an approaching flight of RAF Tornado F.3 interceptors – likely a fighter sweep ahead of the main strike package – and engaged, killing six of them for a loss of two of their own.
A probing Nimrod MR.2 discovered about 130 nm south of Keflavik was intercepted and shot down by two MiG-29s. These Fulcrums then joined a pair of Flankers, and together they killed four more approaching British Tornado F.3s. One of the MiGs was lost in the exchange.
It wasn't long before the main body of the strike package was detected, comprising at least 16 aircraft. Two Flankers that attempted to intercept the group were shot down, likely due to heavy jamming interfering with their air search radars. Two other Su-27s spotted and killed three F-111F Aardvark bombers and a pair of EF-111 Ravens. With the NATO jamming support stripped away, the strike group turned out to be larger than had been thought. Two MiG-29s pounced on five F-111F bombers. Three more Su-27s arrived on the scene, and these intercepted six more Aardvarks and eight RAF Phantom FGR.2 jets. The NATO air strike had been repelled with a vengeance.
The RAF continued to probe Iceland's airspace, but generally during these encounters, the British Tornado F.3 fighters found more than they bargained for in the Sukhoi Su-27.
A Nimrod MR.2 strayed too close to Iceland and was claimed by Flankers.
Early that morning, while cruising the mid Atlantic, the Victor III attack sub K-218 detected a distant surface contact. A coded message was quickly prepared and sent back to headquarters.
Thousands of miles away on the Kola Peninsula, a pair of Tu-22MP Backfires took off in escort for a flight of seven Bear G bombers. They would investigate and possibly attack the contact.
The K-218 continued to track the contact, and as it firmed up, it was revealed to be an approaching group of at least 9 ships traveling at a high speed of 20+ knots. Could this be the high speed convoy earlier reported ? It seemed likely. The K-218 and another nearby Victor III, the K-247, moved to intercept.
A Tu-95 Bear D reconnaissance aircraft probing some 300 nm ahead of the bombers finally located and painted the convoy. It was found to comprise 15 ships and was almost assuredly the target objective. The information was passed along to the approaching Backfires, but then contact with the Bear was abruptly lost.
As K-218 approached the convoy, a submarine contact was detected only 11 nm away. An SS-N-16 standoff missile was promptly launched but this failed in flight.
During their approach, the Tu-22MP escorts detected and shot down four US Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers, undoubtedly the perpetrators of the lost Bear reconnaissance plane. The Bear bombers were able to reach their initial points safely, and launched their missiles. But the NATO convoy had heavy anti-air warfare defenses, and only two AS-4 Kitchens got through to strike a container ship. It was enough to sink her.
K-218 now slipped inside the formation, and made an over the shoulder shot to sink the Perry missile frigate USS Taylor with a 533mm torpedo.
K-247 was engaged by the NATO submarine and while she was able to return fire, she took a hit. She blew tanks and almost made it to the surface, but sank. Her parting shot killed the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Dallas.
K-218 was then pounced upon by helicopters, but not before shooting a salvo of torpedoes at the convoy. Her shots sank the Arleigh Burke destroyer John Barry, the transport Ionian Star and the container ship Sea-Land Galloway. Unlike her sister boat, the K-247, the mortally wounded K-218 made it to the surface. US Navy helicopters picked up a large number of survivors.
Just after 12 a.m. that same night, the Sierra attack sub Tula picked up the convoy again some 730 nm east of Newfoundland. Two hours later Tula had maneuvered into the midst of the convoy and was ready to engage. Hits from her 533mm torpedoes badly damaged the container ship Sea-Land Exchange, while another hit caused moderate damage to the Tarawa class amphibious assault ship USS Nassau. A Type 65 torpedo chased down and sank a troop transport. Another 533mm hit and the Nassau was badly damaged.
Tula was then herself struck, probably by an lightweight torpedo from a Ticonderoga cruiser or US Navy helicopter. A second hit finished her, but by this time another salvo of Soviet torpedoes was away. The Nassau took a third hit and began to take on water, sinking soon thereafter. The Ticonderoga cruiser USS Yorktown was also struck by a Type 65 that broke her in half outright.
A new flight of Bears and Backfires arrived on the scene by mid morning. Again, however, this strike was disappointing. Only the Arapaho AVS Sea-Land Trade was sunk, by two AS-4 missiles.
It was hoped that the Sierra SSN K-534, now moving to intercept the rushing convoy, would have better luck.
There were another five fully fueled and armed Backfires sitting on the flight line at Keflavik, but there were no more missiles available for them. Any new weapons would have to be shipped all the way from Kildistenroy in the USSR. The Soviets launched these last five bombers.
K-534 now lay in wait, the convoy headed right at him. When the skipper judged the timing to be right, he launched two Type 65 torpedoes, one at each of the lead Belknap cruiser and an Arleigh Burke destroyer. The 5 Backfires would soon arrive, and the destruction of these powerful escorts would be of great assistance. The missile cruiser USS Belknapwas hit and sunk in this effort, but the Burke evaded.
The next Backfire strike, late in the afternoon, was only slightly more successful, sinking a already damaged container ship Sea-Land Exchange and crippling her sister, the Sea-Land McLean.
Fortunately for the Soviets, the K-534 continued to stalk the convoy during the night, like a lion tracking a herd of panicked elephants. Another Type 65 shot found the guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke. With the "herd" exposed, the K-534 moved in for the slaughter, destroying a transport ship, finishing off the Sea-Land McLean and sinking the Perry frigate USS Kauffman.
Thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of Soviet submarines, another vitally important NATO convoy would never make its destination.
Background
Large high speed merchant ships were extremely valuable to the NATO resupply effort. These ships carried vitally needed supplies quickly and with a higher degree of safety than did slower vessels. With Keflavik in Soviet hands, these faster ships were even more important to NATO on the long trans-Atlantic runs. Soviet intelligence has reported a high speed convoy now making a transit across the North Atlantic between London and the US East Coast. However, Soviet satellite reconnaissance had also detected a build-up of long range strike aircraft in Scotland. It was possible that the NATO allies were planning a campaign against the Soviet occupied base at Keflavik.
What Happened
Almost immediately the anticipated NATO attack on Soviet occupied Keflavik became a reality. Su-27 Flankers flying a defensive patrol detected an approaching flight of RAF Tornado F.3 interceptors – likely a fighter sweep ahead of the main strike package – and engaged, killing six of them for a loss of two of their own.
A probing Nimrod MR.2 discovered about 130 nm south of Keflavik was intercepted and shot down by two MiG-29s. These Fulcrums then joined a pair of Flankers, and together they killed four more approaching British Tornado F.3s. One of the MiGs was lost in the exchange.
It wasn't long before the main body of the strike package was detected, comprising at least 16 aircraft. Two Flankers that attempted to intercept the group were shot down, likely due to heavy jamming interfering with their air search radars. Two other Su-27s spotted and killed three F-111F Aardvark bombers and a pair of EF-111 Ravens. With the NATO jamming support stripped away, the strike group turned out to be larger than had been thought. Two MiG-29s pounced on five F-111F bombers. Three more Su-27s arrived on the scene, and these intercepted six more Aardvarks and eight RAF Phantom FGR.2 jets. The NATO air strike had been repelled with a vengeance.
The RAF continued to probe Iceland's airspace, but generally during these encounters, the British Tornado F.3 fighters found more than they bargained for in the Sukhoi Su-27.
A Nimrod MR.2 strayed too close to Iceland and was claimed by Flankers.
Early that morning, while cruising the mid Atlantic, the Victor III attack sub K-218 detected a distant surface contact. A coded message was quickly prepared and sent back to headquarters.
Thousands of miles away on the Kola Peninsula, a pair of Tu-22MP Backfires took off in escort for a flight of seven Bear G bombers. They would investigate and possibly attack the contact.
The K-218 continued to track the contact, and as it firmed up, it was revealed to be an approaching group of at least 9 ships traveling at a high speed of 20+ knots. Could this be the high speed convoy earlier reported ? It seemed likely. The K-218 and another nearby Victor III, the K-247, moved to intercept.
A Tu-95 Bear D reconnaissance aircraft probing some 300 nm ahead of the bombers finally located and painted the convoy. It was found to comprise 15 ships and was almost assuredly the target objective. The information was passed along to the approaching Backfires, but then contact with the Bear was abruptly lost.
As K-218 approached the convoy, a submarine contact was detected only 11 nm away. An SS-N-16 standoff missile was promptly launched but this failed in flight.
During their approach, the Tu-22MP escorts detected and shot down four US Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers, undoubtedly the perpetrators of the lost Bear reconnaissance plane. The Bear bombers were able to reach their initial points safely, and launched their missiles. But the NATO convoy had heavy anti-air warfare defenses, and only two AS-4 Kitchens got through to strike a container ship. It was enough to sink her.
K-218 now slipped inside the formation, and made an over the shoulder shot to sink the Perry missile frigate USS Taylor with a 533mm torpedo.
K-247 was engaged by the NATO submarine and while she was able to return fire, she took a hit. She blew tanks and almost made it to the surface, but sank. Her parting shot killed the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Dallas.
K-218 was then pounced upon by helicopters, but not before shooting a salvo of torpedoes at the convoy. Her shots sank the Arleigh Burke destroyer John Barry, the transport Ionian Star and the container ship Sea-Land Galloway. Unlike her sister boat, the K-247, the mortally wounded K-218 made it to the surface. US Navy helicopters picked up a large number of survivors.
Just after 12 a.m. that same night, the Sierra attack sub Tula picked up the convoy again some 730 nm east of Newfoundland. Two hours later Tula had maneuvered into the midst of the convoy and was ready to engage. Hits from her 533mm torpedoes badly damaged the container ship Sea-Land Exchange, while another hit caused moderate damage to the Tarawa class amphibious assault ship USS Nassau. A Type 65 torpedo chased down and sank a troop transport. Another 533mm hit and the Nassau was badly damaged.
Tula was then herself struck, probably by an lightweight torpedo from a Ticonderoga cruiser or US Navy helicopter. A second hit finished her, but by this time another salvo of Soviet torpedoes was away. The Nassau took a third hit and began to take on water, sinking soon thereafter. The Ticonderoga cruiser USS Yorktown was also struck by a Type 65 that broke her in half outright.
A new flight of Bears and Backfires arrived on the scene by mid morning. Again, however, this strike was disappointing. Only the Arapaho AVS Sea-Land Trade was sunk, by two AS-4 missiles.
It was hoped that the Sierra SSN K-534, now moving to intercept the rushing convoy, would have better luck.
There were another five fully fueled and armed Backfires sitting on the flight line at Keflavik, but there were no more missiles available for them. Any new weapons would have to be shipped all the way from Kildistenroy in the USSR. The Soviets launched these last five bombers.
K-534 now lay in wait, the convoy headed right at him. When the skipper judged the timing to be right, he launched two Type 65 torpedoes, one at each of the lead Belknap cruiser and an Arleigh Burke destroyer. The 5 Backfires would soon arrive, and the destruction of these powerful escorts would be of great assistance. The missile cruiser USS Belknapwas hit and sunk in this effort, but the Burke evaded.
The next Backfire strike, late in the afternoon, was only slightly more successful, sinking a already damaged container ship Sea-Land Exchange and crippling her sister, the Sea-Land McLean.
Fortunately for the Soviets, the K-534 continued to stalk the convoy during the night, like a lion tracking a herd of panicked elephants. Another Type 65 shot found the guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke. With the "herd" exposed, the K-534 moved in for the slaughter, destroying a transport ship, finishing off the Sea-Land McLean and sinking the Perry frigate USS Kauffman.
Thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of Soviet submarines, another vitally important NATO convoy would never make its destination.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 9: NACV 9.0 – The Long Run
Background
In an attempt to reduce losses of merchant ships, NATO implemented a defended sea lane running from New York all the way to Brest. By providing anti-submarine and anti-air protection, US and French carrier groups were a vital element of this strategy. If the Soviets could eliminate these forces, the sea lane would again become vulnerable to Soviet air and submarine attack.
What Happened
The Soviets were continuing to pour bombers, missiles, parts and supplies into Iceland through their occupied airfields in Norway. One of these ferry flights, a group of Flankers being shuttled to Keflavik, were intercepted by RAF Tornado F.3s while enroute, but the Soviet had wisely armed the Flankers, and they shot down the British fighters.
A large formation of NATO strike aircraft was detected approaching Keflavik, and four Flankers were promptly dispatched to greet them. The big Sukhoi fighters exacted a huge toll, dropping nearly two dozen American F-111F and RAF Tornado GR.1 bombers, as well as a single EF-111A Raven jamming aircraft, before returning to base, out of weapons and fuel. Three MiG-29s then joined the fray, killing eight RAF Phantom FGR.2 jets and three more GR.1s. By the time four more MiG-29s arrived on the scene, the NATO strike package had been devastated but they continued to push toward Keflavik. The Fulcrums killed six Phantoms, another Aardvark and one more priceless Raven jammer. The remaining aircraft, an FGR.2 and an F-111F, were both knocked down by a SA-10 Grumble SAM battery at Keflavik.
Tired of repelling NATO raids out of Britain, the Soviets staged a strike against Stornoway out of Iceland. Six Su-27 Flankers performing sweep and escort chanced upon a new NATO strike package, shooting down twelve Jaguar GR.1 fighter-bombers for the loss of two of their own. The remaining four Flankers pressed the attack, and were rewarded with an E-3D Sentry. The ten Su-24 Fencers that had been following behind now arrived, shooting a mixture of anti-radar AS-12 Kegler and TV guided AS-14 Kedge missiles. The strike inflicted serious damage at Stornoway.
In a new bold move, Soviet high command decided it was time to punish the French for their refusal to withdraw from the war and stop supporting NATO. A flight of ten Backfires swept down the east coast of the British Isles, hoping to inflict some damage on the critical French port at Brest. Unfortunately, the mission had to be scrubbed due to the continued threat of NATO fighter aircraft.
Patrolling in the mid Atlantic, about 1100 nm west of Brest, a Tu-95 Bear D picked up the distant but unmistakable radar emissions of a US Navy E-2C Hawkeye. The information was promptly passed to headquarters, but as fate would have it, most of the action to follow took place in the eastern Atlantic, and without the intervention of the US Navy. That said, the nearest Soviet submarine, the elderly Foxtrot diesel B-50, was lurking some 30 nm north of the suspected position of the US Navy carrier battle group. His skipper attempted to approach the area, but was attacked and sunk before any contact could be made.
While preparing to snorkel, about 70 nm southwest of Sable Island, the Kilo submarine B-401 was surprised by a surface contact right above her, and was sunk. The Kilo diesel B-405 caught up with this killer of his comrade – the B-401 - just as dusk was settling in. A single 533mm torpedo did the trick, and sent the Perry missile frigate De Wert to the bottom.
A Possible French Navy task group was spotted about 250 nm west of Brest. Badger bombers sortied from Keflavik and Backfires launched from Orland in Norway. Late in the afternoon, the Bear D painted the French group for the bombers. A merchant group also appeared to the southwest. Two AS-6 missiles struck and destroyed the Georges Leygues warship Montcalm, and another sank the Tourville destroyer De Grasse. Among the merchants, two AS-6 hits sank the tanker Gudrun Maersk, two more claimed the transport Orpheus and another missile heavily damaged the supertanker Phoinikas.
Yet another merchant group was detected another 50 nm to the southwest. The Backfires had a few missiles remaining and so pushed ahead. Single AS-6 shots sank a pair of tankers, including the Lake Katya, and heavily damaged the supertanker Thorshammer. The latter ship later sank, as did the Phoinikas. (The huge oil spill that resulted from these tanker sinkings later came ashore along the northern coast of Spain, causing a major environmental catastrophe).
French Navy F-8E(FN) Crusaders attempted to intercept the Backfires as they turned for home, but they could not catch them. The Soviet bombers flew up the west coast of Ireland before turning west to Keflavik.
The Victor III attack submarine K-299 later picked up a surface contact about 400 nm east of Newfoundland. It soon positively identified a merchant group and moved to engage. A 533mm torpedo severely damaged the supertanker Agip Sicilia. Another sank the transport Regina Maris. Another struck and crippled the supertanker Licorne Ocean. Then suddenly, hostile torpedo contact ! The K-299 went into a crash dive at flank speed. Above him, a second torpedo found and sank the Licorne Ocean. Another torpedo had been directed at the wounded Agip Sicilia and the K-299 ducked underneath the huge supertanker while still trying to evade the hostile torpedo.
The Victor II attack sub K-513, meanwhile, was lost to an unknown attacker some 550 nm west of Brest. The skipper was able to push his submarine to the surface to permit a few of the crew to escape, and these survivors drifted in the open ocean for several days before being rescued by a Portuguese fishing boat.
Late that evening the Okean spy trawler Zond detected the emissions of what it believed to be a Spanish Baleares missile frigate operating northwest of Lisbon. Acting on this information, the Backfires returned to the eastern Atlantic late that evening. One AS-6 Kingfish missile dived on and blew up the merchant Al Hasan. Another struck and destroyed a Royal Navy Type 22/1 frigate which had been escorting the tankers to the north. No Spanish Navy warships were ever encountered.
A Bear D reconnaissance aircraft then spotted another French group, apparently a carrier group, some 430 nm southwest of Brest. The Backfires pushed on to attack this new target. Two AS-6 missiles struck and exploded the Durance oiler Var, and another hit the carrier Foch, badly damaging her and starting a huge fire in her hangar. This was to prove fatal, and the Foch sank in a blazing inferno some hours later. The French Crusader fighters had again attempted to intercept the marauding Backfires, but they were too short on fuel to catch them and had to return to shore based airfields.
During the night a Bear D spotted a merchant group about 750 nm east of Newfoundland, heading east. The K-299 engaged these merchies but was having mechanical trouble with its 533mm tubes, and could fire only two torpedoes. Fortunately, both sank the transport Valmas and the merchant San Nicolaos. The K-414 then moved in, sinking another merchant and the tanker Paludina.
Another severe dent had been put into NATO’s convoy efforts.
Background
In an attempt to reduce losses of merchant ships, NATO implemented a defended sea lane running from New York all the way to Brest. By providing anti-submarine and anti-air protection, US and French carrier groups were a vital element of this strategy. If the Soviets could eliminate these forces, the sea lane would again become vulnerable to Soviet air and submarine attack.
What Happened
The Soviets were continuing to pour bombers, missiles, parts and supplies into Iceland through their occupied airfields in Norway. One of these ferry flights, a group of Flankers being shuttled to Keflavik, were intercepted by RAF Tornado F.3s while enroute, but the Soviet had wisely armed the Flankers, and they shot down the British fighters.
A large formation of NATO strike aircraft was detected approaching Keflavik, and four Flankers were promptly dispatched to greet them. The big Sukhoi fighters exacted a huge toll, dropping nearly two dozen American F-111F and RAF Tornado GR.1 bombers, as well as a single EF-111A Raven jamming aircraft, before returning to base, out of weapons and fuel. Three MiG-29s then joined the fray, killing eight RAF Phantom FGR.2 jets and three more GR.1s. By the time four more MiG-29s arrived on the scene, the NATO strike package had been devastated but they continued to push toward Keflavik. The Fulcrums killed six Phantoms, another Aardvark and one more priceless Raven jammer. The remaining aircraft, an FGR.2 and an F-111F, were both knocked down by a SA-10 Grumble SAM battery at Keflavik.
Tired of repelling NATO raids out of Britain, the Soviets staged a strike against Stornoway out of Iceland. Six Su-27 Flankers performing sweep and escort chanced upon a new NATO strike package, shooting down twelve Jaguar GR.1 fighter-bombers for the loss of two of their own. The remaining four Flankers pressed the attack, and were rewarded with an E-3D Sentry. The ten Su-24 Fencers that had been following behind now arrived, shooting a mixture of anti-radar AS-12 Kegler and TV guided AS-14 Kedge missiles. The strike inflicted serious damage at Stornoway.
In a new bold move, Soviet high command decided it was time to punish the French for their refusal to withdraw from the war and stop supporting NATO. A flight of ten Backfires swept down the east coast of the British Isles, hoping to inflict some damage on the critical French port at Brest. Unfortunately, the mission had to be scrubbed due to the continued threat of NATO fighter aircraft.
Patrolling in the mid Atlantic, about 1100 nm west of Brest, a Tu-95 Bear D picked up the distant but unmistakable radar emissions of a US Navy E-2C Hawkeye. The information was promptly passed to headquarters, but as fate would have it, most of the action to follow took place in the eastern Atlantic, and without the intervention of the US Navy. That said, the nearest Soviet submarine, the elderly Foxtrot diesel B-50, was lurking some 30 nm north of the suspected position of the US Navy carrier battle group. His skipper attempted to approach the area, but was attacked and sunk before any contact could be made.
While preparing to snorkel, about 70 nm southwest of Sable Island, the Kilo submarine B-401 was surprised by a surface contact right above her, and was sunk. The Kilo diesel B-405 caught up with this killer of his comrade – the B-401 - just as dusk was settling in. A single 533mm torpedo did the trick, and sent the Perry missile frigate De Wert to the bottom.
A Possible French Navy task group was spotted about 250 nm west of Brest. Badger bombers sortied from Keflavik and Backfires launched from Orland in Norway. Late in the afternoon, the Bear D painted the French group for the bombers. A merchant group also appeared to the southwest. Two AS-6 missiles struck and destroyed the Georges Leygues warship Montcalm, and another sank the Tourville destroyer De Grasse. Among the merchants, two AS-6 hits sank the tanker Gudrun Maersk, two more claimed the transport Orpheus and another missile heavily damaged the supertanker Phoinikas.
Yet another merchant group was detected another 50 nm to the southwest. The Backfires had a few missiles remaining and so pushed ahead. Single AS-6 shots sank a pair of tankers, including the Lake Katya, and heavily damaged the supertanker Thorshammer. The latter ship later sank, as did the Phoinikas. (The huge oil spill that resulted from these tanker sinkings later came ashore along the northern coast of Spain, causing a major environmental catastrophe).
French Navy F-8E(FN) Crusaders attempted to intercept the Backfires as they turned for home, but they could not catch them. The Soviet bombers flew up the west coast of Ireland before turning west to Keflavik.
The Victor III attack submarine K-299 later picked up a surface contact about 400 nm east of Newfoundland. It soon positively identified a merchant group and moved to engage. A 533mm torpedo severely damaged the supertanker Agip Sicilia. Another sank the transport Regina Maris. Another struck and crippled the supertanker Licorne Ocean. Then suddenly, hostile torpedo contact ! The K-299 went into a crash dive at flank speed. Above him, a second torpedo found and sank the Licorne Ocean. Another torpedo had been directed at the wounded Agip Sicilia and the K-299 ducked underneath the huge supertanker while still trying to evade the hostile torpedo.
The Victor II attack sub K-513, meanwhile, was lost to an unknown attacker some 550 nm west of Brest. The skipper was able to push his submarine to the surface to permit a few of the crew to escape, and these survivors drifted in the open ocean for several days before being rescued by a Portuguese fishing boat.
Late that evening the Okean spy trawler Zond detected the emissions of what it believed to be a Spanish Baleares missile frigate operating northwest of Lisbon. Acting on this information, the Backfires returned to the eastern Atlantic late that evening. One AS-6 Kingfish missile dived on and blew up the merchant Al Hasan. Another struck and destroyed a Royal Navy Type 22/1 frigate which had been escorting the tankers to the north. No Spanish Navy warships were ever encountered.
A Bear D reconnaissance aircraft then spotted another French group, apparently a carrier group, some 430 nm southwest of Brest. The Backfires pushed on to attack this new target. Two AS-6 missiles struck and exploded the Durance oiler Var, and another hit the carrier Foch, badly damaging her and starting a huge fire in her hangar. This was to prove fatal, and the Foch sank in a blazing inferno some hours later. The French Crusader fighters had again attempted to intercept the marauding Backfires, but they were too short on fuel to catch them and had to return to shore based airfields.
During the night a Bear D spotted a merchant group about 750 nm east of Newfoundland, heading east. The K-299 engaged these merchies but was having mechanical trouble with its 533mm tubes, and could fire only two torpedoes. Fortunately, both sank the transport Valmas and the merchant San Nicolaos. The K-414 then moved in, sinking another merchant and the tanker Paludina.
Another severe dent had been put into NATO’s convoy efforts.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 10: GIUK 10.0 – Norwegian Entry
Background
In order to regain control of the Norwegian Sea, NATO had to recapture most of the Soviet occupied bases in Norway. The first step in this endeavor would be to leapfrog up the coast, much like what General MacArthur did in the Pacific during World War II. Due to the stalled land campaign in southern Norway and the NATO siege of Oslo, an amphibious assault was expected at Bergen. NATO would be putting everything they had available into this operation. If they were successful, it mght turn the tide of the war decidedly in their favor. The Soviets would use all available units to repel this attack.
What Happened
Eight Tu-16 Badger bombers, together with Badger J jamming escort, were launched from Kildistenroy to assault the newly repaired RAF airfields at Saxa Vord and Vagar. They arrived without incident. 16 AS-6 missiles were launched at Saxa Vord, 10 of which struck and knocked out the base. 16 more were directed at Vagar, and 9 of these hit home, putting Vagar out of action.
A formation of 14 NATO aircraft was then spotted heading for Orland, and the Su-27s assigned to local combat air patrol promptly moved to intercept. Curiously, these were elderly 14 A-7E Corsair II strikers flying unescorted into the teeth of Soviet occupied Norway. They quickly fell victim to the heavy missile armament of the Flankers.
Two Nimrod maritime patrol planes were performing reconnaissance near Bergen, when one was shot down by a Soviet SAM. The other was eventually intercepted by MiG-29s about 140 nm to the south of Orland.
Four AV-8B Harrier II jets swooped in and sank the Soviet flagged merchant Rostov about 22 nm northwest of Bergen. Another solitary Harrier approached the Soviet ships moored at Bergen, but was downed by an SA-N-4 Gecko from the Krivak II frigate Ryanny. A short while later, two more Harriers were shot down.
Flankers spotted a suspected NATO naval group about 70 nm south of Saxa Vord, passing through the Shetland Islands, and during their return to base, encountered and killed a British Sea King AEW.2 helicopter about 60 nm north of Vagar.
The Victor I attack sub K-370, which had been sitting quietly at depth, was tracking the NATO phibgru as it passed through the chokepoint into the North Sea right into its path. But as K-370 flooded tubes and prepared to engage, it was attacked and sunk.
A combined force of four Backfires and 12 Badgers now launched from Kildistenroy, together with a Bear D reconnaissance aircraft.
Three Fencers launched six AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles at the Ticonderoga cruiser USS San Jacinto, but all were shot down by Standards. 8 Fencers followed, all armed with AS-14 Kedge TV guided missiles. The Soviet aircraft managed to penetrate to a distance of about 38 nm before the enemy began to engage with its air defense missiles. Two Fencers were shot down, but all missiles were away, most of them aimed at the Tarawa class assault ship Saipan. Despite the Fencers' sacrifice, however, all of the Kedge missiles were knocked down.
The Backfires then targeted their 12 AS-6 Kingfish missiles at the Ticonderoga and Belknap escorts, while the Badgers focused their 24 AS-6 missiles at the phibs. Three of the initial 12 missiles struck and destroyed the San Jacinto, greatly improving the chances of the follow-on missiles in penetrating the screen. Four of these now hit the Saipan, one hit the Blue Ridge command ship USS Mount Whitney, another hit the Iwo Jima assault ship Inchon, and two more struck the USS Austin LPD. All were summarily sunk.
NATO attempts to retake Norway had been rebuffed.
Background
In order to regain control of the Norwegian Sea, NATO had to recapture most of the Soviet occupied bases in Norway. The first step in this endeavor would be to leapfrog up the coast, much like what General MacArthur did in the Pacific during World War II. Due to the stalled land campaign in southern Norway and the NATO siege of Oslo, an amphibious assault was expected at Bergen. NATO would be putting everything they had available into this operation. If they were successful, it mght turn the tide of the war decidedly in their favor. The Soviets would use all available units to repel this attack.
What Happened
Eight Tu-16 Badger bombers, together with Badger J jamming escort, were launched from Kildistenroy to assault the newly repaired RAF airfields at Saxa Vord and Vagar. They arrived without incident. 16 AS-6 missiles were launched at Saxa Vord, 10 of which struck and knocked out the base. 16 more were directed at Vagar, and 9 of these hit home, putting Vagar out of action.
A formation of 14 NATO aircraft was then spotted heading for Orland, and the Su-27s assigned to local combat air patrol promptly moved to intercept. Curiously, these were elderly 14 A-7E Corsair II strikers flying unescorted into the teeth of Soviet occupied Norway. They quickly fell victim to the heavy missile armament of the Flankers.
Two Nimrod maritime patrol planes were performing reconnaissance near Bergen, when one was shot down by a Soviet SAM. The other was eventually intercepted by MiG-29s about 140 nm to the south of Orland.
Four AV-8B Harrier II jets swooped in and sank the Soviet flagged merchant Rostov about 22 nm northwest of Bergen. Another solitary Harrier approached the Soviet ships moored at Bergen, but was downed by an SA-N-4 Gecko from the Krivak II frigate Ryanny. A short while later, two more Harriers were shot down.
Flankers spotted a suspected NATO naval group about 70 nm south of Saxa Vord, passing through the Shetland Islands, and during their return to base, encountered and killed a British Sea King AEW.2 helicopter about 60 nm north of Vagar.
The Victor I attack sub K-370, which had been sitting quietly at depth, was tracking the NATO phibgru as it passed through the chokepoint into the North Sea right into its path. But as K-370 flooded tubes and prepared to engage, it was attacked and sunk.
A combined force of four Backfires and 12 Badgers now launched from Kildistenroy, together with a Bear D reconnaissance aircraft.
Three Fencers launched six AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles at the Ticonderoga cruiser USS San Jacinto, but all were shot down by Standards. 8 Fencers followed, all armed with AS-14 Kedge TV guided missiles. The Soviet aircraft managed to penetrate to a distance of about 38 nm before the enemy began to engage with its air defense missiles. Two Fencers were shot down, but all missiles were away, most of them aimed at the Tarawa class assault ship Saipan. Despite the Fencers' sacrifice, however, all of the Kedge missiles were knocked down.
The Backfires then targeted their 12 AS-6 Kingfish missiles at the Ticonderoga and Belknap escorts, while the Badgers focused their 24 AS-6 missiles at the phibs. Three of the initial 12 missiles struck and destroyed the San Jacinto, greatly improving the chances of the follow-on missiles in penetrating the screen. Four of these now hit the Saipan, one hit the Blue Ridge command ship USS Mount Whitney, another hit the Iwo Jima assault ship Inchon, and two more struck the USS Austin LPD. All were summarily sunk.
NATO attempts to retake Norway had been rebuffed.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 11: GIUK 11.0 – Cutting the Noose
Background
The Soviets were continuing to employ forces garrisoned at Keflavik to disrupt NATO operations around the GIUK Gap. From Iceland they were launching attacks against the convoys crossing the North Atlantic to bring badly needed war supplies to Europe, and their control of the surrounding airspace allowed Soviet submarines to move through the Gap with little fear of attack from NATO ASW units. Soviet surface units were also able to resupply at Reykjavik and thus operate further away from their homeports on the Kola. But there was now a NATO carrier group moving toward Iceland, and it was assumed that it intended to attack Soviet occupied Keflavik. The NATO force was believed to contain at least one Nimitz class carrier, escorted by at least one Aegis cruiser and a strong screen of ASW ships.
What Happened
The Akula nuclear attack sub Puma, cruising some 600 nm south of Keflavik, and moving north, reported distant multiple torpedo contacts late in the afternoon. At least one of these was determined to be a Mk 48 ADCAP. Puma moved away at speed just in case. As he slowed to assess, a sub contact was detected some 16 nm distant, and so the Puma turned abeam the target to try and localize. The contact appeared to be approaching at speed. It was soon localized at 10 nm and approaching at 24 knots. It was too close for a standoff missile shot, but too far for a torpedo. The contact quickly passed to the east at about 9 nm range. As the enemy sub moved into range, the Puma launched a single SS-N-16. It missed (later reported by US Navy sources to have been shot down by an AIM-9L). Contact was lost a short while later.
An Il-38 May patrolling southwest of Iceland picked up, via ESM, the signature of an E-2C Hawkeye about 535 nm south of Keflavik. It was a sure sign of an US Navy carrier battle group.
Later that evening, the Puma picked up a surface contact about 34 nm to the east, in the same vicinity as the reported Hawkeye radar plane. During the night, Puma regained the surface contact, this time possibly the carrier, about 35 nm to the south. A solid sonar contact was gained a short while later, with the carrier and its escorts appearing to be moving almost due north toward the Puma. Soon Puma appeared to have found its way inside a very spread out US Navy formation. But, unfortunately, contact with the carrier was lost, and by the time it was regained, the carrier looked to be 27 nm to the northeast.
Three Su-27 Flankers were sent to probe the American carrier group, killing a handful of F-14 Tomcats for one loss. Four Flankers made another raid, killing five F-14s and an S-3 Viking for one loss. A trio of Su-27s kill four F-14s for one loss. Another three Su-27s kill two F-14s but lose two of their own. A further trio of Su-27s kill three S-3 Vikings, two F-14A and bagged a pair of E-2C Hawkeyes. Another pair of Flankers raided the group, but one was splashed by AIM-54. The other Su-27 claimed two F-14A and two Vikings. Another Su-27 pair shot down another two E-2C Hawkeyes.
The Victor II sub K-476 had since been returned to service after receiving repairs for the damage sustained on the very first day of the war. The Soviet attack boat was now working its way into an ambush position from the north, and although he came under torpedo attack, her skipper was able to evade. The unmistakable thrashing of the American carrier's screws gave away its position some 30 miles to the south. At less than 5 nm, the K-476 engaged a Ticonderoga cruiser. The initial salvo of torpedoes missed, so K-476 fired again at near point blank range. One of these 533mm torpedoes struck and sank the missile cruiser USS Yorktown.
As the K-476 moved deeper into the formation, hoping to attack the Nimitz nuclear carrier, he came under torpedo attack and was struck at least once, causing severe damage. The skipper instinctively emptied the remainder of his tubes on bearings toward the carrier. One of the K-476's Type 65 torpedoes began to track on the wake of a Leahy cruiser, but as with the others, was unable to score a hit. The K-476 herself continued to run at best speed (a mere 8 knots, because of the damage) and deep under the layer, successfully evading several more torpedoes dropped on her. Amazingly, the crew of the K-476 would escape once more what had seemed a certain fate.
An Il-38 May that had been sent to recon the carrier group strayed into the missile envelope, and was engaged by SM-1MR missiles from the picket Perry class frigate Aubrey Fitch. Fortunately the American SAMs were launched at extreme range and the Il-38 was able to evade them.
14 Su-24 Fencers were now launched from Keflavik to attack the exposed carrier only some 200 nm to the south. Four of these launched more than a dozen AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles at the American ships. Three of the ten Fencers following behind were dropped by SAMs, and the US Navy ships had no trouble dispatching the AS-12s before they hit. Still, the Soviets were able to shoot a large number of TV guided AS-14 Kedge missiles, and while another Su-24 fell as the group attempted escape, six of these missiles struck and destroyed the Leahy missile cruiser Richmond K. Turner. Another two hit and knocked out the Coontz destroyer Dahlgren.
The American carrier was now badly exposed, and its remaining escorts (a pair of Perry frigates and a pair of Spruance destroyers) were far to the fringes of the formation. Ironically, it was another Soviet submarine that the Americans had failed to finish off, the Charlie II cruise missile submarine K-308, that would now engage. The K-308 now sought to take advantage of the gap in the enemy formation, coming to periscope depth and launching four SS-N-9 Sirens at the carrier from about 27 nm away. The carrier's own defenses then kicked into gear, however, and three of the big SS-N-9s were dropped by RIM-7M Sea Sparrow shots. The fourth missile was decoyed by chaff before it was necessary to call upon the Phalanx CIWS.
Targeting data was then passed to the Echo II class SSGN K-23 lurking some 145 nm to the northwest. After 17 minutes of prep time later, on the surface, the K-23 launched four SS-N-3 Shaddock missiles. They passed in front of, and just outside Sea Sparrow range, of a Spruance destroyer and continued on to the carrier unopposed. The four missiles then plunged from high altitude toward their target below. Only one of the four made it through the carrier's point defences, slamming into the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, but causing relatively minor damage overall.
The skipper of the Charlie II sub K-308, meanwhile, had continued to close the distance with the wounded carrier, hoping to get close enough to shoot torpedoes. At a range of three miles, he fired four 533mm torpedoes. He would claim later that at least three of these struck home, causing massive damage to the Roosevelt. However, he could not confirm a kill, American helicopters having moved in quickly and driven off the Soviet submarine, but in any event the US Navy carrier battle group withdrew from the area soon thereafter.
Background
The Soviets were continuing to employ forces garrisoned at Keflavik to disrupt NATO operations around the GIUK Gap. From Iceland they were launching attacks against the convoys crossing the North Atlantic to bring badly needed war supplies to Europe, and their control of the surrounding airspace allowed Soviet submarines to move through the Gap with little fear of attack from NATO ASW units. Soviet surface units were also able to resupply at Reykjavik and thus operate further away from their homeports on the Kola. But there was now a NATO carrier group moving toward Iceland, and it was assumed that it intended to attack Soviet occupied Keflavik. The NATO force was believed to contain at least one Nimitz class carrier, escorted by at least one Aegis cruiser and a strong screen of ASW ships.
What Happened
The Akula nuclear attack sub Puma, cruising some 600 nm south of Keflavik, and moving north, reported distant multiple torpedo contacts late in the afternoon. At least one of these was determined to be a Mk 48 ADCAP. Puma moved away at speed just in case. As he slowed to assess, a sub contact was detected some 16 nm distant, and so the Puma turned abeam the target to try and localize. The contact appeared to be approaching at speed. It was soon localized at 10 nm and approaching at 24 knots. It was too close for a standoff missile shot, but too far for a torpedo. The contact quickly passed to the east at about 9 nm range. As the enemy sub moved into range, the Puma launched a single SS-N-16. It missed (later reported by US Navy sources to have been shot down by an AIM-9L). Contact was lost a short while later.
An Il-38 May patrolling southwest of Iceland picked up, via ESM, the signature of an E-2C Hawkeye about 535 nm south of Keflavik. It was a sure sign of an US Navy carrier battle group.
Later that evening, the Puma picked up a surface contact about 34 nm to the east, in the same vicinity as the reported Hawkeye radar plane. During the night, Puma regained the surface contact, this time possibly the carrier, about 35 nm to the south. A solid sonar contact was gained a short while later, with the carrier and its escorts appearing to be moving almost due north toward the Puma. Soon Puma appeared to have found its way inside a very spread out US Navy formation. But, unfortunately, contact with the carrier was lost, and by the time it was regained, the carrier looked to be 27 nm to the northeast.
Three Su-27 Flankers were sent to probe the American carrier group, killing a handful of F-14 Tomcats for one loss. Four Flankers made another raid, killing five F-14s and an S-3 Viking for one loss. A trio of Su-27s kill four F-14s for one loss. Another three Su-27s kill two F-14s but lose two of their own. A further trio of Su-27s kill three S-3 Vikings, two F-14A and bagged a pair of E-2C Hawkeyes. Another pair of Flankers raided the group, but one was splashed by AIM-54. The other Su-27 claimed two F-14A and two Vikings. Another Su-27 pair shot down another two E-2C Hawkeyes.
The Victor II sub K-476 had since been returned to service after receiving repairs for the damage sustained on the very first day of the war. The Soviet attack boat was now working its way into an ambush position from the north, and although he came under torpedo attack, her skipper was able to evade. The unmistakable thrashing of the American carrier's screws gave away its position some 30 miles to the south. At less than 5 nm, the K-476 engaged a Ticonderoga cruiser. The initial salvo of torpedoes missed, so K-476 fired again at near point blank range. One of these 533mm torpedoes struck and sank the missile cruiser USS Yorktown.
As the K-476 moved deeper into the formation, hoping to attack the Nimitz nuclear carrier, he came under torpedo attack and was struck at least once, causing severe damage. The skipper instinctively emptied the remainder of his tubes on bearings toward the carrier. One of the K-476's Type 65 torpedoes began to track on the wake of a Leahy cruiser, but as with the others, was unable to score a hit. The K-476 herself continued to run at best speed (a mere 8 knots, because of the damage) and deep under the layer, successfully evading several more torpedoes dropped on her. Amazingly, the crew of the K-476 would escape once more what had seemed a certain fate.
An Il-38 May that had been sent to recon the carrier group strayed into the missile envelope, and was engaged by SM-1MR missiles from the picket Perry class frigate Aubrey Fitch. Fortunately the American SAMs were launched at extreme range and the Il-38 was able to evade them.
14 Su-24 Fencers were now launched from Keflavik to attack the exposed carrier only some 200 nm to the south. Four of these launched more than a dozen AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles at the American ships. Three of the ten Fencers following behind were dropped by SAMs, and the US Navy ships had no trouble dispatching the AS-12s before they hit. Still, the Soviets were able to shoot a large number of TV guided AS-14 Kedge missiles, and while another Su-24 fell as the group attempted escape, six of these missiles struck and destroyed the Leahy missile cruiser Richmond K. Turner. Another two hit and knocked out the Coontz destroyer Dahlgren.
The American carrier was now badly exposed, and its remaining escorts (a pair of Perry frigates and a pair of Spruance destroyers) were far to the fringes of the formation. Ironically, it was another Soviet submarine that the Americans had failed to finish off, the Charlie II cruise missile submarine K-308, that would now engage. The K-308 now sought to take advantage of the gap in the enemy formation, coming to periscope depth and launching four SS-N-9 Sirens at the carrier from about 27 nm away. The carrier's own defenses then kicked into gear, however, and three of the big SS-N-9s were dropped by RIM-7M Sea Sparrow shots. The fourth missile was decoyed by chaff before it was necessary to call upon the Phalanx CIWS.
Targeting data was then passed to the Echo II class SSGN K-23 lurking some 145 nm to the northwest. After 17 minutes of prep time later, on the surface, the K-23 launched four SS-N-3 Shaddock missiles. They passed in front of, and just outside Sea Sparrow range, of a Spruance destroyer and continued on to the carrier unopposed. The four missiles then plunged from high altitude toward their target below. Only one of the four made it through the carrier's point defences, slamming into the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, but causing relatively minor damage overall.
The skipper of the Charlie II sub K-308, meanwhile, had continued to close the distance with the wounded carrier, hoping to get close enough to shoot torpedoes. At a range of three miles, he fired four 533mm torpedoes. He would claim later that at least three of these struck home, causing massive damage to the Roosevelt. However, he could not confirm a kill, American helicopters having moved in quickly and driven off the Soviet submarine, but in any event the US Navy carrier battle group withdrew from the area soon thereafter.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 11: NACV 11.0 – Bergen Express
Background
Pressured by the demands of a raging ground war in Central Europe, the Soviet logistical chain was unable to adequately support a continued occupation of Iceland. NATO took careful advantage of this weakness, and following several interceptions of Soviet air cargo flights, commando raids, and a large paratrooper attack at Keflavik, Iceland was liberated. Despite this success, the situation for NATO forces in Norway remained grim. Desperate, NATO decided to send a high speed convoy directly from the US to Bergen, rather than routing it first through the UK. Since Keflavik had returned to NATO control, the primary Soviet opposition was restricted to units in the Norwegian Sea.
What Happened
The Brits had re-opened the airfield at Vagar, but had moved primary flight operations to Kinloss because of the damage sustained at Stornoway. The radar station at Bergen, meanwhile, had also been repaired or replaced.
The Soviet Baku naval group, operating off the coast from Orland, now moved to threaten Vagar once more.
Five Su-27 Flankers flying out of Orland intercepted a NATO strike formation and although they killed more than a dozen RAF Tornado GR.1 and F.3 aircraft, during the clash all 5 Flankers were lost. Four MiG-29s arrived to kill 8 more GR.1s and five F.3s. Another pair of Flankers joined the fray, and these shot down 11 Jaguars and at least four Phantoms.
An attempt to knock out the Bergen radar installation with half a dozen AS-6 Kingfish anti-radar missiles (launched from Badger bombers) ended in failure. None of the missiles got through. A trio of Fencers rigged for SEAD, and escorted by a pair of Flankers, were launched to finish the objective, but this mission also failed. It quickly became apparent that NATO had taken the opportunity to move one or more Hawk SAM batteries into the hills around Bergen and these were performing well.
A simultaneous strike on Vagar ended similarly. Two Su-27 Flankers performing a fighter sweep encountered and shot down two Phantom FGR.2 jets, but none of the AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles launched by the follow-up Fencer strike package was able to get through the thick SAM defences at Vagar. Both Flankers were lost on their way home in a tangle with a large group of RAF Tornado F.3s, but the Su-24s escaped.
Fortunately a follow-up strike by six Badgers was enough – five of their AS-6 missiles got through and once again Vagar was rendered inoperational. Four Tornado F.3s that trailed the bomber force back to Orland shot down the Ka-25B Hormone B helicopter that was orbiting over the Baku group but then the Tornados themselves were brought down by gunfire.
Two US Air Force F-15C Eagles also tried to penetrate the Soviet naval formation but these were shot down by orbiting Flankers. Several more American F-15s were claimed near the Baku, but then cruise missiles appeared on the deck to the southwest. Flankers killed several S-3 Vikings that had approached the Baku group unseen, but four of their Harpoons converged on the Udaloy destroyer Marshal Vasilevsky, sinking her.
While probing British airspace about 150 nm north of Vagar, a flight of Soviet Su-27 Flankers shot down a P-3C Orion. Pushing further, they intercepted and shot down two E-3 Sentry AWACS planes north of Kinloss. Four Tu-22M Backfires came down near Bergen and launched 12 AS-6 anti-radar missiles at Kinloss while the Sentries were down, but no hits were achieved. Fencers carried out a second SEAD strike on Kinloss, but it also failed. The Bloodhound Mk 2 and HAWK missile defenses was holding. Nevertheless, the loss of the Sentries was a serious blow for NATO.
The 50 Let Komsomolsk-na-Amur, a Victor III boat operating in the Iceland-UK Gap, was attacked by a torpedo early in the morning. Soon thereafter, he detected a sub contact nearby and engaged with two 533mm torpedoes. At least one of these struck and sank the Trafalgar class attack submarine HMS Tireless.
A Bear D that was being escorted by a trio of Tu-22MP "fighters", made its way down between Vagar and the Stornoway area detected a E-2C Hawkeye, and localized it to a position about 320 nm south of Keflavik.
The Victor III attack sub K-502 (the boat that had earlier claimed the HMS Illustrious) was patrolling about 175 nm south of Vagar, and took a surprise hit, possibly from a depth charge. Moderate damage was sustained to the forward compartments. A short while later the K-502 took two more hits in rapid succession, and was lost. It is now believed that prototype Sea Lance missiles, launched from a standoff distance by an American SSN, may have been the culprit.
A pair of F-14 Tomcats then appeared to the southwest of the Baku group. They fired a total of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles at the three Flankers orbiting nearby, but the Su-27s managed to evade them all. Both F-14s were then killed with Alamo C shots.
Flankers encountered four F-14A Tomcats west of Vagar, and again evaded Phoenix. Shot down six Tomcats. Flankers encounter F-14s again west of Baku, one shot down by AIM-54. The surviving pair of Su-27s shot down the two Tomcats.
The Victor III attack boat K-448 detected and approached a surface group - including a suspected American carrier - about 140 nm south of Vagar. The submarine penetrated the formation and attacked, sinking the Ticonderoga missile cruiser Leyte Gulf and putting at least one 533mm torpedo into a Forrestal class carrier. K-448 escaped cleanly.
Acting on this new information, a major air strike was launched from the Kola airfields.
To aid in the approach of the oncoming Soviet bombers, Su-27s operating out of Norway were dispatched to conduct a major fighter sweep through the airspace around Vagar. They soon encountered the US Navy fighter screen of F-14A Tomcats. Three F-14s were claimed by radar guided Alamo C shots from Su-27s about 100 nm east of Vagar, and another was dropped by a well placed AA-11 heat seeker. Three more F-14s were dropped before the Flankers had to bug out. Only one Su-27 was lost in the exchange.
A second enemy surface group was soon detected about 250 nm southwest of Vagar, all of the ships apparently heading east. This one was likely the NATO amphibious group.
The Backfires had clear skies for their approach, and from maximum range, they launched a total of 48 AS-6 missiles at the US Navy carrier battle group. Three of these missiles hit and blew up the Virginia nuclear powered missile cruiser USS Mississippi, 8 obliterated the carrier USS Saratoga, and three more sank the Sacramento class oiler Detroit.
The Soviet bombers then turned their attention to the NATO phibgru. Single AS-6 missiles hit and damaged three container ships. Another struck and damaged an amphibious assault ship. The results of the strike against the phibgru was less than stellar, due to very thick anti-air warfare defenses, but the value of the destruction of the Saratoga could not be overstated.
The Victor III attack sub K-448 sank the Knox frigate USS Bowen, part of the group of remaining US Navy carrier escorts that were now bugging out to the west, toward Iceland. Two other escorts, a Burke destroyer and a second Knox frigate, were left behind near Vagar.
A flight of Fencers attack them with AS-14 Kedge missiles. 20 AS-14s are launched, two of which get through to hit the Burke class Aegis destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur.
A Tu-95 Bear D patrolling north of Vagar was surprised and shot down by F-15s, raising the spectre of the enemy having re-opened Keflavik for NATO air operations. Despite the danger, the Fencer flight pushed onward, finally shooting 36 AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles at the US Navy phibgru. No sooner had these missiles left the rails when the Fencers were jumped by US Air Force F-15 Eagles, and six of the Sukhois went down.
Three of the AS-12s hit a Burke destroyer. Flying at wavetop height, five Su-24s managed to sneak inside the enemy formation, but they had difficulty spotting targets due to heavy low lying fog. Then, suddenly, the unmistakable outline of an Arleigh Burke appeared dead ahead. The Su-24s launched 8 missiles at near point blank range, and three of these hit home. The jig was up, though, and all of the Fencers were caught by SAMs and destroyed.
24 Tu-16 Badgers arrived on the scene and released their missiles. One AS-6 hit the Perry frigate USS Stephen W. Groves, three missiles hit and finished a pair of crippled container ships, and another hit an Arleigh Burke destroyer (possibly the one crippled by the Fencers earlier).
The Bergen Express had been stopped cold. For NATO, the situation was now desperate.
Background
Pressured by the demands of a raging ground war in Central Europe, the Soviet logistical chain was unable to adequately support a continued occupation of Iceland. NATO took careful advantage of this weakness, and following several interceptions of Soviet air cargo flights, commando raids, and a large paratrooper attack at Keflavik, Iceland was liberated. Despite this success, the situation for NATO forces in Norway remained grim. Desperate, NATO decided to send a high speed convoy directly from the US to Bergen, rather than routing it first through the UK. Since Keflavik had returned to NATO control, the primary Soviet opposition was restricted to units in the Norwegian Sea.
What Happened
The Brits had re-opened the airfield at Vagar, but had moved primary flight operations to Kinloss because of the damage sustained at Stornoway. The radar station at Bergen, meanwhile, had also been repaired or replaced.
The Soviet Baku naval group, operating off the coast from Orland, now moved to threaten Vagar once more.
Five Su-27 Flankers flying out of Orland intercepted a NATO strike formation and although they killed more than a dozen RAF Tornado GR.1 and F.3 aircraft, during the clash all 5 Flankers were lost. Four MiG-29s arrived to kill 8 more GR.1s and five F.3s. Another pair of Flankers joined the fray, and these shot down 11 Jaguars and at least four Phantoms.
An attempt to knock out the Bergen radar installation with half a dozen AS-6 Kingfish anti-radar missiles (launched from Badger bombers) ended in failure. None of the missiles got through. A trio of Fencers rigged for SEAD, and escorted by a pair of Flankers, were launched to finish the objective, but this mission also failed. It quickly became apparent that NATO had taken the opportunity to move one or more Hawk SAM batteries into the hills around Bergen and these were performing well.
A simultaneous strike on Vagar ended similarly. Two Su-27 Flankers performing a fighter sweep encountered and shot down two Phantom FGR.2 jets, but none of the AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles launched by the follow-up Fencer strike package was able to get through the thick SAM defences at Vagar. Both Flankers were lost on their way home in a tangle with a large group of RAF Tornado F.3s, but the Su-24s escaped.
Fortunately a follow-up strike by six Badgers was enough – five of their AS-6 missiles got through and once again Vagar was rendered inoperational. Four Tornado F.3s that trailed the bomber force back to Orland shot down the Ka-25B Hormone B helicopter that was orbiting over the Baku group but then the Tornados themselves were brought down by gunfire.
Two US Air Force F-15C Eagles also tried to penetrate the Soviet naval formation but these were shot down by orbiting Flankers. Several more American F-15s were claimed near the Baku, but then cruise missiles appeared on the deck to the southwest. Flankers killed several S-3 Vikings that had approached the Baku group unseen, but four of their Harpoons converged on the Udaloy destroyer Marshal Vasilevsky, sinking her.
While probing British airspace about 150 nm north of Vagar, a flight of Soviet Su-27 Flankers shot down a P-3C Orion. Pushing further, they intercepted and shot down two E-3 Sentry AWACS planes north of Kinloss. Four Tu-22M Backfires came down near Bergen and launched 12 AS-6 anti-radar missiles at Kinloss while the Sentries were down, but no hits were achieved. Fencers carried out a second SEAD strike on Kinloss, but it also failed. The Bloodhound Mk 2 and HAWK missile defenses was holding. Nevertheless, the loss of the Sentries was a serious blow for NATO.
The 50 Let Komsomolsk-na-Amur, a Victor III boat operating in the Iceland-UK Gap, was attacked by a torpedo early in the morning. Soon thereafter, he detected a sub contact nearby and engaged with two 533mm torpedoes. At least one of these struck and sank the Trafalgar class attack submarine HMS Tireless.
A Bear D that was being escorted by a trio of Tu-22MP "fighters", made its way down between Vagar and the Stornoway area detected a E-2C Hawkeye, and localized it to a position about 320 nm south of Keflavik.
The Victor III attack sub K-502 (the boat that had earlier claimed the HMS Illustrious) was patrolling about 175 nm south of Vagar, and took a surprise hit, possibly from a depth charge. Moderate damage was sustained to the forward compartments. A short while later the K-502 took two more hits in rapid succession, and was lost. It is now believed that prototype Sea Lance missiles, launched from a standoff distance by an American SSN, may have been the culprit.
A pair of F-14 Tomcats then appeared to the southwest of the Baku group. They fired a total of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles at the three Flankers orbiting nearby, but the Su-27s managed to evade them all. Both F-14s were then killed with Alamo C shots.
Flankers encountered four F-14A Tomcats west of Vagar, and again evaded Phoenix. Shot down six Tomcats. Flankers encounter F-14s again west of Baku, one shot down by AIM-54. The surviving pair of Su-27s shot down the two Tomcats.
The Victor III attack boat K-448 detected and approached a surface group - including a suspected American carrier - about 140 nm south of Vagar. The submarine penetrated the formation and attacked, sinking the Ticonderoga missile cruiser Leyte Gulf and putting at least one 533mm torpedo into a Forrestal class carrier. K-448 escaped cleanly.
Acting on this new information, a major air strike was launched from the Kola airfields.
To aid in the approach of the oncoming Soviet bombers, Su-27s operating out of Norway were dispatched to conduct a major fighter sweep through the airspace around Vagar. They soon encountered the US Navy fighter screen of F-14A Tomcats. Three F-14s were claimed by radar guided Alamo C shots from Su-27s about 100 nm east of Vagar, and another was dropped by a well placed AA-11 heat seeker. Three more F-14s were dropped before the Flankers had to bug out. Only one Su-27 was lost in the exchange.
A second enemy surface group was soon detected about 250 nm southwest of Vagar, all of the ships apparently heading east. This one was likely the NATO amphibious group.
The Backfires had clear skies for their approach, and from maximum range, they launched a total of 48 AS-6 missiles at the US Navy carrier battle group. Three of these missiles hit and blew up the Virginia nuclear powered missile cruiser USS Mississippi, 8 obliterated the carrier USS Saratoga, and three more sank the Sacramento class oiler Detroit.
The Soviet bombers then turned their attention to the NATO phibgru. Single AS-6 missiles hit and damaged three container ships. Another struck and damaged an amphibious assault ship. The results of the strike against the phibgru was less than stellar, due to very thick anti-air warfare defenses, but the value of the destruction of the Saratoga could not be overstated.
The Victor III attack sub K-448 sank the Knox frigate USS Bowen, part of the group of remaining US Navy carrier escorts that were now bugging out to the west, toward Iceland. Two other escorts, a Burke destroyer and a second Knox frigate, were left behind near Vagar.
A flight of Fencers attack them with AS-14 Kedge missiles. 20 AS-14s are launched, two of which get through to hit the Burke class Aegis destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur.
A Tu-95 Bear D patrolling north of Vagar was surprised and shot down by F-15s, raising the spectre of the enemy having re-opened Keflavik for NATO air operations. Despite the danger, the Fencer flight pushed onward, finally shooting 36 AS-12 Kegler anti-radar missiles at the US Navy phibgru. No sooner had these missiles left the rails when the Fencers were jumped by US Air Force F-15 Eagles, and six of the Sukhois went down.
Three of the AS-12s hit a Burke destroyer. Flying at wavetop height, five Su-24s managed to sneak inside the enemy formation, but they had difficulty spotting targets due to heavy low lying fog. Then, suddenly, the unmistakable outline of an Arleigh Burke appeared dead ahead. The Su-24s launched 8 missiles at near point blank range, and three of these hit home. The jig was up, though, and all of the Fencers were caught by SAMs and destroyed.
24 Tu-16 Badgers arrived on the scene and released their missiles. One AS-6 hit the Perry frigate USS Stephen W. Groves, three missiles hit and finished a pair of crippled container ships, and another hit an Arleigh Burke destroyer (possibly the one crippled by the Fencers earlier).
The Bergen Express had been stopped cold. For NATO, the situation was now desperate.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 13: GIUK 13.0 – Duel
Background
The fighting over Keflavik had been so heavy that what remained of the airfield, now held by NATO, was practically unusable. At the same time, the fighting in Europe had placed demands upon available resources that precluded either side from sending long range aircraft to attack or defend Iceland. The fate of Iceland would therefore be decided by a decisive surface battle.
What Happened
The Frunze surface action group was cruising some 135 nm north of Jan Mayen, heading south toward Iceland.
The Akula boat Del'fin and Oscar SSGN Murmansk were traveling together just north of the Iceland-UK Gap. The latter picked up a surface contact 68 nm to the south, well inside the Gap. This contact appeared to be moving north, and was next picked up at a range of 37 nm to the south. Now there were three contacts.
Del'fin launched a Type 65 torpedo at long range. An hour later an explosion was heard. This torpedo had found and sank the nuclear powered missile cruiser Virginia. The Del'fin soon launched a new pair of Type 65 torpedoes. One of these found and sank the Royal Navy's Type 22/3 frigate HMS Cornwall.
The enemy formation was now only 15 nm away. Murmansk joined the attack, launching a Type 65 of its own. This found and exploded the Ticonderoga cruiser USS Leyte Gulf. The Del'fin meanwhile had engaged an approaching Knox frigate with a 533mm torpedo, sinking the USS W.S. Sims.
Another Type 65 from the Murmansk struck an Iowa battleship, causing major damage. A second Type 65 finished the USS Wisconsin, splitting her keel and causing the massive ship to rapidly sink.
The survivors of the US Navy group soon passed to the northeast.
A few hours later, four Royal Navy Lynx helicopters popped up very close to the Frunze SAG. One launched four Sea Skua semi-active radar guided anti-ship missiles at the nearest Soviet vessel, the Mod Kashin destroyer Sderzhanny. Three of the missiles were splashed at the last moment, and the fourth was a clean miss. This enemy helicopter was then downed, as well as the other three, before they could engage further.
When the Frunze and its escorts were about 90 nm away from the NATO group, they launched a total of 27 SS-N-12, SS-N-19 and SS-N-3 missiles, while the Oscar SSGN Murmansk launched 10 more SS-N-19 missiles. One SS-N-12 struck and sank the Perry frigate USS Jack Williams. Three SS-N-19s and two SS-N-3 Shaddocks claimed the Leahy cruiser USS Harry E. Yarnell. One SS-N-12 claimed the Royal Navy Type 22/3 frigate HMS Cumberland.
The surface duel had been, largely as a result of the timely intervention of the Soviet submarines Del'fin and Murmansk, a lop sided affair.
Background
The fighting over Keflavik had been so heavy that what remained of the airfield, now held by NATO, was practically unusable. At the same time, the fighting in Europe had placed demands upon available resources that precluded either side from sending long range aircraft to attack or defend Iceland. The fate of Iceland would therefore be decided by a decisive surface battle.
What Happened
The Frunze surface action group was cruising some 135 nm north of Jan Mayen, heading south toward Iceland.
The Akula boat Del'fin and Oscar SSGN Murmansk were traveling together just north of the Iceland-UK Gap. The latter picked up a surface contact 68 nm to the south, well inside the Gap. This contact appeared to be moving north, and was next picked up at a range of 37 nm to the south. Now there were three contacts.
Del'fin launched a Type 65 torpedo at long range. An hour later an explosion was heard. This torpedo had found and sank the nuclear powered missile cruiser Virginia. The Del'fin soon launched a new pair of Type 65 torpedoes. One of these found and sank the Royal Navy's Type 22/3 frigate HMS Cornwall.
The enemy formation was now only 15 nm away. Murmansk joined the attack, launching a Type 65 of its own. This found and exploded the Ticonderoga cruiser USS Leyte Gulf. The Del'fin meanwhile had engaged an approaching Knox frigate with a 533mm torpedo, sinking the USS W.S. Sims.
Another Type 65 from the Murmansk struck an Iowa battleship, causing major damage. A second Type 65 finished the USS Wisconsin, splitting her keel and causing the massive ship to rapidly sink.
The survivors of the US Navy group soon passed to the northeast.
A few hours later, four Royal Navy Lynx helicopters popped up very close to the Frunze SAG. One launched four Sea Skua semi-active radar guided anti-ship missiles at the nearest Soviet vessel, the Mod Kashin destroyer Sderzhanny. Three of the missiles were splashed at the last moment, and the fourth was a clean miss. This enemy helicopter was then downed, as well as the other three, before they could engage further.
When the Frunze and its escorts were about 90 nm away from the NATO group, they launched a total of 27 SS-N-12, SS-N-19 and SS-N-3 missiles, while the Oscar SSGN Murmansk launched 10 more SS-N-19 missiles. One SS-N-12 struck and sank the Perry frigate USS Jack Williams. Three SS-N-19s and two SS-N-3 Shaddocks claimed the Leahy cruiser USS Harry E. Yarnell. One SS-N-12 claimed the Royal Navy Type 22/3 frigate HMS Cumberland.
The surface duel had been, largely as a result of the timely intervention of the Soviet submarines Del'fin and Murmansk, a lop sided affair.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
RE: Cold War gone HOT: a storyline of AAR's
Scenario 15: NACV 15.0 – Retreat
Background
In an attempt to destroy the buoyant Soviet morale and turn the tide, NATO had sent a large carrier force into the Barents Sea. But due to critical losses, this force now had to retreat through the GIUK gap and hope to marshal its remaining forces. Any additional losses could force NATO to sue for peace. Soviet forces were directed to destroy any NATO surface forces remaining in the Norwegian Sea. Of primary importance were the American carriers, whose aircraft were still a threat to both regional bases and surface forces. With the addition of the aircraft from the destroyed American carrier, the two remaining carriers were expected to have complete air wings despite previous losses.
What Happened
The combined US Navy carrier battle group was believed to be about 220 nm to the southwest of the Baku, and about 420 nm west of Orland.
The Soviet VSTOL carrier Baku was suddenly hit by three Harpoons in a surprise attack, probably by a submarine, and sustained moderate damage. Then multiple torpedoes were detected in the water to the north of the formation. A Ka-27 Helix was sent to find the submarine, but was shot down by an unknown assailant.
Dozens of missiles were then detected approaching from the southwest ! All of these – believed to be largely Tomahawks – were eventually shot down, but at least 15 of them passed harmlessly to the northwest without targeting any Soviet ship. A flight of S-3 Vikings then appeared, launching a number of Harpoons. No Yak-38 Forgers were available to intervene, all of them being in a state of refueling or rearming. Local SA-N-6 Grumble missile supplies had been depleted, and one Harpoon got through. This AGM-84 struck the Udaloy destroyer Admiral Tributs, causing significant damage.
A US Navy strike force now attacked Orland, but the Soviets still had a sizeable Flanker force based there, and these worked together to shoot down over two dozen US Navy Prowlers, F/A-18 Hornets, and A-6E Intruders.
Two further strikes against Orland were also launched by NATO forces out of Stornoway, but in each case they were repelled. Flankers and Fulcrums chewed up large formations of RAF Phantoms and Tornados, and US Air Force F-111 bombers.
Again and again, the US Navy carriers launched relentless strikes against the Baku, but Soviet naval air defenses were still thick, albeit short ranged, and the American attacks were in large part dealt with in piecemeal fashion. In one such attack, the Sovremenny destroyer Otchyanny took a single hit, causing moderate damage.
In another bold but perhaps not altogether well thought out move, eight Intruders were spotted attempting a deep strike mission on the Kola airfield of Kildistenroy. Without fighter escort, however, they were chopped apart by Soviet interceptors. Perhaps even more unfortunately for the Americans, the Intruders did not get an opportunity to pass any radio warning to the "bird farm" back out at sea – a large Soviet bomber force was forming up over the Kola.
Su-27 Flankers out of Orland conducted a timely sweep of the American carrier group. One Flanker was lost but they killed half a dozen F-14s and F/A-18s. Other US Navy fighters were drawn away from the intended axis of attack by a flight of Tu-22MP Backfire “fighters”.
The bomber strike force then arrived from the Kola airfields. Timed to coincide with the arrival of these bombers, the Baku group launched more than fifty SS-N-12 and SS-N-19 cruise missiles. Another 50 or so anti-ship missiles were launched by the Bears and Backfires (practically the entire remaining missile inventory).
With only a couple of Tomcats overhead, the US Navy carriers were badly exposed.
Although none of the AS-4 Kitchen missiles got through, the Soviet onslaught was still brutal. Four AS-6 missiles hit the British Type 22/3 frigate HMS Chatham. Two SS-N-12 Sandbox missiles smashed an Improved Spruance class destroyer. One AS-6 hit and sank the Belknap cruiser USS Biddle, and another hit and damaged the carrier USS Forrestal.
During this fearsome melee, the experienced and skilled crew of the Victor III attack sub K-448, which had been shadowing the American carrier, engaged one of the escorts, and during the attack an Arleigh Burke destroyer was claimed by a Soviet 533mm torpedo. US Navy warship escorts were taking an awful pounding.
Minutes later, two AS-6 Kingfish slammed into the Aegis cruiser USS Ticonderoga, but worse still for the Americans, three more hit and finished the USS Forrestal. Her burning hulk was soon enveloped by a thick cloud of smoke and flame. Survivors of the ship's July 1967 Gulf of Tonkin accident would sadly have yet another bad memory to haunt them.
Seemingly undaunted, or perhaps just stoic to the end, the Americans responded with another Harpoon attack on the Baku group, and one of these missiles hit the Sovremenny destroyer Otchyanny, raising its level of damage to severe. This was followed by eight Tomahawk cruise missiles spotted streaming in toward Baku. One of these penetrated Soviet air defenses and killed the Otchyanny.
Seeking to strike a fresh blow while the Americans were reeling, the Baku group launched a new salvo of 12 Sandbox missiles at the US Navy carrier battle group. Four of these heavy missiles got through, and the carrier Roosevelt was mortally wounded. (Though rumors had abounded, it was the first real confirmation that the Roosevelt had in fact survived the earlier encounter south of Iceland).
A group of MiG-29s flying out of Orland, meanwhile, shot down four fuel starved F-14A Tomcats as they attempted to reach a shore base in the UK. The Fulcrums had been escorting yet another strike on the American battle group, a flight of Fencers also out of Orland. Although two of these were shot down, the Knox frigate USS Elmer Montgomery – which had been busy taking on survivors from Roosevelt - was hit hard by four AS-14 Kedge missiles and destroyed.
The US Navy carrier battle group centred on the Forrestal and Roosevelt, which had sought to turn the tide of the war by striking deep at the heart of Soviet naval firepower at the North Cape, only to be forced back by fearsome losses among its air wings, had now been decimated.
NATO had no other cards to play in the Atlantic, or elsewhere, for that matter. While the ground war in Central Europe had ground to a slogging, bloody stalemate in recent days, it was now clear that there would be no victory for the West short of resorting to nuclear weapons. And a nuclear victory would be a victory for no one. NATO sued for peace.
Background
In an attempt to destroy the buoyant Soviet morale and turn the tide, NATO had sent a large carrier force into the Barents Sea. But due to critical losses, this force now had to retreat through the GIUK gap and hope to marshal its remaining forces. Any additional losses could force NATO to sue for peace. Soviet forces were directed to destroy any NATO surface forces remaining in the Norwegian Sea. Of primary importance were the American carriers, whose aircraft were still a threat to both regional bases and surface forces. With the addition of the aircraft from the destroyed American carrier, the two remaining carriers were expected to have complete air wings despite previous losses.
What Happened
The combined US Navy carrier battle group was believed to be about 220 nm to the southwest of the Baku, and about 420 nm west of Orland.
The Soviet VSTOL carrier Baku was suddenly hit by three Harpoons in a surprise attack, probably by a submarine, and sustained moderate damage. Then multiple torpedoes were detected in the water to the north of the formation. A Ka-27 Helix was sent to find the submarine, but was shot down by an unknown assailant.
Dozens of missiles were then detected approaching from the southwest ! All of these – believed to be largely Tomahawks – were eventually shot down, but at least 15 of them passed harmlessly to the northwest without targeting any Soviet ship. A flight of S-3 Vikings then appeared, launching a number of Harpoons. No Yak-38 Forgers were available to intervene, all of them being in a state of refueling or rearming. Local SA-N-6 Grumble missile supplies had been depleted, and one Harpoon got through. This AGM-84 struck the Udaloy destroyer Admiral Tributs, causing significant damage.
A US Navy strike force now attacked Orland, but the Soviets still had a sizeable Flanker force based there, and these worked together to shoot down over two dozen US Navy Prowlers, F/A-18 Hornets, and A-6E Intruders.
Two further strikes against Orland were also launched by NATO forces out of Stornoway, but in each case they were repelled. Flankers and Fulcrums chewed up large formations of RAF Phantoms and Tornados, and US Air Force F-111 bombers.
Again and again, the US Navy carriers launched relentless strikes against the Baku, but Soviet naval air defenses were still thick, albeit short ranged, and the American attacks were in large part dealt with in piecemeal fashion. In one such attack, the Sovremenny destroyer Otchyanny took a single hit, causing moderate damage.
In another bold but perhaps not altogether well thought out move, eight Intruders were spotted attempting a deep strike mission on the Kola airfield of Kildistenroy. Without fighter escort, however, they were chopped apart by Soviet interceptors. Perhaps even more unfortunately for the Americans, the Intruders did not get an opportunity to pass any radio warning to the "bird farm" back out at sea – a large Soviet bomber force was forming up over the Kola.
Su-27 Flankers out of Orland conducted a timely sweep of the American carrier group. One Flanker was lost but they killed half a dozen F-14s and F/A-18s. Other US Navy fighters were drawn away from the intended axis of attack by a flight of Tu-22MP Backfire “fighters”.
The bomber strike force then arrived from the Kola airfields. Timed to coincide with the arrival of these bombers, the Baku group launched more than fifty SS-N-12 and SS-N-19 cruise missiles. Another 50 or so anti-ship missiles were launched by the Bears and Backfires (practically the entire remaining missile inventory).
With only a couple of Tomcats overhead, the US Navy carriers were badly exposed.
Although none of the AS-4 Kitchen missiles got through, the Soviet onslaught was still brutal. Four AS-6 missiles hit the British Type 22/3 frigate HMS Chatham. Two SS-N-12 Sandbox missiles smashed an Improved Spruance class destroyer. One AS-6 hit and sank the Belknap cruiser USS Biddle, and another hit and damaged the carrier USS Forrestal.
During this fearsome melee, the experienced and skilled crew of the Victor III attack sub K-448, which had been shadowing the American carrier, engaged one of the escorts, and during the attack an Arleigh Burke destroyer was claimed by a Soviet 533mm torpedo. US Navy warship escorts were taking an awful pounding.
Minutes later, two AS-6 Kingfish slammed into the Aegis cruiser USS Ticonderoga, but worse still for the Americans, three more hit and finished the USS Forrestal. Her burning hulk was soon enveloped by a thick cloud of smoke and flame. Survivors of the ship's July 1967 Gulf of Tonkin accident would sadly have yet another bad memory to haunt them.
Seemingly undaunted, or perhaps just stoic to the end, the Americans responded with another Harpoon attack on the Baku group, and one of these missiles hit the Sovremenny destroyer Otchyanny, raising its level of damage to severe. This was followed by eight Tomahawk cruise missiles spotted streaming in toward Baku. One of these penetrated Soviet air defenses and killed the Otchyanny.
Seeking to strike a fresh blow while the Americans were reeling, the Baku group launched a new salvo of 12 Sandbox missiles at the US Navy carrier battle group. Four of these heavy missiles got through, and the carrier Roosevelt was mortally wounded. (Though rumors had abounded, it was the first real confirmation that the Roosevelt had in fact survived the earlier encounter south of Iceland).
A group of MiG-29s flying out of Orland, meanwhile, shot down four fuel starved F-14A Tomcats as they attempted to reach a shore base in the UK. The Fulcrums had been escorting yet another strike on the American battle group, a flight of Fencers also out of Orland. Although two of these were shot down, the Knox frigate USS Elmer Montgomery – which had been busy taking on survivors from Roosevelt - was hit hard by four AS-14 Kedge missiles and destroyed.
The US Navy carrier battle group centred on the Forrestal and Roosevelt, which had sought to turn the tide of the war by striking deep at the heart of Soviet naval firepower at the North Cape, only to be forced back by fearsome losses among its air wings, had now been decimated.
NATO had no other cards to play in the Atlantic, or elsewhere, for that matter. While the ground war in Central Europe had ground to a slogging, bloody stalemate in recent days, it was now clear that there would be no victory for the West short of resorting to nuclear weapons. And a nuclear victory would be a victory for no one. NATO sued for peace.
Brad Leyte
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner
HC3 development group member for HCE
Author of HCDB official database for HCE
Harpgamer.com Co-Owner