Battle of the Gap - a Solitaire Task Force AAR. Date: August 1983 Scenario: Soviet surface and submarine forces have left Murmansk and are heading towards Iceland with an invasion force. To meet them, TF20.1 has been sent to intercept and defeat the force. TF20.1: Vinson (CV), Virginia (CGx2), Texas (CGx2), Semmes (DD), Paul (FF), Alwyn (FF), Bowen (FF), Perry (FF), Fast Resupply Ship (Freighter 10). Vinson air units: 84 (F14), 151 (F14), 82 (A7), 86 (A7), 75 (A6), 1 (RCN), 22 (ASW), 112 (AEW), 137 (EW) Neskaupstadur air units: 31 (F4), 103 (F4) Soviets have 52 commitment points, 35 for surface ships, 17 for subs. US Surveilance: Average (no modifiers) US Tac Co-ord: 2 Soviet Tac Co-ord: 2 The battle begins... 0600 TF20.1 begins 150nm SSE of Neskaupstadur. Vague reports of enemy TF activity from MegaHex 42, 43, 44 and 51. Subs possibly in MH 50, 52, 57, 60 and 61. Random Events: US suffers command control loss as Ensign Pulver put in charge of Admiral's potplant (US Actions halved). Enemy contacts are too far away to investigate properly, so Vinson launches a CAP of F14's (151) and A7's (86) along with some AEW aircraft (112). Soviet Badgers fail to locate US task force, and no Soviet CV air attacks. TF20.1 rolls 5 actions (reduced to 2 for command control loss). Uses 1 to move to go 50nm due north to hex 14G. 0800 RE: Soviets suffer command control loss when Vodka replenishment vessel fails to make rendevous with TF (Soviets only move one space this turn). Enemy surface activity reported in MH 42, 49 50, 51, 55, 56, with new reports in 63 and 64. Enemy sub activity in MH 34, 36, 44, 51 and new reports in 35 and 49. CAP: Both F4 squadrons at Neskaupstadur go into CAP over the base, to prevent an early surprise attack on the base there. No US or Soviet strikes, and Badgers fail to locate US task force. Vinson launches an ASW patrol on MH 35 and 36. The contact in 36 is a false report, but Subron 7 in MH 35 is identified as hostile. Vinson also launches a Recon patrol on MH 50, 42 and 49. 50 proves to just be a fleet of Norwegian whaling vessels, but 42 and 49 both show Surface Action Groups. MH 42: SAG 4, Statny (DD), Rezvy (FF), Ganguets (FF), Orel (FF). MH 49: SAG 5, Grad (PC), Terbuny (PC), Raduga (PC), Balykley (PC), Tambovsky (PC), Gornyy (PC) Soviets have used up 15 commitment points with these units - but where is their invasion task force? TF20.1 rolls up 4 actions: (2) for an intensive Long Range Helo ASW search of MH 35, which fails to improve the contact on Subron 7. (1) for a LR SSM attack with Tomahawks from Virginia, Texas and Semmes, made up of 4 waves of 3 Tomahawks each, at Soviet SAG 4. WAVE 1: Rezvy takes out one with AA, but fails to jam and Close Defence Fire misses. Only one of the two remaining Tomahawks hits, for a systems hit. WAVE 2: Rezvy, reeling under urgent damage control measures, misses with all defensive actions and the three big missiles slam into the doomed frigate, sinking her. WAVE 3: Statny misses with AA, but ECM diverts two missiles, and CDF misses, leaving the remaining Tomahawk to inflict a single systems hit. Wave 4: Ganguets misses with everything, and two hits turns turn the frigate into a flaming hulk. Finally, TF20.1 moves 25nm SSW to hex 7D, 125nm SSE of Neskaupstadur. 1000 RE: None. Enemy located in 35 (SAG 4) and 42 (SAG 5). Other surface activity reported in 50, 51, 60, 61. A new sub report in MH 58. CAP: With the enemy CV still not located, discretion is the better part of valor, so the second Tomcat squadron (84) goes into the CAP. STRIKE: The TF commander decides to finish off the damaged SAG 4, launching the Corsairs and Intruders along with the EA-6 Prowlers of 137 (EW) Squadron. The AA of both Soviet ships is jammed. The Intruders go for the undamaged Orel with short-range anti-ship missiles, and sink her (on a lucky die roll) after her jamming fails. The A7's try for a diffusion bomb attack on the already damaged Statny. They manage to avoid the CDF but in doing so their evasive maneuvers cause them to miss entirely. Statny is proving difficult to kill. Again, the Badgers fail to find TF20.1 and the Soviet CV does not launch any strikes. TF20.1 rolls up four actions. (2) for an intensive LR Helo ASW search of MH 28, which confirms but fails to improve the contact on Subron 7. (1) action to move 50nm SSE to 8A, putting the US forces now 175nm SSE of Neskaupstadur and 250nm due west of Sydero Island in the Faeroes. 151 Squadron (F-14) lands from the Vinson's CAP. 1200 RE: None Enemy located in 35 (SAG 4) and 42 (SAG 5). Other enemy surface activity also reported in 42, 43, 50, 56, 60, 61 with new report in 62. Enemy sub located in 29 (Subron 7) and further activity reported in 28, 36, 41, 52 and new report in 58. No offensive CV air activity, Badger strike again fails to locate US TF20.1. Vinson runs a ASW patrol against MH 28, but the report is false - it appears that it was just a pod of humpbacks running from the Norewgian whalers. Recon aircraft are also sent out against MH 42, 43 and 50. MH 42 only shows SAG 5, the other contact being false, as was the contact in MH 43. However MH 50 shows a medium SAG made up of the Slavny (DD), Bodry (FF), Rubin (FF) and Gomel (FF). Designated Soviet SAG 3. Soviet surface commitment is now at 24 surface points, and no sign of a CV or a CL - there may not be an invasion force after all. It could be a ruse! TF20.1 rolls up 5 actions. (1) goes on a move 50nm NE to hex 15G. (2) for an intensive LR Helo ASW search of MH 29, which whiffs on Subron 7. And a follow-up intensive SR Helo ASW merely confirms but fails to improve the contact on Subron 7. 1400 RE: None. Enemy located in 28 (SAG 4), 35 (SAG 5) and 44 (SAG 3). Other enemy surface activity also reported in 56 with new report in 64. Enemy sub located in 29 (Subron 7) and further activity reported in 29, 36, 41, 43, 52, 58 and new report in 44. STRIKE: Vinson launches a strike package of Intruder, Corsairs and Tomcats, along with Prowlers in support, at the newly-located SAG 3 in MH 43. Playing it safe at this stage, all aircraft are using Anti-Ship Missiles. The A7's target the Bodry, avoiding the Area AA of Slavny and the Bodry's own AA. Bodry's jamming fails and one system hit is inflicted on Bodry. The A6's go after the Rubin, which successfully jams and the Intruders inflict no damage. Finally the Tomcats go for the Gomel and while avoiding AA and not getting jammed, all miss their target. Pretty futile effort all round. The Soviet CV (if it exists?) does not launch a strike, and the Badgers again whiff on locating the Americans. TF20.1 rolls up 6 actions and devotes all to intensive Helo ASW ops against Subron 7 in MH 29. One manages to increase the contact to 'Good'. Needing extra firepower on its air strikes, the A7's from the Vinson's CAP are landed. 1600 RE: None. Enemy located in 22 (SAG 4), 28 (SAG 5) and 36 (SAG 3). Other enemy surface activity also reported in 50, 51, 52, 61 with new report in 49. Enemy sub located in 22 (Subron 7) and further activity reported in 36, 41, 44, 52 and new report in 43. STRIKES: No US strikes, and the Soviet Backfire strike fails to locate the US task force. But the new contact reported in hex 49D turns out to include a Soviet CV, which launches a single squadron of Yak36's at TF20.1! With this Soviet TF revealed, and designated TF9, it maxes out the Soviet surface commitement limit and all unidentifed surface TF can now be removed. The Yaks come in through Entry Area 6, and the Tomcats only manage to inflict one hit. The bombers all head towards the Vinson, drawing area AA fire from the Virginia, Texas, Paul and Semmes. Accuracy is poor and they only inflict 2 temporary and 1 permanent damage. Continuing in, the Soviets evade the Virginia's AA and make it to the Vinson, where its CDF does one further point of temporary damage. Badly shot up, the remaining Yaks still manage to release their diffusion bombs and score a single systems hit on the Vinson! On egress, the Perry inflicts another temporary hit on the package and it returns to base. For the first time since 1945, a US CV has been damaged by enemy aircraft! Hit, but still launch-capable, the Vinson launches ASW patrols to MH 36, which finds 2 false contacts, but also one new submarine contact (Subron 3). In addition, a Recon mission is launched at MH 49 to find out exactly what Soviet TF9 contains. The Recon aircraft identify the Minsk (CVx2), Isakov (CGx2), Grozny (CGx2), 8 x freighters of the invasion fleet, Svetly (DD), Vesky (DD), Bravy (DD), Poltava (FF), Zenchug (FF), Zharky (FF) and Zelonodolsk (FF). TF20.1 rolls up an woeful 3 actions, conducting an intensive ASW Helo search of MH 22, which whiffs, and Vinson'd group moves 50nm NW to 14A, to try to intercept the invasion force, now that it has been positively located. Both F4 squadrons, on CAP in Neskaupstadur, land a begin prepping for a strike. But bad news for the US as the intelligence on both sub contacts degrades, with Subron 7 now back to Approximate and Subron 3 as unknown. 1800 RE: None. Enemy located in 14 (SAG 4), 22 (SAG 5), 29 (SAG 3) and 42 (TF9). Enemy sub located in 22 (Subron 7) and further activity reported in 34, 36, 43, 44, 52 and new report in 42. STRIKE: With the Soviet CV task force located, Vinson launches a counter-strike, consisting of 151 (F-14) as escorts, with the A6 quadron, both squadrons of A7's and the EA-6 Prowlers in EW support. The F-14s engage the Y36 CAP and, led by Maverick and Iceman, destroy every Soviet aircraft, with no loss to themselves. But the bombers are in for a torrid time, as they head straight for the Minsk. Coming in over the freighters, they get good jamming from the EA-6 aircraft, despite area AA from the Minsk, Grozny and Isakov. Only one temporory hit on the A6 and one on 82 squadron (A7). Finally over the Minsk, the air is filled with missles and lead. 86 squadron (A7) draws all the AA and gets 1 perm and 2 temp hits on it. 82 (A7) makes a diffusion bomb attack, and CDF from the Minsk draws 1 perm and 1 temp hit on the Corsairs, which still manage to get a single hit on the CV. Next come the Intruders, and the CDF inflicts another 2 hits on them, before they pickle their bombs for another systems hit. Finally, the beat up 86th gets its shot, suffering another CDF hit, but getting a systems hit which effectively shuts down the Minsk's flight deck. All aircraft egress over freighters without further loss. It has been bloody, but the Minsk is now out of the action for the remainder of the mission. It must leave the invasion task force and attempt to retreat off-map with three ASW frigates. The Y36's were still refuelling from last turn's strike, so nothing from them. And the Badger strike again fails to locate the US ships. TF20.1 rolls another lousy 3 actions, and uses the first to launch a SSM strike against the lone, damaged Statny in the almost depleted SAG 4. US guided missile frigates Paul and Bowen launch all 8 Harpoons in a single wave. Stanty wiffs on AA and later CDF, but manages to jam 2 missiles; however 2 of the remaining 4 Harpoons hit, finally sinking the Statny, and eliminating SAG 4. TF20.1 then moves 50nm NW to hex 13E, only 75nm SE of Neskaupstadur and in good location to intercept any invasion fleet. Forced to retire, Minsk takes the three best frigates, namely Zenchug (FF), Zharky (FF) and Zelonodolsk (FF), with her as the newly-designated SAG 6. Meanwhile TF9 is redesignated SAG 9. 2000 RE: None Enemy located in 21 (SAG 5), 22 (SAG 3), 34 (SAG 9) and 49 (SAG 6). Enemy sub located in 22(Subron 7) and further activity reported in 22, 34, 35, 36, 44, 52 and new report in 35. STRIKE: In the last 2 hours of daylight, both F4 squadrons in Neskaupstadur launch as a strike package against the damaged Minsk. 31 squadron avoids the area AA from Minsk, but 103 squadron takes one hit from the Zelondolsk's AA. Approaching the Minsk, AA fires misses 31 again, as 103 swoops down with diffusion bombs. CDF inflicts one temporary hit on the Phantoms, but they manage to pickle their weapons and score a single systems hit. But in all the confusion, 31 sqaudron has made it through untouched and the Phantom drivers pile on the ordinance, scoring and incredible 5 systems hits on the Minsk, leaving it nothing more than a blazing wreck in the middle of the North Sea. 31 suffers a single hit on egress, but all pilots return to Neskaupstadur to celebrate a Sierra Hotel moment. The Soviet Backfire strike fails to locate the US TF. TF20.1 is now worried about the sub threat as it approaches station in MH 13, the invasion target. Vinson launches ASW patrols to MH 34 and 35. Both contacts in 34 appear to be genuine enemy forces (Subron 6 and Subron 2), while one contact in 35 is false but the other is confirmed as hostile (Subron 5). TF20.1 rolls a handy 6 actions, and decides to remove the threat posed by the SSM-loaded patrol combatants in SAG 5. It (1) moves to 13C and (1) launches 7 waves of 4 Harpoons each, from the Virginia, Texas, Semmes, Perry and Alwyn. Wave 1 - Tambovsky, AA: 0, Jam: All missiles. Wave 2 - Tambovsky, AA: 0, Jam: 3, CDF: 0, one systems hit inflicted. Wave 3 - Grad, AA: 0, Jam: 2, CDF: 0, two hits destroys the Grad. Wave 4 - Terbuny, AA: 0, Jam: 0, CDF: 0, one flotation hit destroys the Terbuny. Wave 5 - Raduga, AA: 0, Jam: 2, CDF: 1, one systems hit inflicted. Wave 6 - Raduga, AA: N/A, Jam: 0, CDF: N/A, one hit destroys the Raduga. Wave 7 - Balykley, AA: 0, Jam: 0, CDF: 0, three hits destroy the Balykley. TF20.1 also conducts an intensive ASW Helo search of MH 22 for Subron 7, but whiffs; and a second intensive search merely merely confirms Subron 7 is still there. The remnants of SAG 5 now move to hex 13C (the same hex as TF20.1) and launch SSMs at the Vinson. 1 wave of 8 SSN-2 enter sector 4. The F14 CAP takes out one, Bowen's AA fire takes out another, as does area AA fire from the Semmes. The five remaining missiles streak toward the Vinson, with the Fast Supply Ship's AA missing, and the area AA from the two cruisers only managing to take out another missle. With 4 missles in the inner ring, Vinson's AA fire is ineffective, but the electronic countermeasures work and all SSN-2 missiles miss the carrier. Meanwhile Subron 7 moves into hex 21E (within 2 hexes of the US TF) so immediately goes Precise, even though it remains at Deep for the time being. It includes 2 SSN, Letya and Frunze. (Remember: -1 action for the US next turn) 2200 [NIGHT] RE: Squalls hit MH 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64, but considering the disposition of forces should have no real effect. Enemy located in 21 (SAG 3), 34 (SAG 9) and 42 (SAG 6). Enemy sub located in hex 21E (Subron 7) is considered to be a clear and present danger to the US task force. STRIKE: Time to do some damage to the invasion fleet. An all-strike force of 151 (F-14), the 3 damaged Corsair and Intruder squadrons and the EA-6 aircraft heads towards SAG 9 in the darkness. They all go after the unsupported Freighter 6, with the F-14s going in first. AA misses, as does the CDF and the Tomcats inflict 1 systems hit with their diffusion bomb attacks. 82 squadron is next and the CDF inflicts one loss, causing the Corsairs to miss entirely. But their sister squadron gets through unscathed and inflicts another systems hit. With the freighter burning, the Intruders all pickle their bombs on an easy target, inflicting the final 2 systems hits needed to sink Freighter 6. NOTE: Net Soviet losses have now exceeded 50% of their starting commitment level, and they will have to start rolling for withdrawal in the next Terminal Phase. Backfires fail to locate the US task force. MODE: Subron 7 moves to Shallow mode, in preparation for an attack on TF20.1. TF20.1 rolls a very convenient 7 actions (including -1 for the previous turns' Precise sub report). It first engages the two remining PC in its hex in Gunnery combat. Neither Soviet ship is screened, but the Vinson is. Virginia fires at Tambovsky for a hit, and the damaged Tambovsky is sunk. Texas, Semmes, Alwyn, Bowen and Paul all fire against the remaining Gornyy, with hits from the Semmes and Paul sinking the Soviet PC, and destroying SAG 5. TF20.1 then heads to 21E, and conducts SSM combat against the adjacent SAG 3. Virginia and Texas fire their Harpoon reloads in 4 waves of 4 missiles, while Semmes and Perry launch all their Standard missiles in a single wave of 8 missiles. Wave 1 - 8 x Standard. Overflying Bodry on their way to Slavy, Bodry's AA misses, as does Slavny's area AA. Attacking Slavny in the centre ring, its AA misses, jamming is unsuccessful and CDF also misses. Of the 8 missiles, only two manage to hit, but that is enough to sink the Slavny. Wave 2 - 4 x Harpoon. Bodry, AA: 0, Jam: 0, CDF: 1, 2 hits sink the Bodry. Wave 3 - 4 x Harpoon. Rubin, AA: 0, Jam: All wave 4 - 4 x Harpoon. Rubin, AA: 0, Jam: 0, CDF: 1, 3 hits sink the Rubin. Wave 5 - 4 x Harpoon. Gomel, AA: 0, Jam: 0, CDF: 0, 2 hits sink the Gomel. NOTE: SAG 3 is destroyed and the Soviets have now reached 66% net losses, based on their starting commitment level. Finally, TF20.1 conducts and ASW attack on the two Soviet SSN in 21E, inflicting a single flotation damage on the Letya. SOVIET ACTIONS: The US Admiral must be thinking of John Paul Jones, because he has really put the carrier group "into Harm's way", in the form of a couple of grumpy Soviet SSNs. Frunze fires 1 wave of 8 SSN-3 missiles at the Vinson. Arriving through entry area 4, the F14s shoot down 2 missiles. Bowen's AA hits another one, but Semmes Area AA misses completely. As they move closer, both cruiser's area AA are effective, shooting down another 3 missiles, but the Fast Resupply Ship's shoulder-launched Stingers all miss. The final two missiles approach the Vinson, whose AA fires misses and jamming proves unsuccessful. The CDF gets one, but the remaining SSN-3 hits the CV for another systems hit. Vinson now has two systems hits and loses her ability to conduct Helo operations. The 2 Soviet subs stick around and try for a torpedo shot. Letya arrives in area 4, Frunze in area 6. Alwyn and Semmes attack Letya with their area ASW weapons, but fail to score a hit. Letya is damaged, so she must target the Semmes, and scores a lone flotation hit. Semmes is listing, but still floating. "I have not yet begun to fight", declares the Captain over the tannoy. Frunze is attacked by area ASW weapons from the ASW frigates Paul and Bowen, with Paul inflicting a flotation hit. Now damaged, Frunze lines up its attacker and puts 2 torpedoes into the Paul, breaking its keel and sinking it within minutes. NOTE: Even with the loss of the Paul, net VPs are still more than 66% of the starting commitment level of the Soviets. In the Terminal Phase, the Soviets fail their withdrawal die roll and commence a general retirement. Final dispositions - TF20.1 is in hex 21E. SAG 9 is in 27A, turned around a mere 150nm NE of its target, Neskaupstadur, Iceland; SAG 6 is in 42E. Letya and Frunze are at Shallow in 21E; and identifed Subrons in 21D, 34F and 29B, with further sub reports in MH 29, 35, 36 and 44. A major US victory in the North Sea! "Anchors Away", my lads!