HOWARD'S HUNT
Downloaded from Firedrake.org, filename HUNT.

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 HOWARD'S HUNT is one of the more unusual Harpoon scenarios I've done. It is certainly one of the most challenging. In a moment, why. First, though, some background. This scenario examines further the resumption of the Great War first introduced in SEA LION, an HDS II scenario, once mine, and now Three-Sixty's. Additional scenarios are now available examining other facets of this alternate history storyline. I will also explain how to make a "movie" out of Harpoon scenarios. [Lastly, for those familiar with PacifiCon, see 7.7 below.]

1.2 Howard Kline. Captain in the German Navy. Forty-two. Father of a boy and two girls. Posted in late 1992 to Ras Karma as West Indian Ocean Squadron Commandant. Recently nominated for flag rank. Blond. Blue eyed. A Jew.

1.3 One of the most chilling consequences of the actual Allied victory in the First World War was the Holocaust. Something the German victory in this Alternate History storyline mercifully omits. The German Empire reaped many rewards from this sanity. Einstein doesn't emigrate...

1.4 But this is a story of war. And Howard Kline is a professional warrior; and a sailor, and a German Patriot, loyal to the Emperor. So this is also a story about Howard, a story about Howard's Hunt, the first successful page in the German version of this History...

1.5 When war once again arose in Europe, it quickly spread its bloody arms around the world. All in all, the Great War had only been interrupted. It had never ended. In their hearts, everyone knew that. They had just forgotten. Now, History was demanding that Humanity get on with it; finally settle things, and move on to the next chapter.

1.51 Howard Kline will be a part of that final, awful reckoning. On the morning of July 2nd, though, such grand images were not on his mind. The terrible news from Home was. As were the orders the young Signals Lieutenant had just decoded for him. MOST PRIVATE AND PRIVILEGED. An invitation to War. Come as you are.

1.52 To put it kindly, Howard and his Command weren't ready. In reality, how do you ever really get ready for a war you never expected would actually come? Oh, you pass inspections with highest marks. Your people always win the annual BLACK AND GOLD Exercises. They are trained. You are trained. They are professionals. You are a professional. They are Germans. You are a German. When the time comes -- and for Howard and the West Indian Ocean Squadron it HAS come -- you know they and you will do their duty. But ready?

1.6 Details associated with the resumption of The Interrupted War as they pertain to Europe are given in other scenarios. Very briefly, the British Empire increasingly circumscribed by what they believe is a covert attempt by the Three German Empires to dominate the Western world economically decides in late 1992 to confront the problem militarily. They create a series of diversions that allow them a pretext to increase their level of military readiness. It is still referred to as "mobilization" in 1993, and is similar in detail to the process followed 80 years earlier. The most notable diversion centers on control of the North Sea, and its oil and fisheries. Most of the world buys it. The misdirection works. It's taken almost a year, but it works...

1.61 Outside of Europe, Britain's empire is still centered on India and South Africa. The latter, in fact, is now crucial to the Crown since the Suez Canal is no longer a British possession, and the route around the bottom of Africa is the safest, least expensive route for British shipping between India and the Home Islands. Eastern Africa is dominated by the Germanys, Western Africa by the French. This scenario centers on the enormous amounts of British, French, and other merchant traffic plying its way through the Indian Ocean, around South Africa, and up the Atlantic to Europe. When war does come, the Germans will attempt to shut this traffic off at the source.

2.0 SITUATION REPORT

2.1 Substantial amounts of Allied shipping are heading into and out of the Indian Ocean, sourcing from and destined for Bombay. This traffic now includes both escorted and unescorted merchants and tankers. Given recent events, it is far more likely that recent departures will be escorted than shipping now approaching Bombay. Captain Kline has just received his orders: commence all out efforts against the commerce of India and the British Empire. (See below for details)

2.2 The West Indian Ocean Squadron has only recently been reinforced by the arrival of the carrier DRAGON. (It is NOT represented in this scenario; it figures prominently in CAT'S PAW.) When the war alert arrives at Ras Karma (representing the main German naval facility in the Indian Ocean) only five German warships are at sea and ready in any sense for immediate action. Four participate in this scenario; the fifth is featured in EMDEN, a companion scenario. The remainder of the enlarged squadron is being refitted after its journey from Europe. A number of smaller missile boats are also refitting.

2.3 Routine maritime patrols have revealed the presence of three hostile submarines in the vicinity of Ras Karma. This number, so close to the German Base, has been of concern to Captain Kline for several days now. They first appeared after the arrival of the DRAGON and its escorts.

2.4 Sources in Bombay report that the British have been conducting a series a exercises centered on one of their two carriers stationed at Bombay. If these reports are accurate, the British are experimenting with using carriers for more than reconnaissance and patrol. Although it has been at sea for almost a month, it is possible that this carrier and its escorts may be diverted to protection of shipping.

2.5 Unknown to the Germans, the French, British, and Russians have been diverting small groups of warships from the Med and the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean in preparation for an amphibious operation in the Arabian peninsula when the war is resumed, and the Turks' attention is drawn northward by the Russians. The Germans ARE aware of increased visits by Russian and French warships at Bombay. Significant amounts of normal commercial shipping are still at sea when the Empires exchange their declarations of war.

3.0 RED ORDERS

3.1 The three known Allied subs patrolling in the vicinity of Ras Karma are to be located and destroyed immediately. It is imperative that the departure of the DRAGON is neither reported or interrupted when it is ready to sail.

3.2 Once the security of the port and its environs has been accomplished, all efforts are to be directed to the location and destruction of Allied merchant shipping. Priority should be accorded oil tankers. Engage Allied warships at your discretion, consistent with the forgoing priorities.


4.0 RESRTICTIONS

None

5.0 TACTICAL NOTES

5.1 This scenario lasts for five days of game time. In order to win, RED must get its warships into action. Although there are a number of lucrative targets well within range of RED airpower at the start of the scenario, they are insufficient to permit achievement of victory. One major shipping route, for example, is along the western coast of the Indian subcontinent. These CANNOT be engaged by air power. The same applies to the Arabian Gulf.

5.2 Many of the BLUE groups in this scenario consist just of cargo ships. These are easy pickings. All RED needs to do is locate these, and to dispose of them whenever convenient. Some of the BLUE groups contain warships, however. These need to be engaged cautiously.

5.3 BLUE has airpower. HArI O will use the aircraft at Bombay to attempt to maintain an umbrella over the shipping lanes approaching Bombay from the southwest. The BLUE carrier also has a number of aircraft attached to it. HArI O will use these to attack anything within range that he can locate. That carrier can start just about anywhere! But HArI O will usually use it to protect that same southwestern shipping route.

5.4 Your first order of business should be the location and destruction of the subs picketing Ras Karma. There are three of them. They are no more than 150 miles from the Base. They could be a lot closer.



6.0 VICTORY CONDITIONS

6.1 MINVIC: sinking 3 subs and 15 cargo vessels

6.2 TOVIC: sinking 5 tankers (plus MINVIC, of course)

6.3 BLUE achieves a MINVIC by sinking two of YOUR vessels, and a TOVIC by sinking three. Remember, you call still achieve TOVIC, even if BLUE gets a MINVIC first. You need to achieve your own MINVIC conditions (you don't get the MINVIC salute though) and then to go for TOVIC.


7.0 DISCUSSION

7.1 This scenario is playable from the RED side ONLY. All of RED's assets are at Ras Karma without orders at the start of the scenario.

7.2 Why do I think this scenario is so good? In order to succeed, you have to have a real operational plan, and you have to be good tactically. Most of all, you need patience! Someone once said that war is interminable boredom interrupted by moments of shear panic. Because of the size of this scenario's playing field, and the sparseness of units, you are going to routinely lose contact with HArI O's units. You are unlikely to become involved in any slugfest type engagements either. You have limited resources, so loadouts and weapons selection (on board your ships) matter. The scenario is as long as it is so that you can appreciate the consequences of prior decisions like you've never done before. You cannot afford to lose much in the way of assets. This is no scenario of attrition! It's about as close as I can come in a long scenario to simulate some of the REAL tension in a Command Center.

7.21 It is roughly two days sailing from Ras Karma to Bombay. Clearly, where you send your four ships matters a lot. Do you send them as a single flotilla, or do you send them out individually? Be very careful about revealing the locations of your units. HArI O will tenaciously attack targets he can locate and reach. Once he gets a whiff, oh boy! He will use ships to spot for his aircraft, etc.

7.22 Knowledge of the capabilities of HArI O's warships is crucial in this one. For example, one of his (French) warships carries missiles that are quite effective against aircraft, but not very effective against sea skimmers like the Exocet or Harpoon. Or against other ships. However, some of his ships ARE quite capable against sea skimmers. 

7.23 Your own ships are NOT defenseless against missile attacks. Although they do not carry anti missile missiles, they do carry point defense guns. Know their field of fire, and turn your ships accordingly if they are under attack. These guns can't stop a barrage, but they CAN stop one or two missiles at a time. I have specifically tested this aspect of the scenario, and have adjusted HArI O's patrols accordingly.

7.24 I have also programmed HArI O's group formations so that many of the ships will change places with time. Know what you're attacking BEFORE you engage! Especially if you're making a second visit to a BLUE group!

7.25 Another thing. Have you ever jettisoned the extra fuel tanks on planes so equipped? NO? Well, it's time you thought about it! Once they've been used (do some arithmetic) all they do is reduce maneuverability.

7.3 Interactive novels will become very popular in the 21st century. This series of scenarios, and the FEW scenarios, give you the vaguest of hints of what those will be like. Unlike these scenarios, however, actions that you will take throughout an interactive novel will be incorporated into subsequent events. The reader will literally be a part of the story! Each reading will be unique and personal. In many respects, the Novel will become Poetry, depending on both author and reader for a fullness of meaning. Oh, and one other thing; I use "reading" in a symbolic sense only. You won't be reading those novels; you'll be playing them. So, when you finally get your first Interactive Novel, remember Howard's Hunt...

7.4 A note on the armament of the Knox. It carries four Harpoons for two launchers. That means that you get a reload after firing the first two. It takes around a half hour to get the second pair ready to fire. Vertical launchers are so much nicer!

7.5 In playtesting this scenario, I have found that accelerating time compression beyond 30:1 can have strange effects, especially on HArI O's ability to patrol effectively. Sorry about that. I know it means a longer scenario, but try not to time compress beyond that point.

7.6 Oh, one other thing. I have promised (in MATRIX SQUIRE) to explain how to turn your Harpoon scenarios into Harpoon Movies. Here goes! On the command line invoking Harpoon, use the zero switch (for example:)
C:\HARPOON>harp386 H2 0
The H switch is for "handle control." Read your manual. The zero is just that, a numeral zero. This puts HArI O in control of both sides; you will still see the scenario from one side or the other, however. For best results, turn off all staff assistant reporting functions. The side you watch from will appear normal in all respects. The other side will be somewhat limited in the information available. However, you will be able to see all units, identify them (if not their loadouts), and know where they are going.

7.61 A word of caution. I have talked to Three Sixty. They have agreed to the release of the above information. They are adamant, however, in cautioning this IS NOT A SUPPORTED OPTION. Strange things can, and do, occur. So, if you use it, don't bug 'em if it doesn't do what you WANT it to do. Just use it as is!

7.62 Having said that, if you don't have the Scenario Editor, this option is one good way to see what you are up against in any new scenario. Start up a new scenario using the zero option, see what you are up against, and then restart the scenario WITHOUT the zero option. In the case of my scenarios, this won't help too much in actually playing the scenarios since I believe that I give you all the necessary information in my write ups, and the variable starting conditions eliminate any "advantage" gained from knowing where HArI O's units were in the last run of the scenario.

7.7 One last word. Rod Graves advises that this scenario and Cat's Paw were played at the recent PacifiCon in California. Three folks were able to win both. A tip of the cap to all of them! I mention this only to assure you that the scenarios CAN be won. The only difference between the scenarios used at the Convention and what you have here is the inclusion of variable starting positions for some of the groups. They were removed from the PacifiCon versions to enhance repeatability; a person could not complain about "unfair" starting conditions. Not that it matters all that much!

<from the workshop and temporal stores
 of Cobalt Shiva, 73577,1755>

(c) 1993 Cobalt Shiva
