


 
                                                07/11/1990


                     THE RED HERRING EXPRESS
                       
                     NACVRW01 BY BASHI BAZOUK


      In the halls of the United States Naval Academy each cadet is 
required to study the battle "Red Ball".  Red Ball took place in the 
winter of 1993 early January during the transit of convoy NATO2789.  The 
few merchant mariner survivors called the transit "The Red Herring 
Express" because the ocean was found to be full of Russian subs.
 

    With the surprise attack on NATO during the Holidays making a 
devastating blow to the front lines.  A convoy has quickly been put 
together in the harbor of New York.  Due to the defense budget cutbacks in 
the pursuit of a peace dividend.  The Staten Island naval base was never 
built.  Therefore there are no naval forces in New York to escort NATO2789 
to St. Mawagan.  As the North Atlantic Naval Convoy Commander.  You are to 
arrange a escort from the naval base in Norfolk.  Convoy NATO2789 is to 
transit the Atlantic to St. Mawgan  England.  The convoy has been put 
together with a mix of merchants and tankers and two military transports 
with reinforcement troops.  In Norfolk is also a amphibious ship full of 
marines and aircraft which must make the transit. 
 

 Much debate went on at the time the convoy was formed as to the 
proper configuration and make up of the convoy.  There was even arguments 
in favor of more than one instead of a one large convoy.  These debates 
are still carried over into the studies of Red Ball at the academy.  The 
orders from the Pentagon state that the convoy is to make the transit as a 
single large one due to the enhanced protection provided.  You as convoy 
commander is to insure that enough troop transports, tankers, merchants, 
and the marine amphib ship make it across. ( victory conditions 1 transport 
2 tankers - 1 containership - 1 merchant - LHA Tarawa ). 
 

 In time of war orders are not always followed and it is tolerated 
as long as the objective is met.  So get them across as fast as possible 
and in one piece.  This was the most decorated battle of the conflict. 
Now it is your turn to see if you can make it.  Intelligence indicates 
that there are so many subs and decoys in the Atlantic it cannot give you 
any accurate data except that the sea is full of "Red Herrings".  The 
French have sortied a ASW carrier group and will head full steam to meet 
convoy NATO2789 approx half way.


NOTE 1.  This scenario is set up to be played only from the Blue side as 
         the computer plays the Red. 

Downloaded From Dr. Whos Harpoon Page, filename NACVRW01.


