Naval Command – Campaign

Falklands 1982

Falklands Conflict Campaign Guide for use with the Naval Command wargame rules

By Rory Crabb Naval Command – Campaign

Falklands 1982

Introduction

The Falklands conflict was a ten-week war fought between and the over the British overseas territories of the , South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The conflict began on the 2nd of April 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the following day.

On the 5th of April the British Government dispatched a naval taskforce to re-capture the islands. The Conflict lasted for 72 days until the Argentine surrender on the 14th of June.

This campaign guide will allow Naval Command players to re-fight key engagements of the conflict and to play a number of “what-if” scenarios.

Some of the scenarios (especially those re-creating air attacks on specific ships) will be very quick to play using the Naval Command rules. It is therefore suggested that these are played in conjunction with other scenarios. For example if a ship survives one scenario it will be available to the player in the next.

HMS Invincible returns to Portsmouth (UK), Victorious

Campaign Map

Map courtesy of the Department of History, United States Military Academy

Historical Scenarios

Attack on the Santa Fe (25th April 1982)

The Argentine Santa Fe has just completed its mission of ferrying a party of marines to Grtviken in South Georgia and is returning to sea. British are in the area keeping a sharp lookout. Santa Fe must safely exit the area and escape to open sea.

Royal Navy Forces

 HMS Antrim (Type 21 )  HMS Plymouth (Rothesay Class Frigate)  HMS Brilliant (Type 22 Frigate)

Argentine Forces  ARA Santa Fe (Balao Class Submarine)

Battle Area and Deployment

The frigates must deploy first anywhere in the area marked on the diagram.

The submarine Santa Fe may deploy within the square area shown on the diagram. The submarine begins the game on the surface.

SantaExit Fe Navy Royal

Santa Fe

British Victory Conditions

In order to win the game the British frigates must sink or cripple the Santa Fe with eight turns.

Argentine Victory Conditions

The Santa Fe must safely exit the area in as shown on the diagram within eight turns.

Air Battle (1st May 1982)

Royal Navy Sea Harriers are launched to intercept an Argentine strike force. The Argentine Air Force has been launched to incorrect intelligence that amphibious landings are already underway.

Royal Navy Forces

 HMS Invincible (Invincible Class Carrier)  6 x Sea Harrier

Argentine Forces

 2x A4 Skyhawks  2 x IAI Daggers  2 x Canberras  2 x Mirage III  Airbase – Off Table

Battle Area and Deployment

The Argentine aircraft enter the area on the first turn. All British aircraft begin the game on-board their carrier (with the exception of CAP aircraft).

Navy Royal

Argentine Air Force

British Victory Conditions

In order to win the game the British Harriers must destroy or drive off all of the Argentine Aircraft.

Argentine Victory Conditions

In order to win the game Argentine Strike Force must destroy or drive off all of the British Aircraft.

British Sea Harriers Sinking of the Belgrano (2nd May 1982)

The British Nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror is on a search and destroy mission.

Royal Navy Forces

 HMS Conqueror (Churchill Class Submarine)

Argentine Forces

 ARA General Belgrano (Brooklyn Class Cruiser)  ARA Piedra Buena (Allen M Sumner Class )  ARA Bouchard (Allen M Sumner Class Destroyer)  YPF Puerto Rosales (Tanker)

Battle Area and Deployment

All ships are deployed using blinds. The Argentine ships deploy first and are positioned at one end of the area in a 30 x 30cm square. The HMS Conqueror may deploy anywhere on the table as long as it is not within 30cm of an enemy vessel or blind marker.

ExitArgentine Argentine

Battle HMS Conqueror

Group

British Victory Conditions

In order to win the game the British Submarine must cripple or sink at least one enemy vessel within eight turns.

Argentine Victory Conditions

In order to win the game Argentine ships must exit the opposite end of the area within eight turns without losing any ships.

The sinking Belgrano Attack on the Sheffield (4th May 1982)

The British Frigate HMS Sheffield is attacked by an Argentine air strike.

Royal Navy Forces

 HMS Sheffield (Type 42 Destroyer [Batch 1])  HMS Coventry (Type 42 Destroyer [Batch 1])  HMS Glasgow (Type 42 Destroyer [Batch 1])

Argentine Forces

 1x SP-2H Neptune AEW Aircraft  6x Super Etendards ()

Battle Area and Deployment

All ships are deployed using blinds. The British Ships Deploy First. The Argentine SP-2H Neptune AEW Aircraft enters the area on the first turn. The Super Etendards may only enter the area once one of the British ships has been detected. Two Super Etendards may enter the area each turn.

Royal

Navy entine Air Force Air entine

Arg

British Victory Conditions

In order to win the game the British Ships must survive for at least four turns.

Argentine Victory Conditions

In order to win the game Argentine aircraft must sink at least one enemy ship within four turns.

HMS Sheffield Attack on the Coventry (25th May 1982)

British Frigates HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword are acting as a decoy for enemy aircraft to draw them away from the amphibious landings taking place in San Carlos Water.

Royal Navy Forces

 HMS Coventry (Type 42 Destroyer [Batch 1])  HMS Broadsword (Type 22 Frigate [Batch 1])

Argentine Forces

 6x A4 Skyhawks (Bombs)  1x SP-2H Neptune AEW Aircraft

Battle Area and Deployment

All ships are deployed using blinds. The British Ships Deploy First. The Argentine SP-2H Neptune AEW Aircraft enters the area on the first turn. The A4 Skyhawks may only enter the area once one of the British ships has been detected. Two A4 Skyhawks may enter the area each turn.

Argentine Air Force

Royal Navy

British Victory Conditions

In order to win the game the British Ships must survive for at least four turns.

Argentine Victory Conditions

In order to win the game Argentine aircraft must sink at least one enemy ship within four turns.

HMS Coventry The Battle of San Carlos Water (21st – 25th May 1982)

Amphibious landings are taking place in San Carlos water. The Naval task force must survive numerous Argentine air strike and safely land as many troops as possible.

Royal Navy Fleet

Rather than use all of the ships historically involved in the battle, the British player selects from the fleet lists as follows.

- 1x Aircraft Carrier - 1x Assault Ship - 1x Auxiliary Ship - 2x Merchant Ships - 2x /Frigates

Royal Navy Air Cover

 HMS Hermes (Centaur Class Carrier) – Off Table  HMS Invincible (Invincible Class Carrier – Off Table

Royal Navy Landing Force

 HMS Fearless (Fearless Class Landing Ship)  HMS Intrepid (Fearless Class Landing Ship)  RFA Sir Geraint (Auxiliary Landing Ship)  RFA Sir Tristram (Auxiliary Landing Ship)  RFA Sir Galahad (Auxiliary Landing Ship)  RFA Sir Percivale (Auxiliary Landing Ship)  RFA Sir Lancelot (Auxiliary Landing Ship)  RFA Fort Austin (Auxiliary Landing Ship)  SS Canberra (Merchant Passenger Ship)  Europic Ferry 4 (merchant RoRo)  Elk 5 (Merchant RoRo)

Royal Navy Escort Force

 HMS Ardent (Type 21 Frigate)  HMS Antelope (Type 21 Frigate)  HMS Brilliant (Type 22 Frigate)  HMS Argonaut (Leander Class Frigate)  HMS Plymouth (Rothesay Class Frigate)  HMS Yarmouth (Rothesay Class Frigate)  HMS Antrim (County Class Destroyer)

Argentine Air Forces

The Argentine force for this scenario only includes aircraft. After strikes or if driven off aircraft can return to their off table airbase to re-arm and re-fuel. The Argentine player has the following aircraft.  6x A4 Skyhawks  4x IAI Daggers  4x Mirage III  4x FMA OA-58 Pucara  4x SP-2H Neptune AEW Aircraft  1x Airbase (Off Table)

Battle Area and Deployment

All ships are deployed using blinds. The British Fleet deploy first as shown on the diagram. Argentine AEW aircraft enter the battle area during the first turn. Once targets have been detected the Argentine Air Force may begin to launch airstrikes.

Royal Navy

Argentine Air Force Air Argentine

Target Area

British Victory Conditions

In order to win the game the British must land at least 60% of their ground forces within 20 turns.

Argentine Victory Conditions

In order to win the game Argentine aircraft must prevent the British from landing 60% of their ground forces within 20 turns.

HMS Fearless in San Carlos Water Hypothetical Scenarios

These are ideas for possible scenarios that could be played around the Falklands Conflict. These are “what-if” situations that never happened in reality. Players may wish to create their own scenarios or use the scenarios provided in the Naval Command core rules.

Carrier Attack

The Argentine aircraft carrier Veinticinco de Mayo and its escorts enters the conflict area. A British battlegroup is sent to intercept.

Fleet Engagement

The bulk of the Argentine fleet and the Royal Navy taskforce make contact in a devastating battle at sea.

Task Force Intercept

Argentine ships and attempt to intercept the task force before its arrival at the Islands. The Royal navy must protect the landing ships and merchant navy ships from the attackers.

Mainland Strike

The conflict escalates leading to British amphibious forces carrying out an attack on the Argentine mainland.

ARA Veinticinco de Mayo

Royal Navy Task Force

Aircraft Carriers

Centaur Class Aircraft Carrier (STOVL Conversion) [1953] FP: 5 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 4/5/6 Missile Defence 7+/12 Target 4+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 7+/30 Special Features: Carrier [5] Aircraft: 4x Sea Harrier, 2x Sea King ASW

. HMS Hermes – Task Force Flagship

Invincible Class Aircraft Carrier [1980] FP: 5 Max Speed 8 EW 5+ Damage Levels 4/5/6 Missile Defence 6+/12 Target 4+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/30 Special Features: Carrier [5] Aircraft: 5x Sea Harrier, 2x Sea King ASW

. HMS Invincible

Assault Ships

Fearless Class Assault Ship [1965] FP: 3 Max Speed 6 EW 4+ Damage Levels 4/5/6 Missile Defence 8+/12 Target 4+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 7+/12 Special Features: Carrier [2]/ Transport [20]/ 6 x Landing Craft, Aircraft: 2 x Sea King Transport

. HMS Fearless . HMS Intrepid

Destroyers

County Class Destroyer [1962] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 3+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 8+/20 Target 5+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/20 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Wessex Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 4 x 4.5” Gun 12 - 2 - Torpedoes 12 +1 5 6/6

. HMS Antrim . HMS Glamorgan

Type 82 Class Destroyer [1973] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 3/4/5 Missile Defence 6+/20 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 5+/20 Special Features: ASW, Flight Deck Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 4.5” Gun 12 - 2 - Ikara ASW Missile 10 +1 6 2/24 Torpedoes 12 5 6/6

. HMS Bristol

Type 42 Class Destroyer (Batch I) [1975] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 6+/20 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/20 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Lynx (AEW/ASW/Strike) Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 4.5” Gun 12 - 2 - Torpedoes 12 +1 6 6/6

. HMS Sheffield . HMS Coventry . HMS Glasgow . HMS Cardiff . HMS Exeter

Frigates

Type 12M Rothesay Class Frigate [1960] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 8+/12 Target 5+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/12 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Wasp Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 2 x 4.5” Gun 12 - 3 - ASW Mortar 1 -1 4 3/3 Torpedoes 12 +1 5 6/6

. HMS Yarmouth . HMS Plymouth

Type 12L Leander Class Frigate (Batch II) [1963] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 7+/12 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/12 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Lynx (AEW/ASW/Strike) Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 4.5” Gun 12 - 2 - Exocett 70 +0 6 4/4 Torpedoes 12 +1 5 6/6

. HMS Andromeda . HMS Argonaut . HMS Minerva . HMS Penelope

Type 21 Amazon Class Frigate [1974] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 7+/12 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 6+ Air Defence 6+/12 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Lynx (AEW/ASW/Strike) Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 4.5” Gun 12 - 2 - Exocett 70 +0 6 4/4 Torpedoes 12 +1 6 6/6

. HMS Ardent . HMS Antelope . HMS Active . HMS Alacrity . HMS Ambuscade . HMS Avenger . HMS Arrow Type 22 Broadsword Class Frigate (Batch I) [1979] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 5+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 5+/12 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 5+/12 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Lynx (AEW/ASW/Strike) Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo Exocett 72 +0 6 4/4 Torpedoes 12 +1 6 6/6

. HMS Broadsword . HMS Brilliant

Attack Submarines

Churchill Class Submarine [1970] FP: 3 Max Speed 5/8 EW 5+ Damage Levels 1/2/3 Missile Defence - Target 6+ UEW 6+ Damage Control 7+ Air Defence - Special Features: ASW Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo Torpedoes 12 +0 12 1/15

. HMS Conqueror . HMS Courageous

Swiftsure Class Submarine [1973] FP: 4 Max Speed 5/8 EW 5+ Damage Levels 1/2/3 Missile Defence - Target 6+ UEW 6+ Damage Control 7+ Air Defence - Special Features: ASW Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo Torpedoes 12 +1 12 1/15

. HMS Spartan . HMS Splendid

Fixed Wing Fast Jet Aircraft

Fixed Wing Aircraft Combat Radius CS Damage Dogfight Sea Harrier [Strike/ Interceptor] 400 +1 8 +1

Helicopters

AEW Aircraft and Helicopters Speed EW CS Damage Dogfight Wasp 4+ +0 4 -4 Whirlwind Transport 30 3+ +0 - -4 Whirlwind ASW 30 3+ +0 4 -4 Wessex Transport Helicopter 30 4+ +0 - -4 Wessex ASW Helicopter 30 4+ +0 4 -4 Sea king ASW Helicopter 30 5+ +1 6 -2 Sea King Transport Helicopter 30 5+ +1 - -3 Lynx Strike Helicopter 40 6+ +1 6 -1 Lynx AEW Helicopter 40 6+ +1 - -1 Lynx ASW Helicopter 40 6+ +1 - -1

Argentine Fleet

Aircraft Carrier

Collossus Class Aircraft Carrier [1944] FP: 5 Max Speed 8 EW 3+ Damage Levels 4/5/6 Missile Defence 6+/12 Target 4+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 5+/12 Special Features: Carrier [2/2] Aircraft: 5x A4 Skyhawks, 1 x S2 Tracker AEW, 2x Sea King ASW

. ARA Veinticino de Mayo

Cruisers

Brooklyn Class Cruiser [1938] FP: 4 Max Speed 8 EW 3+ Damage Levels 4/5/6 Missile Defence 6+/12 Target 3+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 6+ Air Defence 6+/18 Special Features: ASW Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 15 x 6” Guns 12 - 3 - 8 x 5” Guns 12 - 2 -

. ARA General Belgrano

Destroyers

Type 42 Class Destroyer (Batch I) [1975] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 6+/18 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/18 Special Features: ASW Aircraft: 1 x Lynx (AEW/ASW/Strike) Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 4.5” Gun 12 - 2 - Torpedoes 12 +1 6 6/6

. ARA Hercules . ARA Santisima Trinidad

Allen M Sumner Class Destroyer [1943] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 3+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 8+/18 Target 5+ UEW 2+ Damage Control 6+ Air Defence 6+/18

Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 6 x 5” Gun 12 - 2 - Torpedoes 12 +1 6 5/10

. ARA Hipolito Bouchard . ARA Piedrabuena . ARA Comodoro Segui . ARA Comodoro Py

Corvettes

Drummond Class Corvette [1978] FP: 2 Max Speed 8 EW 4+ Damage Levels 2/3/4 Missile Defence 8+/18 Target 5+ UEW 3+ Damage Control 5+ Air Defence 6+/18 Special Features: ASW Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo 100mm Gun 12 - 2 - Exocett 70 +0 6 4/4 Torpedoes 12 +1 6 6/6

. ARA Drummond . ARA Guerrico . ARA Granville

Attack Submarines

Type 209 Submarine [1971] FP: 3 Max Speed 4/6 EW 4+ Damage Levels 1/2/3 Missile Defence - Target 7+ UEW 6+ Damage Control 8+ Air Defence - Special Features: ASW, Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo Torpedoes 12 -1 8 1/22

. ARA San Luis

Balao Class (GUPPY Programme) Submarine [1943] FP: 3 Max Speed 4/6 EW 3+ Damage Levels 1/2/3 Missile Defence - Target 7+ UEW 5+ Damage Control 7+ Air Defence - Special Features: ASW Weapon Range CS Damage Ammo Torpedoes 12 -1 8 1/22

. ARA Santa Fe

Fixed Wing Fast Jet Aircraft

Fixed Wing Aircraft Combat Radius CS Damage Dogfight A4 Skyhawk 600 +0 8 +2 Super Etendard 500 +1 10 +2 Mirage III 600 +1 8 +2 IAI Dagger 600 +1 8 +2 Canberra 800 +0 10 -3 FMA IA 58 Pucara 180 -1 6 -2

AEW Aircraft and Helicopters

AEW Aircraft and Helicopters Speed EW CS Damage Dogfight S2 Tracker AEW 40 4+ +2 - -3 SP-2H Neptune Lynx Helicopter ASW 40 6+ +1 5 -1 Alouette A103 40 6+ +1 5 -1 Sea King Transport Helicopter 30 5+ +1 - -3