"Catapult" Vengence-Scenario updated 6/22

afilter · **afilter**

I have been contemplating this scenario for some time now. I finally put it in writing. It is intended to be played using our large map rules:

http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/about7382.html

******Scenario Updated 6/22****** Changes in red

Enjoy!

"Catapult" Vengence

It is June 1940 as the German blitzkrieg drives through France. The French fleet manages to escape capture and relocates to friendly British ports as well as French North Africa. As the French government is negotiating terms of surrender the allies are eager to find out what will become of French fleet. The French navy cannot fall into German control tipping the scales in the Mediterranean and Atlantic challenging long time British control of the seas.

In late June as the French are negotiating terms to surrender Churchill and the admiralty launch operation “Catapult” to seize control of the French fleet or disable it before Germany can lay claim to it.

On June 28th, Force H was created under the command of Vice-Admiral James Somerville. The flagship for Force H was 'HMS Hood'; the battleships 'Resolution' and 'Valiant' and the carrier 'Ark Royal' with eleven destroyers made up this force. It was to be based in Gibraltar.
On July 1st, Somerville received his first order as the commander of Force H - "to secure the transfer, surrender or destruction" of the French warships in North Africa. On July 3rd, Force H arrived at Mers el Kébir and the commander of the French ships there, Admiral Gensoul, was given four choices:

1) Join the British fleet and continue to fight the Germans
2) Be escorted to the West Indies or to a British port
3) Have the ships disarmed at Oran under the supervision of the British
4) Scuttle the ships where they were harbored.

The most powerful concentration of French warships at the time was the squadron at the port of Mers-el-Kébir in French Algeria. This consisted of the old battleships Provence and Bretagne, the modern battleships (or battlecruisers) Dunkerque and Strasbourg, the seaplane tender Commandant Teste and six destroyers under the command of Admiral Marcel-Bruno Gensoul. British Admiral James Somerville of Force H, based in Gibraltar, was ordered to deliver an ultimatum to the French, stating:

It is impossible for us, your comrades up to now, to allow your fine ships to fall into the power of the German enemy. We are determined to fight on until the end, and if we win, as we think we shall, we shall never forget that France was our Ally, that our interests are the same as hers, and that our common enemy is Germany. Should we conquer we solemnly declare that we shall restore the greatness and territory of France. For this purpose we must make sure that the best ships of the French Navy are not used against us by the common foe. In these circumstances, His Majesty's Government have instructed me to demand that the French Fleet now at Mers el Kebir and Oran shall act in accordance with one of the following alternatives;
(a) Sail with us and continue the fight until victory against the Germans.
(b) Sail with reduced crews under our control to a British port. The reduced crews would be repatriated at the earliest moment.
If either of these courses is adopted by you we will restore your ships to France at the conclusion of the war or pay full compensation if they are damaged meanwhile.
(c) Alternatively if you feel bound to stipulate that your ships should not be used against the Germans unless they break the Armistice, then sail them with us with reduced crews to some French port in the West Indies — Martinique for instance — where they can be demilitarized to our satisfaction, or perhaps be entrusted to the United States and remain safe until the end of the war, the crews being repatriated.
If you refuse these fair offers, I must with profound regret, require you to sink your ships within 6 hours.
Finally, failing the above, I have the orders from His Majesty's Government to use whatever force may be necessary to prevent your ships from falling into German hands.

Negotiations failed and the British force was forced to open fire on the French still in port. During the attack the Strasbourg and 4 destroyers managed to sortie and flee to the port of Toulan. The remainder of the French fleet lay in shambles at Mers el Kebir including the French Battleship Dunkerque.

Somerville then turned his attention to the new Fast battleship Richelieu which was being held up at Dakar. He dispatched the HMS Ark Royal and HMS Resolution to assist a sizeable taskforce that included HMS Hermes, HMS Barham which were already at Dakar monitoring the Richelieu.
On the Morning of July 4th the French were outraged to learn of the tragic turn of events that had occurred the night before. They could not believe their ally would turn on them and vowed revenge. On the evening of July 4th the French counterattacked bombing the British at Gibraltar causing heavy damages. The task force Somerville had sent to Dakar was intercepted by two French subs and in a daring attack two torpedoes slammed into HMS Resolution bringing her to a halt. A third torpedo then rocked the old battleship amid ship sending fires deep inside which ignited a magazine almost sinking the ship leaving her crippled. After battling fires all day the task force turned back early in the evening with the Resolution in tow.

At the same time as darkness fell the Richelieu sailed from Dakar taking the British by surprise. As the British maneuvered to intercept a powerful salvo slammed into the HMS Hermes setting her afire. The HMS Barham quickly returned fire to no avail. This night would belong to the French. The Barham was straddled by the next salvo. As the Captain ordered a hard right rudder the third salvo scored a direct hit knocking out the X turret and the rudder. The Richelieu and her escorts escaped into the night leaving the Hermes ablaze and the Braham crippled.

As the shocked British sailors struggled to save their ships the HMAS Australia, and three destroyers were dispatched to give pursuit and shadow the Richelieu who was now sailing east to rendezvous with the remainder of the French Navy in the Med. Additionally, the admiralty ordered the HMS Rodney and HMS Illustrious enroute to Gibraltar from the Home fleet to join up with the shadowing force and Hunt the Richelieu.

A French cruiser force was in route from Toulan which linked up with the Strasbourg and her escorts. The incomplete, but dangerous Jean Bart also set sail from Casablanca.
Events are in motion for a powerful show down with the remnants of Somerville’s Force H and the powerful French battle group. The French are determined to exact complete revenge for the unprovoked attack on their sovereignty.

Somerville knows he must intercept and destroy the Richelieu before it can unite with of other French warship to form an even more powerful combined taskforce.

Order of Battle:

British:

Force H:
HMS Hood -48
HMS Valiant (Warspite with no long shot) -46
HMS Ark Royal (3 Swordfish) -22 -30
HMS Kent -13
4 Destroyers (Javelin) -36

British Shadowing force:
HMAS Australia (Canberra) -15
3 Destroyers (Javelin) -27

Hunting Task Force:
HMS Rodney-53
HMS Illustrious (2 swordfish) -20-20

French:

Dakar Group:
Richelieu -54
2 Destroyers (Le Terrible) -18

Toulon Group:
Strasbourg (Dunkeque) -36
Gloire -14
Gorges Leygues -14
Montcalm -14
3 Destroyers (Le Terrible) -27

Jean Bart -34
3 Casabianca -27

Deployment:

1.Force H starts on East end of Map first 3 rows
2.Dakar Group deploys on West end of Map
3.French Subs deploy in middle two rows of Map
4.British Shadowing Group enters West end of Map on Turn 3
5.British Hunting TF enters West end of Map on Turn 4
6.Toulon Group Enters North East Corner of Map Turn 5
7.Jean Bart Enters South East Corner of Map on turn 7

Objectives:

British:
50 extra points if they prevent the Richelieu from crossing the center of the map and linking up with other French forces

French:

50 points if the Richelieu exits the East end of the Map

25 extra points for each British BB or CV sunk

Victory:
Highest point total wins

Battle Report

Note: Battle report is form original scenario

On the morning of July 6th 1940 Admiral Somerville with Force H sailed westward through the Med intent on finding the French battleship Richelieu.

36 hours ago in response to the British operation Catapult the Richelieu and her escorts broke out from Dakar and are steaming eastward to link up with the remnants of the French Navy in order to get revenge for the British attack at Mers el Kebir. In her wake the Richelieu left the HMS Hermes ablaze and the battleship HMS Barham crippled with no rudder control. Despite a valiant effort by the royal Navy the Hermes could not be saved and capsized 24 hours ago while in tow back to Gibraltar. Somerville knows he cannot allow the Richelieu to reach the rest of the French units.

Just then a report comes in from a patrol aircraft the French battleship has been spotted just over the horizon. She is sailing on a direct intercept course with Force H.

The deck of the HMS Ark Royal comes to life as three flights of Swordfish that had been standing ready begin to take to the air. The brave pilots range out in their aircraft in search of their target. It does not take long before the giant fast moving ship comes into sight. The pilots take their planes down low just over the choppy wave tops. At times the can feel the water spray through the prop. As the move closer and closer the French ships open up with a deadly barrage of Anti aircraft fire exploding all around the string kites. At the last moment one flight of swordfish forced to veer off course due to the heavy fire. The other two flights continue to press through the intense fire. At the last possible moment the planes drop their fish in the water and pull up just missing the deck and superstructure of the French ship. As they strain to look back the big ship is violently rocked and a 100 ft geyser shoots into the air.

SUCCESS! One of the torpedoes ran true crashing into the powerful ship. He pilots celebrate and radio back the news as the head back to the Ark Royal. Admiral Somerville breathes a sigh of relief that they have found the Richelieu and drawn first blood, but he knows this fight is not over.

A radio man comes in with a message from the HMAS Australia. The Australia along with her destroyers has been shadowing the French since they left the waters off Dakar. The message states that the Richelieu has circled back and is closing quick. The shadowing force was not planning for this and is caught off guard. Since the French have more firepower at range the HMAS Australia and her destroyers are making a desperate torpedo run in an attempt to even the odds.

Somerville knows the shadowing force cannot withstand those odds. He orders full ahead toward the sound of the guns. He will not hear from the Australia or her crew again as he sees a series of flashes on the horizon.
What he does not know is that his force is also in grave danger. The Richelieu is not alone. As the British speed ahead to the aid of the HMAS Australia just below the waves danger lurks. The same submarines that crippled the HMS Resolution two days earlier have linked up with another and are waiting for the unsuspecting Royal Navy.

This time the torpedoes do not run true and run just past the HMS Kent. The alarm goes forth and the destroyers move out to locate and eliminate the deadly threat from below.

First one and then another are found and depth charged repeatedly. Just when all signs point to success the HMS Kent is rocked by a violent explosion and a geyser shoots up from the bow. An elusive French submariner has found his mark crippling the hapless cruiser. The destroyers hone in on the first one and then another sub sinking one of them and damaging the second.

Just then a spread of torpedoes is spotted in the water off the Port of HMS Hood. It is too late the Hood is rocked violently as two torpedoes rip into her massive hull and thousands of gallons of sea water rush in. In a single blow from a silent hunter the great ship slows to a near halt as she too is crippled.

Just when the Royal Navy thought they had the French where they wanted them they suffer three consecutive blows in a row. First the HMAS Australia and her group, then the Kent is torpedoed and now his grand flagship the HMS Hood lays stricken as well. Somerville and the Task Force H know they must continue on and prevail. Somerville quickly transfers his flag to the HMS Valiant and continues the pursuit of the damaged Richelieu.

As he leaves the crippled Hood and Kent limping behind as he streams off after the Richelieu a new threat is looming on the horizon behind him. The French force from Toulon has arrived to try and link up with the Richelieu. This new force may prove to be more than the British can handle.

The Hood and Kent unable to out run the new foe in their condition prepare to give battle. They are joined by a screen of destroyers as well as the brave pilots from the Ark Royal. The British are running out of time. Admiral Somerville knows he must dispense with the Richelieu quickly so he can turn and face this new threat.

As it turns out today is not going to be one triumphed in the annuals of Royal Navy history. The powerful French ships are just too much. The daring Swordfish pilots one run after another, but the superior anti aircraft capabilities are just too much. The HMS Kent is soon caught in deadly crossfire struck multiple times by deadly salvos she rolls over and starts her decent to the depths. Just then the Battleship Strasbourg, survivor of Mers el Kebir launches a full broadside at Hood from a distance of almost 20000 yards. The shells come screaming through the air and rain down on the already crippled HMS Hood striking her aft and forward. The great ship lets out and awful groan and as she slowly lists to port and then continues to roll over on her back never to right herself again.

The British force is now in disarray. If that is not enough, the unfinished but deadly sister of the Richelieu , Jean Bart, is steaming fast toward the HMS Ark Royal. The HMS Valiant makes one final attempt to finish off Richelieu with a full broadside at close range. Today is not a good day for British gunners and the shells only straddle the giant ship as she slips out of range.

The Royal Navy is not done yet. The Daring swordfish pilots rally for one last try. The swordfish again climb into the air from the deck of their now damaged carrier and set a heading for the powerful Richelieu that has eluded the British all day.

They again attempt to fly through the barrage of French AA. This time they dodge the deadly hail storm and make it through to drop their own deadly payload. These brave pilots are determined to not let this French monster survive this engagement. The first flight presses home the attack and for the second time today their torpedoes run true crippling the powerful warship.

The second flight then lines up for its attack run waiting until the very last to release their payload. The deadly warheads slam into the hull, but for some unexplainable reason does not detonate. The Richelieu will survive this encounter despite the pilot’s heroic efforts. To add insult to injury as the brave flyers head back to home base they arrive just in time to see the fantail of the mighty HMS Ark Royal slip beneath the waves victim of the deadly long range fire of the Jean Bart.

Somerville standing on the bridge of the HMS Valiant cannot believe what has transpired. They had the Richelieu dead in their sights and failed to capitalize. In the space of a few moments the French have exacted their revenge wiping out all of Force H with exception of the HMS Valiant.

Aftermath:
For the first time in over a century Admiral Somerville is forced to give the order to run up the white flag. Operation “Catapult” was launched to secure the Med for British control. Instead of taking control of or neutralizing the French fleet in the course of 48 hrs a major Royal Navy force has been crushed and several units will be laid up for months. Furthermore the war in the Med and Africa will have to be abandoned. Now the French who intended to remain neutral may in fact turn to aid Germany.

Editorial Note:
This was a great scenario to play out and had several turning points. On our large map the introduction of multiple forces was perfectly timed out. I thought my son made a crucial error when he turned back with the Richelieu to attack the shadowing force. In the end this strategy and extremely good dice rolling worked well for him. I initially launched the swordfish intent on killing his subs. He did not move them so I decided to go after the Richelieu. This proved to be successful scoring a critical hit taking away extended range. In retrospect taking out the subs might have been the better option. In two consecutive turns a 1 damaged sub managed to cripple the Kent and then roll 2 sixes on the Hood.

In the end this was a total victory for the French with even the Richelieu making it across the board. I am confident that the scenario is still well balanced and look forward to playing it again.

Link to other scenarios:

Mayhem in the Atlantic
http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/about7411.html

Brawl in the South Pacific
http://aaminis.myfastforum.org/about7384.html
_________________
Aaron

"Focus on your own character and your reputation will take care of itself"

jfkziegler · **jfkziegler**

This is a really well laid out scenario. I can't wait to try it.
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afilter · **afilter**

Greyh Seer · **Greyh Seer**

plz give a battle report. I am very interested to see how this comes out.
_________________
-Greyh

Trade List: Greyh's WAS Trade List
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+10 On aaminis Trade Boards

afilter · **afilter**

afilter · **afilter**

RAEVSKI · **RAEVSKI**

give Canberra armour 4 for the scenario. and Flag 1.
u could use Kent with Torpedoes
_________________

afilter · **afilter**

Greyh Seer · **Greyh Seer**

Amazing Report! Excellent battle!
_________________
-Greyh

Trade List: Greyh's WAS Trade List
+13 On AH Trade Boards
+10 On aaminis Trade Boards

afilter · **afilter**

We have played this twice and both time a major French Victory. The second time the Bristish did take down the Jean Bart and Strasbourg, but the Riche made it across unscathed.

Time to reinforce the Royal Navy.

A few flaws in the scenario:

1. Although the points are close the inits are not equal at all. I have never really played French Units before and they are awesome. All the cruisers have 2nd armament. BB all TD. The Royal Navy does not stand a chance. Both games the Hood was eliminated without returning any damage. 1st game a lucky sub shot crippled it and 2nd the Riche rolled 4 sixes from range 5.

2. Assumed the French player would rush to get the Riche across the board, in reality the Riche has hung back waiting for the French reinforcements to enter the game while subs delplete Task Force H.

3. The Ark Royal and 3 swordfish take up 53 pts and at best the Swordfish might get 2-3 attacks if the swarm and are not destroyed.

Possible fix: Add a major British unit toe the Shadowing force (HMS Rodney) to push the Riche and prevent her from turning on the HMAS Australia.

We will play with it some more and I will update the scenario above.

Either way it was a great time both times we played it.
_________________
Aaron

"Focus on your own character and your reputation will take care of itself"

afilter · **afilter**

We played this one agin tonight with the this modification:

Hunting TF:
HMS Rodney
HMS Illustrious
x2 Swordfish

Enter Turn 4 on West end of Map.

Results:
Much better balance

Hood was again killed on 4 sixes Sad

Final score:

French -238pts + 75 bonus (Hood, Valiant, Ark Royal) = 313

British- 237pts + 0 bonus

Fench fleet was completely wiped out. British had remaining HMS Rodney (3 damaged) HMS Illustrious and 2 swordfish.

Scenario ended with French cornering the HMS Ark Royal and sinking her with the final shot before HMS Rodney sunk the remaining Gloire and Le Terrible.

We ended up doing it as 3 player game with 1 player (oldest son) controling the French. Two players the Royal navy, with one (youngest son) contoling TF H and one (myself) contoling The Shadowing force and Hunting TF.
_________________
Aaron

"Focus on your own character and your reputation will take care of itself"

Okie · **Okie**

You might want to replace the Hood with the KGV or the Warspite.
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jfkziegler · **jfkziegler**

Was KGV around yet when all of this went down?
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afilter · **afilter**

The_lucky_Y · **The_lucky_Y**

why not include the two french battleships bretagne and provence?

they could be proxed with the gulio cesare(the stats of gulio cesare are very close to the french battleships)
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YVAN EHT NIOJ !

afilter · **afilter**

IJN Fuso · **IJN Fuso**

Cool scenario. Here's a suggestion for ya...

Hood's Fatal flaw: On 4 sixes from a BB roll a die. on 3-6 The fatal flaw does NOT materialize. On 1-2, the Hood blows up and sinks.

Reasoning:
Hood's Fatal flaw may had something to do with poor docterine and handling of the ready ammunition in addition to Hood's woefuly inadequate armor. As such, adding a 2/3 chance of surviving may help the balance the game a little...

Good luck. This is a really cool scenario.
_________________
TimK
IJN FUSO
www.modelwarshipcombat.com

afilter · **afilter**