Malta Campaign - Finito

Marshal Ney · Malta Campaign - Finito

After much play testing, I've made some adjustments to the campaign. I am proud to present, The Malta Campaign.

In the following posts, I have added the instructions. I hope you enjoy, and let me know how it works out for you.

Marshal Ney

Overview: This campaign is based upon naval engagements that took place between the United Kingdom and Italy / Germany between 1940 and 1942. The naval engagements simulated include both surface and convoy actions that took place around the island of Malta.

Set Up: For scenarios 1 and 2, use a standard size map. For scenarios 3 through 6, use a double size map. To create this map, place two standard size maps side by side along the long edge of each map.

Objective markers are only used for scenarios 3 through 6. For single convoy missions, count 6 and 8 hexes from the UK starting area along the long side of the map. For dual convoy missions, count 6 and 8 hexes from each side of the UK starting area, along the long side of the map. Place an objective marker in each hex. Aircraft Ferry's must reach the 6 hex objective, while cargo ships must reach the 8 hex objective to be counted towards UK victory conditions.

Deployment: For scenario 1 and 2, Italian and UK forces are deployed according to standard WAS rules. Forces for scenario's 3 through 6 are set up as follows:

For single convoy missions, UK convoys set up at one end of the playing area. For dual convoy missions, convoys must be deployed at opposite ends of the playing area. UK Subs deploy 3 hexes from the UK objectives, opposite of the Italian forces. Italian forces deploy at the top of the playing area directly opposite UK Objectives, with U-boats / Subs deploying 3 hexes ahead of the main force. All forces may deploy 2 hexes deep.

Force Pool: All units must be purchased from the force pool provided with this campaign with the following exceptions:

In scenario 1, initial AC are provided at no cost to Italy. Beginning AC package is 2 Spaviaro, 3 StukeR2, and 2 Folgore. The land based limit for the Italians is set at 7 AC, remaining at this level throughout the campaign. Beginning scenario 4, German AC become available. Beginning AC package is 5 Stuka and 2 Me109. Land based limit and replacements detailed above apply. Players replace combat losses in the next scenario. Purchases may be whatever the player wishes.

In sceanrios 1 and 2, UK may deploy 1 fighter each on HMS Illustrious and HMS Formidable, then 2 fighters on HMS Ark Royal. All other CV based AC must be Swordfish Torpedo Bombers. For scenarios 3 forward, UK may deploy any AC on CV's.

Scenarios 3 through 6 provide cargo ships and CV ferries at no cost to the UK. USS Jeremiah O' Brian represents cargo ships. Slow vessels have speed 1, while fast vessels have speed 2 (Slow 2 SA). Cargo ships may deployed 2 per hex and will be treated as one for stacking purposes. HMS Argus (proxied with HMS Fencer), HMS Victorious (proxied with HMS Illustrious), and USS Wasp (proxied with USS Yorktown) represent AC ferries. HMS Argus and HMS Eagle have Speed 2 (Slow 2 SA).. All CV Ferry's may use “Fighter Cover 5” SA in their own defense.

UK fighters may be deployed from Malta beginning with the turn following the successful arrival of a CV AC Ferry. Land limit is set at 5, and remains at this limit throughout the campaign. Combat losses are not replaced until the arrival of the next CV AC ferry.

Damaged and Crippled Ships: During each scenario, ships will be damaged, crippled, and sunk. Damaged vessels are returned to the force pool and are available for purchase for the next scenario. Crippled vessels will be unavailable for purchase in the next scenario, being returned to the force pool for the next scenario after that. Vessels that are sunk are removed from the force pool for the remainder of the campaign.

Marshal Ney

Scenarios

Campaign Objectives: Objectives for UK and Axis are assessed at the end of the campaign. Success or failure for each side will ultimately determine if an airborne invasion of Malta will take place.

UK Objectives: (Assessed at the end of the Campaign)

Successfully move half or more of the cargo ships to Malta.
Successfully deliver 3 of 5 aircraft ferry's to the island of Malta

Axis Objectives: (Assessed at the end of the Campaign)

Sink half or more cargo ships en route to Malta.
Establish air superiority over Malta – reduce number of AC on Malta to two aircraft or sink three of five of the CV's ferrying AC to Malta.

Scenario Objectives: For UK objectives, CV AC ferry's must reach the 6 hex objective by turn 12, and must remain on the objective until the end of the turn to count towards UK objectives (campaign and scenario). Once achieved, the CV is removed from the game. Cargo vessels must reach the 8 hex objective. Rules for CV AC ferry apply.

Scenario 1: Surface Action (10 turns)
Night Action (Standard night combat rulles).
100 points Italy, 100 points UK. Standard Map.
25 point per ship limit. No AC. No CV's

Scenario 2: Surface Action (10 turns)
UK CV's may carry 2 fighters on HMS Ark Royal, 1 each on HMS Illustrious and HMS Formidable. Reamaining AC carried must be Swordfish Torpedo Bombers.
150 points Italy, 200 points UK. Standard Map

Scenario 3: Convoy Action, AC Delivery (12 turns)
HMS Fencer (proxy for HMS Argus) plus 4 Cargo Ships
UK CV's may carry whatever the player wishes
Vichy French and German Subs Available
150 points Italy, 200 points UK. Double Map

Scenario 4: Convoy Action, AC Delivery (12 turns)
HMS Illustrious (proxy for HMS Victorious), 6 Cargo Ships
German AC Available - Land Base 7. AA Cruisers available for UK (x4 USS Atlanta)
200 points Italy, 250 points UK. Double Map

Scenario 5: Dual Convoy AC and Cargo Delivery (12 turns)
From Alexandria: HMS Illustrious (proxy for HMS Victorious) 6 Cargo Ships
From UK: 4 Fast Cargo Ships (movement 2 per cargo ship (Slow 2 SA))
250 points Italy, 300 points UK. Double Map

Scenario 6: Dual Convoy AC and Cargo Delivery (12 turns)
From Alexandria: HMS Fencer (proxy for HMS Argus) 4 Cargo Ships
From UK: USS Yorktown (proxy for USS Wasp) and 6 Fast Cargo Ships (movement 2 per ship (slow 2 SA))
250 points Italy, 300 points UK. Double Map

NOTE: UK CV aircraft are lost if their CV is sunk.

NOTE: Beginning turn 5 of each scenario, either player may declare he is disengaging from the scenario. Once declared, the scenario ends. Disengagement counts against the player's victory conditions.

Marshal Ney

Force Pool

United Kingdom

X1 HMS Ark Royal
X1 HMS Illustrious
X1 HMS Formidable (Illustrious Class)
X1 HMS Fencer (HMS Eagle)

X1 HMS Nelson
X1 HMS Hood (HMS Renown w/out Fatal Flaw SA)
X2 HMS Warspite (includes HMS Malaya)
X2 USS Tennessee (HMS Royal Sovereign, Ramillies)

X7 HMS Kent
X7 HMS Exeter
X10 HMS Ajax

X4 USS Atlanta (Scenario 4 forward)

X10 HMS Truculent
Unlimited HMS Javelin
Unlimited Swordfish
Unlimited Sea Hurricane
Malta Sea Hurricane (Available with CV Ferry Delivery)

X2 HMAS Sydney
X1 HMAS Canberra

Italy

X1 Litorio
X1 Vitorio Venito
X2 Giulio Caesare (includes Andrea Doria)

X3 Bolzono
X4 Zara
X8 Eugino D' Savoi
X8 Duca D'Aosta

X15 Ambra
X6 MTB
Unlimited Destroyers – All Classes
Unlimited JU87R2, Sparrowhawk, Folgore

X2 Vichy French Submarine (Scenario 3 forward)

X6 U66 (Scenario 3 forward)
Unlimited JU87, Me 109 (Scenario 4)

Special Rules:

HMS Warspite – Remove “Long Shot 6 SA”
HMS Exeter – Remove “Determination SA”
CV Ferry's may use “Fighter Cover 5 SA” in their own defense

German JU87 Stuka – Press the Attack SA Applies

Variation: As a variation for the AC Ferry missions, replace the CV with a cargo ship. The Italian player must discover which ship is the CV Ferry. To make that discovery, an Italian player must successfully get an AC through the Air Defense of that hex. Once done, replace the cargo ship with the appropriate CV piece.

Sire Fred

Do you use Richard Baker's last set of rules for night fighting? I assume that it's the case because I don't find any other set of night rules elsewhere.

Marshal Ney

IJN Fuso

This is excellent! I'll probably start a campaign tonight... Can you clarify some of the objectives / rules for each scenario?

Your second post says that in scenario 1 initial AC are provided to Italy free of charge. But the third post says that no AC are allowed in scenario 1.

Also - if no objectives are to be used in scenarios 1 and 2, is the objective destruction of the enemy fleet? If so, how does this contribute to winning the campaign since the objective of the campaign is to reinforce Malta or prevent reinforcing Malta?

Marshal Ney

Greyh Seer

this looks awesome and I can't wait to try it! Great job!

The Alchemist

Two quick questions, so the objectives are placed on the very edges of the maps or are they placed "x" number of sectors in from the long edge? Just wondering, because if it is on the edge it creates a natural protective wall.

Also, what mini is comparable to the HMS Nelson?

Thanks,

jfkziegler

The Rodney is comparable to the Nelson.

Aquarius

They're placed directly along the long side of the map.