I will now attempt to provide scenarios covering the major engagements that occurred at sea during the war. The vast majority of actions occurred when one side or the other attempted to intercept enemy convoys, with the attackers and convoy escorts engaging each other. Indeed, some of the convoy actions outlined above, came close to developing into more general trials of strength. One reason for this, is that the Nationalists were forced to use their cruisers as convoy escorts, due to the slow speed of the few destroyers available to them. Consequently, due to the frequency of convoys, the Nationalists main striking force was often present when the Republicans attempted to intercept merchants carrying supplies to the Insurgents. I have written several hypothetical scenarios, mostly based on possible "what ifs", which hopefully will be included in the Sea Wars SCW scenario pack.

The scenarios are set out in the standard layout for Sea Wars version 2.01. I have attempted to provide a range of scenarios which cover the different types of actions in the rules.

SCENARIO 1: "WRESTING CONTROL OF THE STRAITS", 29TH SEPTEMBER 1936

Historical Background

On 26th September 1936, the majority of the Republican controlled fleet (1 Battleship, 2 Cruisers and 5 Destroyers) left the Mediterranean heading for the Bay of Biscay, leaving the blockade of the Straits of Gibraltar to several destroyers. This proved to be a strategic mistake on the Republic's part, as not only did the fleet fail to achieve much, but the absence of the majority of the Republic's surface ships allowed the Nationalists to seize control of the Straits, thereby resulting in the crack Army of Africa being transferred in strength to the mainland of Spain.

On the 29th of September, the Nationalist cruisers Canarias and Almirante Cervera spotted the Republican destroyers Almirante Ferrandiz and Gravina, blockading the Straits. The Canarias opened fire at 20,000 metres, hitting the Ferrandiz fatally with her 3rd salvo, the destroyer sinking in a few minutes. The outclassed Gravina fled, managing to escape unscathed to Casablanca.

Nationalist Forces CF 1.00 - 563 points

Cruiser Division 563 points
CA 190 Canarias
CL 123 Almirante Cervera

Republican Forces CF 1.01 - 552 points

1st Division 276 points
DD 26 Almirante Ferrandiz

2nd Division 276 points

DD 26 Gravina

Scenario Type and Deployment

The battle is fought as a daytime breakthrough action (rule 19.3). The Nationalists begin in the SW corner of the table and must exit at the NE corner.

SCENARIO 2: "ATTACK ON CARTAGENA", 25TH APRIL 1937

Historical Summary

On 23rd April, the Republican fleet consisting of Jaime I, Libertad, Mendez Nunez and several destroyers bombarded Malaga. On their way back to Cartagena, Jaime I ran aground eventually being refloated and sheltering in Almeria. The rest of the fleet continued on to Cartagena, encountering the Nationalist cruisers Canarias and Baleares who entered the harbour and harassed the Republican fleet. After a short, inconsequential skirmish, the Nationalist ships withdrew before the Republican shore batteries (380mm/15" guns) could intervene. The 2 cruisers then went in search of Jaime I, but were unable to intercept her before she found shelter in Almeria.

Nationalist Forces CF 1.00 1080 points

1st Division 440 points
CA 190 Canarias

2nd Division 440 points

CA 190 Baleares
+ 200 points to be assigned to targets

Republican Forces CF 1.14 940 points

Cruiser Division 437 points
CL 123 Libertad
CL 64 Mendez Nunez

Destroyer Flotilla 380 points

DD 26 Lepanto
DD 26 Almirante Antequera
DD 26 Sanchez Barcaiztegui
DD 26 Gravina
DD 26 Escano

Harbour Force 123 points

CL 123 Miguel de Cervantes (Undergoing repairs following attack by Italian Submarine. Should be considered immobile.)

Scenario Type, Deployment and Optional Changes

This action should be played as a daytime shore bombardment (rule 19.4). Cartagena harbour should be represented on the western edge and NW corner of the table. Republican ships enter in the SE corner, Nationalists enter in NE corner. The following are optional changes to the scenario. Note that any changes will necessitate amending the CF for the weaker side.

A) Players could include Jaime I in the Republican fleet. I would suggest she is deployed as a separate division, arriving only after all other Republican ships have deployed, dicing to arrive after a suitable delay.

B) The Miguel de Cervantes could be deleted from the Republican fleet, but remain as a suitable target for the attackers. She may have been in dry dock by this time (it had to be lengthened to accommodate her) and so would be unmanned and incapable of firing. This option is probably best chosen if option A is selected.

C) Shore batteries could be included on the Republican side. Historically they seem to have been unable to get into action in time, so if used, a suitable delay should be imposed, preventing them engaging the Nationalist cruisers immediately.

SCENARIO 3: CAPE CHERCHELL 7TH SEPTEMBER 1937

Historical Summary

On the morning of the 7th September, the Baleares encountered a westbound Republican convoy of 4 freighters with a strong escort (Libertad, Mendez Nunez and 7 destroyers). Despite being outnumbered and in an unfavourable position between land and the enemy force, the Baleares engaged the Republican cruisers, while the destroyers continued to escort the convoy. Fire from the Baleares was far from accurate, but she managed to score a hit on the Libertad. In the return fire, Baleares was hit by 2 shells from the Libertad, 1 of which started a fire in the 120mm magazine. The Mendez Nunez was out of range, and the Libertad soon broke contact and turned towards the convoy. The Baleares shadowed the convoy, repeatedly losing contact, but managed to start an inconclusive skirmish with the enemy cruisers during the afternoon. Eventually, she broke contact to await the Canarias steaming from Ceuta. When the 2 cruisers rendezvoused they were unable to find either the convoy which had taken shelter in Cherchell (Algeria), or the warships which were en route to Cartagena. Despite this, the Nationalists had succeeded in preventing the convoy reaching Republican Spain. The Republican fleet was attacked by Nationalist aircraft before reaching Cartagena.

Republican Forces CF (see optional rules) 1297 points

1st Division 437 points
CL 123 Libertad
CL 64 Mendez Nunez

Destroyer Flotilla 432 points

DD 26 Lepanto
DD 26 Almirante Valdes
DD 26 Almirante Antequera
DD 26 Almirante Miranda
DD 26 Gravina
DD 26 Escano
DD 26 Jorge Juan

Merchant Convoy 428 points

MC 37 5000 ton freighter
MC 37 5000 ton freighter
MC 52 7000 ton freighter
MC 52 7000 ton freighter

Nationalist Forces CF and points (see optional rules)

1st Division 440 points
CA 190 Baleares

Optional 2nd Division 440 points

CA 190 Canarias

Optional Naval Escuadrilla E-60 257 points

FPL 7 Heinkel He 60 (1 flight)

Optional 1a Escuadrilla 2-G-62 286 points

FBT 12 CANT Z.501 (3 flights)

Optional See-Aufklarungstaffel 88 Legion Condor 315 points

FPL 13 Heinkel He 59 (5 flights)

Scenario Type, Deployment and Optional Rules

This scenario is a daytime convoy attack (rule 19.2). The Republican entry point is the SE corner of the table, with the exit point in the NW corner. The Nationalist cruisers enter from the south table edge. The Canarias (if used) should dice to enter the table as per rule 7.3 after 1D10 score turns have elapsed. The aircraft (if used) enter from the NE corner of the table after 2D10 turns have elapsed, possibly extending the scenario length to accommodate their arrival. Correction factors will need to be calculated on the basis of the forces used. If the basic scenario is played (no optional units for the Nationalists) the Nationalist CF is 2.94.

SCENARIO 4: CAPE PALOS, 5 - 6TH MARCH 1938

Historical Summary

This action proved to be one of the most important naval battles during the war, and was probably the Republican Navy's greatest accomplishment, demonstrating that if handled aggressively the Republicans could take on the Nationalist Navy and win.

During the night of 5th March and early hours of the 6th, the 3 Nationalist cruisers (Canarias, Baleares and Cervera) were engaged on what appeared to be a routine convoy escort. Admiral Moreno had just handed over command to Sub-Admiral Vierna when the Nationalists encountered a fleet of Republican ships. The Republicans under Admiral Ubieta had originally put to sea with the intention of covering a planned MTB raid on Palma de Mallorca. When the MTB operation was cancelled due to bad weather, the Republican fleet stayed at sea (see the Sea Wars SCW scenario pack for a hypothetical scenario based on the MTB operation), unknowingly on a collision course with the Nationalist convoy and escorts. At 00.36 hours, the cruisers Libertad and Mendez Nunez with 5 accompanying destroyers sighted the Nationalist cruisers at 2000 metres. One of the Republican destroyers managed to fire torpedoes before contact was broken, without any result. After several course changes, the two fleets again made contact at 02.00 hours, the Baleares opening fire at 2000 metres. Fatally, Vierna decided to fire star shells to improve the chances of Baleares hitting the enemy, but by doing so illuminated the ship and gave away his position. Baleares was hit simultaneously by gunfire from Libertad as well as 1 or 2 torpedoes, probably launched by Lepanto. The Baleares' forward magazine and bridge exploded, and the ship stopped dead in the water on fire from bow to stern. A list quickly developed as she took on water, eventually sinking with the loss of 700 men. The Canarias meanwhile, guided the Cervera around the stricken Baleares outside the enemy's range, before both ships continued on to escort the convoy to safety. Having expended all their torpedoes, with the weather deteriorating, the Republican fleet broke off the action and headed back to Cartagena without pursuing the Nationalists. The Nationalist cruisers eventually returned to the area to search for survivors, with some destroyers from the Royal Navy assisting the rescue operation.

Nationalist Forces CF and points (see optional rules)

1st Division (Vierna) 440 points
CA 190 Baleares

2nd Division (Moreno) 563 points

CA 190 Canarias
CL 123 Almirante Cervera

Merchant Convoy (if used) 354 points

MC 52 7000 ton Freighter
MC 52 7000 ton Freighter

Republican Forces CF (see optional rules) 1052 points

1st Division (Ubieta) 373 points
CL 123 Libertad

2nd Division 314 points

CL 64 Mendez Nunez

Destroyer Flotilla 365 points

DD 26 Sanchez Barcaiztegui
DD 26 Almirante Antequera
DD 26 Lepanto
DD 26 Gravina
DD 11 Lazaga

Scenario Type, Deployment and Optional Rules

This scenario can be fought as either a convoy action (rule 19.2) or fleet encounter (rule 19.1). Either action should be commenced at night with appropriate visibility effects (rule 9), in addition bad weather may have limited visibility to around 2000 metres (2" in Sea Wars). If a fleet action is gamed, the Nationalist convoy should be deleted and the points values will be as follows: Nationalists 1003 points CF 1.04; Republicans 1052 points CF 1.00. For a convoy action the points values and correction factors are as follows:

Nationalists 1357 points CF 1.00;
Republicans 1052 points CF 1.28.

In addition, the Nationalists should deploy in line astern in the order Baleares, Canarias, Cervera. Their entry box should be in the NE corner and exit box in the SW corner. The merchant ships can deploy anywhere in the entry box.

I hope that these articles have inspired you to try SCW naval wargaming, as there are a host of possibilities for games, especially if one includes the non-intervention forces of the European powers, both historical and hypothetical. The outlay in cost and painting time is less than that required for land games, and is an interesting adjunct for any campaigns.

Andrew Finch sent me the finished SCW scenario pack for Sea Wars. It contains a convoy interception campaign, involving both Spanish and non-intervention fleets [by Andrew], with rules for reaction/co-operation among the various forces. 4 hypothetical scenarios by yours truly!. Details of French, British, Italian, German and [most] Spanish ships that were used with some aircraft. The exceptions on the Spanish side are mostly the smaller gunboats and patrol craft.

Andrew does have details of a lot more aircraft on his database [that he worked out for me] which I'm sure are available if you contact him direct. Sea Wars is now in its 3rd version, but such is the good after sales service that A&A games are offering free [on receipt of an SAE] updates. They also have "package" deals available, full details from A&A.

SCW Naval History and Miniature Ships