Location: South China Sea, the Spratly Island chain, July 2002

Environment: 0800, daylight, Moderate seas (Sea state 3), 12 kt winds from 290°T. Visibility: Clear (50%).

Notice to Mariners: The Spratly archipelago is considered to be dangerous water with numerous uncharted reefs and shoals. US charts simply label it "dangerous ground." All ships are to exercise caution when transiting the area.

Risk of Grounding In Shallow Water (200+ m mean depth): % chance of grounding = 3% + Ship Size Mod + Ship's Spd /5

Shoal Water: % chance of grounding = 10% + Ship Size Mod + Ship's Spd /3

Ship Size Mods Small = 0%/Med = 5%/Large = 10%

Severity of Grounding - Roll 2D6

1 – 3: Scraped Bottom Hull sonar damaged Ship's speed/2 in DPs

4 – 7: Moderate Hit Hull sonar destroyed Ship's speed in DPs inflicted

8 – 10 Severe Hit Hull sonar destroyed Flooding Critical Hit D6/2 x Ship's speed in DPs D6 turns to break free

11 –12 Hard Aground Hull sonar destroyed Two Flooding critical hits D6 x Ship's speed in DPs Require assistance to break free (i.e., need tugs to get off )

Speed Mods to Severity Die Roll

< 5 knots -2
6–10 knots -1
11-15 knots 0
16-20 knots +1
21-25 knots +2
26-30 knots +3
31+ knots +4

Neutral Shipping: There are 5D6 neutral ships, coasters, and fishing vessels, between Mischief Reef and Gaven is-land. They are on individual (random) courses and speeds between 0 and 15 knots. Most will be Small, with a few Very Small and a few Medium-sized.

Vietnamese Operational Situation:

Vietnam has had the longest legal claim to the Truong Sa Islands (Spratlys) starting with the Annam Empire in the 19 th Century and continuing through the colonial period with the French annexation of the islands in 1933. Once sizeable oil deposits were discovered in the South China Sea, howver, many local governments laid claim to parts or all, of the islands and reefs that are collectively known as the Spratlys. Of the six nations that have competing claims in the Spratly archipelago, China and Vietnam are the main protagonists, with China playing the role of strongman.

Since the mid-1970s, China has taken by force from Vietnam the Paracel Islands (1974) and six small islands or reefs near Johnson Reef (1988). In the latter engagement, Chinese PLA Navy ships sank two Vietnamese armed resupply ships. And in 1995, China again used force to seize Mischief Reef from the Philippines with hardly any denunciation from the rest of the world. With the failure of the Spratly Accords negotiations in late January, the countries of the South China Sea have been waiting nervously for China's next move. Judging by the past incidents, there is every expectation that China, who has shown little aversion to using military force to back up its claims, will probably strike again.

Vietnamese Tactical Situation:

Although hostilities have not been officially declared, intelligence reports from Hanoi show conclusively that the Chinese are going to attack and seize the Vietnamese outpost on Namyit Island. Several PLA Navy destroyers, including at least one of the new Sovremennyy class DDGs, will depart from Mischief Reef and bombard the Namyit Island outpost. After the bombardment, Chinese troops from the nearby Gaven Reef will then occupy the island. Vietnamese Orders:

Using nearby islands and civilian fishing traffic as cover, ambush the PLA Navy destroyers and prevent the occupation of Namyit Island. Vietnamese Forces:

2 Tarantul I PGG: HQ-371, HQ-372
2 Tarantul III PGG: HQ-373, HQ-374
Namyit Island outpost with a Fin Curve (Decca series) surface search radar and 30 troops. The largest weapons available are three 0.50 cal MGs.

Note:

All Vietnamese Tarantul PGGs have had their P-21 [SS-N-2c] or 3M-80 [SS-N-22] missiles replaced with the new P-800 Oniks/Yakhont [SS-NX-26] missile.

Vietnamese Victory Conditions:

Decisive: Destroy two PLA Navy destroyers and prevent the bombardment and invasion of the Namyit Island outpost.
Tactical: Cripple at least one destroyer (greater than 50% damaged) and prevent the invasion of Namyit Island.

Setup:

The Vietnamese forces are to be deployed at the player's discretion within 1 nm of Namyit Island, Sin Cowe Island or Chigua Reef. The Tarantuls can be divided into two groups of two, but no single boat operations are allowed.

Chinese Operational Situation:

China has not always looked to acquire the Nansha Islands (Spratlys), being little more than a handful of barely dry spots of earth. However, once sizeable oil deposits were discovered in the South China Sea, various local governments have laid claim to parts, or all, of the islands and reefs that are collectively known as the Spratlys. Of the six nations that have competing claims in the Spratly archipelago, China and Vietnam are the main protagonists, with China playing the role of strongman.

Since the mid-1970s, China has taken by force from Vietnam the Paracel Islands (1974) and six small islands or reefs near Johnson Reef (1988). In the latter engagement, Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships sank two Vietnamese armed resupply ships. And in 1995, China again used force to seize Mischief Reef from the Philippines with hardly any denunciation from the rest of the world. With the failure of the Spratly Accords negotiations in late January, the countries of the South China Sea have been waiting nervously for China's next move. Given the apathy of the rest of world, and in particular the United States to this local squabble, the time has come for China to take another nibble out of this potentially rich pie.

Chinese Tactical Situation:

Although hostilities have not been officially declared, Beijing has decided to attack and seize the Vietnamese outpost on Namyit Island. A squadron of PLA Navy destroyers, including one of the new Sovremennyy class DDGs, will depart from Mischief Reef and bombard the Namyit Island outpost. After the bombardment, troops from our nearby outpost at Gaven Reef will then secure and occupy the island.

Chinese Orders:

Your squadron is to depart Mischief Reef at 0400 and head on a westerly course at a speed of 15 knots towards the Vietnamese-held Namyit Island. Bombardment of the Vietnamese outpost is to commence at 0830. At 0900, the minesweeper with the occupation force will depart Gaven Reef at a speed of 12 knots and should arrive about 1000. Ensure that all resistance is neutralized before the arrival of the minesweeper. Intelligence reports indicate that at least two Tarantul PGGs have deployed from their homeport. There is no information as to their location, but it would be prudent for you to be prepared in case they are on security patrol in the Nansha Islands.

Chinese Forces:

Sovremennyy DDG: Yang Chow (ex-Vazhnyy)
Luhu DD 112: Harbin
Luhu DD 113: Qingdao

An ex-Soviet T-43 class mine-sweeper is standing by at Gaven Reef, about 11 nm due west from Namyit Island, with 75 combat troops ready to occupy the Vietnamese position after it has been bombarded.

Chinese Victory Conditions:

Decisive: Neutralize the Vietnamese outpost (50% damage) and occupy Namyit Island with none of the destroyers sunk or crippled (greater than 50% damaged).
Tactical: Destroy the Vietnamese outpost and occupy Namyit Island with only one destroyer suffering no more than 50% damage.

Chinese Setup:

The PLA Navy destroyers are in a column formation with the two Luhu Class DDs in the lead. The formation is on course 270°, at a speed of 15 knots. The lead unit is 50 nm due east of Namyit Island at the start of the scenario.

Namyit Outpost Data

The Namyit Island outpost is comprised of a number of commercial standard buildings and three lightly armored bunkers with 0.50 cal MGs. The 30 troops that man the out-post maintain a radar and SIGINT installation used to monitor traffic in this part of the Spratlys. The damage points and armor ratings of the buildings are as follows:

Main Admin Building: 45 DPs No Armor Small
Barracks 90 DPs No Armor Medium
Mess Hall 45 DPs No Armor Small
Radar Tower 25 DPs No Armor VSmall
SIGINT Tower 20 DPs No Armor Vsmall
Operations Building 75 DPs Light Armor Medium
3 x Bunkers 15 DPs Light Armor VSmall

BT