Harpoon Scenario: Korean Counter

Introduction and Set Up

by Andy Doty

INTRODUCTION:

In the turmoil of North Korean politics following Kim Il Sung I's death, his son Kim Jong II is working hard to consolidate his position as leader of one of the few communist countries left on earth.

Like many other dictators, he has decided to use an external conflict to silence the opposition.

With the willing support of the party conservatives and the military, Kim has launched an invasion of the three UN-held islands off Korea's west Coast. Paengyong-Do, Taechong-Do, and Sochong-Do were all swiftly occupied by DPRK Special Forces and Naval Infantry.

By noon local time, the islands were in North Korean hands and the UN personnel on the islands were in "Protective Custody." Stunned into immobility by the act, the UN can only pass sanctions which are little more than symbolic. The US, publicly committed to a coalition policy, has no alternative but to follow along. It does reinforce the 8th Army, though, effectively preventing the North Koreans from using the crisis as a smoke screen for further attacks.

The South Koreans, do not accept the UN's passive course, and launch a counterinvasion designed to drive the North Koreans from the islands, liberate the UN personnel being held there, and transfer control of the islands to South Korea. Since they sit off the North Korean coast, their capture by the South would be a significant setback to the young Kim and tremendous victory for the South.

Unfortunately for the North, it was not expecting an immediate reaction independent of the UN, and have only light naval forces present at the island. The best air units are being withheld to counter the US buildup.

LOCATION: In the Yellow Sea, Northwest of Inchon.

OPERATIONAL SITUATION:

South Korea has dispatched three task forces, along with air cover, to gain sea control of the area around the three islands and then occupy them. North Korean Naval forces are in the area, and aircraft are also available.

ENVIRONMENT: Wind 225T at 10 knots, Sea State 2, 100% visibility. Shallow Water (less than 100 fathoms) and 60% direct path sonar range. Dawn is at 0630.

NORTH KOREAN FORCES

Task Force C: 4 Osa I PTM, 4 Osa II PTM, 4 P-6 PT.
Task Force H: 4 Osa I PTM, 4 Osa II PTM, 4 P-6 PT.
Aircraft: 4 11-28 Beagle, 4 MIG17F Fresco C.

NORTH KOREAN ORDERS:

Prevent reoccupation of the islands by South Korean forces.

NORTH KOREAN VICTORY CONDITIONS:
Decisive- At least seven of the South Korean amphibious ships (Un Bong and Ko Mun classes) are sunk.
Tactical- five of the South Korean amphibious ships are sunk.

SOUTH KOREAN FORCES

Reconnaissance Force: 1 Jeong Nam FF, 2 Pack Ku 52 PGM, 2 Pack Ku 57 PGM
Covering and NGFS Force: 2 Chung Buk DD, 2 Dae Gu DD, 2 Po Hang FF
Invasion Force: 1 Kyong Ki DD, 2 Taejon DD, 4 Un Bong LST, 5 Ko Mun LSM
Four F4Es (start the game at the labeled box on the game map. They may start at any altitude and may be armed as the South Korean player chooses.)

SOUTH KOREAN ORDERS: Take control of the three islands occupied by the North Koreans.

SOUTH KOREAN VICTORY CONDITIONS:
Decisive. At least six of the amphibious ships (Un Bong and Ko Mun classes) reach the islands (enough to invade all three).
Tactical: At least five of the amphibious ships reach the islands (enough to invade one or two).

SETUP:

North Korean Task Force C starts at Namp'o, except that up to four units can be deployed within 20 nm of the occupied islands. Task Force H starts at Haeju. The North Korean air units may enter from either of the two squares marked on the map at any time.

The South Korean Reconnaissance force appears on the map at the marked point at 0 100 hours (game start). The covering force appears 30 minutes later and the invasion force 30 minutes after that. If North Korean units are within detection range of the ship entry point, bring on the South Korean forces further south, assuming an approach to the point of 15 knots on a course of 00001T.

SPECIAL RULES

None

VARIATIONS: Give each side more modern aircraft, MIG-21s or MiG-29s for the North and F-16s for the South. Give the North two Romeo-class subs, or more forces on station near the islands.

MAP

More Korean Counter Harpoon Scenario

BT


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