This scenario does not have to result in a violent naval battle to be successful. Indeed, the test run with my group ended without any shots being fired. The Indonesian players dodged about all day trying various ways to achieve their objectives. Eventually, once they appreciated “The jig was up,” they withdrew the escorts from the LST, allowed it to be captured and the warships proceeded on their way. A typical Java-sting…. because it presented new problems for the UNFOR side. At worst, the Indonesians had lost a 1944-built LST and the troops were in the hands of the UN. But at best, pressure in the UN would force the troops to be handed back, anyway and it could be argued the arrest of the General also had no legal basis.
Having spent several hours trying to locate and identify the LST and the various frigates in the area, the UNFOR commanders felt confident they could bring it to a conclusion. It might require a certain amount of “The Navy’s Here” (HMS Cossack 1940) but as the Bandenoek Island area was remote they considered it worth the risk of a minor incident. Instead, they were suddenly confronted with knowing where the LST was and being able to overtake it, but the frigates were sprinting off the map.
The UNFOR players reasoned that although they knew where Ahmed Yani was, they had the General and the troops involved in the incident through having captured the LST. This had been achieved without bloodshed. To press on and capture the frigate clearly could not be done without triggering a major naval/air clash.
They therefore accepted the compromise capture of Teluk Langsa, considering that they had achieved most of their mission. The political and UN debates that would follow were none of their concern.
Game moderators should therefore keep in mind that the winner does not have to sink the most ships. In fact, the Indonesian missile boats located Dubbo, but left the UNFOR commanders in even more confusion by announcing openly where she was and rendering immediate assistance.
Throughout the scenario as it was played, the participants kept trying to trick the other side into opening fire first so they could claim “defensive justification.” This involved provocative maneuvers and some rather fancy flying. Players need to be reminded of some of the finer points of international law, but all this can provide an interesting scenario.
During the game, it is a good idea to introduce the presence of various neutral aircraft and ships. Some supertankers and container ships passing in both directions plus interisland ferries and local craft. Indeed, the presence of large neutral ships should be pointed out to the players from time to time, to warn them of the danger presented should missiles hit the wrong target.
The patrol boat Dubbo does not need to have a player representing it, however if one is available, they can be filled in and asked to help with keeping ‘quiet’. Dubbo is last heard off in square 14D where she is managing to shadow the retiring LST and frigates, since they are restricted to 10 knots. She was in square 9D as dawn approached. Convinced the ships she was following were headed for Karatap Bay, but wishing to avoid detection, Dubbo turned northwest and headed for the Catholic Mission on Parangililap. This was partly because she was still taking water and in danger of sinking.
She arrived there at 0930 hrs and medical aid sought from on shore. An attempt to radio to Darwin was not successful. An enquiry with Bonda village showed that communications could not be had from there, either, unless they passed through Djakarta, which was undesirable.
At 1400 hrs Dubbo solved her communications problems via a satellite telephone borrowed from a yacht. At 1500 hrs she was able to fully restore wireless communication. The UNFOR commanders should therefore be informed where she is at 1430…unless of course she had been located earlier.
The Indonesian commanders should be told where she is at 1515 after Dubbo resumed wireless communication, unless they have located her earlier.
More East Timor Crisis
BT
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© Copyright 2001 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms.
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