PDA

View Full Version : Operation Cerebus: Channel Dash Scenario


Snippersly
12-24-2007, 08:38 AM
Operation Cerberus

(German: Zerberus after Cerberus the three-headed dog of Greek mythology who guards the gate to Hades) was the name given to major naval operation during World War II in which a German Kriegsmarine fleet consisting of Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Prinz Eugen, supported by a number of smaller ships sailed from Brest, France to their home bases in Germany via the English Channel.

On 11 February 1942, the ships left Brest at 21:15 and escaped detection for more than twelve hours, approaching the Straits of Dover without check. Despite British attacks by the Royal Air Force, the Fleet Air Arm and Coastal Artillery, by 13 February all the ships had completed their transit. The action has entered history as the "Channel Dash".

Map Setup: Use the island side fo the map to simualte the English Channel.

Kriegsmarine Victory Condition: The two battleships of the Kriegsmarine must make it across the map and off the other side.

Royal Navy Victory Condition: Must sink the battleships, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.

German Kriegsmarine
German ships are deployed on the German players side of the map, per the rules. Stacking limits do not apply for aircraft.

Scharnhorst 38 pts
Gneisenau 38 pts
Prinz Eugen (Graf Spee) 21 pts
Karl Galster X2 16 pts
E-Boats X2 (Sub Chaser- Use ASW value for Torpedo Attack at range 0 and Torp 2 at range 1, Speed increase to 3) 14 pts ((Increased Pt Cost))
Motor Torp Boats X4 28 pts
JU-85 Stuka X2 Bombers 14 pts
JU-85 Stuka X4 Fighters (Stand in for ME-109- AA of 7 - No bomb attack.) 28 pts
Total: 197

Royal Navy
Royal navy ships are deployed anywhere on the 1/2 of the map nearest the Royal Navy player. Stacking limits do not apply for aircraft.

Sea Hurricane X5 (Land Based) 25 pts
Swordfish X5 (Land Based and gain Press the Attack SA) 50 pts
HMS Javelin X6 54 pts
Samuel B Roberts X6 (Destroyer Escort Equivalent) 36 pts
Motor Torp Boats (PT Boats) X4 24 pts.
Total: 190

Sea Mines: During the actual Channel Dash, the two German Battleships sustained damage from mines. It was the only damage received during the daring maneuver and below are the rules I devised to simulate the historical use of mines.

The Royal Navy player is given 15 Objective markers that they can distribute anywhere in the English Channel. On the back of the markers they are to label half of them with the letter "M" in pencil. The markers are placed face up on the board and if an enemy ship passes over the marker it is flipped. If the marker is blank, the ship takes no damage and passes through the square without penalty. If a marker is flipped and the letter "M" is revealed, roll a die. One a 1-3 the ship takes 1 hull point damage, on a roll of 4-6 the ship takes 2 hull points. Royal Navy ships can also be hit by their own mines...so be careful.

WarHighlander
12-24-2007, 03:46 PM
Just use the Italian MTB card for E-boats.

weedsrock2
12-24-2007, 05:12 PM
Very interesting scenario. I think you have estimated it pretty well given the units available at this time.

One suggestion, should the Kreigsmarine get one movement turn (no attacking) to simulate their initial run without detection? RN can advance deploy so it seems to me the British should not be able to move or attack until turn two. The Kreigsmarine would not attack in turn one to avoid detection.

Snippersly
12-24-2007, 08:41 PM
Just use the Italian MTB card for E-boats.

No... Use the Sub Chaser card for E-Boats. The E-Boats, while similar in mission and deployment, were a bit larger than a MTB or PT boat.

Weedsrock2:

We've play tested the scenario as is and it works out pretty well. If you want to tweak it to your liking...please do! I sort of assume that this part of the scenario is when detection is present and the dash is on! They avoided detection up to this point...now they run and gun.

Try it your way and let me know the outcome and if it is any different. I'd love to know. If I play it again thursday I'll try it your way too to see.

Snippersly

Sir Brian
12-29-2007, 06:48 PM
I'm there! Wed?. Let me know the time. I'll bring some Beer.
Cheers Bro!:confused: :o

Snippersly
12-29-2007, 10:35 PM
Brian,

We'll play it out on Wednesday! Maybe at Hobbytown, if not at my place. I'll give you a call.

Anyone else played this besides Madghost? Any more feedback?

Snippersly