Capitalistdoginchina Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 Dear sirs, After 6 months of playtesting with some of CM's top players this scenario is now posted at the Scenario Depot . To wet your appetite here is the General Briefing; Commando Raid in Norway V 2.0 (11th May 2002) Weather: Clear, Dark, Damp. Time: 04.30am Date: December 27th 1941 Location: Vaags Fjord, Norway Map: Large Author: Terence McLaughlan (Capitalistdoginchina) E-mail: terry@public.sta.net.cn Historical Information; After the fall of France in 1940 Britain was primarily on the defensive. Offensive action was hardly possible at all, public morale was at a low ebb and good news from the war was few and far between. The home front was busy preparing for the possible German invasion across the English Channel (Operation Sealion). It was under these circumstances that Churchill and his advisors determined upon the active raiding policy that led to the formation of the Commandos to strike back at the Germans, no matter how small the raids. The first Commando raid took place less than 3 weeks after the first units had been formed. On the night of June 23rd/24th Major (Later Brigadier) Ronnie Todd and 120 officers and men of No. 11 Independant Company put to sea in 4 RAF crash boats to decend on the French Coast near Boulogne. The legendary Commandos were about to make history. In July 1940, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes, the hero of the Zeebrugge raid (1918) was made Chief of Combined Operations. However, He was to be continually frustrated during his 15 month reign, and with 4,000 picked volunteers mostly undergoing only training exercises he resigned with only a few minor raids accomplished. Lord Louis Mountbatten, who succeded Keyes on October 10th 1941, brought in immense energy, imagination and determination to the task at hand. As a cousin of the King, and the personal selection of the Prime minister, he planned a very different type of raid within 2 months of his appointment - The Raid on Vaagso, Norway. Despite hostility and scepticism in Whitehall, the strategic value of the highly successful Commando raids in the "Lofotens" and at "Vaagso" was out of all proportion to the actual damage done: the German High Command was forced to employ valuable troops on mere garrison duties, away from the decisive battles in Russia, the Balkans and North Africa. About this scenario; The Germans were obtaining valuable supplies of Cod and Herring Oil from Norwegian Factories, the oil was made into Glycerine for explosives and vitamins "A" and "D" for the German Army, while large quantities of frozen and fresh fish and prawns were being exported to Germany. The destruction of Fish Oil Factories, a target chosen by the British Ministry of Economic Warfare, was the major objective of the expedition to Vaagso. This scenario depicts the British Commando raid that took place at Vaagso, Norway on December 27th 1941. The Raid was led by Rear Admiral H.M. Burrough and Brigadier J.C. Haydon and consisted of 51 Officers and 525 men (From no. 2, 3, 4 and 6 Commando units) accompanied by two detachments of Royal Engineers for the demolitions. The Naval forces included the 6 inch Cruiser "Kenya" and the Destroyers "Chiddingfold, Offa, Onslow and Oribi" from the 17th Destroyer flotilla. The tactical objectives were the destruction of the German Garrisson, the demolition of the Fish Oil Factories, Cannery Factories and to silence the Maaloy Island Battery consisting of 4 x 75mm Belgian made guns. In the early hours of the morning on December 27th as the Commandos launched their landing craft the Cruiser "Kenya" opened fire with Star Shells to illuminate the target, 30 seconds later she began the bombardment of the Maaloy Island Battery, a few minutes later the Destroyers joined in. The Germans were completely surprised. It is at this point that this scenario begins............ Important notes: The commandos have been allocated the task of initial medium size, fast lightning raids (Details in allied briefing) and sabotage missions prior to the arrival of the main airborne force. Their clandestine objectives, once completed will pave the way for the main British attack. Most German units are in a state of weariness or exhaustion to simulate sleepiness and a slow reaction time to the alarm at 04.30am. Both sides will have several objectives. Both sides will have multiple choices to make during the battle as to where to deploy forces. Both sides will be reinforced several times throughout. Designed specifically, and only for Play By E-Mail (PBEM). This scenario does not work against the AI as either side, so don't try. Hope you all enjoy it. Available for download here Scenario Depot CDIC [ June 15, 2002, 12:18 AM: Message edited by: Captitalistdoginchina ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 This is a fun one, folks. I highly recommend it. Give it a try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted June 9, 2002 Share Posted June 9, 2002 WAHHHH the link at Scenario Depot isn't working yet.... I have a great article in After The Battle mag kicking around showing some photos from the raid, would be very interested in looking this one over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thermopylae Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 Must..try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Keth Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 Uploaded and linked. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
platoon_incap_monkey Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Did you guys know that the Germans were defeated for the first time in a battle in Norway? I think it was somewhere in the middle or Northern Norway 1940...if i remember correctly it was by the "Alta battalion" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalistdoginchina Posted June 13, 2002 Author Share Posted June 13, 2002 I stumbled over this website this evening, it gives a nice description of the raid as well as some facts/figures. Raid at Vaagso Michael, i do believe a detachment of Canadians were also among the attackers at Vaagso. Cheers CDIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kelly Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 I have played Capitalistdoginchina's scenario, and I must say, it is one of the most enjoyable I've played in a long time. The timing of his reinforcent pool, the design of the map and the research involved all manage to come together in splendid fashion to create a superb example of why we love CM. Cheers to this gentleman and his hard work. It's senarios like this that keep CM alive on so many hard drives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treeburst155 Posted June 15, 2002 Share Posted June 15, 2002 If you like the big ones, this one's for you. There's lots of good stuff here. It gets very tense and exciting. Good job, Terry!! Treeburst155 out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick_Oz Posted June 22, 2002 Share Posted June 22, 2002 I playtested an earlier version of Terry's wonderful battle and without giving anything away, it is superlative. It may have been the best fight I've ever had in CM and I've had plenty. Both players are tasked with difficult decisions.. the fighting is.. ahem, well it was intense...the new map/briefings etc are even better than the original. It is a must-play. Terry has emerged as one of the masters of CMBO battle design. Ten out of ten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windstarz Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 I downloaded the scenario but havent looked at it yet. If someone would like to play it let me know. I would like to be on the defensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windstarz Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 Terence, I tried to reply to the email you sent me but got a mailer daemon reply. Was undeliverable. dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Release Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 Fun fact, right now i am sitting in Florö, thats just 10 minutes south of Maalöy... I will have to check out this mission, for sure... Another fun fact: That raid could just as easily struck florö, which had many similar targets... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalistdoginchina Posted June 29, 2002 Author Share Posted June 29, 2002 Hi There "Release" Do you have a digital camera? If you do maybe you could drop me some pictures if you see any old WW2 relics or landmarks, that would be extremely interesting for me. Especially the Haagen Hotel, Ulvesund Hotel and the original fish oil factories. Don't worry if you have no time, your Vacation is more important Cheers CDIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Release Posted July 2, 2002 Share Posted July 2, 2002 I do in deed have a digital camera, but i am afraid it will be hard to find any traces of the raid... I will however see if i can find any pics for you, but it may take some time, vacation and all.. Keep watching this space! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpazManOught Posted July 3, 2002 Share Posted July 3, 2002 How small was this raid? was it this small? . see that full stop? thats the same size as your brain that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalistdoginchina Posted July 3, 2002 Author Share Posted July 3, 2002 Originally posted by SpazManOught: How small was this raid? was it this small? . see that full stop? thats the same size as your brain that is.Not too sure what you are refering too, or who's brain you think is a wee bit small - but the raid itself was the largest Commando Raid of the War at that time. Here are some details; 51 officers and 525 men (approx 1 battalion in CM terms) took part in this raid, in addition this was the first combined raid which utilized elements from the RAF, Royal Navy and the Army. Summary of Action Allied Forces: Air- Bomber Command and Coastal Command; Sea - Cruiser H.M.S. Kenya, Landing Ships H.M.S. Leopold and Prince Charles, Submarine H.M.S. Tuna plus four destroyers; Land - No 3 Commando, two troops of No 2 Commando, a medical detachment from No. 4 Commando and demolition experts from No. 6 Commando, a Royal Norwegian Army Detachment. Axis Forces: Air - Luftwaffe Heinkels, ME 109s and JU 88s. Land - 150 men from 181 Division, 50 troops on leave in the area, Outcome (positive) - successful destruction of coastal defences, oil and fish factories, radio transmitters, stores, a lighthouse, a power station, 9 merchant ships totalling 15,000 tons and four Heinkels. 30,000 additional German troops deployed to the Norwegian sector taken from other fronts but notably the Atlantic Wall. 150 Germans killed, 98 captured and 71 Norwegians took passage to the UK. Outcome (negative) - 17 Commandos and 2 R.N. personnel killed. Two Beaufighters and a Blenheim (Hampden?) shot down. I would say it was a little bigger than the dot you mentioned CDIC PS. Any takers for Windstarz? He still needs an opponent. [ July 03, 2002, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: Captitalistdoginchina ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalistdoginchina Posted July 11, 2002 Author Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi Dave, Due to the arrival of my new son (Capitalistpuppyinchina) i have been offline for a while.....i did get your e-mail and i think i replied...my brain is a bit scattered these days due to Anxiety! I hope you got your PBEM partner. Cheers CDIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMplayer Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Congrats CapDog! I hope the CapWife and CapKid are well. As you know I'm in the middle of PBEMing Vaagso, and I'd just like to say that it's a rockin good scenario so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windstarz Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 Yeah I got your reply, no problem. Congrats on your son and hope everyone is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psklenar Posted July 16, 2002 Share Posted July 16, 2002 CDIC, I also have to commend you on this scenario. I'm in the middle of a PBEM with it right now. I'm playing the German side and feel like I'm getting my butt kicked, but it's fascinating and I'm still having a lot of fun! Oh yeah, my friend also claims to be having fun too. Now whether that's due to his liking the battle or liking the fact that he's been pushing right over my forces on almost every front ... I don't know. Thank for putting this together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xerxes Posted July 18, 2002 Share Posted July 18, 2002 Just started this one, it looks fantastic, my compliments capitalistdog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalistdoginchina Posted July 27, 2002 Author Share Posted July 27, 2002 Thanks for the compliments guys - i hope some of you can swing on over to the Scenario Depot and review it when you are finished Cheers CDIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xerxes Posted July 27, 2002 Share Posted July 27, 2002 naturally cdog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holien Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 CDIC, The Map Rocks... I think the raid was in an edition of a magazine showing pictures of the battle site the and now. I shall see if I can dig it out once I get my house unpacked after decorating. I have yet to start this game as I need to focus on the tourney which you escaped from, damn you... BTW if you designed any of those tourney games let it be either the game with those damn mountains or the defence of the German town on the side of the hill. Both maps rocked and the game balance was quite good. Anyway just thought I would say hello and let you know your work is liked. Now if you can e-mail me any tips on the game as an Allied attacker that would be great... H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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