Falkland Islands War
Falkland Islands (1982) wikipedia
falkland_islands.zip
All scenarios in one zip file (updated 3/28/08)
1may1.btl
On the opening day of the war (May 1, 1982), after an opening raid on Stanley airfield by British Harriers, the Argentinians responded by sending several flights of Mirage IIIs towards the HMS Invincible taskforce flying at 35000 feet. Picked up by radar 120 miles away from the taskforce, the two Harriers on CAP at 15000 feet turned towards the intruders but maintained their altitude, inviting the Mirages to come down to 15000 feet to take on the Harriers. However, the Mirages maintained 35000 feet (to save fuel and maintain an advantage in maneuverability) and, running low on fuel, turned for home without engaging the Harriers. Thus, this close encounter between the British and Argentinians passed without incident, a state of affairs that was not to last much further into this day.
This situation was ripe for an air-to-air engagement that was avoided in real life. This scenario is included to allow a more aggressive replay of this encounter.
1mayb.btl
Continuing the action on the first day of the Falklands War (May 1, 1982), a flight of Argentinian Mirage Daggers at 35000 feet approached and attacked two Harriers on CAP at 15000. One Dagger launched an Israeli Shafrir heat-seeking missiles (simulated as AIM-9J here) at one of the Harriers from extreme range, missing. The Harriers reversed and downed one of the Daggers.
21may1.btl
The 21st of May marked one of the days of hardest fighting, with the Argentinian Air Force suffering heavy losses. In this battle, the British Harrier CAP detected four A-4 Skyhawks crossing in front of them from left to right about three and a half miles ahead, on their way to attack landed troops at Goose Green. The Harriers turned and dived in pursuit. Two Skyhawks were destroyed with Sidewinder missiles.
21may2v1.btl
On May 21st, two British Harriers on CAP spotted bomb splashes near a navy frigate (the HMS Ardent, already damaged by a previous attack), indicating that the frigate was under attack by Argentinian aircraft. The pilots of the Harriers, Lt Clive Morrell and his wingman, Flt Lt John Leeming, estimated the path of the attacking aircraft as they made their escape, and maneuvered to a position to intercept. Sure enough, four Argentinian A-4 Skyhawks appeared below them. They dove to attack, downing two Skyhawks with Sidewinder missiles and one with cannon. th Sidewinder missiles and one with cannon.
21may2v2.btl
21 May, Version 2
On May 21st, two British Harriers on CAP spotted bomb splashes near a navy frigate, indicating that the frigate was under attack by Argentinian aircraft. The pilots of the Harriers, Lt Clive Morrell and his wingman, Flt Lt John Leeming, estimated the path of the attacking aircraft as they made their escape, and maneuvered to a position to intercept. Sure enough, four Argentinian A-4 Skyhawks appeared below them. They dove to attack, downing two Skyhawks with Sidewinder missiles and one with cannon.
In this a hypothetical "what if" version of this scenario, I've added two Mirage IIIs armed for air-to-air combat, which are flying cover for the A-4 strike package. They are flying at the very edge of their range and cannot stick around long to dogfight the Harriers, but they may provide the Harriers with a bit of a challenge and the Skyhawks with some protection.
21may3.btl
After the initial attack on the HMS Ardent on May 21, two Harriers were flying CAP over West Falkland when they sighted two Mirages in tight formation flying low. The Harriers flew straight towards the Mirages pursuing them as they turned and fled for home. Both were downed by sidewinders. A third Mirage then joined the fight, only to also be destroyed by sidewinder.
21may4.btl
One the afternoon of May 21 1982, four Mirage Daggers (lead by Capt. Gonzalez) were detected by radar approaching the frigate HMS Ardent from medium altitude. The Harrier CAP (Frederiksen and George) was directed towards the intruders and one was downed. However, the other three escaped and went on to badly damage the Ardent.
21may5.btl
At 10:30 AM on May 21, 1982, six Argentinian Mirage Daggers attacked three vessels of the British fleet protecting the entrance to San Carlos Water on West Falkland. The Daggers evaded the Harrier CAP and approached the vessels from the north. One 1000lb bomb was deposited into the Antrim, but it failed to explode. One Dagger was downed by a SAM.
21may6.btl
In the afternoon of May 21, 1982, four Argentinian Skyhawks were on their way to attack vessels of the British fleet present in San Carlos Water of West Falkland. The British Harrier CAP (piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Thomas and Lt. Cmdr. Blissett) quickly intercepted them. The Skyhawks jettisoned their ordnance and ran for home. Both Thomas and Blissett downed one Skyhawk each with sidewinder missiles.
brdsword.btl
On the 25th of May, four Argentinian A-4s closed in on the HMS Broadsword at a low level, each carrying a load of bombs. The A-4s were detected by the Broadsword, and the Harrier CAP was waved off by the Broadsword so that the Broadsword's Seawolf SAM missiles could get a clear shot at the approaching aircraft. The Skyhawks somehow managed to break radar lock, and they promptly planted one bomb into the stern of the Broadsword. Fortunately, this bomb did not explode. However, the nearby Destroyer HMS Conventry received three bomb hits as well, resulting in the loss of the Coventry and 19 sailor's lives. The Skyhawks escaped.
exocet1.btl
On May 30, the Argentinian Air Force and Navy coordinated an attack on the British aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. The plan was to use the last of the five Exocet anti-ship missiles contained in the Argentinian arsenal carried by a pair of Super Etendard fighters (one of which carried extra fuel tanks). Accompanying the Super Etenards were four A-4 Skyhawks carrying bombs. These Skyhawks were to bomb the Invincible, following the Exocet in to the target.
What actually happened during the strike is disputed. The British claim that the Argentinians actually attacked the HMS Avenger, and that the Exocet missile was spoofed or destroyed on its way to the target. Further, the Argentinian pilots must have mistaken the Avenger for the Invincible in their after-action report, or that they simply lied about the whole encounter.
The Argentinian's claim that the Exocet struck the Invincible, and that the A-4 Skyhawks further damaged it in their bombing runs.
It should be pointed out that the Invincible was not taken out of action by the strike, and she was launching and recovering Harriers by June 1, as one of the Invincible's Harriers destroyed an Argentinian C-130 that day.
In either case, the Super Etenards and two of the A-4s survived the srike. The rest were destroyed by SAMs or AAA. ke. The rest were destroyed by SAMs or AAA.
exocet2.btl
On May 30, the Argentinian Air Force and Navy coordinated an attack on the British aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. The plan was to use the last of the five Exocet anti-ship missiles contained in the Argentinian arsenal carried by a pair of Super Etendard fighters (one of which carried extra fuel tanks). Accompanying the Super Etenards were four A-4 Skyhawks carrying bombs. These Skyhawks were to bomb the Invincible, following the Exocet in to the target.
What actually happened during the strike is disputed. The British claim that the Argentinians actually attacked the HMS Avenger, and that the Exocet missile was spoofed or destroyed on its way to the target. Further, the Argentinian pilots must have mistaken the Avenger for the Invincible in their after-action report, or that they simply lied about the whole encounter.
The Argentinian's claim that the Exocet struck the Invincible, and that the A-4 Skyhawks further damaged it in their bombing runs.
It should be pointed out that the Invincible was not taken out of action by the strike, and she was launching and recovering Harriers by June 1, as one of the Invincible's Harriers destroyed an Argentinian C-130 that day.
In either case, the Super Etenards and two of the A-4s survived the srike. The rest were destroyed by SAMs or AAA.
In this version, the escorting vessels have been eliminated. by SAMs or AAA.
In this version, the escorting vessels have been eliminated.
falklan1.btl
This scenario was adapted directly from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.
"Bomb Alley Part 1: San Carlos Water, South Atlantic, May 21, 1982.
The Argentine Air Force pressed home its attacks on the British fleet as troops were landed off the Falklands, producing the busiest day of air-to-air combat in that conflict. Lt. Commander Mike Blisset and Lt. Commander Neil Thomas caught four loaded Argentinian A-4s and got one each."
falklan2.btl
This scenario was adapted directly from Avalon Hill's "Flight Leader" boardgame.
"Bomb Alley Part 2 Late Afternoon Battle: San Carlos Water, South Atlantic, May 21, 1982.
The Argentine Air Force pressed home its attacks on the British fleet as troops were landed off the Falklands, producing the busiest day of air-to-air combat in that conflict. Lt. Clive Morell and Flight Lt. John Leeming caiught three Argentinian A-4s that had completed their bomb runs and were returning home. Morell got two "kills" and Leeming got one, all with missiles."
harvsdag.btl
On May 24, four Argentinian Mirage V Daggers were on their way to attack the HMS Broadsword when they were detected north of Pebble Island, and the Harrier CAP was sent to intercept. Once the Argentinian pilots realized that they were under attack, they dumped their stores and headed for home. The Harriers closed and attacked with AIM-9L Sidewinders, downing three.
mirvhar.btl
In one of the opening air-to-air battles of the Falklands War, four Argentinian Mirage III fighters went out hunting for British Harrier fighters. They were intercepted by the Harrier CAP. Unfortunately for the Argentinians, the Harrier pilots quickly turned the tables on the attacking Mirages, shooting down two with sidewinder missiles. A third Mirage was lost when, low on fuel, the pilot tried to make an emergency landing at Port Stanley. His Mirage was destroyed by Argentinian anti-aircraft gunners who mistook his aircraft as an attacking British warplane. While the Argentinian airforce would not have much success in air-to-air combat during this conflict, they would go on to show some serious guts in their attacks against the British Navy, sinking several vessels.
The starting positions and armament of the combatants is an estimation. When I get accurate detailed information about this encounter, I will update this scenario.
trnsprt1.btl
On the 8th of June, landings of troops and equipment were commencing from the RFA Sir Galahad and the RFA Sir Tristram, with the HMS Plymouth providing cover near Fitzroy. Five Mirage V Daggers and five A-4 Skyhawks came in low from over Falkland Sound. The Harrier CAP managed to intercept the Daggers, downing one. The Skyhawks, however, penetrated the cover to attack the two transports. Both were hit, set afire and abandoned, with the loss of 50 lives.
trnsprt2.btl
On June 8, the landing craft LCU4 was transporting vehicles from Goose Green to Fitzroy, when it was caught by four Argentinian A-4 Skyhawks. The vessel was quickly hit and sunk, with the loss of six lives. However, the Harrier CAP caught the retreating Skyhawks, downing three with Sidewinders. The fourth Skyhawk was lost when the pilot, evading the Harrier counterattack, crashed into the sea.
trnsprt3.btl
On the 8th of June, landings of troops and equipment were commencing from the RFA Sir Galahad and the RFA Sir Tristram, with the HMS Plymouth providing cover near Fitzroy. Five Mirage V Daggers and five A-4 Skyhawks came in low from over Falkland Sound. The Plymouth took four bomb hits from the Daggers (none of which exploded) and was strafed by cannon. The Skyhawks continued on to attack the two transports. Both were hit, set afire and abandoned, with the loss of 50 lives. The Harrier CAP flight detected this raid but did not reach the scene soon enough to engage.
trnsprt4.btl
On June 8, the landing craft LCU4 was transporting vehicles from Goose Green to Fitzroy, when it was caught by four Argentinian A-4 Skyhawks. The vessel was quickly hit and sunk, with the loss of six lives. However, the Harrier CAP caught the retreating Skyhawks, downing three with Sidewinders. The fourth Skyhawk was lost when the pilot, evading the Harrier counterattack, crashed into the sea.