MARE NOSTRUM

June of 1940 found Italy in an unusual and unforeseen situation. As Europe accelerated to general war, Italy
had hesitantly lined up on the side of the Axis. She was held in check by a number of things, not the least of
which was French power in the Mediterranean. The Italian Navy (the Regia Marina) could hope to accomplish
little against the combined naval forces of France and the British Commonwealth, even if those forces were also
fighting Germany. And Italy had much to lose, with colonies in North and East Africa vulnerable to isolation and
invasion by French and British Forces.
It was the collapse of France in May of 1940 that tipped Mussolini in favour of war. With France gone,
Mussolini calculated that the Royal Navy would be too stretched by its other commitments to prevent
determined Italian expansion in the Mediterranean. It was not just his navy on which Mussolini relied he
thought that his air force, the darling service of the Fascist regime, could dominate the central Mediterranean
by neutralizing the British base at Malta and bombing the Royal Navy where ever it appeared.
While the Royal Navy (and its Commonwealth supplements) could occasionally concentrate forces in the
Mediterranean to reach parity with or even outnumber the Italians, its commitments elsewhere prevented it
from doing this on a regular basis. Although it could not always match the Italians in numbers, it refused to
cede the Mediterranean to its opponent. The British had vital interests in the Middle East (oil and the Suez
Canal) that they were determined to defend even at the expense of their naval efforts against Germany. Being
outnumbered did not greatly discomfort the Royal Navy; it had a tradition of prevailing against long odds, as well
as important advantages such as aircraft carriers, radar and superior code-breaking abilities.
The Italian navy was not well positioned to capitalize on its unexpected opportunity. Italian naval strategy had
developed around the assumption that Italy would always face naval strength in the Mediterranean equal to or
greater than its own. Italian fighting tactics emphasized speed, hit-and-run warfare, and the careful
maintenance of a fleet in being. Grounded in defensive naval warfare, the Italians lacked an aggressive battle
doctrine that could help them exploit their position of numerical superiority. They also had to operate with
more that the usual uncertainty associated with naval war. The British bases at Gibraltar and Alexandria meant
that the Royal Navy could bring reinforcements into the theatre from east or west. This, compounded with the
generally low efficiency of Italian reconnaissance, meant that the leaders of the Regia Marina could never be
sure that they were not sailing into a British trap.
Most naval engagements in the Mediterranean centred on each sides convoys. Both the Italians and the British
were intent on moving men and material to North Africa. The Italians were compelled to cross the
Mediterranean to supply their forces there. While the distances from Italian ports to North Africa were not

long, the shortest routes all ran close to the British-held island of Malta. For the British, convoys through the
Mediterranean were just an alternative to a North African supply line that looped around the Cape of Good Hope
and up through the Suez Canal. While the Mediterranean route was shorter, the British only really needed it to
supply Malta or when military disaster in the Western Desert demanded quick reinforcement.
These conditions are reflected in the Mare Nostrum scenarios, most of which grow out of anti-shipping
operations. Their number, spread over a three year time period, and indeed the desert campaign itself, reflects
the inability of Great Britain to choke off the Axis powers capacity to supply their desert forces. If Great
Britain could have decisively won the battle for dominance in the Mediterranean (or of the skies over it) Italy
and Germany could not have maintained their forces in North Africa, and Rommel would have become irrelevant.
Without a clear cut naval victory, the British and their allies had to fight the desert campaigns.
Ajax Alone -- A dark night and the Italians try to ambush a lone British cruiser.
Cape Matapan -- When the Italians try to disrupt British convoys to Greece, the stage is set for a fleet action.
Action off Sidon -- British and French destroyers clash off the Levantine coast.
Kerkanah Bank -- A British force races to intercept an Italian convoy.
Duisberg Action -- British Force K intercepts an Africa-bound Italian convoy.
Second Sirte -- The Italians intercept a Malta-bound British convoy.
Harpoon -- The Italians try to block another British attempt to resupply Malta.
Cape Bon -- During the Crusader desert battles, the Italians try to run gasoline supplies to North Africa.
Action off Marsala -- A British attempt to close off Axis sea traffic between Tunisia and Italy meets with
resistance.
Action off Skerki Bank -- Yet another skirmish between an Italian convoy and a British interception force.
Action off Corsica -- Late in the war, the Royal Navy disturbs a German mine-laying mission.
Battle of Harmil Island -- A battle in the Red Sea.
Action off Ist -- The French get in on the action with a destroyer raid up the Adriatic.
Action off Imperia -- The Americans pitch in to fight the German Mediterranean fleet.
The Last of the La Pomone -- An ex-French ex-Italian now-German torpedo boat finally goes to war in the
Aegean.
Operation Oddyseus -- The Germans try to transfer some light forces from the Adriatic to the Aegean.

Ajax Alone

HMS Ajax

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 12 October 1940, 0200

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Cape Spada, Crete.
History: In early October, the British fleet in the Mediterranean
sortied to cover a convoy to Malta. While the convoy got to Malta
without loss, the Italians did try to pick away at the fleet units. On
the night of October 11, the Italian 1st Torpedo Boat Flotilla ran
across the track of the light cruiser Ajax.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are a dark night with rain,
base range 11560 yards(46.24 inches)
Victory Conditions:
a) 3 points per cruiser sunk,
b) 1 point per destroyer or torpedo boat sunk,
c) 2 points per cruiser torpedoed,
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The Italian Division 2 arrives on Turn 10 on the east edge,

20,000 yards from the north edge.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: course of 90 degrees (due east).

Captain McCarthy

RM Division 1: course of 270 degrees (due west).

Commander Banfi

Ajax (Leander -- flag)

Airone (Spica -- flag)

Alcione (Spica)
Ariel (Spica)
RM Division 2:
Captain Margottini
Artigliere (Soldati -- flag)
Aviere (Soldati)
Camicia Nera (Soldati)

AFTERMATH:
Italian torpedo boats tried to ambush the lone British cruiser, but their plans backfired when the Ajaxs accurate fire sank Airone and
Ariel. When an Italian destroyer division tried to intervene, Ajax seriously damaged Artigliere. Ajax took seven hits throughout the
entire engagement, and the Italians had to scuttle Artigliere later when another British cruiser approached.

Cape Matapan

Royal Navy at Matapan

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 28 March 1941, 2220

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Cape Matapan, Greece.
History: March of 1941 saw British troops moving to Greece
and German troops committed to North Africa. In late March, the
Germans spurred the Italians to sortie with a strong force to
disrupt the British convoys. Alerted by code-breaking, the British
also sailed in strength to try to catch the Italians unaware.
The first actions took place on the morning of the 28th, when the
screening forces collided. The initial action was target practice
for the Italians, with their 8 inch gun cruisers cautiously pursuing
the shorter-ranged 6 inch gun cruisers of the British screen.
Matters worsened for the Royal Navy when Vittorio Veneto
came into action against the British cruisers, but improved when
a British air-strike caused the Italians to break off the action.
The night action portrayed here arose when Admiral Iachino
detached a force to help an Italian cruiser damaged in the last
British air-strike. Unknown to him, he was sending these forces
directly into the path of the advancing British battle line.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are a dark night, base
range 6800 yards(27.20 inches)
Victory Conditions: Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 per destroyer sunk or cruiser left dead in the water;
b) 2 per cruiser sunk or battleship or carrier torpedoed;
c) 4 per battleship or carrier sunk.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The Italians must continue to steam on the same course at

the same speed. No Italian ship may alter speed or course or
fire guns or torpedoes until 2 turns after a British ship fires guns
or 1 turn after an Italian ship is torpedoed.
2. No Italian ship may illuminate with star-shells or searchlights
unless it rolls a 1 on 1D6. An Italian ship rolling to illuminate still
fires star-shell from the mount or uses the searchlight, even if it
fails to illuminate an enemy ship.
3. Valiant and Formidable have 279 search radar.
4. Pola is dead in the water with her forward engine room and 2
starboard boiler rooms aft of the engine room flooded. Only her
secondary batteries can fire.
5. Optional: Rules 1 and 2 simulate the confusion that gripped
the Italians in this action. To give the Italians more of a chance,
ignore these rules.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: is a continuation of Division 3s line of bearing

extending to the west.

RM Division 1: follows immediately after Division 2.

Vice-Admiral Carlo Cattaneo

Havock (H Class - flag)

Stuart (R.A.N) (Scott Class)

Zara (Zara - flag)

Fiume (Zara)

RN Division 2: is a continuation of Division 3s line to the east.

RM Division 2: is leading the Italian Divisions in line ahead on a

course of 120.

Greyhound ("G" Class - flag)

Griffin ("G" Class)
RN Division 3: course of 240 degrees in a line of bearing. The
line of bearing runs along the 120- 300 degree line, so that the
four ships would be in line ahead formation if they turned on to
either course. They are steaming in the order shown, with
Warspite to the west. Valiant is 18,000 yards south of the north
edge and 24,000 yards west of the east edge.

Alfieri (Oriani - flag)

RM Division 3: follows immediately after Division 1.
Gioberti (Oriani - flag)
Carducci (Oriani)
Oriani (Oriani)
Pola is facing east, 27,000 yards south of the north edge and
26,000 yards west of the east edge.

Admiral A. B. Cunningham
Warspite (Warspite - flag)
Valiant (Queen Elizabeth)
Formidable (Illustrious)
Barham (Malaya)

AFTERMATH:
The British blasted the Italians with guns and torpedoes at point blank range, sinking or wrecking Zara, Fiume, Alfieri and Carducci
without loss to themselves. Other British destroyers later sank the immobile Pola.

Action off Sidon

Guepard

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 9 June 1941

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Sidon, Lebanon.
History: The British position in the Middle East was greatly
complicated by the Vichy French presence in Lebanon and
Syria. Although Vichy was nominally neutral, it had no love lost
for the British and was susceptible to German pressure as well.
As long as Vichy held these colonies, Britain had to constantly
guard against attacks against the Suez Canal or the Middle East
oil supplies. In the summer of 1941, the British decided to strike
pre-emptively. In the ensuing campaign, both the Royal Navy
and the French Navy were active. In this scenario, a French
destroyer force shelling Australian troops by Sidon is found and
pursued by a British destroyer force.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are daylight with fair
visibility, base range 22,440 yards(89.76 inches)
Victory Conditions: Victory is decided on points.
a) 2 points for each destroyer sunk,
b) 1 point for each destroyer left dead in the water.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. British Division 2 appears on a 1D6 roll of 1, at the extreme

southern limit of visibility of the southernmost French ship. Roll
each turn, starting on the turn that the Janus sights the French.
If this limit extend beyond the south edge, the division appears
anywhere on the south edge on that die roll. The division
consists of the following ships: Jackal (J Class - flag), Isis (I
Class), Hotspur (H Class).
2. The French are firing at targets on the coast, and so are
subject to a sighting modifier when trying to spot unengaged
targets.
3. The British J Class destroyers have 285 fire control and 286
search radars. All British destroyers have sacrificed their aft
torpedo tube mounts for AA guns.

ROYAL NAVY

MARINE FRANCAIS

RN Division 1: course of 360 (due north).

MF Division 1: on a course of 180 (due south) in line ahead.

Captain Gervais de Lafond

Janus (J Class - flag)

Guepard (Guepard - flag)
Valmy (Guepard)
The British friendly edge is the south edge. The east edge is
land.

The French friendly edge is the north edge. The east edge is
land.

AFTERMATH:
Although the large French destroyers hammered the isolated Janus, three other British destroyers closed to rescue their
beleaguered compatriot. These (and the threat that they would be reinforced by British cruisers) forced the French to retreat to
Beirut. Ultimately, the British occupied all of Lebanon and Syria, and the French destroyers successfully withdrew across the
Mediterranean to Toulon.

Kerkanah Bank

Tarigo

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 16 April 1941, 0210

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Tunisian coast.
History: British reconnaissance aircraft vectored a Malta-based
force of British destroyers onto an Africa-bound Italian convoy.
The destroyers steamed through wind and rain to find the
convoy off the African coast.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are a dark night with rain,
base range 4,488 yards(17.95 inches)
Victory Conditions: Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 per Italian merchantman sunk;
b) 1 per British destroyer sunk;
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The convoy must continue to steam on the same course at

the same speed. The escorts are not subject to independent
movement if they move with the convoy. If they do not, they
must roll for independent movement until they join with the
flagship.
2. No Italian ship may alter speed or course or fire guns or
torpedoes until a British ship fires guns or an Italian ship is
torpedoed.
3. No Italian ship may illuminate with star-shells or searchlights
unless it rolls a 1 on 1D6. An Italian ship rolling to illuminate still
fires star-shell from the mount or uses the searchlight, even if it
fails to illuminate an enemy ship.
4. All British destroyers have 285 fire control and all but Jervis
have 286 search radars.
5. Optional: Rules 1, 2 and 3 simulate the confusion that gripped
the Italians in this action. To give the Italians more of a chance,
ignore these rules. Note that the ships of the convoy are subject
to independent movement if they vary course or speed.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: in line formation, heading due south (course

180), with the flagship leading and the other ships following in
the order shown.

RM Division 1: The escorts are arranged as follows: Tarigo

leading the box, Lampo at the rear of the box on the east side,
1,000 yards northeast of Adana. Baleno is even with Tarigo,
1,000 yards to the west.

Captain P. J. Mack
Captain Piero Di Cristofaro
Jervis ("J" Class flag)
Janus ("J" Class)
Nubian ("Tribal")
Mohawk ("Tribal")
British friendly edge is the east edge and the west edge is all
land.

Tarigo ("Navigatori" - flag)

Baleno (Folgore)
Lampo (Folgore)
Convoy: is steaming due south (course 180) in a 1,000 yard
square box formation. Clockwise from the northeast corner, the
ships at the corners of the box are: Adana, Arta, Aegina and
Iserlohn. The Sabaudia is in between and just trailing Iserlohn
and Adana. The convoy speed is 7.5 knots.
Sabaudia (Large Merchant Ammunition Ship)
Iserlohn (Large Merchant)
Arta (Small Merchant Ammunition Ship)
Aegina (Small Merchant)
Adana (Small Merchant)
The Italian friendly edge is the south edge and the west edge is
all land.

AFTERMATH:
The British blasted the convoy and its escorts with guns and torpedoes, sinking or driving ashore all the Italian ships. The British did
not escape unscathed, as the sinking Tarigo managed to put two torpedoes into Mohawk before she was went down.

Duisberg Action

Maestrale

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 9 November 1941, 0040

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Libyan coast.
History: In response to Churchill's prodding, the Admiralty
assigned a small cruiser-destroyer force to Malta to raid Italian
convoys en route to North Africa. This was the famous Force K.
In November, the force got its chance.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are a bright moon with
scattered clouds, base range 13,600 yards(54.40 inches)
Victory Conditions: Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 per Italian merchantman sunk;
b) 1 per British destroyer sunk;
c) 2 per British cruiser sunk.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The convoy must continue to steam on the same course at

the same speed. The escorts are not subject to independent
movement if they move with the convoy. If they do not, the ships
in the western column of escorts must roll for independent
movement until they join with a flagship.
2. No Italian ship may alter speed or course or fire guns or
torpedoes until a British ship fires guns or an Italian ship is
torpedoed.
3. No Italian ship may illuminate with star-shells or searchlights
unless it rolls a 1 on 1D6. An Italian ship rolling to illuminate still
fires star-shell from the mount or uses the searchlight, even if it
fails to illuminate an enemy ship.
4. Aurora has 290 search radar and 284 fire control radar.
Penelope has 281 search radar and 284 and 285 fire control
radars. The "L" destroyers have 285 fire control and 286 search
radars.
5. Optional: Rules 1, 2 and 3 simulate the extreme confusion
that gripped the Italians in this action. To give the Italians more
of a chance, ignore these rules. Note that the ships of the
convoy are subject to independent movement if they vary course
or speed.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: start 15,000 yards from the north edge and

18,000 yards from the east edge. They are steaming on a
course of 030 degrees in the order given, Aurora leading.

RM Division 1: starts 18,000 yards from the east edge and

3,000 yards from the north edge. It is steaming due south in the
order shown, cruisers leading.

Captain William G. Agnew

Admiral Bruno Brivonesi

Aurora (Arethusa - flag)

Lance ("L" Class)
Penelope (Arethusa)
Lively ("L" Class)

Trieste (Trento - flag)

Trento (Trento)
Granatiere (Soldati)
Fuciliere (Soldati)
Bersagliere (Soldati)
Alpino (Soldati)

The British friendly edge is the west edge.

RM Division 2: is the convoy escort, and is split into two

columns. The first column consists of Maestrale, Fulmine and
Grecale, steaming in that order 1,000 yards to the west of the
convoy. The second column consists of the Libeccio, Oriani and
Euro, steaming in that order 1,000 yards to the east of the
convoy. Both columns of destroyers are steaming at 7.5 knots.
Maestrale (Maestrale - flag)
Libbeccio (Maestrale)
Grecale (Maestrale)
Oriani (Oriani)
Euro (Turbine)
Fulmine (Folgore)

Convoy: The Convoy starts 15,000 yards from the north edge
and 12,000 yards from the east edge. It is in a double column
with the first three ships steaming in the east column, from south
to north, in the order given. The next three ships are steaming
similarly in the west column. The seventh ship is immediately
behind both columns and equidistant between them. All ships
are steaming due south -- course 180 -- at 7.5 knots, 1,000
yards separates the two columns.
Minatitlan (Large Merchant)
Maria (Large Merchant)
Sagitta (Small Merchant Ammunition Ship)
Duisberg (Large Merchant)
San Marco (Small Merchant Tanker)
Conte di Misurata (Small Merchant Gasoline Tanker)
Rina Corrada (Small Merchant)
The Italian friendly edge is the south edge.

AFTERMATH:
The British paraded up and down past the convoy and pummelled it with torpedoes and gunfire. The escort first thought that the
British were their supporting cruisers and the cruisers apparently did not realize that the British were there until the convoy was
demolished. When the smoke cleared, all seven merchantmen and an Italian destroyer were sinking. The British suffered only minor
damage.

Second Sirte

Damage to the Battleship Littorio

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 22 March 1942, 1647

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Libyan coast.
History: In March of 1942, the Royal Navy mounted an
operation to relieve besieged Malta. As part of this effort, an
escorted convoy started from Alexandria to the island. Prodded
by their German allies, the Italians sortied to intercept the
convoy. Initially, an Italian cruiser force bumped into the convoy
escort, but turned away after a brief fight. They would be back
with reinforcements.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are a gale and British
smoke laid in the area of the battle, base range 10,659
yards(42.64 inches)
Victory Conditions: Victory is decided on points.
a) The Italians get 1 point for each cruiser exited from the south
edge of the playing area, if the cruiser had at least half of its
primary battery operable and at least half of its full speed.
b) The Italians get 2 points for exiting Littorio from the south
edge of the playing area, if it had at least two-thirds of its primary
battery operable and at least half of its full speed.
c) The British get 1 point for each Italian cruiser left dead in the
water, 2 points for each Italian cruiser sunk, and 1 point for each
Italian cruiser not exited from the south edge of the playing area
by the end of the scenario.
d) The British get 2 points for Littorio left dead in the water and 4
points for Littorio sunk.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. A gale is making up during the course of the scenario. No ship

can move faster than 22 knots, due to the rough seas.
2. Havoc and Hasty have landed their after torpedo mounts and
ship 3 anti-aircraft guns in their place. The guns cannot engage
surface targets.
3. British radars: Penelope has 284, all other cruisers and all
destroyers other than H class have 285.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: In line on a course of 270 degrees (due west).

RM Division 1: In line ahead on a course of 210 degrees

Admiral Angelo Iachino

Jervis ("J" Class - flag)

Kipling ("K" Class)
Kelvin ("K" Class)
Kingston ("K" Class)
Legion ("L" Class)
RN Division 2: In line on a course of 270 degrees (due west)
west), 2,000 yards south from Division 1.
Rear Admiral Philip Vian
Dido (Dido - flag)
Penelope (Arethusa)

Littorio (Littorio - flag)

Aviere (Soldati Class)
Ascari (Soldati Class)
Oriani (Oriani)
RM Division 2: In line ahead on a course of 210 degrees.
Gorizia (Zara - flag)
Trento (Trento)
Bande Nere ("Condottiere" Group 1)
RM Division 3: In line ahead following Division 2.

RN Division 3: In line on a course of 270 degrees (due west),

immediately behind Division 5.
Zulu ("Tribal" Class)
Hasty ("H" Class - flag)

Alpino ("Soldati" Class)

Fuciliere ("Soldati" Class)
Bersagliere ("Soldati" Class)
Lanciere ("Soldati" Class)
Ships of all Italian divisions are steaming in the order in which
they are listed.

RN Division 4: In line on a course 270 degrees (due west),

2,000 yards south of Division 2.
Cleopatra (Dido - flag)
Euryalus (Dido)
RN Division 5: In line on a course of 270 degrees (due west),
2,000 yards north of Division 1.
Sikh ("Tribal" Class - flag)
Lively ("L" Class)
Hero ("H" Class)
Havock ("H" Class)

AFTERMATH:
The Italians intercepted the convoy just as a gale was making up. The British escort, although vastly outgunned, fought back with
gunfire and torpedo attacks through smokescreens. Although the Italians suffered only minor damage, they failed to press the attack
and never engaged the convoy. While the British won a tactical victory, they were forced to divert the convoy to a longer course to
Malta. Axis airpower caught the convoy before it could reach the island, sinking three of the four merchantmen in the convoy.

Harpoon

Eugenio di Savoia

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 15 June 1942, 0630

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Libyan coast.
History: In June of 1942, the Royal Navy mounted convoys
through the eastern and western Mediterranean to relieve Malta.
The western convoy operation was dubbed Harpoon, while the
eastern effort was called Vigorous. Both convoys sparked
sorties by Italian surface forces, but the only significant surface
action came when an Italian force tried to attack the Harpoon
convoy.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear, base range
28,900 yards(115.60 inches)
Victory Conditions:
a) 3 points per cruiser or merchantman sunk,
b) 1 point per merchantman exited from the east edge,
c) 1 point per destroyer sunk,
d) 2 points per cruiser or merchantman torpedoed.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The British destroyers of Divisions 1 and 2 have Type 281

search radars and Type 284 fire control radars.
2. All merchantmen speeds are 13 knots.
3. The Italian player rolls 1D6 at the start of each turn. On a roll
of 1, three factors of Ju87s appear and attack the convoy. They
attack as dive bombers. Each aircraft carries one 1102 lb. HE
bomb, fused as the Italian player elects. Screening ships are
considered to be with the inner ring of an AA formation if they
are within 4,000 yards of the target of the air attack, and in the
outer ring if they are within 8,000 yards of the target. They attack
only once in the scenario.
4. Visibility is Level -1 (-2 for the Italians) with a base of 24
inches.
5. Optional: Two Italian destroyers had turned back to base due
to engine trouble. Add Gioberti (Oriani) to Division 2 and Zeno
(Navigatori) to Division 3.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: is steaming on a course of 120 degrees, 30,000

yards from the north edge and 48,000 yards from the east edge.

RM Division 1:
Div.-Admiral Da Zara

Captain Hardy

Eugenio di Savoia (Condottieri 4th Group -- flag)

Montecuccoli (Condottieri 3rd Group))

Bedouin (Tribal -- flag)

Ithuriel (I Class -- flag)
Partridge (P Class)
RN Division 2: is following immediately after Division 1.
Marne (M Class flag)
Matchless (M Class))

RM Division 2:
Ascari (Soldati 1st Series -- flag)
Oriani (Oriani)
Premuda (Premuda)
RM Division 3:

RN Division 3: steaming on a course of 120 degrees, 1,000

yards north of the convoy.

Malocello (Navigatori -- flag)

Vivaldi (Navigatori)

Cairo (Cairo flag)

The Italian divisions are steaming in order in column on a course

of 150 degrees, 13,000 yards from the north edge and 27,000
yards from the east edge.

RN Division 4: is steaming in column on a course of 120, 1,000

yards north of British Division 3.

The Italian friendly edge is north.

Blankney (Hunt II flag)
Kujawiak (Hunt II)
Middleton (Hunt II)
Badsworth (Hunt II)

RN Division 5: is a convoy in two parallel columns of 3 and 2

ships 1,500 yards apart, steaming on a course of 120 degrees
with the south most ship 2,000 yards north of Bedouin.
Troilus (Large freighter flag)
Burdwan (Large freighter)
Chant (Large freighter)
Orari (Large freighter)
Kentucky (Large tanker)
The British friendly edge is to the east.

AFTERMATH:
The five British fleet destroyers charged the Italians, keeping them at a distance while Cairo and the Hunts first covered the convoy
with smoke, then joined in the action. The Italians drew off after damaging Bedouin and Partridge. The former destroyer fell prey to
an Italian torpedo bomber later in the day.

Cape Bon

di Giussano

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 13 December 1941, 0300

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Tunisian coast.
History: While the Crusader battle raged in North Africa, the
Italians hit upon a plan to run gasoline down to Rommel's
retreating forces by using two of their fast light cruisers.
Unfortunately for them, their improvised tankers ran into a force
of Allied destroyers brought on the scene by an Ultra intercept.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are bright moon with
scattered clouds., base range 11,560 yards(46.24 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 per Italian cruiser sunk;
b) 1 per British destroyer sunk;
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. No Italian ship may alter speed or course or fire guns or

torpedoes until a British ship fires guns or an Italian ship is
torpedoed.
2. No Italian ship may illuminate with star-shells or searchlights
unless it rolls a 1 on 1D6. An Italian ship rolling to illuminate still
fires star-shell from the mount or uses the searchlight, even if it
fails to illuminate an enemy ship.
3. The British have spotted the Italians at the start of the
scenario.
4. Due to the Italian cruisers' cargoes of gasoline, any hit on
them will cause a fire on a 1D6 roll of 1 through 3.
5. The British destroyers all have 285 fire control and 286 search
radars.
6. Optional: Rules 1 and 2 simulate the extreme confusion that
gripped the Italians in this action. To give the Italians more of a
chance, ignore these rules.
7. Optional: Bande Nere (Condottieri Group 1) and Clemene
(Spica) were scheduled to accompany the force but stayed in
port due to engine trouble. Add them.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: start 2,000 yards from the left edge and 20,000
yards from the top edge, steaming in line with the flagship
leading at 28 knots. They are on a course of 105 degrees -straight down the playing surface.

RM Division 1: are also in line with their flagship leading,

heading on a reciprocal course of 285 degrees -- straight up the
playing surface. The da Barbiano is 4,000 yards from the left
edge and 24,000 yards from the top edge.

Commander G. H. Stokes

Rear-Admiral Antonio Toscano

Sikh ("Tribal" refit - flag)

Legion ("L" Class)
Maori ("Tribal" refit)
Sweers (K.K.M.) (Sweers)

da Barbiano ("Condottieri" Group 1 - flag)

di Giussano ("Condottieri" Group 1)
Cigno (Spica)

The left edge is all land, the right side is the British friendly side.

The left edge is all land, the bottom edge is the Italian friendly
edge

AFTERMATH:
The Allied force torpedoed both light cruisers, turning them into flaming pyres.

Action off Marsala

Spica

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 16 April 1943, 2300

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Scilian coast.
History: As the end came to the North African campaign, Italian
and German convoys shuttled back and forth between Sicily and
Tunisia. On April 16, two British destroyers intercepted an Italian
convoy escorted by four torpedo boats.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear/moonlit, base
range 11,560 yards(46.24 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 point per ship sunk,
b) 2 points to the British player if the Italian player
uses Division 2,
c) 1 point per British destroyer exited from the east edge.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The British destroyers have Type 281 search radars and Type
285 fire control radars.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: is steaming on a course of 270 degrees (due

west)

RM Division 1:

Captain Stevens
Pakenham (P Class)
Paladin (P Class)

Cigno (Spica -- flag)

Cassiopea (Spica)
RM Division 2:
Tifone (Animoso -- flag)
Climene (Spica)
The Italian Navy divisions (if both appear) are steaming in order
on a course of 90 degrees (due east).

AFTERMATH:
The British destroyers sank Cigno and crippled Cassiopea, but the two Italian ships left Pakenham dead in the water and saved the
convoy. The Tifone and Climene did not engage. The Pakenham was later scuttled due to the threat of air attacks on her and her
consort.

Action off Skerki Bank

Baleno(Folgore Class)

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 2 December 1942, 0030

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Tunisian coast.
History: After the Allied invasion of French North Africa, the
Royal Navy began night surface sweeps against Italian convoys
trying to reinforce the Axis troops in Tunisia. Force Q from Bone
ran across an Italian convoy in the early morning hours of 2
December.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear/quarter moon,
base range 6,800 yards(27.20 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 point per Italian destroyer sunk,
b) 1 point per British destroyer torpedoed,
c) 2 points per British destroyer sunk,
d) 2 points per cruiser torpedoed,
e) 4 points per cruiser sunk,
f) 2 points per merchantman sunk.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. All Italian ships not in formation with a flagship must roll for
random movement until they join a flagship. The Da Recco is the
flag for warships, while Merchantman 1 is the flag for the
merchantmen.
2. Pegaso class is similar to the Spica class in game terms, but
with a speed of 26 knots, an AAMG in place of Main X, and 2
triple 17.7 inch centreline torpedo tube mounts.
3. British cruisers have Type 271 search radars and Type 284
fire control radars. British destroyers have Type 281 search
radars and Type 285 fire control radars.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1:

RM Division 1:

Rear Admiral C. H. J. Harcourt

Captain Aldo Cocchia

Aurora (Arethusa flag)

Argonaut (Dido)
Sirius (Dido)

Da Recco (Navigatori flag)

Folgore (Folgore)
Camicia Nera (Soldati)
Clio (Spica)
Procione (Pegaso)

RN Division 2:
Quentin (Q Class flag)
Quiberon (Q Class)
The British are steaming in line, with Division 1 leading Division
2, on a course of 060. Aurora is 18,000 yards from the north
edge and 30,000 yards from the east edge.
The west edge is friendly for the British player.

RM Division 2:
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport

1 (Medium Merchant flag)

2 (Medium Merchant)
2 (Medium Merchant)
3 (Medium Merchant)

The convoy begins the scenario in a disorganized state. Three

of the merchantmen, with the flag leading, are in line formation
on a course of 240, with the flag 18,000 yards from the north
edge and 10,000 yards from the east edge. Da Recco, Clio and
Folgore are also in line on a course of 240, 1,000 yards south of
the three merchantmen. The fourth merchantman is 4,000 yards
west and 1,000 yards north of the merchant flag, on a course of
240. The Camicia Nera is 3,000 yards north of the last
merchantman in line, on a course of 240. The Procione is 5,000
yards south of the merchant flag, on a course of 240.
The north edge is friendly for the Italian player.

AFTERMATH:
In common with other night actions, the British caught the Italians flat-footed. While the Italians did manage some torpedo attacks,
the British retired unscathed after sinking 3 of the transports and Folgore. Da Recco and Procione were also damaged.

Action off Corsica

TA29

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 18 March 1945, 0300

Location: Mediterranean sea, off Corsican coast.
History: After the Italian armistice in 1943, the Germans
managed to seize and keep in commission several ships of the
Regia Marina. These the Germans employed in attempts to
cover Axis coastal convoys along the northern Italian coasts. In
the early morning of March 18, 1945, British shore radar stations
at Cape Corse and Ligorno detected three of these ships on a
mining operation. Two Royal Navy destroyers were sent to
intercept them.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear/quarter moon,
base range 6,800 yards(27.20 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is decided on points:
a) 1 point per ship sunk,
b) 1 point per British destroyer exited from the east edge.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The British destroyers have Type 271 search radars and Type
285 fire control radars.
2. The German ships have Seetakt radars. TA32 has a radar
detector that can detect British radars at a range equal to the
range of the British radar.
3. The British may move freely from the start of the scenario.
4. The TA32 has 4.1 inch guns in place of her 5.5 inch guns, and
has landed her aft torpedo tubes in favour of AAMGs.
5. The TA25 and TA29 have both landed their after set of
torpedo tubes and are carrying mines in their place.

ROYAL NAVY

KREIGSMARINE

RN Division 1: is steaming on a course of 270 degrees (due

west)

KM Division 1: is steaming in order on a course of 90 degrees

(due east)

Lookout (L Class -- flag)

Meteor (M Class)

Cdr. Burkart
TA32 (Premuda -- flag)
TA24 (Ariete)
TA29 (Ariete)

AFTERMATH:
In a running fight, the Lookout and Meteor sank the TA25 and the TA 29. The TA32 escaped. This was the last surface engagement
in the Mediterranean.

Battle of Harmil Island

Francesco Nullo

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 21 October 1940, 0555

Location: Red Sea.
History: Kimberly was part of the escort for Convoy BN7,
steaming from Aden to Suez, when Italian destroyers pounced.
The escort repelled the Italian raiders with little difficulty, and
Kimberly peeled off in an attempt to intercept the Italians before
they could reach their bases. At dawn, Kimberly found one of the
raiders just short of safety.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear/dawn, base range
22,440 yards(89.76 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is determined by points.

Score 2 points for each destroyer sunk.

Score 1 point for each destroyer left dead in the water

and each battery gun knocked out.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. Harmil Island is on the west edge of the playing area, 24,000

yards from the north edge. The island sports a coast defence
battery of three 4.7 inch guns with a range of 15,000 yards.
2. Nullo's speed in this action is 26 knots. She is also suffering
from steering problems. Each turn, roll D6; on a roll of 1, roll for
random movement.

ROYAL NAVY

REGIA MARINA

RN Division 1: on a course of 270 (due west).

Lt. Cdr. J. S. M. Richardson

RM Division 1: on a course of 270 (due west).

Kimberly ("K" Class flag))

Francesco Nullo (Sauro)

The British friendly edge is the east edge.

The Italian friendly edge is the west edge.

AFTERMATH:
Kimberly had found Francesco Nullo. She pummelled the unfortunate Italian with 4.7 inch fire and dispatched her with a torpedo.
The worm almost turned, however, when a shell from the Italian battery on Harmil Island severed a steam line and left Kimberly
dead in the water. Fortunately for the British, Kimberly was able to get steam to one engine and so drew out of range without
sustaining further damage.

Action off Ist

Gabbiano Class Corvette

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 29 February 1944, 2135

Location: Off the island of Ist, Adriatic Sea.
History: Their high speed made the large French destroyers of
the Le Fantasque class excellent ships for quick strikes north
into the Adriatic from the British base at Bari. On the night of
February 29, 1944, two of the French destroyers found a heavily
escorted convoy off the island of Ist.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear/moon, base range
8,976 yards(35.90 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is determined by points.
a) The German player gets 2 points for each enemy ship left
with a speed of 0 and 4 points for each enemy ship sunk.
b) The French player gets 1 point for each escort sunk and 2
points for sinking the freighter.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The German escort consists of TA36 and TA37 (Ariete class

torpedo boats) and UJ201 and UJ205 (Gabbiano class
corvettes). The German player may organize these forces into
any combination of two divisions, each with two ships.
2. The German player does not reveal the identity or class of a
ship in Division 1 or 2 until the ship fires its guns.
3. The French destroyers have Mk8 and SG radar and CICs.
4. TA 37 has a triple torpedo mount forward and a double mount
aft, rather than two triple mounts.
5. Neither Gabbiano has torpedo mounts.

FORCE MARINE

KRIEGSMARINE

FM Division 1: is on a course of 300, in line ahead

Captain Lancelot

KM Division 1: is on a course of 180

See Special Rules

Le Terrible (Fantasque-- flag)

Le Malin (Fantasque)

KM Division 2: is 4,000 yards east of German Division 1 on the

same course.
See Special Rules

The French friendly edge is the south edge.

KM Division 3: is midway between the other two divisions, on
the same course and 2,000 yards behind them.
Kapitan Diederichsen (Medium Freighter)
The German friendly edge is the north edge.

AFTERMATH:
The French ships surprised the German convoy with a gun and torpedo attack. They sank UJ201 outright, damaged the freighter so
severely that she sank the next day, and knocked out TA37s engines.

Action off Imperia

USS Gleaves

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 2 October 1944, 2307

Location: Ligurian Sea off the Italian coast.
History: Even after the Allies overran southern France, the
German continued to be active in the Ligurian Sea using bases
in northern Italy. Here, a German mine-laying mission collides
with a patrolling American destroyer.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear night, base range
11,560 yards(46.24 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is determined by points.
a) The German player gets 2 points for leaving the Gleaves with
a speed of 0 and 4 points for sinking her.
b) The US player gets 1 point for each German ship left dead in
the water and 2 points for each ship sunk.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The TA32 has Seetakt radar.

2. Gleaves may move freely from the start of the scenario.
3. The TA24 and TA29 have both landed their after set of
torpedo tubes and are carrying mines in their place.
4. Gleaves has Mk8 and SG radar and CICs.

US NAVY
USN Division 1: on a course of 090
Lt. Cmdr. Klee

KRIEGSMARINE
KM Division 1: on a course of 270, line ahead
Commander von Gartzen

Gleaves (Gleaves-- flag)

TA24 (Ariete flag)

TA29 (Ariete)
TA32 (TA32)

The US friendly edge is the west edge. The north edge is land.

The German friendly edge is the east edge. The north edge is
land.

AFTERMATH:
The Gleaves saw the Germans first and opened fire with guns. The Germans tried to push through with their mine-laying mission for
a while, but came about and withdrew. TA24 and TA29 suffered some damage from a collision as they turned about, but all the
German ships made port safely.

The Last of the La Pomone

La Pomone

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 23 September 1943, 0100

Location: Agean Sea.
History La Pomone was a French torpedo boat captured by the
Germans at Bizerta. She was handed over to the Italians, who
re-transferred her to the Germans in April 1943. The Germans
incorporated her into their Aegean naval forces as TA10. She
was on her first combat mission, escorting a steamer, when she
ran afoul of a patrolling Royal Navy destroyer.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear night, base range
6,800 yards(27.20 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is determined by points.
a) For the Germans, 2 points for the RN destroyer sunk or left
dead in the water and 2 points for Donazetti exiting off the north
edge.
b) For the British, 2 points for sinking Donazetti and 1 point for
leaving her dead in the water, and 1 point for sinking TA10.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1) Eclipse has 271 search radar and 285 fire control radar. She
has landed her B torpedo mount.
2) Donazetti has a speed of 11 knots.
3) TA10 has AAMGs in place of her torpedo tubes and carries
Seetakt radar.
4) Neither side may alter course or speed until it spots the other.
5) Optional: Assume that Captain Mack knew that Donazetti was
carrying Italian prisoners and that his mission was to liberate
them. Under this option, the following victory conditions apply:
a) The British player may assume control of Donazetti by rolling
a 1 or 2 on 1D6 while the Eclipse is within 2,000 yards of her.
Roll at the end of any movement phase in which these
conditions are met. To assume control, the British player must
keep Eclipse stationary within 2,000 yards of Donazetti for one
turn. Donazetti remains stationary for that turn as well.
b) Once the British player gets control of Donazetti, she does not
revert to German control.
c) The west edge of the playing area is the British friendly edge.
d) The British player gets 1 point for sinking La Pomone and 2
points for exiting Donazetti off the west edge.
e) The German player gets 2 points for sinking Eclipse or
leaving her dead in the water, 2 points for exiting Donazetti off
the north edge, and 2 points for sinking Donazetti or leaving her
dead in the water if the British player has control of her.

ROYAL NAVY
RN Division 1: is on a course of 090 (due east)
Commander Mack

KRIEGSMARINE
KM Division 1: on a course of 180 (due south), in line ahead.
TA10 (La Pomone flag)

Eclipse (E Class -- flag)

KM Division 2 :
The west edge of the playing area is the British friendly edge.
Donazetti (Small merchantman)
The north edge is the German friendly edge.

AFTERMATH:
Eclipse found Donazetti and her escort about 10 miles south of the German-held island of Rhodes. She sank Donazetti with gunfire
and so damaged TA10 that she was scuttled soon after. Unbeknownst to Commander Mack, the Donazetti was carrying 1,584
Italians taken prisoner by the Germans; all perished in the sinking.

Operation Oddyseus

HMS Belvoir

SETTING:

SCENARIO RULES:

Date: 22 September 1944, 0550

Location: Straits of Otranto, between the Adriatic and Ionian
Seas.
History In September of 1944, the Kreigsmarine decided to
transfer three of its captured Italian torpedo boats from the
Adriatic to the Aegean. When the little fleet began to transit the
chokepoint at the Straits of Otranto, it was intercepted by British
destroyer escorts.
Conditions: The visibility conditions are clear night, base range
6,800 yards(27.20 inches)
Victory Conditions Victory is determined by points.
a) For the Germans, 1 point per KM torpedo boat exited from the
south edge.
b) For the British, 2 points per KM torpedo boat sunk or left dead
in the water.
Game Length: 24 Turns

1. The British player can place his ships at any location on the
playing surface at least 15,000 yards south of the north edge.
The German player enters with his ships in line ahead formation
at any point on the north edge. Each player must pre-plot moves
for his or her ships until the ships sight the enemy. Players can
plot repetitive moves (in the same direction and speed, around
the same patrol circuit, etc.)
2. The British player does not have to reveal which Hunt is
which.
3. The Hunts have 271 search radar, 285 fire control radar and
CICs.
4. The German ships have Seetakt radar. TA37 has a twin
Torpedo B rather than a triple. TA38 and TA39 have landed their
aft tubes and have void spaces there instead.
5. Neither side may alter course or speed until it spots the other.

ROYAL NAVY
RN Division 1:

KRIEGSMARINE
KM Division 1:
Commander Lange

Belvoir (Hunt I Class -- flag)

RN Division 2:
Whaddon (Hunt II Class flag)

TA37 (Ariete -- flag)

TA38 (Ariete)
TA39 (Ariete)

See the special rules for set-up. Ships may not exit off the east
or west edges of the playing area. The south edge is the
German friendly edge.

See the special rules for set-up. Ships may not exit off the east
or west edges of the playing area. The south edge is the
German friendly edge.

AFTERMATH:
Using their speed advantage, the Germans were able to slip past the patrolling British without damage. They did not have
long to savour their success, however. By the end of October all three had been sunk.