Goeben & Breslau Full Thrust Scenario

The Goeben and Breslau Incident

A Full Thrust scenario by Phil Broeders

Author’s Notes

This scenario is based on the search for two German ships in the Mediterranean during the early stages of WW1.  Rather than be trapped in the Adriatic the Germans broke out into the Mediterranean and – knowing they were subject to a hunt by allied forces – eventually made a run for Turkey who received the ships as a gift from Germany and subsequently used them in the Black Sea (and were considered a major reason why Turkey entered the war on Germany’s side).  They did bombard allied positions in North Africa and were seen as a major threat to troop convoys and merchant shipping in the area.

Note that this set-up could allow for 3-4 battles in one sitting as players try different routes and force allocation.

Also both players can choose to scatter some asteroids and other detrius around the table!

Scenario

A sideshow as a start of a major conflict engulfing several sectors, in sector Midi two powerful ships are making a run through what has become suddenly hostile territory.  They have four potential routes to take to get to the safety of a neutral sector – and the allied forces (although more powerful as a single unit) must cover all four areas of operation to prevent escape.  This means either splitting up their force or gambling on choosing the correct route and bringing overwhelming force to bear. 

Player A controls the Goeben and Breslau.  Player B controls the Allied forces.  Although the Allied forces are larger, player B must cover four potential areas of operation.  

Set-up

Whichever Sub-Sector Player B chooses as its route to the neutral sector, place whatever the sub-sector contains in the centre of the table (assuming a standard 6 x 4 foot table).  

Note that Goeben has 1 Thrust Rating higher than the Allied battlecruisers (irrespective of points allocation).  Player B should inform player A of his BC's thust rating and Player A should adapt his stats accordingly.

Goeben should have the same points rating as B's BC's and Breslau the same points rating as the B's Cruisers. 

Player A writes on a piece of paper which Sub-sector (A-D) they choose as their route to safety.  

Player B writes down the force chosen to cover each sub-sector on 4 separate pieces of paper (A-D).  Obviously each ship allocated can only be in one subsector!  This is a trust exercise so B may be required to show all 4 pieces of paper if required to show the totals add up! 

On Player A’s reveal, Player B shows the force allocated to that particular sub-sector.  Player B then lays out his force wherever he chooses on the table.  

Note that Player B can choose to leave a Sub-Sector without cover or with a token force to have more force available in other sub-sectors– but risks Player A having a free run and easy victory.

Player A enters from one short edge (chosen by coin toss) and must get his force to the other side of the table.   If using a square or round table choose a random compass point (N E W S) on the table from which Player A enters and must exit from the opposite table edge.

 Areas of Operation

1. Sub Sector Alpha : contains a small allied space station

2. Sub-Sector Beta : A convoy of 4 merchant ships carrying allied supplies

3. Sub sector Gamma ; an allied repair station

4. Sub-sector Delta : a jump gate 

Opposing Forces

Player A

3 battlecruisers (battleship), 4 cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 12 destroyers (can be reduced based on models available), 4 various merchant ships, 1 space station, 1 repair station

Player B

1 battlecruiser (battleship).  

1 cruiser

Victory Conditions

Goeben gets off table – 10 points

Breslau gets off table – 7 points

Each allied ship destroyed

              Destroyer – 2 points

              Light Cruiser – 5 points

              Cruiser – 7 points

              Battlecruiser – 12 points

              Merchant Ship – 5 points each

              Jump Gate – 5 points

              Repair station – 10 points

              Space Station – 15 points

 

Goeben crippled / destroyed / captured – 20 points

Breslau crippled / destroyed / captured – 12 points

Player with highest points total wins.  Note that Player A can win even if he loses both ships as long as he inflicts sufficient damage on the allied side.