Follow that Flat Top! Scenario for Find, Fix and Strike

 

This is the latest scenario in my Find, Fix and Strike Franco-Italian war series of games, with the damaged French aircraft carrier Bearn escorted by three Le Fantasque class destroyers attempting to escape before a squadron of two light cruisers of the Regia Marina can sink her. The Bearn has been hit by a torpedo from the Italian submarine Archimedes, which has herself been hunted down and sunk by the escorting destroyers of the 8th Division Contre-Torpilleur - Le Malin, Le Triomphant and L'Indomptable. 

The Bearn has heavy damage and has developed a severe list to port, preventing the launch and recovery of her aircraft. She still has propulsion and her damage control parties have stemmed the flooding, so the decision has been made to save her by steaming north toward Toulon. A relief force of light and heavy cruisers has been dispatched from the naval base to escort her in and she will also have land-based air cover, once she leaves her current location.

The Italian naval high command is unaware of the attack on the Bearn and has no idea that such a valuable and vulnerable target is now limping back to Toulon at reduced speed. However, a squadron of two light cruisers - the Armando Diaz and Luigi Cadorna - has been patrolling the sea lanes in search of French convoys and the lookouts have spotted a patch of oily smoke on the horizon. Assuming an enemy convoy or naval force is close by, they have set course at flank speed for the position and hope to make a successful attack.

The game starts with the Bearn and her three escorts positioned at the centre of the table in a 12'' square box, heading north in an attempt to cross the short table edge where they will be under air cover. The Bearn has heavy damage and can only steam at 2'' per turn, unless her crew can make repairs in the damage control phase to light damage. Her AF and DF factors are also reduced according to the damage table. The escorting destroyers are able to deploy as required to defend the carrier. The French Admiral and all crew are Average.

The two Italian light cruisers enter the table on a successful D6 roll of 6, their chances increasing by one pip for every turn elapsed, with turn two a 5-6, turn three a 4-6 and so on. When they pass their entry roll, re-roll the dice to determine the corner of the table from which they enter, according to the scenario map. They will enter in line astern, with the flagship Armando Diaz to the fore. Either ship may launch an Ro43 spotter aircraft but only one be may be airborne at any time. The Italian admiral and both crews are Average. 

The Italian objective is to cripple, silence or sink the Bearn before she can exit the table. The French must prevent this from happening at any cost. The sea state is moderate and the wind strength is fresh, blowing from the South West. The visibility is 15'' due to a slight haze. As a variation to the scenario, you could double the number of destroyers and supplement the light cruisers with one or two heavy cruisers, give the Bearn operational aircraft or make it a nighttime operation, all of which would make for a challenging game.