UPDATED: 26 JANUARY 2024.
See the UPDATES page for details.
TORPEDO ATTACK against logistic ships (play-testing)
BACKGROUND. The NATO submarines are on a covert mission and under strict orders not to use torpedoes again warships because the risk is too great that a torpedo attack would be identified, but a logistic ship is another matter, and with a cargo that is potentially explosive, well, accidents do happen!
[The "Weather" rule is recommended when enabling torpedo attacks]
NATO submarines: weapon outfit
Both submarines sail for their sabotage mission with a special forces detachment embarked (plus their equipment), an outfit of acoustic mines, and ONE salvo of straight-running torpedoes fitted with contact fuses.
How to conduct a torpedo attack against a Soviet logistic ship
The submarine must arrive at periscope depth (position indicated on the Main Board by a datum piece) at a square in the same row as, and THREE spaces from, the logistic ship presenting a 90° beam aspect; there must be a clear line of sight of TWO squares between the vessels. The NATO player declares “Torpedo attack” and indicates the target ship. As long as the positioning is correct and other considerations are met (see 1-8), the indicated logistic ship is sunk and any cargo is lost. The submarine may evade by moving a maximum of THREE** squares from the datum piece (but may not move into the square with the sinking ship), changing depth as desired and able - this ends the submarine’s turn.
-
* Remember the shallow water (250’) area move limitation of a TOTAL maximum move of SIX squares.
-
** If the attacking square is the 6th square of a shallow water (250’) move, the submarine piece is used in place of the datum piece, and the submarine is left exposed at periscope depth and at risk of ramming during the turn (see picture below).
-
Torpedo attacks are not possible in Storm Levels 4, 5 and 6 because of depth-keeping difficulties for torpedoes close to the surface in rough seas. Both the logistic ship target and the attacking submarine must therefore be in areas of Storm Level 1-3 for an attack to be successful (this restriction will not apply if the ‘Weather’ mechanic isn’t being played which will make this rule very powerful).
-
The Supply Ship cannot be torpedoed if flanked by both destroyers after a RAS move.
-
If the Supply Ship has replenished (RAS) one destroyer, the Supply Ship can be torpedoed from the other, clear side; the destroyer is undamaged.
-
If two logistic ships are alongside each other at a torpedo attack, only the targeted (nearest) ship is sunk.
-
A logistic ship cannot be torpedoed while in an ice station.
-
The attacking submarine is not allowed to conduct a snort move at any stage of the turn.
-
A submarine may not conduct a torpedo attack during an ice-station attack.
Standard torpedo attack configuration
