Issue #37 October 2009Naval SITREP Page 22Doug Birtles (Order #25307632)
Issue #37 October 2009(Morvarid, cont fm page 21)While most of the Iranian force withdrew, Peykan apparentlyremained in the area. At one point, she used the ruined hulk of theAl-Omayeh oil terminal as cover from an Iraqi P-15 Termit missile.This may have been intended to pull the attackers away from thefleeing Task Force, or it may he been a result of violent maneuversdesigned to evade missile and aircraft attacks.In either event, Peykan survived several attacks, may have sunkone or more Osa missile boats, and even managed to shoot downa MiG-23 with an SA-7, but completely exhausted her missile andgun ammunition. She was finally hit at 1400, about six miles fromAl-Omayeh, by several P-15 Termit [SS-N-2s].While the missile craft engaged in a running battle, groups ofIraqi MiG-23s and Iranian Phantoms dueled overhead. Again, accountsdiffer about the types and numbers of aircraft and of coursethe losses, but the Iraqis got the worst of it.All the sources do agree that shortly after Peykan’s demise, twoF-4Es from TFB.6 at Bushehr arrived on the scene. They were eachloaded with six AGM-65A Maverick, and proceeded to methodicallyattack and sink many of the Iraqi boats.It is reasonably certain that the only Iranian loss was Peykan,while the Iraqis lost two Osa Is, three Osa IIs, and four P-6 torpedoboats.Note: This scenario is based on what information can begleaned from the wildly differing accounts. None of the sources discussedthe composition of the assault force, although one web pagedescribed it as “six ships.” Two helicopters had to be involved in theassault, and the only Iranian vessels capable of embarking helicoptersare the Hengam LSTs. The patrol boat escorts are speculative butreasonable close-in escorts. We know they saw action. Three of thisclass were lost in combat during the Iran-Iraq war.Variations: In addition to the units listed in both sides’ ordersof battle, other Iraqi participants could include an Iraqi Alouettearmed with AS.12, MiG-21s, the Polnocny D class LST Nouh(L78), reported by one source as sunk by Harpoon missiles, andtwo SO.1s (possibly lost to Mavericks). Unconfirmed Iranianparticipants include F-14s, SH-3s, AH-1s, and a CH-47. Thesewere all mentioned in different sources, but not clearly enough to beincluded here.Skill levels: In the basic scenario, assume all boat crews arecompetent. At this skill level, boats cannot perform OTH targetingor bearing-only launches with their SSMs. All missile targets mustbe detected by the firing unit before they can be attacked.Both sides’ pilots are competent, although historically theIranians were better pilots than the Iraqis. Few pilots on either side,especially this early in the war, were better than competent. If theplayers want to see the effects of skill levels on the game, as eachaircraft is placed on the game board, roll D10 secretly for the skilllevel of the aircrew:Recruit Inexper. Competent VeteranIran -- 1 - 3 4 - 9 0Iraq 1 - 2 4 - 7 8 - 0 --Bibliography:Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Morvarid)Operation Morvarid web page (book by Tom Muffin) (www.iinavy.org/morvarid.html)Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980 - 1989, by Tom Cooper andFarzad BishopBoardgamegeek (www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/28652)ACIG Journal Persian Gulf War Database (www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_209.shtml)Imperial Iranian Air Force - Operation Pearl (www.iiaf.net/stories/warstories/s4.html)BTIn cooperation with North Head Miniatures (www.nhminiatures.com),Clash of Arms is offering a 1/1200 miniature of theKaman class featured in the Operation Morvarid scenario. Thisminiature, crisply produced with 3D printer technology, is accurate,free of flash, and is fully assembled - just prime and paint.North Head will sell these at $10 U.S., but Clash of Armsis offering one miniature for $8, two for $15, and three for $20.Alternately, you can order two miniatures and a pack of Litko gamemarkers (see page 2, the Fire marker is shown below) for $20.BTBTMiG-23BN firingSpecial Offer from Clash of Arms!Russian P-6 torpedo boatDoug Birtles (Order #25307632)Naval SITREP Page 23
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