Falklands Campaign

Bulletin No.2

1. The Players

The John without a surname is John Horrobin.

Would all players please notify the umpire of an email address or if none, a phone number.

2. Date & Time

The game has moved on and it is now 0001 8th April 1982.

A map will be issued to indicate current positions of forces.

3. Diary

Mar 27 Argentina lands 'scrap workers' on South Georgia.

Apr 1 Argentina invades Falklands and ejects British garrison. South Georgia is similarly captured.

Apr 3 UN pass resolution 502 calling for Argentine withdrawal.

Apr 5 Royal Navy Carrier group leaves UK.

Apr 7 US president Reagan approves Secretary of State Haig's peace mission.

4. Ship movement

Daily movement rates are regarded as follows:

(For info: nm=nautical mile, 1 knot = 1nm per hour)

Speed (Knots) 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

Distance (nm) 190 240 290 330 380 430 480 530 580 630

5. Air movement

Aircraft will typically cruise at 2/3rds max speed to conserve fuel. The following show movement per 4 hours. (Most aircraft will not be able to fly this distance !!)

Speed (mph) 200 250 300 400 500 600

Distance (miles) 800 1000 1200 1600 2000 2400

6. Airfields

Only Stanley, Wideawake (Ascension), and all mainland (incl. UK) airbases may take jet fighters or large aircraft. (I've ignored foreign bases but they may take the aircraft but whether you get them back is another issue).

Harriers may land anywhere but the Falklands is mainly peat bog so any aircraft would sink without preparation of the ground first.

The minor airstrips around the islands are suitable for light aircraft (such as helicopters and Pucaras), and Harriers. Only Stanley can take Hercules.

7. Distances

For basic calculations,

UK to Ascension : 3,800nm by sea , 3500nm by air

UK to Gibraltar : 1,200nm by sea, 900nm by air

Gibraltar to Ascension : 2,900nm

Ascension to Falklands : 3,400nm

Argentina to East Falkland : 500nm

Stanley to South Georgia :1,000nm

For example, ships sailing at 20 knots will take approx. 15 days sailing to cover 3,500 nm.