These scenarios arose from a game run at Wargames Developments’ Conference of Wargamers in July 1998.
This game, called ‘Banana Boats’, concerned a naval arms race between three
fictional South American countries (The Peoples Republic of Alicante, The
Basque Republic and The Republic of Castile) in the early 1930s. The 40+
players were divided between three admiralty committees and six foreign
shipyards. The committee players argued over which ships to order, while
fanciful designers and unscrupulous salesmen tried to offload their products.
These included the celebrated British 'F**k-Off class large battleships... Sales gimmicks included the Italian offer of free uniforms and the innovative
Spanish ‘buy now and pay after you win the war’ plan.
Scenario 1
This scenario takes place after a period of rising tension
between the Basque Republic and the Republic of Castile .
The main issue is that of the disputed Purile
Islands (Islas Purilos?) which lie
some 200 miles east of the mainland, with the Basque
Republic to the north-west, and the Republic of Castile to the south-west. This scenario
can be played on a six by four foot table, laid out as follows:
The disputed Puerile Islands - t wo small (no more than 6 inches long) islands in the south-eastern corner of the table, and a small island in the centre of the table.
The Navy of the Basque
Republic (NOBER)
4 Battleships Brilliante,
Bolero, Bullfighter, Bellona
2 Aircraft Carriers Bedknobs,
Broomsticks
4 Light Cruisers Bongo,
Bango, Bingo, Beano
7 Destroyer Flotillas DB1,
DB2 etc
6 Troop Transports 25
de Mayo, 26 de Mayo etc
Depending on the number of players available, this fleet
should be divided between up to four squadrons, each led by a battleship. The
exception to this is the transport squadron, which may be led by a light
cruiser. Sailing orders must specify the composition, route and order of
appearance of each squadron. All squadrons enter in line astern, on the
northern edge of the table.
Objective: To get the transports safely off the
south-eastern corner of the table, between the two islands
The Fleet of the Republic
of Castile (FROC)
The Castillian Fleet is divided into three squadrons as
follows:
Provisional Independent Cruiser Squadron (PRICS). Starts on
table, sailing in a straight line from one corner (player’s choice) to
diagonally opposite corner until enemy ships sighted.
4 Heavy Cruisers: Crapo,
Crudo, Cluedo, Completo (all with 11in guns - think Graf Spee)
2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (2BCS). Starts off
table, will arrive on south-eastern corner 1D6 turns after PRICS sends appeal
for help.
2 Battlecruisers: Cortez,
Cortege
1st Battle
Squadron. Starts off table, will arrive on south-eastern corner 2D6 turns after
2BCS sights enemy ships.
1 Battleship Collage
1 Carrier Clueless
4 Destroyer Flotillas CD1,
CD2 etc
Who won?
The NOBER wins if it is able to exit at least five undamaged
transports from the SE corner while having lost no more than two battleships or
carriers.
FROC wins if it prevents the above while losing no more than
one BB, BC or CV and no more than two of the Heavy Cruisers.
Any other result is a draw.
In the event of a draw or a Basque victory, try Scenario 2…(coming soon)
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