- Scale
1/1200th
- Rules
Suggested rules are Aeronef, with the optional rules in the Aeronef Captain's Handbook and Warlords of the Skies (expanded rules for Aeronef).
- Length
No turn limit - but see Special Rules, below.
- Players
2
- Forces
COMBINED MARTIAN/GERMAN FLEET
Martian Contingent
1 x Martian Royal Command Ship: (flagship - elite), manned by Martian nobles
2 x Large Martian Royal Flyers: (average)
4 x Martian Torpedo Skiffs: (Elite), manned by High Martian nobles
2 x Cutlass Spar Torpedo Vessels: (fanatic), manned by Martian cultists.
German Contingent
2 x German Koln Class Cruisers: (regular)
3 x German VA7 Class Patrol Nef: (regular)
3 x German SA15 Class Patrol Nef: (regular)
Pirate Forces
(minus any units destroyed or damaged over 50% in The Battle of the Dry Canals)
1 x Pirate Command Barge: (average), manned by Martians with German “advisors”
2 x Martian Dig Destroyers: (average), manned by Martians with German “advisors”
2 x Martian Dig Gunboats: (average), fighter profile, manned by Martians with German “advisors”
COMBINED REGULAR BRITISH FORCES
Third British Punitive Force
1 x Brittania Class Battlecruiser: Balmoral (flagship - elite)
1 x Audacious Class Battlecruiser: Adventurous (regular)
2 x Arethusa Class Destroyers: Aeschylus, Aetheria (regular)
3 x Steadfast Class Patrol Nef: Serpentis, Sirenum (regular)
2 x Cossack Class Patrol Nef: (regular)
Arcadian Regular Forces
1 x Exeter Class Cruiser: Eridania (regular)
1 x Arethusa Class Destroyer: Aeolis (regular)
2 x Cossack Class Patrol Nef: Cimmerium, Cecropia (regular)
- Situation
The second in a set of two linked scenarios for actions leading up to The Great War on Mars.
Part II: The Punitive Expedition
Following the embarrassing defeat of the Colonial Forces, the British colony reacted with barely controlled panic, fearing that a resurgent Martian nationalism was at hand.
With the strength of the High Martian forces still unknown – and the loyalty of the Low Martian tribes questionable - they retreated to the colony, and sent an urgent plea to the crown for reinforcements. After being hastily fitted for aether flight, the Third British Punitive Force set course for Mars, arriving a scant six weeks later.
Unknown at first, German forces (location 4) were already there and in league with the High Martians. However, heroic action by the intrepid Scouts of the Martian Legion not only led to the eventual rescue of the hostages, but also to discovery of the the German/Martian alliance. The British forces would not be surprised at the climactic Battle of the Southern Sand Sea (location 3).
Victory Conditions
Inflict more damage (in hull and/or gun points) than your opponent. Cruisers and above count as double. Fleet flagship counts as triple.
- Major Victory:
- 2-1 in points or better
- Minor Victory:
- 1.5-1 in points or better
- Set-Up
-
German/Martian forces set up anywhere east of the dune face at Low or Very Low altitude. Forces at Very Low Altitude are not revealed until the end of the British second turn.
British forces enter from the west map edge on turn one, at Low altitude.
- Special Rules
Scenario Breakpoint: The owning side must withdraw when either the Martian Command Barge or the British Flagship is destroyed, or upon both British Battlecruisers or German Cruisers being damaged over 50%.
Audacious Stats: Use Britannia class stats, minus two gun points and plus two torpedoes per side.
Martian Royal Command Ship Stats: Use stats for Agamemnon Class Monitor.
Large Martian Royal Flyer Stats: Use stats for Archangelsk Class Cruiser.
Pirate Command Barge: Use stats for Mogami Class Monitor, but speed 12.
Martian Torpedo Skiffs: Use stats for Cygnet Class Torpedo Boat.
Crew Quality:
- Elite
- Can reroll any one combat result once per game. -1 to damage control rolls.
- Average
- No benefit or hindrance.
- Poor
- Top speed reduced by 10% (round up). Opponent can call for a reroll of any one combat result once per game. +1 to damage control rolls. If operating independently (not in line of battle), must roll 5 or less to turn, else continue for 1/3 move before trying again.
- Fanatic
- Can reroll any one combat result once per game. Opponent can call for a reroll of any one combat result per game (unless already rerolled). +1 to damage control rolls. Cannot operate in line of battle.
Martian Spar Torpedos: Martian Spar Torpedo ships must ram their opponents (physically contacting the model). On a successful ram, roll 1d6: 1: misfire*, 1 point damage; 2-3: 1d6 points damage; 4-5: 2d6 points damage; 6: 3d6 points damage. Roll a die for the ramming ship: on a 5-6, it takes 1d6 points damage.
* On a misfire, Fanatic units may set off the charge manually. Roll again for damage to the target, ignoring rolls of 1. Make another roll for the ramming vessel and apply both results simultaneously.
Martian Boarding Skiffs: Martian Boarding Skiffs allow a Martian vessel to make a boarding attempt against any unit within 3 inches/cm.
- Recommended Figures
All British and German Forces are available in the Brigade Models British vs. German Starter Pack (VAN-003) and the British Pursuit Pack (VANFP-111).
Third British Punitive Force
1 x VAN-111 (Brittania Class Battlecruiser: Balmoral)
1 x VAN-111 (Audacious Class Battlecruiser: Adventurous) - minus two guns and plus two torpedoes per side
2 x VAN-112 (Arethusa Class Destroyers: Aeschylus, Aetheria)
3 x VAN-108 (Steadfast Class Patrol Nef: Serpentis, Sirenum
2 x VAN-107 (Cossack Class Patrol Nef)
Arcadian Regular Forces
1 x VAN-102 (Exeter Class Cruiser: Eridania)
1 x VAN-112 (Arethusa Class Destroyer: Aeolis
2 x VAN-107 (Cossack Class Patrol Nef: Cimmerium, Cecropia
Suggested models and conversions for the Martian forces are provided below.
Martian Contingent
1 x VAN-1804 (Martian Royal Command Ship): modified Carlo Alberti (add a full-length superstructure with heavy guns forward and space for boarding skiffs aft)
2 x VAN-502 (Large Martian Royal Flyers): modified Archangelsk Dig Cruiser (add outrigger gondolas for boarding skiffs)
4 x VAN-508 (Martian Torpedo Skiffs): use Novik Class Torpedo Boats
2 x VAN-4001 (Cutlass Spar Torpedo Vessels): VAN-4001
German Contingent
2 x VAN-303 (German Koln Class Cruiser)
3 x VAN-304 (German VA7 Class Patrol Nef)
3 x VAN-305 (German SA15 Class Patrol Nef)
Pirate Forces
1 x VAN-5005 (Pirate Command Barge): Modified Peerless class bulk merchant vessel (add heavy guns to side of superstructure; add boarding skiffs to top)
2 x VAN-309 (Martian Dig Destroyers): Use modified Brandenburg Class Dig Destroyers (add upper superstructure with boarding skiffs).
2 x VAN-302 (Martian Dig Gunboats): Use Seydlitz Class Winged Dig Gunboats.
