Toaw Scenario: The Oil War Of 1979

Persian Gulf,
October 11, 1979,

Western Coalition army of 41 units opposed to Arab Coalition army of 53 units
for a battle of complexity 0.57 at Brigade(X) level
on a 25 Km/Hex map
for 16 turns of Full Day each.

by Al Sandrik submited on 19-11-2002

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Briefing
The "Oil War" of 1979 Date: Morning, 11 October 1979 Place: Persian (Arabian) Gulf Scale: Full Day turns, 25 Km/Hex Length:16 turns (or 16 days) Units: Brigade (break down to Battalion) Side One: Western Coalition (U.S.A., Israel and E.E.C.) Side Two: Arab Coalition (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain) Author: Al Sandrik E-mail: Asandrik@bellsouth.net Absolutely one of my favorite games ever was James F. Dunnigan's (and Simulation publications Incorporated's [S.P.I's] .) "OIL WAR". It was a simple yet far from simplistic game (yeah, I know you've heard that before), simulating a Western grab for the rich Persian Gulf oil fields following a 1979 oil embargo. Designed in 1975 it foreshadowed the actual 1978-9 mini embargo and the threats of potential American intervention in the Gulf. I highly recommend that you pick up this short and fun game from the various after market game shops/outlets that have sprung up. During the summer of 1979 the Organization of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC) voted to slow down exports to the United States and Western Europe to protest Western policies toward the Islamic world. In September an Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon lead to open warfare between Syria and Israel. As Israeli Defense Force (IDF) tanks approached the outskirts of Damascus, the Soviet Union (embroiled in her own Polish Crisis) intervened with paratroopers and mechanized forces to bolster the flagging Syrian forces. The Group Soviet Forces Middle East (GSFME) forces fought the IDF to a standstill and even began to push some overextended IDF brigades back toward the Golan by late September. As a result President Carter authorized a resupply of the IDF similar to that of the 1973 "Yom Kippur" (or "Ramadan") War. On September 21st OPEC authorized a total oil embargo of the West which began on the 25th. President Carter, along with the Israeli government and NATO/European Economic Community (EEC) issued a joint declaration demanding an immediate restoration of exports. Tensions rise in Europe, the Persian Gulf and Middle East as the United States and Soviet Union face off over the Polish, Arab-Israeli and Oil Crises. To boot the Communist Government of Afghanistan also appeared near collapse requiring more and more Soviet support. Soviet forces had become overstreathed and they began to Mobilize Cat "B" divisions requiring NATO to reinforce Germany, the world was rapidly drawing toward the precipice! On September 27th President Carter requests the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for seizing the needed oil fields. Contingency plans were dusted off and by October 1st they had developed a plan for an airborne invasion of the Persian Gulf with the 3rd Marine Division reinforcing them by sea. The jump off day was set for October 11th, and this plan was approved by the President. As Western forces prepared for possible war in Europe, Israel and the Persian Gulf the world held its breath. NOTES: 1. "GLIDER UNITS", Glider units represent ground forces airlifted into the theater. In order to use airborne movement unit symbols had to be altered. Glider Infantry = Infantry Brigade Heavy Glider Infantry = Mechanized Infantry Brigade Glider Armored = Armored Brigade House rules: These units may only use AIRBORNE MOVEMENT to enter the map. I can not enforce this, but if you want to be relatively accurate you won't. Unit cohesion: These units will take some time (about two turns) to receive all of their equipment after landing. This is an artifact of TOAW:COW design, but is a good feature for this game. You may get the units but take some time for them build up strength at the airfield they land at. 2. Carriers: Five "Airbases" represent the carriers in the game's "Gulf of Oman Box." Only Naval (Blue) Air Units may use these airbases. 3. West Germany: Two Phantom II Squadrons begin the game in West Germany. These units MUST be moved to an "on map" airbase on turn one. 4. Beware of Arab/Islamic Guerrillas. I am placing this scenario in the public domain, anyone wishing to use the map, or scenario to develop further scenarios for other's enjoyment has my permission to do so. I would appreciate an E-mail so I can get a copy of the revision.

Briefing

The "Oil War" of 1979

Date: Morning, 11 October 1979
Place: Persian (Arabian) Gulf
Scale: Full Day turns, 25 Km/Hex
Length:16 turns (or 16 days)
Units: Brigade (break down to Battalion)
Side One: Western Coalition (U.S.A., Israel and E.E.C.)
Side Two: Arab Coalition (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain)

Author: Al Sandrik
E-mail: Asandrik@bellsouth.net

Absolutely one of my favorite games ever was James F. Dunnigan's (and Simulation publications Incorporated's [S.P.I's] .) "OIL WAR". It was a simple yet far from simplistic game (yeah, I know you've heard that before), simulating a Western grab for the rich Persian Gulf oil fields following a 1979 oil embargo. Designed in 1975 it foreshadowed the actual 1978-9 mini embargo and the threats of potential American intervention in the Gulf. I highly recommend that you pick up this short and fun game from the various after market game shops/outlets that have sprung up.

During the summer of 1979 the Organization of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC) voted to slow down exports to the United States and Western Europe to protest Western policies toward the Islamic world. In September an Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon lead to open warfare between Syria and Israel. As Israeli Defense Force (IDF) tanks approached the outskirts of Damascus, the Soviet Union (embroiled in her own Polish Crisis) intervened with paratroopers and mechanized forces to bolster the flagging Syrian forces. The Group Soviet Forces Middle East (GSFME) forces fought the IDF to a standstill and even began to push some overextended IDF brigades back toward the Golan by late September. As a result President Carter authorized a resupply of the IDF similar to that of the 1973 "Yom Kippur" (or "Ramadan") War.

On September 21st OPEC authorized a total oil embargo of the West which began on the 25th. President Carter, along with the Israeli government and NATO/European Economic Community (EEC) issued a joint declaration demanding an immediate restoration of exports. Tensions rise in Europe, the Persian Gulf and Middle East as the United States and Soviet Union face off over the Polish, Arab-Israeli and Oil Crises. To boot the Communist Government of Afghanistan also appeared near collapse requiring more and more Soviet support. Soviet forces had become overstreathed and they began to Mobilize Cat "B" divisions requiring NATO to reinforce Germany, the world was rapidly drawing toward the precipice!

On September 27th President Carter requests the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for seizing the needed oil fields. Contingency plans were dusted off and by October 1st they had developed a plan for an airborne invasion of the Persian Gulf with the 3rd Marine Division reinforcing them by sea. The jump off day was set for October 11th, and this plan was approved by the President. As Western forces prepared for possible war in Europe, Israel and the Persian Gulf the world held its breath.

NOTES:

1. "GLIDER UNITS", Glider units represent ground forces airlifted into the theater. In order to use airborne movement unit symbols had to be altered.

Glider Infantry = Infantry Brigade

Heavy Glider Infantry = Mechanized Infantry Brigade

Glider Armored = Armored Brigade

House rules: These units may only use AIRBORNE MOVEMENT to enter the map. I can not enforce this, but if you want to be relatively accurate you won't.

Unit cohesion: These units will take some time (about two turns) to receive all of their equipment after landing. This is an artifact of TOAW:COW design, but is a good feature for this game. You may get the units but take some time for them build up strength at the airfield they land at.

2. Carriers: Five "Airbases" represent the carriers in the game's "Gulf of Oman Box." Only Naval (Blue) Air Units may use these airbases.

3. West Germany: Two Phantom II Squadrons begin the game in West Germany. These units MUST be moved to an "on map" airbase on turn one.

4. Beware of Arab/Islamic Guerrillas.

I am placing this scenario in the public domain, anyone wishing to use the map, or scenario to develop further scenarios for other's enjoyment has my permission to do so. I would appreciate an E-mail so I can get a copy of the revision.