Toaw Scenario: The Soccer War

Briefing
The Soccer War Based upon game "Central America" by Victory Games. 1. Background Economic tensions and border disputes between El Salvador and Honduras escalated in the late 1960's into a hot little war. Following soccer game riots between the two countries' nationals, the Salvadoran military launched an invasion of Honduras. A stalemate and ceasefire resulted from a week of fighting, but the wounds inflicted during the war added to regional instability and crisis. 2. Note Note that although El Salvador is geographically smaller than Honduras, it actually has a bigger population and is more economically advanced than Honduras. In military terms, the Salvadoran ground advance quickly bogged down, while Honduras was able to achieve control of the air. In political terms, this provides an excellent example of how rulers and ruled on both sides got caught up in a mutually-reinforcing frenzy of war propaganda which ultimately spun out of control and far beyond anyone's initial desires. In this way, it is similar to World War One. It is also an interesting example of ground power vs. air power, similar in principle to the invasion of South Yemen (superior air power) by Yemen (ground power) or even to Soviet / Warsaw Pact vs. US / NATO, except to a much smaller degree. Honduran player please pay attention to theater options on bombing Salvadoran ports--you do not have to commit your air power in turn one, but do not wait too long or the scenario will end before you can complete the bombing. Note that choosing to bomb ports will remove air units proportionately. EB

Economic tensions and border disputes between El Salvador and Honduras escalated in the late 1960's into a hot little war. Following soccer game riots between the two countries' nationals, the Salvadoran military launched an invasion of Honduras. A stalemate and ceasefire resulted from a week of fighting, but the wounds inflicted during the war added to regional instability and crisis.

Note that although El Salvador is geographically smaller than Honduras, it actually has a bigger population and is more economically advanced than Honduras. In military terms, the Salvadoran ground advance quickly bogged down, while Honduras was able to achieve control of the air. In political terms, this provides an excellent example of how rulers and ruled on both sides got caught up in a mutually-reinforcing frenzy of war propaganda which ultimately spun out of control and far beyond anyone's initial desires. In this way, it is similar to World War One. It is also an interesting example of ground power vs. air power, similar in principle to the invasion of South Yemen (superior air power) by Yemen (ground power) or even to Soviet / Warsaw Pact vs. US / NATO, except to a much smaller degree.

Honduran player please pay attention to theater options on bombing Salvadoran ports--you do not have to commit your air power in turn one, but do not wait too long or the scenario will end before you can complete the bombing. Note that choosing to bomb ports will remove air units proportionately.