There are no "absolute" walkthroughs for Harpoon because each scenario is partially randomized. One game, the enemy fleet is North of you, and next game that same fleet is now to your West. If you follow a guide for fighting the North fleet, when it is really a West fleet, you will be destroyed everytime.
I can only offer advice on how to better yourself.
1. Read ALL the in-game information about your ships, planes, helicopters, etc. Some ships are armed with jamming equipment and weapons that can shoot down missiles, but ONLY if the enemy missiles are coming from a specific direction in relation to the direction your ship is facing.
2. Scenarios where you get a Carrier, and thus can launch planes, are easier for beginners because you have more options at your disposal.
3. If you choose "No" for Start with Full Ordinance, the enemy will have fewer Long Range Missiles, among other things, but so will you.
4. In the scenario you refer to, you have to draw the Russians close to Land. Use the coast line as a "shield" and get them to come you. When you see the Russian ships, attack and run away. A Zig-Zag pattern may help with the running away part, but not always because it is best used against Aircraft then other Ships. You have to draw the Russians into range of your gunboats and their torpedos. Don't go to them, make them come to you.
5. Don't be afraid to play as the other side once in awhile. Learn what they have for ships, weapons, etc., how best to use those weapons, and what their weaknesses are. If you were a real naval admiral being sent into a war zone, you would have that information at your disposal, i.e. what the enemy is capable of and how to combat it.
6. Don't get frustrated. You will lose far more often then you will succeed. Learn from your mistakes, try new tactics and ideas, and don't give up.
7. This is not an easy game. The AI is well made, knows the tricks on how to win, knows what all the ships can do, and will always surprise the unwary. The AI can be defeated, but you have to be willing to devote hours of your time to learning the details of the game.
8. Strategy and Flexibility are your best weapons. Out think your opponent, out smart your opponent, and learn to predict their actions when you have only seconds to react.
Harpoon is very difficult, and requires the players to devote large amounts of time to learning the game and its details if they want to win.
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I grew up with the games themselves, and watched many a good company disappear. If it wasn't for many dedicated people, all these games would be lost to the ravages of time.
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