You should play/plan the scenario with Air Logistics OFF. The bases are not checked for proper ammo figures, and at this level of combat, logistics are a relatively low priority. So you can load up pretty much anything on your aircraft from the available RL loadouts.
Choose your sides, have a go, behave (no peeks over the fence ;-) and let's get this show on the road.
Warsaw Pact Initial Orders
Land Orders:
216th GTR to advance East-South East to Frankfurt via Hunsfeld, Fulda, Neuhoff, Schlucturn and Bad Orb. Highway passes through each town giving direction of advance.
Execution:
216th Recon leads advance 5nm (hex of main body). Movement to contact identify NATO main line of defense and or strong points.
216thSP/ART: Once recon has identified strong point, ART will begin bombardment prior to main attack. CAS will also initiate preparatory attacks.
216th MR Battalion will lead advance of main body. Once 216th Recon identifies main line of defense and will engage. Emphasis will be engaging NATO anti armor forces.
216th Tank Battalions 1 and 2 will then support MR attack. 216th Tank Battalion 3 will be in tactical reserve to support Battalion 1 and 2s attack and exploit any attack.
216th Air Defence Battalion advance in support.
In the event of any major delay 216th Engineer will advance to assist with breakthrough
Focus of all groups is to break through NATO defensive lines.
In terms of the order of advance (hex by hex basis):
1. Recon
2. MR Battalion
3. 2 Tank Battalions, Air Defense
4. 1 Supporting Tank Battalion
5. Artillery
6. HQ and Engineer
Initial Air Orders
Zerbst:
4 MiG-23s to act as interceptors. Any NATO aircraft detected on front will be intercepted. Flights will be in pairs. Priority on any NATO group that appears to be CAS or strike oriented.
2 Mig-29s will act as escort for strike group from Altenburg. Will break and engage any interceptors detected.
Altenburg:
SU-25s and SU-17s will attack Nato main line once identified by 216th Rec. Will be escorted by MiG-29 from Zerbst.
BATTLE BEGINS: DAY 1, 01:00am
SITREP Day 1, 02:00
The conflict commenced at 01:00.
The 4 MiG-23MLDs took off to take station abreast of the regiment's current positions, to form a defensive line. They kept their radars shut off, guided by the SA-10 battalion's radar.
At 01:09, the SAM battalion detected two airborne pairs, no emissions. Identified as yellow contacts in the screenshot below:
Two mins later a further pair was detected. The first two pairs appeared to be heading almost directly towards friendly armored units and were thus designated as hostile and assigned to both interceptor pairs.
At 01:14 there was the first passive indication of the reported Patriot site:
At 01:17 things heated up as one of the enemy pairs tried to break off while the other came-in for a high-speed BVR run. In the ensuing BVR clash we lost 2 MiG-23s to enemy fighters (probably F-15s), the other two surviving MiG-23s were directed closer to friendly lines and towards our SAM battalion for better protection. While this did have the effect of luring some enemy fighters inside our LR-SAM envelope, one more of the MiG-23s was lost to the chase. The SA-10 battalion 3 minutes later claimed one of the enemy fighters who had temporarily broken off and then resumed their attack run on our ground forces(?). The other member of that pair was visually identified as an F-16C aircraft, and it attacked our regiment's recon company. Friendly casualties are to be determined.
The situation as of 02:00 (one hour after the commencement of hostilities) is shown in the screen below. The enemy aircraft tracked by our SAM battalion is probably an F-15. We currently have no aircraft of our own in the air, the sole remaining MiG-23 is being turned around for another CAP sortie.
Comments: We received heavy fighter casualties (3 MiG-23s) during the first air battle. This is likely to increase the risk of future CAS/BAI sorties. The enemy SAM battery appers to present little risk at present. Our most effective force at the moment, both at surveillance and attrition & deterrence of enemy forces, appears to be our SAM battalion.
Operations will continue as per standing orders unless otherwise instructed.
SITREP Day 1, 04:05
This report would normally be issued on 04:00 (five minutes ago), but an aerial clash was in progress and it was deemed worthwhile to conclude the event before reporting. Our sole surviving MiG-23MLD cooperated with our LR-SAM battalion to bring down an enemy fighter, probably an F-15. Our fighter pursued a head-on BVR interception course at high speed and high altitude, luring the enemy aircraft into a similar posture and thus exposing it to our AD operators. Our rockets did the rest.
Our fighter is returning to base prematurely as a result of the prolonged afterburner usage. All other air units are on the ground, ready to fly. No unidentified air contacts currently present.
No further developments since the previous SITREP.
SITREP Day 1, 06:00
Orders
Last remaining Flogger correct?
Correct, the Floggers were wiped out. That was partly my fault as a GM. I should have conceded some measure of numerical superiority to the Soviet side, to even the balance. As it is, the Eagle is enjoying the benefits of mano-a-mano qualitative superiority in an almost laboratory-style environment. This will change as we move up to scale (e.g. TFWs vs air divisions/armies) and numbers and other factors will probably blunt its advantages a bit.
IIRC I've got the 29's slated to ride with the attack aircraft. To be clear when's these birds launch the MiG-29's will engage any interceptors detected as inbound on this group.
Rgr that. They'll throw everything _and_ the kitchen sink at anyone who even blinks against the BAI birds. You prefer them "tight escort" (mixed with the flock) or loose group in order to maintain a tracking threat axis?
Loose group.
SITREP Day 1, 01:00-07:00
Your orders to the ground units have been executed. Here are the results.
A video of our movements: http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/TOAW_Turn1_Soviet.ace
A screenshot of the situation as of 07:00 is available here:
> 216th GTR to advance East-South East to Frankfurt via Hunsfeld, Fulda, Neuhoff, Schlucturn and Bad Orb. Highway passes through each town giving direction of advance.
As ordered. Only one enemy unit has been spotted so far, see below.
> Execution:
> 216th Recon leads advance 5nm (hex of main body). Movement to contact
identify NATO main line of defense and or strong points.
Contact has been established with a dug-in US company-sized armored unit, northeast of Hunfeld. The recon company has come under air attack while establishing contact, losses are 3 BTR-80s destroyed and 1 BRDM-2 immobilised (may be available after some hrs).
> 216thSP/ART: Once recon has identified strong point ART will begin bombardment prior to main attack. CAS will also initiate preparatory attacks.
Artillery trailed the advancing armored forces but arrived within striking range of the spotted enemy unit too late to pre-emptively bombard.
> 216th MR Battalion will lead advance of main body. Once 216th Recon identifies main line of defense and will engage. Emphasis will be engaging NATO anti armor forces.
Btn is traiiling the recon elements and is ready to advance forward.
> 216th Tank Battalions 1 and 2 will then support MR attack. 216th Tank Battalion 3 will be in tactical reserve to support Battalion 1 and 2's attack and exploit any attack. 216th Air Defence Battalion advance in support.
Tank btn's 1&2 are flanking the MR btn and are about to perform a pincer attack on the spotted US company. Tk Btn 3 is immediately behind, together with the AD elements.
> In the event of any major delay 216th Engineer will advance to assist with breakthrough.
The engineer company is trailing the formation due to reduced mobility.
All units are in position and awaiting further orders. Order priority should currently be given to air units.
Orders
Continue as ordered. Pincer attack will do. Third tank battalion, artillery in support. Air support mission will execute as planned.
Attachment of AAA/SAM elements from the
AD battalion to other formations:
1)one missile and one gun section with the artillery battalion
2)one missile and one gun section with every tank battalion
SITREP Day 1 08:00
battalions, and gave one 2S6 pair each to the tactical reserve tank battalion and the artillery battalion.]
A lot has happened in the last past hour. Not all of it good.
Between 07:07 and 07:35 our 2nd tank battalion suffered heavy air attacks from A-10 attack aircraft, at least four of them. We sustained significant losses (12 T-80U tanks and one BMP-2 IFV, as well as some infantry squads) and our SA-13 crews were unable to bring down any of the attacking aircraft.
By sheer chance, our own CAS force and its escort were arriving at the FLOT in full, just as the second pair of A-10s was departing. Our MiG-29s immediately engaged the Thunderbolts and downed one of them, while simultaneously engaging an orbiting F-15. The enemy fighter was well-flown; not only it evaded 3 R-27R missiles but also found an opportunity to dash towards our ground-attack fighters just as they were making their bombing runs. In just a few seconds we lost 3 Su-25s and one Su-17 because of this single aircraft. Our fighters furiously pursued the departing Eagle but were unable to close to engage, due to the American fighter's high speed and the fact that it was retreating towards a direction that coincided with Patriot-type emissions (probably not by chance). Instead they chased and shot down the second retreating A-10. They then returned to Zerbst, evading several Patriot volleys on the way.
While on the return leg, the MiG-29s also made
several significant detections, including a
previously undiscovered NATO artillery battery and
an unidentified formation close to Fulda. Also, by
the successive Patriot
emission signatures on their RWRs, we were able to
roughly localise the position of the enemy LR-SAM
battery. This could be useful if a SEAD strike
(e.g. the remaining Su-17 with Kh-58s) is to be authorised. For
their effort and exploits, the Fulcrum crews
will be decorated (after being court-martialled
for inadequately protecting our ground-attack airgroup).
Ten minutes ago our Regimental HQ was attacked by NATO aircraft. We are still waiting the casualty list. We were unable to intercept them in time, but did manage to shoot down another unidentified aircraft that was orbiting high nearby.
The current air picture is shown on the screen below. The fading air contacts are the aircraft that attacked our RegHQ just before. They have kept close to the ground and we cannot locate them precisely (not that we have any ready air assets to go after them, anyway). The identified unit North-Northwest of Fulda is the located NATO artillery battery. The line of reference points south of Fulda is the bearing at which the other non-identified unit was observed (it was detected with the IRST, no range data was available). The square-ish box of reference points roughly 50km southwest of Fulda is the approximate location of the Patriot site.
We have very few remaining air assets, all of them currently at Zerbst. The two MiG-29s are 18 minutes to launch with standard A2A, the sole Su-17 will be ready in 3 minutes with AS-14s, and the sole Su-25 will be ready in 6 minutes with RBK-500s.
Air ops to continue as already instructed, pending any change in orders.
Orders
Oh well, thats what this experiment is for. Will have plenty of questions for you when this is over ;-) Carry on.
Launch follow on strike in 18 minutes. Full package. SU-17 cleared to do something useful. Remind MiG-29 pilots that their primary responsiblity is to the strike aircraft.
When communications available please have my land forces give a detailed report. Not real sure they are being paid the proper attention ;-)
SITREP Day 1, 10:00
At about 08:30 this morning something quite strange happened. Our S-300PS battalion detected two F-16 aircraft at _very_ close range, in what appeared to be a snake search pattern. It can only be deduced that the aircraft were searching for something in the proximity of the SAM battalion (BAI S&D? Or maybe SEAD?) and somehow failed to be alerted to the presence of our SAMs even though the battalion was operated on unrestricted EMCON. Equally strangely, our radars failed to pick them up until they were practically on top of us. Anyhow, immediately upon detection our operators reacted swiftly. Both aircraft were shot down without releasing any weapons (the second F-16 was shot down with one of our portable Igla-1 missiles, they got _that_ close).
It turns out that our 07:20 air attack on the US tank company accomplished very little; only a single vehicle was destroyed. The enemy was well dug-in and covered by thick forestry. To think that we lost 2/3rds of our attack aircraft for this...
On a more positive note, repeated enemy air attacks on our headquarters with F-4 aircraft were equally unfruitful. On the first raid (07:50), we lost only one of the Supply command vehicles to their massive cluster-bombing runs. This will affect our logistics, but not by much. When they came back on 09:23, our portable SAM crews were fully alerted and blasted them out of the sky. One Phantom was immediately destroyed and another was badly damaged and was observed leaving the scene with fire onboard.
The 2nd Tank Battalion continues to
receive the attention of enemy air strikes. 2 A-10 aircraft attacked
with missiles at 08:25, and we lost two more tanks to them. Thankfully
this time our SAM operators were more
effective and damaged one of the two bandits with a barrage of
Strela-10s, so they broke off early.
Lastly, our remaining attack aircraft are making some progress. Our sole Su-17M4 and sole Su-25 attacked twice the NATO artillery battery previously detected, and on the way back briefly localised the vehicles previously detected near Fulda. Turns out there is at least one more tank company at the vicinity of the town, very close to the artillery forces.
These exploits came at a heavy price. On the first bombing run, both of our MiG-29 escorts were shot down by an enemy aircraft with BVR missiles. We can only assume that this was the sole remaining F-15, the same that slaughtered our first CAS sortie. Furthermore, upon departing the attack scene on the second run, our aircraft stumbled upon an enemy A-10. The Su-17M4 traded IR missiles with the enemy, and both aircraft shot down each other. This happened barely 2-3 minutes ago.
The current (10:00) battlefield picture is shown on the screenshot below. The friendly aircraft departing the FLOT is our sole remaining air asset, the surviving Su-25. Also visible are the forest-entrenched tank company fixed by our recon assets, and to the south-southeast of it the artilley battery and yet another tank company. On the southwest, the approximate area of the US Patriot site is observed.
Ground operations are currently underway. Our units are moving as ordered.
SITREP Day 1, 13:00 (Air Ops)
Not much to report since the last SITREP. Our sole remaining Su-25 was shot down by enemy fighters at 12:26 while enroute to the NATO artillery battery. This means that Frontal Aviation is no longer able to support the ground forces in this operation.
We will soon have the report from the ground operations. Let's hope that the grunts do better than the flyboys. The damage we have caused to the enemy artillery may come handy in the offensive outside Hunfeld (the arty pieces are well within range of supporting the enemy entrenchment).
SITREP Day 1 07:00-13:00 (Ground Ops)
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn2_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn2_WP_EnemyAction.ace
First, the good news. Our armor and mechanized forces surround and assaulted the entrenched US tank company in the woods outside Hunfeld, with artillery support. We took some casualties, but the enemy forces were smashed and routed. Our troops made a dash to Hunfeld and captured the town intact. We also tried to chase the artillery and HQ elements identified in the area, but they were already on their way west when we arrived. (We did kill a few M-109 SP guns however). Our recon company was split into platoon units which have spread out to bypass the Hunfeld battle. The road to Fulda is now open.
Now the not so good. An American tank
unit of roughly company strength assaulted our right flank from the
direction of Bad Hersfeld. They penetrated right into the midst of our
formation and started chasing our HQ
as well as our engineers. Our engineering company in fact evaporated.
Our HQ fortunately escaped with minimal casualties but is still under
grave threat. Worse, our incompetent HQ staffers did not retreat west to
shield themselves under the cover of our heavy forces; rather, they ran
eastwards. As a result, they have been cut off from the rest of the
formation and are still at gunpoint from the American intruders. (On the
situation map, the HQ is stacked under the paralyzed recon platoon).
Force Status: Most units are on an average-to-satisfactory condition. The 2nd Tank Battalion has now 1/3rd of its original armor strength; the other battalions also took losses at the Hunfeld assault, but less severe. We are still in a position to push forward to Fulda and beyond, but we need to address the threat to our HQ immediately.
Awaiting further orders.
Orders
Tank Battalion 24/7 nad Tank Battalion 29/9 move toward allied Tank Company and attack. Artillery will move to support. So two tank units side by side and Artillery unit behind them. If artillery in range, preparatory bombardment.
Remaining battalions hold positions. Defend front.
SITREP Day 1, 13:00-19:00
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn3_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn3_WP_OwnAction.ace
Current situation map:
Although our LR-SAM battalion shot
down one more aircraft, enemy A-10s continue to give us no rest. In
the last few hours they shifted their priorities to our two tank
battaliosn closest to our HQ, perhaps in
realisation of our plans to counter-attack the intrusion. Our 3rd
Tank Btn lost 5 tanks (plus 1 damaged) and worse, both its Tunguska
mobile AA guns. Our 1st Tank Btn had lighter losses (one Strela-10
mobile SAM and one BMP-2). The air attack was such a severe shock to
the 3rd battalion (these guys had not been bombed before) that it
was temporarily paralyzed and thus not immediately available. This
significantly altered our plan for smashing the enemy intrusion into
our right flanks.
Moreover, while encircling the enemy unit another previously unseen tank company was observed, this one on our left flank. It appears that the enemy was planning for a two-pronged pincer flank maneuver rather than a simple hook.
In any case, these developments
prompted me to use the 2nd tank battalion and our Motor-Rifle
battalion to ensure the destruction of the enemy maneuver. Emphasis
was given on surrounding and exterminating the
firstly-detected unit; the other tank company would not interfere if
they knew what was good for them (particularly with two battalions
between them and their comrades).
Our first assault was less than successful, but the second one broke the enemy into platton-size elements and set them into retreat. We kept up the pressure and launched one more assault, driving them further north-west and away from our HQ company (which by now had retreated northeast, just in case). The enemy tank forces are clearly in disarray, and we can finish them off if we so desire.
Our recon forces continued their careful advance towards Fulda, where they encountered a MechInf platoon in defensive positions. They withdrew without engaging.
As expected, the tank company in our left flank did not attempt to create a breakout corridor for the remnants of the right-flank intrusion. Instead, they disappeared. Shortly afterwards, a unit of very similar composition was reported arriving at the outskirts of Fulda.
Our units are overall in average-to-satisfactory condition. We still have a supply problem, but as long as we maintain a numerical superiority over NATO forces we will retain the initiative. Without air cover, however, time works against us; enemy air power will gradually bleed us to death unless we move swiftly. We are still probably well within reach of our original objectives - particularly if we, anyhow, pass or bypass the Fulda obstacle.
Awaiting further orders.
Orders
First regiment is to attack and destroy NATO units in direct contact. They will encircle where applicable and press that attack.
Following these actions regiment is to maintain cohesion, this strung out across the line of advance in a hodgepodge manner is very odd. Tank battalions at the front of the line of advance, supporting units behind them (Art, HQ, Air Def). Scouts will maintain coverage at the front while avoiding direct conflict with the enemy. Our line of advance is through Fulda so that is where we will go.I assume it'll take 6 hours to straighten this foolishness up.
That is all.
SITREP Day 1, 19:00-01:00
It is now D+24H.
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn4_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn4_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current
situation map:
The 2nd Tank battalion suffered another air attack, losing one tank and two BMPs. However the aircraft was showered with AA fire and was observed leaving the scene smoking.
> First regiment is to attack and destroy NATO units in direct contact. They will encircle where applicable and press that attack.
Done. Enemy forces in close proximity were exterminated with minimal losses.
> Following these actions regiment is to maintain cohesion, this strung out across the line of advance in a hodgepodge manner is very odd. Tank battalions at the front of the line of advance, supporting units behind them (Art, HQ, Air Def).
Currently maneuvering elements to achieve desired structure. Optimal cohesion should be reached during the next hours, barring any other counter-attacks.
> Scouts will maintain coverage at the front while avoiding direct conflict with the enemy.
They did one better. One of our scout platoons detected the artillery battery west of Fulda and chased it away, effectively dismantling it. An enemy HQ section was also briefly detected west of the artillery unit (in the outskirts of Laulerbach) but we lost contact as it withdrew southbound.
Another recon unit bypassed Fulda and reached Neuhof. No further enemy units (apart from the two platoon-strength formations in Fulda) have been observed.
> Our line of advance is through Fulda so that is where we will go. I assume it'll take 6 hours to straighten this foolishness up.
As ordered. Armor and mechanised forces are re-forming the spearhead of the offensive.
SITREP Day 2, 01:00-07:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn5_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn5_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
As per your orders, regiment is reforming for a full-strength advance through Fulda. Our tank battalions and the motor-rifle battalion are covering a 20-km front, with artillery right behind and the HQ company coming up in the rear. At least one tank company has been detected in Fulda in entrenched position. We estimate that their Mech Infantry unit is also in the vicinity.
Our recon forces continue independently, prodding for any defences and clearing the main way. One of our recon platoons has reached Schluctern unopposed. The enemy HQ elements however have disappeared.
Enemy air attacks are still a problem but the night is limiting their effectiveness. We lost only one tank to them in the last 6 hrs.
Most of our armored units are at half-strength but can still fight. Current plan is to push through Fulda - and any enemy forces positioned there.
SITREP Day 2, 07:00-13:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn6_WP_OwnAction.ace
No enemy movement observed.
Current situation map:
Enemy air support is not a severe problem at the moment; casualties are very light compared to yesterday and our AD forces are frequently causing enemy aircraft to abort under damage.
Beginning at 08:00, our forces attacked the US positions in Fulda. All our 4 main armor units were committed to the assault, along with aour artillery. Despite causing severe losses, we were unable to push the enemy units out of their prepared positions. Our own losses were heavy. Two of our already understrength tank battalions (1st and 3rd) disintegrated under the weight of their casualties, their survivors being added to the other two battalions. Our MR battalion is re-organizing from its own losses, which leaves only the 2nd tank battalion as immediately available for operations. Other regimental units have suffered no losses.
Enemy units seem to be holding on to their defensive positions. They have not counter-attacked although the opportunity existed for them to do so.
Our forward recon elements report no further enemy units sighted. The 3rd Recon platoon is in the woods northeast of Bad Orb, a scant 50km from Hannau and the outskirts of Frankfurt.
Awaiting further orders.
Orders
<Dimitris> got any new orders
for the regiment?
<Myk> hehe..withdraw
<Myk> go back to the bean farm, raise a few and live
happy and fruitful lives
<Myk> hehe
<Dimitris> mmmmmm oookayyyy
<Dimitris> bored of it? :-)
<Myk> sorry was a joke
<Dimitris> not a prob :-)
<Myk> Honestly, at this point
this group would take and hold Fulda
<Myk> and another fresh regiment follow through
<Dimitris> yes
<Dimitris> hmmmmmm
<Myk> so thats the orders
<Dimitris> you're quite close to giving me ideas :-0
<Dimitris> :-)
<Myk> won't make Frankfurt
<Dimitris> you can always bypass Fulda and make a run
for it....
<Dimitris> (make)
<Myk> :)
<Myk> naw
<Dimitris> but you're quite right, doctrine calls for
the second echelon forces to basically mop-up
<Myk> by the time I got there I'd be so spent
<Myk> recon unit could wipe my out
<Myk> not to meantion I think the supply lines behind
me are closed
<Myk> so:(
<Myk> best hold in Fulda until they can be reopened
* Myk bets he's already hit that magical "combat
ineffective" number Moscow came up with
<Dimitris> :-)
<Dimitris> well you never know
<Dimitris> the US units at Fulda may well be so badly
beat-up that they only need one more push to
crack
<Dimitris> the first assault caused them over 50%
casaulties
<Dimitris> (i'm not entirely sure whether TOAW cheats
or not when it provides you such
information.....but it does, so there)
<Myk> well take Fulda next turn
<Dimitris> ok
<Dimitris> or at least push for it
<Myk> :)
<Dimitris> the scouts don't see any other unit out
there
<Dimitris> so it's fair chance that the lads in Fulda
are all there is
<Myk> okay bypass and push toward Frankfurt
<Myk> growing beans is boring anyways
SITREP Day 2, 13:00-19:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn7_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn7_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
Our troops are making target practice againt enemy aircraft by now :-). No losses to air attacks at all in the last 6 hrs.
On less positive note, the enemy started sniping our positions outside the town. We returned fire and killed some of them. However we had a few loses as well (virtually nothing compared to the butchery of our initial assault) and pulled back 5 kms. Our artillery is bombarding the enemy trenches non-stop, but so far the results are not promising. We are reorganizing prior to moving the main force around Fulda and proceeding to Neuhof.
SITREP Day 2, 19:00-01:00
It's now D+48H.
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn8_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn8_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
We have begun disengaging from Fulda and routing around from the east side before turning again west towards Neuhof & Schluctern. Our HQ, artillery and AD units are moving in column, with the 2nd Tank battalion covering them from possible counterattack. This arrangement proved useful as at least one NATO tank company tried to intercept the column; it was successfully engaged by our tanks and withdrew.
Our motor-rifle battalion was delayed
by reorganisation and did not immediately follow the hook maneuver,
but is now ready to trail. Its left-behind position, however,
presents an interesting tactical opportunity.
One the one hand, if it presses an attack on Fulda instead of
following the rest of the regiment, it may convince the enemy that
we are still determined to break through their entrenchment there,
thus pinning them at Fulda while the bulk of our forces dash to
Frankfurt. On the other hand, if the enemy does detect our bypass
and trails us, the battalion can stay behind, trail the enemy and
attack them at their vulnerable rear. Ideally, we could end up
having their remaining forces sandwiched between our two battalions
- and crushed.
Our leading recon units are now just 20km from Hannau; the outline of Frankfurt's skyscrapers is beginning to show in the horizon.
Awaiting further orders (mainly, what shall the MR battalion do?)
Orders
Odd but concur. MR Battalion will assault Fulda and then follow regiment to Frankfurt. If blue forces stop to engage at Fulda great, if they bypass please to follow and attempt to engage enemy forces from Rear.
SITREP Day 3, 01:00-07:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn9_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn9_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
Enemy air power is hurting us again in earnest (just when we thought we'd get a break from those). The 2nd armor battalion lost 10 tanks and both its mobile SAM launchers in the last 6 hrs. Replacements are enroute, but I don't think we'll be kitted back to full-strength this time.
Hook-bypass manouver continues as planned. We're taking an arc wide off Neuhof, as at least one American unit was spotted near there. 2nd Tank Battalion is covering the HQ, artillery and AD elements as before. Due to the extent of the bypass we'll need to travel offroad for a while. We'll get back on the highway probably somewhere between Neuhof and Schluctern, unless the enemy shows up there.
Our forward recon platoon is now in Hannau! Other recon elements have turned towards our main force position, to assist in detecting enemy locations for proper manouvering.
As ordered, our motor-rifle battalion assaulted Fulda again. The murderous defences that halted our previous attack were no longer present, and our troops scored a significant victory by causing heavy losses to an enemy HQ element. A mech-infantry unit was also spotted in the town but not engaged.
Enemy units were observed withdrawing from Fulda and taking the highway east of Neuhof, on a southern direction. This places them roughly a few kilometres west of our AD battalion's position. We cannot estimate their intentions. They may plan to attack our HQ & artillery elements or turn south-west and retreat towards Frankfurt.
Awaiting further orders.
Orders
Okay, Fulda MR advance south along road to Neuhof.
Main body continue current line of
advance. Air Defense battalion will maintain position between enemy
formation and main body. If enemy advances, air defense battalion
will maintain position taking the brunt of
any attack allowing many body to continue advance. Once formation
returns to the highway, Tank battalion will lead attack. MR
battalion will advance behind main body acting as rear guard.
SITREP Day 3, 07:00-13:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn10_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn10_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
Enemy air power continues to be a problem. Our motor-rifle battalion suffered from repeated air strikes in the last 6 hrs.
Hook-bypass maneuver continues as planned. The AD battalion has positioned itself to screen the main formation and had a brief contact with enemy forces. Main formation about to cross the highway. We can either follow the road network south and then turn west, or alternatively go off-road and dash south-west to Schluctern or Bad Orb.
Enemy forces are moving west and regrouping north of Schluctern. No indication on whether they are fortifying there or continuing southwest.
Awaiting further orders (stick to road or go cross-country?)
Orders
Off road.
SITREP Day 3, 13:00-19:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn11_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn11_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
Enemy air power is continuing attacks on our MR battalion. Light casualties but it’s steadily bleeding us.
The main formation is proceeding across country terrain as ordered. The AD battalion is screening the HQ, together with the tank battalion. Our recon elements detected enemy forces in the outskirts of Schluctern and withdrew without pressing an attack. Our MR battalion is now at Neuhof.
Enemy forces have been detected retreating from Schluctern in the direction of Bad Orb.
Pending different orders, the advance towards Bad Orb continues.
SITREP Day 3, 19:00-07:00
[Note: As a reminder,
from now on turns are in 12 hr cycles and there are no more
reinforcements]
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn12_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn12_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
Enemy air power had
disastrous effects on our MR battalion in the last 12 hours. During
the course of six raids, we lost our entire complement of BMP-2
vehicles (plus some troop squads). As a result, the majority of the
battalion troops must now walk their way and the battalion's
mobility is severely reduced. Now they get to be our rear-guard
whether we want it or not.
Main regiment formation is proceeding cross country as instructed.
The recon elements probe the main road for NATO units while the bulk
of the regiment is directed towards the eastern outskirts of Bad
Orb. Our foremost recon element, enroute towards us back from Hannau,
encountered NATO heavy units moving southwest from Bad Orb and had
to withdraw east without engaging. NATO forces have moved between
Bad Orb and Glenhausen but have not advanced further towards
Frankfurt.
Pending different orders, the advance towards Bad Orb continues.
SITREP Day 4, 07:00-19:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn13_WP_OwnAction.ace
Current situation map:
Awaiting orders.
Orders
Off road to Hannau. Frankfurt is the Goal.
SITREP Day 4, 19:00-07:00
Own actions performed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn14_WP_OwnAction.ace
Enemy actions observed:
http://www.harpoonhq.com/E88_MB/MB1/Turn14_WP_EnemyAction.ace
Current situation map:
Our tank battalion
continues to take losses to enemy air power. We're down to just a
handful of usable tanks in that unit. If we want to reach at least
the outskirts of Frankfurt with any meaningful combat power, we have
to move fast.
The enemy forces broke out of their fortifications southwest of Bad
Orb and assaulted our recon line, scattering our scouts around. They
didn't stop there; they actually attacked our (ex-)MR troops causing
significant
casualties. The good news is that they didn't push them back and we
now have them surrounded with our troops and scouts.
The rest of our formations is proceeding as before, with the AD
battalion having almost reached the road. Apart from going west by
the road (and the crossroads there are now open, thanks to our
opponents' advance) or continuing our cross-country march to Hannau,
there is another option of advance. We can take the road south to
Lohr and then head west to Aschffenburg. The road there is in prime
condition and will enable us to
travel at top speed to Frankfurt. However, the river Main is causing
a number of chokepoints (bridges) in this area, which can be
interdicted and thus delay us or even halt us permanently
(particularly as our engineer
support is long gone). It is a gamble, but it may be our best chance
to reach Frankfurt before those damn A-10s bleed us to death.
Awaiting orders (or more to the point, travel directions).
Orders
<Mik> Contine as ordered....about out of steam
anyways
<Dimitris> bored?
<Mik> No:)
<Mik> Frankfurt is the goal
<Dimitris> ah, you mean the forces
<Mik> yeah
<Mik> Have a feeling this is over anyways..hehe
<Dimitris> well, now you've got road openings right and left,
literally
<Dimitris> but each has risks
<Mik> Ok.....left.
DAY 5, 19:00 - BATTLE TERMINATED