MRB Attack - Take 2.04

[IronMikeGolf]

I revised the scenario:

1. More spatial separation between the FSE and the main body. Main body comes on map 110 minutes into the scenario
2. US has place an obstacle line north of town and a mine belt in the valley south east of town
3. US mech plts start at around 45% readiness to reflect fatigue of preparing the defense. Anybody whose done this in the dirt knows why.
4. Running this under v2.04
5. I have no FOW for the purposes of demonstration.

Next three posts are the briefings.

[IronMikeGolf]

US Player:

Defend Kalbe

1/Sct will screen by moving back and forth between hexes 2606 and 3105 using Deliberate move orders and remaining in the forest.

2/Sct will screen by moving back and forth between hexes 3609 and 3307 using Deliberate move orders and remaining in the forest.

A Co has just completed the last work on minefields and obstacles. An enemy attack from the north or northeast is expected during morning fog time, 0530-0600 hrs.

Stand-to is at 0520 hrs. Hot chow is being deliverd to platoons now. Soldiers are weary from lack of sleep and the hard labor of preparing obstacles.

1st and 3d Platoons are in their primary positions. 2d Plt's position is hex 2911. If the attack comes from the east, 1st plt will reinforce 3d plt. If from the north, 2d plt will displace to hex 2410 on the east edge of Lengenbostel.

The artillery battery in the OB is the Direct Support battery for 4-8 IN. As such, you should limit the ordered fires to one concentration per orders phase. This will represent the battery firing missions for other companies in 4-8 IN. Use the same rule for the mortar platoon, as they are also supporting the entire battalion.

Units will only be resubordinated upon loss of higher HQs.

[IronMikeGolf]

Soviet Player:

You are free to maneuver and attack as you see fit.

The MRB is moving as the regiment's Advance Guard. On the map is a Combat Recon Patrol and the Forward Security Element. The main body is about an hour behind moving along autobahn A1.

Division and Regiment recon have detected a US mechanized infantry company preparing defenses in Kalbe.

The battalion immediate objective is Kalbe. The subsequent objective is the A1 bridge crossing the Oste River. You are to seize Kalbe. If you have sufficient forces, continue your attack and seize the A1 bridge at the Oste River.

Regimental Recon reports efforts to construct obstacles north of Kalbe and a minefield in the Oste River valley east of Kalbe.

[IronMikeGolf]

0000 hrs - US Setup and Sct screen orders.

[IronMikeGolf]

So, we need to do "human AI" for the US. We'll accomplish that by restrictions on US orders and some scripting. The US briefing has the requirements for the Scouts and the restrictions on indirect fires. The scripting part is maneuver of the mech plts.

The mech plts get moved to alternate positions depending on where the attack comes. That the purpose of the sct elements patrolling the two forested areas. So, if Scts make contact in the north forest, 2d Plt in the southeast of town moves to a position in the next village to the west. If Scts make contact in the eastern forest, then 1st Plt on the high ground to the north of Kalbe will stack up with 3d Plt on the northeast corner of Kalbe.

That script does not preclude survivability moves by the mech plts. The requirement is that they are back in their holes at 0520 hrs, about 30 min before dawn fog time.

[IronMikeGolf]

0000 hrs - Soviet Setup and initial orders

[IronMikeGolf]

We have the CRP ( 1xMR Plt, 1xT80, 2xBRDM) and 3 km behind that is the FSE (MRC HQ, 2 x MR Plt, 1xT80 Plt) and a 122mm bty from the RAG attached to the FSE.

In this release, we don't have the ability to mark mines and obstacles as visible to both sides from the scenario start. I am positing that regt recon found both of those and the MRB has the info. Based on that, the CRP is going to:
1. Confirm the western edge of the obstacle line
2. Ensure no minefields north of Kalbe
3. Occupy high ground northwest of Kalbe.

The FSE will follow the CRP. The intent is for the FSE to hold that high ground prior to the attack, fix the defending company (i.e. prevent them from leaving the town), and prevent reinforcement of Kalbe.

The MRB commander retains the option to attack from the north or from the east and will decide that pending the FSE's fight.

[IronMikeGolf]

0024 hrs - Activity resolution:

CRP makes contact with 1/Sct/4-8 IN. 1/Sct calls for mortars. CRP destroys 1/Sct while sustaining no casualties from either direct or indirect fires.

[IronMikeGolf]

0030 hrs - US orders:

A Co Commander heard the contact report from the scouts and surmises the CRP is lurking to the north. That means, a company sized element is following. He decides to reposition 2d Plt to Lengenbostel once the company has finished resupply.

[IronMikeGolf]

0035 hrs - Activity Resolution:

2/Sct/4-8 IN spots a company sized element of a mix of tanks and BMPs entering the forest to the north. It is followed by a battery of SP arty.

The FSE spots a pair of recon HMMWVs in at the edge of the forest south of autobahn A1.

2/Sct calls for fire and a battery one of 155mm destroys 2xBMP with infantry squads and a 122mm SP gun.

[IronMikeGolf]

0048 hrs - Soviet orders:

CRP makes a short halt to allow FSE to close within supporting range and for the 122mm battery to get emplaced.

[IronMikeGolf]

0122 hr - US orders:

Resupply complete. 2d Plt ordered to alternate position. 2/Sct reports no further activity.

[IronMikeGolf]

0130 hrs - Soviet orders:

CRP resupplied. FSE still closing on the CRP. 122mm bty performing post-combat maintenance and preparing to provide fire support.

[IronMikeGolf]

0202 hrs - US orders:

2/Sct continues to screen to the east. No further contact reported. 2d Plt in position and prepared to defend.

FSE has closed on the CRP and will resupply next order phase. CRP will move next order phase. AGMB (Advance Guard Main Body) has entered the main. The Soviet commander will decide on whether to commit the main body to attack from the east or from the north, depending on how contact by the CRP and FSE develops.

[Mad Russian]

You are going to see a world of difference in game play.

Good Hunting.

MR

[IronMikeGolf]

0211 hrs - Soviet orders:

CRP ordered to occupy high ground northwest of Kalbe. 122mm bty placed in Direct Support of the CRP. FSE prepares to follow and support CRP in 30 minutes. The rest of the RAG is on call.

[IronMikeGolf]

0243 hrs - Soviet orders:

FSE resupplied and ordered to follow CRP.

[IronMikeGolf]

0301 hrs - US orders:

CRP reaches the edge of the forest. It confirms the west edge of the obstacle line and is then engaged by 1st and 2d Plts of 4-8 IN.

CRP reduced to 1xInf and 1xT80 while inflicting a loss of 1xInf on 2d Plt in Lengenbostel.

[IronMikeGolf]

0314 hrs - Soviet orders:

CRP pushes south. All three plts of A/4-8 IN are spotted and engaged by indirect. CRP is destroyed. 1st Plt loses 1xM2, 1xDragon, and 1xInf. 2d Plt loses 1xMed MG. 3d Plt sustains no casualties.

The Soviet command decides to attack with the main body from the east. The CRP and FSE have successfully drawn US forces off the objective and to the west. The FSE will delay in attacking a bit. This will force the US commander to prepare to fight in two directions.

The FSE's 122mm bty will fire on A Co's plt positions as the main body deploys.

[IronMikeGolf]

0344 hr - Soviet orders:

Main body continues to deploy. Remaining batteries of the RAG are deployed and all batteries ordered to take A Co under fire.