A World at War ’85, Narrative – Scenario #3.
“Son, You tell the General hisself that if I get that some and an Arty strike on them, there Soviets…Well hell me and my boys will drive their asses all the way back to Siberia, let alone Lunderman or whatever the hell that German village is called.” “Sir, yes sir, and its Ludermund sir.” The Captain grinned at the hard bitten Vietnam vet and turned to relay the message up the chain.
Colonel “Stingray” Casey Pitman continued “We will help those boys from the Black Horse, who have done a damn fine job, then me and some hard steel are gunna knock the Russian 247th into next week.” He swirled his hand in the air theatrically “Tell the men to mount up ! We push off through Phase Line Bradford in 30 minutes” The tall stingray boot clad Texan rolled out of the command center and started barking orders through grit teeth at his subordinates. His plan of attack:
“Bravo /3 & Alpha /1 this Fox 2/11 Actual arty Firing for effect! Smoke delivered we are rolling North East to Check point 1.- How Copy?”
Before anyone could answer on the secure battlenet…
“Hey this is Stingray Actual, boy, get your ass moving and start shooting! Stop talking and drive. How do YOU copy boy?”
“Roger that..Out”…muttered the weary Captain of Fox company, as he thought to himself yet again, how his team was chosen to roll with a wannabe Patton…oh that’s right, because he had survived the initial onslaught… he shook his head and grimaced. Now at least we can get some payback he thought.
Fox 2/11 moved quickly to secure the hilltop looking over the valley, and it was not long before he heard the M113’s loaded with troops from Alpha/1 race by and head for cover, while the tankers from B/3 gunned their huge Diesel engines and joined him on the ridge.
Fox 2/11 moved quickly to secure the hilltop looking over the valley, and it was not long before he heard the M113’s loaded with troops from Alpha/1 race by and head for cover, while the tankers from B/3 gunned their huge Diesel engines and joined him on the ridge.
“Contact, enemy infantry 500m.”
“Contact Tanks; T-62’s 750m. “
“Engaging enemy. Infantry eliminated.”
“Screening smoke package #2 delivered on target, go,go,go ! “ Alpha’s M113’s moved quickly across the open ground, zig zagging and took up positions in the woods near Checkpoint #3. Once we get into that hamlet we should be able to see the town of Ludermund and assess what we are facing Thought Alpha’s commander. It had all been a bit too easy so far!
“Enemy infantry on the move towards Fox, and Bravo, sir, Bravo is engaging those T-62’s at close range sir, they are also engaging with ATGM long range hilltop location P2!”
Reports of contact and firing solutions and exchanges rapped through the TaskForce comms in a rapid staccato of data, non textbook color comment and the occasional Texan cuss word from Pitman. The men, loved him, they knew he was an oddball, but they knew he had his shit squared away and their interests at heart where it mattered.
“This is Fox Actual, we are securing the approach at checkpoint #4.”
A few minutes pass, Fox check in with grim news. Heavy new contact from the North! Where the hell did they come from? 15 repeat 15 T-80’s, holy shit it’s those new tanks, we are taking heavy fire…Alpha 1-1 is exposed and is unloading into the woods but suppressed by enemy fire, B/3-1 is supporting, requesting fire support!”
“This is Stingray Actual to Fox Actual, you boys calm down and get in there, look to flank, don’t worry about where they came from, just kill them, before they kill you!”
“Stringray Actual to Bravo Actual, why ain’t you backing up Fox?”
Sir, we are hung up with those T-62’s who we just knocked out, and there is infantry everywhere! A fire has started in the woods they are using. I’m on it sir, disengaging and headed to help in 5 mikes.”
“Good work Bravo, keep pressing them back, let the rest of Fox handle those foot dogs.”
Hmm thought Bravo’s commander we are too strung out, but so is the enemy. We got to boogie while we can! “Bravo, all elements, targets of opportunity, suppressing fire and get moving to Checkpoint 4 ASAP”
Sabot rounds rocketed across the valley, hitting BMP’s, tanks and squads of infantry trying to manoeuvre.
“Shit that fire is spreading, we need to get the hell out of here, Driver revers 200 yards.” Said Bravos leader.
“Hey ahh.. this is Bravo 3-2.. Sir.. a little help…we are getting hammered here. These guys cant shoot for shit, but eventually someone is gunna get lucky. We are out gunned by 3:1. “
“Taking fire taking fire 500m west of Checkpoint 5…” “This is Stingray, identify your self son and for God’s sake calm down.”
…after a shuddering frightened breath, a slightly calmer breath came over the comm.
“Alpha 1-3 reporting, enemy sighted at Checkpoint 5, we are bogged down.”
“ok..hang tight my man. Bravo and Fox are on their way.” Said Pitman.
Pitman, switched frequencies, “ God damn it Bravo Actual, you got to get your ass out of the sling and into the fight boy, otherwise Alphas up shit creek. What’s your status?”
Meanwhile, back on the hill with Alpha 1-1.
“We can take those tanks up the backside if we move quickly, grab as many LAWs as you men can carry, lets go hunt some T-80s!” The Troopers close assault the T-80s’ killing several and forcing them off the hill side.
“Damn did you see that! Holy shit look at those tanks brew up, lets go boys!” The tankers from Bravo, charge into the fray, firing on the move, and knocking 3 more tanks out. Now the odds were almost even. Its a shit show at point blank range!
“I swear Pfc Pete, if you don’t get the fucking AT weapon back on line in the next 30 seconds I’m gunna shoot you my self! The Sarge roared at the panicked gunner, as another HE round from the aging T-55 zero’d in on them. “FFS hurry!!” Finally the weapon came back online and they brewed up one enemy AFV.
“Bravo 3-3 to Bravo Actual, we knocked out their command tank, I think we caught a lucky break!”
“Oh damn! Nice shooting son…you nailed those bastards…wow. Look at that fire spread!” All right men, lets move out, Check point 6 is the hill past the former village the Pete is burning to the ground!”
Fox and Bravo despite being strung out everywhere, manage to cobble together enough force to pressure the Soviets that stick their heads up. But now BMP’s and Infantry threaten to over run the lone tanks in the woods…time is running out for the brave men of Task Force Stingray.
Fox and Bravo despite being strung out everywhere, manage to cobble together enough force to pressure the Soviets that stick their heads up. But now BMP’s and Infantry threaten to over run the lone tanks in the woods…time is running out for the brave men of Task Force Stingray.
[Situation Turn end Turn 5]
The HQ elements of Bravo move to support Bravo 3-3 adding their calm command and control this proves decisive. In the fray the 901 ITV’s are taken out by an infantry assault, Bravo 3-1 & 3-2 take out a command vehicle, and stop a mad charge by Soviet foot soldiers. As the summer winds whip the flames in the area, the fires spread quickly.
Alpha foot soldiers in the woods are taken under heavy fire suffering casualties, and not even Fox Company can save them!
“They are on the run, this is Fox Actaul, Bravo 3-1 and I are tearing ‘em a new one.”
“Bravo Actual to Stingray, target in sight. Approaches are clear.”
[At this point a battle field event allows for a single formation to move fire.]
As the smoke, and dust clear, Fox Company can hear the rest of the 3rd Armoured Division elements advancing. They would re take the bridges!
“Damn it men. You make me proud! Stingray out.”
Had a great time with that scenario. The big “surprise” – the Soviet inability to engage with ATGMs. None of the BMPs were able to fire their Saggers and the infantry only got off 2-3 shots to no effect. Smoke, Disruption, and solid US maneuvering all kept the Sovs at bay!