NationStates Jolt Archive

http://onfinite.com/libraries/143739/ccc.jpg

OOC - This will be the map we shall use for the wargames between Apollina and P3X1299. I'm sorry, I know it is lame, however Paint is all I had at my disposal!

IC

The stage was set, the troops from P3X1299 were unloading and getting prepared for the mock battle that was about to insue. The Apollinan Commanders were preparing themselves to welcome the foreign commanders and set out the rules. A couple of Officers from higher up the chain of command were also present, as this was just as much a test of the Commanders as it was a test of the troops in the field.

Commander Jokis stood, with the map of the arena behind him and outlines the aims; each team would start off in camp A or camp B, and the aim would be to occupy and hold the opposing base for twelve hours. This was going to be a ground only operation and there was a suggestion that artillery should not be able to target the bases to avoid a simple annihilation from afar. If these loose rules are agreed to by the Commanders from P3X1299, then troops can be deployed to the starting positions. The exercises will start at 12:00 hours the day after the troops are deployed.

OOC - If these rules are OK, we can just start right away.

OOC: The rules are excellent. :) That's not a bad map either. :)

IC: Colonel Joseph Blake, the officer in charge of P3X1299's forces for this excercise stood along with the three majors, each in charge of one of the companies of light tanks that he had brought, and listened to the officer from Apollina, one Commander Jorgis brief the participants in this excercise on the rules.

Blake smiled and nodded at the "enemy" commander. "These rules are acceptable. I also agree to the suggestion that the artillery not be allowed to target the bases," he said. "Who is going to start off in which base?"

OOC - Bugger I forgot about that bit!

IC

Commander Jokis took a coin from his pocket,

"Heads we take Base A."

He flicked the coin into the air, it seemed to hang there for seconds before it came down into his hand... he looked down and the coin was on tails,

"Looks like we take B, Base A is ready for your men to move into. The next time we meet, one of us will be the victor."

Jokis saluted his opponent, turned on his heel and moved away to move his troops out, give them thier orders and address his regiment.

Commander Jokis watched from the centre of the base as his Saxon APCs, Scimitar Light Tanks and Land Rovers filed into base B, at the north-east f the combat arena. Just outside the combat arena waited supply tucks to replenish the base with food and ammo, this is the only involvment they would have in the exercise. Medical staff also stood ready to move in if there were any more serious incidents involving Apollinan or foreign troops.

The Apollinan platoons formed up in the central square of base B, ready to be addressed by thier Commander,

"Men, our preparation has been long and hard, and it is an honour that our Regiment was chosen to represent Apollina in these exercises. As you know we are facing the troops of P3X1299, they are not our true enemy, they are here to test themselves, and push themselves to the limit. They will be fighting us as if we were thier enemy, and we must challange them as if they are ours. I ask you to push yourselves as hard as you possibly can, and prove that the Apollinan Army is worthy of her status among our population as a protection force, to defend them if the need ever arises.

That said, this is only a test, show no fear but do not be over zealous, the troops of P3X1299 are here to help and test us, and we are helping them. Treat them with the respect they deserve out on the field of battle, wheather thier platoon beats you or yours is victorious over them, treat them as if you would treat a fellow Apollinan soldier you were training against. We can be victors here, fight your hardest and we will be; however we will learn as much about ourselves with defeat, as we will with a victory."

OOC - It is late now, so you can make the first move if you like.

Colonel Blake studied the map of the area where the battle would be joined. His men were well aware of the fact that this was a training exercise, but could be trusted to still perform to their utmost. He turned back to the map, trusting his subordinates to see that the troops moved into the base. The commander of the opposing force seemed like a nice enough fellow and it had been a genuine pleasure to meet him.

He smiled as he got an idea. Blake knew that the Sheridan tanks couldn’t make it across the river as easily as the Type 6 tanks, so he had an idea, one that would probably buy him at least some time. He walked out of the command tent in the base and began to look for Major Nelson, the commander of the Sheridan tanks.

He found him, supervising some last minute loading of munitions into his command tank.

When someone noticed Blake had arrived near Nelson’s Sheridan, someone tapped the major on the shoulder. He turned to face Blake.

“Yes, sir!”

Blake explained what he had in mind for Nelson’s company of Sheridan’s. He would split them up, with five covering each bridge, eight spaced along the river between the two bridges, and one on the outside of each bridge. Since the Sheridans would have difficulty fording the river, it made sense to put them on defense.

Blake dismissed Nelson and went to work on the disposition of his other forces. He decided to station 50 infantry near each bridge, with two mortars, a dragon launcher, 4 M-60 machine guns, four M-249s, radios, and night vision near each bridge, to stop those incursions. Their orders would be to entrench and to wait for the enemy attack.

The remaining two mortars, along with twelve M-249s, twelve snipers, and five M-60s he decided to emplace on the plain in between the two roads, the hills, and the river. The would also have recoilless rifles and a pair of Dragon missile sets. Their orders were to entrench and to keep the enemy from fording the river.

Blake decided it would be a good idea to keep the remainder of his infantry and their equipment at the base as a nasty surprise for Appollina’s forces.

Blake studied the map some more and decided that it would be best if he could place the Type 63 light tanks on the north side of the arena, on the road behind the hills west of the river. That would be surprise for Jokis.

OOC: It's mainly defensive. ;)

Hey guys im sorry to just jump on your thread but just wanted to say thats some gd Rpin goin on there. Im gona keep an eye on this. Keep up the gd work and if the rp quality stays the same i may have an offer for you both. Gd luck to each of you

OOC - 1 Platoon = 3 APCs, 3 Scimitars and 27 combat troops (unless stated otherwise)
1 squad = 5 Riflemen, 1 support gunner, 1 sniper, 1 AT man, 1 medic (doubles up as a rifleman)

IC

Commander Jokis had spent some time now looking over the map, preparing, drawing on potential routes for his troops and potential attack paths that the enemy may take. He had decided on the potentially risky tactic of concentrating his forces on one bridge, while smaller groups would attempt to secure the northern bridge, as he knew they could get there faster due to the direct road passing just south of the base.

Two platoons would move to secure the northern bridge, one APC would be left empty of troops and instead carry munitions, food supplies, two 81mm mortars and the two platoon 0.5 cal machine guns. The squad from this APC would take two Land Rovers for scouting and recon roles. They would take up defensive positions on the near side of the bridge, the heavy machine guns covering the near side but also able to reach out onto the far bank. A total of 4 LAW systems were available as well as 6 snipers to keep a view on the far bank, they would strike any that came into range. The Scimitars and Land Rovers were also at the bridge, the Saxons about 100 yards back, the vehicles were all night vision enabled and would be able to direct the machine guns and mortars, the mortars would be back with the Saxons for cover and protection.

Jokis had decided to leave 10 platoons to defend the base, so he would send 8 platoons to the south; three would scout out the hilly areas east of the river, they were working in 18 land rovers and 9 Scimitars for speed. However they would split up out of a large block during the day to present less of a bold target, but they would try to keep in radio contact throughout the days. They would remain in a specific camp site each night to allow one platoon out of the base to deliver supplies.

This left five platoons to attack the southern bridge, however they would bide thier time, simply moving south and remaining out of visual contact with the bridge, about 4km back, near the road. They knew that they had artillery support if they requested it. They also had the option of five mortars, five .5 cal heavy machine guns and they were confident thier anti-armour weapons would be able to do the job agaist light tanks.

As for the base, Jokis ordered his platoon officers to set up hourly patrols of the perimeter and streching up to 1km out. Eight .5 cal guns were to be placed defensively on the perimeter and two on the interior, protecting the bulk of the camp. Vehicles also had mounted guns that could be used defensively if the need arose; Scimitar crews would be on high alert to get to thier vehicles, and other troops were ready to take up defensive positions around the camp or get to vehicles to challange any attackers. For the moment the artillery battery remained in the base.

Blake stood in the HQ, in the middle of the base pacing restlessly. He was anxious for his tanks and infantry to reach their assigned positions near the bridge. He looked at his watch again. Only a few seconds had passed, Blake fought the temptation to have the communication tech call Nelson on the radio.

Blake studied the map again. Suddenly, the radio crackled.

“Base, this is Jackson. We have reached our assigned positions, behind the hills. Over.”

Blake hurried over and picked up the microphone.

“Jackson, this is base. Hold your position. Over.”

“Base, this is Jackson. Copy that. Out.”

Blake set the microphone down and smiled. He now had a force of light tanks that the enemy hopefully had not noticed yet. Now for the other part of the trap. His forces along the bridges would be the bait, to keep the enemy commander’s attention focused on them.

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life again, interrupting Blake’s musings.

“Base, this is Nelson. I’m gonna tell you that my forces are in position. Took us a little extra time so that we could figure a way to haul the infantry on our tanks. We managed to make up some of it by going straight down the road to the river, and turning north up the riverbank. I’m in position near the north bridge, and have deployed the Sheridans to cover the river as you requested. Over.”

“This is base. We copy that. Over. You are free to engage at will. Major, you are in charge of the bridge defenses.”

“Copy that. Nelson out.”

**Near the north bridge**

Nelson stood in the commander’s cupola of his tank and watched as the infantry set up their weapons and began to prepare positions. He had positioned the tanks in the woods for enfilade fire on the bridge.

He hoped that the commander of the southern unit did something similar.

OOC - So who is in defensive at the north bridge? Its just I have a direct road route whereas your men had to come over hills and wooded areas. Ill react to the southern bridge until this is clarified.

IC

Commander Jokis was sat at his desk in the breifing room of Base B, the radio suddenly came alive, it was Platoon Commander Dafris.

"Sir, the southern force is in position, what are your orders? Over."

"Good. Right, I am sending you guys an artillery company (two 122mm plus 50 troops) down to your current position, what I want you to do is send one or two squads out on foot to survey the bridge from afar, do this under cover of darkness but make sure they stay alert for snipers. If I am right our mortars can out range thiers too so we will attempt a bombardment to soften them up. Over."

"Very well Sir, consider it done. Out."

Jokis sat back in his chair, his only real concern was what Blake was up to with his light tanks. If there was anything that could force them back on the defensive it was the power of the tank guns.

Meanwhile, Dafris had called forward two Sqaud Commanders, he told them Jokis's orders and that they would be moving out at 23:00 hours. They were to stay off the road and take cover in the wooded area to the north east of the bridge, from there they would radio back what they could see and guide artillery. They were to hang as far back as they could, coming into night vision range of the bridge, each squad would carry one set of night vision equipment.

OOC: It's some Sheridan's and infantry, but they have just arrived and are starting to dig in. The Type 63's are hiding behind the hills in the north. I took the liberty of a litte fluid time to speed things up a bit. I didn't envision the Sheridan's cutting through the woods though. If they take the road to the South bridge then cut north along the riverbank, they can get there faster. That also gives your troops a chance to spot them.

Platoon Commander Thetos rode in the turret of one of the Apollinan Scimitars.

"Red Team, this is base, come in Red Team Leader. Over."

"This is Thetos, what have you got for me Base? Over."

"Recon groups have reported Sheridens heading north along the river, possibly towards the northern bridge, but no confirmation on that just yet, watch your backs. Command leaves it up to you on what action to take. Over."

"Thanks for the warning Base. Red Team out."

Thetos ordered a halt about 900m from the bridge, the troops would move out from the APCs onto foot, two mortar crews would set themselves up behind, with the APCs providing cover with thier armour and thier mounted guns. The rest of the troops would flank 5 Scimitars moving cautiously down the road to the bridge, the six snipers would be on alert, watching keenly for enemy movement, so would the Scimitars. The Scimitar crews would attempt to guide the mortars should any fire break out, the two .5 cal guns moved slowly at the rear of the two platoons.

OOC: I'll post again tomorrow. It's totally late here.

Blake stared at the map of his units’ estimated positions. His Sheridans were at positions where they could defend the bridges and stop any enemy incursions across them. Blake sat down on top of an ammo crate. The pieces are on the board. Let them make the first move.

near the Northern bridge

Nelson stared through his binoculars at the terrain around the bridge. He hadn’t actually spotted any movement yet, but the enemy was sure to come. Nelson let the binoculars dangle from the strap around his neck and climbed out of the turret of the Sheridan. Blake had placed him in charge of the northern defenses, and given him some forces. The eight machine guns that he had were place to cover the bridge and the infantry had been deployed and were digging in.

Nelson clambered off of his tank and walked over to where the mortar crews had set up. The mortars had about a hundred yards behind his tanks, and he had placed his tanks about 500 yards from the bridge.

The mortar crew saluted when he walked up.

“Sir, what can we do for you?,” a sergeant asked.

Blake saluted and ordered the crew to lay four smoke rounds about 300 yards behind the other bridge. Since it was dark, he asked about some flare rounds.

“Sir, we have some of those.”

Blake thanked the sergeant back to his tank as the first rockets thunked into the tubes. These were slightly modified smoke rounds, equipped with parachutes so as not to injure anyone who happened to be underneath them.

OOC: Sorry it took me so long to post this.

At the northern bridge
Red Team were about 400 yards from the bridge when they heard the thump if two, possibly more, mortar rounds being fired. The night vision of the Scimitars were able to guess the general direction and could make out the forward positions of the enemy, however just as they began to describe what they saw, thier view was blocked out; they were firing smoke grenades!

Thetos ordered his men forward,

"Get forward, into the smoke. Fan out to the flanks, keep low, the get those Brownings forward!"

At that moment the sky was alight with flares sent up by the P3X1299 forces. With smoke both masking the enemy from Red Team, and masking Red Team from the enemy the Apollinans rushed forward into the smoke, keeping low.

As they had fanned out four snipers took advantage of the light, picking targets, the crack of the blank rifle rounds rang out through the surrounding area. As the platoons moved forward into, and past the smoke, automatic fire began to ring out from both sides of the bridge, whilst the three leading Scimitars opened up with thier 30mm cannon and co-axil machine guns at the front of the defensive lines.

The Saxon's radio was crackling,

"Get some support here, mortars!"

Thetos described the the contact zone they could see, the mortars signalled they were to fire into the enemy (not real rounds of course!).

OOC - Are we going to do losses as if it were a real battle?

Around 4km from the southern bridge
Commander Dafris, Blue Team leader, sat in the back of his Command and Control vehicle, waiting for the report from the two squads that had been sent forward to scout out the enemy positions. His artillery company had arrived a number of hours ago, they had set up thier 122mm guns at dusk, ready to fire on the orders of Dafris at the coordinates he was given by the scouts.

The radio in the command vehicle quietly whistled, with a low voice coming from the other end,

"Sir, recon squad in position in cover, 500m from the bridge. We can see enemy infanrty positions, they are dug in."

The voice over the radio then went on the describe what they could see of the enemy infantry positions. He also stated that he could see one tank on the edge of the wooded area, but no more than that.

Defris had made a crude drawing of what was described to him from the front position. He grabbed a man returning from sentury duty and ordered him to gather the artillerymen and mortar teams.

"From what our guys report these are the estimated enemy positions, and there is a tank around here." pointing to areas on the map, "I want you to hit these areas back from the bridge, I dont want to risk hitting it, that would mess everything up. I want one 122mm to target this tank position here, on the edge of the forest, it may force them to move, our guys will try and keep reports up on movement; they should be camped in the wood. Get to it men, mortars can reach them but their's should not reach us, so I am told."

From then on the intermmitant thuds of artillery and mortar fire rang out into the night air.

OOC: I didn't quite get that from your post. I'll fix it in a while.
:)

OOC - Sorry, but the artillery is targeting your forces around the southern bridge, along with 5 mortars. In the north there are only 2 mortar crews and my advancing Scimitars with troops.

OOC: I hate math. Anyhow, here goes. Sorry it took so long.

1st Lieutenant Ivan Pierce, the man that Nelson had assigned to lead the southern force, cursed as the sound of enemy artillery fire rang out. The major grabbed is binoculars and peered out at the enemy units advancing down the road. He had to do something. Fast!

He grabbed the sergeant in command of the infantry and ordered him to order his men to fire at anything enemy.

Pierce dodged through trees, and hustled toward his Sheridan. His should not have been visible from the road, but it was hard to tell. He nearly tripped over some of the infantry that had taken cover in the woods because of the snipers, but he eventually made it to his tank.

He climbed up the back and landed in the turret.

“Sir, we’ve got enemy units incoming across the bridge,” the gunner said as Pierce plugged in his headset.

“Engage with the missiles,” Pierce said.

“One missile, in the tube,” the gunner stated.

“Fire!” Pierce almost yelled.

Then he ordered his platoon and the infantry to report, and gave his tank platoon clearance to engage at will.

In response to Pierce’s query, and infantry officer replied that the force had sustained approximately 15 casualties. His tank platoon had fared far worse, having two tanks out of action.

Pierce cursed and called in to HQ. Someone needed to find out that they were under attack.

Back at the HQ, Colonel Blake gave the order for the light tanks that he had positioned in the north to saddle up and attack the enemy base.

Southern Bridge

As the larger force in the south advanced on the enemy position, with cover from the snipers and artillery, four or five missiles streaked forward from behind the bridge. One fell short and one overshot, however two landed amongst the advance of the 15 Scimitars, critically damaging one, destroying another and causing superficial damage to a further three. One missile fell wide of the Scimitar advance taking out 4 Apollinan troops and wounding (removed from the game) a further 3.

Despite this, and resistance from the enemy infantry, the Apollinans continued down the road, now with heavy machine gun fire put down on enemy positions. The initial fighting had claimed two Scimitars, four crewmen, and 16 troops (incl. those lost to the missiles). However firing the missiles so quickly may have been a mistake,

"Artillery team, come in, this is Blue team leader. Over."

"Blue team this is artillery team. Over."

Commander Dafris then described the area where the missiles had come from and ordered the artillery to target that area only. His description was that accurate as it was dark, however it was a general ball park figure and shells may hit the target. Artillery shells were now sent at towards the enemy light tank positions at a rate of up to 4 a minute. The attack continued to press forward.

Northern Bridge

As the enemy tanks moved forward the 5 Scimitars began to reverse, fireing thier 30mm cannons at the enemy. Apollinan troops on foot were now on the edges of the road and 4 anti tank troops with LAWs awaited the time to hit the flank or rear of the enemy tanks. From the exchanges with the enemy infantry 8 men had been killed or wounded.

Thetos was on the radio;

"Base, base come in; this is Red Team, we have enemy tanks moving out, possibly an assult on the base, do we make a stand here or fall back? Over."

"Red team this is Commander Jokis, you are to do your best, take out as many tanks as you can and slow them down. If possible then fall back or move out of combat into the north or south. Good luck. Out."

Commander Jokis then proceeded to order squads to move out into the immediate surrounding area and stay low in undergroth or wooded areas to try and get behind the enemy tanks to take them out with LAWs or expolosives.

Near the southern bridge
Pierce slammed the hatch of his Sheridan shut, as artillery rounds began to impact his position, and enemy machine guns began to target his infantry.

“Sheridans, this is Pierce. Shift position and engage the enemy, with guns this time.”

“Mortars target the bridge, with all HE rounds.”

Pierce ordered his driver to skirt the edge of the woods, as his gunner shoved a simulated HEAT round into the breech of the gun. The gunner began to traverse the turret, tracking an enemy vehicle, and the gunner fired the round, then loaded a simulated high explosive shell, and fired it at one of the enemy vehicles.

Pierce had buttoned his hatch due to the artillery fire, but had noticed that another one of his Sheridans was not moving. He cursed. Now, he was down to two. His situation was deteriorating rapidly, because just then an infantry sergeant called to notify him that his infantry was down to less than 30 effectives, including the mortar crews.

Blake ordered the sergeant to find the Dragon launcher and to engage the enemy with it, if possible. Blake heard the sergeant yelling an acknowledgment into the radio over the sound of heavy gunfire.

Near the northern bridge

Major Nelson stared at the enemy advance, through his set of night vision binoculars. It seemed his forces could stop the Scimitars easily. Five Scimitars against 5 Sheridans. Nelson ducked as some 30mm cannon fire rang out, and knocked one of his tanks out of action.

“Knock out the enemy APC’s!” he ordered.

The four Sheridans remaining, began to fire their guns. Nelson ordered his gunner to fire HEAT shells, one of the other tanks shared his choice, and the other two engaged with missiles.

His infantry opened fire against the enemy with the machine guns that had been assigned to them, and they also targeted one the enemy vehicles with a Dragon missile.

North of the Northern bridge

Major Alex Nelson stood in the cupola of his tank as he ordered his company of tanks to advance toward the river. He hadn’t been able to get a really good look at the other side, but from what he had seen, it looked flat enough that his tanks could climb out of the river.

As his units rumbled forward, he paid little heed to the fire fight near the bridge, instead preferring to contemplate a way to capture the enemy base. He checked to insure his sidearm contained blank cartridges, and worked the slide to load a round.

He noticed that the lead tank, his of course, was nearing the river, hurriedly slammed the hatch shut as his driver plowed the light tank into the water. The rest of his company followed suit, and within a short while, his tanks were in the river.