NationStates Jolt Archive

It was the last of the Empire's expansions for a while. The nation of Benin was ripe for the picking, after having fallen into anarchy after the fall of the nation of Binthor. Hopefully, this nation would have more sense then to resist the attack from the Cottish military. After all, the offer Cotland made to the peoples of Benin was fair. In exchange for control of the nation, the Beninese would get a strong economy, restoration of law and order to their nation, status as a automonus province of Cotland, and huge monetary investments in the nation, something that was bound to have positive effects on the financial backwater and unemployment that horrified the country. If they refused, the Cots were prepared to take the nation by force. They had the will and means to do so. After all, they had a fleet not too far away attacking Equatorial Guinea where they were winning massively.

http://cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/maps/bn-map.gif

Facing the realities, the central government signed the surrender documents where they erlinquished command of Benin to Cotland. Unfortunately for the Cots, several of the ethnic groups in Benin didn't listen to the central government and refused to surrender. Instead, they chose to form militias and attack any Cot that dared to enter their territory. They didn't have the most modern of weapons. AK-74s, M-14s and G3s were recurring weapons, in addition to the good ol' RPG-7V anti-tank weapon en masse and a lot of pick-up trucks and old machine guns. It was guerilla warfare time!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/585000/images/_588195_rebels300.jpg

The Cottish military detachments to Benin consisted of newly recruited and trained army and air force units, in addition to a small naval force. They couldn't have many ships at the small coastline because of the lack of natural harbors and massive sandbanks. This was a problem that had to be done something with when the Cots had made sure that they were in control. The Cots didn't know that it would be some time till that could be achieved...

As the dawn gave way for the new day, the first Cottish military units were arriving. It was the 4th Battalion of the 63rd (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment. These units were brand spankin' new, consisting of fresh troops who just five months ago were civilian citizens. They had all been tempted by the offer of tax cuts and huge bonuses to anyone who enlisted for a certain amount of years, and now they were here, clutching their XM-8 rifles inside their IFVs, APCs and 5-ton trucks. They were to go to different parts of the new province and set up garrisons from which they would control the population and maintain border protection. Later, they would help train new Home Guards that were to be recruited. All in all, it was going to be a easy assignment. Or so they thought...

As the lead vehicle, a M2A3 Bradley IFV, stopped to check the road all hell broke loose. Several RPGs flew against the vehicles, blowing up the trucks and several of the APCs. This volley was followed by gunfire aimed at the soldiers in the convoy, killing 63 soldiers in the first few minutes of the engagement.

Soon the Cots started to return fire in a orderly fashion, aiming at the areas where the RPGs originated from. Before long, 6.8mm, 12.7mm, 15.5mm and 25mm rounds and 81mm mortar rounds flew towards the hostile positions, killing scores of resistance fighters. After 15 minutes of intense gunfire, some of the rebels started to flee. Too many of their comrades lay dead around them. This did not go by the Cots unnoticed. Soon, the battalion commander had ordered two companies to charge at the enemy with fixed bayonets. It was a carnage beyond imagination. Blood, gore and dead bodies littered the area when the Cots finally stopped the attack after a further 20 minutes. The total losses at that first skirmish, later to be known as the "battle of Cové" even though Cové lay 5 kilometers away, were at 126 Cottish dead and 192 wounded, and 146 rebel dead. There were no prisoners taken.


OOC:
Military units to Benin - Phase 1

63rd (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment

Infantry: 5450
M113A4 Gavin: 400
M2A3 Bradley: 200
M939A2 5-ton Trucks: 100


37th (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment

Infantry: 5450
M113A4 Gavin: 400
M2A3 Bradley: 200
M939A2 5-ton Trucks: 100


88th (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment

Infantry: 5450
M113A4 Gavin: 400
M2A3 Bradley: 200
M939A2 5-ton Trucks: 100

MESSAGE BEGIN

Code: Max Encryption

To: Cotland High Command
From: Chancellor Helmut Kahn
Subject: Benin

"Germania is prepared to assist its long-time ally of Cotland with military support in the form of medical aid, establishment of resupply lines, and if needed, combat support.

The 11th Fallschirmjäger stationed in South Africa is prepared to offer its frightening precision, efficiency, and unparalleled combat ability.

If indeed the 11th Fallschirmjäger is requested, they stand ready to give aid to the forces of Cotland attacking the rebels of Benin.

- Chancellor Helmut Kahn"

MESSAGE END

To: Germania
From: Cotland
Subject: Benin assistance

"The Empire thanks our long-time allies for the assistance, but we do not require assistance at the present time. We are in the process of moving troops there, and will have two full divisions and a full airwing stationed in Benin when the week is over. However, if you would really like to offer support, we accept humanitarian aid for the civilians in the form of medicine/doctors, food and fresh water.

Again, thank you for your most generous offer. It will not pass unnoticed."

Military buildup in Benin, Phase 2


6th (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment

Infantry: 5 450
M113A4 Gavin: 400
M2A3 Bradley: 200
M939A2 5-ton Trucks: 100


23rd (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment

Infantry: 5 450
M113A4 Gavin: 400
M2A3 Bradley: 200
M939A2 5-ton Trucks: 100


46th Armoured Regiment

Grenadiers w/ SMAW-D: 1 920
Snipers w/ Barret M82: 30
Soldiers w/ XM-8: 60

Bushmaster IMV w/ BRG-15: 25
Dingo APV w/ BRG-15: 50
Fennek w/ XM312: 25
LAV-300: 50
LAV-AT: 100
LAV-TD: 25
M1114 Humvee w/ TOW Launcher: 50
M1A3 Abrams: 140
M2A3 Bradley: 280
M3A3 Bradley: 20
M6A2 Bradley Linebacker: 60
Predator Anti-Tank Vehicle: 100


14th Artillery Regiment

M1069 Humvee: 16
M119A2 Howitzer: 36
M2001 Crusader: 36
M2002/2003 RSV: 36
M269 LLM (M270A2 MLRS): 18
M992 FAASV: 18
M993 Carrier Vehicle (M270A2 MLRS): 18
M939A2 Resupply Truck: 28


43rd Artillery Regiment

M1069 Humvee: 16
M119A2 Howitzer: 36
M2001 Crusader: 36
M2002/2003 RSV: 36
M269 LLM (M270A2 MLRS): 18
M992 FAASV: 18
M993 Carrier Vehicle (M270A2 MLRS): 18
M939A2 Resupply Truck: 28


--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------

6th Aerial Expeditionary Unit

Crew: 3 200
Support: 19 800

A-10 Thunderbolt II: 96
B-8A Vulcan II: 24
C-17A Globemaster III: 24
C-130J Hercules: 120
E-767 AWACS: 6
F-15C Eagle: 60
F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 50: 60
F/A-22B Raptor: 240
F/B-22A Manta: 60
HH-60H: 48
KC-10B Extender: 24
P-7A Orion II: 36
RQ-1A Predator: 6
UH-1Y Iriqouis: 60

As the days passed, more and more Cottish soldiers arrived in Benin. The Cots continued to talk about how much money they were going to invest in Benin, and the first businesses started to arrive. It was massive plans for tourist resorts, huge quarries and offshore oil drilling. All in all, it was estimated that the Cottish government would invest 1,7 trillion USD in Benin over the next ten years, and create more then 300 000 sorely needed work places. Education would also be vastly improved, with plans for two universities in Benin. One in Portonovo, and one in Parakuo. All in all, it looked good for the people. But not for the warlords that had declared war on the Cots. They would be stripped of power and likely sent directly to the gallows for numerous counts of murder, rape, drug-related and other crimes. You see, Cottish law would be used in Benin now that it was a part of the Empire.

The warlords mainly operated in the northern parts of the country, and that was the majority of the military forces would be stationed. Soon, the first garrisons were established at Natitingou, Kandi, Malanville, Djougou and Parakou, each hosting one (Mechanized) Infantry Regiment and a few helicopters. Some of the new field hospitals purchased from Layarteb were in action in northern Benin too. They were kept relatively busy, and saved many a Cottish life.

Five new airbases would be created as well, some of them by Cottish military engineers. The rest would be made by local contractors. Getting the people back to work was the best way of getting the local economy back up and running. Heavens knew they needed it.

Within three weeks, there had been sixteen attacks on Cottish soldiers, all of which had been repelled and retaliated brutally by the Cottish soldiers. But not against the civilian population. Just the warlords and their fighters, and whoever supported them. Many attacks had also been stopped thanks to the Cottish UAVs and attack planes that were on the wings 24/7. The opposition took a heavy beating, while the Cots took 67 fatalities over those three weeks. It was soon time for the final assault.

It was early in the morning, long before the sun would rise. While the rebels slept in their make-shift camp near Mount Sokbaro on the border with Togo, Cottish soldiers were out in force. It was estimated that there were 7 000 rebels in this camp, including the leaders for the whole rebellion. They manouvered carefully, using their night-vision goggles to surround the main rebel camp. They also recieved guidance by two RQ-1A Predator UAVs high up in the sky. Most of the Cottish force, which consisted of the 23rd, 37th and 88th (Mechanized) Infantry Regiments, one battalion of the 46th Armoured Regiment and two batteries of M2001 Crusader 155mm howitzers from the 14th Artillery Regiment, were around the enemy camp providing cover. The rest of the force, more precisely 4th and 5th Battalions of the 23rd Regiment, would lead a attack into the midst of the enemy, capturing as many insurgents as possible for interegation. A-10s and F-16Cs would provide CAS for the ground troops, as well as 6 HH-60Hs flying overhead with snipers aboard for point defense. It was expected to be 10 - 15 % casualties among the friendly forces, a staggering number when you consider how many soldiers that were involved. The attack would start in 4 minutes with the artillery firing light shells. One minute before the attack, the soldiers took off their night-vision goggles and checked their weapons one final time. It was showtime!

At exactly 04.00.15, the 18 Crusaders fired one light shell each, illuminating the area and showing the hundreds of APCs and IFVs, and the few tanks that were present. Three seconds later, the first shots were fired from the tanks towards the many pickup trucks with mounted machine guns, so-called 'technicals'. The tanks were quickly followed by the Bradleys with their 25mm autocannons and TOW missiles in firing on the enemy. Soon, soldiers started to pick off targets with their XM-8s, letting them have no chance to defend themselves. They were just softening up the enemy, who didn't have any chance of escape. The Cottish ring of iron made sure of that. However, it soon became clear that the rebels were willing to fight, as RPGs flew towards the Cottish vehicles, blowing up those who had little or no armor, mainly M998s, some M113A4s and M939A2s. But the Cots had estimated wrongly. There were much more then 7 000 rebels here. There were more in the area of 25 000! Some serious supression would be needed before the Cots sent in 4th and 5th battalions.

Within minutes, the A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16C Fighting Falcons got some work to do. The planes dropped bomb after bomb, taking out scores of rebels with each impact. But the Cots were also taking casualties. So far, more then 400 were reported dead, and almost 1 000 had been transported off the line to the field hospital that had been established 7 kilometers away from the combat area. Ammunition was also needed, and the nearest ammo dump was in Djougou, 60 kilometers away. The earliest the logistics could be at the combat site would be in 8 hours. By then, the ammo supply would be dangerously low. Quick ammoruns would have to be preformed using the UH-1Y Iriquois and HH-60Hs untill then. They would have to rely heavily on the air support in the form of A-10s, F-16s and later B-8As and F/B-22s. This would be the real baptism of fire for the units in Benin.

The battle was dragging on. Several bombing runs had been preformed by newly arrived B-8A Vulcan II heavy bombers, inflicting massive casualties on the enemy. The Cots were almost loosing the initiative. Something had to be done!

That was why fourteen M1A3 Abrams drove right into the middle of the rebel camp, followed by twenty-eight M2A3 Bradley IFVs and two M3A3 Bradley CFVs, firing weapons at the enemies. The Abrams' used their coax. M240G and top-mounted XM312 12,7 x 99 mm heavy machine guns on the enemy, while the Bradleys used their 25mm autocannons on the enemy. No rebel was safe. They killed many, many, many rebels and forced them into submission. The real breakthrough came when a M1A3 shot a 120 mm HEAT shell into a M113 APC, killing everyone inside. That included the warlords that lead the rebellion.

Without their leaders, many of the rebels decided that it wasn't worth it, and laid down their arms and surrendered. The battle of Mount Sokbaro was over, with victory to the Cots.


TOTAL LOSSES:

Cotland

KIA 1 100
WIA 3 200


Rebels

KIA 4 800
WIA 6 200
Captured 9 000

The Cottish units had hunted down and killed whatever remained of the resisting warlords, and their units had quickly succumbed to the ongoing Cottish assaults on their bases. Within three weeks, Benin was secured and the construction could start. The Cots would build many new factories and food processing plants, as well as several luxury resorts. The construction was expected to be completed in four years, and would give many tens of thousands of Benineese employment.

The military would also have a substantional force stationed in Benin. Two Divisions, an Air Expeditionary Unit, two Air Defence Groups and a small naval force of six old, but not outdated, frigates and eighteen corvettes. Enough to provide protection for the whole country. The Cots were here to stay.

OOC: This RP is now complete.