KANIUM SUNDAY 19th of May 1800 GMT - Cutting the Motti by Nike-Ajax

[Nike-Ajax]

 

KANIUM SUNDAY 19th of May 1800 GMT - Cutting the Motti by Nike-Ajax

Where: Kanium TS : teamspeak3.i3d.net:10077 
World Clock 1800 GMT (Same time as always - now adjusted for European Summer Time: click the time below for your local time) 

World clock 1800 GMT

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This SB session may be recorded with video and sound and uploaded, including to a public youtube channel. 

 

Everybody is Welcome: you don't have to belong to Kanium. We love playing with you all, the arranger and CO loves you even more if you sign up in advance  

 

 

Operation Cutting The Motti
29' th  of July 2020 
SB Mission by Nike-Ajax 
  
0. Background

 

Älkää helvetti kämppikö puukoilla, kun teillä on uudet moottorisahat

 

What if a war didnt start with a plan? What if instead it started with a collection of misunderstandings, mistakes and refusal to admit your mistakes? 

 

This seems to be the case in Finland. 

 

Finland has always trodden a dangerous path, trying to steer clear of issues that will lead it into another conflict with the big neighbour which they once were part of for over 100 years. Mostly they have been successfull, and after the end to the Continuation war and after they miraculously managed to live up to Stalins impossible demands to evict the German soldiers with a reduced army in the Lappland war, there have been peace.

 

They have come close to war such as in The Note Crisis (Finnish: noottikriisi) in 1961, but have averted it while remaining and maintaining an armed neutrality. Until now.

Russia under increasing internal and external pressure; made worse by the decline in oil price, an international embargo and an inability or refusal from the west to accept or even acknowledge the Russians political needs and demands, have experienced an expanding political and economic crisis.

 

This as been aggravated by what Russia sees as a deliberate and constant international attempt to encroach upon Russian interests and support of their enemies. Or just lack of understanding for the Russian choices with regards to fighting their enemies domestic and abroad. And also also by trying to expand NATO into what Russia terms "The near abroad".

Finland have wisely mostly stayed out of this and thus have rarely been the subject of Russian anger or ire. However the same cannot be said of the Baltic states including Estonia which Finland have close ties to. 

 

In fact a month ago Finnish soldiers were on an exercise in Estonia, when a skirmish erupted on the eastern border between Russian Border guards and the Estonian army. Accounts differ wildly as to how it started, but what is know is that the battle probably unplanned, unscheduled and without any clear goal broke the Estonian defenders. 

And that the Russian forces followed further into Estonia, for lack of better explanation then much like a Cat would follow a mouse because its in its nature. Or like a kid would follow another kid in a schoolyard after having had a fight which wasnt finished. 

 

This however brought them closer to the Finnish contingent, whose CO relying on his standing orders chose to arm his unit while trying to get orders from his HQ. Orders that through confusion and mistakes werent forwarded up the chain of command. The Russian CO in the meantime did much the same and sadly for many of the same reasons with the same lack of results.

So like two blinded boxers the units came into contact with each other and then clashed. This quickly escalated as both sides screamed for reinforcements and support, and by the time the respective political and military leaders managed to seperate the forces dozens were dead and hundreds wound including many locals.

 

Then came the blaming game, which resolved nothing. This was made more difficult by NATO and EU going along their own tangents and moving to their own agendas. 

But as Russia strenghtened their military presence along th Finnish border, then prudence forced Finland to do the same. 

A week ago someone threw a lit match into the powederkeg, as a bomb blew up a Russian borderpost. Finland denied any and all involvement and denounced it as terrorism and offered to help find the criminals who did it. 
 

This however did not ease tensions and two days after that an artillery duel started across the border.

This set events into motions as Russian forces crossed the border at several places.

 

The war that wasnt declared or planned is now in motion.

I. Situation 
  
Time
1100 Local Time 
  
Weather
Clear sky with no chance of rain, 15 degrees Centigrade and LOS 3000 Km.

 

General.

We are at war, allthough it hasnt been formally declared yet. 
 

Due to the fact that this war seemed to start as a collection on coincidences and unplanned events, then the enemy - or for that matter ourselves as well - arent fully prepared. 

The Enemy has thrust a few miles into our territory and in our AO has set up a temporary airport for their rotary wing planes to our North. 
 

Their airport isnt big enough to handle fixed wing planes, so it is expected that they will soon thrust South to take the airport we are currently in control of. Or likely primarily also to deny us its use. 

The terrain is fairly closed, but not as closed as we would have liked. 

 

Still it is the estimate of HQ that it just might  - combined with the unprepared stance of the ENY - might be possible to do in smaller scale what our great-grandfathers did in the Winter Wra. Namely to hit them while they are enroute to deploy.
 

It is uncertain which route they will follow, so therefore 2 platoons from the Utti Jaeger Regiment (Finnish: Utin Jääkärirykmentti, (UTJR)), have created a number of Observation Posts to our North so we and you hopefully can get real-time Intel on how the ENY deploys and where.

 

Their orders in true Recon fashion is to avoid combat at all costs: their mission is to use their eyes and ears, and not their trigger fingers.

Also we have allocated an UAV for your use. But for the same reason that you can get no fixed- or rotary wing support, then you cant push it too far north North as the ENY both enjoy local air superiority AND have formidable AA capabilities to the north.
We have plotted our best estimate based on SIGINT and HUMINT, where their coverage ends.

 

With these assets, then it is hoped that you will be able to hit the ENY while he is out of formation and unable to bring his forces to bear.

In short we are hoping that you will be able to create one or two Mottis and Defeat the enemy in Detail. From the size and composition of the Enemy then we expect that he will use two routes at most for his attack on the Airport, with an additional portion of his forces set aside for reinforcements/QRF. 

 

For those of you too young to remember the lessons of the Winter War, then Motti is Finnish military slang for a totally encircled enemy unit. The tactic of encircling it is called motitus, literally meaning the formation of an isolated block or "motti", but in effect meaning an entrapment or envelopment.  
The word means "mug" in many Finnish dialects; an alternate translation refers to a cubic meter of firewood, a relatively small area in which an encircled enemy could be "cut down" like trees. 

We are politically and militarily still building up, so we need the Enemy to get a bloody nose and show our potential allies and helpers that we are viable and that they can bet on us not to fold before they might help us. 
 

Allthough we are rapidly reactivating old equipment and reservists, then the simple math is that the enemy is bigger, stronger and has far more ressources than us. 

So we need to be smart and flexible. We expect the ENY to have far less flexibility in their Command and Control structure, which is another reason the Motti tactic hopefully will work.

Like our forefathers we need to know when to hit, when to fall back and when to shift positions. 

 

Remember the words of the great American General Patton:

 

“No dumb bastard ever won a war by going out and dying for his country. He won it by making some other dumb bastard die for his country.”

 

Our Taskforce SISU, as part of an ADHOC Battlegroup, have been tasked with this mission. You will be outnumbered but not outfought. 
  
We have a difficult tasking in that our options are very much open, and the HQ needs us to exploit any mistakes the ENY makes and use all opportunities. But our primary task is to deny the ENY the use of the airport to the South, and inflict the maximum damage possible to him in the process. All this while remaing combat effective for the next battle.

If it turns out that the chance shows it self, then you are free to use your own initiative to push further north as long as it doesnt endanger your other tasks.
 
From INTEL, then it appears that the Enemy have no prepared defences in the north or elsewhere in this AO but from HUMINT and SIGINT, then its expected that they have a light screening force in place to hold off any attack from the South, as well as a COY(+) sized QRF to support where needed. 

Taskforce SISU have been assembled to defend OBJ PUUKO and destroy the Enemy to our North.
 
We on our Finnish soil, however the situation is dire. 

Thus you are cleared to use all weapons at your disposal with extreme prejudice in all of the AO, including FIRES in the Urban areas. And you have the full weight of the BTN artillery at your call.
 

Enemy Forces.
The Enemy to our overall front is a Battalion sized(+) combined Russian Force. From Intel, then this seems to be at least two full combined and reinforced Companies with T72B1, BMP-2, BTR-80 and with additional support and recon troops, and with further reinforcements or QRF - estimated to be at least another combined and reinforced COY of MECHINF and TNKS. Added to which is a light screening force around the ENY forward HQ/Airbase and ENY AA units spread out in the northern AO.

 

We expect the ENY to be experienced and their ammunition the best they can get.

 

The Enemy is on the offence and have constructed no defences nor we do not expect any ENY Obstacles or minefields in your AO, attack vector and direction, confidence about that is HIGH. But we do however expect them to be aggressive and in a combat stance.  

 

We expect the ENY to reinforce from the North (Reference Maptrace), when you hit them. We have no ETA on the ENY reinforcements/QRF from the North but from our observations would expect that they are in a 15 minute alertpattern, so you have some time before they arrive. Confidence about that is MEDIUM.

 

In line with the previous including their OOB, then we expect them to use two routes and moving by road until they get closer to our airport, which is their obvious OBJ, before they switch into a Combat stance and formation. This is in part due to the terrain which has a number of lakes, swamps and waterways.

 

HQ have promised that other opearations will deny the ENY of any further reinforcements from the North beyond what is described above. Confindence about  that is HIGH.
  
From SIGINT and knowing their SOP, then we know that the ENY have access to Artillery in substantial but unknown amounts. 

Friendly Forces.
We have no local air superiority, and therefore we have no strike planes nor rotary wing support. This is primarily due to strong local Air defence, but also stronger ENY airforces than ours in this AO. 

We have NO other friendly forces in our immediate vicinity, with the next line of defence  - IF we fail and fall - further West. 
  
Our Taskforce consists of 3 x tank platoons of Leopard 2A6 as well as 2 x mechanized infantry platoon of CV90/30-FI, along with a tactical reserve of 1 PLT of Leopard 2A6 and a 1 PLT of CV90/30-FI. 
   
We also have 4 x 6 Tubes of 155mm SP howitzers, which have a full range of rounds including Four (4) FASCAM missions (self-destruct 30 mins) and 2 x 6 x 120 mm SP mortars with their own supply trucks (with the howitzers being further back, so off-map), as well as support assets from HQ Company (repair, 2 x supply and medical). We have no Air due to heavy presence of ENY AA and AAA in AO, but we do have an UAV (P-4). But do not push the UAV too far north or it will surely be shot down (Reference Map trace)
  
Our dismounted infantry from B COY is equipped with 2 x Anti-Tank teams (SPIKE MR) (Odds callsigns). Each MECHINF platoon in B COY thus has 2x Anti-Tank teams, the rest being issued with 4 x M72A4 and riflegrenades plus a medicteam, and are all considered Elite. 

 

Our engineers have readied charges to give you four (4) Abatis to be placed by your command.

 

Rules of Engagement. NOTHING IN THESE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT LIMITS YOUR RIGHT TO TAKE APPROPIATE ACTION TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND YOUR UNIT.
 
A. You have the right to use force to proactively engage any and all ENY targets of opportunity.
B. You are cleared to fire first on all hostile targets or targets with deemed hostile intent, including armed civilians.
C. The force should be used under the circumstances and proportional to the threat.
D. We are at war. Destruction of civilian property has been cleared by the local authorities if CO deems that there is a military value and goal in said destruction, including FIRES in urban areas.
E. All Laws of War are to be observed. 
  

II. Mission

Taskforce SISU is to destroy enemy defenders between PL YKSI and PL KAKSI, and to defend OBJ PUUKO. And to prepare to repulse ENY Counterattacks/QRF from North. 
  
III. Execution 
  
Concept of the Operation:
 
Taskforce SISU with 2 PLTs in tactical reserve, will attack from the SOUTH and towards NORTH, setting an attack by fire from PL YKSI towards PL KAKSI, and try to catch and isolate the ENY while they are out of formation and position. They have 4 FASCAM missions to assist in this goal.

 

They will also use own assets to defend OBJ PUUKO from the Enemy, including the sizeable Artillery assets at its command.  

  
This will open the area for further offensive operations, disrupt the Enemys defences in the area and achieve our overall political goals in this stage.

 

Do not risk the integrity of your command by attacking the Enemy forward HQ and temporary airbase to the North UNLESS the TF CO is positive enough that this can achieved successfully and without compromising the integrity of his command.  
 

However you are encouraged to use initiative and ingenuity in executing the goals.   

 

Commanders Intent 

Purpose - The purpose of this operation is to attack, and then clear the Enemy forces and defeat their will to fight in this AO, while defending OBJ PUUKO. 
  
    Key Tasks
         1. Attack from vicinity PL YKSI towards OBJ KAKSI destroying the ENY as you go.
         2. Defend OBJ PUUKO and repulsing ENY QRF.
         3. If possible and sensible exploit any opportunities including attacking the ENY HQ and forward Airbase to the North. 
  
    End State
        Friendly  Friendly forces postured on or in vicinity of  PL KAKSI; consolidated and prepared and able to continue operations towards the SOUTH.
        Enemy    Enemy forces defeated or destroyed between PL YKSI and PL KAKSI, unable to support Enemy forces in the Southern part of the AO.
        Terrain    All tactically commanding terrain features in friendly hands and cleared of enemy forces.
        Civilian    Not relevant as all LOCAL inhabitants are evacuated 
  
Fires
We have 4 x 6 Tubes of self-propelled 155 mm howitzers that will directly support this operations, from outside of the AO (offmap) and Six (6) 120 mm self-propelled Mortars for use, with integral ammo supply trucks. Also we have an UAV (P-4), to assist with target identification and possibly BDA.

 

2 x 6 x Tubes of 120mm organic fires under TF CO control (P-1 and P-2)
4 x 6 x Tubes of 155 mm off-map fires under TF CO control, including 4 x FASCAM 
NO CAS sorties were awarded during this targeting cycle of the ATO, due to presence of strong ENY anti-air capability in AO. 
  
Aviation
Nil 

 

IV. Sustainment
Supply              TF will carry forward 2 x resupply vehicles, P-1and P-2 have 2 x supply vehicle allocated to them specifically. No resupply possible beyond that .
Maintenance   TF will carry forward 1x combat repair team (CRT)
Medical            TF will carry forward 1x foward aid station (FAS) 

 

V. Command And Signal
 
Sucession of Command
Hotel-66    TF Commander
Hotel-65    TF XO
Alpha-11    1 PLT LDR/A
Alpha-21    2 PLT LDR/A
Bravo-11    1 PLT LDR/B
 
Signals
No Change; as per unit SOP
 

Edited May 13, 2019 by Nike-Ajax

[Nike-Ajax]

MANNING:

 

TF SISU Command 

H66 (LEOPARD 2A6): Assassin (Kanium,US)

H65 (CV90/30-FI):

P65 (FOV90): 

 

A1 (LEOPARD 2A6)

A11 Colebrook (Kanium,ESP) 

A12 

A13 

A14 MAC84 (BGANZAC,AU)

 

A2 (LEOPARD 2A6)

A21 Major Duck (Kanium,DK)

A22

A23 Connaugh (Kanium,US)

A24 Roerbaek (Kanium,DK)

 

A3 (LEOPARD 2A6) - (MANNED BY UNITED OPERATIONS)

A31 

A32 

A33 

A34 

 

B1 (CV90/30-FI)

B11 Dboy (Kanium,UK)

B12 SnS (Kanium,UK)

B13 

B14 Just (Kanium,SE) (75% attendance)

 

B2 (CV90/30-FI)

B21 Chrisreb (Kanium,UK)

B22 Kingtiger (Kanium,SE) (Like the Gentlemen he is, he wont be late. But will be there exactly when he will be there)

B23 

B24 Mac84 (BGANZAC,AU) 
 

 

A4 and B3 (LEOPARD 2A6/CV90/30-FI):  (Tactical Reserve) - Will NOT be manned initially unless we fill up the other callsigns

 

A4 (LEOPARD 2A6)

A41 

A42 

A43 

A44  

 

B3 (CV90/30-FI)

B31

B32

B33

B34

 

 

P1 and P2 - 2 x 6 x SP MTR with own supply vehicle (P4)

P3 - UAV

H1 - CSS: Medic, ARV and SUPPLY x 2

 

OPFOR:

Nike-Ajax (Kanium,DK)

No more needed

 

Where needed:

 

Cant make it:

Wiglif (Kanium,US)

Kingtiger (Kanium,SE)

 

Hosting:

Nike-Ajax

(10/11)

 

To reiterate: We ALWAYS have room for new guys, both with the game and with MP, so dont be shy.

Edited May 19, 2019 by Nike-Ajax

[dlad]

B24

 

Dboy

 

[Assassin 7]

A11 please

[Major duck]

A21 or A24 as needed

 

MD

[chrisreb]

Where required

[Connaugh]

A23, please

 

[MAC84]

Nike

 

Please be aware that I am available and happy occupy Mech Inf B22 or B23

 

All the best

[JUST]

Should be 75% able to make it.

Internet is up and running again.

Hope to see you all sunday.

Nike Where ever needed.

 

[Nike-Ajax]

3 hours ago, MAC84 said:

Nike

 

Please be aware that I am available and happy occupy Mech Inf B22 or B23

 

All the best

Hi Mac

 

Can I give you a field promotion and put you in charge of B1?

[Nike-Ajax]

 

SO : we need a few good men. 

 

First and foremost a CO ☺️

[Colebrook]

Put me in A1 pls

[dlad]

Nike, I forgot KT and Wiglif aren't available this week. I'll take B1 plt lead.

 

DBoy

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by dlad

[Assassin 7]

If no one steps up to the CO position before Saturday the I will take it. 

[MAC84]

Nike

 

I Believe DBoy would be better suited for B11 (if he agrees) with his experience and knowledge, however I will give it go if you have no one else mate.

[Nike-Ajax]

8 hours ago, MAC84 said:

Nike

 

I Believe DBoy would be better suited for B11 (if he agrees) with his experience and knowledge, however I will give it go if you have no one else mate.

 

Yeah roger that

 

We are close to minimum specifications but if Assassasin needs to take the spot as CO, then we need one more for A1

[Nike-Ajax]

OK: we are a little light on the manning, but we will make it work:

 

@Assassin 7I have set you as CO and will be sending you the scenario momentarily

 

@Colebrook Congrats: you have received a field promotion and are now PLT LDR A1

 

@MAC84 In line with this then I am placing you as PLT SGT in A1

[sjr162]

KT Plt please

[Major duck]

43 minutes ago, sjr162 said:

KT Plt please

So you are not coming as he and wiggie cant make it 😂

 

MD

[Nike-Ajax]

48 minutes ago, sjr162 said:

KT Plt please

Always good to have you - in lieu of KT, then I have placed you with Dboy

[Kingtiger]

Im enroute home, should be able to make it or be a bit late. Don't put me anywhere important but mech inf works.

[Nike-Ajax]

53 minutes ago, Kingtiger said:

Im enroute home, should be able to make it or be a bit late. Don't put me anywhere important but mech inf works.

YAY !

 

So I suggest putting you in B2 for now, to even out the numbers. 

 

But will leave it for you and the CO to sort out when you get there. 😁

[Colebrook]

I have an unexpected family visit, Im not sure if i can join,cout me at 50%.

[Major duck]

aar

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R2JZ67Kr4waZFrxmKHPzELtuUXAsMJ3U

 

MD