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Kanium Sunday - A bridge too hard


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KANIUM SUNDAY 26th of May 1800 GMT - A Bridge too hard 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 :D 

 

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Operation A Bridge too hard
1´st  of July 2020 
SB Mission by Nike-Ajax 
  
0. Background

Following increasing tensions in Eastern Europe and Russian reinforcement of their enclave of Kalinigrad, formerly Königsberg, then NATO and Russian forces have increasingly come into contact. 
Even though both sides have tried to avoid direct confrontation, then as was feared with a lot of animosity and distrust from both sides, combined with lack of doialogue, then the situation was explosive.

 

Added to which is Russian economic difficulties, sanctions and perceived provocations from EU and NATO. 

 

What seemed to set the spark was a large NATO exercise in eastern Poland involving many nations. Russia claims that NATO units violated both airspace and their border at Kaliningrad, and responded with force in the shape of a massive attack involving cruisemissiles, artillery and air strikes. 
And followed up by increasing its army presence in Byelorussia, while they demanded that NATO pulled 10 km away from the border at Kaliningrad, which was denied.

The reply came not from Kaliningrad but rather from the Border at Byelorussia.

 

From positions NW of Grodno, the Russian forces struck North and Northwest seemingly in an effort to create a corridor to Kaliningrad, which were achieved with considerable losses a little less than 2 weeks ago. 

This in turn made Poland invoke Article 5 in the NATO charter, which was confirmed by most but not all NATO countries by declaring war on Russia in solidarity. Turkey being a notable exception and France stalling.

Russia having achieved what seems to be their initial goals have dug in and taken up a defensive posture thus leaving the initiative to NATO. NATO in turn have build up considerable forces in eastern Poland with the goial of evicting Russian forces, creating what is in effect a Sitzkrieg. 

 

However this is not going to be a Desert Storm v. 2.0 for a number of reasons. The Russians are far better equipped, which includes a far better Air defence, as well as better trained and led troops. Nobody have mentioned but the fact that Russia have nuclear weapons including in Kaliningrad obviously creates different parameters as well.

 

The political wish and goal with this mission is to strike hard and to force the Russians to negotiate and hopefully fall back to their own borders before this escalates further. 

 

 

I. Situation 
  
Time
0745 Local Time 
  
Weather
Ligthly clouded with no chance of rain, 23 degrees Centigrade and LOS 3300 Km.

 

General.

We are formally at war, but we are limited by the political goal and wish to not escalate this into a full war.

 

Thus the politcians have given us the impossible mission of winning without hitting the enemy too hard. However that is the strategic mission.

 

Your tactical mission is clear: Strike hard and inflict the maximum amount of damage to the enemy while losing as few of your men and equipment as possible. 
To beat the enemy while suffering heavy losses will in reality be a political loss.

 

The Russians have thrust a limited distance into our allieds territory, and then have taken up defensive positions in anticipation of our counterattack, which due to both their intel and the political statements from our politcians they obviously know is coming. They are therefore prepared and entrenched. 

 

The terrain is a dangerous mixture of closed and open, so expect that they will use it to their advantage. 

 

It is the opinion of the politicians and publicly thus of our HQ, that seizing one or possible both of the villages and bridges to our East (See maptrace), will create a good defensive line as well as a good political platform on which to conduct a dialogue with the Russians.

 

For a number of reasons then our forces with which to conduct this operation are limited. Firstly we have allocated strong forces to other sectors to containg the enemy, secondly we are still not at the strength we would like as the Russians and Byelorussians have mobilized more forces than we anticipated. Much of the enemies forces are second echelon, but still far stronger than territorial army/home Guards units can contain. And finally the politicians and civil servants in their infinite wisdom have stated that "Less is more", whatever that means, and that they want "a smaller footprint, so as to facilitate dialogue".
 
We have limited info and intel on the AO, but have plotted what we know.

Due to the fact that the ENY in the AO have been verified as being Second Echelon, then it is the hope that your better equipment and training as well as the significant artillery support you will be getting will mean the difference in the coming battle.

 

Our Taskforce Schmetterling, 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 the terrain favors the enemy to some extent and our options are limited.
But our primary task is to deny the ENY the use of the bridges to the East, and inflict the maximum damage possible to him in the process. All this while remaining combat effective for the next battle.

 

From INTEL, then it appears that the Enemy have prepared defences in the East with a strongpoint in the NE. We also expect them to have some units guarding the villages marked on map as OBJ Market and OBJ Garden (See Map trace) 

Taskforce Schmetterling have been assembled to seize OBJ MARKET and/or OBJ GARDEN and destroy the Enemy to our East.
 
We on Polish soil, however the political and military stakes are high. 

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 and probably three full combined and reinforced Companies with T72B1, BMP-2, BTR-80 and with additional support and recon troops. Added to which is a light screening forces around the OBJ MARKET and OBJ GARDEN as well as the presence of ENY ATMG teams.

 

We expect the ENY to be experienced but conscripts and their ammunition the best they can get for their older platforms.

 

The Enemy is on the defence and have constructed fortifications and Obstacles and possibly minefields in your AO, attack vector and direction, confidence about that is HIGH. We have plotted the bridges that we know the ENY have blocked as well as the one minefield we know of, but be prepared for more.  

 

We do NOT expect the ENY being able to reinforce from the East, when you hit them, as we will do interdiction and use MLRS strikes to their rear. Confidence about that is MEDIUM.

We expect them to be dug in and use the terrain.

 

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 local air superiority, and therefore we have 2 strike planes but no rotary wing support, as a pair of Attack Helicopters were previously shot down in this AO. 

We have other friendly forces to our North and South, but in line with the political mandate they have been restrained to ONLY act as blocking forces, and thus cant assist you. 
  
Our Taskforce consists of 3 x tank platoons of Leopard 2A6 as well as 2 x mechanized infantry platoon of Marder 1A3, along with a tactical reserve of 1 PLT of Leopard 2A6 and a 1 PLT of Marder 1A3. 
   
We also have 4 x 6 Tubes of 155mm SP howitzers, which have a full range of rounds except FASCAM, one (1) MLRS mission of HE Rockets,  2 x 6 tubes of 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). And finally we also have 8 CAS strike missions on call.

  
Our dismounted infantry from B COY is equipped with 2 x Anti-Tank teams (MILAN ER) (Odds callsigns) and 2 x LMG Teams (Even callsigns). Each MECHINF platoon in B COY thus has 2x Anti-Tank teams and 2 x LMG Teams, the rest being issued with PzF-3T and riflegrenades plus a medicteam, and are all considered Elite. 

 

You have NO engineers, so are forced to bypass ENY obstacles and possible minefields. 


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 Schmetterling is to destroy enemy defenders between PL BARBIE and PL KEN, and to seize OBJ MARKET and/or OBJ GARDEN, and if possible both. 
  
  
III. Execution 
  
Concept of the Operation:
 
Taskforce Schmetterling with 2 PLTs in tactical reserve, will attack from the WEST and towards EAST, setting an attack by fire from PL BARBIE towards PL KEN, and to seize OBJ MARKET and/or OBJ GARDEN and if possible both.

They will also use own assets to Clear the area to facilitate the attack on the OBJ(s), 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.

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, and seizing either OBJ MARKET or OBJ GARDEN and if possible both.  
  
    Key Tasks
         1. Attack from vicinity PL BARBIE towards OBJ MARKET and/or OBJ GARDEN destroying the ENY as you go.
         2. Seize and hold OBJ MARKET or OBJ GARDEN.
         3. If possible and sensible Attack and Seize the other OBJ. 
  
    End State
        Friendly  Friendly forces postured on or in vicinity of  PL KEN; consolidated and prepared and able to continue operations towards the EAST and if neccesary against the other OBJ.
        Enemy    Enemy forces defeated or destroyed between PL KEN and PL BARBIE, unable to support Enemy forces WEST of the river.
        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. 

 

2 x 6 x Tubes of 120mm organic fires under TF CO control (P1 and P2), with organic supply vehicles (P3 and P4).
4 x 6 x Tubes of 155 mm off-map fires under TF CO control.
1 x MLRS strike (HE Rockets) under TF CO control.
8 CAS sorties were awarded during this targeting cycle of the ATO. 
  
Aviation
2 Strikeplanes otherwise 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 (P3 and P4). No resupply possible beyond that .
Maintenance   TF will carry forward 1x combat repair team (CRT)
Medical            TF will carry forward 1x forward aid station (FAS) 

V. Command And Signal
 
Succession 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

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MANNING:

 

TF SCHMETTERLING Command 

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

H65 (Marder 1A3): Gibsonm (BGANZAC,AU)

P65 (FOV90): Hedgehog (Kanium/UKamour,UK)

 

A1 (LEOPARD 2A6)

A11 Assassin (Kanium,US)

A12 

A13 

A14 Colebrook (Kanium,ESP)

 

A2 (LEOPARD 2A6)

A21 Major Duck (Kanium,DK)

A22 Teitr28 (Kanium,DK) (probably)

A23 Connaugh (Kanium,US)

A24 Roerbaek (Kanium,DK)

 

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

A31 

A32 

A33 

A34 

 

B1 (Marder 1A3)

B11 Kingtiger (Kanium,SE)

B12 SwordsmanDK (Kanium,DK)

B13 

B14 Wiglif (Kanium,US)

 

B2 (Marder 1A3)

B21 Chrisreb (Kanium,UK)

B22 MAC84 (BGANZAC,AU)

B23 SnS (Kanium,UK)

B24 Dboy (Kanium,UK) 
 

 

A4 and B3 (LEOPARD 2A6/Marder 1A3):  (Tactical Reserve) - Will NOT be manned initially unless we fill up the other callsigns

 

A4 (LEOPARD 2A6)

A41 

A42 

A43 

A44  

 

B3 (Marder 1A3)

B31

B32

B33

B34

 

 

P1 and P2 - 2 x 6 x SP MTR with own supply vehicle (P3 and P4)

H1 - CSS: Medic, ARV and SUPPLY x 2

 

OPFOR:

Nike-Ajax (Kanium,DK)

No more needed

 

Where needed:

 

Cant make it:

 

Hosting:

Nike-Ajax

(16/17)

 

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

Edited by Nike-Ajax
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4 minutes ago, Lumituisku said:

I'm curious. What would be most realistic estimation of when this mission will end? How long do these Sunday missions usually last?

 

~ Lumi

 

I cant give a exact answer. But best bet is between 90 and 120 minutes, sometimes but rarely a little longer.

 

Start time is in the top of the initial post for your timezone.

 

Edited by Nike-Ajax
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7 minutes ago, Gibsonm said:

I can make this one - happy to go where required.

 

However if someone intends to record it, please let me know 24hours prior so I don't need to get up early.

 

Sounds good 

 

I have no knowledge at this time of anyone recording, which is not to say that anyone wont. 

To address and nullify the issue in advance, then I would suggest putting you in a non-command position as this will absolve any need to be on command net, and thus remove any risk of you being recorded.

 

Specifically my suggestion would be in B24, so same PLT as the right honorable SnS?

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14 minutes ago, Gibsonm said:

Ah great more Mech Inf.

 

I guess casual attendees get what they can.

 

Any ideas as to what load outs the Marders have (i.e. which vehicle is carrying the Milan team (or whatever ATGM they have allocated)?

I most certainly do:

 

There will be 4 Marders in each PLT. Not entirely realistic but works within the framework of what we have. 

To answer your question graphically:

 

callsigns.thumb.png.a6c64b89d4ea1ea228b16d7ab7deb6e2.png

 

They (odds callsigns) have Milan 3ER and M240 LMGs (even callsigns). The rest are armed with PzF-3T and riflegrenades plus normal kit. And all BLUEFOR INF are Elite.

 

The Marders are stocked with DM-63 and DM-81 ammo

 

Will B24 be to you liking? 

Edited by Nike-Ajax
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