Archives: Gazette Magazines

By Lionel A. Raymond

Situation

There have been reports of infiltration and possible enemy efforts to consolidate forces in area “Cossack.” As the commanding officer (CO), 2d Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7), you have received orders from regiment to perform a battalion sweep, south to north, of area Cossack; make contact; and destroy any enemy and stores he may have in the area. There will be very few civilians in the area. You are to round them up and keep them out of harm’s way, but do not send them to the rear. 1/7 will be to the immediate east and in contact with your right flank.

You relay these orders to your company commanders. You have given orders that will put the battalion on line, with Fox Company on your left flank and Echo Company on the right flank. Each company is to provide its own reserves, rear, and point security. Fox and Echo Companies will provide flank security for the battalion. Fox Company will maintain left flank control by keeping its left tight on an abandoned railroad track that parallels the axis of advance. All companies will guide on Fox Company. Air and artillery are oncall. 81mm mortars will be 1,000 meters in trace of weapons company. No enemy armor or mechanization is expected, so Weapons Company is to leave behind their heavy machineguns and antiarmor weapons and will equip themselves with Mk19 machineguns, AT-4s (self-contained shoulder fired antitank weapons), and Mk153s (shoulder launched multipurpose assault weapons). No HMMWVs will accompany the battalion. All other members of Weapons Company are to assume the role of riflemen and provide rear security for the battalion. Battalion command will be with the left flank of Echo Company. The battalion executive officer will be with Weapons Company. All radio nets are up and working.

The battalion has been moving forward at the expected pace with no civilian contacts, even though some small villages have been passed, when Fox’s flank security walks up on a well-concealed, reinforced, company-sized ambush behind the railroad embankment. Action is immediate with very heavy firing from the enemy and Fox Company. Fox’s CO reports that he is taking intense machinegun and rocket propelled grenade fire; he has turned all three platoons into the ambush and is assaulting the position. In some areas his men have crossed over the railroad embankment. Contact is close. Casualties are light.

Requirement

As the battalion CO, in a time limit of 5 minutes, issue orders to all companies and supporting arms addressing this new situation. How do you deal with the original mission? What information do you provide the regimental CO who is overhead? Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-10, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or email <[email protected]>.

By Dr. Andrew H. Hershey

Situation

You have been assigned as an advisor/liaison with the host-nation forces. Last night one of the host-nation companies conducted a night ambush of an insurgent convoy. The host-nation forces have a small arms capability similar to a Marine rifle company; however, their communications and night vision equipment are limited. You are attending the company commander’s debrief to his battalion commander and members of his staff.

Following are the company commander’s comments:

“My rifle company, with two medium machinegun teams and two assault teams attached (rocket propelled grenade style), was ordered to conduct a night ambush on a known enemy supply route. As the company commander, I had a night vision monocular. We did bring trip flares and six antitank mines along with several antipersonnel pressure mines. Our communications net enabled me to speak with my battalion headquarters and locally to each platoon leader.

“Intelligence reports indicated that enemy supplies are transported by trucks with the occasional armed jeep or light armored car acting as an escort. The trucks generally have an infantry platoon minus as local security as well. Convoys are six to eight vehicles long.

“The company was dropped off by helicopters at landing zone (LZ) Bravo at 0135, some 5 kilometers from the ambush site. The terrain was mountainous, with rocky outcroppings and low scrub. Nighttime temperatures were near or below freezing. The unit marched in column, keeping to a contour level below the crest, to the ambush site. Once there, a platoon conducted a reconnaissance and then we assumed the fighting positions as outlined on this map. We kept radio talk to a minimum using runners or chemical light signals when able. When it was still dark, the enemy convoy approached from the village as anticipated. No jeeps or armored cars were visible from my position.

“The convoy entered the kill zone, and the company opened fire with the headquarters initiating the ambush. The enemy was hard pressed to react, but some of the infantry managed to return fire aided by a heavy machinegun (HMG) from a jeep in the middle of the convoy, but then they were overwhelmed. We suffered only four lightly wounded, one seriously, and one killed in action.

“While medical attention was given to the wounded, we conducted a quick sweep of the enemy in search of items of intelligence value. We found none but did notice we destroyed a jeep with HMG. Following this search, we marched via a different route to LZ Bravo for extraction. We left the mines in place in the hopes the enemy might set them off later when picking up their dead.

“The mission was clearly a success, don’t you agree, Capt Smith?” Requirement In a time of 2 minutes, critique the mission. Being sure to justify your observations-both the good and the bad. Provide a brief rationale for your comments and a sketch to support your concept of operations for this ambush. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-9, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

By Capt Michael G. McCarthy, Jr.

Situation

You are the company commander for Bravo Company, Ist Battalion, Ist Marines operating in the province of Aceh, Indonesia. Your battalion is operating as part of a special purpose Marine air-ground task force with a general mission of conducting operations to clear the area of ex-government units involved in a rebellion against a newly elected civilian government. Enemy units have generally been operating in squad- to platoon-sized elements with only small arms and medium machineguns, primarily during daylight hours. Prior to today, no contact with the enemy forces had been reported by any elements of your battalion, despite 2 days of extensive patrolling. There are no friendly foreign national units in your battalion or company zone of operations.

Your company mission is to dear in zone in order to deny the enemy a safe haven from which to conduct operations against the civilian government. Your battalion commander’s desired end state is no cohesive enemy units in the area of greater than squad size. Once that criterion has been met, the sector can be considered cleared and loyal government units can move in and complete the “pacification” process. Alpha Company was assigned the zone considered most likely to produce enemy activity based on prior reports and has been designated the main effort.

Bravo Company is a standard table of organization rifle company, with an attached host-nation interrogator-translator team (ITT). You task organized for this mission into patrolling/clearing elements consisting of Ist and 3d Platoons (generally eastern and western portions of the zone respectively), and a reserve/reaction force consisting of 2d Platoon following in trace of the two clearing platoons in the center of the company zone. The machinegun section from weapons platoon moves with 2d Platoon to provide supporting fires should you encounter enemy forces. The mortar section moves in trace of 2d Platoon with security provided by the SMAW (shoulder launched multipurpose assault weapon) section. You have attached the host-nation ITT to the company headquarters element under the watchful eye of your company gunnery sergeant. No artillery or close air support assets are available, although the battalion 81mm mortar platoon can range the majority of your sector.

Today, at 0700, you advanced into a previously untouched sector. The terrain is hilly, single canopy jungle, interspersed with large clearings and cultivated areas. 3d Squad, Ist Platoon, after 2 hours of exhausting movement, reported signs of enemy activity on a lightly wooded ridgeline 200 meters to their north. You immediately ordered 2d Platoon to move forward to 3d Squad’s position, which the 3d Squad would secure for use as an assault position for 2d Platoon’s attack. You moved forward along with the ITT to the attack position, and after a quick visual reconnaissance and conference with 3d Squad leader and 2d Platoon commander, confirmed the personnel were in fact an enemy unit. You then emplaced the machinegun section at a 70-degree offset to provide a base of fire. You ordered 2d Platoon to prepare to attack the enemy position and radioed the battalion commander to inform him of your situation. After a quick discussion, you were given permission to begin the attack.

2d Platoon conducted their attack in a professional manner, and after an exhausting uphill climb under heavy enemy fire, reported the enemy reinforced squad’s surrender. Friendly casualties were two men killed and three wounded. The enemy casualties were four dead and three wounded enemy prisoners of war. At least two enemy soldiers had escaped. They had, however, used up half of their ammunition in the process. A quick situation report from 3d Platoon revealed that they still had no enemy sightings. As you moved up to the ridgeline to inspect the results of the fight, the 2d Platoon commander reported enemy in at least two-squad strength moving into assault formation and at least two machineguns being set up on the next hill over.

At this time, your machinegun section is still moving onto the ridgeline, lst Platoon is still consolidating with two squads at the old attack position, and one squad is still on the move. 3d Platoon continues to patrol in sector to the west. What do you do?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, issue your orders to your team leaders. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-8, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

By GySgt Timothy D. Graves

Situation

You are the commanding officer of Company B, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/2. Your company’s mission is to secure the bridge crossing the Minse River. The enemy is reported to be a reinforced rifle platoon holding the key terrain surrounding the bridge. They are well organized and possess some automatic weapons but have no indirect fire capabilities. A section of 81mm mortars is directly attached to your company and is embarked on your assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs). You have direct support from the Marine expeditionary unit’s artillery battery. Charlie Company is in reserve approximately 15 km south of your position.

According to your concept of operations and the company’s scheme of maneuver, Ist Platoon, with machineguns attached, will envelop the enemy and establish a support-by-fire position in the vicinity of company Objective B. The company’s 60mm and attached 81 mm mortars will provide both suppression and obscuration on the enemy position southeast of the bridge (company Objective C). 3d Platoon will assault this enemy position. 2d Platoon will assault the enemy position north of the bridge (company Objective A). 2d Platoon is the main effort. You intend to utilize both indirect and direct fires to support 2d Platoon’s maneuver to company Objective A.

You have begun your attack, and your fires upon Objective C have been effective. You then receive this report from Ist Platoon: “Contact with enemy. Squad-sized unit has immobilized one of our AAVs. The platoon commander and the first squad leader are seriously wounded. The enemy squad has withdrawn now that we have returned fire.” This report from the Ist Platoon platoon sergeant continues: “We are about 700 meters from our river crossing point and about 4 to 5 clicks from company Objective B.”

3d Platoon has reached Objective C and has begun their consolidation. Your 60s have ceased fire. 81s have shifted to provide obscuration for 2d Platoon, and artillery suppression of company Objective A is about to cease. Your original commander’s intent was “to isolate and destroy the enemy in order to secure the bridge for the BLT’s movement north.”

Requirement

In a time limit of 3 minutes, issue your orders to your team leaders. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-7, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in jan95, p. 5.

By Capt Thomas H. Presecan

Situation

The Caribbean island of St. Karen is characterized by steep hills, cliffs, and swollen rivers. The soil is rocky with low-growing shrubs in the southern and midland regions, with forests in the northern and eastern regions. Two years ago, the emperor of St. Karen declared his nation a “druggie safe state.” It is now a haven for drug smugglers. Three large cartels have joined forces and are known as the Greyson Dogs. They fund impressive land and naval forces. Their terrorist activities in the region include piracy, raids on neighboring islands, and attacks on U.S. Coast Guard patrols. Regimental Landing Team 6 has successfully pushed the “Dogs” into the northern forest regions and is now staged in assembly areas, preparing to continue offensive operations.

You are a combat engineer squad leader. Your platoon is attached to Battalion Landing Team 1/6. Your platoon commander issues you the following order:

The battalion is getting ready to push out across the Penny River tomorrow afternoon. We want to go across in the western part of the forest where the Dogs don’t expect us. There’s a bridge located on Route 610. Your mission is to conduct an engineer route reconnaissance along Route 610 up to and including the Penny River Bridge in order to confirm the battalion’s route for the attack. Don’t be compromised-the battalion commander doesn’t want to tip his hand. Good luck.

Your nine-man squad is organized into Demo Teams I and 2. You have one M203 with M16, one M249 squad automatic weapon, seven M16s, a PRC-119, and two sets of ANPVS-7 night vision goggles. You set out just before sunset. The patrol to the bridge is uneventful, and you find the road to be in good shape. Arriving at the bridge in darkness, you take up a position to overlook the area as depicted on the map. You immediately notice five to six individuals working busily to prepare the bridge span for demolition. You note that the water appears to be deep and moving at about 3 feet per second. The banks are steep on both sides, but the bridge is made of concrete and appears sturdy. You see a fork in the road that travels off to the east to a possible ford site. It looks rugged. The banks are steep and rutted, and who knows what the streambed looks like. You figure a few hours work with bulldozers and dump trucks might make it operational.

You call back to battalion and explain the situation. You are not sure they understood your transmission. Their reply is broken: “Rogshh … If … across… dord … <click>worried .. tion … <zzzhzhz> … can’t let thrick … mission … shshs….”

As the Dog engineers put the final charges in place, you can see firing wire is being stretched from a position of defilade to the bridge. What now?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, issue your orders to your team leaders. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-6, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or email <[email protected]>.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

By Capt Jeffrey J. Tlapa

Situation

You are a flight leader for a flight of eight AV-8 Harriers. Your mission is to support a joint Army/Marine airfield seizure in the nation of Ronway. The plan entails an Army paratroop company drop on the airfield to destroy the antiaircraft weapons surrounding the facility in order to allow a Marine battalion to land in MV-22s and seize it. Your role is to provide air cover for the paratroops.

As you execute the plan, you encounter some air-to-air combat with enemy planes. Two Harriers are hit and eject at the cost of four enemy aircraft destroyed and the remainder driven off. You hold awaiting the arrival of the C-141s with the paratroops, but there is no sign of them. As you are about to leave, you see the MV-22s begin to arrive in the distance. You try to signal them on the radio, but they are not responding. As they make their approach, you decide to suppress the antiaircraft artillery (AAA) (S-60s) sites but are critically low on fuel and only have enough to return. The AAA is now getting the range of the MV-22s and has shot one out of the sky as it attempts to land.

What do you do? Requirement

In the space of 1 minute, develop your response to the situation. Provide a concept of operations and tasking for your remaining aircraft. Include a sketch and rationale for your actions. Submit your solution to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-5, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

By Capt Terry L. Branstetter

General

A special purpose Marine airground task force (SPMAGTF) has been deployed to the coastal region of Southlandia to take an active role in America’s war on drugs. The coastal plain of Southlandia is tropical with thick vegetation. Rivers are the major means of transportation and communication. On these rivers, narcotics traffickers transport their products from inland camps, where the drugs are manufactured, to the coast where they are exported by sea and air.

The narcotics traffickers in Southlandia have been growing more and more technical in their means of producing and exporting. Manufacturing locations are small, widely dispersed camps that move frequently and apparently randomly. While some drugs are driven and some flown from the inland, most are transported via river to the coastal area where ocean and air transportation is more available. There are even rumors that submarines may be incorporated to ship drugs.

The SPMAGTF is based at a small airbase near the third largest village in the province. The command element is augmented with several provincial police, a liaison officer from the U.S. Coast Guard, and a detachment from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The SPMAGTF is part of a Marine Corps led joint task force located in Southlandia’s capital. The MAGTF is composed of an aviation combat element built around four CH-53Es. The ground combat element (GCE) consists of a lightly equipped infantry battalion and a detachment from the division’s small craft company. Companies conduct operations along the Pacora and Chepo Rivers. The combat service support element (CSSE) provides general support to the MAGTF and provides direct support to the GCE in the form of one forward logistics base supporting riverine operations along the Chepo.

Situation

You are an engineer lieutenant assigned as the officer in charge for a CSS detachment organized and equipped to support riverine operations along the Chepo River in Southlandia. You operate a base camp supporting an infantry company and several small craft that are conducting counterdrug operations along the Chepo. Because the infantry company commanders want to remain focused on operations along the river, you are responsible for the local security of the base camp. Infantry squads participate in security patrols to assist your 38 logisticians. The only enemy encountered to date has been during interdiction actions on or along the river.

Currently, the bulk of the infantry company is either conducting operations on the east side of the Chepo or operating with small craft on the river to the south. Most of one infantry platoon, having just returned from some extensive patrolling, is at the base camp. That platoon’s third squad is out conducting a local security patrol-route CPs (checkpoints) 5, 1, 2, 4, and 3. When they last reported between CP2 and CP4, they mentioned strange activity at a point along the stream to the northwest.

As you walk back from checking on the maintenance of some outboard engines, you hear an explosion and gunfire at the edge of the compound. You run to the operations tent just as the first members of your reaction squad run up. One of them says that a grenade hit one of the grunt’s buildings and caused many injuries.

Assessing the situation, you see the infantrymen hurrying about to resist the attack. What do you do?

Requirement

In a time limit of 2 minutes, issue your orders to your element leaders. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-4, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

By Capt Paul C. Merida

Situation

You are the executive officer (XO) of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. Bravo Company crossed the line of departure 1 hour ago and is moving 7 kilometers to its tentative assault position. The battalion’s two– company attack (Bravo and Charlie Companies) is scheduled to go at 0400. The battalion commander’s goal is to move two companies around the flank of the enemy and attack them from the rear, as well as cut their only line of communications.

Bravo Company is moving in a column formation. One kilometer (about 1 hour) behind you is the battalion forward command post and Charlie Company. The terrain is rough, several ridges and hills covered with thick vegetation lie across your route. Visibility in most areas is no more than 50-75 meters. Enemy presence in this area has not yet been detected by the battalion’s surveillance and target acquisition teams. As a result your company commander is really “stepping it out” in an effort to reach the assault position on time (1000).

You’re located in the rear of the company with the company gunny and the training noncommissioned officer who is carrying the radio. At 1700, the company is climbing one of the many steep ridges in your path. Ist Platoon has crossed the ridge and is descending the opposite side down a narrow finger. In the middle of the column, the company headquarters element and weapons platoon are at the top of the ridge. 2d and 3d Platoon are yet to begin their ascent. Suddenly, near the top of the ridge, an enormous amount of small arms fire erupts. Several machineguns are in action, and several explosions go off as well.

The gunfire dies down a bit and you attempt to raise the commanding officer (CO) on the radio. Unfortunately, you can’t raise him or the mortar section for that matter. 1st Platoon commander comes on the hook and reports that the CO and weapons platoon got hit hard. There was a large ambush on top of the hill. He believes that some of weapons platoon is still pinned down, but they’ve suffered a lot of casualties. He also reports his rear squad is engaged with a platoon-size element.

2d Platoon reports numerous casualties from weapons platoon and that he’s exchanging fire with the enemy.

At that moment, 2d and 3d Platoons begin receiving mortar fire. Both platoons, as well as yourself, quickly hit the deck.

What now XO?

Requirement

Within 2 minutes issue orders to your platoons. Provide your plan of attack with a sketch and a brief explanation of your plan. Submit your solution with rationale to Marine Corps Gazette. TDG #01-3, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

By Capt Kenneth R. Kassner

Situation

You are the commanding officer of Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2/2, the small boat company of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Your company task organizes for small boat operations aboard 20 combat rubber reconnaissance craft with 3 rifle platoons, 2 mortar teams, 2 SMAW (shoulder launched multipurpose assault weapon) teams, and 2 machinegun squads. The company is currently embarked aboard the USS Austin, and it is part of a combined U.S.-Baklavarian amphibious task force responding to an escalation of arms smuggling in the Adriatic Sea. Arms smugglers continue to use the small, uninhabited islands along the central Baklavarian coast as transshipment points for weapons to insurgent groups operating in the southern Astorian Sea.

Baklavarian naval forces recently intercepted a boat carrying illegal weapons and ammunition. Interrogations of the crewmembers revealed that the headquarters of the smuggling operations and the main weapons cache site are located on Jersey Island, several miles west of the Baklavarian coastline. The island is characterized by several prominent, rocky hills and vegetation that varies in thickness throughout the terrain. Twenty to 25 men armed with AK-47s guard each site. The interrogated crewmen believe that some type of antiaircraft gun protects the command post (CP).

The U.S.-Baklavarian amphibious task force has been directed to conduct a nearly simultaneous surface and heliborne assault on Jersey in order to deny the insurgent groups the strategic use of the island as the main transshipment point for smuggling operations. Specifically, Golf Company will conduct a small boat assault to seize the insurgent headquarters and destroy any antiaircraft guns near the CP in order to facilitate the Baklavarian heliborne company attack on the arms cache site. The times of the surface and heliborne landings will be separated by I hour in order to give your company time to maneuver to its objective. The mission commander believes this action will throw any defense of the island off balance and facilitate the success of the mission.

As the company maneuvers into position for its assault on the enemy CP, your lead platoon stumbles upon a fire team-sized security patrol. Fires are immediately exchanged, and the element of surprise is lost. The Ist Platoon commander reports that he has two men down, and he is also receiving small arms fire from the hilltop to his front. Before you issue any orders to your element leaders, the reconnaissance and surveillance team on the west side of the island reports that a column of armed smugglers is moving generally southeast toward the CP, perhaps to reinforce the headquarters. As you glance at your watch, you realize that the Baklavarian heliborne force is scheduled to land in the landing zone in less than 20 minutes. What do you do, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, issue your orders to your element leaders and submit any reports to the mission commander aboard USS Austin. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-2, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

By LtCol Kerry A. Knowles, USMC(Ret)

Situation

You are the company commander, Bravo Company, Ist Battalion, 8th Marines.

For the last 3 months the Marine expeditionary brigade, as part of a joint task force, has been operating in support of an international coalition of forces deployed into Karabrun in order to restore this beleaguered nation’s borders.

The terrain in your current area of operations (AOR) is primarily volcanic with dense tropical forests. Scattered, cleared areas are utilized by the inhabitants for existence farming. During your movement north you have conducted very deliberate searches for enemy forces, supplies, and weapon caches. For the most part your battalion’s contact with the enemy has been sporadic, although, in the zone of action adjoining your present AOR, they have demonstrated an ability to mass forces-normally company reinforced elements conducting well-executed night attacks supported with medium and heavy mortar fire, then fading quickly into the surrounding area.

Your battalion commander has been directed to conduct a zone reconnaissance from your present location (line of departure) to the vicinity of Hill 261, approximately 7 miles north. Your company has been assigned as lead element for this mission. To your northeast you can see the Mirana River. There are no bridges across the river, but you know from practical experience that it has been fordable in most areas.

Recent intelligence reports that the enemy may be consolidating his forces north of Hill 261 in preparation for a final effort to push U.S. forces from this area.

Hill 261 will be in your zone of action, the Mirana River is your right boundary. 2d Battalion, 6th Marines is on the other side of the Mirana. You will have priority of fires from the 81mm mortar platoon and have been directed to submit a request for artillery fires to the battalion fire support coordinator within the next 2 hours.

Requirement

Within 30 minutes develop the following: (1) List of questions you may have for the S-2; (2) your scheme of maneuver, with overlay and fire plan sketch; and (3) what you believe the most likely enemy course of action will be. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #01-1, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

By Maj John F. Schmitt, USMCR

You are the commander of Ist Battalion, 8th Marines. For months your battalion has been fighting guerrillas in the African countryside. The enemy has launched a surprise offensive to capture several key cities, including the former colonial capital of Tinti along the Attar River. The Attar splits the city in two, with the smaller French quarter located in a bend in the wide river, and the larger, indigenous section located across the river to the north and west. The French section is characterized by typical European colonial architecture: mostly one- and two-story brick and concrete buildings with thick walls, walled yards, tropical gardens, and tree-lined boulevards. From the river there is a 12-foot sloped embankment, and then the terrain slopes gently uphill another 50 meters to the high point at the Universite Nationale. The named and numbered streets are European-style boulevards about 30-35 meters wide. Other streets are mostly narrow lanes. An underground sewer system remains from colonial days.

The plans you are provided are accurate as of 1960, and you have no updated information about the condition of the sewers. In the upper and upper-middle class parts of town, most of the residences are two stories with basements, as are most of the government buildings. In the other residential areas, most of the buildings are one-story, a mixture of brick/concrete and frame structures. The hospital and the academies are three stories, brick and concrete. The only four-story buildings are a couple of buildings in the Universite Nationale and a modern apartment building just north of the university. Most of the local population has abandoned the area, although it is not uncommon to find pockets of civilians, sometimes numbering in the dozens or even as many as 100, huddled in basements.

Friendly forces are engaged in a bitter fight for control of the indigenous city. The enemy has all but captured the French quarter. Two embattled host-nation companies, the 71st and 72d, hold a tenuous enclave north of Pier St. and west of Freedom Blvd. It is estimated that enemy strength in the French section is at least battalion, probably regimental strength. The enemy is equipped with automatic weapons, light and heavy machineguns, mortars, mines, and rocket propelled antitank grenade launchers (RPGs). Your battalion is being sent in to begin the counterattack to recapture the French quarter. Bravo and Charlie Companies (with their attached weapons) and the mortar platoon have been shuttled via landing craft into the enclave at the Velodrome Nationale. Alpha Company remains across the river, ready to cross. You are given operational control of the 71st and 72d and their supporting tank platoon of three M60s. The 71st and 72d are battle-hardened outfits of about 80 men each. In addition to their small arms and machineguns, they are equipped with RPGs and recoilless rifles.

As you face south, the 72d is on the right facing strong enemy forces directly across Pier St., where the res-, idential buildings are closely packed. The 71 st is in the center with the four recoilless rifles. Charlie Company has moved into position on the left, occupying the Academie de Ste. Marie, across Freedom Blvd. from the twostory brick prison, which the enemy seems to have strongpointed with at least a company. The terrain in that sector is primarily larger commercial buildings spread farther apart. The enemy has some positions in depth. The commander of the 71st reports taking sniper and plunging machinegun fire from the upper floors of the four-story apartment just north of the university. Additionally, he reports the enemy has heavy machineguns covering Pier St. and Freedom Blvd. from positions somewhere in the depth of the defense, halting any earlier attempts to cross those streets. In order to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage, higher headquarters has prohibited the use of artillery and close air support. You have convinced them to let you use your mortars. It is currently 2200. There is a light wind from the north northwest. It is overcast with low cloud cover and intermittent drizzle, temperatures in the mid-60s. Your mission is simple and straightforward: no later than 0600 attack generally south and east in order to clear the city of enemy presence.

What is your plan?

Requirement

In the space of 20 minutes develop a plan of attack to include at least a concept of operations and tasks for your subordinate units. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #00-12, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.