Rahadnak Valley Search

Situation

You are the Commanding Officer, Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2d Battalion, 2d Marines-the mechanized rifle company currently deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26th MEU (SOC)). Recently, the MEU was sent to the country of Ghanifstan in order to reinforce coalition units searching for Nadel nib Amaso and remnants of his Nabilat forces and needihajum freedom fighters believed to be operating in the southeastern part of the country. Throughout the winter months Rahadnak and the surrounding provinces have been relatively quiet with no armed conflict in this region. However, with the arrival of the spring thaw and warming temperatures, organized guerrilla groups reignited an active campaign against coalition forces and inflamed tribal unrest throughout the region.

Your mechanized company, embarked aboard 14 assault amphibious vehicles, is reinforced with elements from its organic weapons platoon, including three machinegun squads and six assault teams evenly dispersed between the platoons and a 60mm mortar section. While traveling east along a main road in the Rahadnak Valley during a routine mechanized patrol, your unit is tasked to search a village suspected of harboring Nabilat and needihajum fighters. Speed is essential as the enemy is prone to resupplying its forces and then quickly fading into the rugged and mountainous countryside. A section of AH-IW Cobras that can reinforce your unit within 15 minutes remains on call to provide close air support.

In order to maximize the “shock and awe” and speed of your mechanized unit, you decide on a simple, though previously effective, scheme of maneuver that calls for two platoons to encircle the village-one from the north and the other from the south-one platoon to advance along the main avenue of approach to seal the entry point and a dismounted mortar section to isolate the objective area with calls for fire as needed. The section of Cobras can be used to further isolate the objective area or provide supporting fires if required.

As your lead elements enter the village area, 1st Platoon immediately begins taking machinegun fire from the vicinity of Hill 2. As the platoon commander begins to take immediate action, mortars begin impacting around him. One of his vehicles has sustained a mobility kill. What now, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, issue your orders to your element leaders. Prepare an overlay depicting your scheme of maneuver, fragmentary order, and rationale for your actions. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #04-7, 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 the MCG web site at <www. mca-marines.org/gazeUe>.

Catching a Link

Situation

Intelligence reports that one of alQaeda’s top generals, Omar Sharruf, will be in the Ka Bada (KB) training camp. The camp has a squad (plus) element providing security. The camp’s last reported activity was training and strengthening the defense. The camp is in northern Remotistan in the mountains. It’s now 1300. It is believed that Omar will leave in 24 hours. At KB they have Soviet Bloc small arms (AK series and RPK light machineguns (MGs)), as well as RPG-7s (rocket propelled grenades) and third-generation night vision goggles (NVGs). The enemy’s most probable course of action will be to defend the compound long enough for Omar to leave via roadway or foot trails into the mountains. If Omar gets to the mountains he’ll be there for months. They have the ability to reinforce via roadway from the northwest. Special forces (SF) teams have been watching the compound for 24 hours, and they have eyes on and are updating the situation. SF positions are around the compound. There will be one SF team at the landing zone (LZ) to mark it and guide you to the objective.

At 1700 the 28th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) launches a platoon-sized heliborne raid against the compound. You are now 1st Squad leader, Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. Your squad has 13 Marines, and you have an assault team and a squad of MGs as your attachments. Your reinforced squad has a combat load-two claymores, one AT-4, three shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon rockets, and 1,000 rounds for each MG. Your mission is to extract Omar (alive if possible) to LZ Tiger, destroy all KB equipment, and capture or eliminate all KB personnel. To prevent escape along the roads, 2d Squad will position themselves to the northwest of the compound to set a blocking position. 3d Squad will set up a blocking position to the southeast on the road. Both squads setting up blocking positions will land via helicopter onto their objective. They each have an assault team and an MG squad. You have two Harriers that are in direct support of you. They will stand by at Holding Area Lion.

You arrive at 0100 on the deck in northern Remotistan. The hills are steep with loose rock and boulders that provide good cover. It’ll take a little time and effort, but the hills can be climbed. It is a cold night with the moon giving a little more than 60 percent illumination. While sitting in the LZ you give radio checks to all of the key leaders, and communications is excellent. You then scan the area with your NVGs, and you see two flashes of an infrared beam. You respond back with three flashes; the light shines back one time; you have made link up.

As the SF team guides you through the valley, you notice that it’s very flat and is all loose sand. At 0305, as you move into your objective rally point, the KB compound begins to shoot up flares and spotlight the valley floor. This lasts for about 5 minutes. Your MG attachments break off to go to their overwatch positions from which they can provide overhead fire until your squad reaches Phase Line Red. The SF team will provide security. You spend 40 minutes crawling to Phase Line White. Listening to the radio, 3d Squad notifies you that they have set in. 2d Squad had to turn around and abort due to a mechanical malfunction with the helicopter.

Hearing something that alarms you, you look to your west and see vehicle lights. Taking a closer look through a AN/ PAS-13 you discover a BTR-70 (Soviet armored vehicle) and an old Russian flatbed truck with a ZSU-23 (self-propelled antiaircraft gun) mounted on it. The truck has four to six men on it. Both vehicles are heading toward your position. As the vehicles close to 500 meters, the BTR-70 and the truck dismount all troops. They assume a combat formation and continue a course that will bring them straight to you.

The observation post to the northwest reports that through their NVGs they have spotted an individual they believe to be Omar, and he is getting ready to flee. They also report that the compound is scrambling to their defensive positions. The radio goes quiet as more flares go up and the spotlights come back on.

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, organize your squad for a hasty ambush of the vehicles, extraction of Omar, and destruction of the compound and its equipment. Include your intent, scheme of maneuver on an overlay, and your signal plan. Send your solution and rationale for your actions to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #04-10, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

Attack Out of the Enclave

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.

Bridgeton Crossing, Part II

This scenario is a continuation of Tactical Decision Game #89-4, “Bridgeton Crossing,” based on the author’s solution to that problem published on p. 83 of this issue.

Situation

You are a rifle company commander in 1st Battalion, 3d Marines. Your company is mounted on AAVs and has been reinforced with a tank platoon, TOW section, combat engineer section, and Dragon section (attached to the rifle platoons). As the MEF advances generally north, your regiment has been ordered to swing west and seize a crossing of the Diesty River at Bridgeton in order to facilitate the continued advance. The previous night, friendly reconnaissance elements were driven from Bridgeton by an enemy mechanized force estimated to be platoon to company strength. Intelligence now reports an enemy mechanized battalion heading south on Highway 1 to reinforce Bridgeton, expected to arrive sometime midmorning. As the regiment prepares for a deliberate crossing, your company has been ordered to conduct a reconnaissance-in-force toward Bridgeton along Rte. 6 in order to ascertain the nature of enemy defenses and find possible river-crossing sites for AAVs.

The weather is lousy, and you doubt if much will be flying until it clears. You approach Bridgeton with 2d Platoon deployed onto River Bluff to protect your right flank. Gaining a vantage point to the town, you discover that Bridgeton seems to be unoccupied except for a reconnaissance patrol. Just then, 2d Platoon reports “enemy mech on the River Road about 3 clicks east of Bridgeton. So far I count 6 APCs and 2 tanks, but there could be more coming into view. They’re heading for the town like a bat out of hell.” You order 2d Platoon to engage and 1st Platoon to take the town immediately, with tanks and TOWs in overwatch at Bridgeton Rise and 3d Platoon and engineers in reserve. Your FO calls for fire east of the town. Once your platoons are on the move, you report your decision to battalion.

At 0850 you meet up in the town with your 1st Platoon commander who reports: “Town secure. We got 2 scout cars. One escaped north. Otherwise, the place seems empty.” The battalion commander comes on the net: “Imperative you hold Bridgeton until we can reinforce. I’m getting you all the support I can, including anything that’ll fly. You’re now division main effort. Hang on; we’ll be there as fast as we can. Good work.” The firefight to the east has died down. You check in with 2d Platoon, which reports: “We knocked out one APC. Enemy has pulled back. We’ve got three tanks and an APC visible in the treeline 3 klicks northeast of the town. The rest of the column seems to have withdrawn; I can’t tell where.” The time is now 0900. Battalion still has no word on the enemy battalion to the north. What next, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 3 minutes, issue any instructions and make any reports/requests. Once that is done, provide a sketch of your plan and a brief explanation of your decision. Submit your solution to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #98-6, P. O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-0823.

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.

Early Morning Attack

Situation

You’re the company commander, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines. Directed to conduct a reconnaissance in the western portion of the battalion’s area of responsibility, you have opted to attach one assault team and one machinegun team to each of your platoons.

During the last 2 days you have conducted a series of night patrols as you have moved west toward the small town of Timberville. These patrols have been uneventful. It would appear as though battalion’s concerns about enemy forces in this area are unsubstantiated. The area you have been moving through is primarily farmland, however, there are several large, wooded areas that your company will be moving through this evening. You anticipate arriving at Timberville early the next morning. There are two roads within your zone of action, Routes 6 and 17, which intersect at Timberville. While listed as primary roads, they are little more than improved dirt roads.

2d Platoon is designated as your lead element, with lst Platoon on your right and 3d Platoon on your left. You have maintained a position just inside the tree line as the company has moved through the woods. During the late evening hours the company has moved steadily through the woods without encountering any enemy forces.

It’s approximately 0515. Your line of sight is hampered by the woods to the north, but 2d Platoon has just reported that he is about to break out of the wooded area and begin his movement through the orchards just to the north and east of Timberville.

Suddenly, you hear small arms fire, including several machineguns off to your right. Your radio crackles. 1st Platoon reports that he is taking fire; appears to be a squad– sized unit; he can handle the situation. He also reports that he has two Marines with minor wounds. Within seconds of this report, 2d Platoon reports that he is taking fire from what appears to be a platoon located in Timberville. One of his squads is pinned down, and he has one Marine wounded. The platoon commander breaks communications but comes back with the following report: “Three amphibious armored personnel carriers (BTRs) moving south on 17 just about to enter Timberville.” You hear extensive machinegun fire followed by an explosion. You soon see smoke billowing to your front and assume that 2d Platoon took out one of the BTRs.

Requirement

What now, Captain? In a time limit of 2 minutes, issue any orders or reports you might make. Provide a sketch for your scheme of maneuver and the rationale for your actions. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #00- 11, 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 modifcation reported in Jan95, p. 5.

Patrol Base Under Attack

Situation

You are 3d Squad leader, 3d Platoon, Kilo Company 3/8. 3d Platoon is operating out of a patrol base and is tasked with conducting security patrols, in sector, in order to prevent enemy units from infiltrating into friendly rear areas.

As part of this mission your squad was tasked with conducting a night security patrol. You left the patrol base at 2200. Four hours later your patrol is just about to reenter friendly lines. Because of the densely wooded terrain, visibility in the daytime is no more than 50-75 meters, and at night you can hardly see at all. Communications with the platoon commander throughout the patrol has been shaky at best as you try to maintain positive communications via a PRC-68.

Your patrol was uneventful, no sign of the enemy, and you’re scheduled to meet the platoon sergeant at the reentry point between 0230-0300. You’re 200 meters from that point when you begin to hear small arms fire from the direction of the patrol base. You can barely make out green and red tracers through some of the treetops and can definitely hear the sound of an M244G machinegun. You try raising anybody over the PRC-68, but no luck. The level of gunfire slowly increases, and it now sounds like 3d Platoon is fully engaged. It also sounds like the gunfire is getting closer to your position. You make out a garbled transmission over the PRC-68, “. . . casualties . . . mortars . . . 3d Squad .”

Your fire team leaders are now at your position. First Fire Team leader, “Sergeant, we got to get in there!” Second Fire Team leader, “Sergeant, we’ve got no idea what the hell is going on out there.” Third Fire Team leader, “Sergeant, what are you going to do now?” What are you going to do now, Sergeant?

Requirement

In a time limit of 2 minutes, issue any orders/reports you might make. Then provide a sketch and explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #00-10, 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.

A Bridge to Westcott

Situation

You are the commander of Company G, 2d Battalion, 2d Marines. Your company is at table of organization strength. You are mounted on AAVs and have a platoon of tanks attached. You have been tasked as the advance guard in a battalion movement to contact toward the village of Westcott. Within the last 24 hours, the enemy has withdrawn to the north, breaking contact. Your battalion is advancing north to regain contact in order to bring the enemy to battle and destroy him. Up to this point, enemy resistance has been limited to a brief contact with a platoon-size unit approximately 20 kilometers (km) south of Westcott. The enemy unit was traveling in BTRs and broke contact to the north along Rte. 2. The S-2 believes what we hit was part of a rear guard of a battalion mechanized/motorized force.

Terrain is made up of several large hill masses, a north/south river, which is fordable during the current dry season, and two unimproved roads trafficable by wheeled vehicles. Vegetation has patches of mature hardwood forests with sparse, grassy fields in the open areas. The swampy low ground directly south of Westcott is not trafficable to mechanized assets and is slow-go by foot.

You’ve just received word from your lead platoon commander that he is in contact with what he believes to be a squad-size element located in the vicinity of Hill 130. The platoon commander reports that his lead track is “down hard,” and he is currently dismounting in attempt to clear the enemy from Hill 130. In his last transmission to you, he said that he could see dust clouds to the north approximately 4km away. Your current position is with the company’s main body, which is 2km from the Krause River. The forward air controller tells you that a section of Cobra’s is en route and will be there in approximately 7 minutes.

Requirement
In a time limit of 5 minutes prepare a frag order that you would pass to your subordinates, to include your intent. Include any reports that you would make to battalion and complete the graphic with your actions for the company. Be prepared to provide a brief explanation of your solution. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #00-5, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

Enemy Across the Park

Situation

This scenario uses the same general setting as TDGs #99-10 and #99-12. However, this time you are the platoon commander of the Ist Platoon, Company C, Ist Battalion, 6th Marines with two assault squads and one machinegun squad attached. Your battalion has deployed to Athsano, a war torn country in southern Europe, to secure key nodes within the capital before the arrival of follow-on forces. These nodes consist of the powerplant, airport, and communications centers. The rebels have transitioned to deliberate defensive positions within the city and will fight for control of vital areas. They are employing heavy weapons, 82mm mortars, and antitank/personnel minefields. Typically operating in squad- to platoon-size elements, they are considered well trained and logistically sound.

Company C (battalion main effort) is attacking in zone to seize the radio station at Battalion Objective A (Bn ObJ A) to deny the rebel forces the ability to communicate with their supporters and the civilian populace. Initially, 2d and 3d Platoons will attack to seize Company Objective I (Co Obj 1), an important intermediate objective, as Ist Platoon covers their movement. After these platoons establish covering positions in Co Obj 1, Ist Platoon (company main effort) will attack north to seize Bn OhJ A, gain a foothold, and pass through additional units to help clear the building. The 60mm mortar section will provide fires in support.

From a second story window at your current position, you observe your frontage. Your assaultmen identified an antitank/personnel minefield along the road. It is active, as shown by the visible wreckage of an Athsano M113 armored personnel carrier, but a 15-meter-wide gap appears directly behind the wreck. A thinly wooded park extends north to Co Obi I and offers good terrain for team to squad movement. Co Obj 1, two three-story concrete buildings, appears to dominate the area, but exhibits no enemy presence. In the background, the radio tower at Bn Obj I is visible. The rebels have raised their flag on its apex.

It is now 0230. 2d Platoon, advancing through the buildings on the extreme left of the company zone, has secured a route through the first building and is entering the next. Your command element and 3d Platoon are in trace. Suddenly, the enemy engages 2d Platoon and attacks south into the same building. From your position, you can observe enemy machinegun fire coming from the third floor of Co Obj I to engage the company’s positions.

The CO radios, “Attack halted, new plan. Ist Platoon attack to seize Co Obj 1. 3d Platoon assume the company main effort on order and will pass through lst Platoon to attack Bn Obj A. Ist Platoon has priority of fires from 60s until 3d Platoon launches its attack. Rotary-wing close air support requested. Intent: Catch the enemy off balance through a well-supported attack and regain the initiative. . . ” What now, Lieutenant?

Requirement
In a time limit of 10 minutes, decide what you will do, prepare appropriate orders and any report/requests that you would submit. Pro-6de a sketch and an explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #00-2, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-630-9147.

Caught in the Open

Situation

This scenario uses the same general setting as TDG #99-10, but changes your role. You are now the commanding officer of Company C (Co C), 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. Your company is at 85 percent strength and has a scout/sniper team attached. Your regiment has been deployed to help stabilize conditions in the war ravaged country of Athsano. Rebel units are taking control of the capital. Athsanco, Government forces are reorganizing in the south, but are expected to arrive within the next day or so. Marine forces have been sent to secure key nodes within the capital city prior to the arrival of follow-on forces. These nodes consist of the port facility, airport, and several government and communications centers.

Battalion has been tasked to attack in zone to seize the radio station at Battalion Objective A (Bn Obj A) (see map), in order to deny the rebel forces the ability to communicate with their supporters and the civilian populace. Additionally, the battalion must assist in refugee control. The battalion commander’s end state is the radio station secure; the battalion’s zone clear of rebel forces and fleeing refugees; and the battalion prepared to continue the attack. Co C is the battalion’s main effort, with Co B as a supporting effort assisting refugees to the east, and Co A (Mech) as the reserve.

To date, the rebels have been quite effective in urban ambushes and weapons employment, with heavy volumes of rocket propelled grenades and light machinegun fire noted. They are considered well trained, logistically sound, and night capable. Typically operating in squad- to platoon-sized elements, they are expected to fight for control of vital areas.

In support of your plan, the attached scout/sniper team moved to a vantage point located in the building across from the northwest corner of the large, open park area that runs across your zone. From their position, they reported a platoon-sized rebel force moving into Bn Obj A before dark. The rebels appeared to be in a low state of alert.

Noting this, you briefed your plan. At 0100, 2d and 3d Platoons will attack along Axis Silver, secure Company Objective 1 (Co ObJ 1), and provide support for the company main effort. 1st Platoon (the main effort) will initially cover 2d and 3d’s movement to Co Obj 1. On order, Ist Platoon will attack along Axis Gold to conduct the initial penetration into Bn Obj A, gain a foothold, and pass through additional units to help it clear the building. Both 1st and 3d Platoons are reinforced with assault and machinegun squads from Weapons Platoon; the 60mm Section will provide preplanned smoke and illumination missions only.

It is now 0 120. 2d Platoon has secured a route through the first building along Axis Silver. You and your command element have just entered the first building, with 3d Platoon in trace. Suddenly, an engagement is heard from the north. 1st Platoon reports observing a heavy volume of small arms fire into and around the building where the scout snipers are located. 2d Platoon is caught between buildings. What now, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, decide what you will do, prepare appropriate orders as well as any reports/requests that you would submit. Provide a sketch and an explanation of your plan.

For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see MCG, Oct.94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.

Attack on Rocky Run Hollow

Situation

You command the 1st Battalion. Your enemy is elements of the Quantico Liberation Front QLF). A tough and effective guerilla force, the QLF tends to operate in small units, relying on ambush and hit-and-run tactics. Faced with a superior enemy, QLF forces will usually withdraw quickly, springing ambushes on their pursuers. QLF forces have shown themselves capable of mounting operations up to battalion size, with up to 8-10 light tanks in support. The terrain is thickly vegetated; line of sight is rarely more than 200 meters, and often less than 100. The largest stream, Rocky Run, is never more than 3 feet deep; the others are intermittent and pose no obstacle to infantry. The only road in your area is Highway 6, a one-lane dirt road. Vehicles are mostly limited to the road and trails.

Regiment hopes to bring the QLF to battle with a pair of simultaneous predawn surprise attacks. Your battalion is tasked to locate and attack a possible enemy regimental supply depot in Rocky Run Hollow west of Highway 6. The regimental commander makes it clear that the true objective is to force the QLF to fight, and the idea is to do that by threatening his logistics. Meanwhile, some 10 kilometers east, 2d Battalion will launch a helicopterborne raid on Triangletown, a suspected QLF assembly area.

You have two sections of Cobras (Zipper 1 & 2) in direct support and two preplanned close air support missions. Your antiarmor assets are organized into “Whiskey” Company, consisting of M2 heavy machineguns, Mk19 grenade launchers, and TOWs mounted on HMMWVs and organized into four platoons of four vehicles each.

You come up with what you think is an adaptable plan. Alpha will swing around to block the western flank near Hill 86. Whiskey will advance north on Highway 6 to block from the cast. Bravo will advance directly north on the suspected logistic site in order to fix the enemy or flush him toward Alpha or Whiskey. Charlie will be in reserve, ready to exploit the situation. Aviation will be on call.

The approach march goes well. Alpha reaches its attack position at 0300 without making contact. Whiskey reaches Homestead 1 having lost only one vehide to an enemy mine. Bravo advances quickly in the face of sporadic harassment from an estimated squad and reaches the rise overlooking the suspected logistic site with minimal casualties. Radio traffic indicates 2d Battalion has rim into a sizable force near Triangletown. As Bravo continues to advance at 0400, Whiskey moves north from Homestead 1 toward the E-14 trail intersection to “tighten the noose.” Bravo reports increasing resistance, probably platoon strength, but no sign yet of a logistic site. At 0430, Whiskey reports an enemy colunm of infantry with six enemy tanks at the Highway 6/E-14 intersection, heading east on E-14. Whiskey was able to knock out a light tank before “everybody went to ground. They didn’t expect us.” Just then, you receive a report from higher headquarters of an enemy infantry company “double– timing” south on Highway 6 near Homestead 2.

What will you do?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, make your decision in the form of any orders you will issue or reports you will make. Then provide an overlay and a brief explanation of your decision. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #99-11, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax (703) 630-9147.

Decision at the Overpass

Situation

You are the battalion commander of 1st Bn, 6th Marines, with a weapons company and three rifle companies, one of which has an attached amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) platoon.

6th Marines has been deployed to help stabilize Athsano, a war ravaged country in southern Europe. Athsano government forces are currently reorganizing to the south and are expected to push west along Highway 9 within the next 24 hours. Marine forces have been sent to secure key nodes within the capital city prior to the government’s renewed offensive and arrival of follow-on U.S. forces. These nodes consist of the port facility, airport, and several government and communications centers.

Rebel units appear highly trained and make good use of the terrain. Their tactics have centered around prepared defenses and ambushes within the city. They possess medium to heavy weapons, rocket propelled grenades, and limited indirect fire capability from 82mm mortars. Operating in squad to platoon size elements, they are expected to fight for control of vital areas.

The battalion’s mission is to attack in zone to seize the radio station designated as Battalion Objective A (see map) in order to deny the rebel forces the ability to communicate with their supporters and the civilian populace. Additionally, the battalion must assist in refugee control. Your desired end state is the radio station secure, the battalion zone clear of rebel forces, refugee flow diverted away from Hwy 9, and the battalion prepared to continue the attack. Company C is the battalion’s main effort, with Weapons Company and Company B as supporting efforts, and Company A as the reserve.

The plan of attack is as follows: At 0100, Company C attacks in zone to seize Bn Obj A in order to deny the enemy use of the television station. Company B will have moved earlier to the east to prevent refugees from entering either Company C’s zone or Hwy 9. The 81mm Mortar Platoon is in general support of the battalion, and the remaining Combined Antiarmor Team (CAAT) is patrolling Hwy 9. Company A (Rein) is in reserve with attached Dragon Section, CAAT and the AAV Platoon. Upon consolidation of Bn Obj A, the reserve will reinforce Company’s C zone and expand local security.

It is now 0120. From a vantage point on Hwy 9, you observe heavy fighting to the north. The S-3 states, “Company C (advancing via the buildings on the left of its zone) has been stopped by a determined enemy defense and reinforcement. It reports heavy casualties in its lead platoon. Company B reports over 500 refugees in a holding area and an enemy of unknown strength moving to its north. The battalion reserve and 81mm platoon have staged on a secondary road south of the Hwy 9 overpass. What now, sir?”

Requirement

In a time limit of 15 minutes, decide what you will do, prepare appropriate orders as well as any reports/requests that you would submit. Provide a sketch and an explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #99-10, 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.