Zone Recon

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.

Hit Hard at Hill 233

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.

Culminating Point

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]>.

Cossack Sweep

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]>.

Platoon Lost, Position Unknown, Situation–We Are Winning

Situation

You are the commanding officer of Bravo Company, Ist Battalion, 2d Marines (1/2). The Marines have landed in the country of New Sherman in order to assist the host nation’s military in defeating an invading conventional force consisting of two mechanized rifle divisions (MRDs). Marine forces have been conducting offensive operations in order to secure the Sheridan Airport and allow unimpeded fly-in of reinforcements. The bulk of the MRD is at least 48 hours away to the north and being interdicted by the bulk of the air assets with poor results due to weather.

While the Marines have made substantial ground gains, the advance has halted south of Chamberlain Ridge. Highway 1 is only one usable route for our tanks due to road width and bridge capacity. It was thought that airpower would make quick work of enemy resistance, but the weather turned extremely foul 6 days ago to include “buckets” of rain, sleet, fog, and an ever-present cloud cover. Additionally, intelligence collection has been severely restricted. Infantry and division reconnaissance (recon) units have become your primary information sources. The Marines have paid in blood waiting for external feeds on enemy dispositions.

Situation: Cumberland Pass is defended by a motorized rifle battalion (MRB). The MRB is estimated at approximately 70 percent strength with questionable morale due to casualties and the weather. The S-2 (intelligence) believes that the enemy will defend as long as he has a strong combined arms capability.

2d Marines’ mission: At D+9, 2d Marines secures Sheridan Airport in order to allow the fly-in of reinforcements.

Regimental commander’s (CO’s) intent: “We must introduce more forces into the area of operations in order to deal with the remainder of this MRD. I intend to open Highway 1 by attacking the enemy from the rear with a light force aimed at his artillery-his backbone-and moving rapidly through Cumberland Pass before he can react. A rapid attack to the airport, that I believe to be lightly held by ground forces, is essential. My desired end state is control of the airport.”

Task to 1/2: “You are the supporting effort. No later than 0400 on D+9, attack to destroy the enemy’s indirect fire support assets in order to allow the remainder of the regiment to move through Cumberland Pass. Your company has been tasked with conducting an infiltration and attacking the objective. The remainder of the battalion is in trace of the regiment as a reserve.”

Situation update: Your company’s movement along infiltration lane “Bluegray” began on D+7, and you have made no contact along the way. Your company links up at the objective rally point (ORP) at 2100, D+8. You confirm the assault plan (depicted as a dashed line on the map) with your platoon commanders. You move out at midnight (D+9) from the ORP with lst Platoon in the lead. The rain begins … again. It is the hardest rain yet. Visibility is reduced to the man in front of you. At 0230, Ist Platoon checks in on the net and says he’s disoriented. He just passed Checkpoint 5 (CP 5). (There’s no CP 5 on any map.) You strain to look at your map in the dark and decide to personally walk up and find them. When you reach the rear of Ist Platoon, the trail squad leader says that they halted about 1 hour ago, stood up to continue, and the rest of the platoon was gone! Upon returning to your command post, you discover that you have no communications with Ist Platoon or regiment. You do hear the following conversation between your executive officer (X0) and a recon team:

XO: “Station calling. Say again about that artillery battery.”

Recon Team 2: “SA-9 and towed artillery battery located at grid 736 987 with no troops visible. Over.”

You look at your map. That puts the enemy battery less than a click away with Ist Platoon somewhere to your front-lost! You grab the handset.

CO: “Recon 2, are you sure about that position? Over.”

Recon Team 2: “Almost positive. The global positioning system is down, but I matched up the terrain. I can call for fire right now!”

All of this terrain looks the same. As you begin to tell the recon team to adjust fire on the enemy position, the XO grabs your arm and asks, “Shouldn’t we locate Ist Platoon before we call that mission, Sir?”

What do you do?

Requirement

In a time limit of 10 minutes, issue your orders to your company. Provide a brief rationale for your actions and a sketch of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #03-2, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

The Race Is On

Situation

You are a squad leader conducting a foot patrol in wooded, rolling terrain. You have a machinegun team from weapons platoon (two M240Gs) attached to your squad. You are in radio contact with another squad from your platoon that is patrolling approximately 2,500 meters to your north. The remainder of your platoon is occupying a firm base some distance away. Due to the threat posed by enemy counterbattery fire, your squad is unlikely to receive any indirect fire support during this patrol. Recently, your unit has encountered enemy who are well-trained and usually operate in teams of six, although they regularly combine two or three teams together.

The time is 1600 hours when you suddenly hear the sound of a helicopter flying low to your northeast. Although you can’t see the helicopter through the trees, something tells you it’s in trouble. As you expected, you soon hear the abrupt thud of the aircraft hitting the ground not far from your patrol. You shake your squad out and cautiously patrol toward the accident sight. After only a few minutes your patrol reaches the edge of the tree line. You can see that a friendly utility helicopter has crash landed heavily 300 meters to your east. There is smoke emanating from the engine of the wreck. Some aircrew and passengers are frantically trying to pull other survivors from the wreckage, and it’s obvious that several personnel have been seriously injured in the crash. Just as you’re deciding what to do, your scout draws your attention to a group of enemy moving from the cover of a tree line into a creek about 700 meters to your northeast. They are moving cautiously and appear to be equipped with small arms. You’ve counted five into the creek line so far. What do you do?

Requirement

Within a time limit of 5 minutes, issue the orders you will give to your subordinates. Provide the rationale for your decisions and a sketch of the plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #03-10, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134, fax 703-630-9147, or e-mail <[email protected]>.

Han Lu River Bridge, part II

This scenario is the continuation of TDG #97-6, “Contract at the Han Lu River Bridge,” (MCG Jun97; Solutions, Aug97)

Situation

You are the commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. Your battalion has attacked north to secure a bridgehead across the Han Lu River for the regiment’s attack into the enemy’s rear areas. Your company has just successfully seized the Jomsom Bridge over the Han Lu River, while Company B (the main effort), supported by Company C, has seized a bridge 6 miles east. Your platoons are consolidating the bridgehead when you receive the following message on the battalion tactical net:

Bravo and Charlie are engaged with an enemy mechanized battalion about 10 clicks to your east. The enemy seems to be fighting a delaying action west toward Jomsom. You are in a position to cut off his only avenue of retreat. I expect him to break and run at any time. Your mission is to ensure that no enemy forces be allowed to escape west of Jomsom. When the enemy main body commits to its retreat, you will become the main effort and receive priority of fires. [The battalion has one artillery battery, a section of Cobras and two sections of Harriers in direct support.] In addition, I’ve already sent you a tank platoon and CA-AT [combined antiarmor team].

You tell your XO, “Get the orders group assembled for a frag order and have the company ready to attack immediately.”

You move to Hill 305 for a look. You see wire and ditches stretching across all open areas from Hill 451 to Rte. 2. An enemy unit, apparently squad size, is entrenched atop Hill 451 overlooking the obstacles. East of Jomsom, Rte. 2 is devoid of traffic, but Jomsom itself is a flurry of activity with 20-30 trucks and about 6 BTRs being loaded with equipment and personnel. You see enemy soldiers but no civilians. There are about 10 trucks already heading west out of Jomsom. Looking to the east, you see the smoke and hear the sounds of battle but no enemy forces heading your direction . . yet.

At the base of Hill 305 you find your commanders standing by. You see four MlAls and five HMMWVs (three with TOWs and two with Mkl9s)just now crossing the bridge. Your FAC tells you the Cobra Section has checked in and is ready for action. The Harriers are on strip alert with a 15-minute flight time. As you begin to brief the situation, you hear the following report over the battalion net:

Enemy breaking contact and heading your way. Estimate two BMP-2 companies and one T-72 company. ETA Jomsom: 20 mikes. It is 1535-about 90 minutes of daylight remaining. The weather is clear. The woods are not thick and allow passage of vehicles although the going is difficult. Your ammo is at 70 percent.

What is your plan, Captain? Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, issue any orders and make any reports or requests. Once this is done, provide a sketch of your plan and an explanation of your decision. Send your solution to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #98-1, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-0823. US tMC

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 Jan 95, p. 5.

Clash at Timpan-ni Reversed

This scenario is roughly the reverse of Tactical Decision Game #979, “Clash at Timpan-ni, the solutions to which were published in MCG, Nov97. Does having seen the situation through the enemy’s eyes influence your decision?

Situation

You are a rifle company commander in 1st Marines. You are operating in rugged, broken terrain spotted with sparse vegetation. Line of sight is rarely more than a kilometer. Vehicle movement is restricted to the roads and tracks, although the vegetation and small hills are generally not a problem for infantry. The enemy is a tough infantry force reinforced with tank and mechanized support.

Intelligence indicates that the enemy is beginning to advance north in division strength; his main axis seems to follow the Jho Valley east of Rte. 110. Your regiment has been tasked to infiltrate south and then east generally along Rte. 306 in order to launch a spoiling attack into the enemy’s left flank. As the lead company of the advance guard battalion, you have been instructed to avoid detection as long as possible but to develop the situation quickly and aggressively once detected. You have been reinforced with a tank platoon, assault amphibious vehicle platoon (AAV), TOW section, and Dragon section (which you have distributed throughout the rifle platoons). Rte. 110 is a two-lane paved road; Rte. 306 is a gravel road; they are the only improved roads in the area, although the freezing temperatures have kept the unimproved routes trafficable for heavy vehicles.

Bad weather seems to have grounded the planned Cobra support, so you advance cautiously, staying off the main road to avoid detection. As you approach Checkpoint 84, the fork intersection west of Rte. 110, your forward air controller (FAC) tells you your Cobra section (“Trapper”) is airborne and will be on station within 10 minutes. You tell him to put Trapper on the company tac net. Then battalion halts you with an urgent message. You are put in touch with a reconnaissance team located near Hill 328B (you had no idea it was operating in the area) which reports:

An enemy mech company passed us about 20 mikes ago, heading north on 110 toward Timpan-ni. Estimate about 15 tracks, 5 tanks, 8-10 light vehicles. At present, we can only see the rear element, a mech platoon that is now halted off the road east of Hill 305.

You ask if the team has called for fire on the enemy column and the team leader reports that he has submitted several requests but received no fire missions. Just then, you hear .50 caliber fire up ahead. Simultaneously, a pair of enemy attack helicopters passes overhead from north to south. A Stinger shot sends them ducking for cover. They were visible for several seconds, and you wonder how much they were able to see. Your 1st Platoon then reports it has chased an enemy observation post off of Hill 305 and is sending a squad to investigate. The reconnaissance team now reports: “Something’s happening. That mech platoon’s coming to life.” Artillery starts to impact in the woods to your north. What now, captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, decide what you do by issuing any orders, reports or requests. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of your decision. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #97-12, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-6161.

Clash at Timpan-ni, Part II

This scenario is the continuation of Tactical Decision Game #97-9, “Clash at Timpan-ni,” based on the author’s solution to that situation as presented on p. 91 of this issue. In the scenario, you are a rifle company commander in 3d Marines. You have been reinforced with a tank platoon, an assault amphibious vehicle platoon, a TOW Section, and a Dragon Section that is now distributed throughout your platoons. You are operating in rugged, broken terrain spotted uith sparse vegetation and small lakes. Line-ofsight is rarely more than a kilometer. Vehicle movement is restricted to the roads and tracks, although the vegetation and small hills are generally not a problem for infantry.

Guarding the regiment’s left flank as it advances north, you meet what appears to be an enemy company or battalion of tanks and mechanized infantry southwest of Timpan-ni. You decide to seize the initiative and develop the situation by launching the Tank Platoon on a reconnaissance-inforce southwest from the village while 2d Platoon overwatches. Your initial main effort, however, is 3d Platoon, which you instruct to deploy “south of Hill 305 to block enemy movement east toward 110.” 3d Platoon’s observation post (OP) on Hill 305 is supposed to call for immediate suppression fires and come up on the company tactical net to keep you advised of the developing situation. You hear the call for fire on the conduct of fire net, but you cannot raise the OP on the tactical net. Your forward air controller tells you that a close air support mission is about a half hour away.

Tank Platoon’s attack takes the enemy initially by surprise, although because of the terrain the tank platoon commander can rarely bring more than two tanks to bear at a time. Still, your tanks knock out several T-62s, and your Cobra Section (“Slappy”) also accounts for several combat vehicles. There is no further word from the OP on Hill 305, and your artillery forward observer (FO) takes over control of the fire mission. 1st Platoon, your reserve, reports it is assembled at Timpan-ni with the TOW Section and ready for action.

3d Platoon reports it is in position south of Hill 305 as instructed and has engaged the enemy: “We caught them in the flank as they went past.” This does not sound right to you, so you ask Slappy what he can see. He reports that enemy vehicles have crossed Rte. 110 heading east with no sign of resistance. Slappy engages the column, which he reports to consist of 15-20 vehicles. After a confusing conversation, you are finally able to ascertain that 3d Platoon is not blocking the enemy’s eastward movement toward Rte. 110 but is sitting astride Rte. 110 west of Hill 328 and that some “five or six” enemy vehicles have crossed Rte. 110 to its south. The 3d Platoon commander now reports enemy dismounted probes to either flank.

Meanwhile, the Tank Platoon has continued to make steady progress and has accounted for four more enemy combat vehicles. The enemy’s T62s are hastily falling back, and now your platoon commander reports dismounted infantry to both sides of the trail. “I could use some infantry support,” he reports. What’ll it be, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 2 minutes, decide what you will do by issuing any orders, reports or requests. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of your decision. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #97-11, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703640-0823. US MC For more detailed information on the structire 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.

Clash at Timpan-ni

You are a rifle company commander in 3d Marines. You are operating in rugged, broken terrain spotted with sparse vegetation and small lakes. Line of sight is rarely more than a kilometer. Vehicle movement is restricted to the roads and tracks, although the vegetation and small hills are generally not a problem for infantry. The enemy is a tough infantry force reinforced with tank and mechanized support.

The division is advancing north on two axes, 3d Marines on the left. Your company is deployed to guard the regiment’s left flank. You have been reinforced with a tank platoon, an assault amphibious vehicle platoon, a TOW section, and a Dragon section (which you have distributed throughout the rifle platoons). As the regiment advances, your mission is to “Attack north toward Timpanni, the village at the Rte. 110-306 intersection, in order to provide early warning and protect the regiment against enemy forces advancing from the west.” Rte. 110 is a 2-lane paved road; Rte. 306 is a gravel road; they are the only improved roads in the area, although the freezing temperatures have kept the unimproved routes trafficable for heavy vehicles. Bad weather has grounded the planned Cobra support, so you put temporary observation posts (OPs) on the neighboring hills as you advance along Rte. 110 (although it slows your rate of movement). You reach the objective, the hamlet of Timpan-ni, without incident and report in. 1st and 2d Platoons deploy west. The section of Cobras (callsign “Slappy”) checks in, and you send it to reconnoiter west along 306. The tank platoon is located with you at the intersection. The TOW section takes up an overwatch position on Hill 323. 3d Platoon bringing up the rear is still on Rte. 110. On his own initiative, the platoon commander has put an OP on Hill 305, which reports “8 T-62s and 10 BMPs heading east in column toward 110 about 3 clicks southwest Timpan-ni.” Just then, Slappy reports “nothing on 306, but enemy mech, at least 20 combat vehicles, to the south, moving east about 4 kilometers southwest of the intersection. They have fired an SA-7 at us. Breaking off.” From your location at the hamlet you can see artillery begin to impact on Hill 305. What now, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, decide what you will do by issuing any orders, reports, or requests. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of your decision. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #97-9, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-0823.

Contact at the Han Lu River Bridge

Situation

You are the commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. Your battalion is attacking north to secure a bridgehead across the Han Lu River for the regiment’s attack into the enemy’s rear areas. There are two bridges in the battalion’s zone, and it is the battalion commander’s aim to secure both bridges to give the regiment more flexibility in choosing its axis of advance. Company B has been tasked with seizing the bridge about 6 miles to the east and is the battalion’s main effort. You are the supporting attack and have been tasked with seizing the bridge to your front. Company C is in reserve to the rear of Bravo.

The S-2 believes that the remnants of an enemy mechanized battalion may be defending the areas north of the river. The enemy is experienced and well equipped with surplus Warsaw Pact weapons and vehicles. However, the force you are facing has been significantly worn down after several days of severe fighting. It is 1420, and the weather is clear. The terrain is wooded and consists of gently rolling hills. The woods are not thick and allow passage of vehicles, although the going is difficult.

Your company is mounted on AAVs. You are moving in a wedge formation with lst Platoon on the left, 2d Platoon in the lead, 3d Platoon on the right, and your Headquarters Section tucked in the middle. You have attached one machinegun squad and two assault teams to each platoon. Your Mortar Section is moving with the Headquarters Section.

You send 2d Platoon forward to get eyes on the bridge. The platoon commander radios that he is dismounting and moving to the forward tree line to observe the bridge. A few minutes later he reports:

Bridge is intact. Roadblock on the south side of the bridge. Dug-in positions in tree line across river on both sides of the road. Estimate platoon size position. I have not been seen. Am continuing to . . .

His radio transmission is interrupted by the chatter of machinegun fire. Beginning with one gun, it rapidly escalates. Moments later, the platoon commander reports again:

Am receiving heavy machinegun fire from tree line across the river. They are vehicle mounted and well dugin. Cannot identify vehicles clearly. Have three casualties and am pulling back to the tracks.

As his transmission ends, you hear and see light mortars begin to impact in the vicinity of 2d Platoon. What now, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 5 minutes, issue any orders you would give and make any requests or reports. Once this is done, provide a sketch of your plan and an explanation of your decision. Send your solution to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #97-6, 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, 0ct94, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in Jan95, p. 5.