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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bridges East and West

Situation

You are the commanding officer of Company C, Ist Battalion, 2d Marines, Regimental Landing Team 2. RLT-2 is conducting an amphibious assault in the country of Burgundy. The country is characterized by many rolling hills, sporadically forested. The coastline is fortified with numerous concrete bunkers, minefields, and tank obstacles. Your company is a pre-Hhour helicopterborne force tasked with inserting into Landing Zone (LZ) Hawk near “The Ville” (an evacuated hamlet of 25-30 wooden huts) and blocking on enemy reserve force along the line of the Green River. Higher’s intent is to prevent, at all costs, the enemy reserve force, which is believed to be a reenforced mech battalion equipped with BMP-2s and a platoon of T-72 tanks, from interfering with the fight on the beach. Plans call for the destruction of East Bridge by airstrike at L-30. Lhour is scheduled for 0630. H-hour for the rest of the battalion is 0900 across Red Beach 5 kilometers south of LZ Hawk. Bravo Company (Rein) will comprise the assault wave with a tank platoon close behind in LCUs.

Your plan is to seize the West Bridge with your first wave and to add depth to your position with the second wave along Route 3. The first wave is loaded with two rifle platoons (1st and 2d), two machinegun squads, four assault teams (attached to the platoons), a 60mm mortar squad, a Dragon section, and your company command element (-) with a tactical air control party and naval surface fire spot team attached. The remainder of the company is capable of being in zone in 1 hour. USS Spruance (DD 963) is in direct support of the RLT, and there is a section of AH1Ws (TOWs) escorting your helicopter formation. A section of AV8Bs armed with 500-pound bombs comes on station at 0700.

As you approach LZ Hawk, you observe from your helicopter a company-sized mech force crossing East Bridge. The bridge wasn’t destroyed? You count approximately 10 BMPs and see no tanks. Your helicopter hits the deck. The ramp drops. What are your orders?

Requirement

In a time limit of 3 minutes, issue any orders you would give and prepare any reports or requests you would submit to higher headquarters. Provide a sketch of the actions taken and the rationale behind them. Send your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #99-8, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax to (703) 630-9147.

Long Night for the Boat Company

Situation

You are the commander of Company C, the boat company for Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/2. The BLT will be landing across Red Beach 1 in order to secure a beachhead for followon forces. Your company has been tasked with landing at H-5 and moving to secure Hill 84 in order to control the high ground overlooking the beach prior to H-hour and to protect the BLT’s left flank.

As you make your final check with the Landing Force Operations Center prior to staging in the well deck of the USS Ponce (LPD-15), you hear a SALUTE report passed over the net by a reconnaissance team: “Estimated 5-6 enemy armored personnel carriers with 10-15 dismounts digging in at grid [north slope of Hill 84].”

You land undetected in combat rubber raiding craft (CRRCs) on the west flank of Red 1 with two rifle platoons, your headquarters, machinegun section (-), and mortar section and begin your infiltration north through the sparse scrub brush. You are near the head of your company column with 3d Platoon. You signal for a short security halt about halfway up the hill. As you move up to the point, you see a soldier silhouetted at the top of the hill. It’s 90 percent illumination with no cloud cover, and you find it hard to believe you have not been spotted. The soldier walks around for about 30 seconds and disappears over the crest to the north. H-hour is in 90 minutes. What do you do, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 3 minutes, come up with your plan in the form of any orders you will issue or reports/requests you will make. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #98-11, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640-0823.

Bridgeton Crossing, Part IIa

Like TDG #98-6, this scenario is a continuation of TDG #98-4, “Bridgeton Crossing,” based on the author’s solution to that problem published in MCG, Jun98. Only this time, things have turned out differently.

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. Intelligence now reports an enemy mechanized battalion heading south on Highway 1 to reinforce Bridgeton, expected to arrive sometime midmorning. 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.

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 blind right flank. Gaining a vantage point overlooking the town, you discover that Bridgeton seems to be unoccupied except for what looks like 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 headed southwest, but there could be more coming into view.” Convinced that you have a momentary opportunity to seize a critical crossing site, you order 2d Platoon to engage and 1 st Platoon to take the town immediately. You put the tanks and TOWs in overwatch at Bridgeton Rise and hold your 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. 1st Platoon races for the town and appears to have crossed the bridge into the town without resistance. Your tanks and TOWs succeed in holding off the enemy column from the east; a couple of enemy tanks have been knocked out. The battalion commander comes on the net: “Imperative you hold Bridgeton until we can reinforce. You’re now division main effort. Hang on; we’ll be there as fast as we can. Good work.”

Hardly moments later, Bridgeton Rise begins to come under artillery fire and you hear and see explosions and sounds of combat erupting from the town. You are unable to contact the Ist Platoon, but it has obviously come up against well-concealed, wellprepared defenses-some sort of urban ambush-deeper in the town. After a couple of extremely long minutes an unidentified voice, which you believe to be from the 1st Platoon, reports, “We’ve run into a mess. All the amtrac have been hit. It’s awful. The lieutenant’s dead. We’re in buildings just across the bridge, but everybody’s hurt. We need help.” The time is now 0920. As of 10 minutes ago, battalion still had no word on the enemy battalion to the north. What now, 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 #98-7, P.O. Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134 or fax 703-640823.

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.

Bridgeton Crossing

Situation

You are a rifle company commander in lst 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). The MEF has been advancing 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. Originally the regimental commander had hoped to force a hasty crossing with 1st Battalion, but bad weather has slowed the 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 a result, the regimental commander has decided he will now have to conduct a deliberate crossing and has ordered more forces forward. In the meantime. 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 along the axis of advance as well as at Bridgeton. You are told to advance as far as you can without getting decisively engaged. You are also instructed, if able, to look for sites near Bridgeton suitable for crossing by AV since the banks of the Diesty are frequently accessible to amphibious vehicles.

The weather is lousy and you doubt if much will be flying until it clears. By 0805 you have advanced within 5 kilometers of Highway 1 and are surprised that you have not made contact with enemy security forces. In response to your inquiry, battalion reports no new information on the enemy battalion approaching from the north. You deploy 2d Platoon onto River Bluff to protect your blind right flank. At 0825 Ist Platoon, your lead element, reports: “Just flushed a scout car off Bridgeton Rise toward the town.” Moments later, Ist Platoon calls again: “You better get up on the double to look at this.” You move forward and find the platoon commander watching Bridgeton from a turretdefilade position offering excellent observation of the entire town. He says: “Take a look. I’ve been watching for 5 minutes now and I’ve spotted 3 scout cars and maybe a handful of troops. . . enough for a recon detachment. Otherwise the town is dead.” With your binoculars you confirm the lieutenant’s observations: no sign of infantry, mechanized vehicles or heavy weapons; no signs of any defensive preparations. Just then, 2d Platoon comes on the net: “We got enemy mech on the River Road about 3 clicks east of Bridgeton. So far I count six APCs and two tanks, but there could be more coming into view. They’re heading for the town like a bat out of hell. Do you want me to engage?” It is 0835. What do you do, 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 #984, 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.

Advance guard at Colenso Crossing

Situation

You are the commander of Company A, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, currently assembled about 45 miles west of Middleburg. Your unit is part of I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), which is supporting Arconian defense forces in resisting an invasion from Baltonia, its neighbor to the east. Reinforced by infantry, tanks, and artillery, the battalion is ordered to secure at first light the two bridges near Colenso Crossing in order to facilitate the attack by follow-on mechanized forces east along Highway 8 to defeat Baltonian forces and restore the Arconian border.

The time is now 2115. Your battalion commander briefs you on the situation: Arconian forces have broken contact and withdrawn to a hasty defensive line along the Longhorn River following a Baltonian attack. An Arconian regiment is located in Middleburg with forces on Hills 299 and 304. Since the Baltonian attack, only small enemy patrols have been sighted near Colenso Crossing, with no reports of enemy movements further west. Baltonian forces are equipped with secondhand Soviet-style gear and adhere loosely to Soviet doctrine. The Baltonians are not equipped with the latest thermal devices for night fighting, but there is a good chance they have captured some thermal devices from the Arconians. The Baltonians can achieve local air superiority for up to a few hours at most.

Highway 8 is a paved, two-lane highway in various states of repair between Middleburg and Colenso Crossing. The terrain is mostly rolling farmland with patches of forest. Because of steep banks, it is believed the Longhorn and Mineral Rivers can be crossed only at bridges or identified fords. Sunrise is at 0500 and sunset at 2000. Colenso Crossing is culturally significant, being the site of several historic Arconian landmarks.

Your company will form the battalion advance guard and main effort, and at 0500 will conduct a surprise attack to seize Objectives Gin and Tonic, the two bridges at Colenso Crossing. You will be reinforced with an infantry platoon on assault amphibious vehicles and a tank platoon, both of which are on their way to your company assembly area. The battalion main body will follow an hour behind and will consolidate positions around Colenso Crossing or reinforce your attack if needed. Supporting artillery will provide on-call suppression. Radio listening silence will be in effect until contact with the enemy. The battalion commander instructs you go forward with him at 2145 to coordinate the passage of lines with the Arconians at Middleburg, leaving you very little time to make the necessary arrangements. What is your plan, Captain?

Requirement

In a time limit of 10 minutes, issue any orders and make any appropriate reports/requests. Then provide a sketch and explanation of your plan. Submit your solution to Marine Corps Gazette, TDG #98-2, 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.