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Artur
10 Dec 05, 11:48
Comrades,

Here I post my thoughts about the topic. Since it is a crutial aspect I ask everyone to reflect, especially Pannonucis our intel officer.

Here it is, please be honest with your replies. This ideam may work or may not. Your knowledge is the only test it can have before applying it with dire consequences.

Our main advantage besides artillery is the recon units. We have more than NATO does and we have some other advantage which can help us bolster this advantage quite measurably.

We had a discussion about the composition of the pre-deployed recon units and the majority of the opinions were (which is how I see things too) is that we should observe and hide as a first priority.

The pre-deployed companies in row 7 shall be dispersed within the neighbouring hexes. After the leg units have been transported to their destination hexes, the empty vechicles move on to scout other areas.

The recon companies which start at the main deployment areas, go forward, until contact is established. Then they may dismount some/or all of the leg units and the vechicles get off the (tactical)map.

This way the leg units will observe and hide while vechicles are patrolling hexes and if they run into a battle, part-or all of them will run off the (tactical)map and letting us know that "there is something" in that area(hex). Of course we can still give our recon units someting to be able to punch with, see later.

Now it is time to use one of the advantages we got. We have 24 helicopters which can carry leg units, in operational terms as well.
We have RPG-7, and Sagger units in our (Soviet)infantry regiments. While this means weakening our main line to a certain extent we could benefit more if we commit them to a "special" task.
We mount them on helos, and make a screen of forward deployed recon&guerillas in the row 9 or 10 or mixed. That means cca 4units/operational hex, but we can still have a clue what is coming and where. (Details have to be looked after if you comrades agree. We have 54 soviet RPG-7 units and 12 sagger units we may add others.)(I remember Jad had a similar idea to drop the behind the enemy lines. We shall not drop behind them but rather in front of them to recon, harass and slow them down.)

When NATO forces arrive to our screen they have three choices:
1. Stop and clear the area.->That means we have one or more operational turns more to reach the objective hexes, and dig in. Remeber we are better in defense because our BMPs.Our engineers will help build up the defenses while NATO is delayed.
2. Bypass and leave the units. -> Then we already have a sizable recon force in their back!
3. Commit part of their force to clean up and move on with the rest. -> Then we already weakend their main force!

Regarding the pre-deployed recon companies they would be the East german battalion companies, which have many recon squads, and have one BRM platoon each wich has a punch. The east german BTR battalion has a weapons company with ATGMs and MGs (12/6 ). I would disband it and give one platoon to each forward recon company. Then they will have a punch if needed yet still hardly destrotyable with accurate ATGMS, TI weapons, Helos or air.

When the first battles will take place they can call Artillery, and helos (and maybe air depending on ADA rules) to harass the NATO forces if needed.
(The BMP regiment and the East Germans will be comphensated be getting the SP ATGM companies from other units.)

We have several reasons why to make it like written above. Of course there are some cons as well like:
1.We may slowly loose a considerable part of our force.
2.We will fly over the forward deployed NATO elements they will most likely have inf SAMs with them, and we risk helos with that.

As a summary our recon force would have 4 elements.
1. The forward screen transported by the Mi24s.
2. The forward deployed 3 reinforced recon companies
4. The normal recon companies. (1 GDR, 1 HU, 1 BMP regiment 1 HQ(assigned to BMP reg) recon companies moving forward in front of their regiments.)
5. The recon reserve (Tank reg and BTR reg recon companies. They will move with their regiments )

I post a picture presenting the concept as well.

Artur.

Double Deuce
10 Dec 05, 12:16
The pre-deployed companies in row 7 shall be dispersed within the neighbouring hexes. After the leg units have been transported to their destination hexes, the empty vechicles move on to scout other areas.As long as they meet the minum unit in a hex requirement. :)

Artur
10 Dec 05, 12:18
As long as they meet the minum unit in a hex requirement. :)


How many is that?

Artur.

EDIT:

Ok I see it's 2 full platoons. That is 2X3 units. If we have 12 units with vechicles they can be dispersed in 4 hexes 2X6 piece inf units and 2X6 piece vechicles.

Regarding Hind drops we have to drop 6XRPGs in one hex at least. That will result in dropping in half of the hexes mostly but does not change the concept too much.

DD is that good enough for the rules?

Artur.

Artur
10 Dec 05, 12:26
what will happen if a 2 platoon unit suffers losses?

Artur.

Vesku
10 Dec 05, 14:02
Sounds very good, you've done some thinking. Russians also have SPG9s which could be used as recon and ambushing roads.

mr_clark
12 Dec 05, 14:27
A very good plan, I completely agree.
Recon is very important and the tactical aspects slowing down etc are really important.

(side note The GDR recon batallion has BMPs not BRMs.)

Artur
13 Dec 05, 14:06
(side note The GDR recon batallion has BMPs not BRMs.)

LOL I have never been good in polishing the details :). Thanks.

I am glad that we seem to agree on this one.

Artur.

mr_clark
14 Dec 05, 04:12
LOL I have never been good in polishing the details :). Thanks.

I am glad that we seem to agree on this one.

Artur.
I surely agree to a good plan, and no need to thanks.
I wish we had BRMs so the recon would be a little better, while the 'punch' would be virtually the same.

Pannonicus
14 Dec 05, 08:49
I have some BRMs, SPG9 teams, and Fagots! They can also be forward deployed for ambushes. Otherwise this idea seems good.

Tanker
14 Dec 05, 10:39
I've just got to see this plan today and it seems to be an excellent one to start with.

Artur
15 Dec 05, 12:12
Comrades,

I worked out the details:

This operation costs
6x9 RPG squads (carry cost of 108 and worth 756 points)
6x2 Sagger teams (carry cost of 36 and worth of 432 points)
2x2 RCL teams (carry cost of 36 and worth of 180 points)
That is in total carry cost of 180 and worth of 1368 points.

We have 24 Mi24s with a carry capacity of 192, they can transport all the units.

We organize them into 6 companies of 4 platoons.
(9x RPG squad, 4XRCL or 4xSagger teams). We shall drop these companies to 2 adjacent hexes so a 2xplatoon unit will land in one hex. DD is that ok with you? 4xMi24 is enough to carry one such company+.

Artur.

Double Deuce
17 Dec 05, 15:35
what will happen if a 2 platoon unit suffers losses?If they suffer losses and become smaller than company(-) units thats OK. Its just can't be done administratively on purpose.