Attack on Rommerbach

pmaidhof

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Attack on Rommerbach

The basis of this scenario is the Tactical Decision Game #98-10, written by Major John F. Schmitt, USMCR, and published in the October 1998 Marine Corps Gazette.
http://www.mca-marines.org http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/PDF/9810.pdf

This battalion level scenario was thought to lend itself to a two-person network game as the host/umpire is required to coordinate the entry of one side’s forces, and “feed” information to the other side in way to shape the battle along the original intent of the “What do you do now Colonel?” Tactical Decision Game. It could be described as more of a kriegsspiel type of scenario, how will one side react, than a knock-down drag-out battle royale.

TacOps v4.0.6[AH]
Map981c – currently unreleased, my interpretation of the graphic found withinTDG#98-10. In an effort to avoid wide open plains, and ending up in a a massive ATGM-fest, I over-compensated and coded all E0 as Rough1, towns as Rough2, all E1 as Rough3, and all woods as Rough4. As it turned out, the road net became “the” high speed avenue of advance” and if it could be blocked, Red would have virtually no chance of achieving its objective.



Blue: Bernard Cousin
Red: Brad Leyte
Host: Pete Maidhof
Observers: Tony Eischens, “Brains”, Matt “Rattler” Olmer

Preferences will be:
Arty Smoke defeats Thermals - Checked No
Vehicle smoke grenades defeat thermals - Checked Yes
All OPFOR Tanks have thermals - Checked No
All OPFOR ATGMs have thermal sights - Checked No
Improved OPFOR warheads - Checked No
Firing Units are always spotted - Checked No
No enemy OOB Reports - Checked yes

Max Normal Vis: 2000
Max Thermal Vis: 2500


Blue Orders:
Orientation:

Six weeks ago, the country of Red attacked it neighbor, a former province of Red, quickly advancing throughout the countryside. Host Nation requested emergency assistance from the United States. The US quickly dispatched a Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Upon the Brigade's arrival, it combined with the Host Nation's forces. Two weeks ago, the combined US/Host Nation forces launched a counter attack which has push the Red Forces back on the border. The Main Supply Route toward the border is Highway 7. The border is 30km northwest of the town of Jennau.


Situation:

You are a Lieutenant Colonel commanding a task force of roughly battalion strength that includes 2 US Marine light armored reconnaissance (LAR) companies, Alpha and Bravo each with a section of anti-tank variants; a TOW section; and 2 host-nation Marine companies, one company of M60 tanks, the other company of mechanized infantry in AAV-7’s. The host-nation Marines are reasonably well trained and can generally be relied upon to accomplish basic tasks with a reasonable amount of supervision.

The terrain is rolling farmland punctuated by small villages and wooded areas. Enemy forces have invaded the host nation from the Northwest. The Combined Marine Forces (CMEF), of which your task force is a part, are advancing generally northwest along Highway 7, clearing the area of enemy forces in order to restore the border. Your task force has been ordered to break off from the Highway 7 axis and advance south-southwest from Jennau through Ostglossen and Glossen, to Rommerbach and Schilte to clear any enemy forces in zone. Intel indicates that as of 48 hours ago an enemy reinforced mechanized company was reported in Schilte, while Rommerbach appeared to be unoccupied save for periodic mechanized patrols. You have a battery of artillery in direct support. Cobras and fixed wing close air support will be based on priority.

You have moved out with Alpha in the lead, followed by mech, tanks, TOWs, and Bravo in the rear. Your lead company has reached the outskirts of Glossen without any enemy contact. You intend to order Alpha to move on Rommerbach while you continue with the HN mech company, the HN tank company, the TOWs, and Bravo toward the enemy confirmed in Schilte. You have instructed your Operations Officer to establish your forward CombatOperationsCenter in Glossen and your XO to bring up the Main COC from Jennau to Glossen.

In order to “set the stage”, I had prepared a number of messages from Higher HQ to feed to the Blue CO; one announcing an unexpected, major coordinated attack 15-20km NW of the actual map, along Highway 7, a second urgent message ordering Blufor to defend the overall force’s left flank and MSR by seizing both Rommerbach and Schilte.

Red Orders:
Orientation: You are the commander of 2nd Mechanized Rifle Battalion.
Six weeks ago RED invaded the renegade province of Blue. During the initial advance, Red forces pushed Blue forces back, inflicting heavy losses. Blue requested help from the United States, which dispatched a Marine Expeditionary Brigade. US forces quickly flowed into the country and soon joined forces with BluFor to create a combined force. The reinforced Blue forces was able to halt our forces and then began an offensive of their own. Red has permitted this advance, slowly giving ground, planning to have the Blue forces overextend themselves, and that is when we will strike.

The terrain is rolling farmland punctuated by small villages and wooded areas.

Regimental Order
Situation: The Main RedFor has launched its attack on BluFor. A significant engagement is occurring 15-20km NW of Jennau along Highway 7. Highway 7 is the enemy's Main Supply Route (MSR). Our regiment is detached from the Main RedFor, and is getting into positions roughly along a line of Rommerbach-Schilte. Your battalion (2nd) is approximately 5km west of Rommerbach (off-map). 1st Battalion is currently screening the regiment's front. Of note to you is that there is a 1st Bn mechanized company, in prepared positions, in Schilte, and that we have had periodic mechanized patrols through Rommerbach, which shows no sign of the enemy. Be prepared to conduct a flanking attack in order to seize Jennau and block traffic Highway 7. Expect enemy reconnaissance forces with a mission of protecting the their MSR.

Friendly:
Higher: Attack and clear enemy in zone.
Adjacent: Your flanks are open.
Supporting: There is 1x Battery of 152mm artillery, and 1x of 220mm MLR.

Mission: O/O Regiment will attack and seize Regimental Objective 1.

Intent: It is the Regimental Commander's intent to quickly and violently seize RO1 in order to prevent enemy movement along Highway 7, effectiely isolating those enemy forces to the northwest.

Tasks:
1st Battalion (notional): Prepare for and along passage of lines for both 2nd & 3rd bn's. Be Prepared To detach the mech company in Schilte to 2nd Bn.
2nd Battalion: O/O conduct mechanized attack along the line Rommerbach-Jennau. You are the main effort and have priority of fires. You have 3rd Battalion on your right. Your left flank is open.
3rd Battalion: (notional) O/O conduct mechanized attack.

Coordinating Instructions:
Regimental Objective 1 = Jennau

REDFOR Task Organization

2nd Mechanized Rifle Battalion: 1x Mechanized Rifle Battalion (BMP-2) reinforced with 1x T-72M Company. You can place 3x Artillery Target Reference Points before the start.


What happened:

Blue’s lead element began just east of Glossen. Red has opcon of a mechanized infantry company dug-in in Schilte, and the Regimental Reconnaissance Company entering from the west edge along the road to Rommerbach.

After a quick review of the map, Bernard correctly identified Glossen as being the key terrain, and decided killing enemy from that position achieved his mission of protecting the force’s left flank, despite not seizing either Rommerbach or Schilte.

Brad’s recon advanced, exchanged some fire with Bernard’s lead elements and then skirted north of Rommerbach and attempted to go cross country across the northern part of the map to interdict Highway 7.

Both Higher HQ messages urged Bernard to push beyond Glossen to no avail. Brad also sortied out of Schilte in an attempt to draw him out.

Seeing how the engagement was going to play out, Brad’s main body arrived on map along the road to Rommerbach and he attempted to force Glossen. The combination of my limited visibility decision, a moving force vs a stationary force in the restrictive terrain, resulted in the virtual decimation of RedFor. In retrospect, it appears that, rightfully so, the stationary force should be at that significant advantage.

Red was reinforced with an additional battery of 220mm MLR and was given access, by pin, to his air support. Blue was offered, but declined any additional support expressing his understanding of the main forces plight.

Lessons Learned:
Canned scenarios such as this one may not be the best example of a free-play scenario. Much effort went to set the conditions that may have made this a “fairer” fight for Red.

Terrain and visibility were set way too restrictive. All my fault.

Network Hosting Questions:
What actions by a Host/Umpire, in between turns, will result in a sitrep being required to be sent to the players?

Is there a way for a Host/Umpire to send a sitrep without overwriting a players orders/waypoints?

Observations:
It turned out that RedFor CO, a relatively new TacOps player, did not have a complete understanding of the use of his three artillery target reference points. Time and again, his artillery and MLR strikes were “so close but…” It is my belief that had the artillery support at the hand of RedFor been effectively employed, or if perhaps St. Barbara had smiled more often, it could have severely degraded BluFor which was then concentrated in and around Glossen. As it was, BluFor’s artillery and TOW’s tore through ReDfor’s BMP-2’s. At one point RedForCO asked rhetorically if his BMP-2’s were made of paper-machet.

In the end, Bernard had selected the key terrain and held on for the ride. Brad also aware that victory would be along the road net and through Glossen went in head first. Thanks to all of the participants. Sorry for such a simplistic scenario. It had initially appeared to be worthy. Hopefully the players and/or observers can add from their perspectives.
 
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