These scenarios, "Battle of the Garagiola River" and "Battle of the Garagiola River Revisited" are authored by LtCol. John F. Schmitt, USMCR and are found in his book "Mastering Tactics", Copyright 1994 by Marine Corps Association. The scenarios were originally published in the October 1992 and December 1992 editions of Marine Corps Gazette respectively.
"Battle of the Garagiola River" - Map293
Situation: You are the commander of 3d Battalion, 4th Marines (reinforced) consisting of Companies I and K on assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) near the Garagiola River, Company L on trucks at Androida, a light armored reconnaissance (LAR) company west of the river, and a tank company in reserve east of Androida. The TOW section is moving with Company L. For the last two weeks you have been facing superior enemy mechanized forces and have been forced to fall back from west to east, slowly wearing down the enemy while conserving your own combat power. You have learned that the enemy force opposing you is a mechanized regiment consisting of a tank battalion and two mechanized infantry battalions. Enemy tactics emphasize attacking aggressively upon contact and maintaining the momentum. The enemy will generally overrun resistance with tanks and prefers to dismount infantry only when necessary for close combat.
Poor visibility due to heavy fog lately has obscured the enemy situation since the last engagement, after which you lost contact with the enemy. While your battalion is halted along the river, your LAR company moves west to reestablish contact.
Steep banks make it unfeasible for your AAVs to swim the river. Your mission is to defeat any enemy forces in your zone or, failing that, at a minimum to delay and disrupt the enemy advance.
As your LAR company passes westward through Tragedia, it reports a sizable enemy mechanized force to the west approaching Checkpoint 68. The LAR commander does not believe that he has been detected by the enemy. Your Artillery Liaison Officer (ALO) assures you that he can get massed fire support. Your Air Officer (AO) says that he can get you a couple of F/A-18 sorties.
At this rate, enemy tanks will be approaching Tragedia or Garagiola in about 10-20 minutes. What are your orders Colonel?
"Battle of the Garagiola River" - Map293
Situation: You are the commander of 3d Battalion, 4th Marines (reinforced) consisting of Companies I and K on assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) near the Garagiola River, Company L on trucks at Androida, a light armored reconnaissance (LAR) company west of the river, and a tank company in reserve east of Androida. The TOW section is moving with Company L. For the last two weeks you have been facing superior enemy mechanized forces and have been forced to fall back from west to east, slowly wearing down the enemy while conserving your own combat power. You have learned that the enemy force opposing you is a mechanized regiment consisting of a tank battalion and two mechanized infantry battalions. Enemy tactics emphasize attacking aggressively upon contact and maintaining the momentum. The enemy will generally overrun resistance with tanks and prefers to dismount infantry only when necessary for close combat.
Poor visibility due to heavy fog lately has obscured the enemy situation since the last engagement, after which you lost contact with the enemy. While your battalion is halted along the river, your LAR company moves west to reestablish contact.
Steep banks make it unfeasible for your AAVs to swim the river. Your mission is to defeat any enemy forces in your zone or, failing that, at a minimum to delay and disrupt the enemy advance.
As your LAR company passes westward through Tragedia, it reports a sizable enemy mechanized force to the west approaching Checkpoint 68. The LAR commander does not believe that he has been detected by the enemy. Your Artillery Liaison Officer (ALO) assures you that he can get massed fire support. Your Air Officer (AO) says that he can get you a couple of F/A-18 sorties.
At this rate, enemy tanks will be approaching Tragedia or Garagiola in about 10-20 minutes. What are your orders Colonel?