AAR: Long Generated Campaign US v Communist

[Hermit]

The dismounted infantry continues to inch forward in the south, with some of the transport vehicles maneuvering around farther to the south to suppress the flanking fire, as they have no visibility to the front, and would be succeptible to AT weapons at close range anyway. One more enemy Su-76M was found when it blew up after an artillery salvo landed to the rear of objective area. One of our own M75 APC's was destroyed by an undetected RCL team. It was the last thing they'll ever do

Another AA gun was taken out in the center when it was seen by approaching vehicles, after firing at a spotter plane. Both the center and northern units advanced another few hundred meters toward the objective with little action.

The aforementioned spotter plane sighted a whole field of enemy infantry emplacements in a large open area to the SW of the other open area, and east of the large hill shielding the center objective. Northern units that had intended to link back up with the advancing units have been redirected southbound to place these enemy positions in a hammer-n-anvil move with the heavy units now being directed to move NE from the center sector. A lone IS-2M and a T-34 on the east slope of the central objective's screening hill are the only known threats in this area. The plan is to screen them until our heavy tanks are in a good position to engage them from medium range, and eliminate this threat. Then, placing the northern battalion AA and AT guns on the perimeter woods to provide more suppression, some support tanks and a platoon of infantry each from the central and northern units will crush the enemy infantry units like bugs!

[Hermit]

Some northern units continue to advance toward the objective, and the others are getting in place for the hammer-n-anvil maneuver.

Most central units are beginning the climb up the SW side of the big hill toward the objective. A Sherman observation tank was straggling behind and was unexpectedly hit twice by large caliber rounds. After the first hit, the crew began frantically searching for the source of the shells. Just at the edge of their vision, the commander saw the muzzle flash of what appeared to be an enemy AT gun. From that range, almost a kilometer, it must have taken a few ranging shots before scoring a hit, but they flew by unnoticed. It is strongly suspected to be a 76mm, as a 100mm shell would almost certainly have penetrated, even from that range. There is now a large gouge in the front armor; one of the shells must have almost made it through.

Meanwhile, the heavy tanks and two Pershings continued northeast to be the hammer on the enemy infantry fieldworks.

Once again, most of the hot action is in the south. Small arms and MG fire from vehicles is making the air thick with lead. Dismounted infantry continues its slow advance. Two more enemy squads eliminated, and two more forced back from their dug-in positions. Others are being heavily suppressed. There was almost no return fire on our advancing grunts. We also noticed several enemy squads leave their entrenchments and move up from the rear to intercept our advance.

Back on the BIG hill that we crossed in the beginning, there is stil sporadic fighting with enemy flanking squads. As one of the forward observers was sneaking down the southern side of the hill for a better view, he stumbled on some loose rocks, and the noise and movement disclosed his location. An enemy squad across the ravine on another low hill opened fire and one man is down. We couldn't even spot them at first, until one of our snipers looked with his scope. He wasn't able to get a shot off, as his own movement would have placed him in danger of the same fate. One of the 1/2 tracks serving as a tow vehicle for the AT guns ran down to pick up the survivor and lend support, and wandered into view of one of the two remaining T-34's. The 1/2 track narrowly missed eating an 85mm slug. After making a sharp turn to avoid further tank fire, the 1/2 track hasn't made it to the rescue yet. Hopefully our remaining observer man won't also get hit.

As a final bit of bad luck, another 1/2 track that was sent to pick up a 90mm AT gun from a disabled 1/2 track was itself de-tracked when it ran over a big rock. So much for roadside assistance when you need it.

[Hermit]

Northern units are almost to the back-side of the big hill, and will soon turn south to approach the objective area. No enemy units have been detected in this area at all. The quietness is a little disturbing, and it's gotten everyone on edge. We're wondering if an ambush is waiting around the corner. It's so nerve-wracking that the onscene commander sent two tank sections and a platoon of infantry in their M-75 APC's back northward to cover the road where the T-34's appeared from over a small rise a short time ago. The infantry dismounted and searched down the road past the burning hulks and adjacent woodland, but haven't seen any more approaching units. The support units heading south for the pincer move have just come into range of some of the enemy positions, and have started harassing fire just to lower the enemy morale.

In the center, we had some heroic action by the crew of one of the M103 heavy tanks. We had allowed the smoke to clear around the enemy IS-2m, and one of our heavy tanks deliberately maneuvered out into the open to get a shot at it. Although probably supressed somewhat by our recent artillery rounds, it still posed a real threat with its 122mm main gun. And it was singlehandedly blocking the southern arm of the pincer, and we didn't want to pass it by in case it decided to come at us from the rear. It got a shot off first, which impacted the M103 and left a huge divot in the glacis. The impact was so loud, it must have stunned the driver, since the grinding of gears could be heard and our tank slowed to a stop. The gunner was apparently not so severely affected, and he got his shot off from about 450 meters. He also hit on the first round, and it penetrated the side of the enemy tank with a "Cccrumpp!" A couple of the enemy crew bailed out, and hunkered down in the pit with their burning vehicle.

Other center units continued climbing the hill, and are just about to enter the woods surrounding the objective area. The enemy 76mm AT gun was made ineffective when one of our light attack helos made a few passes and tore up the exposed crew.

In the south, there was more heroism, as a 1/2 track from division ran a high-speed crossing movement about 500 meters from the remaining IS-2m guarding the southern objective. The enemy tank fired and missed with its main gun, although the 1/2 track's engine was shot up and it was immobilized by the large AA machine gun on the tank. We're mystified how the AAMG was able to function after the pounding that tank took from our artillery. Nevertheless, perhaps that's the reason the tank missed with its main gun, as the commander was busy working the MG rather than spotting main-gun fire. A nearby Patton took the opportunity to approach from the other side, and before the Chinese gunner could get his turret swiveled around, the Patton hit it with a flank shot from about 300 meters away, which despite its thick armor was enough to knock it out with one shot. That 1/2 track crew is going to be recommended for the Silver Star! With the main threat removed, our tanks and APCs followed dismounted infantry to within 100 meters of the objective area, approaching slowly due to both the heavily cratered ground, and the fear of mines. Those fears were realized when one of the infantry teams located an errant minefield with a Mark 1, Mod 5 Big Toe. "Stretcher!"

[Hermit]

Southern units have completely occupied the objective area and fended off a few enemy infantry units attempting to take it back. Most had been demoralized and absorbed casualties from our artillery, which had intercepted their attempts to move up from their guarding positions. A final SU-76M was discovered immobilized in a shallow ravine on the reverse side of a small hillock. It was quickly dispatched by a Sherman Flail that approached it from the rear. Support units fanning out further to the south discovered a nest of HG assault infantry still waiting for orders. APC's and mortar 1/2 tracks are keeping them pinned down while Sherman flame tanks and a few infantry units accompanying them are disloging them from their positions.

A precision airstrike suppressed the enemy T-34's we had been unable to approach earlier, while our snipers kept the heads down of a nearby squad. Three 75mm recoilless rifles were able to get set up, and while scout teams snuck up and launched diversionary attacks, the 75 mm RR's were able to dispatch both tanks. One of the scout teams got so audacious, they made a running assault on the enemy infantry. Despite their ferocity, they were repulsed, in large part due to suppressing fire from three enemy squads across the small valley. The scouts were rescued when two snipers picked off all of the enemy soldiers near the tanks. Three MG's and the 90 mm AT guns on top of the BIG hill were able to keep the attention of the three squads across the valley.

In the center, depite the difficult natural terrain of the hill, the extensive cratering of the landscape, and the minefields very slow progress is being made. An SU-76M has also been spotted in this area, but it will probably be left for clean-up operations after the main battle. It's too close to risk an artillery barrage, the air cover has all returned to base, and it is shielded from the objective area by terrain. A pesky squad firing from dense smoke has not yet been located, but it is more a nuisance than a threat. Half of the objective area is under our control, and the rest will be as well once the mines are cleared. Another AA gun was located when it minced a divisional rifle squad at 200 meters, but was quickly eliminated. Helos have located and destroyed three 60 mm mortars behind the hill that started to shell us repeatedly once we approached the objective area.

In the north, the pincer movement is succeeding better than hoped. Eight enemy infantry units have been destroyed thus far, and another six are under intense fire. One M75 was destroyed when it wandered too close to an RCL 51 launcher, which managed to get a lucky hit. One of the two snipers in the area was almost gunned down when his position was spotted and several enemy squads chose to make him their last target. He popped smoke and called for a pick-up, which arrived in the nick of time.

As in the center, we have about 1/2 of the objective area in the north occupied, and were merely clearing mines when a platoon or two of enemy infantry advanced on our flank. Our outlying squads came under heavy fire and one withdrew. Due to the undulations of the terrain, only one tank and one APC were able to lend defensive fire support. Other vehicles are manuevering carefully to avoid mines, but should be in a position to respond in short order. The enemy's position seems rather hopeless at this point, and it will probably boil down to how long the Chinese stubborness persists against our intense firepower.

[Hermit]

There have been minor losses in all three areas, despite our impending victory:

Mopping up operations continue in the south, and the entire objective area appears clear. The nest of infantry has also had major chunks cleared, but a temporary setback occured when a hidden 76mm AT gun in the edge of a small wood to the south opened up on advancing M75 APC's. One was destroyed and another immobilized before a mortar 1/2 track was able to lay smoke in between. A nearby light attack helo dove in and blasted it with .30 cal MG fire after it had been suppressed by friendly infantry. Another T-34 was accidentally discovered near the two recently destroyed, under heavy camoflage. It opened up on a scout team, which lost a man and then went screaming off into the woods. They have not responded to repeated radio calls, but other troops are certain they survived the encounter. It also destroyed one of the 75mm RR teams, who just disintegrated when an 85mm round landed on them. Some of the recoilless rounds they were carrying must have gone off. The other two 75mm RR teams hit it repeatedly with HEAT rounds, but none penetrated its armour. The remaining scout team wreathed it in smoke, and both they and two MG teams fired hundreds of small arms rounds at it. It is buttoned up tightly and appears to be trying to bug out.

In the center, a friendly fire incident occurred when one of our 155mm batteries did not get the word to cease fire, and at the same time allowed it's salvo to move slightly to the east. Two friendly squads were caught advancing, although thankfully in rough terrain where they were able to find some cover. Five men in one squad and three in another were blown to bits, and now the men in those squads are refusing to move from cover. All of the objective area is in our hands, however, and there appears to be little, if any, resistance left here either. There is that Su-76 about 150 meters down the back slope, and the men are discussing whether anyone has the guts to make a move on it. There's a strong probability it was been immobilized, so it may be possible to circle around and get a bead on it from the rear. The captain has promised a free weekend pass for any team that takes it out.

In the north, two tanks and one APC were immobilized by mines hidden under the snow blanket. I guess we should be thankful that's all that happened. The enemy infantry continues advancing, but now that supporting fire is available, most of them are cut down fairly quickly. We only suffered one man wounded, while at the same time they suffered about 25 casualties in the past five minutes or so. Artillery has been targetted at their suspected approach zones. Mine clearing in the objective area is going very slowly, despite the lack of any real resistance, because the mines are sewn so thickly. The engineering team leader believes another ten minutes or so will be required before the area is finally safe to enter.

[Hermit]

The 60 mm mortar shelling the northern group was finally located taking shelter in a crater from our earlier bombardements. Once it was neutralized, the mine clearing finished quickly, and we occupied the final objective area. The Chinese must have realized their diminished forces had no hope of taking back that real estate once we seized the final objective. They left the battlefield and went crying to their Mammas! Apparently their complaints were heard, because as we suspected when we first launched this attack, we have been ordered to abandon our newly captured positions "in order to promote the peace process." Bah, humbug!

After the usual refit period, we have been sent back to confront the Soviets again. One of the local commanders has gotten too big for his pants, and seized some tourists who wandered into the occupied area of East Germany. When their family members went to plead for their release, he grabbed them too. The Soviet diplomats have basically given our inquiries into the mattter the shoulder shrug, claiming there's nothing they can do. Well, there IS something we can do. But the Soviet's acquisition of the A-bomb a few years ago makes things tricky. We don't want any itchy fingers pushing a big red button by accident (or on purpose, for that matter), so we are making a bold daylight raid with clearly defined force size and operational area, so they'll know its not an invasion.

The terrain is flat as a pancake, with the only cover provided by some large wooded areas, high grass, and a few towns straddling the main E-W road. Visibility is clear, and we're headed out just after noon. You can see about 3 & 1/2 kilometers in the open areas. (I tried to copy the map and post for everyone's benefit, but the color pallette was all screwed up and it was useless. I'll try to post a sketch later). Division has supplied two armored infantry companies, two 105mm batteries, 1/2-track transports for our big guns, and the usual complement of ammo carriers. Three M20 armored cars from the recon company were also cross attached to provide fast scouting, since helos will be extremely vulnerable in this flat terrain. The assignment of some air cover was procured at the last minute, but the only stuff available was some older P-47 Thunderbolts from WWII era. I hear they can take a beating, and they'll probably need it since they are pretty darn slow. The colonel used our recent victory as leverage to get two transport helos and a scout helo transferred to us on a permanent basis. Some of the recon boys are all excited by that, and have visions of secretly dropping behind enemy lines and raising hell. We'll have to see if that's all bravado, or whether they will do it when the time comes.

The plan is to allow infantry to do a quick march down the road, in the wake of the armored cars and a barrage by the 105 batteries. The two battalions will pace them on the flanks about 400 or 500 meters out, each led by an armored infantry company. The ArmInf will dismount when the enemy area is approached, and clear woods and dash across open terrain while the vehicles and armor provide fire support from the woodlines. The main road passes near the central objective, just to the south of it, and a dirt road branches off to the SE and cruises close to the southern objective area. How convenient. So the northern objective will be the most difficult to reach. The towns along the main road will be both an obstacle and a source of covering fire once taken, so we'll go ahead and attack them rather than bypassing them, after a good dose of artillery of course.

[Hermit]

So far, the operation has progressed as planned. Initially the enemy let loose with several batteries of 122mm howitzers, but either their plotting is very bad, or they're just randomly shooting and hoping to get lucky. Either way, after ten minutes of counter-battery fire, their divisional guns have gone silent. Then they started with a couple of 122mm field howitzers, and our own SPA artillery fired at the area where their smoke was coming from. They have been silent for a while now too, and I think we got a couple of 'em.

We haven't run into a cohesive defensive line, per se, so I think our bold thrust must have caught them off guard a little. The colonel had our new observation helo take a high orbit, and it drew alot of AA fire from enemy vehicles in the lead part of the enemy defenses. Most of them were APC's, and we assigned artillery batteries to smother them. Several blew up after a couple minutes of shelling.

The hot action has started in a clearing near the first big town on the E-W road. The enemy had three T-54-3 tanks and two 85m AT guns in the wooded area just past the town, and several infantry and MG positions to the South. Our infantry crept forward occassionally taking fire as they were spotted by enemy units. We elected not to smoke the area, as we wanted to locate the enemy units when they fired at us at long range, instead of stumbling on them real close. Artillery was rained on the AT guns, and we brought up the four heavy M103 tanks to engage the T-54's. We shelled them with the 60 mm SPA mortars in the 1/2-tracks just to harass them, then the M103's rolled out from the woodline and exchanged fire with them. Two of the enemy tanks were destroyed in this manner, while the third was screened by smoke resulting from the 60 mm mortar barrage. While we were repositioning, the enemy replied with a volley from their own 82mm and 120 mm mortars. Most fell off target (we moved) but several fell among our infantry, and we took about 10 casualties. One squad took 5 all by itself. Time to bug out of that area until we can find their source.

To avoid crossing that open area with more vulnerable units who could get popped by unseen enemy AT units, the 2nd battalion has been diverted south through the woods to cross at a smaller gap. They'll then work their way back NE to link up and provide more fire support for the infantry that will head down the dirt road.

After a heavy shelling of 105mm, the town is partially rubbled and on fire. Four enemy infantry were encountered in various states of disarray and cleared from the town by our men, backed up by the Pershing CS tanks and one of the flame tanks. Another T-54 is hiding in a wooded thicket on the eastern side of the town, blocking the road since we can't get at it from the front with the M103's. Besides, at that close range (350 meters) it stands a good chance of knocking them out instead. We'll have to wait for artillery to knock it around a bit before approaching, but we can't afford to hold still while the Russians still have those mortars available. For now, most of the force on the north side will drive deeper into the woods and creep slowly forward to bypass that clearing area.