Third platoon is cut off by a tank heavy armored company combat Team on route Apache, they remanente undetected and are preparing to ambush theme.
Our mission will be to attack these forces in order to force their withdrawal or destruction, allowing third platoon to link up with own forces on RP 82.
My intent is to mass firepower on the enemy from unexpected directions, overwhelming him and forcing a retreat or route.
In order to achieve this I'll have one platoon spring an ambush on the enemy, then attack the engaged enemy from an unexpected direction with another platoon, while keeping at least one platoon as a reserve.
For this, 3rd platoon will prepare the ambush from the south, 1st platoon will attack from the east through route apache and 2nd platoon will act as reserve, moving behind 1st platoon, they must be ready to support or relieve 1st platoon.
Third platoon will report when engaging, 1st and secon will move once 3rd is engaged.
TO BATTALION:
I'm in contact with a company sized mechanized element, 8 tanks, 4 IFVs, moving east through route Apache, time now.
I'm engaging them in order to force them to break off, regroup my command and continue east to the main battle area.
RATIONALE:
My force knows the terrain and holds the surprise element, the enemy force is most likely a forward security element of an advance guard, which means they'll expect some support form.another forces further back.
If the ambush and subsequent flank attack manages to overwhelm them, they'll most likely retreat and reorganize, which will allow 3rd platoon to rejoin the rest of the company and proceed to the passage of lines. If the enemy does not retreat, I expect to use my reserve to cover the retreat of both 1st and 3rd platoon, new orders will be issued, 3rd will have to go through iriquoise crossing and 1st and 2nd through their pre-planned routes (we'll have to improvise another RP before the passage of lines).
PS: Sorry for the bad english, not a native speaker.
I like the aggressive instincts. I like the idea of considering 3rd Platoon's actions to be just one part of a larger coordinated plan rather than a unilateral action (which seems to be how the platoon commander, thinking like a lieutenant, is viewing the situation). But I'm concerned that this aggressiveness is likely to get us stuck in a decisive fight that we don't want. It's possible that we can get a complete kill of this enemy formation quickly and then withdraw 3rd Platoon through the kill zone before the enemy second echelon arrives, but I consider it unlikely. I think we're likely to find ourselves engaged with the enemy's advance guard tank battalion, which I expect to be arriving in a few minutes.
You got me there, that was actually the only thing that made me doubt my decision, would we be able to rout, force a withdrawal of the enemy force. If they are actually the Foward Security Element, they will stand and fight while reporting to the back, allowing the main body of the Advanced Guard to flank or attack my Company.
As a safeguard, I thought that if the attack doesn't rout the enemy, I will employ my reserve to break contacto and run to our own lines, while third platoon will disengage and run for the crossing in the south IOT to keep the retreat up to our own lines.
But the main question is: will it be enough? I mean, I was gambling on the element of surprise to beat a heavy armored company with light APCs/IFVs, but will a company be able to break contacto with a whole battalion while using a single platoon as rearguard? Yep, it seems a little far-fetched, unless that platoon goes for full 300 like last stand and buys time with lives.
There's a lot for me to learn here, thanks for the feedback!!
Reading the others solutions has been educational too, I didn't contemplate rearranging my taskorg, like some of the guys proposed for example (he reconstituted his AT section).
To 3rd Platoon: Roger; delay & disrupt but preserve your ability to withdraw. 1st Platoon is going to help you find a route across the Wadi to our south.
Company: enemy closer than we thought. Tank/mech company moving towards us on Rte Cherokee; about 6km west. 3rd Platoon is about to spring a hasty ambush. Enemy situation is fluid and uncertain so keep your heads on a swivel.
Mission update: Company stays east of the Wadi & delays the enemy advance west of Cherokee crossing IOT enable 3rd Platoon's withdrawal to link-up with us. Once we bloody their noses, we'll continue our withdrawal east to main body.
Task Org: 1st & 2nd Platoons detach your AT Sections back to company control.
AT Section (-) (4 vehicles) you are the ME and have priority of position. Delay enemy west of Cherokee Crossing at max range. Remember HAW, MAW, LAW from TBS? This is HAW...engage at max range.
2nd Platoon: You are supporting effort #1. Support AT Section's defense; orient NW, while keeping some eyes North.
1st Platoon: Supporting effort #2 - you're supporting 3rd platoon's withdrawal & link-up. Recon south to find a crossing point they can use. We don't want them trapped on the west bank of the wadi.
All hands: The plan is for 3rd platoon to ambush and break contact. We stay east of the Wadi & hold enemy west of the Wadi until 3rd platoon can cross it. But if 3rd platoon gets decisively engaged, BPT conduct a raid to the west to help them break contact.
To Battalion: 3rd Platoon engaging ENY Tank/Mech Co (-). We're prepared to delay ENY advance; keeping them NW of Wadi until we're linked up with 3rd platoon and can continue movement east. Request RWCAS to assist in breaking contact.
Rationale: well, now that I'm wearing the CO's hat, at first I was less thrilled with my decision as the 3rd platoon commander to engage. But upon further review, whether he ambushes them or not, the problem remains largely the same. We have an enemy relatively close by that's about to interpose between the company and 3rd platoon.
At this point, I'm not about to countermand 3rd platoon commander's plan. I have to trust him.
Best case: 3rd platoon halts enemy in their tracks (pun intended); breaks contact, and RWCAS piles on. 3rd links up with 1st, crosses the Wadi, AT's delay the enemy if he's still aggressive, and we continue our movement east. Maybe we even get some nice TOW shots at the first vehicles crossing at Cherokee.
Worst case: 3rd platoon sustains vehicle damage & casualties that prevent him from breaking contact. If so, we'll sally west to enable him to break contact. This is suboptimal & risks a decisive engagement at the company level or higher.
Somewhere in between: 3rd platoon sows confusion & delay but takes a long time to get back across Wadi. We engage at max range to slow enemy's advance until he links up. I think this is most likely & do-able.
I need to think of ways to destroy this bridge; assuming I have no engineers with me...
"At this point, I'm not about to countermand 3rd platoon commander's plan. I have to trust him." In reality, that probably depends on how much you actually trust 3rd Platoon Commander. Some lieutenants I would have trusted in that situation. Others, not so much.
Yeah, that's true. LtCol Adolph Von Schnell (sp?) addresses this well in Battle Leadership. I hope this guy isn't the one knucklehead I'm likely to have in a given company.
Love this insight: "[W]ell, now that I'm wearing the CO's hat, at first I was less thrilled with my decision as the 3rd platoon commander to engage." Perspective changes things.
FRAGO follows, 1st, and 2nd hold your current positions overwatching the wadi, prepare to engage with the TOWs at max range, 3rd platoon move to one of the alternate crossings and join us when you can, continue to stay concealed. Once you arrive, we will break contact and pass back through our forward line of troops.
To third platoon: Dig in and remain hidden. Spring your ambush on trailing elements. Expect enemy to column to turn about. Your mission is to try to hold them until we relieve you.
To first and second platoons: Saddle up and ride. Your mission is to strike the enemy in the rear and relieve third platoon.
To HQ: In contact with company sized mechanized element. 8 tanks and 4 IFV. Engaging now at Cherokee Crossing, intent to eliminate or force retreat.
I know I'm clearly in the minority here, but I think this is rash. Our entire battalion has been ordered to withdraw. We have been expressly instructed not to get decisively engaged. I think attacking with 1st and 2nd Platoons is likely to achieve just that situation, creating a problem for HHQ.
Situation: we are about to be attacked by 12 enemy vehicles approaching us on Route Cherokee.
Mission: Our instructions are to withdraw. However, fortunately, 3rd Platoon is in a near-perfect ambush configuration. I want to take advantage of this opportunity.
Execution: 3rd Platoon – proceed with your ambush. 1st and 2nd Platoons: maintain your positions. You may need to proceed up Route Cherokee to rescue 3rd Platoon.
Rationale: This opportunity is too good to pass up. It’s an ideal ambush configuration. But the plan is not just an ambush. Rather, the ambush solves a potential problem – the enemy sweeping down Route Cherokee and attacking the company and establishing a beach-head for the follow-on forces.
Withdrawing in the face of the enemy threat would be disordered and risky, particularly at night. Very hard to read the terrain and find the right passages. So the withdrawal might be more risky than the ambush.
I agree the ambush opportunity is very tempting, but I think there's too much downside. I think it's rash. The last thing I want to do is to have to send my other platoons into the attack to rescue 3rd Platoon. I think that's likely to get us a stuck in a fight with the enemy tank battalion advance guard, which I believe is not far behind. If I do that, I've created an even bigger problem for my HHQ, who now has to figure out how to rescue me.
"3rd Platoon: Do NOT ambush that formation. Let it pass. Your mission is to return safely to friendly lines. I will engage the enemy from Checkpoint 82, and when I do, you cut behind it heading north to find a crossing that will get you back safely. I will get you obscuration fires west of the Apache-Cherokee merge to delay the enemy's second echelon, but they will be coming up quickly, so you'll have to move fast. Your call on when to shoot the gap.
"1st and 2nd Platoons: Enemy CRP approaching on Cherokee. We engage to destroy on my command.
"FO: I want obscuration fires on Cherokee one click west of the Apache merge. The intent is to delay the arrival of the second echelon so 3rd Platoon has a gap to escape through heading north.
"Battalion: I'm at Checkpoint 82 with two platoons. One platoon has been cut off by an enemy formation heading east on Cherokee. Looks like a CRP with 8 tanks and 4 IFVs. I am taking action to get my platoon back. It will require engaging the enemy vicinity Cherokee Crossing. Request gunship support."
I'm all for ambushing the enemy when we get a chance, but the last thing I want is a platoon getting into a fight it can't get out of.such that I have to risk the company to save it. I can hit the enemy from my position and disengage more easily. Our screen mission is complete; we've been told to withdraw through friendly lines. Ambushing a combat reconnaissance patrol will do little to delay or disrupt the enemy advance. It does, however, risking getting us into a fight the division commander has made clear he does not want to have at this point.
I will decide How I want to engage the enemy CRP--whether with frontal, depth or cross fires--once I see what the target looks like, and I'll direct that through my fire command.
I'm thinking about having 3rd Platoon engage from the rear as it cuts behind the enemy formation. That will depend on how much I trust that platoon commander to engage without becoming decisively engaged.
Contingencies I'm considering: (1) We get a clean kill of the enemy CRP that allows me to audible and pull 3rd Platoon back through Cherokee Crossing. Unlikely, but it's a possibility. (2) The enemy's second echelon closes too quickly, and 3rd Platoon can't get across. In that case, we'll have to come up with a Plan B for getting them back.
It's important to let HHQ know we've hit a snag and I expect to be here for a little while working to get my platoon back.
BTW, the condition that necessitates having 3rd Platoon move north instead of south (which would be MUCH simpler) is the knowledge that the next access to the wadi heading south is Iroquois Crossing, which we know is already under enemy attack. This forces us to look north, which requires crossing the enemy's axis of advance. Thus the plan to use fires to try to create a gap in the enemy column for 3rd Platoon to shoot through.
On the COY net:
Listen up!
Third platoon is cut off by a tank heavy armored company combat Team on route Apache, they remanente undetected and are preparing to ambush theme.
Our mission will be to attack these forces in order to force their withdrawal or destruction, allowing third platoon to link up with own forces on RP 82.
My intent is to mass firepower on the enemy from unexpected directions, overwhelming him and forcing a retreat or route.
In order to achieve this I'll have one platoon spring an ambush on the enemy, then attack the engaged enemy from an unexpected direction with another platoon, while keeping at least one platoon as a reserve.
For this, 3rd platoon will prepare the ambush from the south, 1st platoon will attack from the east through route apache and 2nd platoon will act as reserve, moving behind 1st platoon, they must be ready to support or relieve 1st platoon.
Third platoon will report when engaging, 1st and secon will move once 3rd is engaged.
TO BATTALION:
I'm in contact with a company sized mechanized element, 8 tanks, 4 IFVs, moving east through route Apache, time now.
I'm engaging them in order to force them to break off, regroup my command and continue east to the main battle area.
RATIONALE:
My force knows the terrain and holds the surprise element, the enemy force is most likely a forward security element of an advance guard, which means they'll expect some support form.another forces further back.
If the ambush and subsequent flank attack manages to overwhelm them, they'll most likely retreat and reorganize, which will allow 3rd platoon to rejoin the rest of the company and proceed to the passage of lines. If the enemy does not retreat, I expect to use my reserve to cover the retreat of both 1st and 3rd platoon, new orders will be issued, 3rd will have to go through iriquoise crossing and 1st and 2nd through their pre-planned routes (we'll have to improvise another RP before the passage of lines).
PS: Sorry for the bad english, not a native speaker.
Made a mistake, whenever I said route apache I meant route Cherokee.....
sorry!
I like the aggressive instincts. I like the idea of considering 3rd Platoon's actions to be just one part of a larger coordinated plan rather than a unilateral action (which seems to be how the platoon commander, thinking like a lieutenant, is viewing the situation). But I'm concerned that this aggressiveness is likely to get us stuck in a decisive fight that we don't want. It's possible that we can get a complete kill of this enemy formation quickly and then withdraw 3rd Platoon through the kill zone before the enemy second echelon arrives, but I consider it unlikely. I think we're likely to find ourselves engaged with the enemy's advance guard tank battalion, which I expect to be arriving in a few minutes.
You got me there, that was actually the only thing that made me doubt my decision, would we be able to rout, force a withdrawal of the enemy force. If they are actually the Foward Security Element, they will stand and fight while reporting to the back, allowing the main body of the Advanced Guard to flank or attack my Company.
As a safeguard, I thought that if the attack doesn't rout the enemy, I will employ my reserve to break contacto and run to our own lines, while third platoon will disengage and run for the crossing in the south IOT to keep the retreat up to our own lines.
But the main question is: will it be enough? I mean, I was gambling on the element of surprise to beat a heavy armored company with light APCs/IFVs, but will a company be able to break contacto with a whole battalion while using a single platoon as rearguard? Yep, it seems a little far-fetched, unless that platoon goes for full 300 like last stand and buys time with lives.
There's a lot for me to learn here, thanks for the feedback!!
Reading the others solutions has been educational too, I didn't contemplate rearranging my taskorg, like some of the guys proposed for example (he reconstituted his AT section).
Thanks!
Thanks John for doing these, will repost or restack on my site.
Thanks, Don. Feel free to submit a solution too.
To 3rd Platoon: Roger; delay & disrupt but preserve your ability to withdraw. 1st Platoon is going to help you find a route across the Wadi to our south.
Company: enemy closer than we thought. Tank/mech company moving towards us on Rte Cherokee; about 6km west. 3rd Platoon is about to spring a hasty ambush. Enemy situation is fluid and uncertain so keep your heads on a swivel.
Mission update: Company stays east of the Wadi & delays the enemy advance west of Cherokee crossing IOT enable 3rd Platoon's withdrawal to link-up with us. Once we bloody their noses, we'll continue our withdrawal east to main body.
Task Org: 1st & 2nd Platoons detach your AT Sections back to company control.
AT Section (-) (4 vehicles) you are the ME and have priority of position. Delay enemy west of Cherokee Crossing at max range. Remember HAW, MAW, LAW from TBS? This is HAW...engage at max range.
2nd Platoon: You are supporting effort #1. Support AT Section's defense; orient NW, while keeping some eyes North.
1st Platoon: Supporting effort #2 - you're supporting 3rd platoon's withdrawal & link-up. Recon south to find a crossing point they can use. We don't want them trapped on the west bank of the wadi.
All hands: The plan is for 3rd platoon to ambush and break contact. We stay east of the Wadi & hold enemy west of the Wadi until 3rd platoon can cross it. But if 3rd platoon gets decisively engaged, BPT conduct a raid to the west to help them break contact.
To Battalion: 3rd Platoon engaging ENY Tank/Mech Co (-). We're prepared to delay ENY advance; keeping them NW of Wadi until we're linked up with 3rd platoon and can continue movement east. Request RWCAS to assist in breaking contact.
Rationale: well, now that I'm wearing the CO's hat, at first I was less thrilled with my decision as the 3rd platoon commander to engage. But upon further review, whether he ambushes them or not, the problem remains largely the same. We have an enemy relatively close by that's about to interpose between the company and 3rd platoon.
At this point, I'm not about to countermand 3rd platoon commander's plan. I have to trust him.
Best case: 3rd platoon halts enemy in their tracks (pun intended); breaks contact, and RWCAS piles on. 3rd links up with 1st, crosses the Wadi, AT's delay the enemy if he's still aggressive, and we continue our movement east. Maybe we even get some nice TOW shots at the first vehicles crossing at Cherokee.
Worst case: 3rd platoon sustains vehicle damage & casualties that prevent him from breaking contact. If so, we'll sally west to enable him to break contact. This is suboptimal & risks a decisive engagement at the company level or higher.
Somewhere in between: 3rd platoon sows confusion & delay but takes a long time to get back across Wadi. We engage at max range to slow enemy's advance until he links up. I think this is most likely & do-able.
I need to think of ways to destroy this bridge; assuming I have no engineers with me...
"At this point, I'm not about to countermand 3rd platoon commander's plan. I have to trust him." In reality, that probably depends on how much you actually trust 3rd Platoon Commander. Some lieutenants I would have trusted in that situation. Others, not so much.
Yeah, that's true. LtCol Adolph Von Schnell (sp?) addresses this well in Battle Leadership. I hope this guy isn't the one knucklehead I'm likely to have in a given company.
Love this insight: "[W]ell, now that I'm wearing the CO's hat, at first I was less thrilled with my decision as the 3rd platoon commander to engage." Perspective changes things.
FRAGO follows, 1st, and 2nd hold your current positions overwatching the wadi, prepare to engage with the TOWs at max range, 3rd platoon move to one of the alternate crossings and join us when you can, continue to stay concealed. Once you arrive, we will break contact and pass back through our forward line of troops.
To third platoon: Dig in and remain hidden. Spring your ambush on trailing elements. Expect enemy to column to turn about. Your mission is to try to hold them until we relieve you.
To first and second platoons: Saddle up and ride. Your mission is to strike the enemy in the rear and relieve third platoon.
To HQ: In contact with company sized mechanized element. 8 tanks and 4 IFV. Engaging now at Cherokee Crossing, intent to eliminate or force retreat.
I know I'm clearly in the minority here, but I think this is rash. Our entire battalion has been ordered to withdraw. We have been expressly instructed not to get decisively engaged. I think attacking with 1st and 2nd Platoons is likely to achieve just that situation, creating a problem for HHQ.
Reaction to TDG-4
Situation: we are about to be attacked by 12 enemy vehicles approaching us on Route Cherokee.
Mission: Our instructions are to withdraw. However, fortunately, 3rd Platoon is in a near-perfect ambush configuration. I want to take advantage of this opportunity.
Execution: 3rd Platoon – proceed with your ambush. 1st and 2nd Platoons: maintain your positions. You may need to proceed up Route Cherokee to rescue 3rd Platoon.
Rationale: This opportunity is too good to pass up. It’s an ideal ambush configuration. But the plan is not just an ambush. Rather, the ambush solves a potential problem – the enemy sweeping down Route Cherokee and attacking the company and establishing a beach-head for the follow-on forces.
Withdrawing in the face of the enemy threat would be disordered and risky, particularly at night. Very hard to read the terrain and find the right passages. So the withdrawal might be more risky than the ambush.
I agree the ambush opportunity is very tempting, but I think there's too much downside. I think it's rash. The last thing I want to do is to have to send my other platoons into the attack to rescue 3rd Platoon. I think that's likely to get us a stuck in a fight with the enemy tank battalion advance guard, which I believe is not far behind. If I do that, I've created an even bigger problem for my HHQ, who now has to figure out how to rescue me.
"3rd Platoon: Do NOT ambush that formation. Let it pass. Your mission is to return safely to friendly lines. I will engage the enemy from Checkpoint 82, and when I do, you cut behind it heading north to find a crossing that will get you back safely. I will get you obscuration fires west of the Apache-Cherokee merge to delay the enemy's second echelon, but they will be coming up quickly, so you'll have to move fast. Your call on when to shoot the gap.
"1st and 2nd Platoons: Enemy CRP approaching on Cherokee. We engage to destroy on my command.
"FO: I want obscuration fires on Cherokee one click west of the Apache merge. The intent is to delay the arrival of the second echelon so 3rd Platoon has a gap to escape through heading north.
"Battalion: I'm at Checkpoint 82 with two platoons. One platoon has been cut off by an enemy formation heading east on Cherokee. Looks like a CRP with 8 tanks and 4 IFVs. I am taking action to get my platoon back. It will require engaging the enemy vicinity Cherokee Crossing. Request gunship support."
I'm all for ambushing the enemy when we get a chance, but the last thing I want is a platoon getting into a fight it can't get out of.such that I have to risk the company to save it. I can hit the enemy from my position and disengage more easily. Our screen mission is complete; we've been told to withdraw through friendly lines. Ambushing a combat reconnaissance patrol will do little to delay or disrupt the enemy advance. It does, however, risking getting us into a fight the division commander has made clear he does not want to have at this point.
I will decide How I want to engage the enemy CRP--whether with frontal, depth or cross fires--once I see what the target looks like, and I'll direct that through my fire command.
I'm thinking about having 3rd Platoon engage from the rear as it cuts behind the enemy formation. That will depend on how much I trust that platoon commander to engage without becoming decisively engaged.
Contingencies I'm considering: (1) We get a clean kill of the enemy CRP that allows me to audible and pull 3rd Platoon back through Cherokee Crossing. Unlikely, but it's a possibility. (2) The enemy's second echelon closes too quickly, and 3rd Platoon can't get across. In that case, we'll have to come up with a Plan B for getting them back.
It's important to let HHQ know we've hit a snag and I expect to be here for a little while working to get my platoon back.
BTW, the condition that necessitates having 3rd Platoon move north instead of south (which would be MUCH simpler) is the knowledge that the next access to the wadi heading south is Iroquois Crossing, which we know is already under enemy attack. This forces us to look north, which requires crossing the enemy's axis of advance. Thus the plan to use fires to try to create a gap in the enemy column for 3rd Platoon to shoot through.
I completely forgot the contact report of B company on the south crossing that appeared in TDG N.°3