[OOC] Able Archer: 1983

[SyrianHamster]

Gunther, thank you for the thorough explanation of things - I found the movement speed of tracked vehicles on roads particularly interesting, it's amazing tanks are of any use at all at those speeds. It explains why they are so vulnerable though, and why their battlefield prominence is in decline. I always assumed tanks, especially the more modern ones, would be able to do at least 50mph on rough terrain, let alone a road - how naive I am. That's what playing too many games does to you haha.

Right, moving on. Well I imagine the PACT's attack will technically be a surprise attack, as NATO will probably assume they're reacting to their provocative actions with their own training exercise. Probably wont be until the PACT forces are over that line that the NATO spotters etc will sound the alarm, but then again, I guess making it less than a mile onto West Germany before NATO air power responds isn't exactly an effective surprise attack... but still!

Urggh, modern combat is so complicated. I miss muskets. So I imagine the radios would be listened in on too? Even if NATO couldn't directly listen in on Soviet commanders, the amount of transmissions would sky rocket and definitely send alarm bells. Well, I'll just play it at squad level and not venture any higher in fear of being gobbled up by a fact-o-file.

Right, I'll get my first post done, as promised. I'm going to start with something like this:

Whilst NATO are inadvertently threatening human civilisations' lifespan, the PACT launch a pre-emptive strike against them, wrongly thinking that after all the things that have gone down months previous, that NATO are about to launch the nukes. My guy and his battalion will be heading for the front to fight an enemy they think are about to invade. See you in the killing fields!

[SyrianHamster]

Posted.

If there are any blatant historical, logistical or other form of grave inaccuracies, please correct me at will. I'm learning on the job here, but I'm a quick learner. I'll update anything that sticks out like a sore thumb, or keep in mind for future posts.

Thanks guys, now let's go have some fun!

[FourtyTwo]

I do want to have my Polish Squad of Airborne Infantry come as somewhat a shock, following the SF moving in to eliminate key targets. I agree with Hamster on this one- it'd be somewhat unexpected, and even if they were at odds and waiting for shit to happen, it would take the Warsaw Pact to kick the bucket back at NATO and retaliate in a way that is not planned for. I'll have them at base for my next post when I make it.

[SyrianHamster]

kingkonrad said
I do want to have my Polish Squad of Airborne Infantry come as somewhat a shock, following the SF moving in to eliminate key targets. I agree with Hamster on this one- it'd be somewhat unexpected, and even if they were at odds and waiting for shit to happen, it would take the Warsaw Pact to kick the bucket back at NATO and retaliate in a way that is not planned for. I'll have them at base for my next post when I make it.

Yeah, that'd be cool. Maybe Eckhardt's ragtag column of T-72s and BMPs could link up with your men later on in the battle, if they don't get bogged down/squashed elsewhere. I've deliberately left Eckhardt's understanding of things vague, to widen the scope for other PACT players' entrances.

[FourtyTwo]

I think that it'd connect well with the Airborne ethos that Janusz's unit would have- they'd have friendly reinforcements of a higher caliber, such as an armored team, back up their claims.

[SyrianHamster]

kingkonrad said
I think that it'd connect well with the Airborne ethos that Janusz's unit would have- they'd have friendly reinforcements of a higher caliber, such as an armored team, back up their claims.

Yeah. Well, you go take some claims and I'll smash my way through to you, or get run over by Gunther trying. Either way, it'll be fun. Anyways, it's late here in the UK, I'll catch you guys tomorrow.

[Gunther]

Modern tanks do travel at 50MPH. But this is not Call of Duty or any other video Game. If the lead tank, takes off at 50MPH, no one will be able to keep up with him. The Queen's Lancers will be able to kill each tank one by one as they come through the 1K zone. The reason they travel at a slower speed is to increase unit integrity, cohesion and so that they can support one another if they do get surprised on the road heading west.

Once the tanks get into a firefight a T-72 might need to "sprint" forward or laterally in order to cover a flank or take advantage of a penetration. Since they are using Bound and Overwatch movement tecnhique, a tank will sprint forward to a covered position and sit still, watching for enemy vehicles while a platoon mate advances. The three tanks in the platoon would take turns leapfrogging forward once enemy contact is suspected. If they just ride all willy nilly, hanging ten, letting the breeze blow through their hair, they will get killed. I guaran-God-damn-tee it as a matter of fact!

As far as at what time during the advance they are detected? Well that would be as soon as they depart their bases. It would not be once they cross the 1K zone into West Germany. There are plenty of East Germans working for the BRD government to keep NATO informed.

[Gunther]

I had to put two posts into one, making for one very long post.
I had been working on an introductory post of out characters before actually, getting into the fight.

[Rare]

I'm not done with my CS but here it is so far:

Name: Aiden Brown Jr.
Age: 38.
Background:
-Born in 1945
- Graduate HS in 1963
- Attend UCLA ROTC Program receives a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant (age 22) in 1967
- Joins Army and serves obligatory 5 year stint. Attends Quartermaster Officer Basic Course (QOBC) at Ft. Lee, VA. 17 week course
- Attend Air Assault School at Ft. Campbell, KY. 4 week course.
First Assignment as a Material Handling platoon Leader, HHC, 225th FSB, 25th ID (L), Republic of Vietnam. Was in the Battle of Khe Sanh.
-Got a Bronze Star for the battle of Khe Sanh.
-Second assignment: Special Staff Officer, Logistic support HHC, 47th FSB, 1st Armor Division, Germany. A 2 or 3 year deployment with a promotion to Captain in 1968 - 1971.
- Promotion to Captain in 1971.
- Officer Advanced Course at Ft. Lee, VA. (1971)
- Attend Parachute training (Airborne School) at Ft. Benning, GA complete
- Attempted Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQ) at Ft. Bragg, NC but could not complete due to a broken leg. (1972)
- Third Assignment: Company Commander, HHC, 705th Main Support Battalion, 5th Infantry Division (M), Ft. Polk, LA (5 year assignment) 1972 - 1977.
- Promotion to Major (1977) at age 32
- Attend Combined Arms Staff Services School at Ft. Lee, VA (1977)
- Fourth Assignment: Special Staff Officer, Assistant Logistics Officer, HHC 2nd Infantry Division, Seoul, Korea 1977 - 1981
Promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (1981) age 36
- Fifth Assignment: Battalion Commander, 498th Forward Support Battalion (1981 - ??)
Unit: 498th Forward Support Battalion (FSB).
Role: Commander.
Equipment: Colt M16A2.
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel.
Misc: He read books on Military History and had an interest in European nations affected by WWII.

[SyrianHamster]

Gunther said
I had to put two posts into one, making for one very long post. I had been working on an introductory post of out characters before actually, getting into the fight.

Eckhartd wasn't engaged, I was just detailing his arrival at a very messy and disorganised forward muster point. But Hell with it. ANGRIFF!

Also, I got one for you Gunther. Would East German soldiers be reliable? I get the impression, from the scarce sources I could find, that they were generally a sorry bunch with a few exceptions. I'm trying to work out whether Eckhardt is going to have to try and stop his men from defecting to the West/surrendering ASAP; I imagine the East Germans were very much aware of how bad they had it in comparison to their former compatriots, and given the choice, they'd of jumped the Berlin wall at the drop of a hat. If this is the case, it'll make for an interesting confrontation between Eckhardt and those serving under him.

EDIT: Found a good map here, for anyone who needs it.

[Gunther]

I use Google maps. The impression I got of the East Germans is slightly better in comparison to the Vichy French during WWII. You have some units that hard core and super motivated by the Soviet friendship and others that just might throw down their pieces and give up. As far as joining their West German brothers? Probably not going to happen.

"I have some Eastern Germans rifles for sale. Never been fired and only dropped once."

The Poles on the other hand are a different breed. They don't like the Russians either, but they have just as much hatred for the Germans. They won't defect.

[FourtyTwo]

Haha, you got that fucking right. Poles, ESPECIALLY in the 80s, were asking for the end of it all through Solidarnosc (or Solidarity), which basically toppled Communist Sat elite States in Eastern Europe, and brought it about. We hated the Russians, and even Janusz is there not for some shitty Soviet-backed Socialist cause, just his country and a reliable living he likes. If it wasn't for the fact that he liked his country and his job, he'd drop guns. But to say the least, he won't like the West Germans. For most part, even East Germans in general. But if they roll in to reinforce their gains, then he'll be cool about it.

[Gunther]

Doskonała wiadomość towarzysz Kingkonrad! :)
Excellent post, sir!

[SyrianHamster]

I'll get my next post up today.

Can I assume, as the PACT have launched an attack, that it was preceded by a short artillery barrage/and or an aerial assault on NATO airfields and border strong holds? I mean that's pretty standard assaulting procedure right? Or are they just pouring troops over the border and hoping NATO is overwhelmed numerically rather than relying on battlefield finesse?

EDIT: I know Konrad mentioned that a PACT air assault was definitely under way, but I want to know what kind of resistance Eckhardt's assigned column is going to meet initially? Will they find loads of burned out structures, mingled with downed Migs? Or will they find the Brits waiting for them, untouched and ready to receive?

[Pepschep]

The PACT assault relies on destroying shit. Tanks, helicopters, airplanes, artillery. The best way to fight in a city with tanks is to ensure there won't be a city, to put it bluntly. So yeah, you may assume that.

NATO's land forces at this point aren't very impressive. But their air force is. They'll establish air superiority over the pact with relative ease.

[Gunther]

Soviet Doctrine calls for masses of Artillery upon the enemy. This is contrary to Western Maneuver based doctrine. There is an element known as the Regimental Artillery Group (RAG) which consists of three batteries of Artillery (18 guns) and a Division Artillery Group (DAG) which consists of three battalions of Artillery (54 guns). Each Regiment has a RAG and each Division has a DAG. There are also Corps level Artillery Brigades containing three to five battalions of Artillery, just larger than a DAG; 54 - 72 guns per BDE. The Soviets and E. Germans will target grid squares (1Km x 1Km) areas with Artillery. They hope to overwhelm the enemy with artillery and Air Interdiction missions to keep them off balance.

The west prefers to use their line companies to maneuver around the enemy to get on a flank and hit them where they are least prepared. They use artillery to attrit the enemy and break up his defenses or confuse them as to where friendly units are attacking from.

The first element across the 1K zone will be the Interceptors conducting Air Control (AC) missions in order to eliminate enemy air in hopes of achieving either Parity or Air Supremacy. In conjunction with the AC mission is the Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD). This is a 2-ship team with an Electronic Warfare (EW) variant aircraft flying in high searching for enemy Air Defense Radars and an attack aircraft flying in low ahead of the EW aircraft. When the EW aircraft detects radar emissions, he jams them first and then sends their location to the attack aircraft who should already be in position. The Attack aircraft pops up and fires a missile or drops a bomb into the objective area in order to Suppress Enemy Air Defense (SEAD).

Behind this first wave of SEAD and AC aircraft are additional AC and Air Interdiction Aircraft (AI). AI aircraft are attack aircraft with the intent on attacking ground targets. They are looking for enemy airfields, military bases, assembly areas or any other targets of opportunity. They strike Deep targets far behind the Line of Departure/Line of Control (LD/LC). The LD/LC is the line where friendly and enemy forces are in contact with one another.

Behind this 2nd wave would be your Air Assault objectives. Ideally, the Air Assault or Airborne unit would request Attack Aircraft conduct an AI on their objective prior to their insertion. This way, any ADA units int he area would be suppressed prior to arrival.

Once ground units arrive in contact with enemy, they can then coordinate Close Air Support (CAS) missions wtih other Attack aircraft to attack tactical units that are immediately to their front. In order to control a CAS mission, you need a Forward Air Controller (FAC) or Air Control Party (ACP). The USAF FAC or RAF ACP controls the actions of Attack aircraft in their sector. I don't know what the soviets called their equivalent of a FAC. It would be an airforce unit and the lowest you would see a FAC in the Soviet Army is Regiment. You won't see them at Battalion or Company. For NATO, you will see a FAC or ACP at Battalion level.

The Soviet Army conducts battle drills up to Battalion level. If contact is established, the leadership will call out a predesignated pro-word to his unit. The unit will react by turning toward the enemy and attacking in whatever formation they are in. They do not try to maneuver around a flank, they simply attack head on into the enemy. The Soviets hope that their artillery has weakened the enemy sufficiently and they can simply overwhelm any survivors.

The E. Germans who come in contact with the British Lancers on the border will be buttoned up. They may be behind hull/turret defilade defensive positions, but you will not find dismounted cavalry in Defensive fighting positions. Because they are all buttoned up inside their vehicles, the High Explosive rounds dropped by your RAGs and DAGs will have minimal effect on them. Possibly taking out a track. The occasional AI mission may have spotted a Recce squadron and dropped some ordnance on them taking out a few vehicles. The Queen's Lancers are there to report what they see to Army and Corps headquarters. So the Corps G2 can paint of picture of what sort of enemy he is facing. They do not want to become decisively engaged but they do want to slow down the E. Germans and Soviets. They will fire ont eh enemy, they will call in artillery and CAS missions, but then run like hell to the rear into supplementary pre-planned positions and continue to do the same thing over and over again. It will be frustrating because you won't see them. They are there, firing at you, then they are running away. YOu deploy your infantry, try to attack and then stop to mount your infantry over and over again. This process could happen 30 times over the first three days before you come in contact with Line NATO units dug in further to the west. The Cavalry simply wants to slow you down and assess your strength. When they reach friendly lines, they conduct a passage of lines, go to the rear, receive replacements for losses in personnel and equipment, get a shower and a hot meal and then conduct an attack or counterattack into the enemy.

[SyrianHamster]

Already posted before I saw your latest OCC, Gunther, however I think despite my lack of awareness, I've done things almost in line. There wasn't any resistance at the 1k zone, but plenty beyond it.

The column is trying to sneak through between the fighting at Hamburg and Lubeck, but it hasn't worked as they were tracked the entire time, and an infantry-based garrison has emerged in Molln to stop them. The task force is mostly GDR-based, but headed by a Russian general. It hasn't got any notable anti-air capabilities, which will feature in my next post.

[Gunther]

I like your post so far what I have read. It looks good. I used Molln as the left end of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armor Division (US). You can face US 4th Battalion, 41st IN (M) in Molln and Deutshces Bundeswehr on the north side of town.

When I post, I will detail the Combat reconnaissance Patrol (CRP), then the next wave of East Germans and then the main body trying to cross either at route 5 into Lautenburg or the lake to the north and eventually falling back onto Rare's 498th FSB int he Brigade Support Area.

Rare hasn't introduced his character yet, but he's taking the Battalion Commander for my Brigade's Forward Support Battalion. This would be a good time for Kingkonrad's Airborne unit to insert at Naturschutzgebiet Boberger Niederung, a small airfield southeast of Hamburg. This is where Rare's FSB and the Brigade's BSA is located.

[SyrianHamster]

Gunther said
I like your post so far what I have read. It looks good. I used Molln as the left end of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armor Division (US). You can face US 4th Battalion, 41st IN (M) in Molln and Deutshces Bundeswehr on the north side of town.When I post, I will detail the Combat reconnaissance Patrol (CRP), then the next wave of East Germans and then the main body trying to cross either at route 5 into Lautenburg or the lake to the north and eventually falling back onto Rare's 498th FSB int he Brigade Support Area.Rare hasn't introduced his character yet, but he's taking the Battalion Commander for my Brigade's Forward Support Battalion. This would be a good time for Kingkonrad's Airborne unit to insert at Naturschutzgebiet Boberger Niederung, a small airfield southeast of Hamburg. This is where Rare's FSB and the Brigade's BSA is located.

Sounds good to me. I'm glad my post was okay, I've worked hard to expand my knowledge of Cold War armies rapidly. As you can tell by how vague the details I include, I'm still a way off of being adept. Biggest shock so far? TOWs. I literally cannot believe how they work, with the wire sticking out of them etc so it can adjust its course. For some reason I just assumed they were 'heat seakers', but then again I've not really had to look too far into modern weaponry before.

Anyway, you'll probably see a continual improvement in my displayed knowledge in matters as the RP progresses and I learn more stuff to throw into my posts.

[FourtyTwo]

SyrianHamster said
EDIT: I know Konrad mentioned that a PACT air assault was definitely under way, but I want to know what kind of resistance Eckhardt's assigned column is going to meet initially? Will they find loads of burned out structures, mingled with downed Migs? Or will they find the Brits waiting for them, untouched and ready to receive?

When Janusz's team is on the ground, they'll be the first in the aftermath of artillery fire on Lubeck and the surrounding areas. Since Lubeck Airfield is seen as a priority target, bombing it heavily or shelling it isn't really an option- and hence the Airborne to clear it out and hold as a potential Forward Air Operating Position. Though they do have some CAS in the form of the Hinds and Su-25s in area, and will eventually roll along to Lubeck itself to continue once friendly motorized units break through to their position. While the East doesn't use Maneuver Warfare a lot, helicopter-based teams were in use, and it lends itself to the more rapid nature of an airborne brigade- as a shock troop, not a hammer blow tanker-type force.