Solid first set of stuff! This is fun so far!
For future reference: provided it's possible in a situation, could an estimate of the hostile force strength be given? For example, I imagine the Fundao event, we wouldn't really have anything in the way of numbers. Genhe, I would presume the local infantry unit would have an estimate of some sort (even if flawed). The below orders presume that the opposing forces are relatively small, I wouldn't mind a chance to amend orders if this assumption is flawed.
IE if Genhe is like a few hundred Hermanos vs a few hundred Protectorate, I'd likely switch the order to something a lot less adventurous.
OOC: This is looking like quite the situation: a lot of paramilitary activity. Choosing sides seems necessary. Probably was inevitable anyway; 90% is pretty much a done deal. Especially when the 10% is split 3 ways.
Still, we may be able to deal with the Poles at least.
Fundao: Skirmish: A skirmish erupts between G.D.G. terrorists and the People's Protectorate. Dispatch air support? If yes, for which side?
Launch Guardians from Firebase Elvas against GDG targets. Orders of fighters are to observe the following priorities:
1. 100% return rate of Guardians; do not engage or continue engagement if opposition presents credible and imminent means of downing Guardians.
2. Fire SRMs or drop bombs only when pilot has 100% confidence in 0 collateral damage. This has the highest priority, even if it means no bombs are dropped, or no SRMs are fired.
3. Loiter above the engagement and gather intel even if it's impossible to attack due to directive #2. We need to get a clearer picture of what this is about.
Launch Guardians from Firebase Trujillo on Zaragosa towards Elvas as well. Issue similar orders, with the understanding their fuel will permit almost no loiter time.
Attempt to get infantry from Firebase Candra in visual range of fight. (Probably impossible given how movement seems to work). Intent is to observe from range, not get involved. Establish communications with Guardians and assist with target selection.
TO DO: Have Mask contact the Protectorate, and have the Protectorate provide intel on GDG activities. We are interested in destroying the GDG and would prefer to do the heavy lifting there.
Genhe: Skirmish: Poznan Home Guard Jump SRM Company come upon a skirmish between Los Hermanos del Sol and the People's Protectorate. Withdraw? Attack? Aid one side?
Have Guardians from Firebase Tianchang deploy, and await commands/targets from Jump Infantry Company. Load Frag SRMs if possible to swap ammo; standard loadout should be normal SRMs.
Jump Infantry should attempt to place the Hermanos between themselves and the Protectorate. (160 degrees, since 180 degrees increases odds of 'friendly' fire)
Have Jump Infantry issue ultimatum to *both* sides when Guardians are in strike range:
- Disengage immediately
- The Poznan Militia places you under arrest. Toss your weapons and lay on the ground.
- You have 10 seconds to comply
Communicate to infantry that the assumption is neither side will comply.
If both sides, or the Hermanos don't comply, call in Guardians on the Hermanos position. Bombing run. Guardians to loiter for additional SRM attacks called in by infantry. Infantry to attack the Hermanos if they do not surrender. Prisoners preferred, safety of troopers is higher priority still.
Protectorate is not a priority at this time. If they attempt to leave, let them. If they attempt to comply with surrender order, shield them from the Hermanos. Your actions should make your priorities obvious, so friendly fire from the Protectorate should be minimal and cease quickly. If they are stupid and attempt to pose a threat to your unit, disengage and let the Protectorate deal with the Hermanos without your support. Observe conflict, and mop up whatever side seems to have won, if possible.
If the Protectorate is adamant about attacking your unit, you are to defeat them if this seems possible.
Avoid overextending. Do not attack if opposition appears superior to your Company.
TODO: Contact the Protectorate depending on how the above goes.
Nanchang: Skirmish: A skirmish erupts between G.D.G. terrorists and the People's Protectorate. Dispatch air support? If yes, for which side?
Dispatch Guardians from Firebase Husar (Boleslaw) to engage GDG. Copy orders from the Guardians going against the GDG in Elvas. Key is avoiding collateral damage, even if that means they end up just flying over.
As with Elvas, see if an infantry platoon from Firebase Candra can get eyes on the conflict to assist in target selection.
Rzeszow: Skirmish: 5th Poznan Militia (Scorpion Lance 2 and Silverfin Lance) encounter elements of the Winged Hussars on patrol. Attack? Withdraw?
Communicate. Request their intentions. Ask them if they want to share security concerns.
If they communicate, maintain friendly stance. [Hopefully there will be a follow up in such an instance.]
If they are uncooperative but unaggressive, leave them be and withdraw.
If they get belligerent, engage if you have a clear and overwhelming advantage. Withdraw otherwise.
Explain to on-site commander that conflict with the Hussars is not desirable, cooperation is preferred, but that we are not interested in having our authority challenged. We are even less interested in losing troops, Scorpions and Silverfins in a futile battle.
Ulanqab: Battle: A pitched battle erupts between Los Hermanos del Sol and the People's Protectorate. Dispatch air support? If yes, for which side?
Have Guardians from Firebase Lorca respond, with orders similar to those issued against Guardians tasked with going against the GDG without ground troops. Engage Hermanos when you have clear targets, not dropping bombs or SRMs is fine if no targets present.
In the event that either no opportunity exists at Ulanqab, or in the event that ammo remains, communicate with commander at Yakeshi and Genhe, and assist there per the orders for that battle.
Yakeshi: Skirmish: 4th Poznan Militia (Scorpion Lance 2) encounters a pitched battle between Los Hermanos del Sol and the People's Protectorate. Intervene? Take sides? Hang back?
Orders similar to Genhe, BUT:
- Assumption is that Scorpions are not going to be very effective without infantry support.
- If true, Scorpions should not rely on the Protectorate to act as infantry support.
As such, the stance cannot be as aggressive as it is in Genhe. Scorpions will likely have to hold back and then attempt to arrest or destroy the survivors if they're Hermanos, or attempt to arrest or let flee if they're Protectorate.
If I'm wrong, (IE, if the effective fighting strength on both sides is, say, about a platoon each) the Scorpions can follow the battle plan of Genhe.
Almonte: Attrition: One Scorpion develops mechanical difficulties and cannot be used in combat until repaired at a firebase.
Castelo Branco: Attrition: One Scorpion develops mechanical difficulties and cannot be used in combat until repaired at a firebase.
Gdansk: Attrition: One Scorpion develops mechanical difficulties and cannot be used in combat until repaired at a firebase.
Jerez de los Caballeros: Attrition: One Scorpion develops mechanical difficulties and cannot be used in combat until repaired at a firebase.
This seems a bit high, but let's see if it's just a weird collection of dice. No need to start changing stuff based on a single turn.
Let me know if any of the battles you're present for (Genhe, Rzeszow, and Yakeshi) sounds interesting enough to play out on tabletop, or if you want to resolve it with a roll on the COMBAT OPERATIONS TABLE and move on to the next online turn.
A lot depends on the numbers. Genhe is promising, even if it's infantry only with air support. Yakeshi probably won't be; either the Scorpions stomp an infantry platoon out of existence in a turn or two, or they don't get involved until the fight's basically over because of the disparity. Hard to judge without numbers.
Rzeszow shouldn't and hopefully won't become a fight. If it does, it'll be amusing to find a way for those Silverfins to do anything. =)
Paul
