Coop - Red Hill - Tactical Planning

War Stories
,
1

Map: Proving Grounds
Time: 0730
Weather: Overcast, light fog
Host: [user avatar=“https://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/16558368/avatar/small.1471276874.jpeg” name=“zcribe”]16558368[/user]

OPORD

I Situation:

Russian forces have been holding the line against allied forces for months. Little action takes place day to day.

A. Enemy Forces:

[indent][list]
[] Motorised infantry, Motorised recon, Towed artillery
[] No air or armoured units are expected to be in the area
[] OBJ Iron is a regular resting site for recon units.
[] OBJ Cobalt is a fortified site where enemy infantry has created their defense.
[] OBJ Gold is the assumed location of the enemy artillery.
[] Various posts and patrols are expected to be active around OBJ areas.
[*] Enemy forces are expected to be somewhat off guard due to inactivity on the line in the last month.
[/list][/indent]

B. Friendly Forces:

[indent][list]
[] 3X CNTO Regular infantry squad
[] 1X CNTO Designated marksmen team
[*] 1X CNTO Medium antitank team
[/list][/indent]

C. Assets:

[indent][list]
[] 2X APC M113A3 (M2)
[] 2X APC M113A3 (MedEvac)
[/list][/indent]

D. Civilians:

[indent][list]
[*] Evacuated from the AO
[/list][/indent]

II Mission:

CNTO forces will capture OBJ Cobalt NLT S+2H to create a gap in the enemy line.

III Execution:

A. Commander’s intent

[indent][list]
[] Plan the assault
[] Capture either OBJ Iron or Gold
[] Capture fortifications in OBJ Cobalt
[] Capture the last objective
[/list][/indent]

B. Optional Tasks

[indent][list]
[] Destroy the enemy recon forces in OBJ Iron
[] Destroy enemy artillery in OBJ Gold
[/list][/indent]

IV Administration / Logistics:

A. Supply

[indent][list]
[] 1x Large ammo box
[] 2x Small ammo box
[/list][/indent]

B. Tips for planning:

[indent][list]
[] Use recon
[] 2X M113A3-s have 12.7mm M2
[] MAT team has HE and SMK rounds and can fire a fair distance
[] Use the landscape (Different colors on the map and the height numbers)
[/list][/indent]

D. Reinforcements:

[indent][list]
[] At predesignated times, reinforcements will be sent out of the base in smallest transport vehicle which can hold reinforcements
[] Upon insertion to the AO, reinforcements should stick together until regrouping with the main force in the AO[/list][/indent]

E. Miscellaneous:

Infantry units have been equipped with explosive charges to destroy the artillery pieces.


Recon photo of the fortifications in OBJ Cobalt

Area of Operations:

2

Is it possible to capture the artillery and use it against Cobalt or do we have to actually destroy it ?

3

Technical side isn’t stopping you from being able to capture and use the artillery. Objective is to destroy it.

4

My general philosophy for attacking positions is to get close enough that their defences do not help them anymore because you are so close they are not in cover and you are throwing grenades on their heads. If there are enough forces as you move in another team acts as a base of fire that supresses the enemy position.

In terms of terrain this area is pretty flat with the high ground to the south of our start that runs SE behind the tree line. There is then a saddle/low point and then another gentle ridge on the eastern side of the AO from Gold to the 175.
In terms of enemy Iron and Cobalt block Chevy and BMW and are about 500m apart. Close enough to support each other with HMGs. Gold is on a high point 900m to the SE of Cobalt covering BMW and the route towards enemy reinforcements.

With the terrain and enemy layout in mind it seems the best two option are to roll up the enemy positions one at a time either from the North or the South. From the North a recon team could move east to the gas station and 154 on Chevy and watch Cobalt. At the same time the main force and APCs move north to 155 and then east using the trees as cover. To assault Iron the APCs move to North the central longitude line about 400m from Iron shooting in between the wooded areas to suppress from the NW while the infantry rush from tree cover to the final assault. At the same time recon can stop reinforcement from the south and provide a bit or suppression from the WSW. Once Iron is taken Cobalt would be taken with APCs suppressing from the north of the crater while infantry moved in on the little gullies/valleys running from the NE to the SW near 153 to 154 to 152 (I might be wrong but from what I remember they provide very good cover.) Finally, recon and APCs move from 175 to 167 in the east suppressing infantry as it approaches Gold from the NW using the woods for cover to get to the hill and then assault Gold.

This plan is alright but there are several stages where the attack is on a narrow front or the infantry assault lacks cover and it allows the Artillery at Objective Gold to be used in the defence of the other two objectives.

The better alternative is to attack from the South side of the area. APCs move south cross Audi and unload the main body of infantry. APCs then head to 170 and unload recon while the infantry moves through the line of woods just north of 189, 164 and 159. Protected by Infantry to the North and recon to their east the APCs can use their HMGs to cover a large area from 170 as the assault force moves into the woods at 166 to prepare to attack Gold. APCs will have to move towards Gold to get in range to provide suppression but should still be able to cover the north. With the threat of artillery removed then Cobalt can be attacked with the APCs in much better positions than a northerly attack and with a lot more cover for the infantry. From Cobalt the enemy at Iron can be attacked on a broader front with suppression coming from the south at 156 and the main assault coming through the woods from the West.

During the final stage of each attack the information gathered by recon should identify each static weapon and entrance to enemy compounds so the squad and FT leaders can pick the right route in that gets to viable entrance and avoids static guns as much as possible. For example, from the recon photo it looks like wire covers the front and left of Cobalt but trees and no wire on the right might offer the best route in. Best to get observation on another side before the final attack, if possible.

Generally, for the final couple of hundred meters of movement and suppression these two rules should determine how you move. Suppression comes from as high a point as possible with you spread out and either in really good cover or with terrain that will cover you as individuals fall back to reload, deal with injury or relocate and vehicle to new firing position. To move in for the assault never move from a high point in the open; use the terrain and cover to sneak into a place where you can do the final last minute plan as a FT or squad leader. You do not want them to be able to see you at all. Sometimes terrain will allow you to sneak in. For example, the last 100 or 50m between you and an enemy position can be covered if it is on a steep hill, which is why when we defend we should try and pick more than one strong point such as a building or hill that can then in turn help cover each other’s blind spot when the enemy get very close. This only works for steep hills if the gradient in nice and gentle up to a high point then smoke it.

Now please tear this crappy plan a new one! Come on. For all you know I have made deliberate mistakes to catch you out! I might be crazy! Don’t let Mad Teddy send your fireteam to their doom!

5

I really like your approach Teddy! Since we played this map a while ago (PVP) and i still remember most of the approaches to obj. iron and i agree on pretty much everything.

I suggest to split, if possible, the teams (infantry and Apc’s / Squads) once we have taken obj. cobalt. On the right side of the crater is a ditch that allows, at least infantry, to move pretty close to obj. iron. Like this we still have 2 options to attack from.

Picture

6

Just a reminder that M113’s are not good combat vehicles (designed more as battle taxis) and are dangerously vulnerable even to underslung grenades. They don’t have optics, nor do they have large stores of ammo.

Edit: MAT is being equipped with what seems to be decent ammo for engaging fortifications and large groups of infantry. Might I suggest use of them to hit enemy hard points as friendly infantry assault with minimal use of the M113’s, if possible.

7

My intention:

  • Move infantry to WP2 via WP1.
  • Assault Obj Iron from WP1, use M113 to support.
  • Regroup Inf at Regroup 1 immediately after clearing Obj Iron.
  • Move Inf to WP 3.
  • Assault Obj Cobalt from WP3, use M113 to support from the position on route BMW.
  • Regroup Inf at Regroup 2 immediately after clearing Obj Cobalt.
  • Move Inf to WP5 via WP4.
  • Assault Obj Gold from WP5, use M113 to support from suitable position.
  • At all times when M113 isn’t assisting in an assault, stage it near the fuel station to
    [indent] [*] Control the roads.
  • Quickly move to support infantry elements.[/indent]

[spoiler=A few considerations]
[table]
[tr]
[th]Category[/th]
[th]Observation[/th]
[th]Impact[/th]
[th]Consequence[/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[th]Environment[/th]
[th]very flat terrain[/th]
[th]wide field of view/fire[/th]
[th]recon with DMT[/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td][/td]
[td]high range of artillery shrapnel[/td]
[td]move in low ground when enemy artillery is firing[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]light fog[/td]
[td]limits field of view[/td]
[td]use M113’s thermals no thermals on M113, make sure it is behind infantry, so EI doesn’t get close to it[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]AT obstacles and razorwire visible on recon image[/td]
[td]possible limited mobility offroad[/td]
[td]control roads; ask GM to supply wirecutters[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Enemy assets[/td]
[td]Artillery[/td]
[td]very effective on stationary targets[/td]
[td]regroup Inf in low ground immediately after clearing objectives[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]no armour[/td]
[td]no special AT assets needed[/td]
[td]low priority to fill out MAT in role selection[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td]motorized[/td]
[td]possible QRF[/td]
[td]control roads with M113[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Friendly assets[/td]
[td]M113[/td]
[td]high mobility[/td]
[td]stage on crossroad[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][/td]
[td][/td]
[td]firepower[/td]
[td]use to support infantry in assaults[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
[/spoiler]

8

[quote user_id=“1583435” avatar=“https://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/1583435/avatar/medium.1400027212.png” name=“Goat”]Just a reminder that M113’s are not good combat vehicles (designed more as battle taxis) and are dangerously vulnerable even to underslung grenades. They don’t have optics, nor do they have large stores of ammo.

Edit: MAT is being equipped with what seems to be decent ammo for engaging fortifications and large groups of infantry. Might I suggest use of them to hit enemy hard points as friendly infantry assault with minimal use of the M113’s, if possible.[/quote]

I was a bit hesitant to use MAT like this (although this is often how AT is used in real life) because of ArmA technical reasons with rockets sometimes hitting nets and failing to have a blast that clears out bunkers. But if we could get to work then this is exactly what we should be doing. As to the M113s you are right they have the armour value to stiff cardboard however I try in my plan to keep them 300m+ away from the enemy, who knows if this would be enough to save them though.

9

[quote user_id=“11583892” avatar=“https://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/11583892/avatar/medium.1424865441.jpeg” name=“Dulabu”]I really like your approach Teddy! Since we played this map a while ago (PVP) and i still remember most of the approaches to obj. iron and i agree on pretty much everything.

I suggest to split, if possible, the teams (infantry and Apc’s / Squads) once we have taken obj. cobalt. On the right side of the crater is a ditch that allows, at least infantry, to move pretty close to obj. iron. Like this we still have 2 options to attack from.

Picture[/quote]

Great approach, I couldn’t remember what the cover was like on that side but a sneaky approach along a ditch is better than rushing through sparse tree cover.

10

As others pointed out, RHS M113 is basically a lightly armored taxi (though one with very bad maneuvering capabilities) with a machinegun and limited ammo. No magnification or other optics, but still horribly low FoV (awareness). The armor also isn’t anything very good, it protects against 5.56mm small arms, but some 7.62mm pierce it.

Having played as a gunner in one, I can say that the only sensible use seems infantry support or other engagement from a stationary position at medium distance (200-500m) as anything closer is too dangerous and anything further is beyond the aiming capabilities.

(IMHO the M113 is a very crappy vehicle in Arma and I’d take a humvee instead any day.)

11

[quote user_id=“13255879” avatar=“https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.enjin.com/821401/site_logo/medium.png” name=“Zjosua”]

My intention:

  • Move infantry to WP2 via WP1.
  • Assault Obj Iron from WP1, use M113 to support.
  • Regroup Inf at Regroup 1 immediately after clearing Obj Iron.
  • Move Inf to WP 3.
  • Assault Obj Cobalt from WP3, use M113 to support from the position on route BMW.
  • Regroup Inf at Regroup 2 immediately after clearing Obj Cobalt.
  • Move Inf to WP5 via WP4.
  • Assault Obj Gold from WP5, use M113 to support from suitable position.
  • At all times when M113 isn’t assisting in an assault, stage it near the fuel station to
    [indent] [*] Control the roads.
  • Quickly move to support infantry elements.[/indent]

[/quote]

I like it! It is very close to my northern attack plan but more professionally explained :cool:

12

I had an idea of what I wanted to do from the start but have been away for long weekend but here it is finally I am back home, a lot of it guys have already gone over but with some slight differences.

So I split it down into 3 phases.

[rule]

PHASE 1

  • As a Platoon move to M113 FSP Marker with only the 2 armed M113’s, infantry dismounted vehicles on the right flank away from enemy.

  • Infantry incl MAT clear the dried river bed with MAT stopping at MAT marker to provide a cut off group for reinforcements coming in from either COBALT or IRON. Once cleared M113’s come forward to take up Fire Support position.

  • Infantry wait at INF Assault marker and when all call signs are in place they begin to move forward, as stealthy as possible.

  • When cover for INF has run out the assault will commence, the M113’s can move from the river bed to get into a postion to fire on the positions once the m113’s have engaged the INF launch the assault and capture the enemy artillery.
    ( If any element is engaged on the move into the assault positions then the M113’s will move up immediately on the right flank to engage the Artillery positions, the infantry will commence the assault as soon as possible.)

  • Once the Artillery has been captured we will move the m113’s back to there original M113 FSP marker and the infantry will attempt to fire the artillery at COBALT and IRON marked on map as Fire Mission 1(FM1) and Fire Mission 2(FM2). Once complete infantry will set charges on the pieces move back to the river bed and blow them.
  • The infantry we then move to the M113 FSP marker and regroup and await movement orders to start phase 2. MAT Team and the M113’s will regroup MAT’s cut off marker and await the commencement of phase 2.

[rule]

PHASE 2

  1. Infantry will approach COBALT from the SW enabling them to get extremely close the enemies positions, while remaining in cover.

  2. The M113’s will push up in the most eastern river bed with MAT, the M113’s will stop and not cross the open ground to the next river bed but instead wait to be called and open up as FSP from their position just north of 175 in the river bed. MAT will cross and again provide a reinforcements cut off group at position marked on map. MAT will also try to use the airburst round from this position to attack any fortifications before the assault commences.

  3. When all elements are in position MAT will launch it’s airburst rounds at COBALT’s fortifications at the same time the M113’s will leave the river bed and provide a FSP element just east of hill 175 also cover MAT if needed.

  4. On completion of airburst rounds the infantry will move in and commence the assault clearing COBALT of all enemy forces.

  5. Regroup for all elements will take place at the FSP & cut off marker awaiting commencement of phase 3.

[rule]

PHASE 3

  1. On commencement of phase 3 the infantry will lead MAT and the M113’s to the new FSP position marked on map from here MAT will provide fire support.

  2. The M113’s will move up with the infantry to assault IRON and clear it of all enemies. Depending of the enemies AT capability thus far we may use the M113’s as cover across open ground but with infantry still dismounts but slightly behind them.

[rule]

Some added details and explanations.

My plan in phase 1 is very similar to both Teddy’s and Zjosua’s it only has a few differences first I have decided that the enemy artillery is my biggest threat therefore is my primary target so I would hit that first unlike Zjosua and I have also added a Reinforcements cut of group to intercept reinforcements should COBALT or IRON send any giving other elements a chance to react and reconfigure the plan.

I have used the M113’s slightly differently as they are pretty rubbish so they are more of a diversionary force in my plan rather that a static dire support element, they wait in position then move forward to open up and then the infantry assault from a different direction if all goes to plan as soon as the infantry are in and fighting the M113’s can pull back. Hit and run tactics for the M113 as it were.

Phase 2 is also different as I want use the river bed to approach from the west and maintain the infantry’s element of surprise up until the last minute and get very close, while my M113’s stay safe in cover until the assault commences. Also using another rein cut off group.

Phase 3 I attack from the east I do this because I know the map due to PVP there is dead ground here and small bits of high ground for cover easy to move from one to the other especially with MAT firing rockets at you and M113’s firing to suppress as they move up with the infantry.