Tactical Decision Game #95-6


Duke	NROTC	Last Month	Main TDG Page	July 1995	Solution A B C

Tactical Decision Game #95-6 June 1995

In a Hard Place

by Nadir A. El-Farra

View a map of the situation

Situation:

You are the commander of 2d Platoon, Company C, 7th Marines, attached to the U.N. Protection Forces (UNProFor) in Spojnia, a small European country torn by civil war. Your mission is to escort a U.N. relief convoy to the town of Sulehac for the distribution of food and medical supplies to refugees there. Your platoon is mounted on three 2 1/2-ton trucks and you have two heavy machinegun sections (four HMMWVs, two M2HBs, and two Mkl9s) attached. You are also equipped with four AT4s. U.N. attachments to your convoy include a 6-person medical team and 20 civilian drivers with 14 U.N. cargo trucks. All the vehicles in your convoy are clearly marked and flagged "U.N." Attacks against such convoys are uncommon, but have occurred during the conflict.

The rebels in this vicious conflict, calling themselves Early Retirists, regularly violate U.N.-brokered agreements and have attacked civilians and Spojnian troops inside UNProFor's safe areas. In response, the U.N. launched limited airstrikes against Retirist positions. Unfazed, the rebels continued to attack Spojnian Government forces, particularly in the U.N.'s safe areas. Reluctant to become involved in the fighting, the U.N. refiised to meet the rebel attacks with force, instead choosing to pursue negotiations. When this failed, the U.N. again resorted to airstrikes. In response, the rebels took several hundred UNProFor soldiers hostage and positioned them around Retirist facilities to prevent further airstrikes. Despite the deteriorating situation, your rules of engagement remain unchanged.

Entering Pihad, a small town along the route to Sulehac, you leamed that the Retirists had established blocking positions 5 or 6 kilometers (km) up Route 21. The road leading back to your battalion's camp was also blocked by rebel attacks launched after your departure. Contacting battalion, you were ordered to avoid capture and remain in Pihad until you are relieved. Battalion has a relief force and airstrikes at its disposal, but the substantial numbers of rebel troops in between your positions may preclude their use.

When questioned, the commander of the Government forces garrisoning Pihad told you that Retirist troops are operating in the area in battalion strength and that they are equipped with T-55 tanks, BMP-2 fighting vehicles, and 120mm mortars. He went on to say that his company-sized force was ill-equipped to deal with such heavy weapons. When you inquired about the town's defenses, he told you that the stream forms a natural obstacle, being unfordable by nonamphibious vehicles, and he pointed out prepared positions on the surrounding hills overlooking Pihad.

To warn of rebel approach you ordered fire-team-sized observations posts (OPs) established on Hills 114 and 118. At 0600 the Spojnian commander informed you that he received an ultimatum from the rebels-"Surrender the town or its occupants will be annihilated." The Spojnian commander made it clear that he intends to fight. It is now 0800 and sounds of battle can be heard coming from the southwest. Your OP on Hill 114 reports a rebel battalion (-), led by a T-55 tank, approaching on Route 21 about 3 km to the south. The rebels are meeting scattered Spojnian resistance. Pihad's garrison is in its positions on the hills awaiting the Retirists' approach. It appears that the rebels will be at the edge of town in the next 30 minutes. What now, Lieutenant?

Rules of Engagement

Nothing in the ROEs limits your right to take appropriate action to defend yourself and your unit.

You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks or threats of attack.
Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a hostile act.
U.N. forces should use the minimum force necessary under the circumstances and proportional to the threat.
You may not seize the property of others to accomplish the mission.
Detention of civilians is authorized for security reasons or in self-defense.

Requirements:

In a time limit of 5 minutes, relate the orders you will issue, followed by any reports or requests you will make. Then provide a sketch and a brief explanation of the rationale behind your plan.

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For more detailed information on the structure of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equipment, and symbols used in Tactical Decision Game sketches, see Marine Corps Gazette, October 1994, pp. 53-56 and the modification reported in the January, 1995, edition on page 5.