Tactical Decision Game #97-4 Solution C
Tactical Decision Game Solution #97-4 C April 1997
Battle of Sanna's Post
by Capt Ronald F.A. Woodaman
View a map of the solution
Action #1: Message to Battalion
I acknowledge receipt of order with a spot report of enemy at Sanna's Post and provide intention to defend fords over Modder River.
Action #2: Frag Order to Company
"Bn is heavily engaged with fixing motorized enemy elements for follow-on forces. Our mission is to defend the fords over the Modder River. I intend to prevent enemy reinforcement from the west by hitting him with massed surprise fires when he is exposed at the river crossings. The enemy at Sanna's Post is possibly a portion of these reinforcements, or an enabling force for these reinforcements, but I do not want to become involved in a long-range fight and expose our defenses. Tasks follow:
"CAAT continue to observe and report, but do not engage unless enemy attempts to ford. We will fall in on you within the next 15 minutes. You will be in direct support of the main effort.
"1st Platoon, you are the main effort and have priority of all fires. Fall in on CAAT initially and adjust accordingly. Defend the ford.
"2d Platoon, you are the reserveŅ follow in trace and assume a defilade position.
"3d Platoon, defend the northern ford."
"I will be with 1st Platoon. Acknowledge receipt."
Explanation
While it is tempting to go after the possible resupply point in Sanna's Post, with flanking fires from the CAAT on one side and an assault by AAV mounted infantry from the north, it is also unrealistic. There is plenty of reason to believe that given nighttime observation that there may be more enemy out there than reported. While the two T-72s should be rapidly dispatched by concentrated TOW fire, it is unwise to attack with the AAVs should one escape destruction or the BMP platoon has dismounted antitank guided missiles. Attacking would only partially satisfy my mission of preventing reinforcements from moving east. By attacking I reveal my presence and surrender the initiative to follow-on enemy reinforcements, who would then be aware of our location in the vicinity of the fords and take appropriate measures. By maintaining observation and preparing defensive positions featuring mass surprised fires combined with supporting arms, I will be well prepared to defeat enemy reinforcements when they arrive or at least delay their movement sufficiently to allow the 2d Marines to destroy the enemy forces in detail.
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.
