Tactical Decision Game #97-5 Solution C


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Tactical Decision Game Solution #97-5 C May 1997

Meeting at the 'Mounds'
The Platoon Commander

by CPT John Karagosian, USA

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Reports Made

Platoon Commander's Orders

"1st Squad: Orient on the enemy to your direct front and right. Suppress and report.

"Machinegun Squad: Troops in woods, left front, 400 meters, rapid fire.

"2d Squad: Move through the woods to your left. Occupy the high ground to the left and suppress the enemy to allow the company to deploy. Mark your rear for the CO. Link up with the 1st Squad leader if you see him. I'll move with you.

"Fires: Left 400, drop 200, repeat." (To bring fire on wooded area where 2d Squad leader observed movement.)

Report to Company

"Enemy platoon straddling the stream, 400 meters to my front. I am starting to deploy. Incoming fires are registered on road through the Mounds. Recommend company envelop to left. I will fix the enemy from my position."

Discussion

I am facing a force of equal or greater strength that retains the freedom to maneuver. I need to suppress and fix the enemy to allow the company to maneuver. I am too weak to assault. The main threat is on my left, where there is a covered route. It looks like the enemy intends to continue his aggressive tactics and is trying to deploy to his right to the small knolls. I need to focus my fire power to slow him down and buy time for 2d Squad to gain the key terrain. Once I establish a good support-by-fire position on the high ground I think I'll be in good shape.

My recommendation to company alerted them to get off the road and away from the indirect fires. They'll probably be delayed too much if they blindly follow my 3d Squad.

I haven't seen a flare so the 1st Squad leader probably isn't in trouble yet. However, in 5 minutes I don't think he's gone too far ahead. I'll be looking for him scouting to my front, and if either of our forces occupies the Mounds, my next move will be to bound a machinegun forward.

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.