Tactical Decision Game #97-6 Solution A
Tactical Decision Game Solution #97-6 A June 1997
Contact at the
Han Lu River Bridge
by Capt Timothy E. Barrick
View a map of the solution
Commander's Frag Order
"There is an enemy mechanized platoon dug in along the tree line across the river. We are going to suppress them with one platoon and envelop with the other two platoons. My intent is to clear the enemy out of the woods between Hills 305 and 763.
"3d Platoon, establish a base of fire along the ridgeline of Hill 271. Keep your AAVs hull down, but I want suppressive fires from their up-gun systems on the enemy positions ASAP.
"1st Platoon, you are my main effort. I want to move east around Hill 271. Once we have the enemy suppressed, cross the Han Lu River and assault through the enemy positions from east to west. Limit of advance is Hill 763. Once you reach the hill assume a defensive posture orienting to the northwest.
"2d Platoon, break contact. Leave your casualties with the mortar section. They will be located behind Hill 271.
Cross the river with 1st Platoon and follow in trace of their assault from east to west through the enemy position. On consolidation, I want you to cover the road coming from the north.
"Mortars, get set up at the base of Hill 271 and get smoke on the enemy positions. I want to blind the enemy to 1st and 2d Platoon's envelopment. Once the smoke screen is established, I want you to cease fire and remain on call to support the assault.
"Execute immediately!"
Report to Battalion:
"Am in contact with enemy mechanized platoon located just north of the Han Lu River Bridge. Have received small caliber mortar fire. The bridge is intact. Am fixing with one platoon and enveloping with the other two. Request immediate artillery support. Have sustained three casualties who may require medevac, more detailed casualty report to follow. Over."
Explanation
The area between Hills 119 and 271 is obviously a kill sack that 2d Platoon walked into. My immediate priority is to put suppressive fires on the enemy to relieve pressure on 2d Platoon and to set up an assault on the enemy position. My best suppressive weapons are the AAVs' up-gun systems with Mkl9 and M2 .50 caliber machineguns, and Hill 271 offers the best vantage point for them to set up a base of fire from hull-down positions. With my base of fire established, I will take advantage of the AAVs' amphibious capability to cross the river just to the southeast of Hill 305. Once I've reached the enemy's flank in the woods across the river, he will be forced to either displace or fight with vehicles against my dismounted infantry. While in the woods, such an option would place the enemy at a decided disadvantage. With good coordination between my assault force and my base of fire, I should be able to quickly secure the bridgehead. One of my key concerns to the successful outcome of my attack is the effectiveness of the enemy's indirect fire capability. This is why I am refraining from firing more than just smoke from my mortars. I want to retain my ammunition for counterbattery fire in case I can locate the enemy mortars which must be located in the near vicinity. Further, I would like to hold ammunition for use against any strong points encountered in the assault and to repel any enemy counterattacks.
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.
