Twightlight
2000
By
The Dawn’s Early Light Campaign
Game Turn Five Mounted Group
English Weak transmission "Polish 10th Tank division spotted moving north, estimate 2 T-72, 10 T-55, two dozen support vehicles" Break "over" Break "copy US Engineers being forced to work on Warta Bridge by threatening captured US medical...automatic gunfire
Radio Intercept American Voice; "This is the Armed
Forces Radio Network broadcasting to all USEUR Personnel, HOME, HOME, ANY
BEACON, and HOME Task Force 34 September " Break "Rally at the
assigned collection point"
Last Week on the Grey Ghosts
SFC Hodges "Any idea what Drakes shooting at?" he asks Carley. “Thought I saw a couple of guys low crawling, something stirring up the brush anyway Sarge.” ‘Carley, keep us covered with the blooper, but watch your back. We have company in front of
us.’ Jess scans the area indicated for contact, then scoots in a crouching run to Drake where he drops down beside him. "Well now that you've let everybody know where we
are, what exactly were you firing up?"*******************
"We have bad guys to our front, ready to ambush us. Our point has them spotted and is about to engage fully. Keep an eye on the rear, but don't be burning ammo needlessly at shadows and moving brush. There's all sorta critters in these woods besides the bad guys." Jess dashes back to Carley. "OK we leave Frug and Smith to cover Drake and
the back door. You come with me ."As he get's to Frug he takes Frug and Drakes
horse, along with Smiths. "You both will watch the back door with Drake.
We have trouble up front, and linkup in the area, so don't be shooting at just anything. Make sure of your target." Takes the three horses to Brown to hold <she now
has five with her own. "Brown, here's three more to hold. Can you
manage ok? not a problem Sarge, recruits in our renactment group acted as Horse Holders during dismounted drill. We have trouble up front, and possible probers to the rear. Things get too hairy, let the horses go and we'll track'em down later." Jess and Carley pass Beds, holding Forsa and the pack animals." You OK Bed? We have two way contact probable, and the link up in the area. Things get too hairy, let the horses go and we'll track em down later." He gives Forsa a tender pat on the neck as he moves on. At Jones position. "Jones, take your mounts back for Bed to hold. We have a link up to make and hostiles in the area, especially the front. Take the left flank to cover, just besure of your target before you shoot."
As the Ghosts successfully disengaged they head for the designated regroup area
Grey arrived in
camp just before 1400 hrs. The last one back. Found Sergeant First Class Hodges
and checked if anyone has medical experience. He pointed
to Jenson who is just finishing up with the Lieutenant. I checked in with the
green Beenie Lieutenant and Sergeant Jenson , Jesse said you were the person I should see
about my arm
What do you think can you patch it up ? "Let me take a look" ‘Do I
have to go to a surgeon?’
"No but I don't see one even if you did" ‘Or just stitches’
"Holes aren't big enough to require stitches." Points to the exit
wound, ‘cauterization via gunpowder ? " "Looks fancy but not
necessary, you need to seriously increase your fluid and ration intake, give your
body some building blocks to work with and rest so you don't weaken yourself
further." He pauses, you can ride and shoot but you'll need to brace your
weapon to keep the strain off the arm. No Rambo stuff. Corporal
Grey," Thanks Doc , & would you also be suggesting bed rest & a
pretty nurse ( smile )...”Yeh just take your pick from my harem,” ‘Thanks again
,Oh bye the way How’s the Lieutenant?’
“Shot in the butt should make an interesting purple Heart Citation.
Corporal Grey comments "I picked
up some strange chatter on the net when I was trying to make contact with you
guys earlier too. A weak English transmission "Polish
10th Tank division spotted moving north, estimate 2 T-72, 10 T-55, two dozen support vehicles. or some thing like that" "Any of you know where the 10th Poles might have
been? Sure don't need tanks hitting our flanks."
{OOC}
Jess has been checking the horses for lameness, etc, and insuring the
riders are caring for the horses properly, which they seem to be doing quite
well. He also has established a guard roster of sorts, but with Jenkins input,
since he has been with these people longer
Note the LT and Hodges are not on the rosters, but will be on duty input!!
Guard Roster
LT Krominoski oxx
SFC Hodges oxx
SGT Jenson oA
CPL Grey oB
SPC Carley oC
SPC Drake oA
PFC Bedseda oB replaces Drake on the pig
PVT Jones oC replaces Bedseda on the pig
PVT Brown oA
PVT Smith oB
PVT Frug oC
Shift/Day>>1 2 3
0000-0200 A C B
0200-0400 B A C
0400-0800 C B A
0800-1200 A C B
1200-1600 B A C
1600-2000 C B A
2000-2200 A C B
2200-2400 B A C
If more than three on guard at one
time, then consecutive day shifts are utilized. ie A
would pull 0000-0200 for day one, but then 0200-0400 day two next on the SAME
day to have 2/3 stand to, rather than 1/3.. clear as mud? Sergeant
Jensen "airborne" approached Lieutenant Krominoski and said,
"Sir you want me to take a look at that wound, should make for an
interesting Purple Heart Citation" he pauses as he gets out his aid bag,
and says quite formally "While executing a tactical advance to the
rear..." he gets the impression the L..Tee... most likely is not amused.
Corporal Grey " What kind of gear do you have cached & where is it Lt.
? " a few wpns, a little ammo, six remounts, and feed.
" If the gear is truly mission essential , I could recon ahead. I will
head in alone or with someone here, if they are skilled enough to be a spotter
." I will go on ahead instead of my watch .After I finish getting patched
up , Feed & RESTED . " " I won't be any good to any one if I
don't . "( the tone gently implies I will not ordered .)" Jesse what
do you think ? " SFC Hodges, scratches the stubble of his chin as he
contemplates his answer.
"Well I guess we can use the equipment, what ever it is. <with a sly
smile> Ya know those snake eaters have some neat toys. <light laff>
Right LT?" "As for recovering it, where is it stashed? Lt, “Captain
Giles said, "It will come to you in a flash" ‘We need to get out of
the battle zone before we do any wandering about too much. "Those darn
mortars could have done us a J. O. B. for sure. That wasn't a regular patrol
out there, and they had the link point zeroed. Too much of coincidence in my
opinion. A sneak peek is
truely in order. If your volunteering Grey, then it would be you and the LT,
since it's his stash and he knows where it is." "We need to police
all arms and ammo from the bad
guys in the future too if possible. Beds only has a pistol, and the pig doesn’t
have alot of ammo, so we need a couple of more long guns at least for Beds and
Drake. "Since the LT lost his horse, Jess will redistribute the load on
the other pack animals, since theirs is a diminishing load <food, water, and
ammo>, and give the LT his second mount.
"LT, let's try not to loose that one OK?" Jess says with a smile.
Lt Krominoski said, Well Cpl I certainly think it is worth checking out and
maybe on the way we can pick up the equipment
I have stashed. If we do check it out we are gonna need to really recon
the area first but I think we should at least give it a shot. What do you guys
think about getting the equipment on the way there.
Cpl Grey comments, “After Checking in with you both, while getting re-bandaged
by Sgt. Jenson . " I picked this radio transmission up on my way here.
What do you think?" "It could be a trap but it sounded like an
American voice ." AFRN ( To all USEUR personel , HOME, HOME, ANY
BEACON,AND HOME Task Force 34 September .) break ( Rally at the assigned CP.”
SFC Hodges "Sure could be a
trick, but if it isn't I sure don't know what it means." "HOME? any
beacon? rally at assigned CP? What do they mean by CP? Command post? control
point? what is CP?" "Airborne(Sergeant Jensen), what do you make of
it? You know of any assigned CP?’ ‘Sarge I think I know what’s up. The CSM said
the Division Commander was a big fan of the book Starship Troopers. If
he’s retransmitting a message from higher HQ he’s adding his own code that he
hopes the troops will pick up on and Ivan won’t. CP is probabily Collection
Point Home and any Beacon would be a retrieval boat, and home is Bremerhaven.
When we transfer or receive troops from the Mideast that’s where the arrive or
ship out.” Suddenly Jensen looked a little embarrassed...
Corporal Grey" Jesse who
ever wants my M117SS(ss=suppressed
scoped ) can have it , and the mags 5 full & 1 empty , It is zeroed at 200
meters . I have some other stuff you may have ."Ya sure about that?"
Jesse asks with a raised eyebrow. “I will need to travel light . Butt pack
,webgear , Ghillie ,& rifle. I will leave the rest of my gear with you
& Buffy my second horse,no snooping please<smile> .SFC Hodges, With a
light laff "And what kind of secrets are you keeping form us Corporal
Grey? Don't worry about snoopers. I catch them and they are in BIG trouble...
nothing worse than a thief, especially from your buds. "Also there is a
25'x25' cammo netting would suggest it be cut in to cloaks for you all to wear
.Also donating some smoke grenades 7 gray smoke.” SFC Hodges,
"Sounds like a plan. Airborne, see to it OK." Jensen replied, “As you
say sarge.” Hodges continued, “Also think we should avoid any other known rally
or caches. I think that is why we keep getting hit. " "Could be. But there has to be serious
breaches for that to happen, but guess Ivan has all the notes now that the
division is kaput." "Private caches shouldn't be too much problem.
Just use extreme caution. We need to keep radio traffic to a minimum too. Lt
Krominoski: I am all for recovering the stash I also have a M4 I could
"LOAN" to someone for a while it has an underslung GL with a couple
of HE rounds that would add to our fire-power if we get in a bind. But if we
are going to get that stash I don't think we will be doing any long range
plinking (patting FN-FAL with scope) so I have been thinking about using it
myself. But as far as the stashes contents I am not quite sure though at the
very least we could get some ammo out of it. The CO wasn't to specific about
content just on location of the place. { But maybe I can come up with some more
details for you if I think hard enough (GM?) It will come to you in a FLASH
thundered the Great Green Beret in the Sky} Regardless I'd like to un-ass
the A.O. pretty soon, and a non-commie horse would be most appreciated....don't
worry about the commie part of that, just something I have been doing. (shakes
head slowly, while
muttering under his breath)
Corporal Grey, " I wander around
camp talking to folks about spotting for me .
If they are interested tell them what’s to be expected & ask what they are
qualified to do & field experience or any relevant experience. All the
while politely eating and drinking, only when they are talking .Paying very
close attention to what they are saying & how it's said .
"Well I propose we keep
moving west as steadily as possible for now. We can RON here and move out at
first light, which is about 0400. We should all be rested enuff by then. I say
move west for the day, and locate a good hide." "As for the stash the
LT has been talking about. I thought it was his personal hide, but it seems to
be a team hide. I would prefer to leave it intact for now, the rest of his team
might need
it worse than we do right now." "Hey LT I have something here for you
from the
Cap." HE hands him the papers and the silver bar ."Congratulations
sir ."smiling at the new 1LT.
"But I dont recommend putting that shinny bar anywhere Ivan can
spot it easy."
A Chineese fire drill with the new
loaner weapons
is done. Airborne is given the silenced CAR, Beds gets the AK that Airborne
had, and Drake will get the LT's CAR. The pig is put on a pack animal, it's too
cumbersome for shooting from horseback anyways, but will be used for camp
defenses, or as the need arises.
"Sarge I acquired that AK
the hard way and personally prefer it to any of this American Issue, less maintenance and more knock down, but
you're running the show"
"Hey Airborne (Sergeant Jenson), you want to keep the AK, so be it. Not a
problem. I'll just give Beseda the silenced CAR for now. This is a cold camp by
the way, no fires or lights. Ensure Airborne has cut up the tarp and made the
capes for the riders ."Grey, how about running long point for us. Say
about a klick out front. Stay off the air unless there's real trouble. Every
hour hold up till we catch up with you. If you need a second man, pick
him." Looks at the map Grey has.
"We'll try for Leszno area, unless someone has a better idea. If I
recall a briefing from way back, there were Free Poles in the area that might
be able to get us out of here." "LT you have any input on that
area?"
{OOC}
2001-2400 in camp, discussions, resting and guard all the "chatter"
takes place during this period, as well as the equipment shuffle.
0001-0400 encamp, resting and guard
0401-0800 mount up and move westerly, unless the
others have vetoed Jesse.
Sergeant First Class Hodges planning resting, checking stock, moving west
{OOC}
Krominoski will:
1st hour: tend to wound Eat a MRE clean weapon
2nd hour: harness/ check out new horse refill mags back to 6 full mags (-60
loose rounds)
distribute equipment
3rd & 4th hour:
take orders from Cpl Grey as I am new right now (the whole discussion part)
gimp along with the group (if riding it to painful)
(brand spanking new) 1st Lt Krominoski, out.
First Lieutenant Krominoski and Sergeant First Class Hodges talk about guard & direction & departure time." Memorise who is before ,my watch, and after. (set my watch to wake me 5 minutes, before I'm due on watch Then I wander off.) I take care of my horse & sorting out my gear from the donated stuff . Jenson takes care of the donations. I grab a couple of MRE's from group stores. Then While eating I go in search of a spotter, by talkingto every one who is awake for an 1.5 hrs . I then Catch some rest . I pull my designated watch or watches by very quietly moving around with my binoculars, and all other senses . I eat & drink on watch but very quietly, to help build up my strength . Wake up my relief and make sure he is awake by talking to him for 10 minutes quietly . Then I set my watch alarm & head back to sleep . At 0415 I check in with who ever is in charge of the watch and Tell them I'm Getting ready to head out on my advanced scouting mission . Refill canteens & put .50 cal mags back in web gear , & load up Amber, I'm off leading Amber with all of my gear on her, except for buffy's saddle and tack , & donated items . If a suitable spotter is found they come as well . We move silent ,we move deadly , we are careful ,we are a Marine and his horse. Pausing to Look and Listen (L&L) every few minutess. but alwasy staying in cover or shadows ,or both . Get a km. or so ahead and do a real good recon .
It had been a long day and
everyone was getting tired. You walked as much as you rode. Sergeant First
Classes Hodges was determined the horses wouldn’t be worn down or go lame
because they had pressed to hard, Ivan not withstanding. Still everyone
wondered how Ivan had known about about the meeting location? First Lieutenant
Krominoski during one stop noticed that his pack had taken a few fragment hits.
Everything seemed OK except his beret was ventilated in a few spots. Even the
stitching on the 20SFG FLASH was loose. Then the folded slip of paper fell
out....
{The difference between a Fairy Tale and a War Story is...a Fairy Tale starts out once upon a time...while a War Story begins with...No shit this really happened}
Anyway it was earlier request that the rest of the troop be fleshed out and more information provided. As was pointed out at the time there weren’t any 201 Files handy and nobody was saying a lot. Troops tend to talk and as time has passed the following information has come out about the various members of the Grey Ghosts. This information is far from complete but its what has come out so far.
Sergeant Anthony Jenson “Airborne” 50+y/o (Jump wings and 82nd Airborne patch on right shoulder) carries an AK-47 which he acquired many years ago while serving as follow up forces for the Rangers in Grenada. He injured his back a short time later in a HALO Jump and was removed from jump status. This caused him to not re-up and he joined the Louisiana National Guard. He comments “yeh they used to say I needed zippers on my chevrons.”
Specialist 4 James Carly early 20’s, joined the Army in 95, planned to do one tour, get out, and go to college. Carries a 203 and is from Louisville, Kentucky. Has experience as a Forward Observer.
Specialist 4 Fred Drake late teens, 6’8” 250 pounds, M-60 gunner, reservist called up in 97 after the initial nuke strikes. Hails from Nashville, Tennesse. He likes both kinds of music Country and Western. Plays the harmonica, badly. Has a Confederate Flag in his back pack. Knows how to set up and run a still.
Private First Class Chuck Besada, early 30’s, Louisiana National Guard, prewar Construction Worker and Demolitions Man. Makes people nervous when he plays quick draw with his pistol. Fanatic about Wyatt Earp knows everything about him. Qualified to drive a Bradly IFV.
Private Ruford Jones early teens, barely out basic training six months, doesn’t say much. Seems to miss home, looks at a high school prom picture a lot and keeps to himself. Caught his finger in the bolt of his M-16 at least twice doing functions checks.
Private Amanda Brown early 30’s, flunked out of Officer Candidate School in 96. Something about not being cooperative enough. Member of the Army and US Olympic Equestrian Team, participated in the 92 Olympics but didn’t place. Average appearance likes to skeet shoot.
Private Wilber Frug early teens, has a crush on Brown , but she doesn’t seem to notice. Hails from San Francisco, California. Former Company Commander’s driver back when they had Hummers, gas and extra troops for that sought of thing. Will take exceptional chances to protect her, always delivers her rations, protects her privacy, gets very upset if anyone curses around her.
Tactical advance toward Leszno proceeded through out most of the day making fair progress about 25 klicks without pushing the horses. Around 1800 Corporal Grey heard shooting up ahead as he ran recon for main group
{The map for this encounter is at my Merc 2000 Link use the Inland Map / Map 4}
Scale is 100 yards to the hex and each contour line is 25 meters
Stream 0203 to 0504 is about 8 meters wide, slow moving and appears shallow
Stream 1603 to 1410 is about 10 meters wide, slow moving and appears shallow.
Bridge in 1606 is of wood construction single lane and could support light traffic, nothing heavier than a HMMWV
LOCATION C all the buildings appear to have been leveled a long time ago by a heavy artillery barrage
LOCATION D all the buildings appear to have been leveled a long time ago by a heavy artillery barrage
Woods 1306 Staff Sergeant Molestein near a motorcycle, in cover
LOCATION B Small Poilish settlement with a dozen farmers and and 3 or 4 children working in the surrounding field 0902/1002 field they took cover when the shooting started
LOCATION A abandoned village nothing of apparent value, several buildings intact most have shreaded roofs all have bullet holes
Hex 0310 Grey Ghosts main column
Staff Sergeant Scout Molestein had reported the bridge at Sieradz wasn’t blown. Soviet Motor Rifles had overwhelmed the Security Detail and chewed up the rear guard as well. His platoon continued to try and set charges while the fighting erupted around them. An AT missile made short work of the 7th Engineet Battalion’s last M728 Combat Engineering Vehicle attached to his platoon. The Platoon Leader bought it at the same time. All but two of his platoon fell in fierce fight that had ended hand to hand. He had tried to get his last two men out, flagging down a frantic nurse in an Ambulance Hummer. She took his two wounded and hauled ass. Meanwhile he confirmed that the bridge was intact and Ivan was pouring across. A hectic trip back to the Rally Point , dodging patrrols and hordes of stragglers from both sides. Reporting the situation at the bridge to Major Owens, who didn’t seem to care or have a clue. The CSM was drinking beer and everyone else doing their own thing. Next he found his men had died of their wounds. Then all hell broke loose as Ivan hit the Rally Point. Grabbing his gear and hoping on his dirt bike he had been on the run ever since.
He crossed a beat up wood bridge late that afternoon and started thinking he better find a place to hold up and rest for awhile when a barrage of badly aimed shots rang out. {OOC Muzzle flashes seen from hex 1208}. Scout headed straight for the nearest cover. A beat up and long untended orchard (1306). He almost made it as a well aimed shot smoke visible (0907) shreaded the front tire of his bike and sent him skidding sideways. He took cover behind the bike fired off several long suppressive bursts (Used 1 mag). The fire from the bombed out buildings slackened for a couple of minutes He rolled clear of the bike and sprined the last 10 meters to the grove.
Corporal Grey had witnessed all of this and though crap I’m getting to old for this as another shot from the hill rang out, dropping his horse Amber. One through the head, man what is this place a snipers convention he thought. Taking cover behind the horse he readied his Barret Fifty but had no target. His radio had been jarred loose and was out of reach. Oh well I think they know something is going on.
Sergeant Jensen Airborne signaled for the group to stop and then pitched back violently as another shot rang out. Falling to the ground a large red stain started spreading very fast from his chest soaking his BDU Shirt.
Corporal Grey saw the flash and barrel poking out of a clump of brush; and said to himself, you mine sucker and snapped off a shot. The recoil of the massive rifle hurt his previously wounded arm but he tried to ignore it. The rifle barrel dropped. Suddenly his world went dark and he though damn that hurts...as he saw a very bright light.
Staff Sergeant Molestein was laying low but fire aimed his way from the rubbled buildings wasn’t very accurate. He snapped off several short bursts trying to conserve ammo (4-3 round bursts) as a barrel or body part presented itself. At least the sniper was busy with someone else. Maybe there were friendlies out there...
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It is 78 degrees, clear skies, no breeze, the time is 1830 it we dark by 1900 continue your turn until 0800 the next morning. Next Turn due Sunday Noon EST 19 November
