Twilight
2000
By
The Dawn’s Early Light Campaign
Game Turn Three Mounted Group
During the time spent at Omega, Jesse (SFC Hodges) made sure there was a distribution of ammo, rations, and what ever fuel that could be found for the assembled troops, coordinating with the OIC. He also located his mare "FORSA"<slang for sugar>,
where the specialist from headquarters had brought her while he nursed the tincan to Omega. She appeared no worse for the wear, as he carefully checked her over in the twilight. He looked over the other horses that had been brought in with the trained eye of Montana horseman. Carefully checking the hooves and legs of all the stock he could. He selected a second mount from the herd, and led both the mounts back to the M113, where he'd stored his ruck, ferrier tools, and bag of food. He was apprehensive of the potential bugout from Omega. While travel as a group would give them added fire power it also made them a larger target, something Jesse didn't want to be. He figured traveling with one or two others would be the way to go, and planned to travel West by north west, using what cover he could, but he needed a travel partner. He was wishing he was back in the division trains again, there were plenty of horsemen there, but what had become of them, the lord only knew. Jesse loaded his ruck, the ferrier tools, and food pack on the spare mount. He felt a little guilty about doing this while there were others around that weren’t as prepared to make the split, but it was getting down to individual survival, and he had a family back in Montana that needed him alive. And that is what he planned to do,
stay alive and get home somehow. Jess wished there was some grain available for
the stock, but they would have to do as the prairie Indians of old had, let them graze. It
would be slow going, but that would have to do. It still beat walking all the way to who knows where. He was former infantry, but still would rather ride than walk.
By the time the attack occured at Omega, Jesse had made his preperations. As the order for mounted personnel to boogie, Jess tightend the cinches of both horses, attached the lead of the spare to Forsa, and headed for the southwest side of the perimeter at a trot, leading Forsa. AS he nears the perimeter, he will check for sign of approaching troops.. ?
He skirted around several Russian Infantry as he made his way through the perimeter. At least who ever had chosen the rally point had allowed for some good cover and secondary roads to permit unobserved movement for the most part.
Corporal Grey commented, "Remember the CSM told you to get all the horsemen and take off.” "Yeah, maybe I better hunt up the riders" Where do we meet up at though. Probably would better to stick together." Jess scratches his stubbly chin.
Upon hearing the CSM's orders I look over at Hodges & think .Glad you
taught me more about horses .( Jesse shoots me a smile.) What the heck
am I doing standing around. Upon hearing the CSM's orders about horsemen I shoot Jesse a look and head for the picket line and pick out an excellent horse (buffy) ,near Jesse . While we both are quickly prepping our horses we discuss where we are going . I tell him about my scout car ( Jesseshakes his head in wonder ) & my gear . We set up a security system of radio/ ground passwords & call signs .We decide on a rendezvous site .
I quickly ride up to the Captain O’Grady before he can leave .I find out which way
he is heading,< south > so I tell him about my scout car . I suggest he
follow me ,and have a mechanic ready. Corporal Carmine geets the nod. I ride Buffy 100 meters past the woods where the scout car is hidden . Ask the Captain. to keep the convoy moving while the mechanic & I go get the jeep . I Lead Buffy to the edge of the woods away from the fireworks ,and tie her to a tree . I lead the mechanic to the jeep as quietly as possible ,but looking for Amber ( horse ) as well.
. Corporal Grey told Corporal Carmine to carefully & quietly to unmask the jeep .he then got the distributor cap from his gear, and returned to the jeep .He handed over the part ,and ask for the cammo netting to be left aside . Upon finding Amber I greet her and unhobble her & lead her to her tack , near the jeep. I check up on the mechanic , offer help ,or hold the flashlight . I will put Ambers tack on her and hang my gear off the saddlehorn . Roll up the cammo net and put it on Amber .Corporal Carmine checks out the jeep and realizes it has seen better days but it is running on diesel. Ready to take off , I wave good by and lead Amber to meet Buffy . I load & secure Buffy with the cammo net and backpack I put M117SS on the saddle horn over a satchel containing 6 loaded 30rd.magazines over my .50 cal ammo stash. Safety & sling my rifle over my back so as it will not accidently get dammaged . Lock & load & safety M117SS and hang it back on saddle horn . Tie Buffy's reins to the back of Ambers saddle . Ride off to my rendevous with SFC Hodges , at a gentle pace so I can seeand avoid . Corporal Grey ducked around several Russian patrols that don’t seem to care about light or noise discipline.
Having only found the eight riders, Jesse moves to the assembly area at the west side of Omega."OK folks this is going to be hairy. We’re gonna travel about ten clicks west to some woods, then wait for a bit. Were gonna move slow and easy like, no galloping cavalry charges ya hear. At the woods we’re gonna link with another trooper. He's gone to get his stash." "Our challenge and password for the group is the number nine. In case you've forgotten how it works, the challenger gives a number, the password is the number plus the challenge that equals nine. For example challenge with six, the correct response is three. <looks around at the group> Who said math wasn't important in school. Don't use four as a challenge, cuz five is a likely response. Questions?" "I assume your all experienced horsemen to some extent, so I expect you to take care of your mounts as well as possible, and before you take care of your own personal needs. Horse / Saddle / Man just like inthe old cavalry movies. Got that?"
Everyone Nods /
{OOC} <Horse Travel Move 20/20 15kg grain and graze 8 hours>{BIC}
"Whose the ranking member amoungst you?"
Buck Sergeant Jensen, Four Deuce
"Your number two if I go down you have the
reins."
That’s been happening a lot lately Sarge
"For now we're E&Een from this place. When we get clear, then well decide on the next course of action. We will avoid contact if at all possible. Got that? Like I said, no cavalry charges. An no shooting unless it's unavoidable."
"Any heavy weapons with us?
Sergeant Jenson taps his M79 Blooper Gun, got a half dozen HE rounds, he also has a slung AK-47 (Jensen looks a lot older than most three stripers)
Specialist Carly Inf I got a 203 with 12HE and 1CS round
Specialist Drake has a pig with 150 rounds
PFC Bedsada Eng I got a Claymoore and some blasting caps beside my M9
Pvt’s Jones, Brown (female), and Frug have M-16’s with three to five mags each.
Whose a good pointman?
Everyone looks at Jensen with a 82nd ABN right shoulder patch and jump wings.
Got any radios?"
Besada has a 5/25Km radio but the battery is nearly shot and there aren’t any spares.
"OK troopers, well walk the mounts for the first couple of clicks, no sense wearing them out needlessly." Everyone nods, they all look real tired.
"<pointman> lead us out of here, westward. Keep a close eye on the man in front of ya, don't need anyone getting lost in the dark."
Sergeant Jensen puts his Blooper Gun across the top of his rucksack, unslings his AK and moves out. Westward.
Party heads out west along a trail in the woods, away from any points of ovbious contact.
All seem competant horsemen but you sense a kindred spirit in Brown, while Basada seems a little uncomfortable mounted.
As everyone gets ready SFC Hodges had noted five of his riders had good mounts and three above average. “Assemble near the west side move out in 15 mikes. OK Airborne lead the way.” A soft “hoorah sarge” came from the darkness.
Captain Giles , the Green Beret at the Rally Point, rides up alongside you as your leaving, you note he handles his horse well and it is lightly loaded. “Sergeant Hodges I need a favor,” pauses respectfully sizes Hodges up junior officer/to senior noncom.
My A-team prior to this offensive were all prewar regulers, most of us were Delta we got hit hard on our last mission, prior to this offensive. They sent me a Second Looey not long out of the Point and new kids straight out of snake school as replacements. Only 4 of us came back, myself and two Combat Engineers. We are hooking up with a Frog Para to pay Ivan back one last time and complete our mission. The kid speaks fluent Polish, knows how to ride and can handle himself in a firefight. He has the location of safe house where you can get some supplies and remounts in a Flash. They’re very pro MILGOV so be careful what you say. He’ll link up with you about 10 klicks west, they quickly exchange a couple of grid coordinates and passwords
“Do you plan on linking up with us later sir.” Anythings possible, my call sign is Watcher Six but don’t wait on us.” He pauses, give Jerry this and tell him nothing personal but this is something the original team has to do.A quick handshake and they went their separate ways. SFC Hodeges looked at what he had been handed a carefully folded piece of paper with a Silver Lieutentants Bar stuck through it.
Order of March
Sergeant Jensen>Point
Jones leading Jensen’s horse
SFC Hodges
Bedsada
Brown
SP Carley
Smith
Frug Horse Holder
SP Drake M-60LMG<Rear Guard
“Drake yor’re the rear guard don’t let anyone straggle or get lost”
“Rally Points will be designated enroute, if we get hit, wait one hour and if no one shows head west on your own.”
Lieutenant Krominoski had made his way to the rendezvous point by easily avoiding several Russian patrols. He approached the the coordinates of the regroup area if the Rally Point was untenable. Captain Giles had given the team several locations to check for friendly forces. Travel light, keep the group small, but go it alone and you’re a dead man. That was what the Captain preached. It was then the wild boar spooked his horse. He was thrown from his mount and to add insult to injury the horse gallopped off into the opposite tree line alerting the nearby Russian cavalry they had company. If he made a run for it they would pick him off for sure. A dozen dismounted cavalry with assault rifles advanced towards him. Several bursts of AK-74 fire zipped around his position. He grabbed his FN-FAL and returned fire causing the Russian’s to slow down and seek cover which was plentiful in the light woods.
Corporal Grey had been resting nearby the rendezvous when his solitude was interupted by bolting horse and rushing by his carefully picked out position in one direction and a dozen Russians heading the other way.
Sergeant Jensen went prone and with a short brief hand signal alerted the main body there trouble up ahead.
Special Drake suddenly hit the dirt and hammered out a burst from his M-60 to the column’s rear
R1
R3
< RG MB Pt SF R5 R6
R4
R2
USMC
SF=2nd Lt Krominoski spotted but in cover
R1,2,3,4= 2 Russians with AK-74’s spotted but in cover
R5 is one Russian with an AK-74 and one with an SVD Rifle spotted in very good cover
R6 is a Russian with a pistol and a Russian with a radio spotted but in very good cover
USMC is Cpl Grey not spotted in very good cover
Pt is Sergeant Jenson not spotted in cover he can see SF and R1 & R2
MB is the remaining riders except the rear guard not spotted
RG is Specialist Drake not spotted in cover
Terrain is light woods with plenty of trees and brush to use as partial cover, but full concealment is next to impossible; scale 1 inch equal 100 yards. Time is approx 0800.
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It now 0800 July 19th the temperature is 72 degrees, clear skies. We’re going to Squad Leader Map Three (in SL each hex is thirty meters for purposes of this game each hex is 500 meters). The purpose of the maps is to give a general idea of what the terrain is like not exact details. The next turn will cover 12 hours but break up your activities into four hour blocks. We may or may not be able to progress that far depending on Random Encounters and Your Activities. Keep in mind vehicle maintenance, when your characters ate, slept last and took care of other necesities. The Fire Fight takes place in B6 (two hexes over from the Big Number Three), in a wooded hex
Turn Four Write ups are due Midnite EST Saturday October28.
