NOTES
OoB: If the US Order of Battle seems odd, it is because the Marine company fielded is based more on actual TO&E rather than the list provided in Stripes.
SCENARIO: We played a modified version of “Hamburg Contact”, substituting the “Fog of War” cards for the objectives. First player to score 8 points is the winner.
GUNS UP!: All artillery is off-table and may only fire on a 4+ (similar to “Strike Aircraft” rule.)
PRELUDE:
It was a cold, dark morning as Major Puller wiped the sleep from his eyes. It was time to wake his Marines and get moving. He had been ordered to recon Route 1 near the village of Elsdorf and secure the main supply route for the Germans’ drive toward Hamburg. The wooded, rolling hills he had to cross provided some cover, but he wanted to gain as much ground as possible before dawn. No sense in crossing open ground in broad daylight, especially if those damned commies got to the village first. His aching joints crackled he rolled over onto his knees and stood. He could hear the platoon sergeants already rousing the Marines awake.
With little complaint, his Marines were ready to move out. It always impressed him how little fuss the Marines made—active duty Marines, always feeling superior to their Reservist brothers, were prone to complain about everything. A seasoned Gunny once told him, “If a Marine ain’t bitchin’ about something, he ain’t happy.” That wasn’t the case with these men. Sure, there were complaints, but not with the frequency or intensity of active Marines. They seemed to understand the sooner they completed their mission, the sooner they get home to their families, their jobs, and their education.
Quickly and quietly, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, moved through the fields and woods to assault positions overlooking Elsdorf. First and Third platoons would make the main assault while 2nd Platoon was held in reserve. The Machine Gun and Assault sections from Weapons Platoon were spread out among the rifle platoons to provide extra firepower while an anti-tank section from the Weapons Company was attached out to guard against enemy armor. To the company’s left flank, Puller positioned a Combined Arms Anti-Tank team of four Humvees—armed with a mix of TOWs, .50cals, and Mk19s—to watch the access road leading from the main highway into the village.
In the center, a platoon of LAVs had been keeping a watchful eye on Elsdorf. The platoon commander reported that a Russian Motorized Rifle company had taken up residence in the town, most likely with the same mission as Kilo Company. First platoon moved forward of the LAVs and dug in along the tree-line. Third Platoon moved off to the right, taking cover behind a low hedge.
Puller surveyed the terrain to his front through his NVGs. It would be dawn soon and crossing the open ground would be suicidal. He decided to let Ivan cross that ground instead. He mentally drew a line across the battlefield. Once Ivan crossed that line, he would kill him.
“First Sergeant,” he whispered. “Pass the word—no one fires until Ivan is in the open and I give the word. Copy?
“Aye, sir,” replied First Sergeant as he disappeared into the darkness.
“Skipper!” yelled Lieutenant Shoup in a hushed tone. “81s are moved up and in position behind that copse of trees with the Stinger teams behind us.”
“Roger that, XO.”
Everyone was in position and ready for a fight. Now, to invite Ivan to the party.
Kilo didn’t have to wait long. In the stillness, the heavy whine of strained helicopter engines rumbled across the German fields. Through his NVGs, Puller could make out the outline of four Mi-24 Hinds descending into the area. “Must be a helipad or something around here,” thought Puller. “Would love to catch those things on the ground.”
Just as the thought passed through his head, four missiles streaked up from behind his position, accompanied by the thump-thump-thump of chain guns echoed through the trees. In an instant, 3 Hinds came crashing to the earth, but not before the fourth managed to kill one of the SAM vehicles.
“Well, they know we’re here now,” Puller said sarcastically. “Might as well come out a play for a while, Ivan.”
Soviet artillery began landing in his company’s lines as BMPs began raking the trees. The Marines hunkered down in their fighting positions and took the beating. Among the cursing, platoon sergeants and squad leaders hushed their Marines under threat of physical violence.
“They’re firing blind,” Puller prayed. “They can’t know how many of us are here.” God must have been listening as word came down that no one was seriously hurt.
“Tanks!” hollered Shoup. “Tanks to our rear, sir!”
“It’s all good, XO. Those are ours,” I hope.
Three M60 tanks moved up along Puller’s left flank and joined up with the LAVs to support the CAAT section. They had spotted enemy tanks approaching along the access road and needed a bit more firepower. All of this commotion would surely draw the attention of the remaining Hind as it made another pass over the company’s position.
“He’s lining up for a shot!” thought Puller. “Someone better kill that bastard—quick.”
Red streams of light reached out of the darkness and embraced the Hind, wrapping it tight and bringing it down. Puller was fascinated by the sight, but for a few moments could not comprehend what had happened.
“Sir.” The voice Puller’s radio-operator snapped him out of his trance. “Gunfighter reports on station.”
Cobras had arrived. Time to draw them out.
“Casey,” Puller ordered his RO. “Have those cannon cockers put me a minefield just this side of town. He turned to Corporal Martinez, the Weapons Company Observer “and have 81s put a few HE into the edge of town. Let’s see if we can coax him out to fight.”
The Soviet commander’s attention was, by now, definitely focused on the developing situation in front of him. The CAAT section reported a second company motorized infantry approaching in BMPs.
As per procedure, Soviet artillery began hitting along Kilo’s positions again; this time, more intense. Puller knew he had just lost Marines, but he also knew the enemy was coming soon and his Marines needed to be ready.
As soon as the barrage lifted, the infantry came, firing from the hip in wild, unaimed bursts. They still didn’t know where exactly the Marines were and the AK rounds simply smacked into leaves and tree bark.
“HERE THEY COME!” Puller shouted. “LET ‘EM HAVE IT!”
All at once, the entire task force opened fire. In an instant, the colorful dawn sky was smeared with smoke and flame from burning T-72s and BMPs as Marine tanks, TOWs and Dragons found their marks. Soviet infantrymen began falling in droves, like wheat to a scythe.
They faltered.
They stopped.
Then they ran.
Platoon leaders seized the initiative. Shouted orders of “Get ‘em!”, “Run those bastards down!”, and “Charge!” rang through the woods as Kilo began pursuing the fleeing enemy. Puller could see a platoon of Russians, dazed and confused by the sudden violence of action, were cut-off and quickly dispatched by 3rd Platoon’s bayonets.
Only a single BMP tried to stem the tide, dispatching an M-60 with a Sagger before being blown to bits as it retreated into the now-forgotten-about minefield.
Seeing the enemy flee in terror, the Marines checked their pursuit. No sense in running up the score on a beaten enemy.
Puller, exhausted and out of breath, fell against the corner of a building on the edge of town. Looking through his binos, he had to laugh. He caught sight of a half-dressed and disheveled officer running north as fast as his fat little legs could carry him while his valet and staff tried in vain to catch up.
Go Marines…… Great Job and Report Devil Dog!
Great report.
Eight stars and recommend
I may have to change my system! I’m seeing a lot more solid seven and eights this week
OMG! I forgot Hawkins! That guy is from my area. He grew up just 25 miles from where I live.
Puller? Shoup? Bro I was hoping you were gonna drop Bonnyman or Hawkins next lol.
Great report 81’s!
Very nice report. Nice to see the Americans win, especially up north. Thanks
Thanks, everyone, for the comments
@Thomo1137 … i proxied four 81mm mortar teams from Tour of Duty and used the weapons stats from the LAV-M card.
For the 60mm section, I just used the stats as written, but allowed them to fire an Artillery template.
A nice AAR.
Another excellent report and Pictures PS81. Great win
nice terrain and keep Hamburg clean!
Wow, what a amazing report! Great job!
At this destruction ratio, I think the Stavka will have to rever to T34s soon enough! Commended!
How have you represented the Mortar Platoon? Are they on medium bases?
Semper Fi…. excellent job.
An excellent report. The US are showing they’re not the whipping boys this time round.
Commended too