These are two articles from Challenge Magazine issues 56 and 58. Both articles concern CivGov activities in Ohio and give a lot of information about locations and military forces in the state.
Lima Incident (by Paul T. Riegel)
This article concerns a CivGov mission to investigate the Lima Tank Plant and survey the state of Ohio. The 112th Medical Division stationed in Columbus Ohio is coming out in support of CivGov, but needs help to gain control over the situation in the Ohio region. They are suffering from the ravages of marauders, and MilGov's 194th Armored Brigade has also been testing the state's borders.
Some officers from the 112th Medical Division have travelled from Columbus to Frederick Maryland, by way of southern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. They informed CivGov that there are 30 M1 Abrams sitting outside of the former General Motors Lima Tank Plant, in Lima Ohio. The Lima Plant is occupied by a marauder group called the Lima Constabulary, and MilGov is also aware of tanks at Lima. The mission is to escort the officers back to Columbus, then proceed to Lima and secure the tank plant. They are then to radio Frederick about the number of tanks available, hold them and wait until tank transporters are sent from Frederick.
Getting There
There are three viable road routes to Ohio; 1-70 through Pennsylvania, US-40 through Pennsylvania, and 1-77 through West Virginia. Travelling along I-70 and US-40 will meet several large and powerful marauder groups in western Pennsylvania (Allegheny Uprising), although they are more scattered than before. Using I-77 will involve travelling through Virginia and then north through West Virginia. The journey should be quiet until the party reaches the vicinity of Charleston, WV were they will meet the Jameyson's Irregulars. Whichever route travelled the party will have to cross the Ohio River to reach Columbus.
The Ohio River: Most of the bridges on the Ohio are either unsafe or totally destroyed. There are three usable bridges at Wheeling, Portsmouth and Cincinnati. The Wheeling bridge is controlled by 275th Military Police Battalion. The Portsmouth Bridge is controlled by the Ohio Defence Corps, but is damaged and not capable of supporting anything over 5 tons. The Cincinnati bridge is controlled by a marauder group called the Cincinnati Pirates. Each of the small river towns have a limited ferry service for a price, but nothing large enough to carry a vehicle. In addition a large ferry service is operating at Marietta run by the river people. The first obstacle on the way to Lima is the 194th Armored Brigade. They are constantly putting out long ranged patrols to test the responses of the Ohio military, and could be encountered anywhere. .
Ohio
Ohio is divided into a series of fortified enclaves controlling various population centres and key positions. These are operated by the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio Military Reserve (OMR) that are still loyal to the governor. The OMR was authorised in the late 1980's as a backup force in case the Ohio National Guard was called up. This is what happened in the Twilight War, and the OMR is an unpaid, volunteer force of retirees, those unfit for service in the active branches, and those who just want to play soldier. Much of the state is not controlled by the state's enclaves, and is inhabited by small bands of farmers and refugees. In addition there are several active marauder groups, both former national guard and civilian. The largest of these numbers 500 and operates in northern Ohio, southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Most are however much smaller in size and in area of operation.
Columbus: The surviving Ohio state government is located in Columbus. The centre of the city has been abandoned and left to scavengers, and the city is now really four inter-connected refugee camps controlled by the government. The situation in Columbus is stable and all of the camps are well fortified. The largest camp is in the Dublin-Hilliard corridor to the northwest, with the others at Grove City and in the Reynoldsburg-Pataskala and Westerville-Sunbury areas. Patrols are regularly sent out into the surrounding area and into the city, and they have a regular messenger service with Lancaster. Columbus is the headquarters of the 112th Medical Division, and has 160 trained soldiers in four firebases, with another 250 full-time militia and 450 emergency militia.
Chillicothe, Washington Court House and Circleville Camps: These refugee camps located near the small towns of Chillicothe, Washington Court House and Circleville are among the best developed of the refugee camps under state control. They are large and gaining in population, but order has been maintained. All three camps are under their own control and have been heavily fortified. Patrols outside of the camps are non-existent but each camp has its own militia. Each camp has 10 trained soldiers and 125 full-time militiamen.
Cincinnati: The city is now sacked and nearly deserted, inhabited only by scavengers and those under the control of the Cincinnati Pirates. The Cincinnati Pirates have taken over the bridges on the Ohio River and occupied the riverfront areas of the city. They enforce a river crossing tax on all who pass through the city, and number 80 men. They have an M-47 Dragon ATGM with several rounds.
Coshocton: A small independent community that has constructed its own fortifications. It has a well established agricultural base and has universal conscription for all members of the community between 16 and 60. They are armed with a wide range of civilian and para-military small arms, and are extremely leery of strangers.
Defiance: Now known as Fort Defiance, this town is under the control of MilGov (1st Section, A Company, 194th Armored Brigade). This is a recon group from A Company that was sent to Detroit to gain spare parts for the 194th's vehicles. They were ambushed and withdrew to Defiance to await support which has yet to come. The 1st Section has 26 soldiers, 20 local recruits, 1 M113A5, 1 HMMWV-FS and 4 HMWWV. They mount extensive patrols out into the surrounding area.
Findlay, Fostoria and Tiffin Camps: This group of camps was hastily set up outside of the small towns of Findlay, Fostoria and Tiffany, to help refugees from the nuclear attacks on Lima and Toledo. They lacked basic facilities and the state had no units to send to aid the new camps, so they relied on local police and government to keep order. This failed miserably and the half trained and ill equipped 2nd Infantry Battalion OMR was committed to suppress rioting and restore order. They quickly learned how to rule through intimidation and force, which led to dozens of deaths but the camps have slightly improved and are now fortified. The 2nd Infantry Battalion has 55 trained soldiers and 60 full-time militiamen. They mount no patrols after dark and the camps have been extensively raided.
Ironton: This town was devastated by a nuclear missile which hit Catlettsburg, Kentucky across the Ohio River.
Lancaster, Logan, Nelsonville and Athens Camps: These refugee camps are located near the small towns of Lancaster, Logan, Nelsonville and Athens situated along Route 33. These four communities are under state control and are heavily fortified, and the surrounding areas are extensively patrolled. Most of the population is involved in agricultural production, and the camps are expanding from an influx of people from Columbus. The area is under the control of the 224th Air Defence Battalion, who have 56 trained soldiers, 200 full-time militiamen and 6 M-42 Duster AA vehicles and some Redeye SAM.
Lima: The city was extensively damaged by a nuclear strike. Those areas not affected are controlled by the Lima Constabulary, a group of escaped convicts who control the Lima Tank Plant. They have 35 men with para-military and civilian small arms.
Marietta: This town was deserted after Ironton was devastated and has never officially been repopulated. A group called the River People have moved in to inhabit and scavenge the town. The River People are hostile to all strangers and have attacked both independent travellers, Ohio military patrols and marauder groups. They have built defensive positions along the Ohio River and patrol their territory using an old converted river tug. The River People number 30 military trained men and 75 other armed men who are deserters, survivalists etc.
Marion, Bucyrus and Upper Sandusky Camps: These refugee camps located near the small towns of Marion, Bucyrus and Upper Sandusky are now independent, but they are lawful and trade with both CivGov and MilGov. The camps are overcrowded but are ordered and they are actively building new facilities for the residents. There are 20 military trained men, 60 full-time militia and 130 part-time militia.
Marysville, Bellfontaine and Kenton Camps: These refugee camps located near the small towns of Marysville, Bellfontaine and Kenton were among the last established, and have been abandoned by the state and are controlled by their own militia and surviving police forces. They have 15 military trained men, 70 full-time militia and 125 part-time mailmen. They also have 4 M35 trucks and 5M151 jeeps.
Portsmouth: This river town is controlled by the Ohio Defence Corps and A Company, 3rd Military Police Group. The town is in good shape despite being subjected to raids in the past by numerous marauder groups including the Jameyson's Irregulars and the Kentucky Mountainmen. The town is now heavily fortified on all sides, with 60 trained soldiers, 100 full-time militia and 160 part-time militia.
Toledo: The city was devastated by nuclear strikes on the oil fields and oil refineries to the west of the city. The town is now abandoned except for a handful of scavengers and thugs.
Waverly and Lucasville Camps: These camps were established to control the Ohio Correctional Facility at Lucasville, and have escalated into a major penal colony. Law and order is heavily maintained by the 3rd Military Police Group (less A Company at Portsmouth). They have established a heavily fortified camp in the small town of Waverly, and a large prisoner compound at Lucasville on the site of the Ohio Correctional Facility. There are 80 trained soldiers and 100 full-time militiamen.
Wheeling, West Virginia: Wheeling falls under this area due to the presence of A Company, 275th Military Police Battalion. The deserted city is now only inhabited by a small number of scavengers and the sole remaining bridge is fortified and occupied by 53 MP's.
Zanesville, McConnelsville and Cambridge Camps: These are a series of state controlled camps located near the small towns of Zanesville, McConnelsville and Cambridge. They are massively overcrowded and living conditions in the camps are among the worst in the state. The camps are patrolled by the 2nd Military Police Group, but the unit is so understrength that external patrols are impossible to undertake. The camps are guarded by 70 trained soldiers and 85 full-time militiamen, but have not been fortified and are frequently raided by marauders and even the Jameyson's Irregulars.
Lima Tank Factory
Although Lima was targeted in the nuclear attack on America, the tank factory has survived due to it being located in the north-eastern corner of Lima and escaping the worst of the nuclear last hit the southwest of the city. Fear of radiation has kept out scavengers, thieves and refugees, and most of the plant is intact. The Lima Tank Plant consists of several large buildings, one house and assembly line, one administration building, and one housing a subsidiary foundry. There is also a large parking lot to the rear to house vehicles until they were shipped out, and a railroad spur to ship vehicles out.
The 30 M1's reported at Lima turned out to be 3 operational M1's, and only one tank has complete armament. The tanks are parked out back and the buildings have hardly been touched by vandals. The tools and dies are intact and could be more valuable than the tanks, as they could be used to make more tanks. The tank plant is guarded by the Lima Constabulary. They have an observation post on a water tower, and maintain two foot patrols of four men out at any one time. The groups has 2 half a kilometre radios and no heavy equipment other than a few tear gas grenades.
A Little Recon Mission (by Paul T. Riegel)
This article concerns a CivGov mission to investigate reports of MilGov units from Wright-Patterson AFB who have been popping up all over south-western Ohio. They have been making friendly gestures to all groups they meet and seem to be looking for something. What they are looking for is a dud Soviet MIRV nuclear warhead that came down somewhere near Catlettsburg Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Ironton.
Ohio
Information is the same as from the Lima Incident, with additional information about other communities in Ohio.
Dayton, Kettering and Xenla Camps: These are surviving towns and refugee camps that have become overcrowded, and shortages have become a major problem. The towns trade with Middleton and Wright-Patterson AFB, and many of the pre-war local residents are fed up with the refugee problem and have expressed a desire to join up with MilGov. CivGov has 55 trained soldiers, 100 full-time militia and 200 part-time militia.
London, Springfield and Urbana Camps: These are refugee camps near the small towns of London, Springfield and Urbana. They are organised and among the most productive in Ohio, and they are major suppliers of food to Wright-Patterson AFB. The camps are overcrowded, but not excessively so, and the communities have established their own militia from former soldiers and policemen. The area is guarded by 30 trained soldiers, 100 full-time militia and 150 part-time militia.
Middleton: The town was overrun with refugees from Cincinnati and Dayton during the bomb scares. The 1416th Transportation Company of the Ohio National Guard was stationed in Middleton and quickly took charge, and without state aid established housing, farms and fortifications for the population. Since then the inhabitants of Middleton are very local to the 1416th Transportation Company which has stopped taking orders from the state government. The 1416th Transportation Company has 40 trained soldiers and 6 M151 jeeps with 3 M60 MG's.
New Richmond: This community was located at the site of a federal nuclear weapons plant, which has been shut down. The small community is guarded by the 2nd Battalion, 1st Military Police Group OMR who have established extensive defences to prevent marauders from stealing important equipment from the facility. There are 55 trained soldiers with 8 M60 MG's guarding New Richmond.
Oxford: This former college town is occupied by the renegade 54th Rear Operational Centre, who broke from state control and turned to raiding in the states of Ohio and Indiana. There are 45 trained soldiers and 60 local recruits with 6 M151 jeeps and 4 M60 MG's.
Richmond, Indiana: The small city of Richmond falls under this area due to the presence of MilGov forces in the city that border the state of Ohio. The MilGov force in Richmond is A Company, 194th Armored Brigade that was dispatched from Cairo, Illinois to support the military government in the state of Indiana. The unit has 60 trained soldiers, with 5 M1 tanks and 6 HMMWV''s. They have several border clashes with the 1st Military Police Group OMR in New Richmond.
Troy, Piqua, Sidney and Wapakoneta: These small communities were ignored for the most part by the state government, and have banded together to fend of marauders. They support the state government with food supplies, and in return get advisors and material. They have 45 trained soldiers and another 220 part-time militia, but their patrols have become easy prey for marauders.
Wright-Patterson AFB: Wright-Patterson airbase (known as WP) is located near Dayton, and is a USAF facility under MilGov control. Before the war WP was a major USAF base with two runways, It has since grown to incorporate the small town of Fairborn which is located beside the airbase. By 2000 Wright Field has ceased to function as a viable airfield, as its runway is overgrown and cracked due to lack of maintenance, and the electronics and equipment have been transferred to Patterson Field which is still functional. The grass areas have been converted to small farms to grow vegetables and fruit, and raise a small herd of cattle, hogs and chickens. Some of the hangers designed to house B-52 bombers have been converted to housing, except for Hanger 18 which is still classified, closed and guarded. Wright Field's base hospital is still open. Challenge Magazine doesn't state if any aircraft are still present at WP, but it is likely that a few still are. WP is also now the most heavily defended military base in Ohio. The enclave's defences are organised into three sections.
(1) Outer Ring: The outer ring encompasses the entirety of the base and the town of Fairborn, and consists of a number of guard posts along the roads and outpost bunkers, which are mostly monitoring stations for electronic surveillance systems. The outpost bunkers are log covered trenches with facilities for four men, with guards divided into two shifts. At all times one guard watches a TV monitor, and another guard scans the area with binoculars or with IR goggles at night.
Each bunker is equipped with a Geiger counter, 4 gas masks, a radio, 4 M16A2rifles, 1 M203 grenade launcher with 4 rounds, and 7 hand grenades. All the roads entering the perimeter have roadblock bunkers, with field-expediant concertina wire stretching across the road and sand bagged bunkers on either side of the road. Each roadblock bunkers has a bipod mounted M16A2, an M72 LAW, an M203 grenade launcher with 4 rounds, a 5 kilometre radio, gas masks and chemical suits. Two guards man each roadblock bunker and are armed with MP-5 or M231 sub-machine guns.
2) Second Ring: Perimeter bunkers are located every 1,500-2,000 metres, equipped the same as outpost bunkers with the addition of a starlight scope or a thermal imaging scope and a battery-powered white light-spotlight. The two entrances to the base are covered by a single roadblock bunker similar to those on the outer roads with the same armament and equipment. They also have an M60 machine gun in place of the bipod mounted M16A2, 4 additional grenades, and a night scope and starlight scope for the M60. Each entrance also has an M880 truck, an M35 truck and a HMMWV. Located 1,000 metres behind the main entrance is a supporting bunker which houses an M47 Dragon anti-tank missile with 4 reloads, and an M40 sniper rifle with night vision scope.
3) Inner Ring: WP inner ring defence is a rapid reaction force. The inner defence is centred around two ground surveillance radar systems, one covering each airfield. Four man or two man/two dog teams patrol inside the perimeter. An emergency response team consists of two Peacekeeper armored cars with Mark 19 auto-grenade launchers, 15 airforce security police and 35 local recruits.
Behind the base defences are the airfield control/ operations building, base headquarters and hangers and a few other buildings. The airfield control building and base headquarters are heavily guarded. Both building have 2 M60 machine guns and 1 M2HB heavy machine gun in sand bagged emplacements. There are more vehicles parked near the base headquarters, a mixture of Peacekeepers, M880's, M35's and HMMWV. The base headquarters houses the armory which is well stocked and includes a number of Stinger SAM missiles among other interesting items. The article doesn't state if any avgas is stored at WP or how many personnel are at the base, but it is likely that about 200 airforce personnel and at least the same number of local recruits are at WP.
The CivGov team is tasked with penetrating the base and discover what MilGov is up to at WP. This will be a tough assignment due to the strength of the defences at the airbase. If the team manage to infiltrate the airbase they will discover that the WP enclave is not recruiting for MilGov, but conducting a radiation survey. WP is acting on information transmitted from NORAD during the nuclear exchanges, about a Soviet warhead that came down without impacting in Kentucky just across the Ohio River, or in Ironton on the Ohio River. To this end WP dispatched the 477th Nuclear Emergency Response Team to conduct a recovery mission, with an M35 and M880 truck, and an armed HMMWV. The 477th was ambushed by marauders and only one member survived. The CivGov team may encounter the survivor before it reaches WP, and in either case will inform CivGov in Columbus that are assisting in the recovery of the nuclear warhead as neither CivGov or MilGov will want in to fall into hostile or non-government hands. If the team recover the warhead they will likely take it back to WP, as it is known that a few members of CivGov in Columbus are friendly with a New America cell in Ohio.
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