NA Infantry Formations

[kalos72]

So in the URBAN GUERILLA module they talk about infantry formations taking upwards of 200% casualties.

How do you think those formations are set up? Do they just wade into the opposing force with inferior weapons and just over run them?

I am trying to envision the type of unit some might put together just to increase their numbers. Ballistic shields to close and then hand to hand with machetes or something?

Whats the lowest type of organized infantry you can envision in T2K?

[Webstral]

I suspect that New American infantry formations are organized along lines that would be very familiar to American soldiers. Local adaptations will be necessary due to equipment, manpower, and circumstances. However, given the strong influence the US Army and USMC are likely to have on the organization, the light formations probably are organized more-or-less along US Army lines. The armored car formations probably are based on the three-vehicle or four-vehicle platoon model with three platoons and a headquarters section of two vehicles making a company.

Manpower shortages being what they are, even New America probably tries something more sophisticated than human waves. The so-called Big Bad One of Urban Guerilla is supposed to be a superior formation.

Two hundred percent casualties certainly is a high number, but it doesn't necessarily indicate that the unit is used without any regard for its troops. This unit has been in action for some time. One percent casualties per day of engagement means that in two hundred days of engagement the unit has suffered two hundred percent casualties. If the formation has been fighting for eighteen months, this is enough time for the Big Bad One to have been involved in a large number of engagements resulting in one percent casualties, plus enough time to be rotated to the rear to absorb replacements. A few big fights might cost the formation three or ten percent casualties, after which time it would absorb replacements. A hardened core of NCOs and company grade officers would emerge from this kind of treatment.

Bear in mind that it's the FNG who is at greatest risk. A seasoned platoon sergeant will have a lot of new privates shot out from under his supervision when a unit is constantly moving between combat and refit over the course of several months. Urban combat results in a high turnover of personnel. Just ask Sixth German Army.

Webstral

[Abbott Shaull]

One has to remember the NA Infantry were general made up of basic non-citizens or citizens with fewer right trying to make their way up. Think of the so called Color Regiments of the Civil War era. The few of troops rose above the rank of Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Sergeant Major. These Regiments were usually commanded by a white officer and his staff. Units below if there were enough able body junior officer willing to commit suicide they sent to these units to command Companies and the Company Staff (back then Platoons weren't used like they were today, they usually had 1 1st Lt and if lucky 2 2nd Lt to command the two platoons that they operated with back then). Otherwise the First Sergeant and his junior Sergeants were left in charge of Company, with maybe a lucky NCO who got promoted to be Lt or even Captain if they were able to run tight Company without any white officer supervision.

Movie Buffalo Soldier is the one example that comes to mind.

The NA put a new twist on this as they used their Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry units of Thirds and Seconds more or less an cannon fodder as they took their urban respawn outward from their power base. Much like the Roman did back in their Empire heyday they entice people to join them with offers of moving up the ladder in Citizenship. On the down side, if you survive and did raise in standing, you were very lucky and now are Senior Sergeant or unlucky you were mangled up pretty bad and now you are left on your own get by.

Some of the battalions would take care of their own who couldn't take to the field as best as possible by finding jobs people could do within the Battalion back at Base Camp such as cook, armorer, and other misc jobs...

The Senior NCOs and the few Junior Officer from the ranks may have rose into the next bracket above too begrudgingly.

Webster does bring up a good point. There will be a time when getting new recruits will start to drop off. They have stated in the book it is tough to find enough First to send in take Battalion and Company command level positions with these units. Up to then many of these First volunteered to led these troop knowing that it was basically suicide due to how these troops were used. With that said it would be hard press to find limited Battalion Command component and maybe Captain who were First by birth in command at company levels. Many of the Companies though were left to senior NCO who were Seconds and Thirds or maybe a newly minted Lt with their upgrade in citizenship as a First or Second leading them a Company.

As for organization since the leadership of the Defense Force is an ex-paratrooper. I would suspect they would follow the Light/Air Assault/Airborne Battalion organization as close as possible. A unit of Thirds would be luck to have shotguns mostly with some hunting rifle and maybe a military piece of equipment here and there. A unit of Seconds would have more Police and Military hardware, but it will still be dated. A unit of First would have the best of best equipment in hand and would be more recognizable as military force. As threat factors all the units are dangers and don't sell Thirds or Second short, and don't take a unit of First too lightly either (even if they usually the last units committed).

[Webstral]

According to Urban Guerilla, the First Regiment of Thirds (Big Bad One) enjoys the luxury of a waiting list for enlisted Thirds and white officers. This formation apparently is the real deal. Other regiments of Thirds are of lesser quality. There's also an artillery outfits of Thirds that is quite good.

It would be interesting to know what kind of equipment the FRT uses. If the New Americans equip the FRT in accordance with their philosophy, then the Thirds are using shotguns and hunting rifles. It would be interesting to know whether they have some submachine guns, machine guns, grenade launchers, mortars, etc. It also would be interesting to have a look at their tactics. The FRT operates in developed territory. Given their weapons and the nature of the terrain, I wonder if the FRT fights like the armies of the night: maneuver under cover followed by close-in assault that ends in hand-to-hand combat. Daylight operations might be a variation on this theme, with riflemen providing sniper and covering fire while the assault force moves into position. Do the FRT have grenades?

On a personal note, I find it a shame such a high-quality formation works for the bad guys. This means they might have to be defeated in combat and perhaps even destroyed--unless someone can manage some sort of political action that defeats the will of the New Americans in western central Florida to fight. Ah, what a shame!

Webstral

[Abbott Shaull]

I am sure the FRT gets to keep most of the loot they captured to help equip the Regiment. One of the thing was when it was organized it could pick and choose who they wanted, and being one better trained units of them. Yet, still they have only so many new recruits.

[kalos72]

The module does tend to imply that they really get the sh*t end of the stick for most things. Equipment would be my biggest question really...

As for the most basic infantry for an organized settlement, would they be organized along military lines just equipped with inferior weapons and support most likely?