High Command

[ChalkLine]

One of the classic things that became not so much a 'problem' but more a odd point was what did the GM do when the players got hold of a radio and asked higher command for orders.

For European PCs this was an especially important aspect because their characters were effectively still at war whereas after Going Home US characters should either join the Bundeswehr or evacuate to the CONUS.

A big aspect of this is of course if the players do rejoin a unit then often they will be broken up and attached to their correct arms of service. The NCOs will be split up and put in command of several enlisted men (there's rarely any E1s in twilight 2000!) and the officers attached to other units as well.

I though this might be a good thread for us to come up for missions for PCs from high command when the PCs are not in proximity of coherent NATO unit.

My first thought was of a 'straggler collection point'. The PCs are instructed to entrench into a small settlement and stragglers will be directed to them by radio. When they have collected enough the PCs do a 'cannonball run' towards the nearest NATO unit and drop off the collected stragglers. They may also be used possibly for prisoner swaps as an afterthought.

[Legbreaker]

Initial orders would have to be along the lines of getting back to friendly lines while inflicting what damage was possible on the enemy along the way. Given the distances involved and slow pace of movement due to lack of fuel, etc I'd think actually reaching a point where reassignment becomes an issue probably wouldn't happen - evacuation on TF-34 would probably be well under way.
Once embarked, some amount of reorganisation may occur, and the easiest way to keep the PCs together may be a few promotions and possible NPC additions (who may just desert once hitting US soil).

[ChalkLine]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

Initial orders would have to be along the lines of getting back to friendly lines while inflicting what damage was possible on the enemy along the way. Given the distances involved and slow pace of movement due to lack of fuel, etc I'd think actually reaching a point where reassignment becomes an issue probably wouldn't happen - evacuation on TF-34 would probably be well under way.
Once embarked, some amount of reorganisation may occur, and the easiest way to keep the PCs together may be a few promotions and possible NPC additions (who may just desert once hitting US soil).

I'm assuming the players 1) want to stay in Europe, and 2) want to stay together

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by ChalkLine

I'm assuming the players 1) want to stay in Europe, and 2) want to stay together

I may be wrong but aren't the only US units of note staying behind, which still obey higher command, part of XI Corps? These units are effectively cut off (more by terrain than enemy) and can't withdraw anyway.
Would seem to me that unless the PCs headed in that direction, the risk of their "unit" being broken up and reassigned would be fairly minimal.

[Olefin]

Also keep in mind that some units stayed behind and didnt leave Europe who made it back to Germany - and that some of the HQ units stayed behind and didnt join the evacuation - they may have done so to try to coordinate possibly getting the XI Corps back to friendly lines eventually

Other alternatives could be that Higher Command is now the DIA giving orders to any units that are still in Europe after the evacuation - say you get a radio working finally but now its too late to make it to the Omega evac - they would have orders for units or groups like that

And there is the other possible alternative - i.e. that you contact the CivGov units in Yugoslavia instead who give you orders to try to get to them to join them there

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Olefin

Also keep in mind that some units stayed behind and didnt leave Europe who made it back to Germany - and that some of the HQ units stayed behind and didnt join the evacuation - they may have done so to try to coordinate possibly getting the XI Corps back to friendly lines eventually

Possible, but highly doubtful. A look in Going Home shows virtually all units staying behind (except the XI Corps) have ceased obeying higher command and essentially gone rogue. Many of these units are attempting to carve out their own little kingdoms and would have absolutely no interest in assisting the XI Corps. In fact it would seem they'd be actively discouraging any movement of the XI Corps that brought them closer together.

[Adm.Lee]

Originally Posted by ChalkLine

One of the classic things that became not so much a 'problem' but more a odd point was what did the GM do when the players got hold of a radio and asked higher command for orders.

...

My first thought was of a 'straggler collection point'. The PCs are instructed to entrench into a small settlement and stragglers will be directed to them by radio. When they have collected enough the PCs do a 'cannonball run' towards the nearest NATO unit and drop off the collected stragglers. They may also be used possibly for prisoner swaps as an afterthought.

I like these ideas, mostly because I've wanted to try the "settling in" part. It could easily be reversed: the PCs are directed to join a group that's already dug in.

The "usual suspect" for a mission from higher would be to raid supply lines and/or gather intel from the Pact rear areas, with or without aid from the Polish Free Legion or other partisans.

Going after a PW camp would be a great idea!