U.S. Marines on the Baltic: Task Force Inchon

[kota1342000]

Back to Rae's original TF Inchon scenario, Im really impressed with what you came up with. I remember developing some kind of set of quick games for 2MARDIV when I was much younger, but my stuff was far less detailed at the time.
Im going to go on a quest through the old T2K stuff to try and find what I had, but I seem to remember putting most of 2MARDIV ashore at Gdynia, and then moving to a meeting engagement in and around Elbag. Later on we sent a TF similar to TF Inchon on a "raid in force" in an attempt to rescue the 5th ID (a task that obviously was going to fail).

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by kota1342000

Back to Rae's original TF Inchon scenario, Im really impressed with what you came up with. I remember developing some kind of set of quick games for 2MARDIV when I was much younger, but my stuff was far less detailed at the time.
Im going to go on a quest through the old T2K stuff to try and find what I had, but I seem to remember putting most of 2MARDIV ashore at Gdynia, and then moving to a meeting engagement in and around Elbag. Later on we sent a TF similar to TF Inchon on a "raid in force" in an attempt to rescue the 5th ID (a task that obviously was going to fail).

Thanks!

[Legbreaker]

Rae, I've been working on the 2nd Marines landing and likely objectives for the past week or so and have come to the conclusion that with the available manpower, Elblag would have had to be left until quite late. With the number of bridges and other strategically important locations they'd need to secure, and Elblag's location on the eastern fringe of their assigned area, it may even have fallen to the relatively fresh (besides travel time) 8th ID to take the city, supported by engineering and recon elements of the Marines.

I should have a more detailed idea of what's going on within the week (which I expect to be picked apart by everyone. )

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

Rae, I've been working on the 2nd Marines landing and likely objectives for the past week or so and have come to the conclusion that with the available manpower, Elblag would have had to be left until quite late. With the number of bridges and other strategically important locations they'd need to secure, and Elblag's location on the eastern fringe of their assigned area, it may even have fallen to the relatively fresh (besides travel time) 8th ID to take the city, supported by engineering and recon elements of the Marines.

I should have a more detailed idea of what's going on within the week (which I expect to be picked apart by everyone. )

I'm interested to see what you come up with.

I based my version of events on a simple correlation of forces in the XI Corps AO and, aside from the Polish TD, there's not a lot of WTO combat strength there to stop mechanized NATO forces near the Baltic. Factor in the Tarawa and other attached amphibs and their accompanying naval gunfire support and the Marines have significant freedom of movement/action.

[Tegyrius]

Emphasis mine:

Originally Posted by Raellus

I based my version of events on a simple correlation of forces in the XI Corps AO and, aside from the Polish TD, there's not a lot of WTO combat strength there to stop mechanized NATO forces near the Baltic. Factor in the Tarawa and other attached amphibs and their accompanying naval gunfire support and the Marines have significant freedom of movement/action.

You must be talking about some contingent of NPCs that your PCs haven't seen...

- C.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Tegyrius

You must be talking about some contingent of NPCs that your PCs haven't seen...

I meant when the op was launched. Hey, it wouldn't be T2K if the PCs weren't thrust into desperate straights against overwhelming odds!

[Legbreaker]

I'm working on the assumption the bulk of the marine force would land in the vicinity of Stegna, with primary objectives being the village & bridges at Rybina (where the HQ would set themselves up), Vistula river crossing at Dworek, Nowy Dwor (both town & bridges), and the bridge at Jazowa.
Secondary objectives would be the bridge at western end of the island of Sobieszewo, the lock at the south east corner of Sobieszewo island, and the ferry across the mouth of the main channel at Mikoszewo.
These objectives give the 8th ID and any follow on units two prepared routes with crossing points to choose between.
Once secured, moves could be made on Elblag, probably with assistance from the newly arrived (hopefully) 8th ID.

Although the east and west flanks of the marines would be protected by rivers, there's still a LOT of open flood plains on their south flank through which the enemy could attack. Much of the 4,000 strong force would need to be allocated to defending the three river crossings (Dworek, Nowy Dwor and Jazowa) and patrolling between those locations and further south. As these three crossings are the most likely axis of advance for follow on units, they'd absolutely HAVE to be held.

With approximately 1,300 troops assigned to supporting roles (HQ, logistics, transport, artillery, engineering, etc), and one regiment (say 600 men) defending the secondary objectives around Sobieszewo Island, that leaves only about 2,100 including the recon and armoured elements to defend a front with few helpful terrain features of about 22 kilometres. Also, units would need to be positioned/patrol along the flanks to ensure the rivers weren't crossed by enemy forces and the combat units attacked from the rear (or the supporting units attacked at all).

All up, the Marines would have a front to defend of approximately 40 kilometres which blows out to nearly 60 kilometres if Elblag is taken (no natural barriers to the east, south or north, although there does appear to be some old ancient earthworks to the north).

With Pact Cavalry units in the area, and the HQ of the Baltic Front known to be at Malbork (Intel Estimate 142, June 2000), just 15 kilometres or so away from Nowy Dwor, the Marines can't afford to overstretch themselves.