US Marauder Companies

[James Langham]

Thanks for all the input guys.

The name was actually the hardest part - there is a precedent for it though - Merrill's Marauders in World War Two. I considered scouts but it didn't fit with the role (and has been said it tends to be used for allied troops) and I can see the 75th sharing...

It was in the back of my mind that it is an ideal PC group.

Mwould have no specialist requirement to join but be of a high standard to assimilate the training.

They would be an additional unit as they have a different role.

As to support I felt that as the unit was going to be out of contact for long periods and the support staff would be seen by HQs as having nothing to do so reabsorbed - I may well need to add that as a note. By 2000 they will have some hired cooks, etc (probably paid for with looted items).

I will probably add a note about the use of UAZ469s and horses.

Does the organisation and equipment look about right to everyone? Bear in mind they are designed as a raiding force. I probably need to add an anti-tank capability (maybe TOW on the HMMWV). Of the top of my head assume two vehicles per section, 1 with MG(s) and 1 with TOW (Mk19 could replace either).

I like the comparison to Sissi although I see the role as returning after each raid.

Once again thanks for all the constructive feedback.

PS Feel free to just change the name to your favourite one in your campaign.

[Legbreaker]

I think anti-armour capability would be very much secondary to destruction of softer targets. They might carry a handful of AT weapons, but only for self defence.
The main weapons would be small arms, machineguns and demolition charges, with mines and booby traps laid behind them to cover their withdrawal.
Transport would be whatever was available, fast and suitable to the mission.
Another role they may have is the acquisition of supplies from enemy supply dumps instead of destroying them. In this case they may move in on foot and steal anything on wheels able to haul whatever can be grabbed quickly.

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

I think anti-armour capability would be very much secondary to destruction of softer targets. They might carry a handful of AT weapons, but only for self defence.
The main weapons would be small arms, machineguns and demolition charges, with mines and booby traps laid behind them to cover their withdrawal.
Transport would be whatever was available, fast and suitable to the mission.
Another role they may have is the acquisition of supplies from enemy supply dumps instead of destroying them. In this case they may move in on foot and steal anything on wheels able to haul whatever can be grabbed quickly.

Agree with the use of mines BUT I. think some AT capability is needed as otherwise a single BRDM would mean disaster. I'll also add a note re the fitting of smoke dischargers to the vehicles to help evade.

Personally I would be somewhat "imaginative" when interpreting orders that involve me rellying on stealing transport to get out, especially considering the condition of many vehicles in TW2000, although to be fair this would be of great use as the war drags on.

[Legbreaker]

Agreed that some AT capability is warranted, but not so much that the unit feels they have the ability to actually stand and fight when faced with enemy AFVs.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by James Langham

Does the organisation and equipment look about right to everyone? Bear in mind they are designed as a raiding force. I probably need to add an anti-tank capability (maybe TOW on the HMMWV). Of the top of my head assume two vehicles per section, 1 with MG(s) and 1 with TOW (Mk19 could replace either).

I like the comparison to Sissi although I see the role as returning after each raid.

Once again thanks for all the constructive feedback.

PS Feel free to just change the name to your favourite one in your campaign.

-Emphasis added. This is why I think Raider is the more appropriate nomenclature here.

Re AT capability: SOF Humvees in Afghanistan and Iraq usually have a couple AT-4s and one or two Javelin ATGMs strapped down within easy reach.

There was an episode in N. Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom where some Green Berets mounted in Humvees [dismounted] and destroyed some Iraqi AFVs (IIRC, a couple of T-55s, a BMP or two, and an MTLB) with Javelins. Then they called in airstrikes (IIRC from a navy F-14*), one of which hit a friendly unit causing some blue-on-blue casualties.

I think an M-2HB with some AP and/or a MK-19 with some HEDP would be able to handle most light AFVs while a Tankbreaker or TOW could take care of any MBTs encountered. LAWs and RPGs would likely, be standard issue as well.

*Who would have imagined back in the '80s (think Top Gun) that USN F-14 Tomcats would be attacking ground targets with guided [JDAM] bombs?