Yes, the East or south do seem to be your best bets for escapeing the imediate area. However, the remants of what was the Soviet 9th Tank Division are to the south and to your east you can safely assume are the rear echalon troops of the Soviet 3rd Shock Army and Polish attachments.

The nearest NATO troops are known to be in the area of Bialogard, Northwestern Poland, but there is a rumour that the US 8th Inf Div (mechanised) somehow found it's way into Latvia/Lithuania.

Another point is that rear area troops tend to be of lesser combat readiness as most are Clerks, Medics, Supply, etc. not to mention wounded.

50th Armoured Division
A National Guard division consisting of the 1st (New Jersey NG), 2nd (New Jersey NG) and 86th (Vermont NG) brigades. The division was alerted on 21AUG96 and brought into federal service on 01NOV96. The division was deployed to Europe by sea and air in May of 1997, and upon arrival came under command of VII US Corps. In October of that year, the division was shifted north and came under command of XI US Corps.
Subordination: XI US Corps
Current Location: Northern Poland
Manpower: 2000
Tanks: 5 M60A3
16 M1
12 M1A1

5th Infantry Division (Mechanised)
A prewar regular army division with two active brigades stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana and under command of the III US Corps. The division was put on alert in October of 1996 and brought up to strength by the addition of the 256th Mechanised Brigade (Louisiana National Guard). The division was deployed to Germany by air and sea in December of 1996, and upon arrival entered combat still under III US Corps. In April 1997 the division was transferred to 3rd German Army where is came under command of Panzergruppe Oberdorf. The division fought through Southern Poland and participated in the Battle of Czestochowa (May 24th to June 17th). In Early August the division withdrew from Czestochowa under orders from the German commander of the Panzergruppe and retired to Germany. In October the division was shifted north and came under command of XI US Corps, which had been recently activated in-theatre. In the summer of 2000, the division spearheaded the corps’ drive into northern Poland.
Subordination: XI US Corps
Current Location: Poland
Manpower: 3000
Tanks: 9 M1
21 M1A1
12 M1A2

8th Infantry Division (Mechanised)
A prewar regular army division stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. The division deployed to Germany by air and sea, arriving in Wilhelmshaven, and entered combat against Soviet forces on 06FEB97. The division suffered heavy casualties in the retreat from Warsaw in the Autumn of 1997 and was withdrawn from the front lines to be reformed. In January 1998, the division re-entered the lines in support of XI US Corps. In the summer of 2000, the division was detached from the corps and made its way overland through northern Poland to Latvia. Its present location is unknown.
Subordination: XI US Corps
Current Location: Latvia
Manpower: 1000
Tanks: 2 M1
7 M1A1
1 LAV-75
1 M8 AGS
9 Stingray

2nd Marine Division
A prewar regular division stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The 6th Marine Regiment of the division deployed by air to Denmark in November of 1996. The 2nd Marine Regiment (reinforced) formed the main body of the 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade and deployed to Norway by air and sea in December of 1996. The main body of the 8th Marine Regiment moved by sea to the Mediterranean Sea to join forward elements of the regiment then serving with the 6th Fleet.
During 1997, the regiments of the division carried out numerous amphibious and conventional missions throughout the European Theatre. In October of that year, the 4th MAB was moved south to the Baltic and disbanded, it’s component units reverting to division control along with the 6th Regiment. In January of 1998, the survivors of the 8th Marine Regiment reformed in northern Germany and were reunited with the division. In Spring of 2000, the division participated in the 3rd German Army’s offensive into northern Poland by launching amphibious assaults against the Polish Baltic coast and across the estuary of the Vistula (Wistla). The divisions present status and location are unknown.
Subordination: XI US Corps
Current Location: Northern Poland
Manpower: 4000
Tanks: 8 M1

116th Armoured Cavalry Regiment
An Idaho National Guard regiment. The regiment was alerted on 12AUG96 and brought into federal service on 01NOV96. The regiment deployed to Germany by air and sea in April of 1997 and upon arrival came under the command of IX US Corps. During the retreat from Warsaw in September, the regiment fought numerous rearguard actions and took heavy casualties, but maintained its cohesion throughout the retreat. In May of 1999 the regiment was transferred to XI US Corps and participated in the summer offensive of 2000 into Northern Poland.
Subordination: XI US Corps
Current Location: Northern Poland
Manpower: 600
Tanks: 4 LAV-75
4 M8 AGS

Canadian 4th Mechanised Brigade
A prewar unit stationed in West Germany, the 4th MB crossed the inter-German border on 09DEC96. Throughout most of 1997, the 4th MB operated under the command of V US Corps. In January of 1998, the brigade was reassigned to XI US Corps. In the spring of 2000, the brigade took part in the corps’ drive into northern Poland. The brigade is currently in and around the city of Karlino, Poland.
Subordination: XI US Corps
Current Location: Karlino, Poland
Manpower: 1000
Tanks: 6 C1 (Leopard 1)
2 MPGS 90

German 29th Panzer Division
The division was originally an East German division and redesignated the 9th Panzer Division upon Germany’s reunification. The division was ordered into the field on 30NOV96 and engaged Soviet Forces on 02DEC96. During February 1997, the unit was reorganised and renamed the 29th Panzer Division. The unit was part of the Third German Army and participated in the campaigns in Silesia during the NATO offensive into Poland in spring of 1997. During the withdrawal from Silesia in September, the division suffered heavily from airstrikes. In the summer of 1998, the division was involved in the NATO drive into Czechoslovakia where it again suffered heavy casualties. In September of 1999, the unit was moved by road to the Baltic coast. In the spring of 2000, the 29th was part of the Third German Army’s offensive into northern Poland.
Subordination: III German Corps
Current Location: Northern Poland
Manpower: 3000
Tanks: 11 T72
1 Leopard ARV
8 Leopard II
4 Leopard III

German 6th Panzergrenadier Division
The division was part of the prewar West German Army and was assigned to the defence of the Schleswig-Holstein area. The division crossed into East Germany on 10OCT96 as part of a reserve force. During the withdrawal from Poland in September 1997, the 6th PGD was hit hard by air strikes. In the summer of 1998 the division was involved in heavy fighting around Stuttgart and was withdrawn later that year for rebuilding. In the spring of 2000, the division took part in the Third German Army’s offensive into Northern Poland.
Subordination: III German Corps
Current Location: Northern Poland
Manpower: 2000
Tanks: 5 Leopard II
7 Leopard III

German 21st Panzergrenadier Division
This division was formerly the 1st Motorised Rifle Division of the prewar East German Army. It engaged Warsaw Pact forces on 19NOV96 and after a month of fighting was withdrawn for rest and refit. The unit was redesignated 21st Panzergrenadier Division on 05FEB97 as part of the ongoing program to integrate the East and West German military units. In April of 1997, the division was part of Third German Army’s drive through southern Poland and took part in the Battle of Czestowchowa (May 24th to June 17th). In early August, the division covered the withdrawal of Panzergruppe Oberdorf, suffering heavy casualties in the process. In the spring of 2000, the division was part of Third German Army’s offensive into Northern Poland.
Subordination: III German Corps
Current Location: Northern Poland
Manpower: 1600
Tanks: 3 T72
1 T80
1 Leopard I

Camilla guides her horse close to Sgt Dave. I think we should head east. It would give us the greatest chance of getting home any time soon. We may even cause some disruption in the Soviet rear areas and command units. If we're lucky we might even find a vehicle from the 256th brigade we can repair.

I think it would be complete folly to try and rescue the other prisoners we left behind at the moment - we just don't have the weapons or numbers.

I'll try anything once, If we can get close enough to the front we could lay low if a push starts and surender to the allies and hopefully talk our way out, though I am not against picking up supplies on the way, Sun Tzu expected it from his soldiers

What do we need other people for? They'll only slow us down. We're all a bunch of hard bastards anyway, except for that Scottish Git over there. The Warrant Officer turned to speak directly to Donnachaidh. And no I didn't vote for you.

The area to our immediate south is infested with Marauders, various deserters from  both sides.
Whilst we won't find any quarter with them they could prove useful in thwarting any Polish pursuit, assuming we can stay free of the marauders ourselves.
Also, there may be additional survivors of the 256th that haven't been rounded up yet or slaughtered by the marauders. The more like minded persons we can absorb into our group the stronger we'll become.
I don't recomend trying to join the Marauders ourselves, all we have to offer is our equipment. They would be unwilling to share authority with us and they have no interest in going anywhere else.

My postion is that we head east. As Cam has already stated you can cause a few headaches for the Soviet's with would help the Allies in the long run. Without communications, the army is like a chicken with it's head cut off. So we head east causing as much trouble to Soviet communication & supply lines as possible, before heading north & trying to re-group with detachment of allied soldiers.

"I think we should keep moving sir, put some distance between us & them so to speak" William says to Alfred Nelson.

Toss a coin?, if we had one.

" 'ey Andy, I don't know if you are hard, but if you call yourself a bastard, I will not say anything against it, laddie!"

"I'd say we should get to our allies asap. My suggestion would've been to go straight through enemy lines and let me speak to som high ranks to get us back. But since you militaries are with me, I guess we have to do it the military way. To keep it military, let the highest rank decide

The universal language of the world
5.56

"Since you all agree when east it is. Staff Seargent you take point. Don since you are next to useless in a fight I suggest you find a position in the middle ranks. Warrant Officer Brown you will be tail end charlie for his leg. the Lt Colonel orders as they head off.

Everybody please roll Observation checks (d10)

Oh Joy, Lead Scout!
What is my life expectancy.
all officers look important.
Observation: 8
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Tue 03 Feb 2004.

Observation Roll: 8
Critical Failure: 7

Observation roll 3 Spot on!

Camilla rides the horse with practised ease, scanning the surrounding countryside as they go.

Obs 1
roll 1

The horses movement unsettled Andy. He'd never been much for animals unless they were on his plate. He kept as alert as possible, scanning the surrounding fields.

Obs skill 2
Roll 1

first roll: 10

second roll: 7

Obs: 3
Roll: 2

Tanya watches her arcs as the group rides along.

Obs skill: 4
Roll: 5

The sound of an engine can be heard to the south (right) over a low rise. It does not sound like armour, more like a jeep or civilan car. You estimate that it is between 400 and 1000 metres away and moving around walking pace towards the west. It could pass you by but you are not sure.

What are your actions?

"Well, laddies. I must say I would prefer a nice seat in a car, compared to this, smelly animal..."

"Any ideas of how we could get this one for ourselves?"

Legalised killing, sorry I mean ambush

"Dave, William & Andy front & center. You three dismount, & go to the top of the hill & see what is coming. If it is the enemy take them out. Make your shots count, we don't have a lot of ammunition. Stating the bloody obvious Everyone else stay alert in case you are needed. ."  Alfred orders this small but crack band of soldiers.

Watching his orders carried out with military efficiency, he hopes his men keep their heads' down in their first foray into contact with an unknown enemy under his command. He felt that he had to prove his worth to this team, , to gain their confidence, because their upcoming endeavours counted on his leadership & them performing at their peak proficiency.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:34, Fri 06 Feb 2004.