Just as a heads up, to help you plan things out ahead of time...

This pic might help reveal the layout better. Remember, you are in the 2nd house left of the T-junction on the right side of the pic. See the vehicle on the north road at the right side of the pic, that's a PTSM loaded with Russians. That's about where you see it, at least a little of it, through the trees.

The house with the orange roof is where the partisans had their OP. The roof is gone now.

Billy and Lines are way over on the left at the bridge.


This message was last edited by the GM at 07:05, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

When you say "loaded", Paul Mulcahy's website states that a PTSM can take up to 70 troops...

I don't expect a specific number, but can you give us a ballpark figure as to how many we think we can see?

There are lots of heads sticking up over the sides, maybe a platoon.

Cheers (on bahalf of Michael)

Did Fischer stay with Riedel? (I don't see him listed in the names for Active West)

Yeah, I don't believe Spartan is ready to return, so I kept him out of the action... though it's where he is needed to help Marshall.

OK, here’s what I’m thinking for the PTS but it’s all a bit back of an envelope stuff.

Hold fire and let it move to within frag grenade range at which point Frank tries to take out the driver with an aimed shot from the M40, hopefully immobilising it. Meanwhile Ferro and Kessler try and catch the troops in the rear with frags to try and take advantage of the effects of the frags in the confined space (that assumes that Ferro has a frag grenade with her). Ferro and Kessler then spray the rear on full auto with MP5 / RPK respectively.

If the troops look like they are going to debus before they get into grenade range we skip that step and just go for Frank taking the shot and Ferro / Kessler opening up on them before they disembark the vehicle.

What I'm hoping for is to catch as many of them in as confined a space as possible.

If we can take the PTS in even semi working condition it would probably come in handy if we have to evacuate the other side before the bridge repairs are done.

As I said though, it’s all back of an envelope stuff, so if anyone else has any thoughts just shout.

I'm starting to get more time, but not quite enough to read back through myriad previous posts.  My intent is to jump back in at the next chapter change, so to speak.  Hopefully that won't be too late :(

A shot at the driver will help IF we can take him out.  Hoping for the vehicle to go belly up and injure/kill a lot of the passengers maybe.

Yeah, I realise it's a big if...I am open to other suggestions.

@Fuse, is the upper floor safe to use? If so probably easier to toss grenades down into the back of it than lob them from ground level.

I'm not 100% sure I'm reading the post correctly. Is the enemy BTR moving east? I'm assuming that it is heading for the stream/ditch/treeline north of the Humvee and thus getting into a position to flank or get behind us. Am I correct in this assumption (direction if not intention)?

This is on my phone so I still can't update the map or anything yet...


In reply to John Jameson McCarthy (msg # 55):

Yes, it turned southeast... and is using that narrow band of trees north/NW of you.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 54):

Upper floor of the house Ferro/Frank are in is intact. There is 1 window facing the road. So your plan is feasible for -1- PC to make a throw attempt... difficulty added for moving target.

I guess I should also mention that there might be some guys... maybe six... having already been dropped off and are moving west on foot through the trees. Coincidentally taking the same path the 2 partisans took. They aren't sweeping the area or moving tactically... more like in a single file and carrying shit. The PTSM is heading south and will then turn west at the junction where it will then pass in front of your house.

I'll update the map and write the narrative tonight to help explain things.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:20, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

Thanks Fuse.

@Cork / Jinny, I'm thinking we should still concentrate on the PTSM and leave the guys in the trees for now.

So we can hit them in three ways

Sniper Rifle - One person with the M40. Aimed shot at driver, followed by aimed shots at targets of opportunity
Grenades - One person goes upstairs with multiple grenades and tries to lob them into the back of the PTS (one at a time)
RPK - One person sprays the back with auto fire

Frank would seem to be best choice with the sniper rifle. Jinny, if you have a preference as to what Ferro does just yell.

(All assuming we go with that plan of course - if you'd rather look at other options just say)

I'm not too sure about the sniper shot. With the sight that's on it, I think the target is too close for it to be practical... like using a telescope to view something in the same room. Know what I mean?

I don't have experience with that sight, but unless someone wants to verify things for me, you may just have to take a quick shot (or an aimed with with you SMG). It will still be close range.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:46, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

In reply to Fusilier (msg # 58):

OK, cheers. Kessler has his AK as well as the RPK so that's another option.

Or we forget about trying to hit the driver and just hit the back with the RPK and the SMG on full auto.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 59):

I think the grenades are going to be your best bet coupled with a burst at the driver from ground level.

I can go with aimed shots of opportunity as needed.  What you said makes sense about using a scope close up Fuse.  Iron sights would be best and still used an aimed shot?

Ok, I've completed the turn and updated the map. Sorry about that, I hate leaving things unfinished, but had to let it go.

To help illustrate things, I've marked the arcs of view for the upstairs window... just to show the limits to the area you can attempt to grenade the passing PTSM. Again, it's just one window, so only one PC can utilize it as a fire position (or throwing position). The other two PCs will need to use the downstairs area (front window, kitchen window, or front doorway). That will limit just well they can shoot "into" the cargo bed.

As we are in combat, I'll request you include combat tags from here on. And of course, please be as specific as possible with your actions. Where I'm not sure, I have to guess, and that could result in consequences you didn't expect.

Next turn will be up Friday... but I might squeeze in some responses before then.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Thu 01 Oct 2015.

To clarify, is the target the village to the west? And is the CG in the Humvee or is it in the Iltis. I know that at one time it was in the latter, but that was before it rolled over. I just want to be sure before I post IC. Thanks.

-

The CG is with you, next to or in the Humvee at this point.

Sorry I'm late getting back but, I had a bad bout of Diverticulitis yesterday which reall fucked me up.  I want to post today so, We are throwing grenades and SMG fire into the back of the truck?

I was thinking, did you want Frank to take off after the dismounts that he saw behind the buildings?

I am really tight for time right now so apologies if this is brief.

I was thinking concentrate on the PTS – Frank tries to take out the driver (with SMG, M40, or Kessler's AK - his choice), Kessler opens up on the guys in the back with the RPK and Ferro goes upstairs to lob the grenades.

If you’d rather go after the dismounts that’s fine, just say and I’ll post IC accordingly – would still be as above but without Frank trying to take out the driver so the PTS.

(My thinking is it’s better to try and take out as many of the troops aboard the PTS while they’re bunched up in the back)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Fri 02 Oct 2015.

In reply to Michael Kessler (msg # 66):

Roger that

I am a little confused about what's happening. It might be a minor detail though I don't know...

Ferro can't throw grenades down until the PTSM moves directly in front of her window yet Frank and Kessler are engaging beforehand. As I understand it there is no before. The PTSM has already gone beyond the first break in the house (at the junction now) so as drives by the front of the house we'll have like 3 or four seconds to act before it's gone again... all of us need to engage at once.

Secondly (and maybe even more importantly) are we taking far too long to react? The map shows the PTSM has to cover only 100 meters before we need to act. The narractive says we "will need to react immediately and quickly before it passes." I'm not trying to be negative about this but with 3 vs 25 i really think we need to play this out as carefully as possible or we'll be rolling up new characrers.

The intent was that we were all engaging at once, with the signal to do so being Frank's shot at the driver (which wont take place until Ferro is in position). So once Frank takes the shot Kessler immediately opens fire with the RPK and Ferro throws a grenade. Whilst Frank's action will initiate it will be as near simultaneous as possible - the other two react to that shot. Sorry if that hasn't been communicated clearly.


I don't know. I floated this plan on two days ago and Fuse has responded several times to questions about it since; at no point has he indicated that there was a problem with the reaction times so I've taken that to indicate that he was happy with it.


I realise it may not be a great plan, but as I said, I put it forward two days ago and have said three times since then that I was open to alternative suggestions but nobody came back with anything else...

Ok I'm clear on it now.

No problem for the rest. Thanks.

I'll get my post up within an hour.