Clarence thinks for a moment and answers,

"Maybe. It could work either way. If the ground element makes enough noise, the tank will probably be worried about them and not pay so much attention to the river. That could allow the tug to get close enough for Dawid to hit the tank with HEDP. That kid's a crack shot. Whichever way we choose, timing is going to be really important here."

After a pause, Clarence continues,

"Even if we can distract the tank away from the bridge, I don't think the AT group will be able to get close enough to the tank to use AT grenades or improvized charges. The bulk of the bridge garrison is stationed over there- something like a dozen guys at the very least. If we can eliminate all of the sentries between the west bank and the tank, we might be able to take it out, but even if they're successful, I think it's going to end up a suicide mission.

"And we have to be ready if the sentries can't all be eliminated silently. It just takes one man to start shouting or shooting and the game is up."

"I have no doubt he could hit the tank. My doubt rests with the mortar... its HEDP rounds are not exactly suitable to destroy main battle tanks in my opinion." Bayer says. "It needs to hit from the ground RPG team or from explosives."

OOC - 82mm HEDP has only 15 penetration. Its not strong enough to defeat it's armour unless it hits the hull side. Thats only a 2 out of 6 chance and even then it'll only be minor damage if it succeeds.

The T-55 needs to only hit the tug once to cause a lot of damage and kill someone."

"I also think the OP will have radioed the tug's approach. The tank will be ready." he continues.

"Fine, you've seen the ground, not me. So charges are out. An RPG shot from the center bunkers is where is needs to be done then."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Sun 06 July 2008.

Quyen eventually heads up to the bridge and catches on the tail end of the meeting.  Siding up next to Tucker she says, "You're the gunner and I the loaded I take it?" she says.

Anneka shook her head in disagreement. She'd been looking at some of Adam's charts and an old postcard of the bridge she'd dredged up from somewhere and it seemed the ranges were just too great for the proposed plan to have much chance of success.
"From the charts, it appears that the eastern side of the river is very shallow, perhaps so shallow somebody could wade across."
"It also seems that the river at the bridge is about five hundred metres wide. If the bunker on it is at the halfway point, that's a good two hundred and fifty metres or more to the tank, if somebody could get that far without being spotted on the exposed bridge."
"I think we're going to have to consider landing a team on the east bank to take out the tank with RPGs. We also need to consider taking out their telephone communications and somehow deal with their radios."
Apparently they had a communications expert amongst them according to her notes. Might as well try using them...
"Warrant Officer Milk, do you think you could rig up a radio jammer? I don't know much about electronics, but isn't a jammer nothing more than a high powered transmitter?"
All Anneka really knew about the subject was that radios and cellphones back when the networks still existed, played havock with some of her medical equipment.
"And here's a thought. If the Russians were somehow dealt with or decoyed to another location, how sure are we that the Poles would want a fight?"
With only a few hours left to dawn, they might even need to consider delaying whatever action they chose for the following evening...

Bayer looks at Milk and says quietly, "Clarence you've seen the ground. Do you concur with this information?"

"Yes. I don't think we'll be able to fight our way across the bridge. It's too long, too open, and there's at least a dozen men, including most of the Soviets, posted on the east side."

"Major Soleblume's got me thinking, though. If the Soviets are there waiting for the tug, maybe we can draw them out, away from the bridge, even the odds a little bit. Maybe we could stage the tug getting stuck on another mudbank, make all kinds of noise, get them to come to us. Half of the team stays aboard ready to fight if and when the Reds show up. The other half sneaks around to hit the east side of the bridge and take out the tank. When the Ruskies get drawn into a firefight with the tug, she casts off and hustles for the bridge at flank speed. It all depends on the Soviets taking the bait, though.

"As for jamming, I may be able to rig something up but it'll most likely jam our own coms too. I just don't have the time, tools, or equipment to be able to pull something like that off right now.

"One last thing. It's pretty crazy so I didn't mention it before. We've got some SCUBA gear that Hicks brought on board. I know we don't have any wetsuits and the river's damn cold. But, I'm sure Mariusz has been saving the left-over bacon grease and I remember hearing that folks swimmin' the English Channel always smothered themselves in fat or something like it to keep insulated. Stoner's SCUBA qualified. That might be one way to get at least one of us close to the bridge without being detected. I don't know if this can help us at all, but I'm puttin' it out there. We need to figure something out soon."


Clarence gives Stoner a somewhat apologetic look as if to say "I'm not volunteering you, dude. I'm just grasping at straws here..."

Clarence really wished that those who had not yet spoken would offer up suggestions. Their lives were on the line as well and the least they could do was help come up with a plan that would give themselves and their comrades a better chance of survival.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:51, Sun 06 July 2008.

Sam smiles as he continues to eat outside and enjoys the fresh winter air.

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking when I volunteered to swim in," Stoner says with a grimace. "When I was in BUD/S, some of the old hands told us that in WWII, the UDT frogmen would smear themselves with grease. I was thinking more of grease from the engines, I didn't know Mariusz was saving bacon grease. Good thing I'm not Islamic or Jewish," he says with a smile. "And every dog within 5 kilometers would be trying to tree me!"

Bayer almost laughs, "Is that so? Grease?" After a long exhale says "Alright, you say you can do it, so do it. Disable that damn tank."

"Milk, if you say the bridge is too long then it is... and we'll work around that. With the tank knocked out by Stoner we don't need to go on the bridge right?"

"There's pros and cons to drawing them out or taking them in place. Both have its disadvantages. With daylight drawing close though, fine. We'll do it. Besides... drawing them out might make it easier to Stoner with less people on the ground who might see him. And thats the key, the tank." he says.

OOC - I'll go with what plan we have. I don't want to drag this out any longer for those not involved.

"Tucker, Mariusz, McCoy, Quyen and myself will land this time around. We will employ grenade launchers and a machinegun. Griet, Anneka, Milk, Dawid, Sanjay, and Kasparov will remain." he says. "Dawid should use the AGS and not the mortar unless the threat warrants the ammunition."

"We are losing time. Lets not get into the details of the groupings. Stoner we will RV with you here." he says pointing at the map. "Quyen has charges prepared. I don't care how its done, just as long as the armament is knocked out."

"Quyen, Mariusz... draw a medium machinegun and a few belts of ammunition. Also one of the disposable anti-armour rockets." Bayer says.

"Tucker, you and McCoy will be the maneuver group if necessary. Make sure you have all the grenades you can carry. Draw a tactical radio too."

"Let's not expend any more time. Milk you've been on land. Any suggestions on a suitable position for the ground party?" he says at the end.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:42, Mon 07 July 2008.

In reply to Clarence Milk (msg #99):

Hesitating, Dawid decided to explain something terrible that had occurred the day they'd met. He had callously executed a bandit that the NATO soldiers had captured, a renegade ZOMO communist party special policeman. An action viewed with horror and disgust by some and indifference by others.

"Luckily they just think I'm a deserter, I might just receive punishment detail. Or get shot. If that ZOMO I killed had been released into someone else's custody, then they would know I'm a traitor, part of the Home Army, and marked for immediate liquidation. It wasn't just an act of justice against an enemy of the people and a criminal, I couldn't take the chance that he recognised me and expose my cover."

"Not that I think that anyone cares at this point, but it has weighed heavily on my conscience."

Regarding the war plan he added, "I am familiar with the AGS-17, and we would have to move up to use it. The indirect range is only just over a kilometre and a half. The American automatic grenade launcher's sights are graded to 3km, I am not so familiar with it but if that is it's indirect range then it is the same as the Vasilek."

"My suggestion would be to use the mortar until we are out of ammunition, then switch to the grenade launcher. Once they have been hit by some 82mm fragmentation, they won't be able to tell we are using smaller but more numerous rounds. Cause fear and confusion in the conscripts, even the odds?"

Quyen nods as she listens to her instructions. She was motivated, but worried. The group was out of their league she felt. Too few resources and too large an obstacle. They didn't really have a choice though, she figured.

Looking at Stoner she says, "There are two 3 kilogram charges ready. I made one this evening. Each charge can penetrate the vulnerable spots on a tank. I'd recommend using both...maybe one on the back of the turret, and the other underneath the belly. Unless you can find a way to get in behind the mantle and mess up the gun or something. As the Hauptmann said, you don't need to destroy it, just remove the gun from play. There is dynamite too... but it takes a lot to blast through tank armour. Maybe you should take the AT grenades as backup... just remember to use them against the soft spots or you are just making noise."

Quyen realized Stoner wasn't like he had no idea what he was doing. She was just trying to help... as his job was not only the most difficult but the most important.

She then leaves to find Mariusz (if he was absent). "We need a GPMG. How 'bout the M240? Its got over a thousand rounds."

Quyen
Getting the plan into action

"Wouldn't it be better to draw them into an ambush?" Anneka suggested.
"Better they are dead than able to chase after us."
With the tug as bait as Milk had suggested, the majority of their combat troops would deploy into ambush positions with machineguns, grenade launchers and anything else that would inflict mass casualties upon the respondign Spetznaz. If they avoided the killzone, the tug could still steam off down river as Milk had suggested while those on the gorund made their way on foot.

"You're not?" she said slightly suprised and mildly disappointed.
"That can be fixed..."

"Why not take the AGS ashore. It's light enough to carry and far better than the rifle mounted launchers."
As Dawid had said, the AGS also didn't have the range of the heavier Mk-19 and would be nearly useless left aboard the tug.

"That is my intention. Draw forces away to allow Stoner easier access to the tank, and us to be able to catch them moving unaware. After engaging them and the tank is knocked out the tug steams by as quickly as possible. We link up later." he says.

"I'd like to keep the ground party as light as possible. I know the AGS isn't too heavy but I'd prefer not to be lugging it around as we evade the enemy and bypass them." Bayer answers Anneka's suggested question. "Perhaps both can be put to use on the tug... it will still have plenty of targets and threats as it runs the gauntlet under the bridge."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:33, Mon 07 July 2008.

"That's what I'm guessing Minh.  If we get in close with explosives, that's your department!"

Mariusz nodded to Mihn, "That'll be good, another big gun to add to my repetoire, I'll get it and the ammo after I've sorted out the grease."

He went down to the galley, grumbling to himself, he had a lovely collection of fat down there, he'd hoped to start deep frying soon. Now all those lovely calories would be wasted in the Vistula.

He mixed the various fats together in the big boiling pan and waited for them to congeal again. He carried it out to "Bones", who didn't look very boney and said, "Wouldn't it be better to send someone smaller? It'd use less grease, I was going to make doughnuts..."

Whilst Griet wasn't 100% sure of the plan, it was at least 200 times better than anything she could come up with and so it certainly had her vote, not that they were a democracy, but it felt good to agree anyway. She closed in on Major Soleblume and said, "What gun will you want me to man, Major?"

After reluctantly relinquishing his grease, Mariusz returned to the weapons' locker. He reverently laid his G3 in a secluded corner and padded it the best he could. He picked up the M240 and grabbed five belts for it. He staggered under the weight but hopefully others would carry some to the ambush site. As he passed "Bones" again he paused and lay down is load.

Slowly he pulled a necklace from around his throat, on it were several crosses, some saint's medals and two stars of david, "These are the memories of my parents and my comrades, it includes Brother Switek's, blessed by His Holiness Pope John Paul, His Holiness Pope John Paul the Second and Mother Terasa of Calcutta. They have kept me alive, if they won't way you down, please borrow them for luck. Your mission is brave but dangerous, I don't want you to go the way of Brother Switek and Bear, besides," he smiled lopsidedly, "if you make it back, you can scrape the grease off and I'll try to clarify it. The Major will be able to help, she's a chemist."

Milk shrugs his shoulders.

"Well, it depends on which bank you intend to set up the ambush on. We're parked closer to the east bank right now but I've only been on the ground on the west side. Besides folds in the terrain, there aint much cover and concealment on the west side. There are a few more trees over here on the east side but that's about all I can say on that."

*OOC: I'll leave the question of which bank the group sets up on open. Based on the planned ruse, it would be easier to lure the Soviets along the east bank but the west is doable as well. That way, Konrad can tell me what side has been chosen without slowing things up.

Fumbling around on the deck of the blacked out tug, the team hastily makes preparations for the planned operation. No one is very happy about the situation but the plan is the best that they can come up with under the circumstances.

Stoner strips down to his skivies and smothers himself with grease (his choice of either engine or cooking grease). The SCUBA gear is tested and checks out. The tanks are full. He does his utmost to waterproofs his equipment, placing his silenced MP, AT grenades, and jury rigged charges in what plastic bags he can scrounge up.

The shore ambush team draws weapons, checks communications and night vision equipment*, and cammies up, using burnt cork when the all-too-rare, purpose-made grease paint is used up. They board the Zodiac and paddle upstream until it is judged that they are far enough away from the shore based OPs to safely start the outboard engine without being heard. Then, under power, they travel the rest of the way to shore**. From their shore landing, they move out- with NVG equiped personel on point- towards a suitable position roughly two hundred meters down river from the tug from which to stage an ambush.

Those remaining on board the tug, man their weapons. If all goes according to plan, they will able to add their fire to directly support the ambush team once the trap has been sprung.

Now, if only the Soviets take the bait and play along...

The sun will be rising in roughly two hours. What the dawn will bring, only the gods of war can foresee.

Actions?

*Kasparov and Dawid (staying) each have a pair of NVG's. So does Konrad (going). That leaves two pair up for grabs (Switek's and Hicks'). I'll leave it up to ya'll to decide who's using them on this mission.

**I'll place the ambush on whichever bank you guys decide.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:01, Tue 08 July 2008.

Dave looks at Mariuzs and shakes his head. " Thanks for the thought, but I need to stay away from shiny things that might catch a flicker of light. And I'll stick with grease scraped off the engines, it will be darker than lard, and not so much smell." He gives a theatrical shiver, " I don't want any watch dogs thinking I'm a giant pork chop."

He makes a last equipment check, seeing that the SCUBA gear is working, and the bombs and grenades are as water proofed as possible. "Give me at least twenty minutes to get there" he says. "When I hear the ambush going off, I'll take out the tank, and meet ya'll at the rondevouz."


He slides off the transom into the water, goes under and comes back up. He hyperventilates a few breaths and looks up at the deck. "Hasta la vista, baby," he says, looking at Anneka. He exhales and sinks under the water.

Worried about the trail of air bubbles, he doesn't use the SCUBA gear. He swims as far as he can hold his breath, then surfaces with just his eyes and nose above water. He looks around to get his bearings and catch a breath, then go under again. If it looks like there's too much light, either from the moon or man made, he'll use the scuba to breath. Dave will try to stick close to the bank, hoping for shadows and any noises made will be mistaken for wildlife or fish.

Stoner
in the river
MP-5, silenced, 1 magazine
bayonet
2 AT grenades
2 homemade bombs
praying as he swims

"No... we do. Give me a minute." Bayer replies. "We were just putting out ideas and sorting through the plan. It wasn't orders we were doing here."

After seeing Stoner off and confirming his task he waits for Mariusz and Quyen to return with their weapons. "Bring along your mines too... just in case." he says to Minh.

"Alright groupings and tasks. Myself, Quyen, and Mariusz. We will deploy the machinegun and anti-armour. We will have a radio carried by myself. I'll also act as the link between the tug and the shore party."

"Tucker and McCoy. You will operate together and provide precision fire and grenades. You will be the maneuver group if we need skirmishers or any flanking requirements. Tucker, you need a tac radio."

"Depending on the ground and available cover, I'd like the two teams to be split a short distance from each other. If it allows, deployed at a right angle to each other... like an L shape facing inwards. If its not possible, we'll just go with a linear ambush... but I'd still like some distance between us."

"Open fire signal will be initiated by the machinegun. If you are spotted, initiate fire yourself. We'll probably be outnumbered, so we'll need to seize the initiative early on."

"McCoy, you asked about priority of targets? Eliminate commanders and radio operators first... but I want the leadership removed as best as possible. The machinegun and grenadiers (Bayer/Tucker) will be used to suppress any support weapons."

"Withdraw will be on my signal. The RV point for any meetup if you get separated, is the same as Stoner. Get there quick... the tug won't be able to wait too long if the enemy gives pursuit. If you miss the boat... continue heading along the river until you find the tug. It stops for the night right."

Bayer stops and thinks about his impromptu frag orders.

Quyen emerges from the hold with Mariusz. After setting the medium machinegun on the ground she sorts out the belts. Breaking a 55 round 'contact' belt from the 220 rounds she hands them both to Mariusz, the gunner. She loads up 3 other full belts into her small pack (emptied for the room and weight).

"A belt for you, including a contact belt. And three with me." she says to him. "I'll also carry the spare barrel."

Mentioning her own assets she continues, "Besides hand frags I have two smoke."

She then closes the small pack, after ensuring the a claymore and POMZ-2 mine were safely packed inside. "You gonna carry a sidearm too? Or just lug the gun?" she asks the boy.

After the Hauptmann's brief she nods, "Understood here. We are ready."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Tue 08 July 2008.

"I've got my .45 and two spare mags and  several frag grenades," Mariusz replied to Mihn's question, "is that alright?"

He picked up the belts and MGs and listened to Bayer, "Kaptain, if we make an L shaped ambush, do you want the MG facing the line of enemy advance or on the long arm of the L?"

Mariusz waited for the team to head off and would follow his opos and site the machinegun where they told him to.

Griet wiated for Anneka to tell her where she was wanted. Once instructed she would go to her post.

"I want to try to deploy where we can be the on the long arm as you described it. The enemy will then be in enfilade fire and the machinegun can maximize its fire characteristics. However... I expect the enemy to change their axis of attack and head for the gun very quickly. So we'll end up facing them after all." he replies.

"We only need to engage long enough to inflict casualties and allow the tug to break out and head for the bridge. Suppressive fire will be needed immediately. Let the riflemen do the precision shots, your task is to add the volume of fire." Bayer adds.

As soon as Tucker has a radio and everyone else is ready, Bayer will motion to the rear of the tug. There they will need to sort themselves out in the inflatable and get ferried ashore.