"Yes. When an army is willing to have a very high degree of acceptable casualties you can do that." Bayer answers. "We have one engineer, and will be following NATO tactics not Pact. Quyen will not be made to clear a mined route if it is discovered."

"The recce party will go out as planned. We can't spare time to wait. You will have a few hours and thats it. I also overlooked your position... McCoy will be first in the chain of command."

"The intelligence is fine. Adam and the other* will hold the supplies at the RP, while the support element advances. The final route will still be determined at the objective."

*Edit/clarification - Adam, Walter, Anneka and Stoner (and 2x AGLs).
This message was last edited by the player at 06:09, Fri 03 Oct 2008.

As Konrad paused Dawid rolled his eyes and interjected, "well, they do manage it without blowing up! Most of the time. Risk of the job, I hear. After all, every soldier, even NATO ones I'm sure, must be able to do their job in all kinds of unfavourable conditions."



Dawid snorted after Konrad finished.

"If we hit mines on the covered route, then they'll be in the fields too. I can't speak for NATO, but in the Polish Army if the back door is locked the front door will be too."

"This is a point I have brought up, but no one has regrettably answered. one of many, I am afraid. Not good planning, I warrant."

"That said, if our Engineer will not clear a route unless they want to, then I guess the same goes for the rest of us under similar circumstances! Thanks for the clarification, you will be certain I will keep this in mind for the future. Of course, if you were to order Minh to do it, I'm sure she wouldn't refuse, lest she be considered... insubordinate."

"Your statement of "we will do things the NATO way, not the Warsaw Treaty way" seems foolish and narrow-minded for someone as intelligent as yourself, even if you're just speaking of this one situation. May I remind you, the so-called Warsaw "Pact" just thoroughly kicked NATO's fucking ass. It is the reason why you are here trapped behind the lines, little better than refugees or perhaps mercenaries or deserters."

"I do not ask you to forget what you know, but I will simply not accept that the experience and skills of the rest of us non-NATO types are of little consequence for planning purposes. Even the fucking Russians gave us more credit than you. No disrespect meant, Comrade Alexi!"

"Also, I heard Vietnamese Dac Cong sappers were in fact not part of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation" he put emphasis on the proper name. "But they weren't NATO either, so I guess they don't count either!"

"But do not worry! Despite NATO's regrettable failures on the battlefield, I will still respect your knowledge and take your opinions and experience fully into account, in the spirit of friendship and cooperation with the Polish people and government, of whom I serve."

He chuckled at the irony, lighting another cigarette.

"Anyways, in that light, I fully agree that Warrant Milk's idea is a good one. We will be bringing the motorcycle as far as possible by raft, as well as the supplies. With luck, the authorities will never know we were at the farm."

"I shall attend to this."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:51, Fri 03 Oct 2008.

"Not if they are using the fields." she says. "My point about the mines was that if they have them, thats a likely place to put them... dead ground which couldn't be hit by fire. Likely... if they didn't have an unlimited supply."

Her orders understood, she ignored the rest of the ranting and sat next to Anneka. "Could you change my dressing and check for infection. I need it bandaged to give me unrestricted mobility. Also, I am in support... should I be issued another weapon?"

"You are most fortunate I am not only a Polish soldier, I am a farmer as well!"

He laughed, the pointed out,

"it's after harvest... no one is using the fields for anything at the moment."

"Besides, my original point stands. If the garrison is sharp enough to mine the covered approach, they will certainly keep watch on the obvious approach over the fields."

"Whether the fields are mined or not!"

"It is irrelevant. As we have heard from the locals, the stream is not mined. You are safe from having to deal with mines, my friend! Rejoice!"

"To clarify my comment about doing things the NATO way, I do not discount that you are all skilled in various areas and are familiar with a standard way of operating. When it comes to tactical theory, however, we must be more flexible in thinking and do what works. Not just the "NATO way" or "Warszawa Treaty way".
This message was last edited by the player at 08:40, Fri 03 Oct 2008.

"I know, I heard the information. It was an explanation about mine usage theory, here or anywhere. Potentially useful in the future. And as a farmer you should know that you don't lay mine fields in land that you intend on using now or the next growing season, there is no alternating mines or crops."

"If you are finished, we should get on with our battle procedure."

In reply to Minh Quyen (msg #75):

Dawid shrugged to show ambivalence at an irrelevant point.

"As I have said before, and probably will remind everyone again, I was a Polish soldier, and you were not. So I know what they are likely to do. Thank you."

"Now, maybe they will mine the fields, maybe they won't,maybe they will get someone to clear the mines later. But they haven't mined the stream, which is the best way to go, so there it is."

He shook his head and fixed a disapproving gaze on her, like an teacher disappointed in a student.

"I may be finished, but you certainly are not, my friend! A question has been asked in general, and you have done your best to avoid answering although you are obviously the only one who can. But you must answer, so I will ask directly. Please, no theory now, just practice and capabilities. That is, your capabilities."

"That is, if need be, are you capable of clearing mines? In all circumstances, not just in perfect conditions, in the daytime, with all the best equipment that NATO has to offer. Can you do it at night, with a bayonet in your hand, a flashlight in your teeth? We probably won't but we should know if you can."

"And for that matter, what of my other points? This meeting will not be finished until they are addressed. Believe it."

He laughed.

"I have all the time in the world! It is my, and others' lives on the line here."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:41, Fri 03 Oct 2008.

"Best way or not, our commander will be the one to make that decision only once we get there, as its been said." she answers.



"Can do."

"You can be smug all you want. But you don't call the shots nor should be making ultimatums. If you have a serious problem with your orders, I suggest you either wait in the rear with the cargo until its over, or be on your way."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Fri 03 Oct 2008.

In reply to Minh Quyen (msg #77):

He grinned in reply.

"Smug? Oh no! Just realistic! The "agreement" we all entered into ended when Adam lost his boat. I see you have not understood this or other things, which is unfortunate. Nevertheless, it was such a lack of understanding of reality that cost us the Queen in the first place. If I can avoid similar mistakes in the future, I will, trust me."

Dawid tapped his red-and-white arm band, the colours of the Polish flag and symbol of freedom for the Polish people.

"Now, I am, as you say, the Polish Home Army and government liaison. Lucky for you, I am a native, a local expert on Poland, her army, her people, the terrain, the language, and many, many other useful things."

"Anyone would be foolish to ignore such advice, or tell them to shut up so rudely!"

He puffed on his cigarette, looking like he was enjoying himself.

"Understood? Great! That is fantastic!"

"And it is also fantastic that you can and would clear mines and so on if necessary. That is most comforting."

"I myself will contribute what I can to the most of my abilities and intelligence. As I think I've followed instructions as much as anyone, and killed more people that everyone else (on this trip), I am sad that you choose to treat me in this shameful way."

Removing his cigarette, he put his head down and shook his head in remorse.

"How shameful, my friend, just shameful. Not even the Russians... tsk tsk tsk."

"Maybe if you had more restraint with your mouth it wouldn't have come to this. If you knew how to introduce your opinions in a productive and positive manor. I treat you as you treat others, there was no reason for you to act this way."

"And if the agreement ended as you say, why are you sticking around? Otherwise the agreement seems to be still in effect I'd say."

In reply to Minh Quyen (msg #79):

He looked into her eyes without hostility or malice.

"If I have caused any offence in any way, my friends, understand that I am deeply sorry for this."

"As for why I stick around, well, we are all friends! You are all my comrades! You have saved my life many times over, I have saved yours to the best of my abilities. Plus, you NATO types can't be trusted to run around Poland on your own. Just look what you've done to the place!"

He smiled again to show he was kidding.

"Now, we have merely entered into a new agreement, as anyone can see, hopefully one that will work out better in the long run."

Dawid turned to Konrad.

"To be clear, there are still issues that need addressing, my friend."

"Your plan was a good start. You must also honestly admit it was made before we knew some critical information about the area, and so it is perhaps overly tentative. Now that we know more, we can be more decisive."

"Not now or at any time has my bringing up faults meant to hurt your feelings or make you feel defensive. I apologise if that's how you feel in any way."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Fri 03 Oct 2008.

Tucker sits down with the other people of the recce team.  He listens as Konrad lays out the plan he has to attack and get the vehicles they need to transport the rest of the supplies to Warsaw.

[OOC: With my short absense, I'm going with the mention of McCoy be putting in charge of the recce element.  I'll address it from here on out as him being in charge of the mission.  Sorry again for the delay on my end.)

"I'm thinking we should be taking whatever silenced weapons we have available to us.  If we can avoid as much gunfire as long as we can, might make it easier on us.  As McCoy suggested, we can set everything up until you guys get there and then make our move.  I'm not the lightest on my feet but, I'll do what I have to when we get there.  I've got my 'thumper' and ammo and I've also got a couple of claymore's in case we need them for something.  I'm going ammo heavy in case we get into the shit there.  Even though they may be conscripts, they've got us in numbers.  If they're able to get organized or get a foothold against us, we're fucked, hard!  Between the four of us, we should be able to handle things and adjust by the time you guys move into position."

Griet listened in on the discussions, she was a fish out of water here and was a poor infantry substitute at best. She shrugged when she heard Dawid's ironic assessment of the West's contributions to Poland, it was true, but when it came to being shafted, Poland had pretty much been the village bike for too many centuries to go being too upset by it all.

Recon Team

As the only matter still up for debate is the route to be taken by the follow up group/s, the recon team is dispatched to scout the approaches to the town. They travel light, carrying only their personal weapons* and ammo, and the AN/PRC-119 bequeethed to them by the late Brother Switek.

Departing the farm, they return to the river and follow it as it winds its way northwest, towards Zwolen. The gently sloping banks and thick vegetation provide excellent cover and concealment and the small team makes good time. Hidden in the shallow, tree-lined, sunken lane formed by the river, they see no one along the way, encountering only a wayward calf which somehow managed to get past the barbed wire fence running along the east bank and apparently can't find its way back. Its pathetic lowing could attract unwanted attention so the group proceeds quickly through the area.

Approaching the junction between the river and the canal angling to the southwest and on through the town mentioned by farmer Bak, the group stops and spreads out. The sun has receded behind the horizon, leaving only an fading orange glow low in the western sky. Looking through the undergrowth at the crest of the bank on the eastern side, the main road into town comes into view. Several small building are between the team and the reported checkpoint at the town's eastern edge. There are no lights on in any of the outlying structures. In the town, however, golden lights show from between the curtains of several residential buildings. As the team watches, and as the sky grows ever darker, a couple of the lights shining through those windows go out. With the electrical grid but a fond memory, most people have returned to the daily rythyms of earlier times.

With few clouds in the night sky, the nearly full moon provides excellent illumination. NVGs are almost unecessary.

In the Barn

Back on the farm, the planning session has become tense and tempers begin to rise. Troubled by the increasingly personal and circular nature of the exchange, Clarence puts on his senior NCO cap and speaks up,

"Look people, we don't need to decide on a route in right now. We need to hear back from the recon team before we can make an informed decision anyway. Let's take this time to repack the gear, clean our weapons, and get some rest before we have to move out. And, last time I checked, Hauptman Bayer was still the tactical commander of this unit, NATO or otherwise. This aint the time for a command restructuring."

Old Adam nods his head in assent, "For what it is worth, I agree."

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:39, Sun 05 Oct 2008.

Tucker strips his gear down to the bear minimum of equipment he'll need and goes heavy on ammo, 40mm grenades, handgrenades, night vision goggles, first aid supplies, and a couple of cigars for the ride out.  Tucker takes the silenced Skorpion machin-pistol and secures it with his gear and six spare magazines.  Robert also takes all of his spare Browning Hi-Power magazines and puts them in various pouches or in his patrol pack.  He hands his Colt Python revolver with its shoulder holster and six speed loaders over to Konrad before he leaves.  "I'd like you to hold onto this for me boss.  Not sure if I'm going to need it or not since I got the Skorpion for this.  Something happens to me, Merry Christmas sir."

Tucker follows the trusty lead of McCoy and Mariusz as they get closer to the town.  Robert inches up next to McCoy and whispers to him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:59, Sat 04 Oct 2008.

Loading his spare gear and equipment into the group supplies Jan does a quick doublecheck of his weapons and heads out with the rest of the recon team. Sliping along into the night with the others he tries to match his movements to theirs.
As they approach the buildings he squats into cover and pulls out his binoculars. Even though it is dark he may still be able to see a bit depending on the clouds and the moon, nothing ventured nothibng gained after all.

In reply to Jan Cerny (msg #85):

Dawid asked Bak, "are you aware of the garrison's activities at night? Any other places around where mines or other things like flares or barbed wire are laid? How many people man the roadblocks during the day and at night?"

"Also, do you know anyone in the motor pool that might be willing to sell us a truck? Someone who's a little, shall we say, needs money? Sells stuff from the motor pool? Someone who might be sympathetic to the Home Army or Solidarność?"

From personal experience, Dawid knew that rear-area personnel sold anything that wasn't nailed down to make up for their poor rations and pay. It was one thing that kept the Home Army and Solidarność going: buying or stealing supplies from the government.

Farmer Bak considers the question for a moment before responding with half-shrug,

"I don't know about that. It's possible you could buy a vehicle but I don't see how you'd negotiate such a transaction without others catching wind of it. There are probably a dozen men who work in the motor pool. You'd have to buy them all off I would think.

"As for the town's defenses, I think I've told you just about all I know. I don't usually go into town but once or twice a month, and then only during the day, so I can't really tell you what the garrison is up to at night. The soldiers in town are mostly either very young or very old. Some of them seem nearly crippled by old wounds. So, I doubt they're up to too much mischief after the sun goes down.

"At the checkpoint on the way into town, there's usually only two or three men posted- during the day, at least. I really only use the eastern entrance though, so I'm not sure about the others. And like I said earlier, there are no minefields around the town that I know of. Barbed wire, yes- some around the checkpoints, but that's about it I think. Flares I don't know about either but, if you want my opinion, the soldiers in town really don't seem to be that on top of things, if you get my meaning."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Sat 04 Oct 2008.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #87):

Dawid grinned his usual enthusiastic smile and winked conspiratorially.

"Ah, you know how the Black Market works!"

"One doesn't need to buy off everyone in the unit, one just needs to buy off the commander of the motor pool, who is usually the biggest crook of them all! The others will get their share as he sees fit and keep quiet."

"It'll be up to him to decide how to "lose" the truck, if he's willing to deal. Usually it just "breaks down" and by the time the recovery vehicle arrives to tow it back or recover the cargo, it's been "looted", or the whole vehicle is gone. Damn criminals! We should have enough to trade for a large transport truck if we trade the motorcycle, one of the grenade launchers, a machine gun and stuff like cigarettes and booze. They're a transport unit, they should be able to move everything quite quickly to other customers."

"Do you know the motor detachment commander's name and how he may be contacted? Will the roadblock guards accept bribes to let people into town? I will go myself to make a deal if necessary."

"Although I will fight if I must, I have little desire to slaughter fellow Poles if it can be avoided. After all, these are just poor conscripts with no choice in the matter, not KGB or ZOMO."

"Plus, if we destroy the garrison, the army will know where we are and come looking with a vengeance, maybe looking here! But if a truck goes missing and simply no one reports it...."

"Even if possible my idea may still be refused by my comrades, of course! Still, I should like to present an option that is easier for us, and importantly, safer for you."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:14, Sat 04 Oct 2008.

"Well, thank you young man. I must admit that this whole... arrangement, is making me a bit nervous. But, as long as all of you are gone when the soldiers come looking for you, we should be fine. This isn't the first time we've harbored enemies of the state." He adds with a little smile, referring to brother Switek's little band.

"I don't know if a bribe would work. Although the garrison troops don't seem like much, the motor pool people are pretty sharp. If a vehicle breaks down along the road, they're on it like a flash. They must have a radio or something. You'd be taking a big chance. The more people that see you, the more likely it is that someone will start asking questions. Besides, the soldiers in town already have it pretty easy. They skim from the merchant convoys- you know, 'tolls' and 'tariffs' and the like. And they have some big guns, themselves. The motor pool has a large flatbed truck with a cannon or something on the back. I'm not sure that a grenade launcher or machine gun is going to entice them.

"Although I have no love for the government's soldiers, I don't want to see needless killing either. Perhaps you can catch them sleeping and tie them up or something." He suggests, somewhat naively.

Latrell, the American POW that works on the Bak farm, left when the planning meeting started and hasn't been back since.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:44, Sat 04 Oct 2008.

Mariusz lay down in a fold of ground as he lay close to McCoy, marvelling at the way the man harardly moved a blade of grass as he crept around in the shadows. He scanned the village below and waited for orders.

Griet looked over at the Kaptain and said, "What do you want me to do, Sir, I'll be a good donkey until we reach the contact area, after that I'll be best as an assistant gunner unless there's anything else you need me to do?"

Prior to the recce team departing...


Bayer takes it and looks it over. Such an American weapon, he thinks with both interest and respectful amusement. Stowing it securely into his utility pouch he says "It will be taken care of Robert. See you later tonight."



"As discussed will be good... assistant on the medium machine gun." he answers.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Sat 04 Oct 2008.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #89):

"Well, thank you anyways for your information."

"I am confident that my comrades will be sure to be as non-violent as possible. It is not easy for people to remember that not everyone with a weapon or wearing a uniform is the enemy."

"That can be difficult to keep in mind, some times."

He sighed and shook his head.

"Very well, I shall inform my comrades."

He made sure Konrad and Anneka was updated on the presence of a crew-served weapon in the motor pool.

After handing the 40mm grenades to Bayer, Jason returns to his stall and stretches out to rest up before leaving.  After having had a long day, he dozes off...

Tired but satisfied he'd done as much as humanly possible to prepare for the coming operation, Dawid held off from finding a place to sleep.

He'd asked some direct questions of people but those had been unanswered. No matter, no reply in itself was a clear answer, and that was what he expected.

Yawning, he went to look for Latrell, the Black US Army soldier that had been completely ignored by his comrades the entire time they were there.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Sun 05 Oct 2008.