Bayer, mystified about McCoy's sudden departure, returns to the tug.



Bayer sits on the gunwale and says, "Perhaps you should go further than suggesting. Perhaps you should command the marine element."

He then explains, "To expand on what Jan suggested. I'd like to propose grouping into two separate units... the marine force centered on the Krolowa under Chief Petty Officer Niewiadomska, and a ground element which I will lead."

"Relying entirely on the tug will be a mistake. The objective is to protect the town and not the river. The tug can't really be effective in direct protection of the town."

"The injured would become a combat asset again if all they had to do was man a machine gun on the vessel."

"If there are no major disagreements, I'd like to go with this... then workout a battleplan."

Bayer tentative placement

Griet (nautical background - best suited for vessel commander)
Dawid (best heavy weapons gunner - ship's main armament)
Stoner (wounded - can operate mounted MG)
Kasparov (wounded - can operate mounted MG)
Jan (wounded - can operate mounted MG)
Anneka (better suited here than as an infantryman???

+ A small handful of militia as gunner's assistants and anti-boarders

Bayer
Wicks
Quyen
Ondar
Mariusz
Tucker

+ Most of the militia

Wicks nods in acceptance of the plan. The information that they had been spied on from the opposite bank as he had suspected meant that surprised was out the door. If the pirates do come they will come with everything.

“Would your other mortar benefit from a more stable platform as well ? Some sort of prepared position ? If it does have a direct fire capability it maybe the best chance we have against the torpedo boat.”

“Also as Griet said a fire would be deadly and  autocannon  AP-I rounds have a way of setting things on fire, so positioning the tug further down the river out of sight may protect it somewhat. The tug not being there may embolden the pirates to come off their boats also.”

“Do we intend to still make the food payment on the pier ? Its probably closing the barn door after horse has bolted but should we do a sweep of the opposite bank ?”

Turning to the Bishop Wicks asks

“Has there been any word as to how the trade with the garrison went ? When where they suppose to return”

"We have an 82mm direct fire capable mortar on the Krolowa. And a regular 120mm mortar on shore. Both are limited in ammunition. You are right to question employing it on a stable platform... but with it being direct capable and in the hands of Dawid who has been highly skilled with it... we should be ok." Bayer answers.

"The 120mm mortar on the other hand should be restricted to high value ground targets. We don't have the ammunition to waste trying to score a hit on a moving boat. Large pockets of enemy troops and support weapons are better suited to engage with that one."



"That problem may be moot. With the Krolowa hanging around I would guess it would make a tempting target to the pirates. The fact that a greeting party isn't present may be overlooked with another prize near the dock."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Sun 05 Apr 2009.

"Fire is a major concern," Griet agreed, "the tug is mainly steel and doesn't burn easily but a fire that spreads to the boiler room would be catastrophic. API will be a problem but given the superstructure, most should be stopped where the fire-control parties can deal with them, although enough hits would still swamp us, let's hope that they are as short of ammo as we are. RPGs however will be a bigger problem, they could penetrate into the bowels and cause real damage. As for holing the Krowola, we can take lots of damage and then, at worst we could beach on the east bank and escape to fix the boat if we win."

Griet continued, "The tug isn't like an eggshell and can take a lot of punishment, but the Major and others are right, it's not a battleship and we can't fight it like that. If you want to use the tug to bait the Pirates into a trap I can prepare three plans, an offensive one where we plough in if we out gun them, a fire support one if we're evenly matched and a fighting withdrawal to draw the Pirates on if they have weaponry that could seriously spoil our day. If circumstances change we can come back easily if we do have to retreat. Does that sound acceptable?"

She looked over at the Major, "Major, I would be honoured to have you aboard the tug, it's the best hospital we're likely to have and your intellect and tactical accumen would be nost welcome."

"Land party is great for me, Sir." Mariusz said, "How do you want to use me, all the big guns are taken, I'd like to have added another to my range, but hey, as long as I get to shoot something. As a sniper I'm OK, but someone in the militia might make better use of it than I would, we should ask if they have a sniper that could use it. I'm probably best acting as a translator for a more experienced leader who can't get by in Polish. I'll do anything though, especially if I get close to the ZOO-2..."

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #130):

"I agree with the Krolowa is our major mobile combat asset."

"One thing I would like to point out is we presently have little in the way of other tactical advantages."

"Because of their collaborator(s), they now know far more about us and our plans than we do about them. They don't know how this tug is specifically armed, but they are undoubtably forewarned to look for attempt at ambush in the town. I assume that plan is now dead."

"At the moment, that leaves us with the option of facing the Pirates in open battle on the river. I have no doubt we could prevail, and the arrangements as suggested seem suitable, although I would also unload the Zu-23-2 to the rear deck of the Krolowa, where it would be excellent for anti-boarding duties due to it's low angle of traverse."

"Again, I suggest a more indirect approach. The Pirates could be coming for either the food, the Krolowa, or both. They are expecting a fight to the death over either or both."

"Let us, then, do the unexpected!"

"The town can leave what food they can, then evacuate with the rest in the ample ground transport we have provided. Meanwhile, the Krolowa withdraws upriver and leads any pursuers into a trap at a suitable location. If they decide to split their forces and send a shore party to pursue the town inhabitants on foot, that is excellent as that can easily be ambushed.""

"If the Pirates think the foreign mercenaries have simply departed, they may just take the food and go back to base. At that point the advantage is ours. We can find out where they live, recce their defences, and strike at OUR choosing."

He asked rhetorically, "Griet, you are a navy type, when is a ship the most vulnerable? Fully crewed, under steam and looking for a fight? Or tied up at the wharf, crew ashore, biolers shut down?"

"I think Dawid might be better employed on shore with the 120 mortar and Mark 19 as fire support."

"Both the Hauptman and myself can call fire fairly well so it makes sense for one of us to be on the tug and the other on the ground. I think we can agree on who is best on the ground."

"Griet, with Minh's assistance, should I think be able to handle the 82mm well enough, especially since it's really only likely to be used in direct fire. You've trained on the big guns haven't you Griet?"

"I'd like to have the AGS on board too, Jan would probably be best using it from the rear upper deck, or wherever it needs to be. It's light enough to move about, yet powerful enough to inflict serious damage."

The heavy machineguns could be crewed by militia I think, some of the biggest and strongest amongst them to handle the recoil, with an assistant to help load or take over as gunner should they be injured." Anneka could have said killed, but she prefered not to raise that possibility while the locals were in earshot.

"So, I suggest then that Griet, Minh, Jan and myself as MFC along with about half a dozen, perhaps a few more militia crew the tug. Jason might also be of some use too, perhaps with that fourty mil grenade launcher I made him lug about the countryside, or a light machinegun?" Wounded as he was, it was unlikely he'd be able to handle one of the heavier machineguns, or assist with either the mortar or AGL.

"Everyone else is fit for duty, if a bit sore and sorry."
Even Tuckers arm had responded well to the surgery she and Stoner had conducted the day before.

"So what about my suggestion to put the ZU on the aft deck? It should be a bit more useful there than positioned somewhere on the ground unable to move."

In reply to Anneka Soleblume (msg #136):

Dawid replied, "Major, I think putting the Zu there is a good decision. We can always unbolt it from the truck bed, that won't take more than a half hour to get it off and loaded."

"The Vasilek remains our most potent anti-ship weapon, considering there are anti-armour rounds left. I should man it wherever it is. Second is the Mk.19 grenade machine gun. The mortar is fine and I would recommend it for ground targets where it's registered, but for on the river against boats? Use the Vasilek."

"I understand that we must get to our battle stations immediately, should the Pirates show immediately."

But if they don't, perhaps we should not simply be engaging the Pirates in the middle of the river in a simple fight to the death, winner-takes-all? (Or whatever's left.)." His tone was not snide or sarcastic, but honest and frank.

"Now that ambush would seem to be out, we can consider other options. I am willing and capable of engaging and destroying the enemy to the best of my ability. I say that as we are at an apparent disadvantage (for the Krolowa doesn't quite even the odds and she has her own vulnerabilities), if we have the opportunity we should instead choose our time and location to fight, and not wait for the Pirates here whenever they decide to show."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:27, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

"I'd prefer to keep our men manning the support weapons, such as the guns on the tug. Our men are proven reliable where as the militia are more of a unknown."

"I'm going to guess that the 82mm will be more crucial to the battle as opposed to the 120mm. Being direct fire and on the river, I think it will be more useful and more felt by the enemy... which is why I had Dawid assume the position."

"We've only 6 rounds for the 120mm anyway. If possible, I'd rather not use it unless it was absolutely necessary. We won't destroy the enemy tomorrow, only wound them. We will need to be able to the fight the day after if necessary. If it comes down to it, I can use it as a final protective weapon." (Bayer has lvl 6 G.Lnchr)

"Which weapons you use on the tug, I'll leave that up to you all. Also, if you do think you don't need as many our our men ob board - I'll take Stoner off and put him with me. Done."

"Agree. The tug shouldn't be waiting for a simple exchange of broadsides. Griet should recce the river today. Find a location where tactical positioning will give the tug an advantage. Those on board should come up with your own plan on how you will deploy and fight. Us on the ground will do the same for ourselves."

"Dawid I support choosing the time to fight. If they don't show tomorrow we will strike first."

"Ok? Half of your counter proposals have been taken? Shall we press on. Recces need to be done, the militia readied and weapons transferred."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #138):

"Agreed, I should man the mortar on the tug."

He lit another cigarette.

"Remember, nothing says we can't hand over most or all of the requisitioned food tomorrow, then take it back later."

"And... why wait until tomorrow to see if they strike? Why not recce their base tonight, and strike at dawn? I seriously doubt Pirates are going to keep that close a watch!"

"We still need to organise the militia here into teams, assign our own people to command them and carry out some basic tactical instruction," she commented after Dawids suggestion to strike immediately.

"Our wounded also could do with a little more rest if possible and defenses need to be prepared. Any attack we make be it by river or land is unlikely to be a decisive blow and may just bring the pirates down on the town all the quicker."
She wasn't against a premptive strike as such, but was very concerned about the consequences if it failed, or only partially suceeded.

"Hauptman, I feel your skills might be better utilised leading the ground forces and calling fire than at the rear with the fire support. Plutunowy Piotrowski is definately the best person for that job as he would have absolutely no problems speaking with the militia assigned to assist. Sergeant Tucker could be a good choice too if the language barrier could be dealt with satisfactorily."
Language was probably their biggest hurdle to be overcome. With only Dawid and Mariusz on the ground totally fluent and Konrad himself with only rudimentary fluency, she might have to rethink a few of her suggested placements.

"Sergeant Tucker would be better with the AGS onboard come to think of it and Jan on the ground leading one of the squads - purely because of his language skill and no slight to Sergeant Tuckers abilities."

"Now, shall we get the ZU shifted over and teams selected?"

"Adam and I can recce the river as soon as we transfer any weapons you want us to use." Griet replied, "I'd like to have the militia that will be assigned to us tomorrow before we leave in order to start familiarising them with the boat. If you really want to launch a scout party to the pirate base we could insert them if you want."

"Should I lay the demo charges? I'd best get on that now if that's the call." she asks.

In reply to Anneka Soleblume (msg #140):

"Major, I am ready to lead and direct the militia now in their tasks."

"Refresh my memory, what exactly is the plan for the town again? Remember, the Pirates know we were going to reinforce the town, so an ambush would be foolish as they are expecting it. The current plan as I understand it is to lure the Pirates into a fight someplace else on the river, so what is it we're doing in town?"

He finished his cigarette. "Also, may I have a word with you and the Kapitan on the medical supplies?"

Dawid leaned in close to make sure he wasn't overheard. "Major, keep these supplies, including antibiotics, in your possession at all times. I notice that they have a tendency to walk away from us."

This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Saturday, October 14th
0830hrs.
32F
Scattered clouds
Gora Kalwaria, Poland

After a rigorous bout of planning, the team is about to disperse to their various assigned positions and begin preparations for the arrival of the pirates. The ringing of several bells and makeshift gongs from within the town stops everyone in their tracks. The Bishop looks towards the distant pilings of the destroyed railroad bridge. Noting the insistent flashing of a signal mirror, he yells,

"There is no time! They are coming now! Four- no five- small boats. Get aboard the tug. I must defend the town. Good luck!"

With that, the Bishop and his lieutenants hop aboard the party's Tarpan-Honker* and haul ass for the town.

Without waiting for the order, Gryzyech and Luboslaw disappear below and begin to restoke the boiler.

Next Moves?

*OOC: If I remember correctly, the Mk-19 was loaded aboard the T-H for its trip down to the river to investigate the arriving tug. I can't remember if the AGS-17 was left aboard or removed. Honor system here! Any weapons on the T-H can be offloaded and transfered to the tug before the Bishop takes off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:23, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #144):

"Ah shit, never mind."

He grabbed his PKM and ammo, then stepped back on board, favouring his wounded leg.

"I'll be manning the Vasilek. I'll need some help! As well, we need to see what ammunition we have left for it."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:44, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Quyen is prepped for battle. She'd woken early in the morning to inspect her work. Ten demolition charges arced around the edge of town on the side which faced the river. Long strands of fuses snaked back to two main detonator locations (one already rigged to a detonating machine). Each charge had the equivalent of an 81mm mortar bomb. Potential battlefield assets which could do a lot of damage... providing the enemy wandered into the pre-determined kill zones.

She'd chosen each kill zone carefully to help guide them onto the hidden dynamite. Some were where the land sloped and offered dead ground which the enemy could use to approach the town unaffected by direct fire. Other places where in locations she figured the enemy might use for cover in the assault... around vehicle wrecks, behind large trees, etc. All of the charges were on the river's side of the cover - where the enemy would be deploying and advancing from. As she completed her inspection, she copied down a crude map... indicating the identities of the charges and their corresponding fuse.

As she mustered up with the ground detachment, Quyen slung her AK74 over one shoulder and rested the RPG-16 on the other. The pair of reloads were strapped to her webbing. She waited for grouping orders... anticipating to be in the heavy weapons detachment Bayer mentioned earlier since she was lugging the RPG.

"Charges readied and inspected." she reported. "They are strung out from about halfway to the water's edge and a few final protective ones right next to the outer lying buildings."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:18, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Griet heard the alarms and the report of five small water craft. She bent down to the communications tube and yelled, "Engine room, I need full steam as soon as possible."

She looked over to Anneka, "Major, I'd like you to remain in or near the bridge to relay orders, keep watch and look after my father. I'll assist Dawid until we're out of ammo. I'll keep in touch via the intercom. As our ammo for the main gun is limmited, I intend to engage the small craft with the HMGs and GL until we can tell if there are any priority targets. Good luck, Major."

She ducked out of the bridge and briefed the militia HMG gunners to engage the small craft once they'd closed to about 300m, "We have lot's of ammo, this may be your only chance to fire so much, don't spare it, but keep low until we're within 300m, I'll yell to tell you."

She heard the thrum of the deck change as the boilers built up steam, she moved toward Tucker and the AGS, "I'd like the AGS in front of the Bridge initially, engage the boats wehn you deem fit, if they start to surround us, move to engage whatever you deem the worst threat, you and Kasparov are our roaming fireteam, Kasparov, stick with Tucker and use the Grenade launcher and PK to add to the fire as you see fit, use a militiaman to tote what you can't carry."

She moved again and slid down the ladder to the gundeck. She checked the mortar and the assistants she'd selected and waited for Dawid. As she did she checked the intercom.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:38, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Bayer assembled the ground element and broke them into their respective groups. He then did a quick radio check with Mariusz and Jan.

He then clarifies his intention, yelling out to the mustered formation "We'll deploy in the vehicles to an assembly point once a ground threat has been identified by the town's sentries or by radio contact reports from the tug. At the assembly point we will get into a dismounted platoon formation and make contact with the enemy."

"Two squads... 1st Squad, Jan and Wicks. You're on the left once we shake out into formation on the ground. 2nd Squad, Mariusz and Ondar. You are on the right."

"Platoon HQ and weapons det will be behind the two squads until we break off to deploy into a firebase based on the enemy's dispositions. After that keep an ear open for orders, specifically counterattack orders." ...or fighting withdraw orders, he thought.

He looked back at the small reserve, "Mariusz, make sure that lot there know their job is to guard the trucks and await any runners who may be sent to fetch them. They should keep the stretcher near as well."

"Alright mount up." he says, indicating to the two trucks. It would be a tight fit, but they were only going a few hundred meters.

Taking a seat in the Tarpan he squeezes in to allow a third to ride up front with him and Quyen (driving). Toggling the radio, he says, "Queen, this is King. We are standing by to deploy. Send contact report when its time over."

OOC - Prep the night before would have clarified callsigns.

Tug Element - Queen (including Dawid who is Eagle)
Ground Element - King
Town Militia - Bishop (even if they don't have a radio or one of ours)

This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

On hearing the alarm Wicks loads his weapon and moves further down the pier away from the tug trying to get a better view of what they faced. Hopefully just a scouting group anything more mite be a bit beyond their defences at the moment.

He gathers together with everyone else and listens to the captains orders. Then mounts the same truck as Jan for the quick ride to the assembly point.

Wicks
M14K/HK-69 (20/20, 1 HE)
Riding to assembly point

After listening to Konrad's final instructions Jan flips him a quick salute and starts herding his group of militia towards the truck.
"We will be working to the left side of the town. The six of you will be with myself and Wicks here. If we must seperate, you three will stay with Wicks and you three will stay with me. I do not want to see you spraying  bullets like in the cinema. The Bishop, he picked you because  you  can  follow  directions and are steady, we will stop the pirates and keep your people safe if you do as we tell you."
Making sure his weapon is loaded and the rest of his gear is good to go he starts looking over the melitia to make sure they are set as they climb into the truck.

Mariusz nodded and made a beeline for the rearguard unit. He explained their role carefully and then went back to Ondar. He looked at the aisian veteran and said, "What do you want me to tell our squad to do?"

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #148):

After depositing the PKM at his action station, he limped back to where Konrad was located.

"Adam, meet me with Konrad!"

"Remember Kapitan, the strategic concept here is that they are not coming for the town, they could do that at any time because it's not going anywhere."

He indicated the Queen.

"They are most likely coming because of the Krolowa, it's the best explanation I can think of for the timing of their arrival. They hope to strike and capture it before it either escapes out of their grasp or a proper defence of the town can be mounted with her help. She will be their objective, the town is a fruit that can be plucked, er, picked I guess, at any time."

"I would advise not concentrating on the town so much, and maybe setting up an ambush on shore upstream and using the Krolowa to lure the Pirates into it."

He said (or communicated) to Adam, "is there a place around here, upstream, where the river narrows? Maybe 400-500 metres? Maybe a bridge or something? Relatively close?"

Jason hands the militiaman detailed to assist him the pouch containing the spare 40mm grenades and magazine he had removed from his pack at the same time he had replenished the supply on his web gear.  With the militiaman's help, he limps along behind Tucker to board the Krolowa, taking up station forward of the bridge.  Directing the militiaman to set up the PKM on one of the mounts there (the one more likely to be able to bear once action is joined), he takes a belt from the militiaman and loads the machinegun.  "All set here, Tuck," he reports.

As the tug element moves to their respective battle stations and begins clearing for action, several of them spot an unfamiliar figure that no one remembers being among the militia contingent temporarily assigned to the Krolowa. He's dressed in British DPM pattern battle dress and wields an RPK-74 with a Soviet PSO optic. None of the tug's organic crew seem to pay him any notice. Instead of being dismissive, their demeanor around this stranger is one of easy familiarity, as if they are used to his presence. He seems right at home.