"So you're talking about some kind of Commando raid," interjected Seth in response to Taras, "to take out the Bridge Tolls leadership?  Would it be worth doing that and then waiting to see what happens to the rest of them?  They might well collapse as an organisation once their leadership is dead.  Probably best to have the full assualt lined up and ready to go but if the decapitation is successful then it might be best to offer them the chance of surrender before launching it.  There might well be some good people on the island that are worth recruiting once they know which way the wind's blowing!"

Keith smiles, "I'm up for a commando raid!"

The centre of gravity of the Billy Goats turns around the Control Tower. This provides an outstanding observatory post and alert centre from where reaction forces are dispatched if intruders are detected on the island. To take this Command and Control facility is imperative. Since we do not have an Air Assualt capability to quickly take them out and we have to rely instead on slower moving mechanized forces we have to make a surgical removal using long range, precise artillery. Here is where Capt. Bezhov and his SA-8 Air Defense combat vehicle will make an impact. The starting point will be the destruction of the Control Tower with those missiles that apppeared to be able to be targeted with radar and and electro-optic system. Upon consultation, Capt. Bezhov feels confident about this task.

Taras already thought of many other ways to destroy the Control Tower but only through sheer application of seriously precise and powerful firepower couyld be achieved.

Then we will conduct a river crossing, my military specialty in the Red Army as a Combat Engineer, the purpose will be to move combat power in the fporm of a re-inforced mechanized platoon consisting in:

- 1 LAV III with crew and 6 troopers.
- 1 BMP-2 with crew and 6 troopers.
- 1 BTR-70 with crew and 8 troopers.
- 1 "technical" in the form of a SUV with a .50 cal HMG and a crew of at least four.
- 1 "technical" in the form of a SUV with a Mk-19 and a crew of at least four.
- 2 ATV's with a crew of 2 each.

This will be followed by Comat Service Support and a follow-up force in the shape of a full company of Military Police made up fo RCMP and militia that will be tasked primarily as a reserve force during the mech. assault and then as a consolidation force once the take over the airport is complete.

Sgt. Shevchenko moved to explain on to the fire support:

I'm counting with the formation of an artillery battery under the command of Capt. Bezhov and composed by the SA-8, two Cougars armed with 76 mm guns that are currently in the North Shore militia hands and our 60 mm mortar. In PacWar style, I'd rather mass the artillery firepower and put it under the main effort rather the divide it piecemeal. Seems like the Cougars are not mobile but that does not matter much as long as they can shoot.

A lot of logistical effort would be required but Taras was a pragnatic man and knew well what could be achieved or at least expected with the contribution of professionals of the arms and enough political back up.

If this arty capacity can not be completed as such we can count with going shopping to the Hell's Angels island and get a couple of mortar tubes or whatever we can get. As I said this will be a combined arms operation and as such will be conducted

Before I run into more detail about the crossing here are some facts to matter to understand this operation:

We rely on SURPRISE, the enemy will not be expecting such an effort. When they do, it will be too late for them. We will build a deception plan as well as not to give out our location of crossing with false preps, fires, etc. I must encourage SECURITY and respect noise, cammouflage and concealment at all times. I'm expecting a decent spring weather to conduct the crossing. This will be done by snorkeling and ferry. We may be do that in low light conditions as well.

Extensive preparations will be conducted including heavy reconnoissance, maskirovka and detailed rehearsals for the units to fully understand the plan. We will be flexible with contingencies but I'd like discipline and stick to the plan. Again, I come from a heavily disciplinarian background and this type of operation is demanding enough to require certain rigidity and observance of the rules.

There will be traffic control. From the University to the Indian Reserve and from there to the river crossing shores and beyond. This will be conducted by RCMP and militia especially trained. The units taking part in the operation will be organized through command and control cells.

Finally SPEED. It is of the most importance to cross the river quickly, assemble the force and prepare the assault quickly, without losing command.

Before I go more into the detailed phases of the operation I will like to make sure that our Commander Belanger feels confident with this plan and we can count with the approval and support of the other representatives of the forces that will be required in the operation: Members of the Canadian Forces, RCMP, militia, ex Soviet combatants, survivalists, etc.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #11):

"This sounds like more than a commando raid, but if that's what's needed... To make an omelette you do have to break some eggs but let's keep in mind that we want to break as few as possible."

"I think that a strike will be necessary, and I will recommend this course to Angela so we can begin preparations immediately."

He paused a moment.

"A couple details. MacArthur has a couple of Grizzlies we can probably have ready in less than a week. Those are APCs armed with machineguns, not 76mm cannons. I don't know if that changes things.

"Second, I'm not sure we can get mortars from Annacis Island, or we'll have to work undercover so they're not aware they're selling to us. The criminals here don't like working for or with the authorities, it's probably more adversarial than you're used to in the Soviet Union. Even so, I feel that dealing with the HAs, their clients or even just black market arms dealers in general puts us in a compromising position, especially if we have to move on them later."

He considered something for a moment. "Of course, we can frame any buying of mortars as part of an "ongoing investigation", so I'll ask Khandola to look into it. On the other hand, I'll also ask the Island if we can get some tubes and ammunition through channels."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Sun 31 Oct 2010.

Inspector Khandola nodded in agreement.

"It is a good idea to start gathering evidence now. The Emergencies act is very strict about black marketeering and profiteering, especially of war goods. It's time to open an investigation!"

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #12):

Keith raised his hand when he thought it was appropriate 'not' to interupt Alain in his briefing.  "Excuse me Mr. Belanger!  If it will help the cause out sir and it would appear that you've accepted my help so the least I can do is offer up the use of my ERYX  launcher & HEAT missiles.  I've got some other stuff I don't mind sharing with the unit so if there's anyway I can help, please let me know!"

Sgt. Taras addressed the authorities. There was a clear concern about the use of force. A political risk in need to be tackled:

There is a way of avoiding unnecessary casualties...My plan is based on a North Vietnamese concept called "Blooming Lotus":  This is a tactic where the defences along the objective’s perimeter are avoided and instead fast moving units are driven into the airport centre. The critical Command & Control is attacked and destroyed. The lotus then blooms outward, defeating the perimeter defences piecemeal.

I am confident that the decapitation of the leadership and assault and occupation of the main terminal will be likely facilitate the surrender of the perimeter forces that in this case are located in the bridges. Once the centre is occupied the perimeter units are left to their own devices and nothing to defend for.

This is good for us because we don't have that many troops. So far I would be happy if we can get at least a mortar battery and a couple of boats to ferry vehicles across the river. The rest is already here

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #15):

Belanger nodded. "Okay, I can see this working. Taras, do we have a use for the Eryx?"

Who's Erick?

The ukrainian seemed to be puzzled, obviously unfamiliar with the term.

Out on the roof of the Airport Square office building*, Rob and Andy checked up on the sniper element. Everything was fine, they had the desired areas of the airport under surveillance.

http://tinyurl.com/392nzkq

Below them was the Arthur Laing Bridge, which carried Grant MacConachie Way to Sea Island, the dredged parcel of land that was the airport. On the bridge was the sandbagged position on the bridge, and a second one on the overpass above it. All foot and vehicle access via the bridge was cut off by liberal use of concertina wire attached to posts and concrete anti-vehicle blocks. There were signs warning of minefields but it was hard to see where they could be hidden on the concrete.

Off to the left was the Oak St. Bridge which crossed the North Fraser to Richmond proper. Richmond (another larger island in the river's mouth) and YVR was separated by a canal wide enough for small and medium-sized river traffic to pass.


*Incorrectly identified earlier as a hotel, the Airport Square building is actually an office tower.

The briefing seemed to be turning into a general discussion meeting rather than a formal military briefing so Seth interjected with a comment regarding something that was obviously troubling him.

"Sir," he said generically addressing Taras, Belanger and Khandola as well as anyone else present who seemed to be in charge.  "I'm new here so my apologies if I've misunderstood something but I thought that one of the key things that we wanted access to at the airport was the comms gear in the Control Tower.  The plan on the table calls for a massive destruction of the Control Tower and that's fine by me but it sounds like it's against one of our primary objectives for gaining control of the airport.  Or am I wrong?  Additionally if you need someone to go and negotiate at the HA controlled market for mortar tubes or other munitions then I'll put myself forward as a candidate for that job.  I'm new here and I don't look much like a smartly dressed soldier!"

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #19):

"Ah, good point. There are actually two control towers. The new one was built just before the war, and they hadn't taken down the old one. We're pretty sure that the electronics on the new tower were wiped out by EMP so we're not as worried by damaging them. The old tower had been retrofitted to be a radio broadcast studio and should be suitable for our purposes. If not, we'll deal with repairs and so on."

"So we're talking about destroying the new control tower with artillery rather than the old one then?  Just to be certain!"

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #21):

"The Gecko's SAM missiles can be visually targeted with a line-of-sight link, for use in ECM-heavy environments. The warhead is proximity-fused, it's not a HEAT round or fragmentation warhead. Exploding the warhead nearby will probably not destroy the tower. There are no windows or antennas, the electronics are shot... basically, until we rebuild it it's just an observation post."

Taras listened with interest to the exchange. He couldn't but jump-in:

I do understand that the Government might be interested in salvaging some electronics. From a military point of view, and I was a Senior Lieutenant with the 62nd Motor Rifle Division, I can say that it also constitutes the largest airport in Western Canada. The place is probably holding thousands of litres of aviation grade fuel and sits strategically at the mouth of the Fraser river and in between the cities of Vancouver and Richmond. This is a high value target as you can imagine. One that the current occupiers seem to be aware as they also have a military background. We all have seen those bunkers and even armoured vehicles covering the approaches.

The burly Ukrainian didn't have any doubt that the military people present would question his statements. It was the political aspect of the operation what troubled him most. Nonetheless he tried to pitch his sale to the provisional Government figures.

This strategic value that I'm talking about might well justify the use of "force majeure"* to regain control over.



*Force Majeure literally means "greater force". These clauses excuse a party from liability if some unforseen event beyond the control of that party prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract. Typically, force majeure clauses cover natural disasters or other "Acts of God", war, or the failure of third parties--such as suppliers and subcontractors--to perform their obligations to the contracting party. It is important to remember that force majeure clauses are intended to excuse a party only if the failure to perform could not be avoided by the exercise of due care by that party.

"It's an anti-tank weapon system Taras.  I think the Frog's make 'em, no offense to anyone of course!"

Ah! An anti tank weapon! Of course, it would be useful. In our military doctrine we stress the elimination of armor threat before the assault. Frogs? French? I know I shouldn't been so surprise but I didn't expect french weapons in Canada. The truth of the matter is that even the almighty Red Army borrowed some foreign designs as well. In Engineering units we have a Czech design improvement of a scissors bridge...

He realized that he was derailing the conversation:

Sorry! Sometimes I get carried away. The plan is something beyond a raid. It would be a true combined arms operation. Raids are usually conducted by highly trained Spetsnaz troops that we do not have at hand. Neither they use armoured vehicles or retain terrain. For the contingency plan regarding the assault we are going to need good squad leaders.

We are attacking at reinforced platoon level with 3 mounted squads, one per vehicle: LAV-III, BMP-2 and BTR. Bulat will be one of the squad leaders. Artillery support will be a mortar battery and the Gecko, of course. I'm counting with Capt. Bezhov. 2 technicals armed with heavy machine gun and grenade launcher will support the assault platoon. The sniper/recce element will ride on the quad bikes...

Further information and detailed planning will depend on approval of the operation.

Rob checks over the positions which had been set up and then asked to see the surveillance logs that the teams were supposed to keep. Mainly looking for shift changes, patrols, in and out traffic and any stops the bridge trolls had made during his absence. He also asked the men about their equipment to see if there was anything else they might need. Lastly he asked if anything odd or out of the normal had happened.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #25):

"That's good input, Seth. Although it would be nice to capture the new tower intact at this time the telecommunications equipment that is at or near ground level is more important to our efforts, and is more vulnerable in the long term to flooding if the river breaches the dykes."

"Taras, I will go ask Angela now if we can proceed on a strike option on YVR. Being a politician she may insist on trying to have it both ways: holding out hope for negotiation while at the same time having a contingency put into place. I don't think that would be the best course, but I am not discounting that may be what we have to deal with."

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #26):

The ERT marksman briefed Andy and Rob when they met then on the top of the Airport Square building.

"We have logged the Troll patrol and shift change patterns. There was one "toll" stop of a fishing boat, out of New Westminster. There's a section (squad) total manning both of the two sentry posts on the bridge and overpass above. There's a couple more Trolls that are manning the "customs" dock in the river itself under the Arthur Lang bridge, just a basic wood platform with barrel floats and a plank walkway out. There's an M113 parked on the bridge, too."


OOC: Information on YVR and map link is posted to Reference Information thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:55, Thu 04 Nov 2010.

Going off, Belanger made a call to Kwan, and quickly returned with an answer.

"She doesn't like it, but she agrees that a strike may be our best shot. Go ahead with planning, Taras. She may decide later to go with a negotiated settlement but that's something we can discuss tonight."

Taras nodded to Belanger:

Very well. I'll put my papers in order and we can have a briefing regarding the operation after dinner. I would rather have a peaceful resolution but we have to have options.

Perhaps I don't have a clear picture of the Government intentions. If the idea is just to recover a bunch of electronics I say sit and wait for the whole Island to dissapear. The Bridget Rolls will jump ship like rats on a sinking boat and, later on, a motor boat can go and pick up the electronics. After all they are sitting 60 meters above the surface!

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #31):

"No, it's not really the radars and radios we're worried about but telecommunications... telephone switching and routing equipment. That's all at ground level, and it will be destroyed if YVR floods, which it very well could."

A telephone exchange? Is that all?

The look was suspicious. Perhaps the civvy Government knew something. Or was sheer madness by the politicians as usual.