Firebases in T2K

[Raellus]

In Vietnam, there was quite a bit of variation in how firebases were manned and operated. Some were relatively small, designed for a single battery of 105 or 155mm guns. Some were larger, with multiple batteries and many firebases had infantry companies attached to perform base security. Firebases were sometimes used as patrol bases for more active area denial- not just for leg infantry patrols, but for mechanized patrols (sometimes with tanks in support) as well. In these cases, when not on patrol, armor was incorporated into the base defenses. I see T2K firebases as falling into this latter category of more dynamic, flexible, active area denial type facilities as opposed to just artillery parks.

Since, as Chalk pointed out, armies in T2K wouldn't have the manpower to defend a continuous front (at least not in depth), firebases would surround high value strategic areas near the FOB- productive agricultural and industrial areas, for example. Firebases would be cited at intervals around the cantonment, with OPs, thin screens, and patrols covering the gaps. The firebases would be manned by infantry and artillery units, well equiped with AT weapons. An operational reserve of heavy mobile units (i.e. the division's surviving tanks and IFVs) would be located centrally and available to act as a reaction force should any link in the chain be threatened.

I think that in many cases the zones between cantonments would largely be ceded to the enemy since those areas would be unable to support military operations. So, major operations would revolve around the attack or defense of the cantonment areas themselves, since those are the areas that can support life. I mean, how else could the U.S. 5th ID have covered all of that ground largely unnoposed in the lead up to the "Death of a Division" scenario unless is was travelling through large, thinly defended gaps between major cantonment areas

[ChalkLine]

To add to what Rae has said, I'd like to point out that this is the perfect job for PCs to undertake when they finally reach allied lines.

The local commander sees that they are a homogeneous unit and gives them an official classification, such as '22nd Redoubt Company' or whatever. A strong terrain feature is allocated to them and they are ordered to go there, recon it and identify threats, strategic and tactical features, resources and anything else. Then they are given intel where likely sources of defensive equipment may be located. New PCs can come in as drafts of personnel from the parent unit, and some forms of divisional or battalion support might be available.

Better yet, the division will have secured a rear area territory of importance; possibly a civilian urban or manufacturing centre. This makes an ideal town environment for the PCs to kick back, wheel and deal and get into fist fights with other units, all under the watching eye of MPs with the threat of a night in the guard house waiting. A definite worthy addition to a campaign as a change of pace. Disease can make the place off limits if the GM feels it detracts from the feel of the game.

The GM should map out a grand strategy for the unit, incorporate it into the regional strategy that does need to be as detailed as well as an OPFOR strategy. These two strategies can ebb and flow, providing a living back ground of reverses and victories that the PCs can partake in beyond their own local concerns.

ChalkLine likes firebases

[Raellus]

Excellent ideas, Chalk.

The scenario you presented offers players a degree of autonomy while still incorporating them into the bigger picture.

I just watched a segment on 60 Minutes (an American TV "news magazine") about a company of soldiers from the 101st Airborne operating out of a remote FOB in Afghanistan. It was a really cool segment with some pretty suspenseful firefight footage (soldiers were advancing towards the enemy through a cornfield where the stalks were six feet tall. They'd walk out of one field into a wide open patch and another field would be standing like a solid wall fifty meters ahead). Anyway, this sort of thing would be what PCs would be asked to do as the patrol/recon element for a company or battalion sized firebase.

They could also perform civil affairs ops among the locals on the outskirts of the FB, execute ambushes on enemy patrols, go on anti-marauder sweeps, defend the FB from enemy assaults, act as FOs for the FB artillery, recon disputed/enemy territory, etc. The are lots of possibilities.

It seems like many Poland-based campaigns end (or head back to the states) as soon as the PCs return to friendly territory. Attaching the party to a NATO cantonment's FF or FOB would allow the PCs to stay and provide the GM with plenty of fodder for a continued Poland (or E. Germany) based campaign.

[Targan]

I mean, how else could the U.S. 5th ID have covered all of that ground largely unnoposed in the lead up to the "Death of a Division" scenario unless is was travelling through large, thinly defended gaps between major cantonment areas

Actually I think that would be because of the concentrated strength the 5th ID represented. By 2000 during the Twilight War there would be major differences between units which have adopted a cantonment posture (with manpower and hardware spread relatively thin in an attempt to hold territory and maintain security within the cantonment AO) and units which have been earmarked for major offensive operations like the NATO drive into Poland in the summer of 2000. The 5th ID may have moved through the territories of a number of fairly sizeable WarPac units as it pushed deep into Poland but as those WarPac units would have been in "cantonment mode" and the 5th ID was arrayed specifically for offensive operations with the fuel, ammo, manpower and concentrated fighting hardware to make it happen it would have been suicidal for the WarPac units to have attempted to engage the 5th ID in battle. I expect the WarPac units in the 5th ID's line of march kept a low profile and let them pass relatively unhindered, all the while using recon elements to determine the strength and likely objectives of the NATO forces and keep tabs on them as they went. The WarPac units in cantonment would then have sent word back to Reserve Front HQ at Lublin about the NATO forces moving east, and commenced a realignment of their force dispositions to a maneuver and battle posture. That way when the up to strength Soviet tank and motorist rifle divisions assembled at Lublin launched their counter offensive the 5th ID would find it very much harder to withdraw west back along their line of advance, and would be trapped and crushed hammer-and-anvil style.

[jester]

Per Chalkie's idea of a rear area. I wrote a campaign though never played where the PCs after making it to freindly lines were allowed to a recreation and relaxation area. An entire town had been converted to that purpose. Where they could eat, sleep in a real bed in one of the converted houses and hotels, eat at any number of restrains, sports fields, pools, theaters librarys and even a USO and post office to write letters and have them sent to the central collection point where one day they may be shipped home and delivered.

There was even a store where they could buy, sell and barter. And of course a black market.

There were however some rules. NO WEAPONS only officers and Senior Staff NCO's where allowed them. There were local police and MPs from every major force in the region.

I loved the idea since it would allow the PCs to do as Chalk said get into trouble but more in a good natured way.

That reminds me, why does the campaign have to be centered soley around combat I know when we played T2K and D&D we always had some good natured fights in the taverns and bars and among other units and groups that was secondary to the main mission. We also did this several times while waiting for the fleet to take us home at Bremerhaven.

And then I have mentioned my idea of a Tavern or Roadhouse or Inn on this group, the old group and the yahoo one. A Inn of sorts in the wilderness that is left alone and considered a nuetral area by both sides, although it gets tense at times. But hey it must be nice to go to a bar, see a Russian and not have to worry about having him run you over with his tank. Besides its a high priority intelligence position used by both sides who don't want to loose it. <And a good deal of blackmarketeering as well>

[Raellus]

Targan, I think we're on the same page. You pretty much make my point for me. As I mentioned and you echoes, if a large unit is not attacking the focal point of the cantonment, instead skirting its edges, it would probably be allowed to pass with little opposition other than harassment, ambushes of follow up units, and that sort of thing.

But, a corps or army level mobile reserve would be alerted to respond. Eventually, the attacking unit, having penetrated deep into enemy territory, would be stuck between a rock and a hard place. That's what seems to have happened in the "Death of a Division" scenario.

Jester, I agree that half the fun of an RPG is the RPing part. A rear area tavern or supply dump, or whatever would be a good place for non-combat interaction. Unfortunately, in my PbP group, and in others in which I've played, it seems that many players get bored and stop posting when the shooting stops. It's a real shame, IMO.

[Targan]

Per Chalkie's idea of a rear area. I wrote a campaign though never played where the PCs after making it to freindly lines were allowed to a recreation and relaxation area.

I wrote a short story set in Bremerhaven in November of 2000 and based on events involving Major Po's unit. That period in my campaign was certainly a change of pace, the PCs' usual rates of killing and miscellaneous atrocities declined sharply. The weeks the PCs were in Krakow was a similarly subdued interlude, until the hunger for slaughter and mahem overcame Po's warband and they departed Krakow in a hail of heavy ordnance.

That reminds me, why does the campaign have to be centered soley around combat I know when we played T2K and D&D we always had some good natured fights in the taverns and bars and among other units and groups that was secondary to the main mission. We also did this several times while waiting for the fleet to take us home at Bremerhaven.

Coincidentally the main focus of my short story was the All US Services martial arts tournament initiated by Po in Bremerhaven ostensibly as an entertaining distraction for the tens of thousands of US troops waiting to be evacuated by TF 34. Unsurprisingly the tournament ended with a full scale riot and was the catalyst for a number of deaths including one of Po's men and hundreds of serious injuries including to Po who was knocked unconscious by his female USAF security dog handler opponent during his tournament bout and left with fairly serious facial injuries. He recruited the dog handler a few days later and she has been a prominent NPC member of his unit ever since.

And then I have mentioned my idea of a Tavern or Roadhouse or Inn on this group, the old group and the yahoo one. An inn of sorts in the wilderness that is left alone and considered a neutral area by both sides, although it gets tense at times. But hey it must be nice to go to a bar, see a Russian and not have to worry about having him run you over with his tank. Besides its a high priority intelligence position used by both sides who don't want to loose it. <And a good deal of blackmarketeering as well>

The Na Zdrowie in Krakow as described in the module The Free City of Krakow is just such a place. Of course if I was running such an establishment I'd come up with a funkier name, The Nuclear Fish Inn or something like that.