Tactical Decision Game #96-7
You see an explosion to your left
Flank Guard, Continued
by Maj John F. Schmitt, USMCR
This scenario is the continuation of Tactical Decision
Game #96–3, “Flank Guard” (MCG, Mar96), based on sev-
eral solutions submitted to that problem (MCG, May96).
Situation
You are the commander of a light
armored reconnaissance (LAR) compa-
ny guarding the right flank of the 6th
Marines as it advances north. You are
about 10-12 kilometers east of 6th
Marines, generally paralleling that regi-
ment as you move north astride a dirt
road. The terrain is gently rolling and
sparsely vegetated. It is a clear night;
you have excellent observation with
your night-vision equipment.
As you approach Checkpoint 35,
your 1st Platoon discovers an enemy
column moving across your front from
right to left on Route 40. You dis-
mount and crawl forward to have a
look. A company of about 10 T-64s
leads the column and has already passed
your position. Following the tanks are
what you estimate to be a company of
BMPs and another of BTR-60s. Be-
cause of the terrain you can’t see if any-
thing follows the BTRs. You estimate
that the column is moving about 25
kph. Your company remains undetect-
ed on the trail behind you. You decide
this is an opportunity to ambush the
enemy column, and you crawl back to
your vehicle to work out your plan.
It takes you less than 5 minutes to
figure out what you want to do, 2 min-
utes to issue your frag order, and an-
other 5 minutes to deploy your compa-
ny: 2d Platoon and the TOW Section
move into hide positions behind the
crest of Hill 223, TOWs on the left and
2d Platoon on the right. TOWs will
engage the tanks and 2d Platoon the
BMPs. 3d Platoon moves up the dirt
trail into position to strike the BTRs
near Checkpoint 35. 1st Platoon will
engage from its current position. You
check with 1st Platoon, which reports
that the enemy column is continuing to
86
fire.
and 2d Platoon reports that a couple of
the LAV-ATs have been hit. You can’t
raise the TOW Section leader on the
radio. What next, Captain?
Requirement
In a time limit of 2 minutes decide
what you will do by issuing any orders
and/or making any appropriate re-
ports/requests. Then provide a sketch
and an explanation of your plan. Send
your solution to Marine Corps Gazette,
TDG #96-7, Box 1775, Quantico, VA
22134 or fax (703) 640-0823.
move at the same speed. Your platoons
are in position; by your watch it has For more detailed information on the structure
been only 12 minutes. You give the or- of Marine Corps units, Marine Corps equip-
der: “Now!” and your company moves ment, and symbols used in TDG sketches, see
quickly. Only when you crest the ridge MCG, Oct94, pp. 53–56 and the modifica-
do you realize you have miscalculated tion reported in Jan95, p. 5.
the time-distance factors: The enemy
has moved nearly 5 kilometers down
the road. In rapid succession your
TOW Section leader reports: “I can’t
see any tanks!” and 3d Platoon reports:
“No enemy near Checkpoint 35.” 2d
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Platoon engages the BTRs at the end of
the column, and they begin to return
;;
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3
;;;;;
40
BTR-60s
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BMPs 1
34
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2
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AT
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223 M
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Main body
@ 6-8 km
Kilometers
TDG#96-7 0 1 2 3
Marine Corps Gazette ✩ July 1996