Battle Technology Magazine is pleased to present the latest in our continuing series of tactical simulations for combat training. This scenario again puts the participants in command of a single BattleMech lance faced with a series of tactical situations. Groups of cadets or line officers discuss possible solutions to the situations described. The available simulation-programs are capable of dealing with most battle plans but some options (such as the use of proscribed weapons) are beyond the scope of this simulation. Copies of computer simulation programs are available through your local Battle Technology Magazine distributor. When using computer simulations, reset to the central progress of historical events after each encounter. Recommended discussion items are listed after each section. Please note that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' solutions (except as judged against mission success and casualties). The historical information simply presents how one warrior solved the problem. Innovation is often the key to success in combat. The staff of Battle Technology Magazine wishes to thank Archon-Princess Melissa Steiner-Davion for her continued support and patronage in commissioning these simulations. Decision You are a MechWarrrior in command of a fire lance that is part of a House garrison forces stationed on a world near the border of another successor state. The planet is rocky and cold, but holds significant strategic importance. Ten days ago, the planet was attacked by the forces of the opposing successor Lord as part of a larger offensive. The fighting has not been particularly fierce, and your lance was saved for the counter-offensive when reinforcements arrive. Reinforcements grounded five days ago, and the push to drive the invaders off has begun. Now you are part of an assault on one of the enemy's forward landing bases. Your lance consists of two Catapults, a Wolverine, and your Crusader--all of standard configuration, painted in an appropriate camouflage pattern, and lacking significant damage. All warriors are assumed to be of veteran status, and -- as an added plus -- the cold makes your heat sinks twenty percent more effective. Your objective is to make your way to a specific ridge line, and conduct fire support with long-range missiles for the upcoming assault. You have been given four hours to cover twenty kilometers of rough, broken terrain - approximately half of which will be under enemy control. Heavy winds make flight amid the mountains difficult, so fighter support is not a significant consideration. You also lack accurate recon data. You are in command; your mission objective is to bring your lance into position by the required time and complete the fire support. That should require approximately half your missile supply. What now, MechWarrior? (Recommended discussion items: order of march, possible effects of terrain and weather, covered watch-arcs for the lance 'Mechs, use of command frequencies within hostile territory, relative concern for air units.) Historical: The CO formed his unit into a 'Y' formation with the Wolverine on point 50 meters in the front, then the Crusader and the two Catapults back 75 meters and 200 to each side. Communication between 'Mechs was by hand signals or, in emergencies, tight- beam radio. No unit was to fire unless it came under fire or the CO gave permission. Your lance is advancing towards the objective. The going is slow; the rough and slippery terrain hampers your movements. Ice flurries cut visibility. You are about two kilometers from your objective. If you push hard, you should make it within a window of twenty minutes. The Wolverine on point suddenly raises its fist and points right, the sign that it has spotted something. You turn to look. To the right (east) of your position is a stretch of broken ground approximately two hundred meters wide that ends against a rough scarp slope about eight meters high. Beyond is a maze of rock falls and weathered hills. You see a flash of movement at the ridge line, but your magnetic sensors can not penetrate the metal-rich stone of the ridge. The infrared screen shows everything to be a cool blue. What now, MechWarrior? Historical: The CO continued on his line of advance after moving the BattleMech on point to right flank halfway to the ridge. The Wolverine was given permission to fire at her discretion. You continue with your mission, screened to the east by the Wolverine. Moments later, the Wolverine pilot radios a warning Just as a flight of LRMs impact around the Catapults, inflicting minor damage. The Wolverine snaps off a few quick autocannon shots, then reportsthe enemy driven from the ridge. It appeared to be a Dervish. What now, MechWarrior? (Recommended discussion items: possible threat to the mission, both from the attack and the radio transmission; appropriate response to the ambush with consideration to the overall mission.) Historical: The CO sent the Wolverine to scout the ridge. While the two Catapults hung back, he moved to support the Wolverine. The Support Lance begins at the southern edge of the map. The Harrassing Lance begins along the western edge of the map, out of line of sight of the Support Lance. The Support Lance's objective is to exit the mapboard at it's northeast corner. You crest the ridge as the Wolverine staggers up from behind. Before you is another valley approximately seventy meters across. In small gorge on the far side, you see an enemy lance comprised of two Dervishes and two Dragons. Instantly, you come under autocannon and missile fire. What now, MechWarrior? (Recommended discussion items: the same as last time, with added emphasis on time considerations and the use of the ridge line for defense.) Historical: CO returned fire with his laser battery and called up the rest of the units to engage the lighter force. The rest of your lance joins you at the ridge line. Under your combined fire, you drive the enemy 'Mechs back up the valley. All your 'Mechs have taken only minor damage, except the Wolverine, which has developed a minor gyro glitch. The four enemy 'Mechs vanish up the rock-littered gorge. What now, MechWarrior? (Recommended discussion items: relative benefit of pursuing the fleeing 'Mechs versus the mission objectives, the responsibility of command, use of terrain either in pursuit or defense.) Historical. The CO ordered a pursuit rather than risk leaving an intact enemy force behind him, and pursued the retreating lance into the canyon. You follow the enemy 'Mechs into the canyon, intent on destroying them to protect your mission. The glacier-carved canyon is narrow, rocky. The broken ground makes progress slow, and your magnetic sensors are confused by the high iron content of the native rocks. Infra-red sensors show you the tracks of the retreating 'Mechs, warm yellow against the cold blue of rock and ice. You round a bend in the canyon and see the path widens into a former lake bed nearly four hundred meters across. The tracks lead on. You follow. When you are half-way across the valley, the enemy 'Mechs burst out of concealment and open fire. All four 'Mechs of your lance rock under the combined assault. What now, MechWarrior? (Recommended Discussion Items: whetherto fight orfall back, use of terrain for defense, ammo expenditure.) Historical: The unit commander chose to fight for several minutes. In the battle, one enemy Dervish was destroyed and one Dragon crippled. The Wolverine was destroyed and all units took substantial damage. The CO ordered his lance to disengage. The enemy did not follow. The lance reached its mission objective forty minutes late and short on ammo. The CO received a reprimand and demotion. Back to BattleTechnology 18 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com