TCS Contest #3: Assault on Hill 102

Detlev Simons


Goals:
======
The goal for the marines is to take and hold hill 102. If possible take
and hold hill 109. There is a time limit of 2 hours and casualties
should be low. So the main goal is hill 102 and a secondary goal is hill
109.

Terrain:
========
To make a good analasys I devided the terrain into three sections.
Section 1 East of 12.xx the deployment area of 1/5 marines. Section 2
the terrain between the deployment and the target. (between 12.xx and
7.xx) And section 3 the target zone with the terrain beyond it (west of
7.xx)

The most sinificant feature of section 1 is hhill 125. In general is the
terrain not suited for armoured combat. Hill 125 gives a good position
for fire and observation for about 1 and 1/2 coy. Observation of the
target area and the vally between hill 125 and hill 102 is good. There
is a road crossing section 1 form east to west (north of observation
hill). This road makes quick acces into the vally between hill 125 and
102 possible. Hill 125 blocks LOS for the NK units north of hill 102.
Thus is the area east of hill 125 an excellent postion for long range
mortar units. The rice pady in the south and east of section 1 limit
quick movement behind hill 125. Hill 125 can be passed south by the
road and north by the small pass between hill 125 and the northern
hills. The northern passage has the advantage of cover but is slow, the
southern passage is quick but uncovered and can gives the negative
effects of road movement.

Section 2, the vally between hill 125 and hills 102/019 has three
significant terrain features. A rice pady in southern part of the valley
deneys quick acces to the hills 102/109. The use of tanks and support
weapons in the rice pady is prohibited. Thus this part is of no use for
the attack. The road which moves north along the east border of this
section and the turns to the left straight onto the foot of hill 102.
Movement along the road can only be done if enemy flanking firers are
suppressed. The road is the quikest way to the target. Thus enemy
forces with observation and/or fire capacities onto the road should be
supressed or eliminated by art fire. The little village of Tugok
provides a good position for one or two inf platoons combined with
spotters for art and air support. The vilage gives some protection
against anemy fire and has good obeservation and fire possibilities onto
hill 102 and the enemy positions to north of hill 102. The use of tanks
is possible in the northern part and along the road.

The third section of terrain contains the target(s) hills 102 and 109,
Both with steep hills, so no quick movement is possible. Acces to hill
102 is under enemy observation from postions north of hill 102, hill
109 has no enemy unit observing it. Enemy units should be destroyed
before attacking hil1 102. North of hill 102 is the road which moves
west. The terrain west of hill 102 can be used for limited armoured
combat. The use of tanks against the dug in NK units is possible.Further
to the west there are rice paddy's which deny use of armoured vehicles.

Conclusions of terrain.
1. Terrain west of hill 125 is suited for the deployment of long range
mortar units.
2. Hill 125 is a good postion for support weapons (MG, mortar and art
observers) of one or two coys.
3. The village of Tugok is a good fire and observation postion for the
support of the attack against hill1 102.
4. Attack through the rice paddys is not possible. The main attack
should be along the road.
5. Tanks should first be kept in reserve for the final attack on the
enemy units.
6. Enemy units north of hill 102 should be eliminated by art fire


Enemy:
======
The enemy forces, all dug in, can be grouped into three groups:
1. Inf platoons and Mg section west of hill 102/109
2. Eng platoon and at guns north of hill 102
3. At section and at guns nort/west of hill 102

Group 1 will defend the hills 102 and 109 using their reverse hill
defensive positions. The use of support weapons aigainst the will only
be possible from attop the hills. Thus the use of art fire against them
will be limited (First no observation possible later danger for own
troops). The use of CAS, mortarts and direct fire will be necessary. to
eliminate them once the tops of 102/109 are reached. I possible the fire
from the tops should be supported by flanking fire.

The second group will defend the area north of hill 102 and the vally
east of hills 102/109 with fire and observation (art and mortars).
Their LOS reaches Tugok, the valley road and hill 125 and the slopes of
hill 102. Elimination of these units is necessary before the attacks on
hill 102 and hill 109 can take place.

The last group will support the units defending hill 102 and the
northern passage. Their fire and observation reaches out to Tugok and
the slopes of hill 102.

All enemy units can be supported by 67/122 art en light and heavy
mortars. Thus units with observation possibilities should be suppressed
either by direct fire, artbarrages , mortarfire or smoke.

Enemy units form 18 div will try to counterattack during the night.

Conclusion about enemy:
1. Art fire should eliminate enemy units north of hill 102 as soon as
possible.
2. Art and mortar should supress enemy observers during the attack.
3. Mortars and cas is needed to eliminate enemy units behind hills
102/109
4. The use of a flanking attack against the dug in units in the final
stage is possible.
5. Hill 102 (109) should be secured agaisnt a counter attack

Own forces:
===========
Able, Baker and wpn coy will be deployed in the area north or on road
around hill 125. They wil be supported by a FAC with 4 CAS missions
available (2 within 1500 -1600 and 2 within 1600-1700). They have art
support from Able , Baker and Charly battery. Total amount of ammo is 25
HE, 1 smoke. Fast fire is possible no bataljon fires possible.


Plan:
=====
wpns coy (East of hill 125)
Mortar unist deployed in fire mode east of hill 125. Task is to support
Able and Bakker
FAC and AT section submitted to Able coy

Able coy (southern part of hill 125)
MG sections and Mortar deployed on southern part of hill 125. Task is to
suppress enemy units with fire and support the attack of inf platoons.
All infantry platoons with FAC and AT section attached attack along road
hill 102.
Secure hill 102 and if possible hill 109.

Bakker coy (northern part of hill 125)
MG sections and Mortar deployed on northern part of hill 125. Task is to
suppress enemy units with fire and support the attack on Tugok. Also
observe for art fire. Infantry platoons attack Tugok and take fire and
observation positions in Tugok. Secure Tugok and road.

3 Able 1 tank (east of hill 125)
In reserve, take positions on road east as possible (move mode)
Prepare to move along road and attack enemy positions west of hills
102/109.

Art (all btrs)
Eliminate enemy units north and north-west of hill 102 using fast fire
with observers from Bakker coy.

Suppress and block observation enemy west of hill 102/109 using smoke
and normal fire. Observation from Able and tank platoon

FAC
Use CAS to support attack on hill 102/109.


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