Megablitz and more: Film at Eleven

This was a Boots on the Gound game run by it's author, John A. The scenario “Film at Eleven” was copied with minor changes from Marine Corps Gazette’s Mastering Tactics, Maj John F Schmitt USMCR, Marine Corps Association, Quantico, Virginia, 1994. Parts of the briefing are below:

SITUATION

You are the commanding officer of Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d US Marines, fighting in an arid desert environment that offers exceptional mobility for wheeled and tracked vehicles.

Oasis is the only source of water in the region. The local population lives in adobe buildings, which will not normally withstand anything larger than small arms. The only masonry buildings are the mosque/community centre and the pump house. In the centre of town is a large plaza. Surrounding the buildings are irrigated fields of “short” crops that meet the needs of the local people. The local population is of the same ethnic group as the enemy, although their actual support for the enemy is sometimes less than enthusiastic.

PHASE 1 - PLAN

REQUIREMENT

You do not feel particularly friendly towards the news team, but you have other things to worry about. How will you approach the problem of securing Oasis? You’re glad that for once you’ve a little time to plan your operation, so take 20 minutes. Write the order you will issue to your rifle platoons and weapons company and your instructions for the camera crew. Include a statement of your intent, a focus of efforts, any plans for supporting fires, and an overlay of your plan. Then provide an explanation of the rationale for your plan.

Does the enemy have a critical vulnerability you can exploit?

PHASE 2 - THE GAME

Implement your plan.

NATO ORDER FORMAT

GROUND

SITUATION

Enemy Forces

100 - 150 local militia equipped with small arms, RPGs, machine guns and possibly light mortars

Friendly Forces

Company HQ (in Humvee) - CO, signals detachment, corpsman (medic), interpreter.

Three rifle platoons, each with HQ, officer, sergeant, radio operator and three squads of three fire teams with 3 x M16A2, 1 x M203 Grenade Launcher, 1 x SAW.

Weapons Platoon

HQ, officer and one enlisted man.

6 x M240 machine gun teams

Mortar Section of 3 x 60mm mortars

Assault Section - six assault teams (SMAW)

MISSION

EXECUTION

COMMAND & SIGNAL

Rules of Engagement

QUESTIONS

In the game, The Free World forces were led by Jerry E, Tim C and myself. We concocted a plan whereby the main force (2 platoons) would approach along the road from the north while 3 Plt with the Assault Sect would sneak in from the west to secure the pumping house. The remainder of the Weapons Plt would establish a position astride the road to the south with a view to providing fire support if required and blocking the retreat of any nasties. If the main force came under effective fire we would carry out a 'demonstration' of our massive firepower to intimidate any local thinking about having a go.