OP Aquila: Planetfall, Orders and Results Thread

[Company Medic]

7022nd Wing

It's simply put.

The morning is depressing and little of the enemy is hit by Navy craft. Nil result.

The afternoon sees the following:

A 2nd Syltrexian RRF heading to the spaceport is jumped by the 'Puritans' and brutally handled by the Krieg pilots. Burning vehicles and dead enemies litter the snow as the Puritans make pass after pass over the column. Ground fire is light, but your pilots estimate they have destroyed about two companies worth of enemy troops.

The 'Missionaries' hammer the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Syltrexian. Ground fire is totally ineffective and the Marauders score a number of hits in their overflight, hitting the enemy's battalion vehicle park in a spectacular fashion.

The 'Swordsman' late in the afternoon encounter the first of the enemy airpower. A flight of enemy bombers, escorted by two flights of fighters make an appearance and are jumped by the enthusiastic Swordsman pilots who dive out of the bright sun. The enemy immediately dive down onto the deck, but the glare seems to have blinded at least two enemy pilots who dive their machines straight into the ground. The Swordsman simply lock on to the fleeing enemy and have a field day as the enemy scatter. 2 Bombers and 4 fighters are shot down for no loss to the Navy.

Finally, the intel request is easily met with a lifter shifting the intel's troops to their desired location.

This post has been edited by Company Medic on Jul 24 2005, 06:32 AM

[Company Medic]

LZ Bridges

Nillius Hector hit his comms officer with his swagger cane, 'what do you mean they're out of contact!'

By opening his mouth to shout, Nillius' carefully placed cheroot dropped into the snow with a sizzle. His batmen groaned inwardly - it had taken a full hour to get the image right with that cheroot.

"Sir," the comms officer protested, "we haven't got any comms with them, there's a lot of interference!"

"You're lying! You're working for those traitors aren't you!? AREN'T YOU!?" Nillius Hector was screaming loudly, his unstained landings seemed to be coming apart with this treachery by the Terullians... yes that was it, treachery....

[Pvt Vanguard]

Despite the operational deployment gentle Piano music could be heard from the covered salamander scouts. As Captain Miliner walked in to investigate he waved for Robertson to continue, after all, intel didn't place anyone nearby and he was good. As the other three looked up he held out the big thermos, "Good work today, got us some coffee, grab your mess tins, you'll need it as you've got a cold job ahead of you."

Pouring out five even measures a tin was placed next to the piano, "You wont be able to do that further in the field you know, how'd you get that keyboard down here anyway?"

"Better not to ask sir, you still have plausible denial" Kelly called from behind.

"Once a lawyer, always a lawyer" said the Captain with a shake of his head, before raising his mug of coffee, "here's to the operation's continued success."

"Here's to some civilised music" piped Robertson, leaving the keyboard for the coffee.
"To seven seven seven section" was Lao's toast
"To the Emperor" called Kelly, somewhat too loadly
Finally, the oldest of them after Miliner, Pvt Gold paused, "To our families"

Captain Miliner nodded in aproval, "We can all drink to that I think".

The mug and mess tins came together with a metallic clink.

Day 1 Night Orders

1. First Team is to head south to try to more accurately locate the refitting Razak Armoured Regiments. They are to try to remain unseen above all else but if spotted retreat at full throttle. If located, intel is to be patched to Imperial Navy assets for hopeful airstrike.

2. Second team is to hunker down for the night but try to keep a rotating watch of the road. If spotted, flight North into the woods is recommended.

3. Captain Miliner will talk to some 104th troops. Hopeful of more useful intel but spend most time to collate the 2nd Team data and get good rest.

Message:
To: Wing Commander Scharnhorst
From: Capt Miliner, Intel

Be advised that enemy aircraft are operating from bases one and two primarily. Additionally, enemy armour force positioned south of spaceport. Request airstrike once further information become available during the night.

[Brother-Librarian Akritedes]

“HAHA! See boys? THAT’S what training is for!”

Jameson looks around him at the flushed and excited rookies holding the eastern AA tower. Things had gone far better then expected for the initial drop, with an entire enemy regiment surrendering and the complete capture of the spaceport. He reaches over and tousles the hair of a nearby rookie looking out the window at the snowy tarmac.

“Told ya we’d get ‘er done, didn’t I? And there were you guys thinking this was a journey to heaven order. Teach you to doubt your colonel, eh? Welp, I’d better be off, still gotta tour the south tower. Don’t get too comfy though, we may be moving in a hurry.”

At that, the Colonel steps towards the stairs, his vox officer and 2IC falling into step behind him as he puts on a very non-regulation ten-gallon hat.


Orders:
2nd and 4th Battalions, plus 13th and 14th Companies will move up to the spaceport and occupy the defenses already in place at the spaceport. As usual, in the event that the enemy attacks, 14th Company will provide a rear-area support role to augment our already large complement of mortars.

1st and 3rd Battalions will continue to hold the current defenses, although they will turn over the AA guns to qualified personnel as soon as they arrive. Meanwhile, they will practice with the guns and get used to the feel of them, practicing on balloon targets or whatever Supplies will issue them. This training will only be conducted to the extent that it does not compromise the defenses, however.

1st through 3rd Battalions and 13th to 14th Companies will be on a ready react order, so they can get moving and prepare to board aircraft within a half-hour of receiving the order to move.

A memo will be sent out to all NCOs and officers reminding them to keep their units parachutes and drop gear in good order and condition, as a faulty chute means a dead trooper.

Similarly, a memo will be sent to the supply officers in 4th Battalion, reminding them to check over the captured supplies for any equipment that might be useful for the regiment. Basically, I want them to try and increase my equipment quality.

A request is made to Wing Commander Scharnhorst requesting an aerial strike on the two Razak armored units south of the city, specifically on their fuel supplies and vehicle munitions. He will also be sent a copy of Operation Dagger Thrust, along with a request that he support it.

Finally, a request is made to the Major-General to release the 2nd Parrell to attack the enemy armor refitting to the south. He will be sent a copy of Op Dagger Thrust, and I welcome any assistance he is willing to provide. If permission is given, the orders below will be acted on as soon as they apply, with the above orders holding until they do. If not, the orders above will stand.

Orders if permission is given:

This entire operation will be carried out in complete coordination with the Navy and any support forces Major-General Hector allocates.

Operation Dagger Thrust:

At 1130 hours, any action to be taken by the Navy will be done, to cover my deployment and cause general havok

The three combat battalions (1st-3rd) and 13th company will take off at noon via lifter and Valkyrie assault dropship and deploy under fighter cover to encircle the enemy positions. Any additional forces will do the same. Once down, they will scout the enemy perimeter carefully and locate the enemy supply areas and HQs, if the Navy has not already eliminated them. If the Navy has taken the supply areas out, they are to focus on merely locating the enemy command centers. Once done, they will feed precise coordinates to 14th Company at the spaceport, at which point the enemy HQs will be hit with time on target napalm and anti-personnel shells. Any artillery support the 99th Kylgor are willing to provide is requested. Meanwhile, 13th Company will select ambush sites and deploy AT teams to occupy them for later use.

Once the command structure is taken out, the three combat battalions will push on the enemy’s perimeter and sabotage or destroy as many functional vehicles as possible. Any forces the Major-General allocated would push to break the enemies line and cause as much havoc as possible, or simply focus on crushing as much of the Razak regiments as possible.

At 1500 hours or once the enemy has retreated, the 2nd Parrell will fall back through 13th Company's ambush points and exfiltrate via air transport and return to the spaceport. No man is to be left behind.

Any and all support the Navy is willing to offer for Op Dagger Thrust is requested most humbly and urgently.

[Commissar Molotov]

Scharnhorst stood with his hands behind his back in the Spaceport. His spaceport. The Imperial Guard had done an adequate job of securing the facility, and now progress was being made on transferring goods down from orbit.

The reports from that day had been encouraging. Six enemy downed for no loss.

The skies would belong to the Krieg, and retribution would be theirs to deliver.

---------------------


In the night of Day One, the main focus will be on transferring operations from space to the spaceport.

The 10734th Ground Defense Squadron and the 7000001st Lositics Squadron will both be assigned to the Spaceport, and are to transfer during the night, taking care of the hostile weather conditions. The 4th Anti-Aircraft Flight is the major priority - I need the Hydras on the ground as soon as possible. The four sets of AA defenses built into the spaceport will need manning also.

The request is made to any Imperial Regiments close to the spaceport to assign Engineers to the spaceport temporarily. I require windbreaks to be constructed so that the unloading of transports can occur quicker. I'm attempting to transfer the largest amount of munitions possible to ground-level, and the more transports I can turn around, the better.

I will also ensist that all POWs are kept away from the spaceport; they are sensitive facilities after all, and I cannot afford to have those facilities disrupted.

Miscellaneous
The Swordsmen, the Puritans and the Missionaries are all congratulated for that days' activities. Especially Maier, "The Baron", for his two kills.

72nd Puritans
The Puritans will be given the chance to cool their heels and rest; A token force of fighters will patrol the airspace around the spaceport at all times, to ensure the transports arriving from space aren't attacked. Four planes will fly at a time, with the other pilots resting, but ready to scramble. The flights will be on shifts.

303rd Missionaries/903rd Swordsmen
The Recon Thunderbolt attached to the 303rd is to be sent south of the city to examine the state of the 7th and the 323rd Razak Armoured. Specific attention is to be paid to any AA defenses, and the make-up of the armoured regiments. (To see if they have Hydras, primarily - any other intelligence regarding numbers and types of vehicles can be passed to Captain Miliner.).

Based on the intelligence, if the signs are favourable, the Missionaries are to set out on a bombing raid of the regiments, escorted by the Swordsmen - no doubt The Baron is itching for some more fun. The primary orders for the Swordsmen are to defend the Missionaries against any enemy airpower. Half of the Swordsmen may be equipped with rockets to engage the tanks.

The Missionaries are authorised to carry out multiple raids if Squadron Leaders Karstadt and Meier think it wise.

The primary consideration in any case is to safeguard the lives of my pilots and crews.



If the raids go off, before (I.e, so I get it in the next update), I want another recon flight so I can tell how the Razak have fared. This will affect my agreement (or lack thereof) to Operation Dagger Thrust. Infra-red or the equivalent will be used if the fog is too thick. (Medic, the 'auspex' information the characters referred to in Double Eagle should allow me to guess at some details...)

Correspondance

To: Imperial Guard Commanders in Spaceport Region/Captain Miliner

Today's flights have seen my men ambushing the 2nd Slytrexian. After-flight analysis of my planes' cameras indicate that at least two companies of troops have been killed. The Second Battalion's motorpool was also destroyed by my bombers. I hope that this aids you in the coming days.

[Captain Lithonius]

[OOC] I've discussed with Medic already that I wouldn't be able to post orders until todayish, so despite the fact this looks way out of order (which it is I suppose), its square with the GM. I haven't read any of the posts yet in case you were wondering. [/OOC]

Lieutenant-Colonel Bovrington received the Brigadier's new orders with from the aide with a salute, doing his best to hide his annoyance at the situation. What the hell did he know about commanding assault pioneers? He had been given basic instruction in infantry command as part of his training at the Royal Terullian Military Academy, but he was a tank commander damn it, not an infantry officer!

And where the hell was Lohman? Damn it man, unexplained absence on the eve of the drop was highly unprofessional. He'd give him a stern talking to when he eventually showed up. Unless... unless Nillus had decided to take matters into his own hands already... no, it couldn't be that. Nillus didn't have the balls. Did he?

Then there was the message from the Krieger Naval Officer. It sounded good on the surface, but maybe it was just another ploy by High Command. Win his trust, then stab him and his fellow Terullians in the back when they least expected it! He’d treat this Krieger with caution. Maybe he was trustworthy, maybe he wasn’t.

But right now, Reginald had more pressing matters. Putting such unpleasant thoughts aside, Reginald sat down and picked up a data slate to write his orders for the drop. Thankfully he'd had a good discussion with Lohman over their plan for the drop already, so he at least knew what the man had planned to do for the morning's assault. After that... well, he'd just have to hope Lohman showed up again.

Thank the Emperor those engineers were Terullian. At least he could trust them to look after themselves.

LZ Bridges Orders - Lieutenant-Colonel Bovrington, CO Hunter River Lancers, acting CO 45th Royal Terullian Engineers

Special order: all units are to observe radio silence to High Command until further notice.

Special order: 'A' section of the 7089th Royal Terullian Field Ambulance will be attached to the LZ-Bridges assault force and make the drop with the combat troops.

- All forces are to secure the LZ immediately upon landing and form a defensive perimeter. Once the area is secure, the engineers of the 45th will load into the Lancers chimeras. All forces will then proceed to the first bridge, led by the tanks of both battalions.

- Once within 1km of the target area, the 45th's heavy engineering vehicles will take the lead. These will be immediately followed by the three flamethrower AVRTEs and the demolisher siege tanks, behind which will follow a company of engineers with bunker assault weapons in the chimeras of 'A' squadron.

- A path will be cleared through the razor-wire and minefields with the engineering vehicles. This will be conducted at the fastest possible speed to reduce the time the enemy has to react. Immediately in the wake of the mine-clearers will follow
the three flamethrower tanks, which will burn out the bunkers. If the bunkers prove immune to flamers, the demolisher tanks will destroy them with siege cannon fire.

- As soon as the bunkers have been suppressed or disabled, the flame tanks will roll over the bridge and charge the bunkers on the opposite side. 45th's 'A' company will clear out any survivors from the bunkers while this occurs, whilst 'B' company charges the second bridge behind the tanks.

- Once the bridge has been secured, 'A' company will set up defensive positions along with 5 tanks of 'D' squadron. The rest of the assault force will wait for 'A' company to check for minefields before progressing to the town between current positions and the second bridge.

- Once declared clear, the AVRTE's and 5 remaining tanks of 'D' squadron will roll over the bridge and move off to check out the town. If the town is occupied, it will be assaulted and flamed. If clear or once the assault is completed, the town will be occupied by the unit HQs and the medics from the field ambulance. If security of the area looks to be an issue, up to two platoons from the first bridge can be allocated to defend the town. Meanwhile, 'B' company of the 45th and the tanks and AVTREs will proceed to the next bridge.

- This bridge is to be scouted, on foot, by volunteers from the 45th. All armoured vehicles will remain outside audible range until the recon is complete. The main purpose of the recon mission is to try and determine if the bridge is wired for demolition, or if there are any other nasty surprises waiting for us.

- The next assault will be adapted based on the recon we receive; either we rinse and repeat the first bridge assault, or, if it looks like they've used the time to wire the bridge for demolition, volunteers from the 45th will try and infiltrate some engineers in (if possible) to disable the bombs. Once the bombs are disabled, the assault will proceed as per the first bridge.

- The bridge and its bunkers will be secured by 'B' and 'C' company, and the griffon mortars of the Lancers. Additional fortifications will be constructed by the engineers, including hull down positions for the tanks and hydras.

The AVTREs, 5 tanks of 'D' squadron, and the chimeras, halftracks and hydras of the Lancers will then go on a recon-in-force into enemy territory on the other side of the bridge. Their mission is to investigate the suspected locations of the enemy regiment (as per intel).

The chimeras and halftracks will conduct reconnaissance approximately 500m in front of the tanks. If any vulnerable targets are located, the tanks and AVTREs will assault it under suppressing fire from the chimeras and hydras. The griffons will provide artillery as necessary. Lieutenant-Colonel Bovrington will personally lead the 'recon' mission. The foray will return to the bridge before dark.


Just prior to the drop

Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Bovrington stood up on the hastily jury-rigged podium in front of a quietly chattering landing bay room. From his (slightly) raised position he surveyed his command; some five hundred men of the Hunter River Lancers, 45th Royal Terullian Engineers and an attachment of medics from the Royal Terullian Field Ambulance. Such a tiny force of men was a far cry from the regimental command he’d been promised a long time ago, but these were Terullians damn it. He could put his trust in every single man in his small command, and rely on them to cover his back to the death. His heart filled with pride.

Prior to this informal and unreported gathering, Reginald had gotten the engineers to sweep the room for bugging devices and disable all the internal cameras. Men stood guard at each of the bay’s entrances. No non-Terullians would be getting a look in this room.

The Lieutenant-Colonel cleared his throat, and the entire room immediately came to attention. Chatter stopped instantly and five hundred pairs of eyes looked up at him. Reginald had to quash a prideful smile. The discipline. These were true soldiers of the Emperor, not like the appalling display he’d seen in the command room earlier.

“My fellow Terullians, tomorrow morning, 0400 hours, we finally dust off our long unused weapons and armour and go back into the Emperor’s battlefield.”

Several men started to rise from their seats to cheer but Reginald solemnly raised a hand, motioning for them to remain seated. The room instantly quietened again at the gesture.

“But what awaits us on that battlefield is unknown. I know many of you share the same beliefs I do – that High Command wants to pretend we don’t exist, we ‘tainted’ soldiers. They think they can sweep us under the rug, or that they can assign us to suicide missions and get us out of the way. They call us cowards, they call us traitors, they spit on us and jeer at us and attack us.”

For all we know, we are dropping into a death-trap, carefully prepared by those who wish to see Terullia lie in the grave the Inquisition dug for it the day Hearn turned against the Emperor.”

Faces hardened around the room as each man remembered the treatment they’d suffered at the hands of the other Imperial soldiers since Captain-General Tomias Hearn turned traitor. Hunter River Lancers nodded solemnly or openly scowled and several of the engineers muttered vile oaths and spat on the deck.

“But we won’t die so easily!” Reginald slammed his fist into his palm.

“We are the finest soldiers in the Imperium! Terullia has thousands of years of tradition, a tradition of victory in battle in the name of the Emperor! A tradition forged in blood and fire and courage! One traitor cannot undo in one day what our forefathers spent thousands of years creating!

High command probably thinks they are sending us out to die, but they didn’t reckon with good old fashioned Terullian toughness! We’ll land, then give the enemy a seeing-to that will remind him why they flee when the Royal Military comes for them! We will burn them out of their rabbit-holes just like we did on Umbridge and countless other worlds!

And if we die, at least we die proud, unbent and unbroken!

Long live Terullia! Remember King Edward!”

Five hundred men jumped to their feet and punched a fist in the air as they roared as one.

“LONG LIVE TERULLIA! REMEMBER KING EDWARD!”

[Seraphus]

Major-General Hector,

It is my great pleasure to report a decisive victory in Trondton today - the 5th Razak was smashed into multiple segments, their artillery and supply dump seized and as a result there are scattered reports of Razak running out of ammunition. Should the Emperor stay with us, I am confident that they will cease being a viable fighting force within the next 72 hours.

On a related matter the commanding officer of the 743rd Zentian - Commissar-Major Vallus - went missing in action during the belated drop of that regiment. There is some evidence to suggest that he may have met an ill fate at the hands of his men, but the resulting confusion caused enough damage in the unit that I feel that any wrong-doing has been more than punished. There is a certain amount of confusion as to who the new commanding officer is, and I am standing in in that position for the time being.

I've had some of my men prepare a hall for your stay in Trondton after you make your victory march - whenever it may prove convenient for you - and look forward to seeing you as soon as may be practicable.

In the service of the Emperor,

Diane Sommers

The Vixen chuckled softly to herself as she stood and moved across to her assembled officers - the more bloodstained among them in their Zentian uniforms. "Heyla boyos - a day of great victory 'tis it not? With certain losses I'll agree, but when you think about it we've even achieved strategic victory on the south. Tis it not so, Captain?"

The "Captain", a tall black-haired Zentian with a dusting of silver about his temples shifted uneasily. "It is true that they were out of ammunition when they withdrew, and that as the Munda Nova seized the supply dump there is no source that we know of for them to restock. But that doesn't make them any easier to hurt. Damn it sir, we're only infantry. We're just not equipped fight tanks!"

Sommers raised a hand calmingly, a sympathetic smile on her face. "Don't worry Captain. You won't be asked to - the Razak are almost broken already, and we'll complete that before the fog lifts tomorrow."

Orders:

The orders come in two segments.

From 1600 - 2400

Zentian forms the outer perimeter in picket strength on all fronts in order to dissuade enemy infiltrators, and provide warning and time for Munda Novan troops to rally in the case of armored assault. Their Engineers are to seed most of the roads with anti-tank mines, but keep a record of the ones clear for future reference. No anti-personnel mines are to be laid. A few scouts are sent out to locate the enemy positions.

9th Munda Nova and 10th Munda Nova bivouac down in the north area behind the Zentian lines, primarily resting but ready to rouse and respond if the need arises.

11th Munda Nova bivouac down in the south area just north of the bridge and behind the Zentian lines, primarily resting but ready to rouse and respond if the need arises.

2nd Munda Nova Field Regiment is to incorporate the captured guns into their unit - spending this "down time" in a scrounging effort to steal from both regiments under my command any troops with artillery experience not desperately needed in their current positions. At a pinch, they are to man all the guns with skeleton crews for a greater impact-on-target even if it does reduce the rate of fire.

2nd Munda Nova Logistical Support Battalion has the dubious honor of rigging up three omnidirectional broadcasting relays within my defensive perimeter marking out the shape of an equilateral triangle, each of them repeatedly broadcasting a distinct and seperate signal on a different frequency that neither we nor the enemy are currently using. As I have the enemy's artillery I feel it is unlikely that they will successfully take them out even if they work out why I want them, but all the same I don't leave anyone or anything too close to them.

They are also to mark the relays on the maps in the battalion and regimental headquarters - their precise locations, as well as mark them all with regular and standard grids.

From 2400 - 0800

Zentian bivouacs down in their current positions, passing over their maps of the mined roads and enemy positions to the Munda Nova.

EDIT: The Munda Nova vehicles are to be carefully brought into town along unmined roads and based at the supply base.

All Munda Nova combat battalions leave their pipers behind and move carefully out through the thick fog to find the enemy. If they find enemy they can overwhelm easily enough (using hit-and-run tactics with the fog) they do so. If they can't, they triangulate their precise position using the three broadcasting relays in Trondton and thus the enemy's, then give that point on the grid map to the bulked out field regiment, who flatten the target area in support of the Munda Novan attack.

If the Razak in the south really are out of ammunition, the 11th should be able to obliterate them with relative ease.

The pipers are to play a rousing dawn chorus on their pipes from five minutes before sunrise - tunes the Munda Nova enjoy - in order to confuse and disturb the enemy. As the pipers start we broadcast a message to the Razak offering to let them surrender to us. At least they'd be fed, and those of their number not corrupted by their service to traitors could even be spared.

[Thraxus]

A loud banging comes from a heavly beaten and crashed Drop-Ship...
As the banging gets louder suddenly! Commisar-Major Thraxus rips himself through the cracked hull with his Chain-Sword letting out a loud and beastial roar!
As he breathes heavily the blood and oil soaked Commisar stumbles from the wreckage and falls down into the ice hard snow eminating a comic dust "poof"
His visor rolles of in a circle a meter away from him and seems to be hyper ventilating, with the harsh amount of smoke comming from the wreck.

wheee...(cough)wheee...(breathes)rrr... a(wheeze)mmm...(cough)I

The wounded commisar takes his Chain-Sword and rams it into the ice with his last strenght, he grabs his hat and places it on the side of his head. Trying to remain conciousness he flips the safty button and flips the on/off switch and holds on to the Chain-Sword as he passes out. The comisar is being pulled by the link's in his sword through the ice at a slow pace heading North-West...

[Company Medic]

Day 1 – Night Phase - 0800 Hours

Trondton

Conscript Alexius shuddered in the Lammas winter chill, he didn’t know why the sergeant had stuck him out side in the freezing cold to watch for enemy infiltrators. He heard a raucous laugh come from inside the large stone Skaxon house he was standing next to, followed by a couple of very girlish giggles, “Feth this, it’s time for my Vodka ration.”

Alexius stepped inside the large building that was very obviously the town’s brothel. A roaring fire place against one wall gave and guttering candles from the open door gave light to the victory celebration going on inside. Alexius’s sergeant roared for him to close the door. Alexius seeing that he wasn’t to be disciplined for seeking the warmth of a buxom Skaxon wench nor the warming properties of his much needed Vodka ration closed the door, propped his lasrifle up against the wall and took part in the victory celebrations – well he was still alive.

Minutes, even hours later, in another Skaxon house the Zentians had forcibly taken from a family they’d turned out into the snow the roaring fire was replaced by roaring lasrifle fire. Razak infantry all across the northern perimeter were engaged in kicking open doors, throwing in grenades and gunning down survivors. This brutal operation is over in a few minutes with the Razaks withdrawing back over the bodies of frozen sentries, toting captured supplies and heading back to their own warm and carefully guarded billets.

Result: Heavy Zentian casualties amongst ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ Battalions. Razak casualties are negligible. Zentian engineers have not laid mines due to bad weather and the desire to stay inside where it’s warm.

Private Macleod wondered what all that firing was out to the front in the midst of his dreams. His pleasant dream of sunlit home back on Munda Nova started to be affected by an earthquake and the sounds of lasrifle fire.

“Stand to!”

Macleod’s eyes snap open and he grabs his lasrifle and moves to his place at a shuttered window. He groggily shifts a slat and props his lasrifle on the window as the section 2IC douses the small chemical heater and takes his place. The attack never comes, and Macleod continues to stay in his increasingly cold position, waiting, waiting. Finally Munda Nova scouts are sent out to find out what happened and the word eventually comes down from the OC to the OIC 1st Platoon, which then goes to the section corporal and finally to Macleod.

“The Zentians have been brassed up badly. Perimeter is compromised. All sections to maintain two person piquets.”

There was a collective groan amongst all the Munda Novans. The Corporal picked out Macleod and his mate MacFeegle to go up into the northwards facing loft and set up the piquet. They were to take the Heavy Bolter.

Hefting the weight of the Heavy Bolter, Macleod muttered too himself, “Fething Zentians…”

Result: Razak infiltrators have withdrawn without advancing any further. Munda Novans think less of the Zentian’s ‘abilities.’

Major Conolly had had enough. Three of his gunners had already been put into the RAP with cold-weather injuries and the biting -20 degrees Celsius weather ensured that his gunners were getting more and more sluggish as the time went by, time to bring this farce to an end, the guns can wait until the morning.

He ordered that the regiment stand down to having one battery on call. His gunners were a little stretched, but with REMFs from the LSB helping out with loading and other miscellaneous duties the captured guns could be fully crewed. At least it was more honest work than what they were usually doing.

Result: Guns utilised and array set up.

A badly burnt Munda Novan as brought into the 9th Battalion’s RAP, the seventh so far. The stretcher bearers put the man down in the tirage area as the RMO patched up the screaming soldier on the ‘table.’ The RAP’s senior medic looked over the casualties and mentally sorted them out before giving orders to the medic following him. At least from the sounds of battle and form what a couple of the casualties were saying, the Razak were being turned out of their warm billets, but they were fighting tooth and nail for the place.

As the early hours the morning went by, the casualties were beginning to overwhelm the small battalion facility when finally the LSB REMFs coughed up an evacuation and took away over two dozen wounded Munda Novans. A couple of psych cases were up the back of the building sort of staring at the wall, distantly. “At least the battle had slacked off, apparently we were winning,” reflected the senior medic too himself.

Finally by ‘sun-up’ word had come down from the line that the Razak had been forced to completely withdraw from their positions along the northern edge of Trondton and the forces to the south had withdrawn during the night anyway. Apparently, the bridge had held out though… and the pipes had started up as tired Munda Novans snuggled down in their hard fought for billets.

Result: 30 Munda Novans KIA, 90 WIA. Razaks appear to have suffered 90 KIA, 140 POWs and the loss of 12 APCs.

Commissar-Major Thraxus crawls from the only crashed Landing Craft. Apparently he was the only one injured the crash as the crew and the Zentian infantry had already long left! Thraxus stumbles from the wreckage before using his chainsword to drag himself forward. Moments later he’s picked up by squad of Zentian soldiers and brought into HQ. A stiff vodka later, and two cups of steaming coffee and the Major-Commissar is looking much more healthy and alert. Back in command!

[Company Medic]

Spaceport

The 2nd Parrell are very happy ensconced in their new billets and bunkers all along the western edge of the spaceport. They’d managed to see off those Herun boys a couple of hours ago and hunkered down for the night. Some of the boys had fired off several hundred rounds of AA fire enthusiastically before getting bored and finding somewhere to sleep. Even the sentries were happy in their well-furnished and protected sentry posts.

Jameson was less happy. He was standing to attention in the command bunker that Nillius Hector had taken over from the Parrellians forcing the Parrellians to make do with the major AA command centre. That place stank of vomit. Jameson’s feet were also sore as this was the second hour he had been forced to stand here by Nillius.

“No. No. No. I override your decision, Colonel,” said Nillius Hector, “I will not follow your plan for I see several holes. Namely that intel has discovered that the enemy regiments are more than match for your pathetic paratroopers that and they are dispersed! I have the strategic foresight that you don’t! You will not attack! That is my command! Dismissed!!”

Nillius Hector watched as Jameson marched out quietly and professionally before turning to one of the midshipmen Nillius had brought down as a ‘Naval Advisor.’

‘That’s how you deal with your subordinates young Gorman…”

Jameson, fuming strode into the command centre and was surprised to find that the First-Sergeant -Regiment had got some ‘troopers to set chemical heaters and a ventilation shaft. At least the smell of vomit had left the place…

The First-Sergeant walked up to the boss, “Bad news, eh, sir?”

The First-Sergeant waited diplomatically before Jameson waved for him to continue, “the boys in the regiment are on a half-hour warning to move order, the parachutes and drop gear are being gone over by the riggers as we speak, and the 4th Battalion is thoroughly looting the stores. The Squids aren’t sending a raid as the winds are making all air-traffic dangerous. Around here it’s okay, but out on the ‘pads it’s really bad. The only traffic is are the Squid’s Landing Ships off-loading stores.”

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Nillius Hector looked over the map before addressing the gathered commanders of the 104th Herun, 570th Parrell and 99th Kylgor. Scharnhorst was here as well, which Nillius didn’t like.

“My orders are this, the 104th Herun is to defend along the line of the northern river and stretch the line out to incorporate the northern section of the ridges to the west. The 570th Parrell will be occupying the remaining two-thirds of the high ground and the 99th Kylgor will be occupying the high ground as well. I’m hoping that the Navy will provide the southern defence of the spaceport?’

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Once the meeting over, the commanders of the three units were able to hae their 'private meeting.'

[Company Medic]

Bridges

Bovrington was happy with the progress shown during the daylight hours. The LZ was secured in the first few minutes as the troops orientated themselves with the landscape. Then the assault on the first bridge had occurred. The enemy were overwhelmed in minutes as they tried to fight back half-dressed and totally confused. The bunkers were seized in short order as were the bunkers on the other side. In fact all it needed was a demonstration burst of inferno cannon fire from the lead AVRTE and the defenders all tumbled out in surrender!

The second bridge had also been seized in short order and although the enemy had tried to put up a fight, disabling an AVRTE ‘Crocodile’ they were quickly flushed out and eliminated. HQ was setup in the village between the bridges and troops deployed accordingly to guard the bridges by late afternoon. The repair teams had worked through the night and the RTEME mechanics had managed to fix the track system on the ‘Croc’ by dawn.

A recon report had also hit his desk. The enemy were alert and digging in between the western bridge and the spaceport. Smoke and air activity during the day meant that the Navy was busy. He’d also had a tour of the positions as well in the traditions of Terullian commanders everywhere since the Royal Military was formed. He’d also seen to that good hot stew was brought up to the lads on the frontline and watched as the cooks had professionally bartered for the some local supplies to. Oh well, better contact HQ, thought Bovrington.

[Company Medic]

777th Intelligence Section

1st Team headed southwards slowly over the fantasy landscape. Their engine sounds muffled by the snow they eventually encountered the first of the enemy positions. Utilizing auspexes and night scopes they noted that the enemy were highly active and the number of heat signatures meant that a seriously large number of enemy armoured vehicles were being started up. Checking the time, Robertson noted that it was nearing dawn.. he hurriedly tapped out a report and sent it back to his boss, who immediately passed it on to both Scharnhorst and Nillius.

Scharnhorst immediately began to prepare to brief his crews, but Nillius was not be disturbed from his sleep….

The 2nd Team bunkers down at the crossroads, night snowfall blanketing their vehicles, they note several trucks and tanks heading northwards….

Captain Miliner has a bit of a chat with the Herun commanders and the prisoners under their guard but nothing much else is gleaned other than that there may be more forces to the south and the north refitting. There was a lot of activity over the past few days… that and a Navy report had arrived from one of their recon aircraft.

This post has been edited by Company Medic on Jul 26 2005, 02:31 AM

[Company Medic]

7022nd Wing

Wing Commander Scharnhorst watched as the first Landing Ship landed and disgorged its cargo. Although the biting, fast winds slowed down unloading at least it was occurring. His ground defence forces were off first and quickly ensconced themselves in a number of hangars left unused by his aircraft. Next, ground crews and their equipment were off-loaded and the immediately went to the hangars to perform daily maintenance with the pilots. After that Scharnhorst lost interest and went to oversee his 7022nd Wing.

His pilots were responding to his orders and several, he noted with approval, were assisting the ground crews with servicing the aircraft. The winds meant that air ops were scrubbed for the night and he read with interest the report from Captain Miliner. He woke his air tactics officer and the squadron leaders and they began to put together a plan…

Pilot Officer Boelcke, flew in as low as he dared - which was a fully ten metres off the ground before he cleared the windy spaceport. Ascending to 500 metres, the turbulence was bad but not enough to shake this pilot. Doing an overflight several times indicated by the 777th Intel Section, his auspex filled with information regarding the enemies dispositions. Making one final overflight he wasn't able to detect the Intel boys however, "Gott in Himmel, these Intel boys are good," said Boelcke to himself. Managing the flight back he landed and handed to report over to Scharnhorst and Captain Miliner who had just happened to turn up.

Miliner, running his eyes over the report noted the following:

"Tanks: 116
IFVs: 125
Artillery Pieces: 59
Trucks: 323
Personnel: Estimated at roughly 7000
Activation status: Readying for combat."

This post has been edited by Company Medic on Jul 26 2005, 02:30 AM

[Company Medic]

Correspondence:

Scharnhorst is asking for engineering support as well as advising Miliner of air combat results. He also wants the POWs kept well away from the spaceport.

Reddings, Adams and Igmar are in a position to have a discussion.

Nillus receives Sommer's report and sends back something suitably congratulatory and includes the phrases 'private briefing' and 'see you soon.'

Miliner has put out cautionary reports regarding enemy movements. He expects the 119th Nayalythan to attack Trondton sooner rather than later.

[Commissar Molotov]

Navy Orders: Day 2 Day Phase

The lack of operations during the night had been an annoyance. Scharnhorst yawned as he walked across the main landing pad, his breath misting in the air. He'd had the absolute minimum amount of sleep he needed before rising and returning straight to the main spaceport. Planning needed to be conducted, and the report from Boelcke was due.

Scharnhorst entered one of the primary hangars. The large hangar smelt of promethium, but was dry. One of the Puritan's spare Thunderbolts stood to the side under a tarpaulin, its black nose visible under the sheet. There were crates and boxes everywhere, and the pilots and bomber crews of the 7022nd Wing had taken many of them for seats, readying themselves for the briefing. All of them wore grey flight armour and dark coats to insulate themselves against the cold.

"Aviators." Scharnhorst said. "I trust you enjoyed your unscheduled rest. Don't get too complacent, however." He turned to the chart behind him, displaying an orbital photograph of the local geography.

"It appears that the Imperial Guard has displayed once more their inherent incompetence. Despite being warned of two armoured regiments to the south of the spaceport," Scharnhorst indicated what appeared to be a grey cluster, circled in red marker. "Major-General Hector has moved all his forces north." There was a low mumour of disapproval and resentment, before the Wing Commander silenced it with a hand.

"I need not remind you, Aviators, that we are Krieg. We are the galaxy's finest, and we serve the Emperor like no other. Whatever our 'allies' may do, we will endure. The Naval ground squadron assigned to the wing will dig in and defend the southern approaches to the Spaceport. It will be down to us to attack the traitor armoured regiments."

Kappel, leader of the Puritans, raised his gloved hand, prompting a nod from the Wing Commander.

"Yes?"

"What is the strength of the armoured regiments, sir?" The squadron leader spoke softly. Some in the wing had been known to remark that he always spoke as if he were in a chapel.

"Thanks to Pilot Officer Boelcke of the Swordsmen," at this, Maier seemed to gain an aura of arrogance. "We have a report that is even now being studied by the Imperial Guard's intelligence officers. It appears that the chaos forces have one hundred and sixteen tanks of varying types, one hundred and twenty five infantry fighting vehicles, fifty-nine artillery pieces, three hundred and twenty three trucks, and a combined strength of approximately seven thousand soldiers. A target heavy environment."

Kappel nodded, satisfied, and sat down once more.

"Now, Aviators. On to the specifics of today's operations..."

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As early as possible, based on Pilot Officer Boelcke's intelligence, the Missionaries, Swordsmen and Puritans are all to take to the skies. Their target is the Razak armoured.

The Puritans are to assist the Missionaries in attacking the tanks. Thunderbolts won't be too bad at attacking tanks - as each Thunderbolt has twin-linked lascannon and four autocannons, and can mount hellfire rockets. The Missionaries obviously will be engaged against the tanks.

The Swordsmen are to provide high altitude cover, and to engage enemy aircraft should they become engaged.

My ground defense squadrons are to dig in south of the spaceport and fortify their positions as heavily as possible.

Shipments from space are to continue through the day up until the moment that weather conditions worsen.

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Correspondence:

To: Captain Miliner
From: Wing Commander Scharnhorst.

Analysis of the flyover this morning has yielded this disposition of the two Razak Armoured regiments:

Tanks: 116
IFVs: 125
Artillery Pieces: 59
Trucks: 323
Personnel: Estimated at roughly 7000
Activation status: Readying for combat.

Hopefully you can explain to your Corps CO exactly what the consequences shall be if he redeploys all the guard forces in the area north of the spaceport, leaving the defense to 500 of my men.



To: Maj.-Gen. Hector
From: Wing Commander Scharnhorst

Major-General.

It appears that you've forgotten quite how much your forces rely on my planes. I am quite prepared to help you, and from what I know of you, you seem like an agreeable man. But I am not prepared to face two armoured regiments with 500 ground troopers. I require adequate Imperial Guard defenses arrayed to the south of the spaceport if I am to conduct proper operations in this area.

If the spaceport is not well defended enough, I still have until the end of the day to withdraw my forces back to the ship in orbit. I will not place the lives of my men in inept hands.

Good day.


Edits:

27th/7th: I'd like to know what the "supplies" that were captured consist of, and if they can be utilised in the defense of the spaceport.