Gunther

Able Archer: 1983

SyrianHamster, I love your post. You know I was working on a post for the Brigade Commander, but life was keeping me occupied. I may have had time to finish it tonight. I will get some work done on it. Your post fits in nicely with what I was working on too. I love it! I had a company of M60s (14 MBTs) plus the Brigade Tactical Command Post (2 Tanks) counterattacking into your position from the south through the forest. The BC was attempting to coordinate an attack with the West Germans to the north, the 7th Panzer Brigade to counterattack from the north with a company of Leopard Is. But the timing will be off. Either the West Germans attack first or the Americans, but not both at the same time, like the Brigade commander had anticipated.

Able Archer: 1983

Woo Hoo!

Able Archer: 1983

Ok, I created the 3rd Brigade Commander, 2nd AD. He's a frickin' hero:

Character sheet
Name: Chester "Chet" McInnis
Age: 44
Description: Chester McInnis stands 6' 2" and weighs 195 Lbs. He has black hair, kept in a high and tight haircut. When allowed to grow, his temples are gray and many of the strands of hair in his beard and mustache are also gray. He has a scar on his thigh and shoulder from combat in Vietnam in 1966. His steel gray-blue eyes are piercing and makes a butter bar's knees wobble when he stares at them. Colonel McInnis is focused on the mission and requires little sleep at night; one of those types that can operate on four to six hours of sleep. He is a man of few words and more action.

Background: Chet McInnis was born in 1939 to Robert and Barbara (Kellogg) McInnis in Austin, TX. Chet has three older brothers, Robert Jr., William and Allan. When Chet was three years old, his oldest brother Robert, who was 10 helped his mother to take care of him and his brothers. Robert McInnis (Senior) joined the army and served with the 10th Infantry Division from 1943 to 1945. The 10th spent time training in Texas before being shipped over seas. Robert McInnis saw action in Italy between January and May 1945. Robert McInnis served in the 85th Infantry Regiment achieving the rank of Sergeant before being discharged in November, 1945.

Chet's father never really talked about his experiences in Italy, but nevertheless, the four McInnis brothers looked up to their dad as a hero. They would dig his medals out of his old foot locker and stare at them. Their father earned the Silver Star for his actions during the Po Valley Campaign in April.

In 1950, Chet's oldest brother Robert, Jr. joined the Army and served with the 24th Infantry Division at Pusan, Korea during the outbreak of War. Robert McInnis never saw his 19th birthday being one of the earliest casualties of the Korean Conflict.

In 1957, Chet graduated from High School and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. By this time, His brother Bill was serving as a boatswain's mate aboard the USS Enterprise and his brother Allan was working as a car salesman in Austin, TX. Al never considered joining the military.

Four years later, Chet graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry and went on to the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School and Ranger School at Ft. Benning, GA. By January, 1962, Lieutenant McInnis had completed these courses and was assigned as a Rifle Platoon Leader to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division (Airborne). Shortly after being assigned to the Airborne, Lieutenant McInnis was sent to South Vietnam to act as an advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. He remained in country for 12 months and returned to Ft. Bragg as a 1st Lieutenant. This was July, 1963. He remained at Ft. Bragg for another year and a half. During this time, he met his wife Shirley. They were married on 15 May 1964.

On 1 June 1964, Chet McInnis was promoted to Captain and attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Ft. Benning, GA in August, 1964. Shirley McInnis accompanied her husband to Ft. Benning and returned to their home in Fayetteville, NC when her husband returned for Special Forces training. Upon completion of IOAC, Captain McInnis attended Special Forces School at the newly opened John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center on Ft. Bragg, NC. He graduated from Special Forces school on 28 August 1965 and was immediately assigned as an Alpha detachment commander in the 1st Special Forces Group deployed to the Republic of Vietnam.

This would be Chet McInnis' second deployment to Vietnam, but first in a combat role. From late 1965 to late 1966, Captain McInnis operated out of Firebase Charlene in the central highlands along the Cambodian border training Montagnards who were then fighting against the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. In September 1966, while on a patrol near the Ho Chi Minh trail, Captain McInnis' patrol was engaged by several NVA soldiers. The patrol was overwhelmed and everyone in his command perished except Captain McInnis. He received a bullet wound to the thigh and received shell fragments to his shoulder. He crawled two miles away from the battle area and was discovered by Montagnards who got him medical attention. Captain McInnis was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD. His recovery time was only three months and it was during his time in Maryland that he met his son, Benjamin who was born 21 November 1965. The child was already 10 months old when Chet was able to hold his son.

After discharge from Walter Reed, Chet McInnis was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tölz, Germany. While with 10th SFG, Chet McInnis learned to speak German and French. He trained closely with German, Austrian and French soldiers. He skiid the Austrian alps and even participated in some cold weather training in Norway with Norwegian soldiers. Chet enjoyed his time with the 10th Group and his wife enjoyed living in Germany as well. The family grew a daughter, Michelle, who was born on April 3rd, 1967.

On 1 June 1968, Chet McInnis was promoted to Major and assigned as the Brigade S3, Operations Officer for the 3rd Brigade, 101st Infantry Division (Airborne) and found himself back in the Republic of Vietnam for a third time in July, 1968. This time, he was in the A Shau Valley and his soldiers were fighting against the NVA regulars.

In May 1969, Major McInnis planned the Operation Apache Snow in conjunction with ARVN officers. The intent of the Operation was to destroy NVA units operating in the mountains. The most notable mountain was known as Hill 937. From 10 May until 20 May 1969, Major McInnis planned no fewer than eleven infantry assaults conducted by soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry; 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment; and the 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. This action will be forever remembered as the Battle of Hamburger Hill. For his role in the battle, Major McInnis received his second Silver Star.

In July, 1969 Major McInnis returned to the US and his family in North Carolina. He took a month leave and then attended the Combined Arms Staff Service School. Once that was complete, Major McInnis was assigned as a Special Staff Officer to the Division Headquarters of the 1st Armor Division in West Germany (1 Sep 69). The McInnis family returned to Germany and remained their for the next five years. During this time, Chet McInnis learned more about Division and Corps level operations.

In September, 1974 Chet McInnis was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was reassigned as Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, CO. He moved his family into governmental housing on Ft. Carson. LTC McInnis had a successful tour of duty as the BC of 1-12 IN (M). After three years (1977), he stepped down as BC and took the job as Executive Officer of 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized).

In 1979, LTC McInnis attended the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. This Officer Professional Development Course is a requirement for promotion to General Officer status. While serving in Vietnam he had established contacts with a few people who would later become elected to political office; one US Senator and one Congressman. These gentleman had the utmost respect for Chet McInnis and insured he was well taken care of.

In 1980, LTC McInnis was sent to 7th Army Headquarters, US Army Europe (USAEUR) in Heidelberg, Germany. His family was by now becoming accustomed to the language and customs in Germany. His initial assignment was as Special Staff Officer in the G3 Operations Center for 7th Army. He held this position for two years until he was promoted to Colonel on 1 June 1982. Effective the same date, he was given command of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armor Division (Forward) at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne in Garlstedt, Germany.

During his military career, Colonel McInnis spent three tours in Vietnam, with the 82nd Airborne, 1st Special Forces Group and 101st Airborne. He received two Silver Starts, one with a "V" for Victory device and a Legion of Merit. He attended Aiborne, Ranger and Special Forces School. He wears the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) with two stars indicating three tours in combat. Colonel McInnis has remained in the top rankings of his Officer Evaluation Reports since his days with the Special Forces.

Unit: 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armor Division (US) (Forward)
Role: Brigade Commander
Equipment: M1911A1 ACP
Rank: Colonel
Misc.: Spouse: Shirley McInnis lives in housing area in Heidelberg, Germany. Their son, Benjamin is almost 18 and in his senior year of High School. Their daughter, Michelle is 16 years old and a Junior at the same High School. Benjamin McInnis has, like his father received an appointment to the USMA at West Point and intends to be in the Freshman class in the fall of 1984.

Able Archer: 1983

Grenada was in October, 83 and only the US 82nd Airborne, 75th Rangers and US Marines were at Grenada. Those units will be in country soon, but I doubt any Grenada veterans PCS'd from these units to 2nd AD (Forward). PCS: Permanent Change of Station.

When I was with 2-36 IN (M), 3rd AD in 84, my supply sergeant had served a tour with the 4th ID and one with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. My Battalion Commander was with the 1st Cavalry Division as a Platoon Leader. To be a Vietnam "era" veteran and be in the Army in 1983, at a minimum, the soldier would be 26 years old and that marks 1975 as the last year of the war. More than likely they are older. Most Vietnam veterans left the military and by 1972 - 75, they were downsizing quite a bit. 67 - 72 was the height of the war. More than likely, your veteran served during that time period.

Since we are chatting about this, I am considering working on the 3rd Brigade, 2nd AD Brigade Commander. I could use this character to collaborate with Rare. The FSB Commander essentially runs the Brigade Support Area, or at least his portion of it (75%) and works closely with the Brigade's Supply Officer (S4). I could make up a CS for the Brigade Commander and then use the S4 and S1 and NPCs. The Brigade Commander will definitely be a Vietnam Vet and be an old fart.

Able Archer: 1983

I wrote most of that, Dutchbag. ;)
I tole him to be a Battalion Commander, he would be in his late 30s or early 40s then more than likely a Vietnam Veteran. I also through in the Bronze Star for him.

EDIT: Although 25th ID was no where near Khe Sanh. Their biggest test were the Tunnels of Cu Chi, which I learned yesterday is now part of an historical monument in Vietnam.

Able Archer: 1983

My apologies. Its just I'm trying to envision digging in all these vehicles into at least hull defilade positions and minefields and obstacles which take time to construct, but the Cavalry/Recce units conducting a series of delaying actions to hold back the East Germans, giving the front line troops time to do all this constructing. IMHO, two days is too fast, and I've attempt to adjust to that. More likely three days, but I'm sure I'm just being nit picky. I'm sorry for that.

Able Archer: 1983

Time is difficult for me in this story. It took more than two days for the East Germans to reach Molln and Lauenburg. If they kicked off on the 7th, it is at least the 9th. I know it is difficult to imagine, but it is not like taking a Sunday drive in the country.

Able Archer: 1983

If you read my WoT, you'll note, I am just getting to a real battle. It is two companies versus my one company and under constant barrage from Artillery for the previous 45 minutes.

Able Archer: 1983

I added Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester to the roles of the 16th/5th Queen's Royal Lancers. :D Obviously I took some liberty wtih that one. I hope no one minds. Prince Richard served with the Royal Anglian Regiment (Infantry), Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Logistics Corps, 6th Battalion The Rifles (Infantry), Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, and three RAF units. But I believe those military appointments were "honorary", in name only.

Able Archer: 1983

9 November 1983
That night, the scout platoon reported contact with an enemy Combat Reconnaissance Patrol (CRP). This only meant the Advance Party was not too far behind. The CRP is a small patrol of two BRDMs and two BMPs equipped with chemical detection equipment and special radios to transmit back to Division Headquarters. They were members of a Special Reconnaissance Company owned by the Division Commander. Their job was to identify as many enemy formations they could, not become decisively engaged with the enemy and to find the paths of least resistance.

The (2-66 AR) Scout platoon split up into three sections of two vehicles each. Each section consisted of an M113 APC and an M901 Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV). The M113 had an M2HB .50 Cal MG and the ITV had an M60 MG mounted at the Track Commander's (TC) hatch. The two BRDM-2s and two BMPs passed the ITV and M113 as if both sides were just strangers passing in the night. Neither stopped, neither vehicle took evasive actions. It was almost as if they did not see each other. Not a round was exchanged. Both units were ordered to not become decisively engaged. So, both the East German Lieutenant and the American Staff Sergeant felt it was best to conserve ammunition.

"Saber fife two, this is Saber four eight, over," Staff Sergeant Ramirez, section sergeant in the battalion's scout platoon radioed back to the Battalion Tactical Operations Center (TOC). He was calling their Net Control Station, but the Battalion S2 was listening, as was the Battalion Commander and anyone else monitoring the battalion frequency, including Captain Stewart's Radio Telephone Operator. But Captain Stewart wasn't really asleep. He was too excited knowing that the boogie man was due any moment.

They had seeded Anti Tank and Anti Personnel minefields on both sides of the three bridges leading to their sides of the river. They had sent out dismounted Anti Armor ambush patrols along the primary avenues of approach leading into the company team sector. Each crossing had eyes on them to catch anyone running for the canal would be fired upon.

Captain Stewart sat up from his cot, rubbed his eyes, yawned and stretched. He kicked his feet out from underneath the poncho liner he was using as a blanket and stood up. He walked over to where the RTO sat at a field desk listening to the radio.

"How's the game, Jenkins?"

PFC Matt Jenkins knew the old man's sense of humor, "Yankees up by five, sir."

"Fuck! When are those damn Sox ever going to pull their heads out of their ass?"

The radio cut back in, "four eight, this is fife two, go ahead over."

"fife two, four eight, SITREP as follows, break." A six second break in transmission, "two BRAVO ROMEO DELTA MIKES and two BRAVO MIKE PAPAs moving west along Axis of Advance TORPEDO at Grid coordinate xxxxxx, break." Another six second break in transmission, "Uniform unknown, Tango one fife zero two fower two November Oscar Victor eight tree, Negative Echo, Over."

"Four eight, this is fife two, I copy two BRAVO ROMEO DELTA MIKES and two BRAVO MIKE PAPAs moving west along Axis of Advance TORPEDO at Grid coordinate xxxxxx, break." A six second break in transmission, "Uniform unknown, Tango one fife zero two fower two November Oscar Victor eight tree, Negative Echo, Out."

Someone in the TOC would plot the location on the map and then the assistant S3 would call Captain Stewart and PFC Jenkins to insure they were listening to the radio transmission. Captain Stewart would then let Captain Zewinski (Asst. S3) know that he already had an ambush patrol armed with AT weapons along Axis of Advance TORPEDO. While, he was talking to Captain Zewinski on the Battalion net, PFC Jenkins was notifying Lieutenant Adler on the Company net who in turn passed the information on to Sergeant Fleury, 1st Squad leader.

Sergeant Fleury had laid in a squad Anti armor ambush with two Dragon gunners and four AT-4 gunners as well as four other soldiers armed with two M16A1 rifles and two M203 Grenade Launchers; eleven men including himself. Only fifteen minutes passed before he heard the hum of engines traveling west along route five. Their ambush was set back about 400 meters off the road, maybe one and a half kilometers east of the Canal crossing and 2nd Platoon.

Sergeant Fleury checked his men, to insure they were awake. Everyone waited for the proper time. The four vehicles moved into the Kill Zone (KZ) traveling 40 Kilometers per Hour (25 MPH). Sergeant Fleury positioned himself between the two Dragon gunners. He held both arms raised and outstretched waiting for the right moment. When it came, he slapped both gunners on their steel pots. The gunner's depressed the triggers on their M47 Dragon missiles. Nothing happened for one point five seconds, then a click and a loud bang as the two missiles ignited. The successive flash was enough to kill everyone's night vision. One of the Grenadiers launched a parachute flare into the night sky. The left Dragon headed for the lead BRDM while the right DRAGON headed for the trail BMP. The four AT-4 Gunners doubled up on the remaining two vehicles, firing their weapons, two at the number two vehicle and two at the number three vehicle. The Dragon gunners held their sites on their targets waiting for what seemed like eternity.

The East German Leutnant in the lead wheeled vehicle recognized the threat immediately, but had no idea where the enemy was. He ordered his platoon to discharge smoke dispensers and increase speed -- to keep up with him at best possible speed. Before the driver could accelerate past 30 MPH, the left Dragon struck the lead BRDM square on the hull. The leading edge of the warhead was a shape charge on a small pole, which detonated a small hole of molten aluminum through the side of the vehicle. The main portion of the warhead exploded behind the shape charge, exploding heat and concussion through the hole, into the interior of the vehicle. The molten aluminum rapidly cooled as it bounced around inside the crew compartment at a few hundred miles per hour. The hot aluminum ripped flesh, made holes in vital organs and soft tissue. Some portions of the hot aluminum set off ammunition causing it to explode as well as for the engine to stop.

The explosion of the impact was impressive to the gunners. The first missile struck the lead vehicle taking it out of action, but the second Dragon round missed, the missile flying erratically off into who knows where. Two of the AT-4 rounds impacted with the tracks of the number three vehicle a BMP causing the vehicle to lurch to a halt. The crew of the BMP were fine, but there track was immobilized. The lead BRDM and trail BMP swerved to avoid their damaged brothers and continued with their mission. Neither vehicles stopped to pick up the four soldiers in the disabled BMP.

Sergeant Fleury immediately called in a SITREP on his contact with the enemy. The information flowed rapidly up the chain of command. Lieutenant Adler was ready with the rest of 2nd platoon as well as Lieutenant Leahy, the Armor Platoon leader on the hill overlooking the crossing. Sergeant Fleury would begin his foot movement back to friendly lines and hope he would cross the canal before the Advance Party arrived.

The East German CRP reported their contact and grid location to Division which sent Mi24 Hinds in to investigate at first light. They would not find the anti armor ambush team, but would see the M113s and M60s across the canal. At three Kilometers they were at the extreme range of the .50 caliber machine guns, which remained silent at this distance. The Mi-24 pilots also maintained discipline knowing their weapons could not have the impact they desired. The range was still too great. There were no Air Defense Artillery (ADA) threats detected. The Hinds remained in an overwatch position observing the Americans around Lauenburg. They then called for Artillery.

Stand to for the American infantry and armor soldiers was at 0515, which was only a brief time before the sounds of the helicopters in the distance came into his ears. Tom Stewart could not immediately see the helicopters, but since they were coming from the east, everyone knew they were bad guys. "Too bad, the old man didn't put Redeye in our AO," Captain Stewart spoke aloud to no one in particular. He stood on the small stretch of high ground where Lieutenant Leahy's tanks remained in hull defilade with their turrets and gun barrels pointing east over an earthen berm. He raised the binoculars to his eyes, scanning the horizon. Dust billowed up and he detected movement. Then he saw the tell tale shape of the Mi-24 HIND.

"Jenkins, call the platoons tell them to prepare for artillery," Captain Stewart told his RTO. He raised the handset on the battalion radio just as the first 122mm round impacted along the edge of the canal near Route 5. Then the 2nd platoon sector erupted in artillery fire. Explosions sent earth into the sky and damaged or destroyed many of the buildings in that area of Laeunburg. The artillery fire slowly worked its way along the west edge of the canal as far as Lanzer Zee. Captain Stewart's Command was being prepped for an attack. Fortunately for the infantrymen of 1st and 2nd platoons, their leadership insisted they build defensive fighting positions with thirty six inches of overhead cover.

"Saber zero six, this is white bayonet zero six over!" Captain Stewart yelled into the handset with artillery rounds impacting in his Area of Operations (AO).

"White bayonet zero six, this is saber zero six, go ahead over," Lieutenant Colonel Funari, the Battalion Commander of the 2nd battalion, 66th Armor responded to the Infantry Company Commander on his far right end of the line.

"Saber, this is white bayonet, I have two HINDs to my front about three to five kilometers and incoming artillery fire, break," Captain Stewart released the handset for several seconds. "I believe they are going to attempt a penetration here at Axis of Advance TORPEDO, over!" The artillery fire was getting closer to his Command Post (CP).

"Roger that white bayonet, I'll get the ALO to put some heat on the west side of the canal, out." LTC Funari clicked off the handset and called for the Air Liaison Officer. As it turned out, a pair of RAF Hawks could be in the area in ten minutes and a pair of USAF A-10 Thunderbolts in thirty minutes.

At 0530, as RAF Hawks raced from West to East at tree top level over Route 5 from Lauenburg, a new element arrived from the east. The Hawks quickly dispatched the two attack helicopters, sending them plummeting to the ground. "White bayonet zero six, this is white bayonet one six, over," Second Lieutenant Brian Lithway, 1st Platoon Leader called on the radio.

"One six, this is zero six, go ahead over," the commander called back.

"I have five unidentified tanks and four APCs moving west along Axis of Advance ROCKET toward my position, break." The lieutenant waited a few seconds, "Their barrels are pointed east at this time, over."

Captain Stewart stood up and could see from his position near the tanks that these were British Chieftain Main Battle Tanks and FV432 Armoured Personnel Carriers. "Those are friendly Cavalry, one six. Send someone out to help them through the obstacle, over."

"Roger that, over." The lieutenant clicked off, just as an explosion erupted.

Captain Stewart identified one of the British Chieftans struck a mine on the east side. It blew the track off, but left the vehicle otherwise unmolested. "Roger, out."

Staff Sergeant Garrison, 1st Section Leader, 1st platoon was tasked with making contact. The African American 26-year old soldier from Chicago, Illinois sprinted across the bridge and ran a zig zag course through the minefield he planted with Sergeant Ray Nolan's Engineers the day before. When he reached the lead undamaged tank, someone motioned for him to climb aboard. He scrambled up over the skirted fender and stood on the hull next to the TC's hatch.

The man shoved his hand out to shake, "Major Windsor, E Squadron, sixteen five Queen's Royal Lancers and who might you be?" The man spoke in a very refined Oxford accent.

"Sergeant Garrison, B Company, three four one infantry, sir," Staff Sergeant answered. "Sir, you better follow me through this minefield or you'll lose more tanks."

"Right, Sergeant! There are several East German infantry and armor formations less than a half hour behind us. We better get through this fortification as rapidly as possible." Major Windsor did not tell the young American sergeant he was the current Duke of Gloucester, cousin to Queen Elizabeth. He believed the man would possess apathy to that bit of trivia.

After picking up the crew from the disabled Chieftan, E Squadron, 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers moved through the minefield under Staff Sergeant Garrison's guidance, while Soviet and East German Artillery landed amongst the tanks on the hill, the city of Lauenburg and the the canal south of them. Once on the far side, Sergeant Garrison hopped down and joined his platoon in his fighting position. The British tanks and APCs continued west past the American Battle position bound for a pre-determined location where he would link up with the rest of his regiment.

At 0600 hours, two columns of T-72s and BTR-70 Armored Personnel Carriers came into view along both routes leading into the Team Bravo. The lead T-72 struck an Anti Tank mine just before the southern bridge. The two East German Advanced Parties, consisting of two groups of three tanks and ten APCs went on line and deployed their infantry dismounts. 122mm artillery continued to drop on Team Bravo. So far, the infantry had kept their heads down while the tankers kept their eyes glued to the vision ports of their M60 Main Battle Tanks.