TDG 15: The Best Laid Plans
A TDG is a Tactical Decision Game, a mental wargaming exercise designed to get you practice making tactically sound decisions in a hypothetical scenario. The ability to make sound and timely decisions based off incomplete and imperfect information is a critical skill to have, especially as a team leader.
You will be given a scenario, confronted with a tactical problem, and given a time limit to think about and write out your answer. The time limit is to simulate the pressure of a real-world tactical decision, where you must quickly assess the information you are given and come up with the best answer you can. Then comment below with your answer so you can discuss each others’ solutions.
TDG 15: The Best Laid Plans
2 months into foreign occupation. The PLA (Chinese Army) have been invited in by the governors of several states as “peacekeeping” forces to restore order to the region. The National Guard and US military have been ordered to stand down and cooperate with the PLA, who came in as “UN Peacekeepers.” From the first day that Chinese troops marched ashore they began taking sniper fire. What followed has been a full-on guerrilla war against the occupiers conducted by militias, rogue military units, and criminal organizations. Still, due to sheer numbers of troops and equipment, the PLA has managed to make slow, steady progress expanding their area of control.
YOU are the commander of a local militia force, a squad-sized element consisting of 13 men including yourself, operating just outside of the enemy’s zone of control. The terrain in your area is mostly flat, forested with dense but navigable undergrowth. You receive a tip from a local civilian that a PLA reconnaissance patrol is operating in your area. The SALUTE report for the enemy is as follows:
- Size: 10 men
- Activity: Inserting via helicopter and patrolling on foot South towards the town of Hidalgo
- Location: 934 385
- Uniform: PLA Infantry
- Time: 0709 Yesterday
- Equipment: 9x QBZ-191 rifles, 1x Type 67 GPMG (Chinese PKM), rucksacks with entrenching tools visible, 2x ghillie suits, helmet-mounted night vision
You have good intelligence on their probable return route, so you decide to ambush them on their way back to an LZ for helicopter extraction. You break your 13-man squad into the following teams:
- 1x 5-man squad all armed with AR-15s and 2x NVGs
- 1x 5-man Machine Gun squad with the following:
- 2x M240B LMGs
- 3x AR-15s
- 3x NVGs
- 1x 2-man scout team with AR-15s and 1x NVG
- Yourself, with an AR-15 and NVG
You give the following order to your men:
“We believe the enemy will patrol North towards a likely location for an LZ for their extraction tonight around midnight. Their most likely route is through the woods East of Cinderville, handrailing Patriot Rd. At 2000 the Scout team will push out to 9410 3826 to establish an LP/OP for early warning of the enemy’s advance and to confirm their route. We are going to set a baited L-shaped ambush in this clearing here. 1st Squad will open fire with a few rifle shots when the enemy enters the clearing. They will likely form a skirmish line to assault through what they think is a small team. When they do, 1st squad is to go to ground and cease firing. When the enemy gets into the kill zone, 2nd Squad will open up on them with enfilading fire from the machine guns. When the enemy is destroyed, 1st team will become the assault element and sweep through the kill zone to finish them off. After that we will conduct TSE (Tactical Site Exploitation) and regroup. We will occupy our positions no later than 2100”
The Plan
You issue each team leader a radio. Since you have time you conduct plenty of rehearsals to really nail down the scheme of maneuver and all signals. At 2000, as planned, your scout team departs to establish their LP/OP, and at 2045 your force reaches the ambush site. Just as you are about to set in to your ambush positions, however, your scout team calls you over the radio.
“They’re patrolling past us now!” the scout team leader whispers over the radio. “They’re on the road, and they’re moving pretty fast in a staggered column.”
The enemy is early and moving quickly. You had suspected that they might use the road and had a backup plan to relocate further north if that happened. However, you weren’t expecting them to be moving this quickly. It would take you 5 minutes to get there and the enemy will be at your position in about 2 minutes.
In a time limit of 5 minutes, draft the frag order that you would issue to your squad. Write down any special instructions you would give to your men and explain why you chose to do what you did.
Reality
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GUNS N GEAR
I don’t think the location is the issue, it’s the timing, hard to get our second team in place but can probably be done in 2 minutes since we know the area.
I say we essentially stick with the plan we already have- Team 1 will open fire on them when they come into view on the road, likely they go to cover in that little tree line along the road- probably a drainage ditch there, some cover….. As long as we give them a “weak” showing initially…They will attempt to maneuver and assault through.
We’ll move Team 2 slightly east and south to a point of cover and have them set up- they don’t need to move too far- enough to form the L. They will have a little bit of time to get set even once shooting starts because I expect the Chinese to take cover for a bit, analyze that the fire is weak before they start to assault through- They aren’t going to be in a huge hurry to leave that ditch/tree line- especially if our fire is essentially ineffective…
Ok, a lot of assumptions here by me. I’m going to think that the town still has power and lights. The PLA squad may have their NVG’s washed out due to streetlights as they are moving North on Patriot Rd currently. No time to make it to the second ambush point so I would use the same rehearsed L ambush plan and just change the location directly NorthWest for Squad 1 and have Squad 2 LMG stay in position. Using the curve in the road, Squad 1 will cross the road and be in position just North on the West side of the road facing South. Squad 2 will remain in the tree line facing West and the road. Same plan just a different location. Squad 1 opens fire on the enemy patrol as soon as the PLA is crossing the line of fire where Squad 2 is. The team from the LP/OP can cross the road West trailing the enemy out of the line of fire and mop up any enemy retreat. I would imagine if the enemy has time to call in a support element that the closest LZ may be the clearing where the original ambush site was in the clearing and would communicate that to my team leaders. Would also imagine Cinderville may come under retaliation, indirect fire or air strikes so that is another consideration once the mission against the recon team is finished.
Agreed on moving 1st squad NW. And jump 2d squad to 1st squad’s posit, then execute the ambush as previously planned. If enemy calls for extraction, LZ is covered/denied by 2d squad. Scout team to engage targets of opportunity.
Depending on how dry the forest is; There are natural fire breaks in a sort of triangle. Need to draw them into the forest and light it on fire from as many positions around them as possible.
Setting the woods on fire in this situation seems like a pretty poor idea unless you want to burn out your local population and drive them right into the arms of the group you’re fighting.
Not to mention that you are just as likely to get your own fighters killed as the PLA troops you’re fighting.
How would it get my people killed if they are on the other side of the fire breaks? The notion is to burn them to death! Going forward; it will get back to the PLA forces to not go into the woods…At that point they become the grouse that runs down the road; easy pickins’.
No….Just No….
Dicking around with trying to start a forest fire, in the middle of a firefight…. That is a surefire way to get all of your people killed. This an enemy that has radios and air support.
LP/OP: Headcount, over?
If it is the full squad then the following; if # of enemy is unaccounted for, then abort mission.
LP/OP: maintain observation distance of the column as it moves north on patriot road.
2nd Squad: rapid move west then north using tree line as cover and meetup with LP/OP south of column
1st Squad: reposition kill zone west over Patriot Road, far enough off to avoid 2nd squad fire coming down road.
LP/OP: maintain observation, join up with 2nd Squad as security, maintaining watch for enemy secruity elements following column.
2nd Squad: IF POSSIBLE, form prone on east side of road facing north at distance to engage enemy.
2nd Squad: confirm position prior to enemy passing 1st Squad.
If 2nd squad gets in position without being sighted, then 1st squad engages from side, then 2nd squad according to original plan.
If 2nd squad is detected with enemy fire:
1st squad engages with a few shots to distract while
2nd squad and LP/OP follow original plan to preplanned meetup area
1st squad withdraws through woods to preplanned meetup area
If 2nd squad is detected with enemy fire:
2nd squad and LP/OP follow original plan to preplanned meetup area
1st squad withdraws through woods to preplanned meetup area
Why: probably best idea is to abort and fight another day, but if 2nd squad can place behind the enemy column then the original plan can be executed.
1st Squad emplaces in their planned position, with fires oriented onto Patriot Road. 2nd Squad, with me, sets up at 94263850 to 94293848 with a MG on both end of the line. Kill zone is centered on 94243847. After the enemy column (ideally we are initiating on the PKM gunner) gets into the kill zone, the MGs initiate the ambush with 60 seconds of grazing fire on cyclic. MG1 is going to have a decent chance at enfilade fire on the column. Riflemen engage targets they can. Priority is crew served weapons, C2 (radios and officers), enemy with NODs, and then targets of opportunity. 1st then assaults across the kill zone, riflemen from 2nd assault through the kill zone, establishes LOA, Leaders get LACE and report status to me, conduct SSE, and withdraw to the ORP.
If the OP/LP radios that there is another element coming (like this being the point element for a Company for example), we call the whole thing off and withdraw as soon as possible.
I am concerned that they are ahead of schedule and that maybe their pickup time (or location) has changed. The planned kill zone looks like a pretty decent LZ. If we hear helicopters we withdraw (if possible), hunker down if we have to, or fight it out (and probably get whacked by air support) as an absolute last resort. This (helicopters showing up) is the MDCOA (Most Dangerous Course Of Action).
This has the potential to be an up close and nasty fight (close ambush). Assuming each grid square is 100 meters (6 digit grid), overwhelming violence of action and fire is going to be essential. If we had any anti-personnel mines (i.e. a claymore), I’d emplace one aiming down Patriot Road and use that to initiate the ambush (along with MG fire as described above – however we don’t so oh well).
Also, having a MG on the easternmost end of 2nd Squads line, allows for Final Protective Fires (FPF) to be employed across the front of both squads in the event that the enemy column begins to successfully assault the ambush.
As for the “why” of choosing to conduct this ambush on a compressed timeline.
-This is a “specialist” patrol (Reconnaissance). Taking them out is a strategic loss for the enemy commander and will likely degrade his ability to conduct operations in the area going forward. It takes considerably more time to select and train a reconnaissance unit than it does a “typical” infantry unit.-We are in a good position to strike them.
-They are a small element, with limited (to our observation) night vision devices.
-They area a small element isolated from immediate supporting units.
-We have the element of surprise (they are not anticipating contact based on their movement on the road and fast pace).
-The PLA has been experiencing strategic success in the area and it is important for morale to get a victory.
-Being able to achieve a decisive victory (TPK to steal a gamer term) will serve to boost our reputation and potential draw new recruits.
-Strip the enemy of arms and equipment (potential for +2 NODs, +1 MG, and small arms assuming they don’t get shot to shit in the process).
-Possible intelligence value to drive future operations.
-Wiping out an entire patrol will impact morale of the enemy force. They have been taking consistent sniper fire, but this is different. Multiple events like this will also cause the enemy to patrol in greater strength. While this result will make it harder to wipe out units, it will also degrade operational readiness (exhaustion sets in with high OP tempo), reduces the area that the enemy can operate in at one time (more troops in the patrol = less patrols out at the same time), more troops will be required to “secure” the AO which in turn reduces their area of control footprint, and simple fear setting into the PLA.
You change plans and go to a C shaped ambush facing the nw. Put a 240 at the top of the woods and the bottom of the woods. Let the open road turn into the kill zone. Hitting them from 3 sides as soon as they are all in the ambush zone.
If they are moving that quickly. They aren’t paying attention. But why are they moving that fast? Are they retreating or did they get called up as a QRF for some other group operating near by? You hit them hard with interlocking fire
I like it. The mgs pound them and keep the PLA from moving or trying to flank.
Apologies for putting this here, but I don’t have Patriotman’s email.
The forum is returning an HTTP 500 error after login completes and the sid argument is present in the URL. That’s on both the Tor Browser and Brave with Tor.
Yeah, it came under attack earlier. I’m stretched extremely thin right now.
Once their estastabilished. (Generally an airport.) Nothing should come out that does not have to carry a crying bleeding comrade back in.
10 man patrol. Break your unit into 5 , 3 man teams. Along routes in your AO you know the enemy will use. Hip and leg shots. A 5.56 thru your legs or hip, even at 400 yards is going to ruin someones…..life. And chew through enemy resources. A 10 man patrol having to drag 3 bleeders back is hell. And combat ineffective.
Supply lines are what you go after with full force.
They use tanks? There heavy, use alot of fuel, and when a paint can blows up it blinds them. Thermite is cheap and effective. Robot dogs get the same paint job. Real dogs get piss and a pile of black pepper next to it.
Nothing with inflated tires is allowed to roll.
They cannot control this country from the air. Or land, or sea if we don’t want them too.
Quickly, quickly, quickly, time ain’t on our side. We tuck tail and fade away to live and fight another day. It maybe the smartest plan, but hell we might not have another day. Therefore, we are going to kill them all! This plan is thought up in two minutes because that’s all we have.
REVERSE L
Two of the fastest men from squad one gets down to rolling gear only. They are the rabbits for the PLA dog. As the convoys passes the clearing right on the right, where P in Patriot Rd is on the map, they step out the ditch, they spray, pray, laugh, holler, and run up the road and into the woods. The other three men are waiting, and they make up the short side of the L.
The five men of squad two make up the long side of the L. The PLA chase the goofing acting 2, hopefully thinking they are drunk, high, or very stupid. The two machine guns make up the opposite sides of the short L side, they are the “go” for the killing to start.
The two scouts run ease up the road to sow up the tail end of the column when the firing starts.
Team Leader is on the far left to prevent them trying to flank the machine gunner.
TL MG R R R MG
R
R
R
R
R
S
S
This damn machine put all my riflemen on the wrong side!
ok they are moving fast in unfamiliar terrain. switch this to a snatch and grab. split into two teams. as they pass provided they are spaced out take their rear security out, tazer if you have it or bag over head if not. as this happens lead team hits hard on point man and use smokes/flash bangs. break contact. think( B52 LRRS snatch) CS or riot spray would be ideal. take prisoner to secure location interrogate and execute, leave body face down in ditch
2 minutes is not a lot of time. I don’t think we could make a clean break without being spotted and fired upon, so I’m going to execute a linear ambush. They’re moving down an LOC so we should be able to do some major damage in the opening shots. LP/OP scram to the SW – their job is done. I tell them to radio me once they’re clear. On my command, MG squad will open fire down patriot road. I’ll stay with the rifle squad – if it looks good we’ll leapfrog forward, alternating with the MG squad to press home the attack. If it doesn’t, we leapfrog backwards to break contact.
This situation reminds me of the old addage; “any decision is better than no decision.” Getting a very simple plan out to the team quickly trumps any big-brain stuff.
It seems to this Civi…
The enemies Time(ing) and Speed of movement have quite possibly brought Murphy [and his Brothers ] to the Operation, working strongly against us.
So I’ll say, Observe, Gather ALL the Intell you can about there Movement, there Extraction Process, there Aircover for extraction, any Security Elements following or In Place at the Extraction Point put in place before the enemies Insertion or during, the SIGINT in the extraction process etc….
…….and Live to Fight another day.
To me….
The whole thing “Has A Bad Feeling” and not alot to be gained by the risk to our guys to…regroup and assault in such a short time frame.
Thats all I gots.
HIT ME, I’m here to learn.
Abort the mission. The guerilla succeeds by keeping everything in his favor. You received a tip? Planted info? How familiar are you of chicom TTPs, are you the bait? Do they recon on the road normally? Maybe a blocking force is infiltrating into place. If the chicoms are moving to a PZ you know they have air and maybe a qrf ready. Assume they operate as we would. The G has no air, no qrf, no arty fight only on your terms.
I am with Chris on this one and the ambush is turned to observation and gathering intel on the PLA teams movement and extraction assets and procedures. Only 2 months into the occupation we are not seasoned veterans (of fire missions) and the fire teams are on the low end of experienced former war fighters (of the GWOT). Can ill afford to lose men and advantage has flipped to the enemy placing us into hasty set up for the ambush, which is not to our advantage. Live to fight another day for sure as PLA is still highly motivated, high morale (2 months) in as an occupation force. Their change of movement from patrol to rapid movement leads me to believe they are moving for hastier than expected extraction (than our intel gathered) for possible insertion into another area of operation. Squads 1 and 2 will hunker down and observe to gain further intel on enemy force.
All stations, stand down. Scout team, follow and observe only. Map their route and LZ, then RTB.
Squad 1 goes to ground along the road to the PLA’s right, opening fire when the PLA are all in front of them. Squad 2, which is to the south of Squad 1, swings west sufficiently that the can achieve enfilading fire north up the road, hitting the PLA from behind. LP/OP remains in position, watching for any follow-on elements. As squad 2 shifts and lifts fire, squad 1 assaults through the ambush, puts out security to the north and south along Patriot Rd. Squad 2 assaults through the ambush. ACE reports are collected and appropriate actions are taken based on those. At the same time TSE is conducted, and lastly all squads exit the target area along predesignated routes. In the case of contact with another PLA, all squads proceed to ORP, following pre-rehearsed SOPs.