Thursday 28 September 2017

Zogo. An African Hot Spot. Part 4.

The latest game in our fictitious African campaign.


 Thanks to John Diamond  for the  report. 
More photos on his blog ( Band of Wargame Brothers). 


The serious deterioration of the situation in the southern provinces in Zogo is of grave concern to the UN Security Council. Despite his brutal subjugation of the rebellion, which is on its last legs, bloody violence has plagued the southern provinces as tribes hostile to M'shombe's ruling tribe and his regime have inflicted bloody retribution on the minority Baako tribe who have responded with violence of their own. Rebel groups, none associated with the PLF ( Patanga Liberation Front) have sprung up and are causing mayhem.

Situation:
An unaligned rebel group has seized the mining and airport facilities of the town of Kelwazi and are holding the European engineers and the families hostage. 

Mission
A combined force of French Foreign Legion paratroopers and US Rangers are to be parachuted in to seize the airport the mines and secure the safety of the hostages.

Execution.
Both forces, from the NATO Rapid Reaction Force are to be parachuted in to the WEST of the town. From their they will make their way east to secure three key objectives; The Mine, the airfield and the Hostages.
Tasks:
The respective sniper teams will take up positions on the slopes of the nearby hills to be able to observe all activity in the vicinity and provided much needed cover to the Legionnaires and Rangers. The US Rangers will move directly to the hangar building and airport terminal to seize the vital communications. The Legionnaires will cover the mine area and the road heading north from where it is anticipated that the majority of reinforcements will come, from the main township.
Once the area has been secured an airlift from the US Fifth Fleet will land further troops and light armoured support to allow the Rapid Reaction force to be reinforced and spread its area of operations.

Administration/Logistics
Each force will carrying supplies and ammunition for a 12 hour operation. Each unit will have grenades and ant tank weapons to deal with ‘technicals’. The rebels do not have any armour support but anti-tank weapons may be needed to deal with bunkers or light vehicles effectively.

Command/Signals
During the operation both forces will have access to NATO Command and the US Fifth. There will be no air support as the political fallout from the use of ground attack aircraft at this stage would be substantial.


NATO RAPID REACTION AFTER ACTION REPORT

US RANGERS:
The Ranger sniper teams took up position in the area between the mine and the airfield to cover both areas. The Rangers ( Spyros) made straight for the main hangar at the western end of the airfield. Within moments contact was made with rebels who hit the rangers with and large volume of fire, albeit inaccurate. The Rangers quickly disposed of the enemy and moved onto the airfield itself. The second Fire team of rangers took fire from two groups of rebels and two technicals but thanks to the snipers who neutralised one technical, were able to deal with the other with a grenade launcher and then turn their attention to the rebel groups, dealing them heavy casualties, after taking one themselves.
Unfortunately, the snipers had now revealed their positions and a rebel DSHKA opened fire, hitting one of the snipers. A third Fire team raced across the open airfield, the flat open expanse making them targets for every gunman and scumbag on the table. Two went down slowing their advance substantially and the Ranger command was wishing they had air support!!
More technicals were arriving and the Rangers had their hands full, but two lucky shots destroyed two more technicals and suddenly the fire power of the enemy seemed to slacked as some of the gunmen raced off to deal with the arrival of a Fire team of Legionnaires who had just taken the mine. The search for the hostages went on as the Rangers continued moving east, neutralising enemy resistance. A few groups put up some very stubborn resistance and when the last remaining technical drove into a Fire team of Rangers supported by heavy MG fire from the DSHKA, the second sniper was hit as were two other Rangers. The platoon pined on the runway managed to get itself moving, take out the DSHKA and secure the terminal. Resistance was beginning to diminish as the gunmen realised they were outclassed! Securing the airfield on the last turn, with 6 dead and 7 wounded, the Rangers were able to take pride in the fact that they accomplished a very tough mission!

THE LEGION. (FFL)
The Legionnaires (Phil) deployed quickly and under the watchful eye if their sniper teams fanned out east, south east and south, quickly seizing the mine area but coming under heavy fire as they crossed the railway line. Two Legionnaires were killed but the timely arrival of the Command HQ drove the rebels off.
To the east, the anti-tank team and a Fire team took up position on the edge of the long grass area and over the course of the next three turns were able to drive off five insurgent groups of reinforcements. They provided a valuable service protecting the northern flank of the Reaction Force, allowing the Rangers to secure the airfield. The tough paras of the Legion moved rapidly from building to building looking for the hostages. Finally, as resistance was building, the Legionnaires were forced to halt, deal with their rising casualties (there would be four dead and 4 wounded by the end), they drove off several waves of gunmen and in the second last move they found and secured the hostages. Another successful mission for the Paratroopers of the 2nd REP!


REPORTS FROM THE UN:
Despite some misgivings at last nights Security Council meeting about the NATO intervention the UN thanked the French and Americans for the successful humanitarian effort. However, a joint Chinese-Russian resolution calling for the immediate removal of Franco American forces was passed. Many African nations wholeheartedly supported the Russo-Chinese resolution, seeing the NATO involvement as a return to the Imperialism of the 19th Century
It is agreed that the existing forces will leave forthwith once some minimal but essential infrastructure is repaired.
The Belgian Mining giant Union Minere du Haut Kelwazi has taken back operating control of the once nationalised mine and has requested , through the European Union and the NATO high command that the US and French Forces remain on the ground in Kelwazi to ensure the safety of the miners personel.

An Al Jazeera report has hinted that several multinational mining companies are collaborating on allowing more pliant (pro Western ) Kelwazian tribal leader to agreed to rule the province under temporary guidance from the mining company, or (companies). The EU and NATO have vehemently denied this, but Chinese sources claim that they confirmed this.
Large quantities of mining equipment (military hardware) and mine operating staff (lots of mercenaries ) have arrived. The NATO forces have been reinforced.


ZOGO: THE STATE OF THE NATION
Zogo state media reported that the NATO forces used the President's absence from his homeland to attack the country. It is believed by many from the small African nation that had the President not been overseas, NATO would never have attacked as the President would have fired one shot and killed all the invaders. Such is his military capability.

His Imperial Majesty and Royal Highness, the Right Honourable and Most Eminent, Admiral General President for life T’Mbolo M’Shombou, Father to his People and Messiah of Zogo is very upset. Not concerned, but upset.
It has been reported that in a conference with his cabinet and his senior officers he was quoted as saying.
‘I left to go to see my bank manager in Switzerland for a few days, and have a quiet Mediterranean holiday with my 65 wives and 176 children. Much deserved after crushing the rebels in both the north and the south of our beloved country. The situation, I had, again single handedly saved, and thought that I had MEN who could look after our beloved nation! But no! I return to find that the colonialists are back. American and French troops are on the sacred soil of our nation! This is an act of WAR! ”

The state run media service, on M’Shombou radio and the M’Shombou times, all report that the President is leaving the capital and is heading to Kelwazi to embrace his loyal subjects and reinstate his benevolent rule. He has left the crushing of the finale embers of the Rebellion ( Meeko Momfasa and the Baako dominated PLF) to the key generals of his Presidential Palace Imperial Life Guard. The bulk of his guard, with Chinese made equipment and Chinese advisors is with the popularly elected President. (107% approval rating from the last M’Shombou poll)







Reuters NEWSFLASH
Sources on the ground in Kelwazi say that US and French troops are not preparing for departure but more troops are being deployed and airlifted into the airport captured by the Legion and Rangers.

US Commander General Rick Hackensack was quoted as stating that :
“The US and her allies will continue the great humanitarian assistance began in the early day of this week. We are here to help bring stability, democracy, and freedom to the people of Zogo. The minorities of this African nation deserve the freedoms that we in the USA take for granted."

President T'mbolo M'shombe was outraged at the blatant military aggression shown by the western allies.
'This is an outrage! The freedom loving peoples of my beloved Zogo are feeling the steel boot of the European colonial oppressors. This is the New World Order! The brutal repression of my peace loving people was done at a time when I was attending important business in Switzerland!”

The Presidential Guard is moving toward Kelwazi.










The Board showing the main road leading to the Airport with the Mine shaft on the way.

The airport.

The mine.

Rebels.

More Rebels.

Rebel Technicals.

NATO French Foreign Legioners (FFL) who's mission will be to secure the Mine and locate the Hostages.

NATO US Rangers who's mission will be to take and hold the Airport.

The Hostages.

FFL Snipers infiltrate and take up overwatch on the hill overlooking the Mine shaft.

Rebels with a Dshka HMG near the Airport.

Rebel technical with a recoiles gun patrolling near the Airport.

The main tower in rebel hands.

Rebels flood the area near the runway.

Unknown to the NATO forces, this is where the hostages are kept.

Rebel technical.

Rebels patrol the Airport area.

A US Ranger sniper team sets up overwatch on a hill overlooking the Airport.

The first team of Rangers moves in...

...and opens fire on the rebels near the Airport hanger.

Having heard gunfire the Rebels spring to action.

The FFL carefully move towards the Mine shaft area.

US Rangers await more Rebels.

More US Rangers arrive and come under fire as all hell breaks loose at the Airport.

With all US Ranger elements now in the battle they take there first casualties.

US Rangers and snipers pour on the fire.

Meanwhile the FFL rush to secure the Mine and create a blocking force near the main road to prevent the Rebels from bringing in re-enforcements to the airport.

The battle for the Airport rages on.

The US Ranger snipers keep firing.

FFL command and squad elements moving forward past the snipers.

FFL squads arrive at the main road where they will set up ambush to take out any rebels that try to head for the airport.

The US Rangers start to thin out the Rebels at the airport. But not without casualties.

US Rangers take fire from a Rebel technical.

The US Rangers keep firing back whilst the Medic arrives to attend to the wounded.

The FFL advance to contact...

...but they to start to take fire.

One of the US Rangers takes out a technical with a UGL round.

The US Rangers pour on the fire power...

...and take out another technical.

The FFL mean business and take out a group of Rebels.

The FFL move into position and get ready to take out Rebel re enforcements arriving along the main road leading to the Airport.

US Rangers pass a burning technical and open up on more Rebels near the control tower...

... with devastating effect.

US Rangers Command element with a  K9 that would assist in the search for the Hostages.

With the Rebels being pushed back at the Airport, a technical arrives to try stop the US Rangers.

Meanwhile at the far end of the board, Rebel re enforcements come on.

the FFL clear the Mine of Rebels.

Back at the Airport the US Rangers move forward along the runway and try to mop up any remaining Rebels

The FFL hiding in the long grass open up there ambush...

... with devastating effect.

US Rangers take out another Technical.

The scene at the Airport with the US Rangers on the left and the last elements of the Rebels at the Airport. The Shack in the top right is where the Hostages are located. In the top of the frame you can just see Mine shaft that the FFL have now secured.

Some of the last of the Rebels at the Airport put up a fight.

The Rebel Dshka HMG opens up on the hill.

US Rangers secure the control tower.

A Technical races along the runway towards a team of US Rangers.

The FFL blocking party at the main road that has stopped just about every Rebel re enforcement so far.

The US Rangers on the hill come under heavy fire as a technical races up the hill towards them, while the FFL medic tries to attend to there wounded.

Some elements of the FFL move towards the location of the Hostages.

The US Ranges pour on the fire as a technical charges towards them..

... but they stop it dead in it's tracks.

US Rangers take out the Dshka.

FFL open up on some Rebels...

... finishing them off.

US Rangers mopping up at the Airport.

US Rangers having secured the Airport take up cover in case of any Rebel counter attack.

US Rangers Move forward securing the end of the runway.

Up on the hill the US Rangers aren't having much luck against the technical.

FFL Snipers on the hill provide overwatch...

...as the squads below sweep the area of the main road.
The Rebels try to launch a counter attack at the Airport...
...but the US Rangers are ready for them.

The scene at the Airport.

The US Rangers up on the hill are still locked in battle with the last of the technicals.

The FFL wait to spring an ambush on more Rebel re enforcements wondering into the kill zone.

The ambush is sprung...

...with any survivors fleeing.

An FFL Squad locates and secures the Hostages.

But before they can move them they must take out the Rebels outside...

...which they do with ease.

The last of the Rebels tries to launch a counter attack at the end of the runway...

...but they are cut down.

Runway secure.

Airport secure.

The last of the Rebels. The technical attacking the US Rangers on the hill.

The US Rangers being pinned down by the technical, were eventually re-leaved as the FFL to there left took it out.

Hearing that the Mine and Airport have fallen in the hands of NATO forces, A group of rebels arrives...

...and they too are cut down by the FFL.

With the NATO forces securing all there objectives...
...they move the hostages towards the safety of Airport.






Meanwhile at his holiday Villa in Switzerland, President T’Mbolo MShombou Has just heard the news that NATO Forces have set foot in his country and is not happy.