Zogo. An African Hot Spot. Part 5.

The boys, John, George, Phil and myself, got together to continue our fictitious African game.
The last report and post was back in September.

This time we were going to have a Navy SEAL strike team inserted backed by a Ranger blocking force try and take out the Zogan President who was guarded by a  Chinese CPP (Body Guard) team, some of his loyal tribes men and some of his presidential guard.

The SEALS were to strike at the compound were the President was located while the Rangers were to provide a blocking force on the main road into the compound, to stop Presidential Guard reinforcements arriving.

We used the Force On Force rules for this game.

Below is the story line of how it went written by John Diamond and some photos of the game.

DATELINE: ZOGO. 

SITREP: ZOGO

More news from the central African nation of Zogo.

Recent developments:

The small African nation has over recent months descended into chaos, violence and bloodshed. The arrival of French and US troops on Zogon soil has set off a series of chain reactions that were totally unforeseen by the relevant parties. In response to the arrival of these forces into the province of Kelwazi (see part 4) the President for Life, T’Mbolo M’Shombou, dispatched the bulk of his dreaded Presidential Guard and the key components of his Zogon African Rifles (ZAR) to contain the French and US forces. These forces, still in place due to strenuous requests from multinational mining companies to protect their staff and assets showed a vote of no confidence in the President by the international (read – western) community.

Sources close to the President claim that the mining companies are more concerned about the President’s increasingly close political and economic ties with China. In fact, two full battalions of People’s Liberation Army (PLA- read Chinese Army!) had arrived in the capital Zogo city in a ramping up of close relationship between the two countries. China’s search for, and desire to secure, raw materials have seen Beijing provide substantial funds for infrastructure in many African countries- Zogo being a key target of Chinese policy.

The concentration of M’Shombou’s Guard and the ZAR in Kelwazi, have, for the first time in many decades, removed the President’s steel-like grip on many parts of the country. With no military presence, many disaffected groups have exploded into violence bringing bloodshed to many areas of the country. Even the two key rebellions, that were thought to be well and truly under control have flared into bloody action: that of the Meeko Momfasa in Patanga and the Baako tribesmen and the Islamic militants to the north under Abu Bakr El Humar in the north east.

In response, M’Shombou decided to move to the relative safety of his summer mountain retreat on the shores of Lake Zogo. This particular compound, once a key position for Belgian mining companies in the 1920s, but abandoned in the 1960s, was turned into a mountain retreat by the M’Shombou regime. Deeming himself safe in one of the remotest parts of the country, the President for life sat back to await the arrival of more Chinese troops into the capital. However, he made one fatal oversight. Normally, when retiring to his mountain stronghold he was usually accompanied simultaneously with substantial numbers of his Presidential Palace Life Guards. At least a full battalion. This time, however, he made the journey into the Zogon highlands before they arrived to escort him.

On his arrival, US Satellites and unmanned drones confirmed that there was only minimal protection for the President. The US, in a move that was designed to remove the M’Shombou influence from the troubled African nation decided to assemble a rapid action strike force, and using the euphemism for these sorts of mission- ‘neutralise his influence’.

Two small strike boats with two US Navy Seal teams were positioned at the far end of the lake, unseen by hostile forces. Co-ordination with a US Ranger force was essential for the success of the mission. To be dropped in by Chinook helicopter, the Rangers were to seal the main road leading to the compound to stop reinforcements arriving to protect the president. The president was known to be protected by 8 Presidential Guard and 12 of his Mbala kinsmen from his tribe. Unknown to US forces was the presence of a bodyguard of 4 Chinese Special Operations Forces (Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn tèzhǒng bùduì). Almost as good as the SEALS, they were there to ensure the survival of M’Shombou.

ACTION REPORT:

The two motorised launches approached the compound, disembarking the Seal Teams very quickly- but SEAL Team One was spotted by a very alert team from M’Shombou’s forces. This team, however, was very quickly neutralised by the heavy firepower of the first launch. The second launches’ .50 cals erupted into life tearing apart the Zogon patrol boat – destroying the African boat.

‘Oh great ‘ sighed George who was playing the president. ‘My first choice for escape is gone!’

The two Seal Teams quickly came ashore and took up positions amongst the creates and barrels. The, now, alert garrison called in emergency support from Presidential Guard units on route to the compound, but the Ranger blocking force quickly arrived and sealed off the main route to the compound.

As the SEALS moved into the compound, the defenders had one key objective- SAVE THE PRESIDENT. M’Shombou’s guards had a secret that not even US intelligence had determined. He had a bodyguard unit of elite Chinese ‘ex’-Special Operations Forces “volunteers”. As the SEALS hit the compound they knew that they were up against troops that were much, much better quality than the usual riff-raff that seem to accompany African dictators. One SEAL was killed outright as the African defenders ran for their vehicles to attempt to move the President out of harm’s way- and they very nearly succeeded…..

Reinforcements started to make their way to the compound and a technical sped across the bridge firing at the SEALS. But they were stopped dead by a grouped of drug crazed rebels who appeared and started shooting at everything that moved- or didn’t move. They just fired anyway.

Of particular benefit to the SEALS hitting the compound was the firepower from their high-speed launches as these kept the heads down of the defenders, shot up the President’s Launch and supported the ground assault. One was badly shot up, but they were invaluable in taking out a full squad of the President’s kinsmen.

RANGER FORCE TO THE NORTH:

“The Chinook dropped us into the scrub as we took up blocking positions on the main road away from the compound. The moment we hit the ground we heard the rumble of trucks and saw Zogon Troops approaching. Our LAW went into action smashing one truck as the passengers bailed out and our small arms went to work. The second truck screamed to a halt- these boys knew what to do- and they went to ground returning our fire- It cost us one dead and one wounded ranger. As the medic was patching up our guy, the call went out that an armoured car was approaching- it’s HMG brassing up our boys, wounding another ranger- but the Charlie Squad LAW slammed into it – the crew bailing out- that’s when the radio call came through about what was happening in the compound……”

THE COMPOUND: THE FINAL ACT

The race to the vehicles was lost by the narrowest of margins. The Presidents’ tribesmen got into the two Lexus and the four-wheel drive, but accurate fire from the SEALS disabled the black four-wheel drive and destroyed the second Lexus. The President’s vehicle sped up to flee the compound just as a Zogon technical appeared on the bridge outside the compound and began firing at the covering SEAL team- but their shooting was interrupted by the jeep of civilian rebels who kept shooting at anyone in uniform- Zogon uniforms.

This reprieve gave SEAL Team Two the opportunity to shoot up the president’s SUV. The two remaining Chinese bodyguards were shot up in their front seats. The dreaded ‘First aid’ die roll was also made as bullets slammed into the President.

A ‘one’. Ouch.

Dead.

The President’s SUV slowed to a halt as the few watching Presidential Guard realised the worst and fled.

NATIONAL REPORT:

The Zogo national newspaper, the M’Shombou Times and the MBC ( M’Shombou Broadcasting corporation) have both reported on the death of the nation’s guiding light and President for Life: T’Mbolo M’Shombou. International observers and Zogo experts have noted that the national media has actually provided conflicting reports of the Great Man’s death. What is agreed by all sources is that all confirm his demise but under a variety of different circumstances. The M’Shombou Times report that the President was attacked by the US 82 Airborne Division. He was able to singlehandedly kill over 3500 Elite American troops with a wooden spoon but his arm grew tired and he fainted through sheer exhaustion when the cowardly Americans then shot him through the heart. His Presidential Guard then shot all the rest of the Americans with the loss of one damaged boot and a brokenbelt. Sadly, however, the nation mourns his loss.

The MBC alleges that his death was the result of a Terrorist plot assisted by the CIA. The broadcast stated that he was able to absorb the explosion from a small tactical nuclear warhead attached to an IED in his mountain compound but died of radiation poisoning a short time later.

Other reliable sources such as the BBC’s foreign service claim that he was killed by a surgical strike by US SEAL Teams. The Zogo Foreign Ministry empathically denied that the Great Man could be taken down by only a handful of SEALS. More problematic was the death of the Chinese Special Operations personnel. US government sources have neither confirmed or denied US involvement and the Chinese governed is refusing to comment despite the presence of at least a full armoured regiment of Chinese troops in the capital.

The story of Kwame Amari

My friends and I were eating and drinking together when we decided to take the jeep that my friend Oda owned. We drove into the mountains and as we had been chewing on our favourite Khat, thought it would be good to drive to the place where we had seen the convoy of Lexus’ drive past earlier in the day. Somebody said that it might be the President’s cavalcade, so we decided to see for ourselves. We took our AK-47s just in case we met poachers or Americans or Sudanese or lions and suddenly I was shooting at some giraffes wearing the uniforms of the Zogo army. They may have been wildebeest, I’m not sure, but they shot back- and destroyed Oda’s jeep. We jumped out and I fell on my head and do not remember anything else accept seeing a flying elephant with Americans sitting on the side and lots of guns making big bangs.

REUTERS REPORT: THE SITUATION IN ZOGO.

With the rumoured death of the nation’s strong man, T’Mbolo M’Shombou, the situation is likely to worsen significantly. With US and French Troops in Kelwazi Province and with Chinese troops in the capital, the potential for conflict is substantial. The rebellions, in the deep south and north east are flaring up again with Jihadist groups in the north east gaining support from Sudan. Meeko Momfasa’s rebellion is now regaining it’s strength. The most concerinh aspect is that a large armoured force from Zogo’s western neighbour, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been deployed to the border. The CAR regime has, according to government sources, been concerned about the instability on their border and feel that military intervention may be necessary to ensure CAR’s security. NATO sources confirms the presence and full deployment of a well-armed and equipped armoured brigade with Soviet vehicles has been deployed on the CAR/Zogo border.

Inside Zogo, the confusion has left a vacuum that could be filled by a number of potential groups. The first, M’Shombou’s eldest son, M’Boombulu, has the support of many of the majority Mbala tribe although a number support the youngest son, the European educated T’Bousto. The commander of the Presidential Guard, M’Laka Mpl’aka, has the most effective armoured force, the Guard backing his bid for power. The civilian administration, run by the Premier Bluto P’Rikir could possibly gaining the support of the Zogo African Rifles but only time will tell. The only thing certain is that Zogo’s future appears to be one of violent bloodshed.

The President and his team of Chinese PLA Body Guards

The presidents boat at the pier.

The compound with the presidents loyal tribesmen

A small team of Presidential guard at the entrance of the compound.

Presidential guard at the entrance. It was this fatal error that the President made thinking he would be safe with his PLA CPP team and his loyal tribesmen, that made him head to the compound ahead of his main force of Presidential guard and it proved to be no match for the Navy SEALS.

The two SOC-R boats with the two SEAL teams coming down the river, heading for the target.

The Chinook caring the US Rangers team that would provide the blocking force stopping any re enforcement's making there way to the compound. 

Tribesmen stand guard at the compound.

The SUV's that form the Presidential team parked at the compound.

Small team of Presidential Guard at the compound barracks.

SOC-R boats arrive at the compound.

First team of SEAL's arrives and moves in.

Bird's eye view of first team.

With the second SOC-R boat opening up on the compound the second team deploys.

The Presidential boat is destroyed by the SOC-R.boat. 

With sound of gun fire and explosions outside, the PLA CPP team swings into action .

They immediately rush the President to the parked SUV's 

The tribesmen come rushing out to join the fight.

"CONTACT"

Some of the tribesmen jump into a SUV and attempt to get to the President.

Second team of SEAL's moves in opening up on targets.

The PLA CPP team tries to rush the president into the black SUV.

Having dropped of the first SEAL team the first SOC-R boat heads towards the pier to join the other boat and add some firepower.

Distracted by the SOC-R boats and the Second team of SEAL's, The first team infiltrates in between the compound buildings in an attempt to take out the target.

Meanwhile further up the road the US Rangers arrive at there designated location...

...and immediately swing into action as the Presidents re enforcement's rush to the  compound.

Team two who is now in the thick of the battle suffers a casualty with one of there SEAL's killed. 

Team one on target.

A lone jeep rushes to the compound to try and help there President.

The second team of SEAL's is pinned. 

The President and his team are pinned down.

First team of SEAL's taking fire as they open up.

The Rangers open up on the convoy.

The fight is on.

The convoy comes to a halt as the Rangers open up.

The second SOC-R boat arrives and opens up with devastating firepower.

The president's guard attempt to use the other SUV's as the first is pinned down.

It too comes under heavy fire from the SOC-R boats.

The President's guard returns fire from there trucks.

The Rangers receiving fire.  

One Ranger is killed in the fight.

The convoy is taking heavy fire.

The mad rush to get the president into a vehicle and out of the area becomes difficult under all the firepower of the SEAL's. 

The President is finally bungled into one of the SUV's.

One of the SOC-R boats opens up on the SUV to prevent it getting away.

SOC-R boat opens up on the tribesmen...

...and wipes them out.

With most of the resistance at the compound gone, the second SEAL team moves forward to engage the target.

The Rangers have wiped out most of the convoy.

The Rangers open up with LAW's and blast the trucks.

The President's QRF is wiped out by the Rangers.

The lone jeep that was trying to reach the President comes under fire by the nearby Rangers.

With there jeep immobilised they jump out to fire but end up being cut down by the Rangers.

More of the Presidents re enforcement's rush for the compound. 

They too are taken out...

...and are eventually wiped out. 

Team one target in sight and engaging.

The SOC-R boats pour on the fire power immobilising the SUV's and preventing the President from escaping.

The last stand of tribes men and Presidential guard.

SEAL's on the left closing in for the kill.

Desperate brave stand by the President's guard. 

First SEAL team pouring on the fire.

More re enforcement's try to get through. But it was pointless as nothing was getting passed the Rangers.

With the President in sight, the first SEAL team pour's it's fire power into the SUV containing the President.

Mission accomplished. The President of ZOGO is dead.