chrisswim
490 posts
Mar 01, 2009
7:09 AM
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Inital report of the South African defense of its soveriegn territory: First, Mick was a wonderful host, he & his wife had steaks on the grill for us, nice Ribeyes. You should have been there for that alone. Many different sorts of liquid refreshment, the kids could only take drinks from one cooler. As for the main event. The terrain was truely a work of art. Two 4X 8 ft tables set up in an 'L' arrangement. The flocking on the table, the painting, the hills and folliage were very, very good. Hopefully Paul will post the photos or links to them, he took many pictures of the action. It was mostly a game of small arms with infantry shooting it out, a few AFVs getting involved inflicting death or being lit-up. The SADF was under the pressure from attack Cobra's supporting the USMC assault. The beach itself was unopposed, the SADF were pushing forces into the area, so in that sense it was a meeting engagement. My blocking/attack force passed by the UN compound with its white painted VAB's and Grizzleys, although the UN only had a platoon of staff there for maintence and very light security. (As I understand it the USMC was planning to bomb the compound, but did not....) I had some 'slow moving' Centurions (Oliphants) that passed the UN compound, and our officer spoke to the LT in the compound about what the UN was going to do to stop this unproked invasion of our soveriegn territory, destroying a free capitalist state that has had free elections. As the column of Centurions were coming up to meet the Marines, the attack Cobras were dispensing death as the slow moving WW2 era tanks went up the main highway towards the coastal highway. On the left flank of the SADF, the SADF lost a lot of infantry to a speacial forces company that had landed (helo assault landing the night before) into a wood and hilly area. The SADF also lost Ratels to more Cobras as they joined the fight. It is almost impossible to advance under those circumstances. Then the F/A 18 scame in with their bomb loads destroying more Ratels. Cactus AA defense did shoot down an F/A 18 and a Cobra over the course of 30 minutes. In response to that the US Navy sent in T-LAMS and took out AA defense apparatus for SADF. Another Cactus launcher opend up destroying a second Cobra, leaving 6 to roam the area eliminating free men defending their homeland with the 20mm gun system and 68mm hydra rockets. The Marines had set up their M198 155mm battery and 120mm mortar batteries on the beach for close fire support, and they were inflicting causalties upon us. The SA G-6 battery had target set from an RPV of an infantry/HUMMV/LVTP7 group in a clustered area, only to have the coordinates wrong, and the battery fire landed off to the left. Thus sparing many foot walking Marines their lives. There was a SA-14 team firing its SAM's (surface to air missle) at some Cobras on the left and were not able to hit, with the flares from the Cobra and ducking behind the tree line. Those 2, no, wait 3 Cobras were eliminating the other SA Ratels and infantry that were assaulting the Special Forces Company on the wooded hill. But not able to save the special forces company, There were eliminated under wethering 20mm and small arms fire, supported by Ratel 90s. The Marines did manage to use some AT 4 to eliminate 2 more Ratels in the close fire fight on the wooded hill top. The right flank of the SADF evolved more gradually, with some long range small arms fire fights with more troops & marines thrown in an escalading pot the carnage. The few Ratels supporting the SA infantry were driven into the woods on their hill from Cobra ATGM fire, taking one Ratel out, although the dismount squad did survive moving to cover. The AA machine guns were not able to inflict damage on those Cobras at range. As the SA infantry went around a small pond and through a native ZULU village into a wooded area further forwad, they met a company of Marines from LVTP and CH -53 landings. A fierce fire fight ensewed with sever causalties on both sides. As some Marines were assualting a small farm house adjcent to the woods they were raked from the flank/rear being caught in the open. The LVTPs and HUMMVs opened up on the farm house (not having angle/line of sight to those that killed/elminated the Marines caught in the open) eliminating SA infantry stand and AT team in the farm house. The local reserve recon team that was in the next farm house were over-whelmed with Marines and hardly had time to fire their weapons before they were killed, wounded and captured. The jeep and Milian just out side this farm house did eliminate a LVTP 7 and Hummv before it was eliminated. Two Centurions had made it up in this area, one on either side of the elevated roadway. One firing HE at Marines then taking a Hellfire round from a Cobra and the other firing a HEAT round into a LVTP7 killing it and HE at a Hummv, missing that target. The Marines in the Hummv is yelling for help to deal with the SA threat of a MBT. Another F/A 18 comes in on after-burners dropping bombs on the hill top, knocking out Ratels and sending infantry skurring for cover deeper into the ground that are tangled with roots, thus unable to dig in for self-preservation. On the far left boot, on the other side of a hill (which is further to the left of the left flank [go with me on this]) CH 53 landing with Cobra support. One helo gets it large prop caught in the telephone wire and it crashes into the ground in a large fire-ball. LCACs are landing with more Marines, LAVs, support equipment. In all about 30-40 LCAC landings have been effected with only one knocked out of actions(but still reoverable). The slow moving LCM 8s finally arrive with their cargo. Black plumes of smoke rise from the the sea near and far from several SSM (surface to surface missle) attacks taking out a few LCM 8s. Late in the day, the SADF is able to send in a second company (10 tanks) with some infantry and AA assets, including ZSU-23-4, to stop the Marines from taking the Petroluem farm. A few Marines and eliminated on the hill top near that petro farm not having had time to dig in. At this point, the SADF has it air force sending in 4 Grippens, the first two on wild weasel/ground attack mission, firing at something emmiting a lot of 'E' data and observation/jamming traffic from an LCM8, with three HARMS fired, one hitting the vehicle and one hitting the LCM, knocking that boat out of action needing recovery later. Two M1A2 are destroyed in the air attack with several bombs dropped on each before three F/A 18 flying air CAP dropped down upon the two Grippens. A brief dog-fight ensewed with one Grippen crashing into the waves near the beach, the pilot not having time to eject. The other seen with black smoke coming from it as it disappeared over the mountain top. The next two Grippens line up on their pass and break off to fight the Hornets losing one and destoying one hornet. During the cover of this engagement, 4 SA attack helos arrive, taking out two more M1A2s before they can get off the beach and into the fight. On the left hook, the SA forces with tanks and infantry destroy several petro tanks with HEAT rounds, to deny the petro to the Marines. The SA are able to recapture some of the lost ground in the left hook area, to await the next wave of Marines, M1A2s, LAVs, and Cobras. In the primary battle area Marines have taken over 1 1/2 miles of terrain having established themselves onshore, although not in a strong position yet. The SADF is not being pushed further at this point, holding its ground with a stout defense!! Thus ends the engagement as we had a nice dinner to attend to...Mick & Elaine were gracious hosts; Thank you.
Then trading figures & terrain and look at new scatch built vehicles.
Obidently,
Lt. Col Chris
Commanding Officer
SADF Zone 3 Commando
Last Edited on 3-Mar-2009 9:09 AM
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