OP2408-02-6 After Action Report

OP2408-02-6
Transcript:
OP2408-02-6
In Gabreta region, intelligence staff for 3rd Battalion, Chernarus 24th Separate Light Mountain Rifle Brigade, detected increased separatist activity north of the village of Heidemuhle. Friendly local intelligence operatives reported an increase of foot patrols by a variety of enemy special operations forces including Russian naval infantry special forces, Wagner Group operators, Russian interior ministry special forces, and Russian militia, all apparently preparing for an attack on the village.

Command Staff for 3rd Battalion hastily assembled a task force consisting of four rifle squads, and one anti-aircraft gun truck, all of which were marched Overland to Heidemuhle. The overland march took more than 40 minutes.

3rd Squad was delayed in their march by problems with the terrain. By the time Command Squad, 2nd Squad and 4th Squad reached the village, a massive BMP attack was underway. To the west, the anti aircraft gun truck ran into an ambush set by enemy technicals and was destroyed, as was the ammunition truck dispatched by command staff.

Instead of waiting for the arrival of 3rd Squad, Command Squad initiated its probe into the village, and countering and destroying several BMPs. Command Squad, which doubled as the task force's assault element, advanced to the northern edge of the village, as commander launched several artillery strikes against likely routes of enemy ingress into the village.

As the enemy closed, casualties for 2nd Squad began to mount. Command Squad suffered casualties from the enemy attacks as well. Because of the mounting casualties, commander ordered the entire task force to retreat to the southern edge of the village. Enemy infantry attacks continued and intensified against as the task force withdrew.

As the task force reached the southern edge of the village, commander ordered a series of artillery smoke missions to cover the withdrawal of 4th Squad which also began to suffer from casualties in the west. The series of artillery missions was successful in masking the movement of 4th Squad, then to withdraw south.

Just before Command Squad reached its farthest north, reinforcements arrived at the battalion forward zone, and included two rifle squads and one T-72 tank. By the time the task force had withdrawn to the southern edge of the village, the two reinforcing rifle squads had arrived, but were ordered to retreat south along with the rest of the task force. The T-72 became stuck less than a kilometer from the forward zone, and was unable to help.

Casualties were catastrophic. 2nd Squad and 3rd Squad were both wiped out, the remnants folded into Command Squad. Equipment losses included one anti-aircraft gun truck, and one ammunition carrier.

Field counts of enemy losses included four BMPs and one technical.

Battalion intelligence staff reported a few hours later that the separatist forces had successfully taken over the village, but subsequently withdrew. This is the second subsequent countering operation against separatist movements in a month, also in Heidemuhle. The previous operation also was catastrophic in losses.

Brigade commander is deciding whether to launch a third operation in the Gabreta region.