OP2408-30-2 After Action Report

OP2408-30-2
Transcript:
OP2408-30-2
Command staff for 4th Battalion, Chernarus 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, received a warning order from brigade operations staff that the separatists were planning to take over the town of Kostensi in Leskovets.

Kostensi is less than four km north of 4th Battalion's forward zone, so it was an urgent matter that a task force be hastily assembled and sent to Kostensi to intercept the separatist armor forces.

The tactical plan for the defense of the village was for Tank 1 and Tank 2 to deploy on the east side of the village, covering the east and the northeastern roads, while 2nd Squad was ordered to deploy to the west side. Command Squad, and Scout 1 and Scout 2 occupied the northern edge of the village. Additionally, two reinforcing BTR rifle squads and one T-72 tank were rushed to 4th Battalion's area of operation as a tactical reserve.

The enemy launched infantry attacks mainly from the northwest hitting Reinforcing Rifle Squad 1 and 2nd Squad. Enemy special operations teams and Serbian regulars attacked from the north and northwest, pressuring Command Squad. In the initial contact, Scout 2 BRDM was destroyed.

The enemy attempted to push in to Kostensi using heavy armor, in conjunction with infantry attacks. Casualties began to mount, destroying 2nd Squad. Commander ordered Reinforcing Rifle Squad 2 in to cut the main northwest Road, and to destroy a T-72 which had destroyed one of our T-72s.

Commander launched an infantry counterattack, to include Reinforcing Rifle Squad 1 and Command Squad which pushed their way north and northwest with anti armor teams intending to destroy tanks. By the time withdraw orders came down from brigade command, the counterattacks were deemed successful enough to ensure a safe retreat back to the forward zone.

Casualties were nearly catastrophic. Reinforcing Tank 1 was destroyed, as was Scout 1 and Scout 2 BRDMs. Reinforcing Rifle Squad 2 was wiped out, as was 2nd Squad. The retreat back to the forward zone was conducted by task force remnants in good order.

Field counts of enemy losses included three technicals, two T-55 tanks, two BMPs, one T-72 tank, and one T-34 tank.

A tactical analysis of the enemy's action showed that the enemy which attacked Kostensi had broken through several layers of patrols in the security zone of 2nd Army Corps to the northwest and was out of the zone of control for 7th Motorized Rifle Brigade. In this combat environment, it is brigade and battalion standard operating procedure not to send out mobile patrols, instead relying on infantry patrols, drone and fixed wing aircraft overflights to monitor enemy movements in the region.