The Commonwealth of Chrisdom

[chrisswim]

Recovery of the Namer and Merkava getting them loaded on the Hemtts. Utilize 3 M728 engineer vehicles, men, etc.



Camo netting to hide the ATGM damage from the 9K133 Kornet.

[chrisswim]

The CoC 3 BDE of the 48 moved forward slowly as the Daggers and the PO were engaged in combat in the Haditha. Slow progress, costly engagement to advance. Will offer the 3 BAT with 1 Co of Merkavas and 2 Cos of Namer 2s to the Daggers for their advance.

Turn 4 Resolution: The ROD and Pan Oceanic troops moving north through Haditha encountered very stiff resistance in Kill Boxes A and B. PAC troops appear to be better trained and equipped than those of the Karkadann Brigade that were faced in Haqlaniya. A series of reinforced, mutually supporting positions were constructed throughout the zone. Mobile reserves in BTR70s are moving throughout the city to attack ROD and Pan Oceanic units, and then they withdraw deeper into the city.

At the end of the turn the ROD and Pan Oceanic troops have advanced half-way toward their objectives. They continue to advance, but at a much slower pace than anticipated. Both brigades have maintained contact with each other, and the CoC’s 3/48 Brigade has maintained contact with the ROD. The forward line of troops is intact and clawing its way north. ROD has suffered 60 casualties in the past 12 hours and 5 Bradleys destroyed. The Pan Oceanic Brigade has suffered 55 casualties, 2 Marders, and 3 LAV IIIs destroyed. Estimated enemy casualties are 150 troops and 12 BTR70s.

The RPNW continues to secure the Division Support Area and the K2 Airfield in Baiji. The Division main command post has relocated to the K2 airfield.

Plan of advance, at an interment step. In turn 4-B.

[chrisswim]

Vehicles transported into Haditha to support Dagger in the city fight.



“Fighting in built up areas is a bloody mess!!”, said Gunny Roberts, of the B.Co, 3 BAT, 3-48. “Fighting has been extremely tough, ruthless, and bloody.”

Ambulances needed during the engagement in Taditha.



Turn 5 Resolution: The attack through the Askri Neighborhood of Haditha became disjointed when the ROD Dagger Brigade pressed their attack north, but the Pan Oceanic Brigade halted and began preparing defensive positions. In Kill Box A, 2-8 Infantry took the lead, supported closely by tanks from 2-2 Armor. They were successful in reducing the PAC positions and they advanced at a good pace, suffering minor casualties in the initial attack.

The PAC was able to identify the gap opened between the Dagger Brigade and the Pan Oceanic Brigade, and they surged a mechanized infantry battalion (BMP-3s) into Kill Box B, supported by a motorized infantry battalion (BTR-70s). The mech infantry hit the ROD flank destroying 4 Bradleys and 2 tanks and causing significant casualties.

The CoC 3/48 Brigade launched its attack into Haditha from the west, taking the motorized infantry battalion in the flank. 13 BTRs were destroyed and approximately 60 PAC troops were KIA. CoC and ROD units remained in contact throughout the battle.

At the end of Turn 5 the CoC 3/48 Brigade has made a deep penetration into Haditha and the Pan Oceanic Troops have not moved. The RPNW Brigade continues to secure the DSA and the K2 Airfield.

[chrisswim]

The allied forces were fortunate as the PO passed through/behind the ROD Daggers and the Commonwealth 3-48. Teamwork with each other has been great. The C.O. General from ROD has done well leading, listening and directing our combat operations while being aware of the tactical plans by battalion.



Turn 6 Resolution: ROD Dagger Brigade and CoC 3/48 Brigade attacked eastward to eliminate the 2 PAC battalions that wedged themselves between the ROD and Pan Oceanic Brigade. ROD’s 2-8 Infantry with tank support pushed the PAC mech infantry back against the riverbank where they were hit by ROD artillery fire and direct fire from Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry from the Pan Oceanic Brigade. The PAC troops attempted to break out of their position to the north, but they ran into the defeated motor infantry to their north and the artillery fire continued until the PAC survivors surrendered. The ROD lost 2 Bradleys and 15 troops. PAC casualties are estimated at 20 BMPs and 75 troops KIA. The Pan Oceanic Brigade was unscathed, but the ROD artillery batteries are low on ammunition.

At the same time, 1st and 2nd battalions of 3/48 Brigade attacked east, smashing into the PAC motor infantry battalion, driving them back against the riverbank and the remnants of the mech infantry. The CoC tanks continuously hammered the PAC troops on the bank while cannon artillery rained down on them. The CoC infantry cleared the surrounding neighborhood with tank support, sustaining 9 casualties in the process.

3rd Battalion of the CoC 3/48 Brigade immediately attacked north through the Haditha streets, moving quickly to seal off city blocks and then systematically clear them. The grunts were supported by tanks and engineers that quickly reduced any obstacles with direct fire or explosive charges.





At the end of Turn 6, the CoC’s 3/48 Brigade is attacking north while the ROD’s Dagger Brigade is following in support. The Pan Oceanic Brigade has swung west and is covering the Desert Coalition’s flank while the RPNW Brigade secures the DSA and the K2 Airfield.

[chrisswim]

Turn 7 Resolution: CoC’s 3/48 Brigade completed the destruction of PAC mechanized and motorized forces from Turn 6 and then attacked north with 3rd Battalion leading. Resistance was minimal, though they did encounter some fanatical PAC troops in bunkers throughout the northern half of the city. These positions were not supported, however, and 3rd Battalion was able to isolate and bypass most of them. Combat engineers and mech infantry from the follow on battalions could easily destroy the bunkers in place without suffering any casualties.

3/48 Brigade halted at the north end of the city and the Dagger Brigade halted a few kilometers behind them, while the Pan Oceanic Brigade maintained a screen on the west flank.

The Pan Oceanic Brigade dispatched Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry (LAV III) to move north and seize the Haditha Dam. As they neared the dam complex, they received some sniper fire but sustained no casualties and the snipers fled once the Canadians took control of the dam and the surrounding buildings. There was no damage to the dam and no explosives in evidence.

Some pictures of the fighting that took place yesterday.









Commonwealth forces advance.



Dispatching a T-72, another comes around the corner to fire on a Merkava.



Getting dang tight in the fight.



Dispatching PAC!! Namer 2 eliminates the Saladin.

[chrisswim]

Turn 8 Resolution: All Desert Coalition forces have moved to FOB Gladius, just west of the city of Mosul. The division was strung out and the move was slow going, but all vehicles made it to the FOB (though some were towed) and all personnel are accounted for.

The Bureaucrat in Charge has ordered the DC forces to hold their position at FOB Gladius while he tries to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the situation in Tal Afar. DC Commander requested permission to conduct reconnaissance in the area and his request was approved.

[chrisswim]

Action report from CinC of the allied effort of DC.

After making short work of PAC force in the town of Haqlaniya, the Desert Coalition is facing tougher opposition in the city of Haditha. ROD’s 2nd Brigade / 1st Mech Division are fighting north through the Askri neighborhood of southern Haditha, alongside troops from the 1st Pan Oceanic Brigade. PAC unit have dug into the streets, using windows, alleyways, and even the sewers to make the DC troops pay dearly for their advance.

Pictured here is a squad from B Company / 1-8 Infantry advancing toward a mosque under the watchful eye of a forward observer team.



Logistics is vital to success.


At a base with Kuwait AF helping the coalition at a rear log-base shortly after unloading from a ship. M35, 2 1/2 ton trucks getting ready to drive.








EW system moving forward

[chrisswim]

Turn 11 Resolution: In the north, The Pan Oceanic Brigade was bogged down in a linear ambush on Highway 47 in a pass between two ridgelines. The 2nd Lord Strathcona’s Horse was in the kill zone, and they attempted to pull back while suppressing the PAC infantry and missile trucks. The 88th Mech Infantry attempted to move forward to clear the PAC infantry, but the 31st Panzer Battalion was also on the highway in the middle and the three units became entangled on the highway. The PAC missile trucks made one more running attack against Lord Strathcona’s Horse and then withdrew to the west while calling in artillery fire. The PAC missiles all missed their targets and the Canadian gunners destroyed 4 missile trucks. The PAC artillery strike suppressed Lord Strathcona’s Horse, but there were no casualties.



In the south, 2nd battalion of the CoC 3/48 Brigade continued to engage the PAC armor in the desert. The Coc tank fire was accurate and timely, destroying 6 T-72s and 1 BMP. The CoC lost 2 tanks in the long range duel before the PAC armor attempted to break contact and withdraw toward the airport.



At the end of the turn the Pan Oceanic Brigade is stationary in the pass east of Tal Afar, but the PAC infantry have withdrawn. The RPNW Brigade is also stationary, following the Pan Oceanic Brigade. The CoC 3/48 Brigade is moving west while the PAC armor they have engaged is attempting to break contact. The ROD Dagger Brigade is moving west, following 3/48.

[chrisswim]

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Turn 12 Resolution: In the north, The Pan Oceanic Brigade has begun movement west again after PAC forces withdrew into the city near the Tal Afar Hospital. DC G2 believes that the infantry battalion that ambushed Lord Strathcona’s Horse has simply displaced into the neighborhood around the hospital, and that the second PAC infantry battalion is dug into the city center, further to the west. The Pan Oceanic force is leading with tanks and as they begin to enter the outskirts of Tal Afar they receive sniper fire and an artillery fire mission impacts to the north of the Pan Oceanic column, but none of the attacks had any effect.



At the end of the turn, DC forces are moving along both axes of attack. In the north the Pan Oceanic Brigade is entering the city of Tal Afar and in the south the CoC’s 3/48 Brigade is pursuing enemy armor toward the airport.

[chrisswim]

Turn 13 Resolution: In the north, The Pan Oceanic Brigade massed its armor and assaulted the city of Tal Afar from east to west. Lord Strathcona’s Horse attacked in the center of the line with the 31st Panzer battalion on its right and the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s infantry on the left. The brigade made good progress through the city by engaging enemy positions with tank fire and clearing buildings with infantry. The PAC infantry gave ground slowly, moving west as the Pan Oceanic troops advanced. PAC trucks firing ATGMs harassed the Princes Patricia’s destroying 2 LAV IIIs, but 3 missile trucks were lost in the attacks.

Pan Oceanic Artillery fired deeper into the city in an attempt to dislodge the PAC infantry battalion believed to be dug in to positions in the city center. The thermobaric rounds caused massive destruction in the built up area, and it is impossible to differentiate civilian and PAC casualties with the amount of damage inflicted. Movement through all of the rubble is difficult and the Pan Oceanic advanced has slowed as they attempt to maneuver through the wreckage of the city.



In the south, the 3/48 Brigade began its assault on the Tal Afar airport with all three combined arms battalions advancing abreast. When the lead CoC tanks were 1.25 miles from the objective they halted and began to fire on the PAC positions on the perimeter of the airport while the cannon artillery battalion created a smokescreen to the front. The CoC tank fire was accurate and took a heavy toll on the dug in BTRs on the east side of the airport. Observations from the tanks and the battalion scouts revealed BTRs and dismounted PAC infantry in trenches and fighting positions all along the airport perimeter.

During the tank bombardment, 3rd Battalion of 3/48 Brigade received artillery fire that suppressed their tanks for some time but did not result in any casualties.



Shelia’s brother, Steve is in theater military News photographer.
Advancing, dropped smoke in front of enemy positions with Merkava IV using thermals.











Cluster munitions behind ‘The Wall’ of smoke. Some vehicles being destroyed, other explosions without affect.

[chrisswim]

With the end of hostilities in theater we take stock of what has been won and lost. Take a measure of ourselves as individuals, teams, and combined multi-national coalition. We did win the tactical battlefield, but it cost us great people. People, individuals that had families many with children, parents, siblings and spouses People that had a life ahead of them to serve their fellow man. We hope & pray that the world will be a small bit better.
We will keep an eye open for the next storm, train and prepare for the next storm regardless whether large or small. Sacrifices will be made to prepare of time, talent and treasure. We hope to stand in strength together with determination, focus, flexibility and intent to serve.

[chrisswim]

Relief forces have started to arrive.
Here are M-1 Abrams AVLB, engineers in M-113. Also M-60A1 to free up the Merkavas and Namer 2s for maintenance.



Merkava and Namer 2 in assembly area along with captured enemy AFVs.



The M-60A1 in company strength. In front is towed CWIS behind the Cougar 4x4.

[chrisswim]

Joint training exercise with focus on logistics with the CoC 1st Armored Div, and the French Division (3e DIV) – 3rd Division.

J. Ludlum is the photographer of the training exercise.

[chrisswim]

Joint training exercise with focus on logistics with the CoC 1st Armored Div, and the French Division (3e DIV) – 3rd Division.

J. Ludlum is the photographer of the training exercise.

[chrisswim]

Joint training exercise with focus on logistics with the CoC 1st Armored Div, and the French Division (3e DIV) – 3rd Division.

J. Ludlum is the photographer of the training exercise.