1LT J. Kauffman Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 WARNING ORDER Operation Mercury Mediterranean - Crete - May 20 1941 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITUATION OPERATION TIME: 1900 EST IN-GAME TIME: 1400 IGT ORGANIZATION: 1. REGION: Crete, Greece 2. WEATHER: Clear Skies; 97F ; Wind <1kn NNE; Dawn 0415 IGT; Dusk 1900 IGT 3. TERRAIN: Mountains, Highlands, Rolling plains At 0800, the first wave of Paratroopers attempted to seize 4 vital airfields on the island of Crete by surprise. Reports are currently unclear, however it seems that the British expected our feigned naval assault and instead were prepared to repel the assaults on the airfields from behind. Heavy Anti-Aircraft fire as well as prepared positions have scattered our first wave, and none of our objectives have been taken. Contact has been minimal with the surviving forces on the ground. We will be going in with the 2nd Wave. Our Battalion's objective is to seize Maleme Airfield, so that further reinforcements may land, along with heavy equipment such as artillery and panzers. Maleme Airfield is the smallest and northern most airfield on Crete. It was believed to be lightly defended, and contained a flight of enemy fighters and reconnaissance aircraft. Contact with our Sister battalion, who had been tasked with the same mission, has been inconsistent. The reports that have made their way back to us have been disastrous. As of noon today, the 2nd Battalion managed to take Hill 252, overlooking the airfield, with some four hundred casualties; however, due to lack of manpower and supplies, the battalion has not been able to conduct an assault on the airfield. This information is now hours old, and we have received no further contact. Their last known position was atop Hill 252. At 1400, our Company will be dropping into landing zone Martha, east of Hill 252. We will assemble with the rest of the company atop Hill 252, assist the 2nd Battalion, then move with them to seize Maleme Airfield. Once Maleme Airfield is secure, we must hold off and British Counter-attacks for as long as necessary for the Luftwaffe transports to land with our Panzers and reinforcements. a. Enemy Disposition Large Disposition of New Zealand & Australian Infantry 3rd Battalion NZ Provisional Infantry garrisoned on the Airfield 17th Australian Infantry Regiment operating in the Area An Artillery Company is reported to be attached with the NZ Provisional A Company of Tanks is reported to be attached to the Australian Infantry Regiment Several Anti-Aircraft Battery's are in position around the airfield and surrounding countryside. b. Friendly Disposition 2nd Battalion, 1st Fallschirmjaeger Regiment Suffered Severe Casualties Holding Hill 107 c. 1940s - Rules of Engagement On order from your commander, enemy military and paramilitary forces are declared hostile and may be attacked subject to the following instructions: Positive Identification (PID) is required prior to engagement. PID is a reasonable certainty that the proposed target is a legitimate military target. If no PID, contact your next highest commander for decision. Do not engage anyone who has surrendered, or is unarmed or wounded. Any requests for fire support or close air support within 600 Meters of a civilian center must first get authorization from commanding officer. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Maps of the Province: *How to Zoom in: Open spoiler> Right click on photo > Open image in new tab > Congrats, you can now zoom in. Map of the AO: Spoiler Notes from Commander: All requests for Close Air Support/Medevac/Resupply/Insertion are to go to Mako 1-6 on FREQ 60.0. Mako 1-6 will contact Rattler 1-6 on FREQ 50.0 to request an asset to assist 1st Platoon as necessary. Once the asset is in the area of Operation for Mako 1-6, Infantry can contact the bird via CAS Net FREQ 45.0 to guide in the bird/direct close air support. If an infantry element is in threat of being overrun and requires immediate assistance, they may declare a "Tactical Emergency" to Mako 1-6, who will then have Rattler 1-6 redirect all available air assets to Mako 1-6's Area of Operation to prevent the unit from being overrun. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MISSION 1st Platoon, A. Company, 1/7th Cavalry 1st Platoon will land in Drop Zone Martha, assembly at Hill 252 with friendly forces, recieve updated information on Enemy Positisions from the Officer on the ground, move with friendly forces North to assault Malame Airfield, dig-in for expected British Counterattacks, and hold the airfield until reinforcements land. 1st Platoon PRIMARY TASKING: 1st Platoon will Seize and Hold Maleme Airfield SECONDARY TASKING: Gather intel from Commander on the ground TERTIARY TASKING: Assist Friendly Forces from the 2nd Battalion wherever able. 71st Assault Helicopter Company 71st AHC is to drop 1st Platoon into the Landing Zone. PRIMARY TASKING: Rattlers will provide close air support for 1st Platoon SECONDARY TASKING: Will land planes of reinforcements once Counter-attacks have seized and the AO is secure for heavy transport aircraft to land. TERTIARY TASKING: N/A ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMAND & SIGNAL Call Signs "Mako 6", 1LT J. Kauffman "Mako 1-6", TBD "Mako 1-6 R" TBD "Mako 1-1", TBD "Mako 1-2", TBD "Rattler 1-6", N/A "Rattler 1-1", CW4 T. Sadler "Rattler 1-2", CW2 J. Hart Hand Signals Control + Num 5 = Rally/Set//Affirmative Control + Num 2 = Halt/Hold/Stop/Negative Control + Num 6 = Engage Control + Num 4 = Go/Move/ Link to comment
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