A collaboration with Antarctic Circle StatesCONTEXT: Greater Niagara entered into a Civil War in 2019. ACS, a former colony of Niagara, sends the 2nd (AQ) Brigade and support, alongside an artillery battery and SAS troop from Fort Philip Picket, also a former Niagaran Colony. Several platoons from both nations form a company team to participate in a larger offensive to take the rebel capital of Marksburgh.0400
Line of Control, Southern Niagara
40 km NNW of Marksburgh, NRF Capital
12-14-2022It was early morning, early enough that the sun had not rising. The temperature had dropped significantly over the past few days, from a relatively comfortable single digits celsius to low negatives. Inside tanks and trenches, soldiers of Niagara, Fort PP, and ACS huddled in their winter gear, trying to keep out the cold.
Lieutenant Mikkel Svenson, commander of the 1st platoon, Alfa company, 3rd battalion, PCLIR, kneeled down behind a barricade, waiting for the attack signal. He turned toward his ACS counterpart, leading their own platoon in the task-organized company team.
"How're you guys doing?" He asked quietly, checking his M4 carbine to make sure it was in prime condition.
"Quite well, sir," answered George K. Patterson, staff sergeant of 3rd platoon, "the boys are ready for the push."
"Mr. Svenson, it's a pleasure to meet you!" First Lieutenant Taylor, commander of 3rd platoon (Able company, 4 AIR), greeted the Niagaran officer with a slight grin, "us nimrods can adapt to this kind of weather surprisingly quickly. When will we move out?"
"Guess that's the nice part about living in the south pole. Must be shorts weather for you guys," Svenson replied with a grin as well. "We're just waiting on the signal from the brass. Should be any minute now."
"Weather can be real challenge sometimes, but we keep track of temperature using kelvin so the numbers don't look as cold," Taylor replied, "you seen much action around here?"
"I've been around for about a year and half," Svenson replied. "I volunteered before the 'recruiters' could conscript me, so I could get in as an officer. My battalion was posted to the western front until we pushed the reb's off the mainland last year. What about yourself?"
"I joined the army OTS as soon as I graduated university. It's been three years," Taylor paused for a second, "it's my first combat tour and the first for most of them as well, excluding George." He pointed at the staff sergeant, who was busy giving orders to squad leaders and checking the radio.
"I heard he has been to combat in the North and runs the show here in the platoon. The men respect him."
"Well, sir, I can assure you that it's quite the ride and not in a good way," Svenson said, looking over at the staff sergeant. He gave a slight grin. "I'm sure he can attest to that."
Suddenly, a voice came over the radio. It was the company team commander, a captain of the Niagaran army. "Orders from command: all units engage, repeat all units engage!"
"There is no need to address me as sir, for I'm also a lieutenant," Taylor replied, "we will see about that ride. 3rd platoon, mount up, move out!"
Hearing the order, infantrymen put on their helmets and scrambled to their armoured vehicles.
The Niagaran soldiers did the same, scrambling to their LAV III's. As Svenson climbed into his command-variant LAV, he grabbed the headphone/microphone set on a hook, putting them on over his helmet.
"Testing, testing, 123," he said as the driver turned on the APC's engine. "1st Platoon, readiness check!"
All the squad CO's radioed back their acknowledgements, signalling that they were ready to move.
Taylor and his platoon quickly mounted onto the 6 AQLAVs and checked equipments. Most of the soldiers only carried their service firearm with a handful of grenades and anti-tank weapons. The platoon's main firepower comes from the 25mm auto-cannons mounted on the AQLAVs.
"3rd platoon, sound off for readiness check."
"Patterson, HQ is ready."
"Kellen, 1st squad is ready."
"Snyder, 2nd squad is ready."
"Huerta, 3rd squad is ready."
"1, this is 1-3, readiness confirmed, over." Taylor reported to the company headquarters.
"1-1, 1-3, this is 1, readiness acknowledged," the HQ radio officer replied. "All platoons report ready. Company team will advance in line formation, repeat line formation. Expect enemy resistance. We softened them up with artillery barrages, but we can't be too sure.
"1, this is 1-3, roger," Taylor switched radio frequency, "3rd platoon, line formation, Huerta at the right flank!"
The 6 AQLAVs spread out in a horizontal line, with Lt. Taylor and Ssgt. Patterson's vehicles slight in front, moving on the right flank of the company. In doing so, the platoon can move forward while scouting for friendly units to its left and behind.
"Keep your eyes open, call it out if you see anything." Patterson instructed the squad leaders. The Niagaran LAV's do the same, coming into a wedge formation to the left of the AQLAV's. A troop of Leopard 2A4 landcruisers bring up the left flank.
The company advanced forward with a tank platoon on the left flank, 1st platoon in the middle, and 3rd platoon to the right. The company HQ, including an ACS FSLAV trailed right behind the formation, maintaining radio contact with the battalion command post.
Taylor fell silent with the rest of the platoon. No one was saying anything anymore for every soldier knew a tough fight awaited in front of them. The terrain was mostly flat, with a few isolated hills blocking the site of the village, their recon objective, 8 kilometers away. However, there was an eerie quietness which enveloped the field. The only noises were the vehicle engines and the sound of wheels rolling on the frozen ground.
As the company moved forward, Svenson was surprised at the lack of enemy fire that should have been coming at them. He wondered for a moment if HQ was wrong and there was no real risk of attack.
His thoughts of such were quickly cast aside when the distinctive sound of a machine gun started. About 150 ft away from the front of the formation, a trench had been dug into the earth, holding perhaps 2 dozen infantrymen inside. Most of the rebels began pelting the APC's with small arms fire, whilst two were equipped with SAW light machine guns.
"Contact front!" Sgt. Kellen called out immediately.
"Fire suppression," Patterson repeated, "pick your targets!"
The AQLAVs began to open up. A short burst of 25mm high explosive rounds flew in the direction of the incoming fire just short of the dugouts. The followings rounds connected with the trench, sending dirt and shrapnels flying. The Niagaran APCs opened up with their machine guns as well.
“1, this is 1-3, contact, infantry.” Taylor reported through the radio.
"1-3 this is 1, acknowledged. Engage and destroy." The company commander replied.
The lead LAV's 25mm autocannon fired at another part of the trench, sending debris everywhere. Several rebel soldiers that had survived the combined fire from the companies autocannons climbed out of the trenchs and away from the engagement zone, presumably to the next line of engagements.
"1, this is 1-1, our section is clear." Svenson said to company commander.
"Ceasefire!" Patterson issued the command to stop firing on the enemy, who were already on the run.
"Ceasefire!" All squad leaders responded.The auto-cannons stopped firing.
"1, this is 1-3, battlefield is secured,” Taylor reported, “no friendly losses.”
"Acknowledged, 1-3. Good job!" the company CO replied. "Continue your advance."
"1, this is 1-3, roger," Taylor signaled the squad leaders, "MTC formation, 3rd platoon lead, Kellen and Snyder on the flanks."
The Antarctican AQLAVs started moving again, leading the column by a little over 100 meters to provide forward security and reconnaissance. The armoured vehicles crossed the previously occupied trenches, which were left with nothing but shrapnels and a few scattered bodies. The company was on the move, and everything retreated back to the indescribable silence it began with.
The Niagaran LAV III's take position on the left flank of the main body, with the tank platoon covering the right flank.
After 15 minutes, they reach their objective: the village of Sudenor. Along the edges of the town, a series of trenches holds another platoon of rebel infantry, and 4 older LAV I's to provide fire support.
"Contact front!" Patterson spotted the silhouettes of a LAVs in the distance.
"1, this is 1-4, contact," Taylor reported the finding to company HQ, "count, 4 LAVs."
"Roger, take them out! Once you do, infantry dismount and take the village," the company CO ordered.
The Niagaran tank platoon moves in beside the AQLAVs, the lead tank already with a HE round loaded. Lining up the barrel, he fires the round, destroying one of the LAVs, sending shrapnel and debris around the enemy position.
The enemy had noticed the appearance of intruders. Small arms and machine gun fire erupted on both sides 500 meters apart. Tracer rounds cut through anything in their path and bounced in all directions, hitting metal and earth. The early skirmish had clearly alerted the defenders for the resistance was much more structured during this encounter.
A rocket propelled grenade flew out of nowhere and exploded meters short of Huerta's leading vehicle.
"RPG! RPG!" Patterson shouted, "who's got eyes on it!"
"Target spotted!" Pvt. Shaffer, gunner of 3rd squad responded, "Firing!"
Huerta's vehicle sprayed a continuous stream of high explosives, silencing the defenders on the outskirts of the village. One of the rebel LAV reversed itself back into the village, while its comrades were knocked out by Niagaran Leopards.
Realizing what was going on, the Niagaran LAV platoon quickly raced forward to the other flank of the AQLAV's.
2nd squad's 25mm autocannon sent a continuous volley of fire into the trench, trying to take out as much of the infantry in the trenches as possible.
Suddenly, another RPG appeared from a second firing position, directly hitting 2nd squad's LAV. The turret is damaged by the blast, and the gunner is killed by shrapnel penetrating through the armour.
"More RPGs!" Patterson shouted while directing his vehicle forward "Covering fire! I'm going in!"
Patterson's vehicle moved forward under the cover machine guns and auto-cannon fires from 5 other vehicles. Reaching 100 meters in front of enemy position, he stopped his vehicle, and laid down auto-cannon fire from point blank range.
"1, this 1-3, heavy contact," Lt. Taylor reported, "Re-"
Before he could finish, a loud explosion rocked the ground on the right flank near an AQLAV.
"Shit, looks like Wilson hit a mine, sir!" Huerta shouted in stress.
"Wilson, acknowledge, over." Lt. Taylor attempted to reestablish communciations with weapons squad in the radio.
No response was heard from the vehicle sprawling on the ground. Three of its left wheels were blown off and its armour plates bent inward from the force of the explosion.
The damaged Niagaran LAV moved backwards behind the others, it being of little use with it's gun out of operation. Meanwhile the other rebel RPG position is knocked out by Patterson's fire.
"He's probably dead, Taylor," Svenson called out to the Antartican lieutenant, his voice neutral. "Judging from the damage hopefully at least some of the guys inside are still alive."
"I hope so," Taylor responded, "he's got half the anti-tank weapons."
"3rd Platoon dismount!" Patterson gave order for the platoon to dismount and capture the trench.
"1, this is 1-3, dismounting infantry," Taylor turned to the gunner before leaving, "vehicle's yours corporal."
The Antarctican infantrymen exited the vehicles, now in command of the squads' 3ic, and began pouring down small arms fire from a distance. Patterson continues to hammer visible enemy positions.
"Wilson is alive, sir, he's alive," Kellen spotted a few men climbing out of the destroyed AQLAV.
"Glad to see you alive," Taylor shouted, "gather the wounded and reinforce HQ."
"1st Platoon dismount!" Svenson called out as well.
"Finally!" a private exclaimed. "I hate being cooped up in here for so long."
As the other soldiers dismount, Svenson and two grenadiers run over to the damaged AQLAV, providing covering fire for the dismounting squad.
"You guys alright?" He shouted, intermittently firing at the enemy when they poked their heads from their trenches.
"Quite well, sir," Wilson responded, "the vehicle's busted but no KIAs."
"Bring the wounded back to company HQ and meet me at the trench," Taylor instructed remaining members of the weapons squad, "3rd platoon let's move!"
The platoon pushed forward, firing and moving towards the trenches. A few rebel soldiers were shot dead by the advancing APCs. Patterson had already secured the trenches, and was pushing towards the edge of the village. A rocket spurted out of the 2nd floor window of a farm house, detonating directly above 1st squad's AQLAV. All three crewmen were instantly killed. Flame and molten metal spewed out from the vehicle's cupola.
"ATGM team, 10 o'clock," Patterson called out its position while shooting at the building.
"Bastards got Summers, sir!" Huerta reported, "No survivors."
"McKenzie rack the building on 10 o'clock!"
Two AQLAVs emptied their 25mm clips on the ATGM team's location, while the rest of the company pushed forward, slicing through rebel positions on the outskirt trenches. The defenders, seemed like they have lost the will to fight, disappeared into the village.
The Niagaran soldiers move forward. 2 had been killed by rebel fire when they stormed the trenches. Svenson ran over to where Taylor was standing.
"They're moving back into the village!" he shouted. "How many did you lose?"
"At least three with more wounded. We are down to four vehicles." Taylor responded.
"3rd platoon, behind me!" Patterson gathered the rest of the platoon to form a defensive perimeter around the newly captured trenches, "set up the company HQ here."
"Wilson reporting, sir," Sgt. Wilson came with a few men, "four of my boys are wounded. I've got the rest here."
"1, this is 1-3, trenches secured," Taylor reported, "7 casualties and 2 vehicles lost."
"Make that 8 casualties and 3 vehicles," Svenson added. "One of my guys was killed when an RPG hit the gun on his LAV."
"Roger, 1-1, 1-3. We're moving in to set up company HQ at your position," the company CO replied. "Hold position, and kill anybody who attempts a counter-attack."
"1, this is 1-3, roger," Taylor turned to Wilson, "launch a drone to the west of the village."
"Negative, sir, drone is busted by the mine." Wilson responded.
"Lieutenant, let me take a few guys to scout the village," Patterson requested, "we can do the job just fine."
"I will go with you. Kellen, gather the vehicles and defend the company HQ. Shaffer (platoon RTO) you come with me," Taylor called the HQ again, "1, this is 1-3, dispatching a scout team to scan the village."
Patterson picked a dozen of troops, mostly riflemen, and headed into the village.
Several Niagarans, led by LCpl. Olaf, are chosen as well. The village is eerily quiet as the soldiers move in. Tense and on the lookout, they constantly point their rifles at broken windows, doorways, and other openings where enemy infantry could be hiding.
Spvt. Miles and Ssgt. Patterson led the column of 12 men. Sudenor was not a large village, made up of a few blocks of farmhouses divided by a single crossroads, and its residents already evacuated by the rebel forces to Marksburgh. No signs of enemy movement other than some tracks on the icy ground. A few blocks down the main street, Patterson gave signals for the team to halt and spread out.
"Contact right." Patterson said quietly, taking cover and pointing his rifle at the central church. Taylor looked in that direction direction and saw a tip of a camouflaged barrel, much bigger than the that of an auto-cannon, poking behind the church 200 meters away. A few republican soldiers were running around.
"Shaffer, radio," Taylor instructed Spvt. Shaffer to come over, "1, this is 1-3, contact, tank."
"Copy, 1-3. You don't have any anti-tank rifles on you, do you?" the company CO replied.
"1, this is 1-3, negative, requesting artillery support," Taylor responded.
"Copy. Give me a moment to contact battalion HQ, we've got fire support from some Fort PP infantry. I suggest you find some cover, things are about to get interesting over there."
"1, this is 1-3, copy, over," Taylor responded, "everyone take cover!"
The scout team moved into a nearby farm house, which offered some protection and a clear view of enemy forces.
"Captain, call it in?" Lt. Hutchings, the fire support officer, asked the company commander in the radio.
"Yes, uh 1-3, give me your position," the captain replied.
"1, this is 1-3, we are....400 meters down the main road. Enemy enemy forces are behind the central church..." Taylor estimated the rough range of his position to the church, "200 meters to the southwest."
"Roger. Fireworks inbound."
The company captain gives the coordinates to the battalion HQ, who relay them to the Fort PP artillery battery supporting the operation.
The HE rounds impacted around the area, sending thousands of shrapnels in all directions. A section of the church and a nearby hut collapsed under pressure. Dull grey smoke covered the village center.
"Landen set up that machine gun here." Patterson began establishing a defensive position on the 2nd floor.
"1, this is 1-3, ceasefire," Taylor called off the artillery and turned to Lcpl. Olaf, "Take a few quick guys out there and check out that tank."
"Right! Ford, Jamie, with me!" Olaf orders, and the trio leave the main group and head towards the area where the tank was, still on the lookout for any hostiles that might go after them.
"1, this is 1-3, target destroyed," Taylor reported, "requesting APC reinforcement."
"Let's move!" Patterson led the rest of the riflemen out the building, following Olaf's team.
Acknowledging the request, the company CO ordered 2 Niagaran LAV's to move into the village, leaving the AQLAV's and the other LAV III's to guard the exits out of the village.
After a moment the two APC's roll over to the team of infantrymen.
The driver of the lead LAV opens his hatch, saluting Lt. Taylor. "You needed support, sir?"
"No need to salute, I'm not very keen on getting picked out by a sniper just yet," Taylor responded, "move your LAVs to the east of the church. Shoot any rebs you see."
"Right!" He closes his hatch, and the LAV rolls off. The gunner moves the turret back and forth, looking for targets. As they move east of the church building, the driver sees a group of rebel infantry hiding behind a pile of rubble, who begin shooting at them with their rifles in a futile attempt at resistance.
"4 targets, 9 o'clock!" he yells out.
"Roger!" the gunner replies, and the turret turns to face them. A short burst of 25mm fire ended their annoyance.
"We're clear!" the crew commander/section 3iC called out over the radio.
“West side is clear,” Patterson and his team moved back to report, “two dozens rebs fled South. We got 6 of them.”
“1, this is 1-3, battlefield is clear, no casualties.” Taylor contacted the HQ.
"Excellent! We're moving in to set up shop up there," the captain replied.
0530
Sudenor, Southern Niagara
30 km NW of Marksburgh, NRF Capital
12-14-2022After half an hour, the battalion HQ had been moved over to Sudenor. The battalion commander, LtCol. James May enters the post office that had been repurposed as a briefing room.
He enters to see the company captain, and the platoon commanders.
"Gentleman," he says, greeting the officers present.
Cpt. Freeman, commander of able company (4 AIR), and Lt. Hutchings, company fire support officer (11 AAR), stood in attention and saluted.
The Niagaran officers salute as well.
"Good to see you men alive," May said, returning the salute. "I see the assault here went well."
"Thank you, sir, 4th battalion is the best in the regiment," Freeman responded, "we believe that the enemy around Sudenor has been neutralized, is that correct captain?"
"Yes, we've pushed the rebel forces out of Sudenor. We lost 4 men, and another 4 wounded, alongside 1 LAV III and 1 AQLAV damaged, and 1 AQLAV destroyed. Overall, it was a success," Captain Haakon replied.
"Wonderful, that means the door to the rebel's capital is open and Marksburgh is some 30 km away," Captain Freeman exclaimed, "in one swing we can go ahead and take it, sir!"
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Captain," May replied, "but it isn't that simple. The enemy has at least a battalion of tanks in the city waiting for us, and their air-defence is still a potent threat."
"Well, in that case we will need some additional support from the brigade. When do you think it's the right time to attack, sir?"
"I'm not sure yet. If I was in charge I'd call in an armoured division to help us in the assault," May replied. "I think we need to wait at least a few hours until we know the tactical situation more fully."
"Yes, sir," Freeman suggested, "I can take baker company to scout the area and slap a few rebs, sir."
"Hmm," May considered that. "Approved. But stay on the lookout for ATGM's and RPG's. We don't want any other Antarcticans returning home with flags draped over them."
"Yes, sir, we will move out before noon." Freeman saluted and left.