Part 106: Operation Mange Poutine: Turkish Turn 3

Turkish Turn 3

First I'd like to say that while I don't enjoy that a simple 7.62mm machine gun is allowed to attempt a shot at a modern jet for as great a chance as one in one-hundred, I will say that I do like that shooting a jet leaves a crowd of tanks with their turrets in wild positions:


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Now to the fighting. Unfortunately I was too involved in the, frankly, exciting firefight (the first of the battle even) to snap pictures as the fight commenced. For next time I'll try and get Camtasia running and see if I can't have a video to pull data from for you guys. As it is we'll have to make do with a before:


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And after:


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By careful application of force using my Milans and Spike ERs four Challengers were destroyed and two were immobilized.


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Only two of these Challengers and a Spartan are within distances of clambering atop Sand Hill and troubling its defenders. Two more are in supporting distance. All have ATGMs watching over their approach.


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Green Ridge has three Spartans at its base.


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But Green Ridge's strength is even stronger now as positions are solidified and more weapons are set.


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West Crescent Ridge also gains its primary positions.

The whole Airmobile force has set like concrete. With the first wave of British rebuffed, it's unlikely that the Turkish infantry will be removed.


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And to their rear, the Turkish armour is advancing quickly to offer support and relief. One of the Yatagan/Armoured Car pairs supported the infantry this turn by sweeping the encroaching Spartan and Scout Section off the edge of Sand Hill's summit. The burning vehicle atop Sand Hill seen in the picture is the former Spartan.



With the turn's fighting done it's time to talk about the enemy's situation:

The British-


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In this image 19! Challengers are present of which five are destroyed and two are immobilized. Quite the significant number (2/3rds of Hob's force by points), but they are spread out. Only four are healthy and performing an attack. Eight are still arriving to the front.

Not only are the Challengers thin but the Spartans are looking mighty lonely. Three are approaching Green Ridge upon which sits almost four platoons. It's likely that the British are fairly blind and stumbling at the moment. In fact we might have done too well and their significant remaining assets might turtle to advantageous defensive positions.

Also, the first Javelin team has been sighted. He's standing on the southern tip of second westernmost hill of Crescent Ridge. Likely he has a fair view of the Maple-Sand valley. At the moment he is pinned and has taken one (of three possible) casualties. Further action is required and movement in the Maple-Sand valley should be cautious.


The Chinese-


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The Chinese are certainly advancing. How far they intend or what their goal is is still open to debate. They've deployed scouts in the middle of the valley, and a few more units are visible.

Principally the ZTZ-99A2s are the most important sighting. They're China's MBT that even has a chance against modern armor. It's armor ain't much, but it does have VIRSS protection and a solid gun.

The other deadly object on the field is the ZSL-92 HJ-9s. I've mentioned them before in supposition but now we've got confirmation of their existence. They're a good SP-ATGM. Heavy warhead with a dual-charge means they'll cause a world of hurt on anything that ain't our Canadian's Leopard 2s.



Two have been sighted behind the crest of Red Ridge.

Our last new boy is the ZSL-92A. He's the APC the HJ-9s are built upon. Pretty much standard. As a formation they work as the transports for a Light Mechanized Company which are identical to Mechanized Companies 'cept they ride around in wheeled APCs, ZSL-92s.



Only one is visible just behind the scout cars but there are certainly more.


The Americans-


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Our knowledge of our American opponent has not changed much save for our first Abrams sighting by the southern Canuck scouts. It is moving, but it is impossible to say if it is merely moving to a forward position or the vanguard of an attack. However, something interesting about this fella:



Notice that the cost is equal on both informational sheets. For those who don't know, the one on the left is the battle information and is what you get for clicking on an opposing unit. It tells you information about that unit specifically with regard to the match (how much damage it's taken, capabilities, etc). The interesting thing for the moment is the cost it gives is the 'true' cost of the unit after factoring in the unit's Experience level. The cost given by the informational on the right gives the cost at Experience level 70. Because the two are equal we know that the Abram's Experience is 70. Regular US Army Experience is 80. National Guardsman take a ten point Experience hit giving them a 70. We can positively identify this Abrams as being from a National Guard unit. Not surprising as The Merry Marauder said he'd be focusing on a National Guard based force, but interesting nonetheless.

As the tank from which all others are measured, I don't think I need to talk about the Abrams too much.



Now here's the running tally after this first fire fight: