OPERATION SCARECROW

SITUATION

What started off as a clandestine operation, have now evolved into a full-scale conventional war. Our forces –under the flag of the local pro-Western guerrillas –have launched a blitz attack on the Soviet backed forces of the North…beating them back from one position to the next, at a tremendous pace.

The instability North of the Border is getting worse as the civil war -between the host nation and our allies there -enters it’s third year. An Insurgency Force –wanting to seize power in the South -has used this turmoil to set up base in the South and has started to escalate operations into our territory. They are getting increasingly more trained as the Soviets back them as well as the host nation, and they are getting bigger. With the host nation also being backed by the Soviets, it is clear that our allies will get more and more attacks from them. As always, they are mobile and move their bases regularly, staying unseen in the African Bush.

Engineers from our Field Engineering regiments have started rebuilding the bridge, but are plagued by enemy infantry as well as artillery. Your unit needs to support and protect them.

EFFECT

The mood in the country is changing. With landmines and attacks occurring more and more frequently in our territory, it is important that their rebel capacity to operate is drastically reduced. Due to sensitivities in the USA after Vietnam, Yemen and the world’s opinion on African decolonization, we as Blue cannot openly be seen as the aggressor, and will have to do this as a clandestine operation that we can deny. No trace-ability on this.

CURRENT STATUS

Our diplomatic mission has received some support form the USA, and they have provided data that was obtained from a defector that asked for asylum. He provided info about insurgency operations. He also provided information about a base and it’s command structure that is responsible for the bulk of the attacks in the Eastern Sector. We have conducted some aerial reconnaissance on the reported area. We have finally gotten some Arial photos of the area that can be analysed –not great but we have an idea. Apart from the main base – now code-named “Crow 1”, we also identified a smaller base a few km to the South East, now code-named “Crow 2”.

TERRAIN

The terrain is well known – typical flat miombowith thickets and open savannah in the chana’s. The rainy season has not really started. The bush is still early in going green and the terrain is dead flat – visibility will be limited in the denser areas of the miombowoodland with open grass flats in the lower chanaareas.

LOCAL POPULATION

The area has limited population but it will be difficult to deploy by day without being compromised at some point. They choose the side of the occupiers and switch between partisan forces (our allies) and guerrillas. Treat as threat but do not harm in any way.

THE MISSION

Objective:
To Reduce and destroy their ability to operate and deploy by…
• Eliminating the command element at Crow 1.
• Inflicting maximum casualties 

Execution:
You will execute the mission as follows:
• Assemble a team of up to 12 men.
• Do a para-drop insertion close to the base at Crow 1.
• Assault the base with focus on eliminating the leader element.
• Exfiltrate and return by helicopter before the host country’s military can respond. 

Secondary Objectives:
• We want to deny the operation – no visible objects of our origin.
• Nobody may be left behind – all must return dead or alive.
• Mission Constraints
• You have no vehicle support for this – it is in by air and out by air.
• You will fly your own aircraft in and get collected by own pilot.
• A partisan force will be attacking Crow 2 as soon as your attack on Crow 1 starts. Following this, they will proceed to Crow 1 to act as a stopper group for you. 

Location:
The base is located North of the border in the thicker area in the middle of chana called “Crow”.
See the map location.
This is about 250km South-east of the Garrison town where the host country has a massive military base and airfield. Currently that airfield is active with focus on supporting the govt attacks against the partisans in the civil war. It is supporting of our enemy and may come to assist them if requested by the Base Commander. 

Base Size & Setup:
The base is a Regional Forward base and from photos it looks like it can house a full company of soldiers plus the command element plus a training element. Typical bush base with bashers of grass and low unconnected trenching on perimeters. No mines. Maybe even satellite base a few km forward. 

Command Element:
We expect about 6 Officers on site with Col Mbemba the base commander. They should all wear the standard gold insignia on their uniforms and black berets when in base.

Soldiers:
We hope the base is full at the time so we can deliver maximum effect – plan to have up to three platoons in there.

Weaponry: 
It is normal for bases like this to have the following.
i. 81mm Mortars for base defense.
ii. A 14.5mm AA and a few SAM7 missiles against planes
iii. Machine gun posts as well as RPG-7 etc. etc.
iv Up to 3 platoons of soldiers.
v. Possible visiting force and Soviet/Cuban trainers.
vi. Possible Logistics vehicles from Host nation.