Firestorm: Red Thunder

Stand too had been completed a little over an hour ago, just like it had over the last thirteen days. Major Dundee was in the process of shaving on his “hill” top overlooking his assigned battle space while going over in his mind the present deployment of Charlie Sabre before the 2IC, Captain McIntosh, came over to give him the daily morning update.

He could see that to the North East, 11th Troop (Scorpion’s) had moved back from their night position covering the Northern bridge and Minefield to their daytime position which still covers the bridge, but proved better cover for the troop.
12th Troop (Scorpions) which returned from escorting the 9th Troop of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (with the new Stillbrew upgraded Chieftains) into its position to the North West of 11th Troop, but couldn’t see if they had moved into their daytime position in the woods, at the center of the battle position covering the area between the North and South bridges. He made a mental note to go visit the 9th troop today with the Sergeant Major before dinner.
15th Troop (Spartan) will have exchanged their OP, overlooking the South bridge and Minefield from their position in the woods behind 12th Troops position, where the two bridge roads meet.
He could see that the attached Blowpipe had moved to their central position behind 11th troop, this allowed the teams to cover the Sabre battle space.

To the direct north, he could see that 14th Troop (Swing fire) and OP had already moved out to the “wall” giving them the ability to cover all three engagement areas (EA), EA CLAYMORE north of the Farm, EA SWORD South of the Farm and North of the central woods and EA DAGGER the open road area east of South of the central woods and north of the south hedged wall road.

From lift to right
EA DAGGER the open area west of southern road after the Bridge between with the woods to the North and a hedged wall to the south.
EA SWORD South of the Farm and North of the woods
EA CLAYMORE north of the Farm,

13th Troop (Scorpions) would be returning from its “24 Hour R&R” at the field trains seven kilometers to the rear sometime before supper. The field trains had set up shop in the Old Oak Beer Garden, given the location and environment, the Sabre had been rotating a Scorpion troop with individuals from 14th and the Blowpipe troops. The troopers of 15th troop had been removed from the rotation on the recommendation of the Sergeant Major after he found “guests” visiting the troop in its night position four nights ago.

Captain McIntosh had walked up the hill and informed Major Dundee that the Sergeant Major had just dropped off breakfast to 15th Troop and would be back in 10 minutes, Dundee smiled at the thought of another Sergeant Major “visit” to the 15th troop, when they heard an explosion to the East in the direction of 12th and 15th Troops. Then the 2IC track went up in flames! They heard the sound of helicopter’s coming from the West, the 2IC turning around and looking up to see what Dundee had already seen, 4 Hind’s closing in on them. The Southernmost Hind blew up and flipped over as a Blowpipe missile struck it on the left side just below the blades!

Major Dundee’s Spartan came racing up the hill towards him and the 2IC with the ramp down, as it passed they both dove onto the ramp and away the Spartan went, down the hill to the north and behind a hedge. The Russian Air Assault Infantry dismounted from the 3 remaining Hinds, guns and RPG firing at the 2IC vehicle and moving to cover behind the sign! Two more Hinds blow up as they lifted off again hit by Blowpipe missiles.

As Major Dundee’s Spartan makes the corner turn back towards the Hinds, he opened with a machine gun and saw tracer fire coming from the North behind, He looked over to see the FO firing away at a Hind and the Russian Infantry! From the East, there was ever more tracer’s as the Spartans of 15th Troop moved to engage the Russians! The Russian infantry started to raise their hand to surrender! Over the Command radio net came a call to “cease firing, cease firing “. Major Dundee at once told all Charlie elements to continue to engage Russian vehicles.
Captain McIntosh looked up and gave Dundee a quick update; The Russian had across a T-72 company near the South bridge and then went North East of the central woods and ran into 12th Troop, still deploying into position. The explosion we heard was 12A taking two rounds from the T-72 which was the first to be destroyed out right. 12B and 12C were dismounted, had no chance to remount, they ran for it and made it to 15th Troops position in the woods. 12D was last seen heading down the South West road by the 15A, as 15th Troop Spartan were moving east to engage the Hinds.
The 14A destroyed a T-72 in EA SWORD, 11th Troop moved from its position to the North East to put the Farm between them and the T-72.
15th Troop's ground element reported a 2nd T-72 Company crossing the Southern bridge with two mine clearing tanks leading the way. Furthermore, last but most import, the 15th was having the “honor” of presently hosting the Sergeant Major! Both Dundee and McIntosh smiled given the present attention the Sergeant Major had been showing the NCOs and Troopers of the 15th troop.

Dundee thought for a moment then said to McIntosh “Ok the situation is not that bad, it’s going to be about timing! Have the Greys move from North to the South using the farm as their east limit, this should put them in a position to ambush any tanks escaping out of EA Sword, heading either East or North.”
“Sir, the blowpipes just lost a team to the T-72 in Sword, they're falling back.”
“Mac, Tell them to fall back behind our position, also tell 15th troop Spartan to re-position around the Hill and sign in a 360. I don’t want any “surprise“ if all the Russians weren’t around up!"

“Sir, 15th Troop vehicle Sergeant just reported that a Battery of M109 just arrived behind the sign and shot last Hind out of the air!”
“14th Troop reported two more T-72 destroyed and that four Lynx’s hovering east behind their position, I’ve contacted the Blowpipes and they're aware of the situation.”

“15th Troop ground is reporting there are seven T-72s moving east along the Southern road into EA DAGGER!”

“11th Troop reported that they destroyed two Gophers on the Northern bridge and spotted a BM-21 truck battery across the river between North and South bridges. They are unable to engage, they are moving South East, but staying out of EA SWORD!”

“Sir, Brigade has given us a 2nd flight of four Lynx’s and a flight of four Harrier’s, for immediate. The Greys just reported they are in position.”
“Very Good Mac, the 1st Lynx’s Flight is to engage the T-72 in EA DAGGER from the East, the 2nd Flight of Lynx’s are to engage from the North. The Harrier’s engage from the West with priority to the Missile trucks and secondary on the tanks in Dagger. The Blowpipe is to go to close hold status now; I don’t want any Blue on Blue.”
“Tell 14th troop to continue to engage Sword from the East, This will keep the T-72 looking east and allow the Greys to take them in the flank from the North. Have the FO confirm when the Battery will be ready to provide fires.”
Mac tells the lad in 15th Troop and Sergeant Major to keep their heads down; it’s going to get “frosty” in their woods.
Dundee dropped down to the 11th troop net, “you’re to secure the south bridge but not to move from the present location until told to do so, no mistakes Kevin.”

“Sir, Lynx one confirms the first two destroyed T-72 in EA DAGGER, Lynx two confirms two additional destroyed T-72 in EA DAGGER and Harrier’s section 2 confirmed two destroyed T-72 on South bridge West of EA DAGGER! That's six of seven reported by 15th Troop sir. Harrier's section 1 is reporting multiple explosions from BM-21 Battery, but can’t confirm number destroyed.” It was later confirmed by 11th Troop all six trucks had been destroyed.

“14th Troop accounted for one more T-72 before the Greys have destroyed the last remaining three T-72s in EA SWORD.”
Dundee told Mac “to release and clear all aircraft and once confirmed, Blowpipes are weapons free again. Then inform 11th Troop it time to ride!”
The 11th crossed the southern bridge, reporting no enemy force in the immediate area and continue moving east to make contact with the enemy.

Dundee, overhead Mac saying to someone, you’re joking with me? He really didn’t lead the patrol himself? The Major looked down as Mac looked with complete bewilderment on his face. “Sir, the Sergeant Major led a few “chosen” lads of the 15th Troop on a patrol into EA DAGGER, They captured the crew of a T-72, and the Sergeant Major want to know where he can put his “T-72”! And Sir before you reply remember, I’m a gentleman and the Sergeant Major is a very large man”……Dundee just laughed and told Mac to inform the “good” Sergeant Major that it would have to wait and it was time to get on with it!

With the report finished to the 2nd Brigade Command, Major Dundee received a verbal change of mission orders.

“You are to advance toward Salzwedel, in order to locate the enemy forces. The Greys Battle Group will follow you.

I want to make this perfectly clear; you are taking the war to the enemy! Good Hunting!”

British Win 6 to 1

As the Greys battle group was moving east, about to cross the river and enter into East Germany, to their right was a T-72 with a red dragoon painted on it and a sign saying “With the compliments of the 15th Troop, Welsh Cavalry”

The British Force

The Russian Forces