Firestorm: Red Thunder

Major Reilly Squadron was now 20 Kilometer ahead of the Battle Group, The other unit, and the entire 3rd Division had gone in a 24 Hour Holt due to maintenance requirements and time for the logistics to catch up.

His mission was to locate the enemy force, and if possible hold them in place.

The Left Squadron had made up some of their infantry lose and 432, The Mobile Milan section lost in the first engagement had been replaced by a Milan Section in 432, the two scouts section where now operates in a two-vehicle team, The 5th troop Royal Scots Grays (Chieftain Stillbrew) for 4th Troop (Chieftain). The swap of Scots Grays troop was due to the Holt.

All the air defense team that remained had been assigned to protect the Battle Group Holt area.

Captain Shaw the 2IC and Scout lead reported that there was an estate 5 kilometer ahead that would make for a good position for the night after the estate was just fields after fields.

After the quick conversation between Reilly and Shaw, The Major decides to only take 1st Platoon, 4th Troop, Milan’s section, Mortars platoon and the FO to go forward to the Estate. The 9th Platoon, the two scout section, and the Charlie Battery would remain a few Kilometers back to get needed maintenance was done and some sleep.

Captain Shaw had recommended that the force deploys to Northeast of the Estate in the only tall stand corn fields, a walled cow enclosure behind and the Estate walls as the right flank.

The 1st Platoon across the front with the Milan team on the left flank in the corn fields along with 1st Squad, 2nd Squad would cover the open area between the field and the walls of the estate, 3rd a would cover the estate from behind the wall and a gated building.

Major Shaw places his behind and between 2nd and 3rd Squad.

The Milan’s deployed behind 2nd Squad. The Mortar deployed behind the cow enclosure.

The FO was placed on the right the side of the estate.

To the South West in a low area was the 4th troop.

It was the 1st Platoon Milan’s and FO that first reported the advancing East German force of BMP 2 and T-55.

The 1st Platoon report BMPs with to their direct front and a group of T-55 off to their right, The Milan section confirmed the report reference the BMPs, but couldn’t confirm the T-55.

The FO confirmed T-55 but on the south side of the East road and behind the wall and vineyard. The FO also added that he had seen wheeled vehicles off to the south but lost them in the fields.

At this point, Major Reilly knew he had at least a BMP company, possibly a Tank company, and that a recon force was working its way around his right flank!

Major Reilly turned the fight on the left flank over to the 1st Platoon Commander to fight, while he coordinates the rest of the company.

The Squadron Sergeant Major radio that Charlie Battery was up and ready, The FO was already working on fire requests, and that 9th Platoon and the Scout were on their way.

Major Reilly told Sergeant Major that he thought the East German would advance from the South East first to pin the force while the tanks moved and advance from the South West.

He needs the Sergeant Majors force to move to the North West, Captain Shaw knew where, He and Reilly had already worked it out, and the 4th Troop was to hold in place until they arrived.

The East Germans advance in the South East firing at 1st platoon to no value. The response was quick and deadly! The Milan team and Carl G accounted from seven destroyed BMP’s just before the Mortar laid a smoke screen across the estate to the North!

The East Germans advance thru the smoke into more Milan and Carl G fire, along with Small arms from 1st Platoon and their 432. The Abbots of Charlie Battery also added there wait to the fight!
As the sun raised there was nothing left of the BMP Company but Dead and wound soldiers!

The East German attack in the South West didn’t go much better, between 9th Platoons moving into place behind a smoke screen from Charlie Battery.

When the smoke cleared the Scout flanking and destroyed the recon.

The Chieftains and Milan have destroyed one T-55 element and then did the same to the 2nd Elements as it entered the Estate along with support from the Milan section.