Firestorm: Red Thunder

10:20 ZULU+1
MEINE

My Lords:

Below you will find my AAR and Intelligence photos from the recent action at Meine. We drove off another strong attack by DDR Armoured Forces.

With reports of strong movement to the southeast, I deployed 1 Platoon on my left and 2 Platoon on my right, with the regimental Milan section dug in along a hedge in my center. Mines were laid to in a gap in the forests to the Northeast, as well as on the road approaches to central Meine. A section of Tracked Rapiers deployed in the forest to our rear.

Forward OPs reported movement along our left and center at 4:30 local. An armoured battalion with a full company of T-55AM as well as and understrength company of same, and two platoons of T-72M advanced, avoiding our minefields (my IO suspects Spetznaz in the area reported on minefield locations). The tanks were supported by understrength infantry companies in BTR-60 and BMP-1. ZSU guns also moved in the first wave, presumably for infantry suppression.

For about 20 minutes each side traded a few shots, but darkness and fog made visibility variable.

The arrival of daylight revealed a massive rush of DDR forces at our Left flank. Our attached Chieftain troop had taken up ambush positions, but the Tracked Rapier were withdrawn.

The combination of Milan, Gustav and Chieftain fire disabled or destroyed more than half a dozen T-55 and T-72, but was unable to prevent simultaneous assaults from the north and east. 1 Platoon was forced to fall back about 100 meters, endangering that part of the line.

With 1 Platoon trying to re-dig in under fire, quick reactions by the transport sections and a troop of recently-arrived Scimitars were able to turn back the DDR infantry. Sustained MG fire killed or drove off the remaining troops and their transports.

The remaining DDR armoured elements moved forward to push through the remains of 1 Platoon.

The final push of the DDR Armour was accompanied by the arrival of a flight of Mi-24. Reinforcement Scorpions had also arrived in our center, replacing the Scimitars that were about to be withdrawn. AAMG fire brought down 2 of the attack helicopters, but they were able to destroy Chieftain 31-B with an ATGM.

The next few rounds of fighting saw the Milan section and Chieftain troop working right to left to destroy the remaining T-72s and T-55s. A final attempt at assault by T-55s was driven back after 2 were destroyed by Chieftains at point blank range.

By 9:30, enemy troops were blowing smoke and withdrawing, allowing my group to disengage in an orderly fashion, passing through the lines of 1 Brigade at approximately 10:10.

This engagement was a near-run thing. The arrival of Hinds could certainly have buckled our defenses. A mobile milan section and a troop of Abbots that had been promised to our sector never arrived. Although, with how quickly the East German troops were on our lines, I suspect the Abbots would have been firing directly over iron sights. 1 Platoon is severely understrength. I've pulled them out of line for 3 Platoon, but they'll need replacements ASAP. The RE were able to get 31 Bravo out of line. I'll be hearing within the hour if it's still operable. The driver and loader, however, were killed. 31 Commander recommends a whole new crew.

Further reports to follow.

Respectfully,

Colonel the Lord Tadcaster