Realpolitik CIV - An Interactive AAR

[arya126]

Could i possibly suggest a COA #4?

Its a combination of 1 and 3. There will be 3 teams instead of 2. Team one sneaks off at the dropoff point for the first COA. They sneak up on the compound but stay just out of sight until midnight where phase 2 commences. Teams 2 and 3 will cause a diversion at the secondary supply port. The morning Glory will sail with half its lights on so it looks like it trying to sail undetected but its really the opposite. It will sail in sight of the south side of the army base, raising the alarm. At exactly midnight, team 2 and 3 will land at the secondary supply port and capture it, drawing the army towards them. team 2 will go to the road, making a fient so they think it is the team going for the compound. It will move slowly and obviously so the army can find them. then they will hold positions along the road, halfway to the compound. Any guards at the compound itself will be put on high alert on the side that faces the landing. team 3 will make several feints towards the army base, keeping them off guard and forcing them to not throw their entire weight against team 2. Once Phase 2 commences, a flming arrow will be shot into the sky, followed by 11 more to signal for team one to slowly move i on the compound. Once the fighting starts, teams 2 and 3 will make it as loud as they can to alert team 1, team 1 will perform a lightning strike against the compound. They will bypass any fortified positions like german infiltration tactics in WW1 and rescue the hostages. They will immediatly go to the bay near the supply port where the Morning Glory will pick them up and send up 3 flaming arrows to signal teams 2 and 3 to retreat towards the supply port along the coast. The Morning Glory will pick up survivors from the fight and embark on the return journey to england.

Is this acceptable? the president is a brilliant strategist and tactician as well as politician

 

[MathNerd]

My Emblem:

Very interesting indeed. You are a great writer, LH!

Anyway, I think COA #2 is the best. It minimizes loss of life, which is the most important thing in the first place. COA #1 is too risky, waiting another 24 hours on this island? That would probably just get the rescuers held hostage as well! COA #3 will probably end up getting Team #1 killed, which would be a terrible tragedy.

OOC: LH, if we do end up in a war with Russia, would you WB them any units? Or are you not going to tell us?

 

[MathNerd]

In arya's idea, teams 2 and 3 would probably get killed. Team 1 would probably not succeed in getting into the prison. Keep in mind that the Russians are smart enough to know that we are aiming to rescue the hostages, and that they will probably defend the hostage prison very well.

EDIT: Every death will anger the people, bringing up the OSR.

 

[Lighthearter]

In arya's idea, teams 2 and 3 would probably get killed. Team 1 would probably not succeed in getting into the prison. Keep in mind that the Russians are smart enough to know that we are aiming to rescue the hostages, and that they will probably defend the hostage prison very well.

EDIT: Every death will anger the people, bringing up the OSR.

Exactly. Keep in mind two other things.

1) - The Eagles are professionals. They have considered and discarded dozens, if not hundreds of plans for this OP by now.

2) - Considering that Peter is a little loopy if they are given the opportunity the bad guys might execute the hostages anyway.

- Lighthearter

 

[arya126]

Exactly. Which is why they will all flock to destroy the obvious threat from 2 and 3. And if these men are as elit as they say, then they should be able to handle such a battle when the enemy is so divided. There are 100 soldiers on the island. I assume that there are probably about 30 on shift in the compound at a time, with another 70 at the base in the east. So if the 70 in the east are split up into 40 and 70, im sure the groups of 10 my plan uses could hold them off and inflict max casualties upon them while sustaining minimal casualties. Then i would assume that the 10 assaulting the compound would only face a few guards as most would be on high alert to the east ready to face team 2. They could easily get in and out before anyone else reaches them. The guards would also expect them to retreat the way they came, while they would continue south and west to the bay near the supply port. Teams 2 and 3 are highly skilled and i dont expect more than 5-7 dead there. MAYBE 1 casualty attacking the compound considering their training and the probability of the diversion to the east.

 

[arya126]

And if they execute the hostages, they lose their bargaining chip. As LH points out, the night eagles are proffesionals. They can perform things that the army wont expect. The english are weak and pathetic and dumb to them remember? They wont expect any complicated diversions or other such plans.

 

[MathNerd]

Think about it like this:

A warrior with Combat 6 attacking across a river against five hill warriors is around 0.1% chance of success in killing all five warriors.

Our team is the Combat 6 warrior. No matter how powerful they may be, they can't hold up to five hill warriors.

 

[arya126]

Okay how about COA #5? An all out assault on the army base coast, from teh north initially, then after team 1 unloads there, team 2 unlods on the south side. This will be entirely unexpected, and we will be able to even up the number a bit before they can get their act together. Team 3 then drops off at drop point for COA #1 and attempts to attack the compound.

The president will be willing to send his bodyguard unit that comprises of 30 men (using MNs comparison if the night eagles are combat 6 then the bodyguards are combat 4) which doubles the forces numbers, to help wqith the base assault. That might free up the other 2 teams of the night eagles for a full force attack on the compound.

I really wish we had an offensive force that i could commit, but the bodyguards are the best i can offer. Just imagine that the galley (our entire military navy) is still moored at St. Petersburg and the bodyguards can get there in time to participate. i would even commit myself (president John Arya Armitage himself) to the assault if i am allowed by lighthearter. I want to make this assault as foolproof as possible.

 

[Lighthearter]

Alright - now hear this!

NUMBERS:

NIGHT MISSION.

Russian Army Base: 100 soldiers, types unknown
Compound: 10-20 Russians, unknown types.
Bay: 6-8 Russians, demoralized from unglorious role.
Secondary Supply Port: 6-12 Russians, rotated in and out from base.

Night Eagles:

Team One:
- Lt. Athers(Sword, Bow)
- Sergeant Jerome(Sword, Bow)
- Corporal Esling (Bow)
- 6 Archers(Bow)
- Corporal Carter(Sword)
- 6 Swordsmen(Sword)

Team Two:
- 2nd Lt. Masters(Bow, Sword)
- Sergeant Wilson (Bow, Sword)
- Corporal Harrison(Bow)
- 6 Archers(Bow)
- Corporal Potter(Sword)
- 6 Swordsmen(Sword)

Before you say anything the swords are imported from Ireland.

arya, your plan would work - with modern soldiers equipped with night-vision goggles and radios. These men don't have those. They can't easily communicate after they land and their idea of night vision is to sit in a dark room for an hour until they land and not look at any real light after that time.

And they have also trained as these two teams almost literally FOREVER. Splitting that arrangement up now is unlikely to do much of anything save getting people killed because the guy on their right isn't Jones but this Blair fellow they met three hours ago.

- Lighthearter

PS. How do your bodyguards get out of Moscow without Peter noticing? They can't. Not from INSIDE his palace itself.

 

[MathNerd]

This may or may not (probably the latter) work, but I am going to try to set up a simulation of this on Civ. It probably won't be too close to what LH has in mind, but I hope to at least get a good picture.

 

[arya126]

Also i am postponing the decision for up to 7 hours to allow other ministers and members of the opposition to wiegh in on this. 7 hours is max, and i may come to a decision before that. If i do, i will PM it.

Please consider the 2 COA's that i have come up with. But otherwise i am favoring COA #3 if neither of my plans are considered good enough. THAT IS NOT MY FINAL DECISION.

Also Lighthearter i would like to hear lieutenant Athers opinion on my COA's. Also if he would accept my bodyguard proposal and if that would change any of his COA's.

 

[Aysee]

I actually think COA 3 or COA 4, but feel free to ignore my input because tactics isn't my strong point.

This is the plan Nukenockout and I came up with in case the president is held hostage

"If we were to declare war on russia, this is what we would need

4 galleys 2 triremes
12 axemen 4 catapults (if we can build them)
Open borders with Ragnar

Bring the stack of units via 2 trips of galleys/triremes.
Stack them on the border ragnar/peter (before declaring war)
Depending on how fortified Russia would be i would say we would need to pillage tiles as we move towards Moscow. Though if the resistance was very heavy i say we would march straight to moscow. I myself would personally lead the armies as a general. I would then burn the city down to the ground as it would be impossible to defend.

As soon as the invasion force is ready i would want 1 archer and 1 axemen built in each city in europe to defend in case of rome declaring war

We would also need to declare martial law"

I support this plan, and I suggest that military preparations begin now. If war doesn't come, we can thank Stonehenge, and we'll be well defended. If war does come, we'll be prepared.
If need be, I'll offer the full support of the LMP behind this.

 

[arya126]

Sorry. I posted that while you were posting the numbers thing. I will reconsider.

 

[Aysee]

Oh yeah, Lighthearter, you need to update the Liberal Marxist Party description. Mechaerik's still listed as the leader, and you don't have Gruekiller in it.

 

[arya126]

The bodyguards leave because there has been an emergency situation in one of my cities. They are needed elsewhere, and it is a show of trust that i trust peter not to cause me bodily harm. It is a diplomatic sign that i still think peter and i can compromise, and i am giving him more power by getting rid of my protection. Plus i can make up a story about riots going on in spain. Hes too far away to know anything about the happenings in our cities there.

 

[Ravus_Sol]

The Rescue Plan

Ravus glanced calmly over the map while the other Lords talked quietly behind him, still deciding on their courses of action.

"Have you made a decision Lord Ravus?" Asked Lieutenant Athers

Ravus himself was a logical man, but he found it depressingly easy to believe that the sneaky Lighthearter had set up this group during his tenure' as Leader. There had allways been the question of what had happened to the half finished barracks in london... now he knew. Either way Ravus normally liked to declare himself a peacefull man, but in circumstances like these only the most ruthless options gave the best chances for the people of England.

"You prefer the third option was it, Lieutenant Athers?" Asked Ravus, gaining the attention of the other lords. "Would you mind stating why you like it best."

"It allows us the best chance of sucess m'lord. The cost however is the risk to my men."

"Yes, but why does it allow you the best chance of sucess?"

Lieutenant Athers looked confused for a moment "Because it allows us to control the situation and cause choas within the Russian Ranks. Sir."

Ravus couldn't resist a tired sigh. Not at the captain, but at what he was about to suggest.

"Lieutenant, you obviously are as good as you say, your bold plans and equipment speak for themselves. But you've held yourself back by trying to control the situation on the island to much. All plans break down eventually and it's in our best interests to break down the Russian plans as quickly as possible. Thus i would recomend the second option with a slight change..."

Lieutenant Athers allowed Ravus to dwell in silence for a minute before asking, "and what change would that be m'lord?"

"That you set the forest on fire."

The looks of horror on some of the other soilders faces let him know how crazy some of them though his plan.

"That could kill our troops!" shouted a young looking soilder. "It could kill the hostages!"

Lieutenant Athers silenced the youngling with a glare, before montioning Ravus to continue.

"The landing in all cases could be difficult, but as you say if we have a harbour like in option 2 and 3 it lowers the risk of problems. But once on the island the only roads from the main barracks to the prison are through the forest. You take some animal fat and vegetable oil along with some flint. all neccesary fire tools. Along with some of the new Axes from spain. Even if the wind is not blowing south or east you can send runners to the edge of the forest and set it alight there while the main force uses to axes to chop a section away so that the fire will not be able to spread back towards the prison."

"Thats overkill sir..."

"There's no such thing as overkill, if you are going to sin and kill somebody you may as well make sure that they stay down. My ammendment is to destory any defence plans that the russians could have. You say you like option 3 but there seems to be two roads from the barracks to the prison. You wouldn't be able to guard two routes effectivly. Obviously the Russians know this and would launch their whole force down one of them to punch through any attempt at blockading them or counter attacks. They will have plans of their own gentlemen... No Lieutenant, burn them all and cause choas, that is my recomendation, even if i hate myself for giving it."

 

[MathNerd]

i trust peter not to cause me bodily harm.

Are you sure???

 

[MathNerd]

The Rescue Plan

Ravus glanced calmly over the map while the other Lords talked quietly behind him, still deciding on their courses of action.

"Have you made a decision Lord Ravus?" Asked Lieutenant Athers

Ravus himself was a logical man, but he found it depressingly easy to believe that the sneaky Lighthearter had set up this group during his tenure' as Leader. There had allways been the question of what had happened to the half finished barracks in london... now he knew. Either way Ravus normally liked to declare himself a peacefull man, but in circumstances like these only the most ruthless options gave the best chances for the people of England.

"You prefer the third option was it, Lieutenant Athers?" Asked Ravus, gaining the attention of the other lords. "Would you mind stating why you like it best."

"It allows us the best chance of sucess m'lord. The cost however is the risk to my men."

"Yes, but why does it allow you the best chance of sucess?"

Lieutenant Athers looked confused for a moment "Because it allows us to control the situation and cause choas within the Russian Ranks. Sir."

Ravus couldn't resist a tired sigh. Not at the captain, but at what he was about to suggest.

"Lieutenant, you obviously are as good as you say, your bold plans and equipment speak for themselves. But you've held yourself back by trying to control the situation on the island to much. All plans break down eventually and it's in our best interests to break down the Russian plans as quickly as possible. Thus i would recomend the second option with a slight change..."

Lieutenant Athers allowed Ravus to dwell in silence for a minute before asking, "and what change would that be m'lord?"

"That you set the forest on fire."

The looks of horror on some of the other soilders faces let him know how crazy some of them though his plan.

"That could kill our troops!" shouted a young looking soilder. "It could kill the hostages!"

Lieutenant Athers silenced the youngling with a glare, before montioning Ravus to continue.

"The landing in all cases could be difficult, but as you say if we have a harbour like in option 2 and 3 it lowers the risk of problems. But once on the island the only roads from the main barracks to the prison are through the forest. You take some animal fat and vegetable oil along with some flint. all neccesary fire tools. Along with some of the new Axes from spain. Even if the wind is not blowing south or east you can send runners to the edge of the forest and set it alight there while the main force uses to axes to chop a section away so that the fire will not be able to spread back towards the prison."

"Thats overkill sir..."

"There's no such thing as overkill, if you are going to sin and kill somebody you may as well make sure that they stay down. My ammendment is to destory any defence plans that the russians could have. You say you like option 3 but there seems to be two roads from the barracks to the prison. You wouldn't be able to guard two routes effectivly. Obviously the Russians know this and would launch their whole force down one of them to punch through any attempt at blockading them or counter attacks. They will have plans of their own gentlemen... No Lieutenant, burn them all and cause choas, that is my recomendation, even if i hate myself for giving it."

Genius!!!!!!!

We have already discovered math. Maybe Mat Hematician, a mathematician we brought along, can analyze the spread of the fire so all of our men know where not to be at different times during the fire!

 

[arya126]

Are you sure???

Tats not how i feel. i will never put my trust in that loopy lunatic. Thats just what i want to display to put off any suspicions about my bodyguard leaving.

Ravus-That is a very clever plan. Amazing that a monk would be the one to suggest it. I think that if it comes down to it, even if i dont choose your plan we have to incorporate the fire into our plan. It would also hurt russia economy as their timber economy has a base there and getting rid of it might hurt them tremendously.


I will be coming up with another series of plans. Be patient for me to post them.

 

[MathNerd]

EDITED

I realized that I was playing as Ghengis (random), who gets the 10% bonus. My new version is below.