Operation "Partycrasher" & "Descending Fire"

THIS IS FOR MISSION BRIEFINGS & DEBRIEFINGS ONLY.
PLEASE KEEP CHATTER TO A MINIMUM.

Please keep it in roleplaying format. Pertinent questions regarding the mission are acceptable. If you wish to contribute and need help on dates, times and locations, please ask an admin.

 

OPERATION PARTYCRASHER

Kobe System

(I did a little blurb for the mission report but you are welcome to expand upon it )

3/8/3036
Mission 2 - Evacuation
5:49am (local time)
10 km outside Kithrock
Capt. Murdoch's Personal Log

I've been placed in charge of an evacuation convoy. There are reports that the pirates who attacked the city last week are also interested in slave trade and are expected to be hitting the nearby towns. Our forces had to split up to help cover the evacuations from the area. I don't know what they expect me to do in my lone Javelin, but I guess it makes the civilians feel safer. I just hope... *warning klaxon* DAMN! Contact... bearing 300 and incoming on my position. Looks like a lance with some hovertank support. Ah shit... it's that same Quickdraw from the last attack! Anyone out there? I need backup! NOW!

*faint gunfire in the background followed by an explosion*

... ...

3/8/3036
7:12pm (local time)
Glendale City, Skjaldborg Commandos Barracks
Capt. Murdoch's Personal Log

Unbelievable! I guess the pirates figured if they couldn't capture the convoy they would just blow it up and make it a lesson for the rest. When the pirates overtook two of our trucks I was certain the mission was a wash. The two militia mechs that came to my assistance only slowed their advance. However, it was enough to give Flessar's tanks and artillery the time to get in position and lay down a withering barrage. No one else was in the area to lend assistance except Zecks, who bravely marched into the thick of it and provided enough of a distraction to allow Flessar's tanks to do their work (very nice work). I went through two tons of LRM/5s and it still wasn't nearly enough. In the end, I was reduced to using my mech's fists. Still, it was Flessar's fire support that did most of the work. We lost half the convoy, the two militia units, and Zech's mech; the operation should have been considered a failure... so many bodies... but we managed to turn it around and (by luck or miracle) wiped out the attacking bandits before they could escape. At least that is one more pirate lance no one has to worry about and those families can rest easier knowing swift justice has been served.



(Note: will go back and change names to RP character versions but I am too tired to mess with it right now)

 

March 22, 3036
6:37 pm (local time)
Csestregg - Equatorial Region
23 km south of Astrigg
Capt. Murdoch's Personal Log

The mission is to reinforce besieged forces in the town of Astrigg. It seems those pirates are determined to get whatever it is they came for.


March 22, 3036
9:42 pm (local time)
Csestregg - Equatorial Region
Town of Astrigg - Irongiant Saloon
Capt. Murdoch's Personal Log

Enemies Destroyed:
Dervish - Commander/Elite
Blackjack
Assassin

Surviving Enemy Force:
Wolfhound

Losses:
Panther (Militia)

Despite the loss of one of the defending militia mechs, this mission was short and relatively easy. The militia Jenner faired much better and was able to keep the raiders at bay until we could arrive on scene to assist. The Assassin charged early and gave Alfred a good pounding before we could disable it. The enemy commander died in a massive explosion when his Dervish went critical. Xander was caught in the blast, but the heavier armor on his Hunchback allowed him to shrug off the worst of it. While Alfred secured the disabled Assassin, we went to work on the Blackjack. As soon it was down, the enemy Wolfhound fled. Can't say I blame him. Even with Alfred and Xander pretty banged up, we would have torn him apart quickly. The two smaller mechs were captured relatively intact. The militia have agreed to let us keep the Blackjack if we hand the Assassin over to them. It is a fair deal even if we haven't figured out yet how we are going to fit it onto our Seeker dropship. We may have to sell off some spare parts when this contract is over.

 

We could use you guys for the next (last?) mission. Here's the latest campaign save:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vtak2qnxmzfxib2/SoR-Partycrasher02c.cpnx

Current OpFor composition (all 3025 tech):
Dragon (1S-UK)
Shadow Hawk (2Md)
Wolfhound (1A)
Firestarter (A)
Pegasus Hovertank x2
Cavalry VTOL x2-4 (depending on BV totals)
Stingray Aerospace Fighter x2 (F-90S) (depending on BV totals)

Not all of this has to be used but most of it will depending on how many people we get. Here is a basic synopsis of the next mission:
---------------------
Final chase: the plan is to track the pirates down to their remaining dropship. Any mechs and conventional forces we face are fair game, but we need the Leopard to survive and for a good reason. Our FRR liaison officer has delivered to our techs modified SRM missiles with mounted tracking devices and rather unusual orders. Rather than simply exploding, these missiles will attach a beacon to the hull of the dropship upon impact. The trick is going to be getting close enough to deploy them. With a device in place, we will be able learn the location of the pirate's main staging area in the region (if they even have one) and hopefully put an end to their operations once and for all. I would rather just capture the Leopard and interrogate its crew (I'm guessing the FRR is worried we will fail such a task), but our orders are very clear...
---------------------

Mission should last no more than ~15 or 20 turns (probably 20) on a map to be determined
I'm posting all this because I might need help Weds on organizing the missions. I leave for Honduras this Saturday as part of a medical team and will not be back for roughly the next ten days (sorry I forgot to mention it earlier). I will be rather busy packing combined with my other responsibilities.

 

Mission 9 De-brief

Enemy Forces:
Jenner
Commando
Panther
Thorn.

Our Forces:
Shadow Hawk (Magnus)
Crab (Val)
Fire Javelin (Trevnor)
Catapult (Ghiest)

The Lepord we had stolen was found out just before we could make planet fall.... Being shot at, our dropship started falling.... The pilot aimed for the fuel depot in the center of their landing pad, while the four of us jumped out. The resulting explosion took out the four enemy tanks and two laser turrets guarding the pad, and damaging the parked Manatee dropship.

After the assault drop, the drop ship opened fire on the Fire Javelin, hitting it's head and right torso. Val's Crab hit the ground a bit hard, causing some minor damage. Ghiest missed the entire drop zone, effectively knocking him out of the fight.

Val's Crab got attacked by a Panther, knocking her out of the fight. Down to just The Fire Javelin and the Shadow Hawk, Treabhar and Magnus fought on. Taking on the Commando and Panther in close range, attempting to get out of range of the dropship at the same time.

The Commando and Panther attempted to attack Magnus's Shadow hawk. The Fire Javelin DFA'd the Commando, to distract them all. After blacking out, Treabhar continued to take fire from the remaining mechs, losing an arm. At this time, the enemy dropship was destroyed by a lucky stray engine shot, causing a catastrophic explosion. Magnus managed to destroy the remaining mechs, achieving victory.

 

Mission 10 Debrief - Power Node destruction

Skjaldborg composition:
Hatchetman HTC-3S "Yxa" (Lieutenant Nasty Balldangles, Jr.)
Clint CLNT-2-3P (Warrant Officer Skwisgaar Faderlos)
Crab CRB-20 (Warrant Officer Lars Saknussen)
Rifleman RFL-3K-BT (Captain Sweet David - FRR Liaison)

OpFor composition:
Crusader CRD-3L
Whitworth WTH-0
Firestarter FS9-K
Wolverine WVR-6K
Hunchback HBK-4G (Reserve, enters on turn 25)
Phoenix Hawk PXH-1K (Reserve, enters on turn 25)

---------------------
The plan: Approach power station from the Northeast. Eliminate the enemy threat. Destroy all power supply stations.

The results: Initial approach appeared positive. Clint (Skwi) was sent around to flank the base and come down from the north and west. Rifleman (piloted by our FRR liason, Sweet David) was grouped with myself as we approached the base along the road. Crab (Sheo) was positioned between these two forces, having to deal with a crater in between himself and the base.

OpFor immediately charged for us, utilizing the low gravity of the planet. Unfortunatly it caused more problems for our mechs than theirs. My mech was quickly sidelined by a failed jump causing brokens hip and upper leg actuators. The enemy Firestarter closed with the Rifleman, causing serious damage. Given support by the Crab, the Firestarter was taken out of the fight.

Whitworth and Wolverine focused on Hatchetman initially until it became clear that my mech was disabled. Wolverine moved on to eliminate the damaged Rifleman but snapped its legs off in the low gravity due to exceeding technical specifications for the chassis.

In the ensuing battle, the Rifleman was knocked out of the fight, as were both the Whitworth (to breach in the trace atmo) and the Wolverine (ammo explosion obliteration).

Meanwhile, the enemy commander, in a Crusader, had had his own issues with the planetary conditions, falling and causing apparent injury. This allowed our Clint to sneak into the base through the back door and begin destroying the target buildings. Partway through, the Crusader was able to recover and engage the Clint as well as the Crab who had come in from the other side to join in the destruction. The Crusader was able to cause significant damage to the Crab, but our force was able to destroy primary objective. The Clint, in destroying the final building, became tangled in the wreckage.

Reinforced by a Hunchback and P-Hawk, our remaining forces were quickly overrun. Only the Crab appears to have successfully fled the field of battle. Myself, Skwisgaar, and our liaison officer have both been captured by the pirates. Skwisgaar's Clint is out of commission due to center torso breach, and the Hatchetman is nearly pristine apart from damaged leg actuators and a hull breach of that same leg.

---------------------
Results: Pyrrhic Victory - looks like rescue operations will need to be outlined.

 

Post-Mission 9 Debriefing (cont.)

Alpha Lance has been mostly repaired. Trev's Javelin is, unfortunately, too damaged to get operational any time soon. We will attempt to fix it when we get back to a full repair facility, but it may be nothing but scrap at this point. Replacing his mech will be a priority for Alpha. In the meantime, we have a spare Phoenix Hawk we will assign to him.

 

Damn... I got more damage than I thought...

 

Mission 9: Destroy Orbital Defense HQ
Alpha Lance
Marginally Successful
Mission Highlights:
-Leopard Dropship initially successful in infiltration
-Leopard Dropship after re-entry, fails to pass last security check during final approach; begins taking AAA ground fire
-Leopard Dropship achieves emergency atmospheric air-drop of Alpha Lance
-Critically damaged, Dropship rams the Orbital Defense HQ, destroying it and surrounding defenders completely, enemy Manatee Dropship critically damaged in blast
-Most of Alpha lands near the wreckage, but Ghiest (Bjorn) misses the dropzone completely
-Fire from Dropship is more deadly than expected; Val is knocked down early in fight
-Manatee's guns are knocked out but not without cost (Val is disabled)
-Trevnor (Trebnar [sp?]) fairs slightly better but is primaried by both Panther and Jenner; disable after taking a large amount of damage
-Magnus (Geirr) takes critical damage but destroys enemy commander in Panther which breaks enemy morale and causes remaining forces to flee flee

Mission 10: Destroy Power Station
Delta Lance + FRR Liason
Marginally Successful
Mission Highlights: Debrief

Mission 10a: Rescue Delta Lance
Sheo + Phi Lance + FRR Lance + SoR Karnovs VTOL Lance
Successful
Mission Highlights:
-Rescue uses cover of darkness to sneak approach prison facility
-Visibility is poor, but defenders fail to detect our forces until it is too late
-Upon nearing destination, Orc's Aerospace target HQ building and set fire to it to cause a distraction
-Phi Lance destroys/disables outer defenses
-SoR and FRR mechs engage and distract defending enemy mechs
-Karnovs fly in under cover of smoke from burning buildings and successfully rescue remainder of Delta Lance, our FRR Liason, and several dozen Lyran & FRR citizens being held prisoner
-Karnovs successfully extract Delta's captured mechs
-Extraction successful; no losses although some friendlies take heavy damage (Sheo and FRR Hatchetman)

Mission 11: Destroy Production Facilities
Beta + Ghiest
Successful
Mission Highlights:
-Defenses consist mostly of poorly trained infantry
-Most infantry are destroyed in a succession of explosions from facilities rather than direct fire
-Biggest threat; Atlas, but due to pilot error disables itself after tripping because of low gravity
-Atlas pilot self destructs mech to avoid it being captured
-Wolfhound puts up a token resistance but is destroyed by Killbox's accurate PPC fire

 

Spelling its Treabhar

 

Previous posts were part of Operation Partycrasher

Next is Operation Descending Fire

 

OPERATION DESCENDING FIRE

Contract Info:


Planet Thule:


Number of Satellites: 1 (Ultima)
Surface Gravity: 0.97
Atm. Pressure: Standard (Breathable)
Planets within 2 jumps
Equatorial Temperature: 24°C (Cool-Temperate)
Surface Water Coverage: 25%
Population Size (3050): 510,650,000

Thule is a Rasalhague world located at an interstellar crossroads between the Periphery and Draconis Combine borders. The planet is divided into three large continents. Akranes to the south contains the Fresdon Desert and the Great Fresdonian River. Vik, located near equator, contains the capital city, Thule City, as well as the Fresdon Plains and is the planet's agricultural center. Husavik, northern continent, is mostly frozen wasteland with several research stations and home to the Thulian bear. The planet was valued during the Succession Wars for its water resources, particularly Lake Thorik.

Thule was a member of Principality of Rasalhague until it was captured by the Draconis Combine at the dawn of it's creation. Because of it's isolation the world wasn't considered as a strategical target, and so it avoided most of the destruction caused by the Succession Wars and regional Ronin War that came later.

 

COMBAT MISSION LOG: WEEK 1
"First Blood"

March 6-12, 3048

Planet attacked by large unknown force on March 11. Their target is the planetary capital, Thule City and its outlying areas (specifically, Hawick Industrial Center). Communication has been hampered by enemy ECM. Suspected enemy to be holdout Ronin forces plaguing this area of FRR-DC space. Garrison forces in the capital are taking heavy casualties and will likely be forced to retreat to the coastal town of Hallarby before reinforcements arrive. There are also reports of the sacking of Ringsbo. Our forces are being rapidly deployed to counter-attack. Enemy dropships are being intercepted by friendly Aerospace assets. Those Ronin should have stayed dead.

 

COMBAT MISSION LOG: WEEK 2
"Counter-strike"

March 13-19, 3048


Mission 01: Sector 1311, Southeast Approach
Alpha Lance utilized VTOL transport assets from Olofsered to quickly respond to the attack on Thule City. Transported to coastal town of Hallarby to link up with remaining assets of the garrison that had managed to retreat from the capital and wait for Gamma Lance arriving by water transport. After arrival of Gamma's Arrival, Alpha proceeded to Thule City and was able to move unopposed up to the edge of the city where they encountered stiff resistance in the form of no less than an Assault Lance. They downed a Victor, but lost Bjorn Catapult before being forced to retreat (the pilot was recovered). Alpha will be cycled to the rear guard until repairs can be made..

-Current Location: retreated to Sector 1411
-Operational Status: marginal, awaiting repairs
-Casualties: x1 Catapult

=============================

Mission 02: Sector 1209, North Approach
Beta Lance was moved by water transport assets to a natural harbor just north of the Hawick Industrial Center. Hawick, being one of the few major industrial zones on the planet, was a priority target for the ronin. It contains some basic military assets, but it also contains a major water treatment facility. Along with Delta Lance as well as 1st and 2nd, Beta swung wide west (to help cut off the ronin's retreat) and then south and reached the outskirts of the industrial complex before meeting stiff resistance from a lance of ronin heavy mechs. Unfortunately, Beta also lost a Catapult (Tasha Raynor's) much in the same way as Alpha lost theirs (an analysis and review will be done on the design at a later date). Markus Dane recovered her under fire before Beta retreated. The ronin forces sustained moderate damage, but did not incur any casualties.

-Current Location: retreated to Sector 1209
-Operational Status: marginal, awaiting repairs
-Casualties: x1 Catapult

=============================

Mission 03: Sector 1310, North Approach
Delta Lance followed along Beta's east flank and closer to the shoreline of Lake Thorik. Delta also managed to get reasonably close to Hawick. During their initial recon, they even found a hastily hidden small weapons cache that the ronin had left unattended. However, ronin forces soon arrived to reclaim the area in the form of a mixed heavy-medium lance. After an extended long range engagement, Delta was able to close to short range and deal enough damage to force the ronin into retreating. Worthy of note, there appears to be some division among the ronin. The Wolverine that Delta encountered did not appear to be fully coordinating with the others. As the ronin began to lose cohesion, the ronin commander in his Dragon requested a duel "between warriors to retain his honor in the face of defeat" and all other hostilities to cease for the duration of the battle. In hindsight, it is possible it was just a ploy to reduce his casualties. While Kulandinglar was not receptive to the idea, his lance was in bad shape to continue fighting and Skwisgaar Faderlos was willing to take the challenge. While Skwi ultimately lost his Grasshopper in the duel, the ronin commander was true to his word; after apparently failing to convince his Wolverine lancemate to retreat, he quit the field himself without further incident. Delta then easily destroyed the remaining mech and secured our first (although marginal) victory in the campaign.

-Current Location: holding in Sector 1310, needs support
-Operational Status: marginal, awaiting repairs
-Casualties: x1 Grasshopper

==============================

Mission 04: Sector 1209, North Approach
2nd Company (MBT elements) ran into the ronin heavy lance that was still pursuing our retreating Beta Lance. Caught in open terrain, the already damaged ronin mechs were in no shape to deal with our new Gauss Rifle armed Patton MBT-Gs. After only a brief exchange of fire, the ronin lance incurred significant damage from our MBTs while our tanks barely received any at all. It was not long before the ronin were pushed into full retreat deep into the Hawick Industrial Center. An excellent debut for our Pattons.

-Current Location: attacking Sector 1310
-Operational Status: minor damage, operational
-Casualties: none

==============================

Mission 05: Sector 1310, North Approach
Mission Type: Urban Combat In Hawick
Forces: Ground vs Ground (2nd Company, Gamma Lance)

Engaged Hetzer elements inside Hawick Industrial Center. Destroyed two of them but lost two Patton tanks in the process. Their surviving crew are MIA.

-Current Location: retreated to Sector 1209
-Operational Status: crippled, awaiting repairs
-Casualties: x2 Patton MBT-A1

==============================

Mission 06: Sector 1311, South Approach
Mission Type: Dogfight Over Thule City
Forces: Air vs Air (Omega Squadron)

Omega engaged ronin aerospace over Thule City. We crippled their aerospace somewhat but a lucky hit knocked out one of our Stingrays. Bluetavius had to eject over the city and is now MIA. Will need to extract him.

-Current Location: retreated to Anten Base, Sector 2208
-Operational Status: understrength, minor damage
-Casualties: x1 Stingray fighter
==============================

Mission 07: Sector 1311, South Approach
Mission Type: Combat outside Thule City
Forces: Ground vs Ground (Gamma Lance)

==============================

Mission 08: Sector 1310, North Approach
Mission Type: Urban Combat In Hawick
Forces: Ground vs Ground (1st Company, Gamma Lance)

==============================

Mission 09: Sector 1310, North Approach
Mission Type: Urban Combat In Hawick
Forces: Ground vs Ground (2nd Company, Beta Lance)

==============================

Mission 10: Sector 1310, East Approach
Mission Type: Combat outside Thule City
Forces: Ground vs Air (3rd Company, Alpha Lance)

==============================

 

COMBAT MISSION LOG: WEEK 3
"Desperate Measures"



In an effort to keep from getting boxed in, the ronin are making a pre-emptive attack on our forces stationed outside Thule City. While most are only half-hearted skirmishes intended to disrupt our battlefront, the ronin seem to be focusing their attack on Sector 1210. They appear to be attempting to crush our 1st and 2nd Company elements on the open plains. Our mech lances Beta and Delta are moving in to hopefully blunt the worst of the ronin's spearhead. Caution is advised; scouts have reported that the ronin's forces are composed not only of a large group of Manticore heavy tanks, but also their previously sighted heavy and medium mech lances (codenamed Hammer and Thunder respectively).

It is believed that the ronin's Assault Lance (codename Anvil) is still operating in southern Thule city and is being supported by a mixed force of tanks. The remnants of the ronin's light mech lance (codename Lightning) also appears to be supporting them. Alpha and Gamma will need to hold out against these southern enemies. 3rd Company will be supporting there as well as continuing their air strikes as targets present themselves.

Ronin hovercraft continue to be problematic in Ringsbo. We can now confirm reports that the ronin hovertank forces are composed of 50-ton Drillsons roughly company in strength. The Hussar's attempts to dislodge them have been significantly complicated by the need to recapture the town mostly intact. It is believed that the ronin are holding them back as a safety measure to secure their retreat if it becomes necessary to abandon Thule City.

Artillery strikes on urban areas are still not being authorized as central command hopes to avoid any more collateral damage.

 

updated

 

Important Intel You can also ask questions in that thread... in RP of course.

 

COMBAT MISSION LOG: WEEK 4
"Dawn Tide"