Kanium Sunday 22th of September - The Chocolate war by Nike-Ajax

[Nike-Ajax]

 

 

Ask not what your Chocolate can do you for you - ask what you can do for your chocolate

 

 

 

 

Kanium Sunday 22th of September - The Chocolate war by Nike-Ajax

Where: Kanium TS : ts3.din-server.dk:10000
World Clock 1800 GMT (Same time as always in Europe - now adjusted for Summer Time: click the time below for your local time) 

 

World clock 1800 GMT

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This SB session may be recorded with video and sound and uploaded, including to a public youtube channel. 

 

AS always, then we are running the session with the latest version of Steelbeasts.

 

Everybody is Welcome - and especially all Belgians and Swiss: you don't have to belong to Kanium. We love playing with you all, the arranger and CO loves you even more if you sign up in advance 😁

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chocolate War
By Nike-Ajax

0. Background

 

In a possible future not too far away, and a political climate not much more crazy than it is presently ... I give you what is obviously not reality. Yet.

They say that Humour is no laughing matter in Germany.

 

Be that as it may, then Chocolate certainly is no joke in Switzerland. The Cantons have lain peacefully for centuries after the rest of Europe forced Switzerland on threat of extinction, to stop sending mercenaries to every corner of Europe.

 

Mostly because they were annoyingly good.

 

The bishop of Rome, so the Pope, was the one exception - hence the Swissguard.

 

But that does not change the fact that apart from clockmaking, Banking and ... yes ... chocolate, then the Swiss are still the most armed people in the world. Which possibly proves the point that an armed society is a polite society.

 

But that has come to an end now ...

 

The devious Belgians have been taunting the Swiss for decades ... claiming that Belgium in fact makes the worlds best chocolate.

And maybe the second best too ...

This in itself have started a smoldering anger in Switzerland.

 

Made worse by Belgian watchmakers such as Ressence Watches, Méraud Bonaire, RSC and Lebeau-Courally claiming that the Swiss watchmakers are old, outdated and old fashioned.

 

The Swiss have tried to keep their temper and sent a gift to the Belgian Royal House and Parliament - but to the great chock of the Swiss the Belgians taunted them and showed the melted milkchocolate and claimed that it was so inferior that it melted in the mail and not in the mouth...

Worse to make the insult greater, then Belgium have now formally proposed in the European Parliament, that a special import toll and tax should be placed on "inferior" chocolates produced outside EU.

 

Since these events have taken place, all diplomatic and political discussion and contact have broken down. And the rhetoric on both sides have gotten increasingly aggressive and bellicose.

 

To the degree where the Belgians have used this conflict to build border defences as a final insult have chosen to call the Dragons teeth, "Toblerone Lines"...
 

Final message from the Belgians were as follows:

"Belgium is not just the centre and home of Chocolate, but also of cartoon figures. And indeed the Swiss seem more cartoonlike to us - and if they want to prove otherwise then they are welcome to come and try. And fail"

 

This is one chocolate bar too far ...

We will make them pay and leave their precious "chocolate" manufacturers like a ... brown ... stain on the ground.

"Chocolaticae pro omnibus, omnes pro Chocolaticae"

Pour le Victoire ... ou Victorinox

Following all this, then the Swiss authorities in the deepest secret have managed to put together what is in effect a punitive expedition.
Smuggled in trucks, flatbeds and whatever else could fit the job, they have managed to shift a force near to the target. We have chosen to hit them near christmas in the hope that most of them will be on leave.  

 

Thus there will no reinforcements and all incapacitated vehicles will be destroyed in place.
There are a number of plans on how to extricate and evacuate the soldiers after the battle, so do not worry about irrecovertable callsigns - destroy them in place and move on.

I. Situation

Date and Time:
 
12-22-2025, 0640 Local Time, sunrise at 0733 and sunset at 15:35
 

Weather:

Heavy clouded with no precipitation expected throughout, -8 degrees Centigrade and LOS 4000 m. Wind direction SW at 3 m/s

    I. General
 
The ENY have moved large parts of their production of chocolate to the vicinity of Bastogne, and are taunting us in a mocking way to come and take it.    

When we asked them if we could find a compromise where they produced some chocolate in the new chocolate nexus in Bastogne and we did other types, their only answer was:

       

"WITH NUTS!"

 

Our High command is still confused with this answer.
       

You are the spearpoint and blade of Switzerland: In short you are our only hope to redeem our honour and respect. Switzerland havent been in war for centuries, but some insults can not go unanswered.

 

Due to the circumstances, then you have very limited forces but on a positive note the forces arrayed against you are also limited due to downsizing.
        
Do not let this make you overconfident !!!

 

Even though the ENY have no TNKs, they do have a sizeable number of VERY deadly ATGMs and the advantage of the terrain.

 

Moreover then you have what you have: for obvious reasons then there can be no reinforcements, beyond what is outlined below.

    a. Terrain and ground:

      

Mixture of closed and open terrain, with channeling and blocking terrain features particularly due to the hilly terrain.  
Soft rolling hills and many dips and unevenness in the terrain, combined with snow cover favors the defence - both with cover and concealment.

       

Be careful of water obstacles, hedges, trenches/ditches, defilades and natural defensible terrain as they invite to be employed in both ambushes and defence - particularly given the ENYs reliance on ATGMs !

       

Large river to E of the OBJ going N to S, combined with steep hills, channels and blocks our movement.
 
        
        Obstacles: 

Five (5) known fields of Dragons teeth (which the ENY being insolent have called Toblerone fields) all marked on map 1 - 5 (reference Map Trace). Confidence is HIGH.
       

There is a risk of a very limited numbers of quickly laid surface laid minefields - S2 suspect from NONE to three (3), with the lower number being more realistic. Confidence is MEDIUM.
               

It is highly UNlikely that the ENY will use improvised and manmade obstacles beyond this, as this is an industrial center and the obstacles already made to be an insult to us,  is seriously interfering with the production of their inferior chocolate as it is - bypass by COs command and judgement.

          
    b. Current Situation.  
              

The Enemy is on the DEFENCE in own country and with equal numbers, but we have better units, training and ordnance in general.
         

Despite the fact that we do NOT have the element of tactical surprise, then it is the opinion of our S2´s based on latest intel, that they have not had the time to entrench nor build concrete bunkers.

        

We are on what they consider their soil, and must thus expect a risk of civilians in the AO - and the international community and our own country is watching per previous. But the political and military stakes are high.
        

Therefore, you are tasked to avoid civilian casualties, but to the degree that it does not endanger your command or overall goals.

              

And you DO need to destroy their chocolate production facilites.

        

These are not optimal conditions for our side militarily, but this is a punitive missions, that MUST be made.
And the political leadership has deemed the risk thus worth taking.
 
    B. Enemy Forces
 
        I. Strength:
        
        ENY Combined Btn (+).
 
        II. Equipment:      

One (1) full Recon Company with 1 PLT of 6 times 4 x 4 vehicles with LMGs and carrying dismounts and 2 x PLTs of footmobile Light Infantry. These are expected to be dispersed forward across the AO in a defensive posture, creating a Disruption zone.
       

One (1) full Wheeled Cavalry Company with 3 x DF90 PLTs each of 4 callsigns.
       

One (1) full Wheeled AT IFV with 3 x DF30 PLTs each of 4 callsigns, and with 1 x ATGM per callsign. These are possibly the greatest threat, as their ATGMs are SPIKEs !
       

2 x PLT of Wheeled IFV Piranha FUS each of 4 callsigns, and with dismounts.

       

Main ENY light AT weapon for the dismounts likely CR-90-CR-RB (M3). Main ATGM likely SPIKE MR/GILL and finally M72A4 for the scouts and light recon.

       

All expected to be deployed in a defensive posture with the DF30s and DF90s abe to mount a mobile defence.

 

On top of this PLT+ sized ENY light infantry recon troops.

       

ENY Artillery expected to be around 2 batts of 6 tubes - but with LIMITED if any ICM. With the SP Howitzers likely further West so outside our AO.

        III. Quality:

       

Likely experienced conscripts combined with fulltime professional soldiers with more experience

Do NOT underestimate the ENY, despite that they dont have any heavy equipment and no tracked vehicles.
 

        IV. MDA:

       

ENY in PREPARED DEFENSE in Main Defensive Areas (MDA), including constructed defences identified or likely (reference Map Trace)
    
Building on that then it seems that their Main Defensive line reinforced with obstacles and using the terrain, from indications seems to in the vicinity of Easting 8 to Easting 12. But with a very limited disruption zone around that.

       

Major threat is ATGMs and Light AT, but with regards to risk of damange and due to channeling and delaying effects also the forested, hilly areas and river mentioned above, made worse by likely and known obstacles. Confidence about which is HIGH.
  

Reinforcement: NOT expected as they dont really seem to believe we will attack, let alone in force. Confidence HIGH.

         

        V. ENY CoA:

Likely will initially go on a flexible but relatively static defence in the NORTH and EAST, but once their disruption zone is broken, likely try to lure our forces into an attritional fight in the CENTER of the AO where their AT weapons, and use of terrain, will make up for their relative weakness in equipment and training.  

       

They will likely try to get our units to be channeled into prepared killzones, using terrain and obstacles, where they can use a combination of weapon platforms and assets to attack us from multiple angles.

       

If possible or if sensing weakness, then they will likely go into a localized counterattack of up to expected maximum of 1-2 PLT+ size, using different platforms and weapon thus including combined arms.

       

ENY have access to Artillery in limited numbers, exact units deployed for this operation unknown but expected to be around 12 tubes total, with some HE but very limited ICM - observe that they DO have ICM !
                           

Likely that they will try to use this to maximum effect - do not become stationary or risk destruction. Observe 2 minute rule suggested.

In line with this they will likely try to DELAY you to set you up for being targeted by indirect firemissions.

       

It is suspected that the ENY while severely challenged to execute COY combat manouvers effectively, are capable in the defence and that they have competent PLT LDRs.

       

It is thus not expected, combined with the fact that they are defending their chocolate producing factories and in their own nation, that they will surrender unless in a totally desperate situation and also that they can manage counterattacks up to a maximum of 1-2 PLT+ size effectively.

       

Important note:
        
We usually try to avoid it, but given our OBJ then we cant avoid Urban fighting/MOUT/FIBUA completlely. Try to keep the destruction of Bastogne to the minimum required.

Mostly because of the risk of negative PR and propaganda value of destroying this city. (and for technical reasons setting the entire place ablaze will hurt the server stability)

But this is NOT to hold you back OR endager your command, you are cleared to use ALL the assets at your disposal if the CO so chooses !

 

Due to cuts in military expenditure in general, ressouces sent to another hotspot in Europe and low priority due to tactical surprise in this sector, then it is expected that the ENY will have no UAV/UAS support.
       

Also neither fixed wing or rotary support for the ENY expected for several reasons.

Suggested that you use this advantage to the fullest extent in your planning and execution !

        
    C.Friendly Forces (FF).
 

No friendly Air Assets. However we expect little in the way of ENY AIR in the AO. Confidence about which is high.
 
        Flanks. 

From intel then the Belgian Army have no more assets that can assist and thus we consider strategically that the flanks to be secure apart from what is already in the AO.  Be aware though that our intel of their positions are limited so they can be anywhere in the AO, so keep your flanks safe tactically. Confidence about which is high.
 
        TF Nestlé: 

 

TF in Deployment Area SOUTH consists of 3 x tank platoons of LEOPARD 2A4 as well as 3 x mechanized infantry platoon of 4 x CV30/CH IFV´s.  

       

Added to this is Two (2) PLTs of MECH ING in Piranha V (I1 and I2) These are for destroying the ENY factories and 2 x PLTs of CSS.
               

There are two (2) PLTs held in local reserve - do NOT deploy these forward unless absolutely nessecary as they are your only reserves and meant to secure your retreat.

B Coy Dismounted infantry equipped with NO ATGM teams so 4 x LMG Teams (Even callsigns).

Each MECHINF platoon are instead issued with NLAWs and rifle grenades plus a medic team, and are all considered Elite.

       

PLT LDR in EACH MECHINF PLT in B COY also have UAVs (UAV Quadcopter). CO and XO B COY have both been issued with UAV MUNIN w. 2 min setup

       

CSS consists of H1 and H2: Repair, Medic and 2 x Supply.
        

Additionally 2 x Supply allocated directly to SP MTR (P31 and P32) - observe that these are allocated to the SP MTRs alone, and NOT available to the rest of the TF.

 

Finally 2 BATT of 120 mm SP MTR Piranha AAAMS with 6 x callsigns each,

II. Mission:  

 

        TF Nestlé to destroy enemy Chocolate production facilities to enable political exploitation, for follow-on negotiations.

 

III. Execution  
 
    a. Concept of the Operation

 

TF Nestlé will attack from EAST towards WEST to DESTROY enemy Chocolate production facilities vicinity Bastogne (See Map trace), destroying just enough ENY forces to achieve mission without starting a full blown war with Belgium and NATO. 

 

Once these are DESTROYED, then RETREAT by CO´s orders and judgement, to your initial deployment area for extraction
         
    b. Commanders Intent  
 

Purpose - The purpose of this operation is the destruction enemy Chocolate production facilities vicinity Bastogne; Strategically to enable a diplomatic solution and to restore our national pride.    
 
        Key Tasks:
 

1. DESTROY Enemy combat ASSETS as needed to degrade ENY offensive and defensive capabilities in the AO, that would endanger your mission.
2. DESTROY ENY production facilities to DEGRADE ENY Chocolate capabilities. (Gentleman rule: keep control for 15 minutes so Engineers can rig for demolition. Then bluefor CO pulls the triggers)

3. Do NOT waste ressources that are not needed to hunt ENY units that do not pose a threat to you.   
4. Be prepared to conduct retrograde so RETREAT to conserve friendly combat power if deemed needed by CO.
          
        End State:  

 

Friendly.  FF postured in or IVO Bastogne by COs judgement; prepared to retreat per above or retreated to your initial deployment area.
Enemy.   ENY defeated or destroyed IVO Bastogne; unable to impede FRIENDLY destruction of production facilities or retreat or continue offensive operations.
Terrain.   All tactically commanding terrain features SECURED as needed to execute mission and following retreat.
Civilian.  Minimal collatoral damage or disruption to civilian way of life.   
 
    c. Fires

 

Two (2) BATT x Six (6) tubes of 120 mm self-propelled Mortars for use in AO, with integral ammo supply trucks.

2 x 6 x Tubes of 120 mm organic fires under TF CO tactical control (P1 and P2), with organic supply vehicles (P31 and P32), armed with HE SprGr78 (range 7700 m), M929A1 multispectral smoke (range 7120 m) and STRIX AT MTR.
        
                
        The following are our stores of Ammunition allocated for this mission:

        For the SP MTR:

        Full load HE SprGr78 (26), Smoke M929A1 Multispectral (12) and STRIX (6), organic reloads via your supply assets.

        

    d. Aviation

 

        Nil, beyond UAV´s allocated to MECHINF per above.

    e. Mobility/Counter-Mobility

 

        Two (2) Full Engineer Platoons Supporting this operation par above.

    f. Coordinating Instructions

 

        1. ROE

            a. Fires in Urban Centers are only authorized by TF CO
            b. Direct fire engagements against civilians NOT authorized
            c. Right to use Force proactively when confronted with or threatened by hostile forces in effect
            b. Hostile Act / Hostile Intent: Any combatant armed are deemed hostile
            e. Laws of War are in effect
            f.  Destruction of Civilian property is to be avoided if possible.
                        

IV. Sustainment

 

    Supply              TF will carry forward 4 x resupply vehicles, P66 have 2 x supply vehicle allocated to them specifically for the SP MTRs alone. No resupply possible beyond that .
    Maintenance   TF will carry forward 2 x combat repair team (CRT)
    Medical            TF will carry forward 2 x foward aid station (FAS)

 

V. Command And Signal

    Friendly ID: On
    Map Contacts: ALL
            Communication: Per SOP
 
    Succession of Command

        B COY:
            HOTEL-66  TF Commander
            HOTEL-65  TF XO
            Alpha-66     A COY Commander
            Bravo-66     B COY Commander
            Alpha-11     1. PLT LDR/A
            Bravo-11     1. PLT LDR/B

 

Scenario Notes:

This scenario can only be run with a human OPFOR.
Map Updates, Map View and Friendly ID is set to ON to reflect modern BMS.

 

 

SCENARIO FOR VERIFICATION OF FUNCTIONALITY AT CLIENT END and Map Recon:

 

 

 

Edited September 23 by Nike-Ajax

[Nike-Ajax]

Manning:

 

CV90/30CH looks a lot like CV90/30-FI - squint...

 

Command 

A66  (Leopard 2A4):  Higgs (Kanium,CH)  

A65  (Leopard 2A4):

 

Optional but advised:

B66  (CV90/30CH):

B65  (CV90/30CH):

P66 (CVFOV): Kingtiger (Kanium,SE)  

 

A1 (LEOPARD 2A4)

A11  AlexTray (?,?)

A12  Badger (Kanium,CAN)  

A13

A14 Tankenator (Kanium,US)  

 

A2 (LEOPARD 2A4)

A21 Major Duck (Kanium,DK)  

A22 Panzerleader (Kanium,US), LilTank (?,?)

A23 Connaugh (Kanium,US)

A24

 

A3 (LEOPARD 2A4) (OPTIONAL)

A31   

A32

A33

A34

 

B1 (CV90/30CH)

B11 RedFox (TFhannibal,UK)

B12 Cavgunner (Kanium,US), Toast567(?,?)

B12

B14

 

B2 (CV90/30CH)

B21 SwissAdmiral (Kanium,?)

B22

B22

B24 Wiglif (Kanium,US)

 

B3 (CV90/30CH) (OPTIONAL)

B31

B32

B32

B34

 

CSS: H1 and H2  (1 X Unimog Medic, 2 x Unimog Supply, 1 x Piranha V Repair and)

 

SP MTR: 2 x 6 tubes 120 mm SPMTR Piranha V AAAMS

 

Engineers: I1 and I2 - 3 x Piranha V/ENG:  Kingtiger (Kanium,SE)

 

OPFOR: 

Nike-Ajax

 

Where needed:

 

Cant make it:

 

Hosting:

TBD

(15/15)

Edited September 22 by Nike-Ajax

[Major duck]

A22 for Panzerleader, needs to confirm
A23 for Conn, needs to confirm
A21 for MD

 

Please

 

MD

[Major duck]

And 3 x B1 platoons

 

MD

[SwissAdmiral]

I'll have what I presume is supposed to be B2-1

[Tankleader]

Hello,

  Confirm A22 for Panzerleader (Tankleader on forum)

 

Thanks

Tankleader

[Connaugh]

A23, to confirm

 

[Kingtiger]

P66 please.

[Nike-Ajax]

1 hour ago, Kingtiger said:

P66 please.

 

And maybe the engineers too?

 

They only need to be moved and debussed. And then remounted once they have wired everything.

 

Gentlemans agreement 15 minutes in the vicinity of each site and then pull the trigger.

 

I would stand way WAY back before you pull the trigger...

 

[Badger]

A12 please

 

[Higgs]

I guess I am expected to lead this am I not? 

[Kingtiger]

On 9/16/2024 at 8:28 AM, Nike-Ajax said:

 

And maybe the engineers too?

 

They only need to be moved and debussed. And then remounted once they have wired everything.

 

Gentlemans agreement 15 minutes in the vicinity of each site and then pull the trigger.

 

I would stand way WAY back before you pull the trigger...

 

Sure

[Hedgehog]

I think I'm busy for this one 😭😭😭

[Nike-Ajax]

On 9/18/2024 at 10:27 AM, Higgs said:

I guess I am expected to lead this am I not? 

Yeas please

[A.T096]

Request A11 (AlexTray ingame name)

[Tankleader]

Hello,

LiLTank will be joining as Panzerleader's gunner.

[RedFox]

B11 please

[sabishiiyo]

Hi yall is it still possible to join? I'm new to steal beasts and I want to learn more about this game and probably try a multiplayer match

[Nike-Ajax]

3 minutes ago, sabishiiyo said:

Hi yall is it still possible to join? I'm new to steal beasts and I want to learn more about this game and probably try a multiplayer match

 

 

Yes it is - but you need to go to our TS NOW 😁

[TSe419E]

B12, please.

 

[sabishiiyo]

It's unfortunate I installed the wrong teamspeak. I have setup teamspeak 3 just to let you guys know if the session hasn't started yet