2 Sec AAR – Op DRIFTWOOD 5
Deployment:
2 Section started off at the main base at Bolshevik Island. 2Sec and HQ elements then were transported by two helicopter to LZ Yeti [GR085027] and quickly deployed in an ARD, Charlie facing SE, Delta facing SW. Shortly after deploying on the ground PTE.Dejong sighted one section of infantry moving in from the West, which upon investigation turned out to be friendly forces.
Way to FRV:
2Section moved NE towards RV1 [GR088025], then further NE towards RV2 [GR090024]. After arriving at RV2 2Sec moved E towards RV3 [GR092024] and crossed the open terrain separating the two stretches of woodland. We then moved towards RV4 [GR095025] and prepared to cross the railway line at GR 096025. Upon getting eyes on the railway line it was decided that 2Sec would move approx 200m further north, beyond the curve in the railway line to GR094023 in order to avoid being spotted by enemy HMG and searchlight guard-towers located at approx GR099029. After crossing the railway line one by one and reorging at approx GR095023 2Sec continued on E towards RV5 [GR100023]. Upon arrival 2Sec then crossed the gap between RV5 and GR101025 by fireteams.
After recieving green light by HQ 2Sec then went on towards the FRV [GR101028].
2Sec quickly located enemy HMG and searchlight towers and set up their lMG gunners to cover and destroy said towers once the bombing run by 1Flight would start.
Assault:
After the initial bombing run by 1FLight Apache and fast wing assets 2Section started engaging the enemy positions at GR100030 and after destroying the entrenched enemy forces, commenced their assault, bounding by fireteam down the hill towards the rail depot. After a quick reorg at the railway line [GR100030] 2Sec established a fire base along said line, using the railway carts as cover, and engaged enemy forces counter-attacking from the SW. After scattering the enemy forces 2Sec then commenced their assault further towards the enemy main base at GR097031 which got bogged down half way through due to fierce enemy resistance. After a short reorg, we captured the first enemy entrenchments at approx GR098030.
One notable thing occurred during the assault, at various points the 1Flight was engaging targets less than 50 yards away from 2Section, with one strafing run coming close to approx. 20 yards. This was incredibly dangerous. I suggest calling off any air support directly on the objective after the ground forces started their assault.
Counter-attack:
Upon arrival and reorg in the first set of enemy entrenchments and tents strong enemy forces counterattacked from the W, SW and S. After approx 5 minutes of heavy fighting the enemy wings flanked around to our NW, N and SE, nearly encircling 2Section. CPL.Emmet was wounded and fell unconscious due to shock. LCPL.Hicks quickly assumed command and ordered a general retreat towards GR099030. After receiving first aid by PTE.Fuchs CPL.Emmet recieved consciousness again and Charlie fireteam deployed a smokescreen to enable CPL.Emmet to crawl back towards Delta fireteam. After blacking out again, he was dragged back towards HQ elements by PTE.Fuchs, who put him into the care of the platoon medic, PTE.Henna. At this point I would like to mention PTE.Baker who literally did the job of the whole Charlie fireteam alone at this time, holding off multiple flanking enemies while CPL.Emmet was being given first aid and dragged back towards the reorg point.
Meanwhile, in order to take some pressure off of Charlie fireteam, LCPL.Hicks ordered Delta fireteam forward next to Charlie again and fended off the last couple of enemy contacts. After this, both Charlie and Delta fireteams finally fell back towards GR099030 and then again back towards GR100030.
Playing in the woods:
After being sporadically engaged by light enemy fire from the SE (approx GR100035) HQ decided that 2Section was to flank East along the railway line and then flank SSW down through the woods. After multiple engagements in severe low-light conditions altering with blinding enemy flares, 2Section sustained one T4 casualty, PTE.DeJong. After a reorg at approx. GR101036 2Section aborted and returned back towards HQ at GR101031.
Extraction and ENDEX:
The KAI was, alongside Charlie and Delta fireteams, loaded into a 1Flight helicopter and flown to GR095020 where, after a quick ARD, HQ called ENDEX.