Due to reduced computer time per day, I will post my battle comment step by step.
Once again, I will focus on the team taking the successful initiative and thus setting the conditions for the rest of the round. That team, in this the first battle of campaign 13, clearly was the Vanguard Operations Group. A team we have come to known, with the desire for the assault. Although not yet full hearted. Something I have tried my self, playing CO back in campaign 6.
With that said, VOG has at this early point moved remarkable far. This in terms of learning how to perform its initial assault in a successful manner. Thus, as we shall see, still not far enough, in order to exploit its initials gains. But make no mistake, - in terms of the assault, Vanguard Operations Group is getting there.
With those words, lets take a closer look at how VOG executed the start of this battle. And why it operationally, lost its verge of a victory. First an image showing the VOG focus on the third flag:
As you can see above, the Vanguard Operations Group is continuing with the starting style we saw in both the preparation battles. Its philosophy to be ambitious and determined in the assault, has this time been developed in quite a clever setup, where the aim seems to be two-folded; to gain ground and flags, faster than the RPX.
As mentioned in the image above, the VOG method in use, involved three elements, consisting of two airborne infantry units, with enough squad leaders and related squad members, to deploy four spawn points. Although none of these are full 6-man squads, they still have sufficient numbers to secure the third flag.
Their deployments are made on both the western and eastern extreme of the third flag. Deployed before any RPX ground or air based unit has been able to reach it. So basically a flexible VOG setup, being partly 1) a flag zone ambush and partly 2) a flag zone flanking security, that is, for the third VOG element, the approaching ground force, consisting of two APCs loaded with additionally two infantry squads, moving in from the north, towards the third flag.
1. In case of the ambush scenario, the third flag obviously play the trap to any RPX force moving into it, and 2. in case of the flanking security, this is obviously for the ground element consisting of those two APCs with infantry.
However, regardless of scenario, this setup essentially provide Vanguard Operations Group with the third flag from start! Because with the two infantry elements on the extremes and the mechanized infantry moving into their center, the possibility of RPX capturing the third flag, is lost. Simply too much VOG firepower located around that flag. A very clever and ambitious starting move, made by the VOG command. So a big thumbs up to the VOG planners for creating this excellent and daring start. Very inspirational. Thank you.
But as we shall see, this inspirational, daring and rapid VOG move, lost both its speed and tempo, far too fast, due to, well, I am not sure here? it could have been fear for an RPX attack, developed from the south west, or maybe simply that the VOG command did not understand the importance of keeping up its tempo, in order to maintain its initial created speed, when processing this type of attack?
But before we get to this change of the VOG created situation, lets take a glimpse at the first killer of campaign 13 and also peek a bit at the spawn superiority that RPX deployed from start. Again I need to say.
Note: a few minutes after this image was taken, RPX had constructed two additional FOBs, thus reaching a grand total of five. I would call that a solid spawn infrastructure. This even though the main RPX battle line, was located as close to its main base as it was. Even more solid in fact, when compared to the extremely long supply line of the Vanguard Operations Group.
Vanguard Operations Group on the verge to outline the framework of an encirclement.
Here in a bit stronger arrangement, although not strong enough.
Also, as seen in the image above, VOG has now engaged in three different battles. The first north of the fourth flag and the two others, located inside and east of the third flag. This is the operational mistake, the command of the Vanguard Operations Group made during battle 1 in campaign 13. Time wise the mistake is made around 15 minutes into the battle. So just maybe around the same time, the operational mistake was made on Dovre? Remember Dovre, the open VOG flank around 15 minutes into the battle, right? However on Xiangshan, the operational mistake of developing the otherwise solid VOG position into an attrition in that Forrest, took place around 40-45 minutes into the battle.
What VOG command in my opinion should have done, after the capture of flag three, was to 1) defend it with the two mechanized squads and 2) initiate the assault on the fourth flag, from the spawn point location used by VOG in Hotel 13. This way the operational focus on the flags on the "RXP side" of the map, would have been in continuum. Remember the words of Napoleon Bonaparte; I will loose a man but not a moment. VOG command clearly used this wisdom in relation to flag three.
So basically, simultaneously as flag three was captured, a VOG FOB should have been constructed in Hotel 13. This way no time would have been handed over to RPX command, thereby decreasing its decision making cycle and hence ability to response in the usual organised RPX manner.
In relation to the offensive VOG move, the picture below still needs to be explained. But it is basically about what is called Positional Dislocation and Functional Dislocation. If you have not heard these expressions before, I encourage you to watch the full video in the post above. The video on Man?uvre Warfare.
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