Saturday, July 18, 2015

Cuba Libre D+1 SITREP

All,

In the late hours of D+1, 2 February 1990, Generalissimo Waraldonez received his battle staff's SITREP.

Friendly Situation:
1: 1st Airborne Infantry Battalion: Pulled into reserve on D+1, no action, all three companies combat effective.
2: 2nd Airborne Infantry Battalion: one company saw action, suffered light casualties, all three companies combat effective.
3: 3rd Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
4: 4th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
5. 5th Armored Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
6. 6th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
7: 7th Infantry Battalion: One company saw action, suffered light casualties.  2nd Air Assault Company understrength, other two companies combat effective.
8: 8th Popular Force Battalion: One company saw action, suffered light casualties, all three companies combat effective.
9: 9th Popular Force Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
10: 10th Popular Force Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
A: SOF A Squadron: saw action in one fight, suffered light casualties.  No longer effective, but no longer cut off after being reinforced.  Absorbed by B Squadron.
B: SOF B Squadron: Saw action, suffered light casualties, combat effective.
C: SOF C Squadron: Did not see action, combat effective.
U: CLA Unconventional Warfare Group: One company saw action, suffered heavy casualties.  The UCW Group is now down to a third of its initial strength, representing a single reinforced company.

The G-3 got up and briefed, hitting the highlights of the day's OpOrd:
1.  A Squadron SOF was reinforced by B Squadron and 8th Popular Force Battalion, beat off another attack by the enemy's 1st Airborne Battalion.  The situation there is looking well in hand now.
2.  F Company, 2nd Airborne Battalion eliminated the enemy's 4th Infantry Battalion, while  E Company, 7th Infantry Battalion eliminated the enemy's 5th Territorial Infantry Battalion.  These actions eliminated enemy forces in the center of the island, completing our operations to isolate the western end of the island from the eastern.  Of course, the enemy forces in the east have been pretty helpful, what with their not moving on account of worrying about the Yankees at Guantanamo.
3.  A Company, Unconventional Warfare Group fought another desperate delaying action in the Escambray Mountains against the enemy's 10th Territorial Battalion.  The UCW Group has been whittled down to a nub though, and as the General has pointed out, we need to get them help before they cease to exist.

The G-1 and G-2 briefed casualties next: The CLA suffered 50 casualties on D+1, while the enemy suffered 85 casualties, 1 BMP-2 destroyed, and 25 men captured.

Totals:
CLA Casualties: 365
POW: 5
Equipment: 1 HMG Jeep, 1 AAV

Regime Casualties: 585
EPW: 215
Equipment: 5 tanks (2 T-72, 3 T-34), 4 armored cars (3 Panhard, 1 M-8), 4 BMP, 4 BTR, 1 SU-76, 1 HMG truck

The G-2 briefed enemy dispositions:
1: 1st Airborne Battalion: One company suffered heavy casualties, battalion now down to company strength..
2: 2nd Armored Battalion: Did not see action, moved out of Havana very slowly, both companies combat effective.
3rd Infantry Battalion (Not shown): Pinar del Rio garrison was eliminated on D-Day.
4th Infantry Battalion (Not shown): Eliminated by 2nd Airborne Battalion on D+1.
5th Territorial Infantry Battalion (Not shown): Eliminated by 7th Infantry Battalion on D+1.
6: 6th Armored Battalion: Did not see action, spent D+1 refitting in Cienfuegos.
7: 7th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
8: 8th Tank Battalion: Didn't see action action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
9: 9th Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
10: 10th Territorial Infantry Battalion: Eliminated by the Unconventional Warfare Group on D+1.
11: 11th Territorial Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, two companies combat effective.
12: 12th Mechanized Battalion (not shown): Task Force A (Holguin) eliminated on D-Day.  Task Force B, at Camaguey, did not see action, one company combat effective.
13: 13th Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
14: 14th Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, two companies combat effective.
15: 15th Territorial Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, two companies combat effective.

The General spoke up:
The enemy has been extraordinarily slow to react with his powerful forces in the east, and I intend on taking advantage of it.  First things first though.
1.  I expect A Squadron SOF to hold the Radio Station downtown, now that they've been reinforced by B Squadron and 8th Popular Force Battalion, and the enemy's 1st Airborne Battalion has been reduced and isolated.
2.  I need C Squadron SOF to make all speed to link up with Colonel Huistrella's Unconventional Warfare Group in the Escambray Mountains, and I mean now!  And I want 7th Infantry Battalion there by tomorrow night!

Now back to taking advantage of the enemy's delay; we will use their lead feet to our advantage by looking to squeeze out three more enemy units, much earlier than anticipated.
3.  5th Armored Battalion, supported by 3rd and 4th Infantry Battalions, and 1st Airborne Battalion in reserve, will seek out and destroy the enemy's 2nd Armored Battalion in vicinity of Artemisa, and be quick about it.
4.  I want 9th and 10th Popular Force Battalions to begin reducing the Matanzas garrison.  They won't get help until after Havana has fallen, so I don't need anyone getting in there and going all "Colonel Bustamante," but they have enough combat power to begin attriting the enemy there.
5.  I want 6th Infantry Battalion to lead the attack on Cienfuegos, with 2nd Airborne Battalion in support.  I want 7th Infantry Battalion covering their right flank, but making all speed towards linking up with the UCW Group in the mountains.  Again, this link-up will happen tonight, whether Cienfuegos has fallen or not!


2 comments:

  1. Great summary and the general's orders for D+2 will set the upcoming games into context. Looking forward to the next batch of AARs.

    Cheers, Andy

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    Replies
    1. Andy,

      Thanks man, I appreciate it. I'm working on batreps now, and the next SITREP, stand by!

      V/R,
      Jack

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