Operation Lightfoot: Difference between revisions

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The arrival of Arco paratroopers over their 4 drop zones coincided with the previous insertion of small teams of pathfinders marking the drop zones a few short hours before the massed air drops. Overall, the insertions went relatively smoothly, with forces being able to regroup and push off to secure the initial objectives. The maritime landings of the following day were all contingent on the beachheads being softened up, or in a perfect scenario, fully secured by mid-morning, and paratroopers harassing and sowing chaos behind the Capetian main liens.

==== Drop Zone Alpha (Red) ====

Fighting at DZ Alpha would be extremely fierce, especially the action at Novasar Airfield, where elements of not only the Divisional Headquarters, but General Eddis' staff themselves were engaged directly by Capetian forces as they attempted to secure the strategic airhead for the invasion. After the bloody but ultimately successful action at Novasar airfield, elements of the 1st and 2nd Parachute Battalions then fought their way to the coast, liberating the town of Terassipol, wherein maritime forces conducted a mostly-unopposed landing and the 2nd Infantry Division successfully began its South-Eastern drive to link up with elements of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Parachute Battalions at DZ Bravo.

==== Drop Zone Bravo (Blue) ====

Bravo's objectives were initially overran quickly by the paratroopers of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Parachute Battalions. With support from multiple infantry battalions as well as the light 75mm and 105mm airborne howitzers provided by the 3rd Airborne Field Battery, troopers secured vital road junctions and highways leading further inland. This directly contributed to the success of the 2nd Infantry Division's push off the coast as they relieved and linked up with paratroopers who had been fighting almost non-stop for three days to defend these critical points.

==== Drop Zone Charlie (Yellow) ====

Drop Zone Charlie was responsible for securing the operation's Western flank. Sizeable mechanized and motorized Capetian garrisons in the Western portions of the Cape province ensured that there was a distinct requirement for a Regimental-strength combat team (3 battalions) to protect the crucial flank while Drop Zones Alpha and Bravo secured not only critical infrastructure but the road and railheads leading inland. Drop Zone Charlie had a relatively precise drop, with the pathfinder platoon assigned ensuring that of all personnel that jumped, 85% or more reached their designated assembly areas within the first hour +/-1km. Fighting along the Western flank was not nearly as fierce as DZs Alpha and Bravo, but regardless several small, bloody actions took place, especially when elements of the 1st Armoured Brigade (the Cape), encountered the 8th Parachute Battalion at the Salons Crossroads, resulting in heavy losses on both sides but the frontage for the Arcer paratroopers remaining intact.

==== Drop Zone Delta (Green) ====

DZ Delta was aimed at securing the port town of Polskasar on the island of XYZ. Critical to providing a continuous maritime frontage, it was to be the midway point for the flow of Arcer supplies to the Cape mainland, meaning it was necessary to have secured as an interim staging and logistical area.

DZ Delta was aimed at securing the port town of Polskasar on the island of XYZ. Critical to providing a continuous maritime frontage, it was to be the midway point for the flow of Arcer supplies to the Cape mainland, meaning it was necessary to have secured as an interim staging and logistical area. Noticeably, over 2/3rds of soldiers that landed in Drop Zone Delta were reservists, including some senior NCOs being in their 50s. The reasoning was that regular troops were required for mainland-landing operations, whereas Eddis' assessment was that the older troopers could be coutned on to preform a vital, but secondary offensive action against Polskasar.

=== First Hours ===

=== Hill 334 ===

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 The arrival of Arco paratroopers over their 4 drop zones coincided with the previous insertion of small teams of pathfinders marking the drop zones a few short hours before the massed air drops. Overall, the insertions went relatively smoothly, with forces being able to regroup and push off to secure the initial objectives. The maritime landings of the following day were all contingent on the beachheads being softened up, or in a perfect scenario, fully secured by mid-morning, and paratroopers harassing and sowing chaos behind the Capetian main liens.
 ==== Drop Zone Alpha (Red) ====
+Fighting at DZ Alpha would be extremely fierce, especially the action at Novasar Airfield, where elements of not only the Divisional Headquarters, but General Eddis' staff themselves were engaged directly by Capetian forces as they attempted to secure the strategic airhead for the invasion. After the bloody but ultimately successful action at Novasar airfield, elements of the 1st and 2nd Parachute Battalions then fought their way to the coast, liberating the town of Terassipol, wherein maritime forces conducted a mostly-unopposed landing and the 2nd Infantry Division successfully began its South-Eastern drive to link up with elements of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Parachute Battalions at DZ Bravo.
 ==== Drop Zone Bravo (Blue) ====
+Bravo's objectives were initially overran quickly by the paratroopers of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Parachute Battalions. With support from multiple infantry battalions as well as the light 75mm and 105mm airborne howitzers provided by the 3rd Airborne Field Battery, troopers secured vital road junctions and highways leading further inland. This directly contributed to the success of the 2nd Infantry Division's push off the coast as they relieved and linked up with paratroopers who had been fighting almost non-stop for three days to defend these critical points.
 ==== Drop Zone Charlie (Yellow) ====
+Drop Zone Charlie was responsible for securing the operation's Western flank. Sizeable mechanized and motorized Capetian garrisons in the Western portions of the Cape province ensured that there was a distinct requirement for a Regimental-strength combat team (3 battalions) to protect the crucial flank while Drop Zones Alpha and Bravo secured not only critical infrastructure but  the road and railheads leading inland. Drop Zone Charlie had a relatively precise drop, with the pathfinder platoon assigned ensuring that of all personnel that jumped, 85% or more reached their designated assembly areas within the first hour +/-1km. Fighting along the Western flank was not nearly as fierce as DZs Alpha and Bravo, but regardless several small, bloody actions took place, especially when elements of the 1st Armoured Brigade (the Cape), encountered the 8th Parachute Battalion at the Salons Crossroads, resulting in heavy losses on both sides but the frontage for the Arcer paratroopers remaining intact.
 ==== Drop Zone Delta (Green) ====
-DZ Delta was aimed at securing the port town of Polskasar on the island of XYZ. Critical to providing a continuous maritime frontage, it was to be the midway point for the flow of Arcer supplies to the Cape mainland, meaning it was necessary to have secured as an interim staging and logistical area.
+DZ Delta was aimed at securing the port town of Polskasar on the island of XYZ. Critical to providing a continuous maritime frontage, it was to be the midway point for the flow of Arcer supplies to the Cape mainland, meaning it was necessary to have secured as an interim staging and logistical area. Noticeably, over 2/3rds of soldiers that landed in Drop Zone Delta were reservists, including some senior NCOs being in their 50s. The reasoning was that regular troops were required for mainland-landing operations, whereas Eddis' assessment was that the older troopers could be coutned on to preform a vital, but secondary offensive action against Polskasar.
 === First Hours ===
 === Hill 334 ===

Operation Lightfoot: Difference between revisions

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