0
edits
Operation Lightfoot: Difference between revisions
m
→Order of Battle - Airborne
m (→Hill 334) |
|||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
While the Airborne forces trained, the remaining two forces earmarked for the invasion, the Arcerion 2nd and 5th Infantry divisions were training for their conventional role in the battle. In a smaller fashion as well, members of Arcerion's reserve and territorial troops, under the 6th Divsion would play a lesser role in providing the forces to relieve paratroopers on the Songun Islands after the parachute infantry had captured key points. The 2nd and 5th Infantry trained almost continuously, only granting leave the month before the invasion, and soldiers were uninformed as to where their deployment would be until just weeks prior to the operation. Whereas the Airborne had been sworn to secrecy and been rehearsing for months, studying map tables, memorizing aerial photographs taken by regular Arco Air flights with hidden aerial cameras, the ground forces had the distincrt advantage of operating either from Paulastra itself and having a consistent rail and road head to operate from, or landing at a port secured by the paratroopers and fighting forward from there, linking up with troops throughout their advance as paratroopers were to seize key road and rail junctions. | While the Airborne forces trained, the remaining two forces earmarked for the invasion, the Arcerion 2nd and 5th Infantry divisions were training for their conventional role in the battle. In a smaller fashion as well, members of Arcerion's reserve and territorial troops, under the 6th Divsion would play a lesser role in providing the forces to relieve paratroopers on the Songun Islands after the parachute infantry had captured key points. The 2nd and 5th Infantry trained almost continuously, only granting leave the month before the invasion, and soldiers were uninformed as to where their deployment would be until just weeks prior to the operation. Whereas the Airborne had been sworn to secrecy and been rehearsing for months, studying map tables, memorizing aerial photographs taken by regular Arco Air flights with hidden aerial cameras, the ground forces had the distincrt advantage of operating either from Paulastra itself and having a consistent rail and road head to operate from, or landing at a port secured by the paratroopers and fighting forward from there, linking up with troops throughout their advance as paratroopers were to seize key road and rail junctions. | ||
=== The Airlift Problem === | === The Airlift Problem === | ||
The major issue for the insertion of an entire division was the amount of aircraft required. Prior to the standing-up of the 1st Airborne Division, Arcerion only had conducted two brigade-level airborne exercises, and they each required almost they entirety of the Air Force's fixed-wing transport complement, much of which was classified as 'light' and therefore did not have the range to permit the insertion of almost 9,000 Arcer paratroopers in a single night. The government had to find a solution, and by nationalizing Arco Air, the country's civilian passenger airline, it was able to. They brought in seven different new air frames, and militarized them, under the guise of preparing their crews for pilot training for future operations. However, each civil air crew was given a choice as part of the nationalization, to continue to serve as a member of the Airline, or volunteer for an assignment that would require them to temporarily become members of the Arcerion Air Force. Upwards of 80% of the airline's pilots and aircrew volunteered, resulting in a wave of new recruits, many of whom not only flew transport aircraft for the duration of the war, but fought in subsequent engagements as fighter or bomber pilots. | [[File:Arcer Planners for Operation Lightfoot.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Staff officers on MGen Eddis' staff conduct final planning sessions the week before H-Hour, ''Operation Lightfoot''. ]]The major issue for the insertion of an entire division was the amount of aircraft required. Prior to the standing-up of the 1st Airborne Division, Arcerion only had conducted two brigade-level airborne exercises, and they each required almost they entirety of the Air Force's fixed-wing transport complement, much of which was classified as 'light' and therefore did not have the range to permit the insertion of almost 9,000 Arcer paratroopers in a single night. The government had to find a solution, and by nationalizing Arco Air, the country's civilian passenger airline, it was able to. They brought in seven different new air frames, and militarized them, under the guise of preparing their crews for pilot training for future operations. However, each civil air crew was given a choice as part of the nationalization, to continue to serve as a member of the Airline, or volunteer for an assignment that would require them to temporarily become members of the Arcerion Air Force. Upwards of 80% of the airline's pilots and aircrew volunteered, resulting in a wave of new recruits, many of whom not only flew transport aircraft for the duration of the war, but fought in subsequent engagements as fighter or bomber pilots. | ||
The nationalization allowed Eddis and his planners to insert almost the entirety of the division in a single wave. While that initial complement would be left by themselves to fight for the first night and much of the next morning themselves, if they were able to secure runways and airfields inside the Cape, it would permit the airlift of additional reinforcements until sea-borne forces could be landed, or brought by rail from Paulastra. | The nationalization allowed Eddis and his planners to insert almost the entirety of the division in a single wave. While that initial complement would be left by themselves to fight for the first night and much of the next morning themselves, if they were able to secure runways and airfields inside the Cape, it would permit the airlift of additional reinforcements until sea-borne forces could be landed, or brought by rail from Paulastra. | ||
== Order of Battle - Airborne == | == Order of Battle - Airborne == | ||
| Line 53: | Line 52: | ||
** 10th Parachute Battalion (Reserve) | ** 10th Parachute Battalion (Reserve) | ||
** 3rd Airborne Field Battery, Regiment of Arcer Horse Artillery | ** 3rd Airborne Field Battery, Regiment of Arcer Horse Artillery | ||
* | * DZ Charlie (Yellow) | ||
** 6th Parachute Battalion | ** 6th Parachute Battalion | ||
** 7th Parachute Battalion | ** 7th Parachute Battalion | ||
| Line 60: | Line 59: | ||
** 9th Parachute Battalion | ** 9th Parachute Battalion | ||
** 11th Parachute Battalion (Reserve) | ** 11th Parachute Battalion (Reserve) | ||
** 12th Parachute Battalion (Reserve | ** 12th Parachute Battalion (Reserve) | ||
==Battle== | ==Battle== | ||
=== Movement to the Cape === | === Movement to the Cape === | ||