Defending Niarchos

It is two hours after the CDF take Niarchos.  It is 2100 hrs.  The BTR damaged in the battle was towed to the south part of the town and set up with a crewman manning the machine gun.  The other two BTR squads are deployed to the western side of the town, and the BRDM-AT platoon was dispersed, one to the wood north of town, one in town on the road leading out of the town and one in the woods south of town.  This was in case the enemy attempts to attack using tanks, which is expected to take place eventually.

The problem the commander faces is a lack of ammunition.  Facing the CDF unit is a rifle company with air support in the form of two MI-8s, moving to a deployment.  American forces have taken an airfield in the south along with the port facilities, so two CDF ammo trucks, escorted by a US Marine Humvee detachment is moving to Niarchos, and is expected to arrive by about 2130.

The American commander is sending a marine rifle squad by air and it is expected to arrive by 2110.  The marine unit will be under the CDF commander, and will remain to assist until about 0000 hrs.

The commander deploys his command element to the woods to the south of town.

The marines have landed at about 2110, right on time.

Enemy infantry start to appear deep in the woods north of town.

About 30 minutes later, there are a lot of dead bad guys out there, no damage or losses to CDF forces, as enemy infantry tries to cross an open area en masse.  Marines have taken a hit with three dead and two wounded.  CDF medics are directed to provide medical assistance.

 

 Manually moving the ammo truck forward (about 300 meters north), the driver moves past one of the two enemy helos shot down.

 The battle is over.  CDF forces hold the town, with little losses.  But a strong enemy counterattack is expected near midnight.