//------------------------------// // Hostile Stratagem // Story: Nearing the Edge // by Eagle //------------------------------// September 30th, 2005 THE FOLLOWING REPORT HAS BEEN GENERATED AFTER CLOSE STUDY OF BLOC MILITARIES, AND SERVES AS THE OFFICIAL UNITED STATES MILITARY INTRODUCTION TO EACH NATION'S STYLE OF WARFARE. COPIES OF THESE ARE TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL UNITS AT COMPANY LEVEL AND HIGHER. ALL COMPANY COMMANDERS ARE TO INSTRUCT TROOPS AND STUDY THESE TACTICS AND STRATEGIES. THE PAPERS THEMSELVES ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED, GIVEN, OR LENT TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE COMPANY COMMANDER IT IS ASSIGNED TO. Griffons- The closest comparison to the Griffons in terms of Tactics and Strategy is that of Russia, and since their arrival has moved to copy the most off of their experience, as it seems to suit them best. As such they have many of the key features of older Soviet fighting, with their key elements including large numbers, heavy armor, and massed artillery. Though that being said, there are some key differences that seem to make the Griffons more competent than their inspiration, a key one being the major lack of Communist thought. During the days of the USSR the Soviets saw warfare as an extension of the revolution, to aid revolutionaries in other nations and, even more immediate, to sweep Capitalism from the Earth through any means necessary, a rather large task. In order to accomplish this, the Soviet forces had placed a heavy notion on offense above everything else, while defensive measure were only applied grudgingly in Soviet theory as a necessity. Being an Imperial Kingdom, the Griffon Empire lacks some of these extreme qualities; a great preference is put on the offense but the defense is also seen as an important factor. For example, Soviet strategy would usually be to stand in place and fight, or the commander could face political trouble. As one author put it, ‘Soviet leaders did not request permission to retreat, but rather asked their commander to order them to retreat. This commander would then have to ask his commander, and so on.’ This demonstrates the complexity of the Soviet system that, while it came naturally to Russians, is not as common upon in the Griffons. As with the Russians the Griffons usually see war, particularly defense, as one of attrition. In Soviet philosophy this encompasses depleting the enemy simply through direct combat and destruction, showcasing the lackluster taste for defense. The Griffons apply this happily to more traditional Russian acts, having no issues with retreating if needed, scorching the earth and leading the enemy deep inland, tiring and stretching him out till a planned wall is hit, and at worst, will cut them off and destroy them. It should be noted that, despite this, political officers are present in each of the three Bloc nations, though what degree of influence they hold varies. For the Griffons it is an in-between ground, not as heavy as the stereotypical Commissars, but not lenient either. They also seek to find some middle-ground in the inevitable bureaucracy, and as such have both their airborne (air-rifle) and marine (naval) organizations separate from other parent branches such as the Army and Navy. However, these are still viewed overall as extensions to gain victory rather than in their own. More egregiously, the same comes in terms of air and naval power, as supporters of the ground war rather than focusing on their own campaigns. Changelings- The Changelings are the most numerous, least mechanized, and oddest out of the Bloc nations. Many of their tactics can be most closely compared to Chinese tactics, specifically those used during the Korean War, blended with modern large-scale mechanized and maneuver warfare, which also takes from modern China’s view. On offense, Changelings view surprise and stealth mixed with their numbers as the best move. They focus mainly on infantry and use the land to their advantage. Large scale attacks usually come at night, when preferable, and they attempt to keep mostly hidden in the day to minimize supporting fire directed at them. If possible they will find the weak points in the enemy’s line and attack there, any strongholds would be surrounded and hit with supporting fire of their own, if not also attacked, thereby cutting off major units and either continuing the advance or ambushing rescue units. Alternatively, if possible they can infiltrate the enemy and attack; this second is most akin to guerrilla warfare as we know it. Finally, if permitted, classical wave attacks can be used, though these can be costly, yet effective. They also enjoy psychological warfare a good deal, at times making fearful noises, or using a the buzzing of their wings, though this is somewhat restricted as it gives away possible positions. It should also be noted here that, despite their wings, Bloc troops in general do not fly by wing as often as one would think, and the Changelings are the reason for this. At times, they would use the swarm tactic to overwhelm an enemy, though usually against broken or routing units, as sending them against consolidated units could be costly. This tactic proves near-fruitless in this world of automatic weaponry, as small fire teams and even single machine gunners can cut down massive numbers. Flying overall provides more disadvantages than advantages; though it lets them move freely and gives new firing angles, it exposes them to every troop, provides no cover, and forces them to stop and float in order to fire accurate shots, usually guaranteeing death before it is made. Changelings do prefer to be on foot when attacking as opposed to riding towards the enemy lines in an armored vehicle. But this does not mean they will not do it, and it is quite common. Indeed, despite these tactics, Changelings do have a large mechanized army, so Changeling AFVs from APCs to tanks are anything but rare. Changelings will sometimes see the defense as fluid if they do not have to defend a specific point. Their guerilla style comes into play especially here. They will move about the land, prepare ambushes, and leave traps. As with the Griffons, they prefer to wear their enemy out before killing them, if possible. They will stand and fight if needed, but usually large-scale defensive battles are not their strongest suit. The Changelings share a hive-mind link that differs from usual aspects. Rather than being able to speak directly, it gives a sort of feel about something that is happening. One that we would describe most closely as a ‘gut feeling’ that something is happening, though it does not tell them exactly who, what, or where itself. Still, they are the most coordinated nation in the Bloc, which reflects on their military. Their marine (amphibious) and airborne (aerial) units are attached to their Navy and Air Force respectively, giving them only three branches in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, also all focusing on a singular strategic objective. Shadows- Of all the Bloc forces, the Shadow Empire should be considered most dangerous. Differing from their allies, their military has been reworked to most closely mimic modern American and WW2-era German styles. Their behavior is quite lethal in this regard. Offensively the Shadows make good use of fire support while stressing individual troop and unit skill. Rather than focus on singular aspects they attempt to stress American traits such as adaptability and flexibility within their units in order to ‘fight each different battle the way it needs to be fought’. Coordination is also a high aspect, and it is recommended to bring all assets available to aid. Each job from infantry to tank to artillery are professionals and skilled in many types of tactics. This goes down to the individual soldier, emphasizing German-style ‘mission-type tactics’ for each mission, and applying this on the way up through the command. The same can be given for defense. While both the Griffons and Changelings prefer to lead their enemies in, the Shadow army is preferential to defending a position, enacting specific retreats and counterattacks when needed. Still, this can be changed, should the situation require such adaptation, but in general they are ones for a straight fight in both areas. Still, there are plenty of weaknesses as always. Despite having a society in some ways relevant to Nazi Germany and in other areas some odd bastardization of modern society, the Shadows seem to have developed a particular distaste for red tape and bureaucracy despite their dictatorial ruler. They seem to see it as a major weakness in politics interfering with the military and have taken it to an extreme. Their military has the most branches in the Bloc with 6, as both the marines and airborne are their own branch, as well as the elite Tormentas units, similar in nature to the Waffen SS, made out of the most capably and loyal to the nation and king, and many of them being of the original Shadow Empire, victims of the long exile Sombra himself endured. Each of these branches are focused on their own objectives and missions, and attempt to communicate through joint command and direct communication, though many times these are in support of other units. With this it is understandable why communication and cohesion are stressed, as if these can be disrupted greatly it will prove a severe handicap to the branch's abilities to support one-another. Though through mission tactics each unit has an objective, and with adaptability other units can move to accomplish any other’s failed missions, this can lead to further lack of cohesion; particularly in higher-up areas between the branches when one fails, it can easily lead to issues. Defeating unit’s missions and continuing to do so can tie down multiple units at times. If things work well enough some can be defeated piecemeal. The nature of the society, with the government’s secret police operating heavily, both at home, in the rear, and as political officers, can also cause bumps, though they are not as strict as the Griffon’s or Changeling's. Needless to say, if they are defeated in a straight battle with a better enemy it will cause a good deal of reorganizing and supplementary work to be done, which takes time, with each branch and unit having to find their own new missions rather than wait for orders, as under a combined branch. Though they attempt to create a machine, rather than making fewer breakable parts, they simply moved the parts further apart and built them to focus on greater specifics, meaning troops must simply look at defeating them from a different angle.