Waring in Africa - Ethiopia Has War Declared by Tanzania(SP)

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geminif4ucorsair
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Posts: 1286
Joined: Jun 08 2005

Waring in Africa - Ethiopia Has War Declared by Tanzania(SP)

Post by geminif4ucorsair »

Ethiopia Has War Declared by Tanzania

Dateline: February 16, 2018
Adis Abeba

Peaceloving people's of Ethiopia have again been attacked by tyrants of another African country, already deep in depth and looking for a way to unite its people before the upcoming regional elections to be held next month!

On February 16 (2018), Tanzania declared war on Ethiopia and ordered large numbers of armoured vehicles and infantry against our Kenyan frontier. Our forces, after mobilization was ordered, number 262 Active and 51 Reserve ground battaliions, 28 Active aircraft squadrons (mostly helo), and nine naval units (only on PTG, an Osa-I, 4 FABG-5, 2 Madaraka (P-3121) class and two PAT PC).

The war comes at an unexpected time, because Regional African elections are due to occur so soon, that is was expected all countries would refrain from war before the elections. [The AI proved this assumption wrong :cry: ] Our economy was recovering well with exports from recent war and emphasis was on Commerce facility upgrades and reducing taxes - both of which allowed our DAR to be at 30+ %. A couple Minister's priorities have been changed, but we hope to go into next month's elections was the "winning war party"!

Below is the official Ministry of Defence (and other ministry's) reports on their departments during the first hours of the war, before either country had made cross-border attacks:

Defense: Military Approval: 92%
Military Salaries: $722 m. Maintenance & Repair: $18,528 m.
Alert: DEFCON 2 ordered

In Production: 14-days: 2 x VBC-90 anti-tank vehicles;
36 days: 2 x YW-531 APC; Aircraft: 10-days: 1 x Mi-2 Hoplite
Ordered into Production (Day 1): 2 x T-62 tanks, 2 x B-11 RR; 1 x M46 130-mm gun; 1 Garrison.
Capacity: 35 units. [More units planned after impact on MilGds is clear]

R&D: PC Patrol (70% complete); C-131H Convair 580; AVLB bridging;
Basic Missiles.
Budget: $ 3,204 m. Recommended: $ 3,142 m.

Treasury: $298.53 m. DAR: 30+ % Cultural Approval: 75%
GDP: $1,360.
Tax Rate: 49.3% Inflation: 20% Umemployment: 2.2%
Social Spending: $125,037 m. Recommended: $114,504 m.
Net Migration: + 1.247 m.

Commerce:
Agric: 10 Facilities (2 need upgrade - inherited from Kenya)
Ores: 1 (just completed; 45% - only location for ores in Kenya-Ethiopia)
Timber: 6 (75-80%)
Water Works: 4 (1 upgrading - 6-days remain; 2 more need upgrade)
Electric Power: 4 Petrol, 4 Coal, 3 Hydro (1 just completed upgrade)
Consumer Goods: 4 Facilities (2 need upgrade, inherited fm Kenya)
Industrial Goods: 3 (2 100%, 1 upgrading - 80-days)
Military Goods: 4 (2 at 100%, 1 36% + 1 needs upgrade @ 16%)

Note: Most of the low performing facilities were inherited from war with Kenya (see separate post) and choice was made to upgrade Electric power facilities and agriculture first - with Industrial goods next (begun when Hydro Plant was finished), then move on to upgrade Water Works and Consumer Goods facilities last. Little pressure to upgrade Muqdisho (Mogadishu) MilGds facility (fm Kenya) as long as peace prevailed.
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WAR PLAN T-1001

Objectives: Establish 2 Front's to conduct the war on areas north and south of large Lake Victoria, which dominates terrain in the East African region of Tanzania.
1. Seize Northern Tanzania first, which contains some ore, coal, power assets and will seal off country from southern Sudan - followed by Second Phase of operations, with emphasis of driving south along the Congo and Namibian borders to the sea (thus sealing those countries off from Tanzania). [This northern front zone is mostly old Uganda, including the lake-side cities of Kampala and Entebbe.]

2. Hold the Front, in Southern Tanzania-Kenya Border Area; stalemate attacking Tanzania mechanized infantry that are expected in fairly large numbers on the front between Mombasa and Nairobe. Mombasa will likely be an initial focal point of attacks and will be continually reinforced as necessary and the road from Nairobe kept open as best possible.

In thie Operational Plan (OPLAN), we have developed something of a "swinging door" concept, somewhat reminicent of the Schleiffen plan, in that the whole of the Northern Front operation will 'swing' from border areas north of Lake Victoria southwest-ward towards the coast, effectively sealing off Tanzania from its western (Congo, etc) and southern (Namibia Federation) neighbors and ultimately, isolating the capital.

The majority of eithipian SAM (SA-2, SA-7 and two others) are being retained in Reserve. All tank and mechanized bns have been mobilized, and extensive forces on the Sudanese Front are being relocated south to begin operations against Tanzania. SAM-2 Guideline units will be activated when forces reach points far enough inside Tanzania to warrant area SAM coverage; until then, the air threat is believed to be minimal during the first two weeks of operations.

Our losses are expected to be higher than against Kenyan's, but can be overcome if their offensive operations can be held up and prevented from taking Nairobe and Mombasa.


FIRST (Day 1) Operations: (Boldness counts!)

* Helo air assault against Hydro Plant at X:191 Y:119 (W-3W) w/follow-up
Airborne Elite para-drop by C-130 Hercules via Adis Abeba)
* Helo air assault against Water Plant at X:194 Y: 128 (W-3W w/follow-up
Airborne Elite para-drop by NC-1L transport)
* Helo air assault against Coal Mine X: 195 Y: 132 (W-3W), with BRDM-2
vehicle effort to reach this point to reinforce para's.
* Helo air assault against Ores Mine X:191 Y:130 with Mi-8 fm Moqdisho.

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Tanzanian operations focused on one major redeployment and four specific movements of armoured forces in cross-border efforts. The redployment involved some thirty battalions of mixed tank, armoured infantry and some artillery from north of the capital to the area south of Arusha and Moshi cities, but not apparently a direct attempt to reinforce city defenders. Most deployments ended up in the zone to the south of the cities, including some in the rough terrain (canyon's) southwest of Arusha). The capital area still has some 50-plus 'stacks' of 5-7 bns deployed around it!

Specific Tanzanian cross-border operations included:
* T-72S MBTs moved against Nakuru city - Ethiopian defenders included 3 artillery and 1 x BRDM-2 AT in Nakuru, with reinforcement in the area redeployed included 1 x 2S1 and 2 x BM-21 MRL Bns, with anti-tank air support called in with 2 x Mi-2 Hoplite helicopters.

* A 3-Bn offensive - 2 BTR-60 and 1 Lt Infantry - moving from Moshi attack against the Nairobe-to-Mombasa Road; Ethiopian forces engaged this force included 1 x D-30 122-mm arty and 1 BRDM-2 AT, and a reinforcing B-11 RR Bn.

* 3-Bn offensive - 1 Timoney and 2 x BTR-60 APC - attacked towards the same Nairobe-to-Mombasa Road, further north of above location; engaged by 2 Ethiopian Lt. Infantry Bns. Both the last two attacks were stalled by Ethiopian defensive reaction.

* Major attack focused against Mombasa city - comprising 2 Lt Infantry, 2 MT-LB, 1 AMX-VCI TOW, and 1 PT-76 reconnaissance tank battlaions. Behind this mech infantry force were 30-plus further units, comprising T-72, T-62, and T-54 tanks and other mech infantry units.

Ethiopian forces anticipated this thrust. City defenders include 2 x M46 130-mm and 1 x D-30 122-mm arty, 1 B-11 RR and 1 Lt Infantry battalion. Because of the heavy artillery concentration, the city defenders held, though over the first three day period - which included follow-up Tanzanian tank attacks - the B-11 RR Bn had to be withdrawn and efforts began to airlift a Airborne Elite Bn (via helo) and bring two units from cities to the north up to Mombasa via the back-way in.

Because the main Tanzanian AI-run attack was expected along the Mombasa-to-Nairobe road, Ethiopian deployments to the north of this road included a brigade of heavy artillery, which would assume critical duties of holding up any offensive in this direction until tank forces could be brought to the area from north of Nairobe, and eventually, from Sudan Front. [That would take longer than expected!]
geminif4ucorsair
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Posts: 1286
Joined: Jun 08 2005

First Week Operations - Dominated by Heavy Fighting

Post by geminif4ucorsair »

The first weeks fighting between Ethiopian and Tanzanian forces had all the intensity at times of the Eastern Front in WW Two....as fighting developed past Feb 19th, Ethiopian forces were able to more widely begin major offensive operations centered 50-150-km west of Mombasa on the Southern Front and against Masindi and Kampala on the Northern Front.

These operations had a couple objectives: the major Southern Front objective was to take to limited offensive operations and to stabilize the front at pre-war or better boundaries; and, on the Northern Front, to take the offensive in the direction of Masindi, Kampala and Entebbe cities - the 'swinging door' strategy.

Northern Front Operations: On Day-2, Ethiopian forces were prepared to begin operations from Day 1 and proceeded twoards two initial objectives: the Hydro Dam (X:191 Y:119) and Mbale city. Both attacks, including the helo air assault against the Hydro Dam went well and achieved objectives by end of the second days fighting - Mbale City falling on second-half of Day 2.

Southern Front Operations: Tanzanian forces continued to press their attack against Mombasa - including 2 T-62, 1 T-54, 1 AMX VCI (TOW), 2 MT-LB, 1 M-113A1, 1 Timonney, and one Light Infantry battalion. Both sides took casualties but superior artillery forces - and lack thereof within Tanzanian attack forces - ruled the day. :-)

Day 3 (18th) - In northern sector of the Southern Front, Musoma city fell to a mixed artillery and armoured force attack, along with seizure by Ethiopian forces of the Water Works Plant (X: 194 Y: 128). An engineer unit was brought in immediately to begin repairs on the water works plant.

Northern Front operations: A Tanzanian Engineer and BTR-60 unit were holding up clearing operations at the first bridge along the southern Sudan border - our reinforcement operations this distant from the border were not going well and created an imbalanced force of artillery dominated battalions arriving ahead of our tank forces. :cry: [This situation would prevail for a week - and would ultimately result in relief of the Tank Force commander!]

Eventually, the Tanzanian Engineer Bn was destroyed by artillery fires, and the BTR-60 freely retreated into the Congo! A T-54 was sent to the border and evenutally took the BTR under fire and destoyed the unit inside the Congo - concern remained that any crossing of the Congo border would have meant war with the Congo also. [Warning: do be aware that AI does sometimes retreat units across otherwise Neutral country borders...its happened before.]

Southern Front operations: Mombaba: The Tanzanian assault began to stall on Day 3, as an attacking force of 1 T-72S, 1 T-62 went Red Line, while others pressed attacks, including 2 T-72S, 1 T-54, 1 AMX-VCI (TOW) - while one T-62 Bn was outright destroyed by defensive fire.
The result was a slow retreat mounted by the Tanzanians, including 1 T-62, 3 T-54, 2 Timonney, 1 Lt Infantry and 2 PT-76 reconnaissance behicle with heavy damage to the whole force.

Ethiopia was forced to withdraw from the city two B-11 RR Bns for fear of their destructions - one of which was airlifted out by PZL W-3W helicopter transport. Current defenders now comprised: 2 M46 130-mm + 1 D30 122-mm arty, 1 Engineer, 1 Airborne (withdrawing due to damage), with a helo reinforcement of 1 Airborne Elite BN en route.

COMMERCE: The result of operations has resulted in Capture of the following facilities: 1 Hydro Dam, 1 Water Works Facs; 3 Ore Mines and 1 Coal Mine. This is a major economic boost for Ethiopia, which lacked coal and had but one ore mine building when war began. :D

ELECTIONS: Regional African elections are due in 12-days: 36.1% Citizens Coalition party; 25.8& Democratic; 27.7% Reform and 10.4& Other parties. War does not seem to be hurting political support.

Late Day results: Bridge north of Masinda captured but down; bridge NE of Kampala captured but down;

Military Casualties: Ethiopia: 2,180 Tanzania: 4,864, over 35,000 civilian

EVALUATION OF OPEATIONS:

1. Helicopter Air Assaults: proved more dangerous and damaging than anticipated, especially when getting close to an opponent. Our forces could only use PZL W-3W transport helo but it works well for general trooping and general supply operations, and comes at relatively low cost.
[It's not a UH-60 Blackhawk but if you expect to loose alot of helicopters in bold operations, its worth getting a similar light helo like this and work them into the ground in support of the army.] Two Airborne Bns lost in attempting to secure and hold the power plant on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, due to Tanzanian reinforcement with armoured infantry or engineer unit and one or two defenders who came out of nearby cities.

2. Mi-2 Hoplite - another low tech, low cost helo with AT capability. Try not single unit them on opeations - combine 2-4 air units together, going to the same objective or general area. While not comparable with A.129 or AH-1W Huey Cobra, it performs just about as well as the latter - at lower cost.

3. Timonney AFV - Tanzanian has numerous vehicles of this type but found they did not stand up well against either AT helicopter attacks (Mi-2) or general open field ground operations. They might be best when combined with light infantry or garrison forces in cities....just not up to resisting distant artillery fires or any form of armoured attacks.
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DAY 4 (19th) Limited Offensive Operations begun on Southern Front.

First day of general Southern Front offensive operations between Nairobe and Mombasa, to clear the road between the two cities and push back from Mombasa the Tanzanians.

In the Northern Front, Tanzanian cities of Masindi and Kampala were immediate objectives.

Fighting on both fronts went generally well, except with problems that lasted until the 22nd with our tank forces in the north unable to coordinate well in getting across downed bridges, and getting enough Engineer Bns into the area with Bridging mission assigned.

22nd: General fighting continues along all fronts and after three days of intense concentration of artillery along the Nairobe-to-Mombasa port, really heavy losses are being taken by Tanzanian armour and APC vehicles, especially to long-range fires from C.83 MRL and 2S1 SPH units.

Active Army: 249,000 Reserve: 214,363
Ground Battalions: 267 Active; 38 Reserve + under repair.
Air Units: 24 (incl 1 Mig-23, 0.5 Mig-29, 2 Mig-21) - all other helos; 4 Reserve (Mig-23 + 3 helo under repair)

Production: Capacity: 35 Under Production: 18 (limited by MilGds)
Tech Level: 80 (near 81) Mil Eff: 94% Mil Approval: 98%

War Operations Summary:
Kills: 250 Tanzanian units Losses: 18
Casualties: Current Day: 3,107 Tanzanian: 10,325

ELECTION: Political status: Citizens Coalition: 24.9%; Democratic: 26.1%
Reform: 28.4% and Other: 10.6%.
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23rd: Tanzanian defenders of Kampala routed and city controlled by Ethiopia.

24th: Entebbe falls to Ethiopian forces. Ethiopian offensive against Shinyanga begins, while Northern Front operations focus on taking Hoima.

25th: Shinyanga and Hoima fall to Ethiopian forces.

First naval battle took place on 24th and 25th, between:
Ethiopia: 3 FABG-5 (Super Dvora), 1 PTG (Osa-II; w/out missiles),
2 PAT PC
Tanzania: 1 Shanghai II patrol craft.

After a running gun battle, the Tanzanian PC was finally sunk, but with
30-40% damage to all FABG-5 craft, and less damage to Osa-II. All returned Mombasa pier.

26th: Active Army: 214,517 Reserve: 215,371.

Active: Ground Bns: 247 Reserve: 54, including Repair category
Air: 21 Active 7 Reserve, including Repair category
Military Eff: 94% Military Approval Rate: 100% (Morale: High :-) )

Operational: Kills: 301 bns Losses: 22

WM offers since war with Tanzania was begun by them: 0..zip, nada :cry:
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