BILLED [POR] Annual Exercise Maziua-96

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Parliamentary Monarchy of Portugal Forças Armadas Real Annual Field Exercise Portuguese Royal Armed Forces​

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Annual Exercise Maziua-96
Annual Training Exercise
Portuguese Army


January, 1996
Status:
Completed
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Operational Background

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Annual Exercise Maziua is a Military Exercise designed to simulate a foreign invasion of Northern Portugal, and tests the capabilities of the Portuguese Army to combat such a threat. The Operation aims to train the armed forces with beneficial tactics such as: Reconaissance/Infiltration, Mechanized Assault, Urban Warfare, and Elastic Defense. The Operation would be divided into 3 Phases, the first phase being the Skirmish Phase, where both forces are allowed to send out skirmish and infiltration teams to scout out and disrupt enemy forces. The second phase would be the Battle Phase, wherein both forces are permitted to use 50% of their allocated resources. The final phase would be the Invasion Phase, where both forces are permitted to use all of the resources available for their disposal.

There would be 3 contested points. Point A, made up of a sparsely populated area with a few trees and mountainous rugged terrain.Point A is located on top of a hill, with a few large rocks nearby. A 5km road would lead to point B where it would be more populated, and is purposely designed to simulate rural villages. The point is situated at the heart of a simulated small village. A 6 km road would lead to point C, a simulated medium town. Point C would be considered as the most important contested point.

Operational Objectives

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BLUFOR:

• Secure points A,B, and C. Deter Foreign Invasion Force for a maximum of 2 weeks.
• Optional: Cut Off OPFOR supply lines

OPFOR:

• Capture and hold points A,B, and C.
• Optional: Encircle BLUFOR

Field Deployment

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AS BLUFOR:

Brigada de Intervenção 1st Inf. Battalion​ 2nd Inf. Battalion​ 3rd Inf. Battalion​ 4th Mech. Inf. Battalion​ 2nd Engineer Company​ 2nd Signal Company​ Service Support Battalion​ Staff and Staff Company​

AS OPFOR:

Brigada Mecanizada 1st Mech. Inf. Battalion​ 2nd Mech. Inf. Battalion​ 3rd Mech. Inf. Battalion​ 4th Inf. Battalion​ Tank Group​ 1st Recon Squadron ​ 1st Engineer Company​ 1st Signal Company​ Service Support Battalion​ Staff and Staff Company​

Operational Staging Areas

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POINT ZERO

OPFOR FOB​

100 points​

OPFOR CONTROL​

POINT ALPHA

Objective #1​

50 points​

OPFOR CONTROL​

POINT BRAVO

Objective #2​

150 points​

CONTESTD​

POINT CHARLIE

Objective #3​

BLUFOR FOB​

300 points​

BLUFOR CONTROL​

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"Gentlemen, I welcome you to Exercise Mazuia. The Operation would begin a few days from now, so I assume that your comanders and officers are, by now, briefed of the situation. Mobilization would begin in a few moments. May luck be in your side. In Hoc Signe Vinces!" The Chief would announce. After a few minutes of talking, elements of both forces begin to mobilize and proceed to their assigned bases. The journey would be smooth, the land slowly transitioning from grey jungles to peaceful greens. After arriving, men would be allowed to rest for the first 2 days, and be accustomed to their new environments. The fresh open rural air, giving them a sense of tranquility. In the meantime, Brigade staff would be put in vigorous tasks to formulate battle plans and tactics. Heated arguments in their green tents as officers contend on what the best course of action would be. As the sun slowly sets on the horizon on the second day, elements of BLUFOR would start moving to their agreed positions. OPFOR on the otherhand, had just finished drafting their plans, and are readying for the first phase of combat.

 

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BLUFOR​

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Elements of the 1st Infantry Battalion would make their way to point A to build strong points. They would begin building sandbags and entrenchments around the point. The 2nd and 3rd would be within point B, with a few of their armored vehicles positioned in key defensive areas. The second Engineer company would be divided into platoons and would be split between the three areas, facilitating the construction of defenses. While it was early in the morning, they were uncertain when the opposing forces would start sending in infiltration teams to officially start their invasion. To counter this, A few squads from the 2nd Signal Company, along with 2 platoons from the 1st Infantry Battalion would be assigned to UMM Alter II's, and scout ahead for enemy movement.

The rest of the units would be kept in point C to act as reserve forces once needed.

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5 of their challenger tanks would be situated in concealed locations, facing the road leading from point A to point B. They were ordered to Fire-and-Maneuver once the enemy was in range. The rest are used as immobile bunkers within point C. Men were encouraged to use the landscape to their advantage, and many fortified buildings as make-shift bunkers. After all the units were in position, all they had to do was wait for the battle to commence.

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....Transitioning....

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OPFOR

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The Mechanized battalions prepared their APC's and positioned themselves in an armored column. 2 APC's followed by 3 Challenger I's would lead the Battalion. A detatchment of 4 UMM Alter II's containing elements from the 4th Infantry Battalion would be sent first to scout enemy defensive positions. While the order hasn't been sent out yet, they were ready to proceed to their assigned positions. They would soon start their engines and begin the assault. They planned to position themselves in a long line, 5 ranks deep, about 50 to 100 meters away from each other before proceeding to assault objective Alpha. Their goal was to overwhelm and out maneuver their adversaries.

The first few UMM Alter II's had detached from the main force, and command is waiting for their observations.

 

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BLUFOR​

Gunfire would be heard, echoing the valley. A few UMM Alter II's belonging to the enemy had reached contact with the first few lines of defense, in response, the APC's opened fire on the oncoming trucks, 'shredding' them with 'bullets.' After a few minutes of gunshots, the UMM Alter was officially declared neutralized. Meanwhile, the BLUFOR scout team were able to gather information of an armored column, heading to point A. As such, BLUFOR commanders ordered to fortify key areas that were theorized to be the brunt of the assault.

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Transitioning....

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OPFOR​

No news of the first scout team arrived, and was assumed KIA. The other 2 however, were able to return with information on objective Alpha's fortifications. This caused a few officers to reconsider the initial plan. Instead, they opted out for a feint tactic, wherin a small group comprised of 3 Challenger I's and 15 APC's would carry on the initial plan, with the rest of the unit trying to outmaneuver their enemy by coming down at the flanks. The Units were quickly informed, and they moved to their positions.

One UMM Alter II would be sent back out to try and infiltrate Objective Alpha's defenses, and provide constant information on enemy movements

 

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incoming transmission.....

...transmission intercepted...

.....parsing.....


PHASE II: 'Battle'
Commence.
sounds of gunfire envelop the battlefield

loaded.

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BLUFOR
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"INCOMING!"

The main defense line encountered the first wave of the assault. Rounds of smoke deployed in the open field in front of them. Nervous soldiers fired blindly into the white cloud, wasting valuable ammunition. Soon however, Armored Personnel Carriers came rolling out of the clouds, opening fire unto the defenders. The first trench was immediately overrun, as the remaining men made an effort to dash to the second defense line. The vehicles were bogged down by the fortifications that BLUFOR had laid out. Their wheels stuck in the damp mud. The second defense line was more well defended, with strong points secured against the assault. Machine gun nests set up at bottleneck locations. The enemy yet again deployed smoke unto the battlefield, but instead of APCs that came rushing in, it was infantry. The enemy men rushed to the second defense line, with their Challenger IIs and a few APCs covering their assault.

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Wasn't long before the fight developed into a standstill, with defenders fighting with all their might to deter the assault; enemy forces halted by their fierce resistance. Soon however, a lone soldier spots plumes of dust on their flanks, and quickly notified command. They were going to be surrounded. Officers quickly rallied their men, and ordered a tactical retreat to objective Alpha, as consolidating their forces would be their best bet at deterring the incoming onslaught. They then notified command of the situation, it was looking grim.

Command retaliated by sending 10 APCs to fortify objective Bravo, hoping that they could well prepare before enemy forces could overrun objective Alpha.

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transitioning...

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OPFOR​

"All units, begin assault."

As expected BLUFOR forces concentrated their defenses on the front lines, as they fell right into OPFOR's bluff. The tanks were ordered to take on the support role, and was advised to advance along the APCs and infantry. They successfully deployed smoke on the feint attack, as the remaining forces attempt to carry out a pincer attack on Objective Alpha. The infiltration team successfully managed to gather information within the defense line, relaying troop movements to command. The feint attack was successful, as enemy forces were busy trying to deter the small assault force. The first defense line was completely overrun, as OPFOR forces picked off the shattered elements of enemy battalions.

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The APCs were in position, and started heading straight for Objective Alpha. The first few were met with little resistance, as smoke provided cover to the vehicles. Soon however, they met heavy gunfire, as BLUFOR forces set up strong points around the hill. It was unexpected to say the least, but they need to take the hill as soon as possible. Tanks firing unto enemy defensive positions and fortifications, to clear the way for the infantry. It was chaos.

 

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BLUFOR
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"Command this is 1MOURA, requesting to fall back, we are heavily overrun. We'll rendezvous at Objective Bravo; Over."

"1MOURA, this is command, proceed."

Elements of what remains of the 1st Infantry Battalion would begin to fall back and retreat to Objective Bravo. Many men were 'dead' from both sides. Commanders would yet again consult with one another for what the next best course of action would be. Still, the Ambush positions by the Challenger IIs would still be carried out, as the enemy was too eager for their early victory. Only 4 APCs managed to get out of Alpha, carrying 'injured' but battle-ready soldiers. After a few minutes, the OPFOR flag was raised on Objective Alpha, finalizing the loss of the point.

With the 4 APCs safely covered by the ever-watching Challenger Is covering the route to Bravo, command issued a reconnaissance run through its few remaining Alter IIs. They would aim to assist the Challenger IIs in picking and spotting their targets. Five vehicles would begin their way to the Ambush line. It wouldn't be long before the enemy begins their second assault.

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...transitioning...

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OPFOR
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Friendly forces have successfully taken Objective Alpha. It wasn't long before the enemy completely shattered as they utilized their mobility. After roughly an hour of contesting for the hills, the enemy routed and begins to crumble under the might of the Portuguese Army. All units were to regroup at the top of Objective Alpha, and their officers to assess their losses, along with the next plans of attack. Since Objective Bravo was a long way from Alpha, commanders insisted on traveling there through an armored collumn formation, only stopping in about 2km in to change formation and repeat what they had done in Alpha. A few would feint an assault at the front, and the remaining would cut them off at the flanks.

Officers were confident that the Operation would soon end within the next 2 days.

 

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BLUFOR​

"Weapons Free, target the lead, cut off the tail."

Within seconds, the Armored column was halted by its lead vehicle being utterly neutralized in a puff of white smoke. Shots can be heard through the trees, disorienting the shaken men. A few seconds later another deafening shot could be heard, ringing through the forests. The last vehicle was taken out, its crew bailing out as quickly as possible. The entire force was effectively delayed, giving time for the troops back at bravo to entrench and prepare for the assault.

Machine gun fire kept the infantry at bay, as enemy forces make a dire attempt to find cover. The tanks went on to continue harassing the enemy force for half an hour, as they struggle to fight back what they thought was a large force. The Alter II called out targets, as some had already moved away from the column disorganized, for the tanks to neutralize.

The tanks effectively kept the enemy forces pinned, but it wasn't long before large plumes of white smoke were deployed, essentially giving cover to their adversaries. The lead commander decided to take his platoon back to Bravo to assist, as there were effectively vulnerable to enemy counter-fire, and being overrun. Soon enough, clouds of dirt rise as enemy shots landed near the approximate positions of the tanks and the trucks. Bits of tree bark exploding into fragments as shells pounded their positions.

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...transitioning...

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OPFOR


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Command was completely caught off-guard with the ambush, and ordered their troops to scramble for the nearest cover. Not knowing the severity of the enemy forces near the tree line, a few officers ordered to pop smoke while there were still in the open road, with only the few already neutralized vehicles offering cover for the infantry. After a few minutes, the gunfire faded into silence, as enemy forces disappeared. Out of the 10 tanks they were issued with, only 4 remained. They were forced to change their tactics. going for a more careful approach once they reached the small town.

As the small alleyways and the long stretches of the main road flanked by the buildings were too risky for the vehicles to come through, they were kept behind until infantry were clearing each block. Each squad were to disembark their vehicles and begin to employ urban-combat tactics taught by their superiors. They would begin coming down from the North, carefully scanning each window for enemy forces. They would hug to the wall, and take their time in crossing each road.

The fight for objective Bravo had begun.​

 

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BLUFOR​

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"Bravo has been overrun, I repeat, Bravo has been overrun."

BLUFOR forces desperately tried to keep OPFOR forces at bay to no avail, fighting within the town was harsh, but following the initial lessons and briefings on different tactics to apply, Allied forces were able to inflict maximum casualties. This was no match for the sheer mobility that enemy forces had, however, as every building devolved into a deadly firefight from all angles. Eventually, after 5 days of a firefight, BLUFOR forces within the town decided to surrender, after being depleted of their ammunition and supplies. As the OPFOR flag flies over the smoke of the battle, BLUFOR command became highly suspicious of enemy soldiers within their ranks.

Nonetheless, the defense of objective Charlie would mark the final stage of the exercise, with the units involved well versed in their assigned skills. After the fall of Objective Bravo, the third and final phase has begun, releasing all reserve units to the battlefield.

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...transitioning...

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OPFOR​

Command has secured Objective Bravo, with its remaining forces recuperating and their officers assessing the situation. Due to the sheer amount of casualties that they had received during the battle for Objective Bravo, They had decided that in approaching the city, a more open approach should be initiated. Tanks and APCs would provide fire support to the infantry, which would call out targets in the buildings. Infantry would be in charge of clearing small areas, targeting hard-point areas with the help of armored support. The Infantry would also be tasked in dealing with enemy armor, as their mobility from building to building would effectively out-flank enemy forces.

Infiltration teams that are tasked with plotting enemy defenses, as well as disrupting enemy positions, would be sent in ahead of the invading force. They would note enemy positions, as well as weak points for the assault to go through. Static Vehicles would also be noted, and their positions would be relayed to friendly forces for ease of neutralization. After roughly a week of planning and preparations, OPFOR high command has initiated the green light for the final assault.

 

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BLUFOR​

"END EXCERCISE"

After intense fighting within the city, OPFOR forces had to surrender to BLUFOR officers after only 5 days of fighting. Due to the defenses that allied forces had prepared, multiple casualties have been incurred. Officers had met up on the town square, which saw most of the fighting. Scorches dot along the grey pavement while white smoke filled the air around the troops. After the surrender of the Opposition, men were debriefed of the situation, recollecting what they had learned and how to apply them in real-life scenarios.

Tanks belonging to BLUFOR were to rendezvous with OPFOR amour, for their joint-shooting exercise.

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...transitioning...

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OPFOR​

The fighting within the city was intense, but Command had to end the conflict. Multiple casualties have been inflicted due to the positions of enemy defenses. Flanking maneuvers were met with intense gunfire, and armored vehicles were quickly neutralized with both anti-tank infantry and enemy tanks. Most of the fighting bogged down on the city square, which earned the nickname 'Praça de fumaça' which means "Smoke-Plaza" by both sides.

Officers have met at the Plaza to discuss the surrender and the subsequent activities that both forces were to partake. Soon after, tanks were rolling out of the city to practice shooting rounds, as well as mobile firing. Infantry units were taught with breaching and entering rooms, as well as basic squad tactics.

 

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Completed