[OPORD] Invasion of Crete 10062017

[Heinrich]

UNCLASSIFIED

THE EAST PRUSSIAN INFANTRY
1. INFANTERIE-DIVISION
06 JUN 2017

OPERATION ORDER 0610-17 (Invasion of Crete)


Time Zone Used Throughout the Order: QUEBEC
(Eastern Standard Time)


TASK ORGANIZATION
Elements from 1.Gruppe and 2. Gruppe of Erste Zug, Erste Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 1

I. SITUATION

a. Area of Interest: The Grecian Island of Crete

b. Area of Operations: Area encompassing grid coordinates 0501-0502, Including the central Flat-lands surrounding the capitol City of Heraklion, The Maleme Airfield, and the Villiage of Chania.

     (1) Terrain

• Observation and Fields of Fire:
  The AO Consists of mostly flat, farm land with sparsely spread wooded areas on the northern and southern flanks. Roadways are accessible to both friendly and enemy troops to allow for quick movement of QRF within the AO. Visibility within this terrain is wide and in excess of 100m.  This will slow movement, as friendly forces need to be considerate of how visible they will be to potential enemy forces in the area. Fields of fire will be wide and should provide a security concern.


• Avenues of Approach:
  The Maleme Airfield, and defenses surrounding the northern approach of Heraklion are decisive pieces of terrain crucial for the Grecian defense of crete, and will be well defended with limited avenues of approach. Erste Group will best use the terrain available to exploit weaknesses in these defenses. 
  
• Key and Decisive Terrain:
  The Flatlands surrounding Heraklion are the last piece of terrain which must be secured before the assault on the city itself. The Airfield of Maleme must be secured to allow for easier resupply of friendly troops, and for reinforcement before the assault on the capitol is to begin. These areas must be successfully secured in order to advance our mission on Crete. 
• Obstacles:
  Obstacles will include man-made structures and debris.
• Cover and Concealment:
  Cover is limited to large trees and rocks, as well as any man-made structures and buildings which can be re-purposed. Enemy forces have more established cover and concealment from their defensive positions, which will be encountered.

c. Enemy forces: Enemy forces are mixed contingents of both British and Grecian Armies.

• Recent Activities
  Enemy forces have been mounting a defense of their island home. Civilians have been known to be uncooperative with friendly forces, and trained enemies are in some cases resorting to guerrilla-style warfare.  The Grecian forces are mounting a desperate defense in last attempts to keep friendly forces out of the capitol city.
  
• Strength
  Enemy strength on the island of Crete is fading.  They still maintain control of the large population and economic centers on the island. There are a large number of friendly forces on Crete, but capture of the Maleme Airfield will allow for reinforcement of friendly territory.
  
  
• Composition/Disposition
  Enemy forces are composed to no-more than conventional land forces, and mostly small-arms. They do not have naval or air support. Enemy soldiers generally operate in small squad sized elements in attempts to easily conceal their movements from us.  We expect greater numbers and equipment defending Maleme Airfield and a few key defensive positions guarding the northern approach to Heraklion.
  

II. MISSION

Elements from Erste Zug, Erste Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 1, 1. Infanterie-Division will conduct operations in the central flat lands of the Island of Crete encompassing the regions of grid coordinates 0501-0502 to destroy and disrupt enemy troops and assets in the region

Tasks: To capture strategic enemy held strong points scattered through the region. The Maleme Military Airfield,  The Villiage of Chania, and the defensive positions surrounding the northern approach to Heraklion.

Purpose: To destroy enemy moral and supply lines, and allow for easier mobility of friendly forces leading to the eventual capture of Crete

III. EXECUTION

a. Commanders Intent:  Operations are executed and objectives fulfilled in accordance with direction from higher. Soldiers know and complete individual soldier tasks safely, and mission is completed with minimal casualties.

b. Concept of Operations:

The Decisive point will be when the Zug successfully captures both The Maleme Airfield, and the Villiage of Chania, providing a strong-point for friendly forces to begin preparations for a siege on the city of Heraklion.

The Operation will begin with the Zug being inserted at 1430 in Fort Repentance, with equipment and ammunition.  The platoon will be organized and leadership designated.

The Platoon will then proceed, under the leadership of the Zug Fuhrer from Fort Repentance to the first Objective, The Maleme Airfield

The Operation will conclude with the Zug securing the final objective, or defensive positions on the Northern outskirts of Heraklion

c. Tasks to Subordinate Units and Staff:

(General) Ensure all soldiers are properly equipped for extended time in the field. Double check Weapons, Grenades, and Ammunition

• Medical Personnel - Attached medical personnel will provide on-site care to soldiers of 1.Zug. Ensure medical personnel are properly equiped with enough supplies to sustain prolonged conflict in the field without resupply


• Demolitions Expert - A rifleman in each Gruppe of 1. Zug will be designated as the Explosives expert, and should be equiped, in addition to their standard load as a rifleman, with enough explosives to destroy enemy weapons emplacements


• Grenadier - A rifleman in each Gruppe 1. Zug will be designated as the grenadier, and should be equiped, in addition to their standard load asa rifleman, with enough grenades to operate effectively as the grenadier on behalf of their Gruppe


• Staff personnel -  Any Unit Staff personnel attached to the 1. Zug for the operation on Crete should provide proper documentation and administration for the unit, prior to the start of their Operation. Attendance should be taken and recorded.

IV. SUSTAINMENT

a. Logistics and Resupply: 
Resupply on ammunition and expendable equipment will be provided on request from the Zug Fuhrer by friendly logistics forces using supply trucks. Consider the roads available and the terrain, which may impede the speed at which 1. Zug can be resupplied.  Consider also the security of the area which requires resupply.   Soldiers should assume that re-supply is unavailable, and should be prepared for prolonged combat without resupply

b. Support:
Limited support will be provided by adjacent friendly forces.  Air Support will be available in the form of JU-87, and can be utilized sparingly by the Zug Fuhrer per the mission needs.  Consider Indirect Fire support unavailable for this operation

V. COMMAND AND SIGNAL

a. Command

(1) Location of the Commander:
For the duration of the operation beginning at 1430, the commander will be on post, coordinating mission efforts with friendly forces. The Zug Fuhrer, in the grade of Leutnant will lead the Zug on the ground.

b. Signal:
The Zug Fuhrer should be equipped with a Radio to communicate with command, and support elements. Members of 1.Zug will not have radio equipment, and will have to rely on vocal guidance from their first line-leadership in order to accomplish the mission.

[Heinrich]