The overall plan:
BG Orders
TOPOGRAPHY
The ground is generally flat with some hills and varies from open pasture in the West to built up and Industrial areas in the East.
Key Terrain: The bridges, the high ground around the airbase, the city and suburbs of NEWCASTLE.
Decisive Terrain: The RAAF base, the urban areas (esp. STOCKTON) and port complex.
SITUATION
Further to the General Brief issued by the S2 earlier, the following update is available.
Enemy:
The Enemy currently concentrating up the coast towards NELSON BAY is assessed as possibly as large as Mech Bn, reinforced with Tk and anti armd spt.
This force is likely to be also supported by:
- Heliborne forces launching from offshore / NELSON BAY; and
- The remaining the force within NEWCASTLE.
Most Likely Course of Action (MLCOA): Is assessed as an attempt to retake the airfield IOT gain time for negotiations, to inflict casualties on ADF forces and to damage infrastructure as much as possible.
This would cause the Government of Australia (GOAS) to be embarrassed by its perceived inability to defend its own territory.
Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA): Is assessed as retaking the airfield and pushing on to link up with a breakout from NEWCASTLE, supported by heliborne seizure of key crossing sites in advance of the main body. This would generate heavy casualties and inflict long term damage on infrastructure.
This would create more embarrassment than the MLCOA and if implemented would cause massive civilian casualties and inflict large scale economic damage on the region.
Friendly:
Higher Commander’s Intent
Two Up: No Change.
One Up: No Change.
CO’s Mission: BG TIGER is to defend in sector clear IOT maintain AS sovereignty in the NEWCASTLE region and set the conditions for the final expulsion of the Enemy.
BG TIGER remains 1st BDE’s ME.
Civilians:
Our TAOR is lightly populated in the West however there are bound to be pockets of civilians who were unable to leave NEWCASTLE before the current deployments took place. Civilians have been asked to evacuate via the PACIFIC HWY to the SOUTH and NORTH so there should not be too many refugees in our AO.
Regardless, cbt in NEWCASTLE and other urban areas is to be conducted using the required level of force but no more.
Attachments and Detachments:
Attached:
B Sqn 1st Armoured Regt OPCON.
A Sqn 2nd Cavalry Regt OPCON.
2 x Mot Inf PL OPCON.
1 x TP of ARH, TACON for the duration of this activity.
2 x UAV, TACON for the duration of this activity.
2 x MRH90 for AME tasking.
Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) assets.
9 TPs of two guns each from 8/12 Medium Regiment, RAA in Direct Support.
1 x TP, 16 AD Regt TACON.
1 x TP, 1 Cbt Engr Regt to assess damage to airfield.
2 x PL of AHQ assessment troops in location.
