Operation Retribution (1983: Doomsday)

Operation Retribution is an ongoing military operation by the Commonwealth of Susquehanna to secure its borders and eliminate the raider threat. Currently they have troops deployed in Luzerne Territory, Schuylkill County, and Wyoming County. The bulk of the military forces are made up of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force troops, with some police and State Police re-inforcements. The government is hoping to have the military operations complete by late 2014 and finish the mopping up by 2015, and absorption by 2019.

The primary reason why the operation has been prolonged is because of the lack of resources to sustain an offense, and not enough resources to completely destroy the raiders.

History
The rise of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna was a time of turmoil for the region. Recently formed militias were being reorganized into an army and began launching concentrated attacked on the raiders who were attacking from the north and the east.

Less than a year after the foundation of the Commonwealth, several raider groups attacked Berwick, killing eight civilians, and wounding several dozen.

2011
In late October of 2011, after a series of attacks on Berwick and small communities, the untested Commonwealth of Susquehanna National Guard mobilized for the first time.

Military and government officials believed that they were made up of not only the local gangs and raiders that had sprung up like weeds after doomsday, but the remnant of the Allentown Mob which had escaped from the Reading-Allentown War. Military personnel that had encountered the enemy believed that the gangs were mainly the Bloods and Crypts who had temporarily formed a truce to survive since surviving groups escaped after Doomsday.

South was overrun by raiders, although RoS units came in contact with several Reading military units, it was made clear that Susquehanna was on its own. There was some transfer of ammunition from Reading to Susquehanna, who at the time lacked the resources to mass produce ammunition.

By the time winter arrived, there had been twenty bombings in Susquehanna and several attacks. As November drew to a close, the attacks ceased, and the Commonwealth ceased combat operations until April of the following year.

The military took advantage of the lull to actively recruit and train more personnel to fill the ranks, and also continue to stockpile ammunition an explosives in preparation for the spring offensive.

2012
There was one attack in February of 2012, on Valentines Day. Ten militants attacked Berwick High School's winter dance, using a car bomb and firing indiscriminately into the crowd. The local police arrived and engaged the terrorists, in a shoot out. The terrorists were armed with heavy weapons, and were wearing former US Army uniforms, which is why the border patrol didn't stop them.

The gang members were later found armed with M-16's, M72 LAW anti-tank rocket launchers, crude M3 submachine guns, and an assortment of homemade explosives.

After the local police engaged, police from several counties as well as the National Guard engaged. Finally, the militants lit the building on fire, and began to indiscriminately shoot into the teenagers and military.

Snipers, who before were unable to get a clear shot were ordered to kill the enemy at all costs, and a fierce gun battle emerged. After firing over 1000 rounds of ammunition, and losing several police cars and officers, the militants were killed. Fire and rescue units from as far away as Bloomsburg had arrived and immediately began assisting, as did local community members and the military.

Sixteen teens were found dead, mostly from asphyxiation, but a few were from gunshot wounds. The police suffered five injuries, and the military, one. In all, the militants fired over five thousand rounds of ammunition, and ten rockets. There was much damage to the area, including the loss of the local high school.

The public was shocked by the brutality of the attack, and demanded revenge. Military planners drew up a counterattack mission and sent in the second platoon of the Susquehanna Guard to bomb an enemy fuel depot, while Cessna 172's, modified for combat would bomb the crude airstrip and fortifications. As it turned out there were no aircraft for the terrorists to use, but it was the first time the CoS had used the Air National Guard as an offensive tool.

In April the Commonwealth launched a massive counterattack, relieving the besieged city of Hazleton and the few defenders there, as well as securing a supply line from Susquehanna to Hazleton and damaging a roadway from White Haven to Hazleton.

The jeep unit was stationed in Hazleton as were two infantry platoons to support the Hazleton police and militia.

The State Police began to set up checkpoints on the roads leading into Susquehanna. Once they were set up, local police and County Militia personnel were rotated to patrol the border. After four attacks in which three militiamen were killed, the Defense Forces put a platoon in Berwick on standby at all times.

After that attack, Susquehanna sent several skirmish patrols out to attack the raider patrols. Three soldiers were killed, and ten were wounded. Twenty four raiders were found dead, and an unknown number were injured. The media deemed this the Berwick Massacre.

2013
Counter to Susquehanna's belief, the raiders increased their attacks in 2013, forcing Susquehanna yet again on the defensive. The government began to fall into defensive positions, but still attempted to protect people. They began to lose ground, but the military managed to thwart three terror attacks planned, and prevent Berwick from falling to the raiders. Hazleton was almost under siege, but defense by civilians and police as well as the National Guard detachment there, the city did not fall and managed to hold enough land around the area for a stable defense.

2014
After an unusually harsh winter that delayed combat operations on both sides, Susquehanna launched an attack against the raiders who were weakened by infighting between the three gangs, the lack of food over the winter that led to cannibalism, and a bad case of the flu.

Susquehanna purchased twenty Jeep Raiders from North Pennsylvania in 2013, arriving in February 2014. Since gaining the combat vehicles, the government retired the armored pickup trucks, turning them over to the Military Police.

Battle of Jeddo
On April Fool's Day, the raiders ambushed a convoy of six Jeep Raiders that were headed back from combat operations against raiders in Freeland. They were just leaving the ruins of Jeddo at approximately 2:30 when the attack occurred. The enemy pinned down the soldiers who were low on ammunition for the M2 Browning, and their rifles, and no rounds left for the M20 Super Bazookas. They radioed in for an airstrike, but they had to wait until the Air National Guard could fuel and load the two COIN aircraft.

Using what little ammunition they had for their M2 Browning, they returned fire, sustaining six wounded and one killed after one of the Jeeps was hit by a mortar bomb. Many of the soldiers resorted to using their pistols, and scavenging ammunition from the wounded and dead.

The soldiers acted ingeniously, using the M2 on single shot as a long range gun, killing hidden raiders, and using rifles on semiautomatic to conserve ammunition.

A grenade severely wounded the commander, and the captain, Captain John Chavez took over command of the unit. He ordered one Jeep to unload what ammunition they had left for the M2 Browning to the other Jeeps. They were ordered to return to Hazleton, get the major to the hospital, and attempt to get support to pull them out.

The unit was down to four Jeeps, and 19 soldiers against an unknown amount of enemies, and were running low on ammunition. Captain Chavez radioed that in to command that the situation was dire, with them running low on ammunition. He had ordered the Jeeps to form a box so they could fire at the enemy in all four directions.

Meanwhile at Hazleton Regional Airport, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain was getting ready to airlift A Platoon of the 109th Company to Fort Indiantown Gap for counter terrorism training with Gettysburg and Reading forces. When the new reached Command, the unit and aircraft were reassigned to perform a low altitude jump to support the soldiers who were pinned down by enemy fire.

A Cessna 210 operated by Susquehanna Air was requested to change a return flight route to Hazleton Regional Airport, diverting it to Bloomsburg Regional Airport, and overfly Jeddo. The National Guard commanders knew untrained civilians would have a difficulty giving accurate numbers. It was figured little information was better than none.

Meanwhile, a single Cessna scout plane took off in an attempt to see the situation that the soldiers and COIN planes would be headed into. The aircraft was unarmed, and unarmored, so it was dangerous for the low flying aircraft. While taking pictures and drawing maps of the enemy, the plane took some light damage from a machine gun. Once it was certain, it dropped several long burning phosphorus flares, mainly to mark the enemy, but also to hopefully injure some.

The precious stores of rockets were accessed, with four rockets being loaded onto each plane, and 400 rounds being loaded in the machine guns. The pilots were ordered not to take any unnecessary risks.

When the report came in from the scout, planners compared the information to what was received from the Susquehanna Air crew. It was estimated that the enemy had about one hundred fifty men attacking, obviously attempting to destroy the vehicles. The Jeep that had returned was given four M72 LAW rocket launchers, and twelve rounds for the M20 Super Bazookas, as well as several thousand rounds for the machine guns, and the soldiers.

Once arriving back at the convoy, the Jeep unloaded the ammunition and the soldiers began to reload their weapons, and decided to attempt to break out and force their way into Jeddo, possibly using a building to hold off the enemy until re-inforcements could arrive. The Jeeps drove into town, with one losing a tire to a stray bullet, and one soldier being shot in the leg. The medic in the unit continued to treat the injured, although the lack of medical supplies was an issue.

Two soldiers who were designated as scouts and snipers for the unit went on the roof and began to snipe the raiders. They also took four M72 LAW rocket launchers with them. Firing them in rapid succession, the pair destroyed three machine guns, and two improvised mortars.

The Jeep that had returned brought several red flares that were to be thrown when Command radioed in that the planes were on their way. That notice came in, that the aircraft were ten minutes away. The men inside threw the flares into the raiders, and hid in the center of the building. The two scouts threw several grenades, then ran inside. As the last one was running inside, the two planes flew in, and unloaded the missiles and machine gun bullets into the raiders. Three men sustained minor injuries when shrapnel punched through the walls and hit them.

Only a few minutes after the pair of COIN planes left, a single C-47 air dropped the twenty six men from A Platoon. They were not issued any of the heavy weapons they were normally armed with because of weight. Instead, the men were armed with M1918 BAR's and Model 870 shotguns that were pulled from storage.

When they landed, the men made short work of the rest of the enemy with aid from the soldiers. Then they all drove out of the community.

Current Status
As of 2014, the Commonwealth National Guard has modernized its forces enough to have claimed most raider territory in former Luzerne and Schuykill County. They have restored small town governments and reorganized them into two separate counties, and one territory in the nation. The government is closing in on the gang stronghold, and fierce resistance is expected by the enemy.

The main enemy base is surrounded by ramparts, ditches and IED's. There are approximately 700 defenders of the town. There are machine gun nests, and improvised mortars within the town that will have to be captured or eliminated before safely entering the town.

Susquehanna has realized that they need better armed forces to seize the town. Government officials are considering purchasing armored vehicles. Others want to buy more Jeeps and more artillery. As of right now, Susquehanna has no stated plans on what they will purchase, but do want to modernize.

Military Forces
Both sides are using older equipment, and have difficulties refueling vehicles, although Susquehanna has been slowly converting most of their vehicles to a multiple fuel type engine, capable of burning natural gas.

Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force
Susquehanna primary infantry weapon is the M14 assault rifle, and the M1911 handgun. Soldiers are also issued one or two hand grenades, giving them the ability to clear out enclosed spaces quicker. There has also been slightly effective in eliminating trucks and cars used by the raider groups. There are also bazooka teams and machine gun teams able to support the infantry as they advance. Artillery support is provided by four 105 mm guns, eliminating enemy positions and bunkers. Air power also gives the nation an edge, being able to call in ground attack aircraft, and carry more supplies than trucks.

Raiders
The raiders are armed with an assortment of bolt action rifles, assault rifles and shotguns. They have acquired several medium and heavy machine guns, some brought from Allentown, others seized from abandoned military installations.

The raiders have used old pipes and gunpowder to make crude mortars. They are not very accurate, but are effective against infantry. They have also made Molotov cocktails, improvised hand grenades, IED's, bladed weapons, bow and arrows, and incendiary devices. There are several technical vehicles, mostly trucks or cars with the top cut off, carrying militia members, a machine gun or a mortar.

They also operate one crop dusting aircraft armed with twin M60 machine guns in the nose. It is also equip to carry small explosives. The other few aircraft operated by the gangs were either destroyed on the ground over time, or were stripped for parts.

The gangs have forced the men in the town to fight by either imprisoning their families or enslaving them. To 'encourage' them, the gang members follow the men with guns pointed at them, and kill the families of those who don't fight.

Anti-War Protests
There are several anti-war organizations who protest the conflict, advocating isolationism, only defend against the raiders, and wanting to disband the defense forces, only leaving a well equip national police force.

The protests are allowed, as long as they are away from military bases, and military camps. Thirty people were arrested by the military police over the past few year, mainly for entering military bases illegally, and in one case destroying some ammunition and injuring a soldier.