US forces on the ground, chasing the RPLA into the highlands.
Dateline - March 20, 2015 IGT - Bolshevik, Podagorsk
Over the last two weeks, US forces have disabled the RPLA's ability to fight a conventional conflict. As a result of this, RPLA forces have melted into small bands of bandits, and have begun a guerilla war against the US forces on the ground. At this stage, it appears that the insurgency has had little impact upon US forces prosecuting their advance from South to North, however as with all counter-insurgency campaigns, this could become another long slog like previous guerilla campaigns the US has been involved in. Although in contrast, a US spokesperson has been keep to emphasise that US ground forces are making fantastic progress against the guerillas and the government has no interest in fighting a prolonged counter-insurgency in Podagorsk.
Dead RPLA forces ignored by the now battle hardened men of the 506th Infantry Regiment.
Systematically US forces have began pushing guerillas out of areas in what appears to be a form of clear and hold strategy seen in classic British counter-insurgency strategies in the past. Most notably during the Malayan Emergency during the 1950's, where British and Commonwealth forces managed to systematically clear areas of the jungle, by both denying the insurgents access to the local population and supplies, while slowly tightening the noose militarily and pushing the guerillas even deeper into the jungle. However, comparisons fall short of reality when the current situation is considered. The Russian Peoples Liberation Army, appear to have quite clearly been funded and or influenced by another major European nation. Whereas the Malayan Peoples Liberation Army notably never received a bullet from any of their neighbors.
A Bradley of the 30th IR launches one of its missiles at a suspected RPLA target.
Therefore, great credit must go towards the US boots on the ground. First of all, for assisting in a crisis which, without their assistance would have only became worse for the people of Podagorsk, and possibly would have transformed into a full scale genocide of the local Pogars. Second of all, for combating the RPLA, who despite an overall poor performance in Podagorsk, militarily has from time to time pulled off spectacular military victories against the US forces. Sadly for the RPLA, these victories were never built on and this is why now we see RPLA decision makers turning towards a scorched earth based insurgency while they retreat North and likely back into Chernarus .
In conclusion, over the coming days we are likely to see further gains for US forces as the RPLA continue to fail in a metaphorical boxing match with one hand held to the ground by the might of the US forces they are up against.
Thomas Atkins - International Times - East European Branch
* This news report is a fictional work to support the 506th ARMA game play
** Images supplied by Corporal Morris
