“The objectives, we were advised, were to block Chipanese supply lines, to act as a base for offensive operations and to act as bait, drawing Chipanese forces into a kill zone where they could be destroyed. Unfortunately, the supply line question is irrelevant under the circumstances prevailing, the forces committed were not adequate to both defend the Myitkyina base and conduct offensive patrolling. Indeed, the forces committed to this operation are inadequate to defend the base area itself, let alone conduct any offensives.
“This is, I must regretfully report, a common factor throughout this entire operation. On a strategic, operational and tactical level, there has been an unfortunate compromise between the forces required to achieve a stated tactical aim and those that were available. As a result, the planner's grasp has fallen far short of their reach. If we look at the configuration of the Myitkyina base itself, we can see this very clearly. We have the central base area here, with the airfield and the town, surrounded by eight defensive positions. Anne-Marie, here in the north, then Beatrice, Claudine, Dominique, Eliane, Francoise, Gabrielle and Isabel.”
“Seer, how did you get this map? These positions are classified?”
“We've been running radar reconnaissance missions over the area, Snake. There are no reliable maps of this area, a good enough reason why this operation should never have been launched. There are now. We'll give them to you. As for your dispositions? Don't kid yourself. They are common knowledge; why do you think we didn't ask for them? But the dire effects of compromise are clearly visible.
“These defensive positions are too far out from the central area to be mutually supporting yet not far enough out to protect the central area from artillery bombardment. Note how they are all dominated by higher ground further out. Their garrisons are not large enough for each position to be self-sustaining yet are large enough to drain off so many troops that inadequate numbers are left to defend the central area. In short, anytime the enemy wish to, they can pick these outlying fortifications off and, once that's done, the central area will collapse. The only reason why they haven't done so already is that they're bleeding your air transport units dry keeping the place going.”
General Moses couldn't restrain himself any longer “Why are we listening to a bunch of mercenaries?”
“We are not mercenaries General. We are a private company that has been hired jointly by the three governments of the Triple Alliance to provide an analysis of this situation and suggest solutions. We work for the United States government on the same basis, providing State Department and National Security Council services under contract.”
The Ambassador's voice cut quietly across the room. “General Moses, if you have a life, return to it. If you do not I suggest you find one. Either way, get the hell off my subcontinent.”
General Moses face went deep red, his body shaking with rage. “Madam, if you were not a woman, I would strike you for that remark.”
“General, I have never claimed immunity because of my sex and do not do so now.”
He voice was a low hiss and suddenly Sir Martyn realized where her nickname came from. He also realized that General Moses was a split second from death. His had was over his baton and he was on the verge of grabbing it and lashing out. If he did, he would die before he'd moved more than a few inches. The Ambassador was staring at him with an expression of polite interest on her face. Sir Martyn saw the Seer's expression was that of quizzical amusement and he'd had stepped back out of the line of fire. He guessed he'd seen similar scenes before and asked himself just how far the relationship between these two went back. No matter, it was time to do something.
“General, the Indian Government endorses the opinion expressed by the Ambassador.”
“As does the Australian Government. General Moses, your request for retirement will be approved.”
Prime Minister Joe Frye hadn't said anything so far, but when he did speak the effects were immediate. General Moses stormed out of the room, trying to slam the heavy teak doors behind him. They were on shock absorbers so he didn't even get that right.
“Seer, our first priority must be to solve this mess.”
“Not so Sir Martyn. This mess can be cleared up. Your first priority is to make sure it doesn't happen again. You need to establish a command structure, this whole Myitkyina business started because your alliance conducted military operations without clearly defined lines of command and authority. One of our recommendations is that you establish a permanent military command structure. We have some ideas on how you can best organize that. In the meantime, you need to appoint a new commander for this operation.
Sir Martyn looked at Prime Minister Frye who nodded at the Ambassador. “Madam, would you take command of this operation please?” She nodded and her eyes defocused. Sir Martyn knew she was lost now, in calculating forces, movements and distances. Suddenly, he felt sympathy for the Japanese forces she had defeated in the past.
“We can't do it, not by the book.” She said after a few minutes. “We'll do it backwards. Break the siege from the inside first, then relieve the garrison from the outside. That means we have to get reinforcements in and that means we have to break the Chipanese forces surrounding the base. One thing works for us.
Our intelligence sources tell us that the Chipanese have concentrated nearly all the Shan States Army around Myitkyina. Also that the so-called SSA units are, in reality, Japanese Army. Please note that, Japanese, not Chipanese. Break them and we do grave damage to Chipan. Seer?”
“The enemy are in three main concentrations, north east, north west and south. Take them out and we take the artillery with them. General Dedmon, have we concluded satisfactory agreements on emergency basing rights in India and elsewhere in the Triple Alliance?” Sir Martyn took the bull by the horns and nodded. The agreement hadn't been signed but would be. Immediately.
“Then I think we can demonstrate to the Shan States Army that SAC's bombers can do more than just drop nuclear weapons. A whole world of hell more.”
Cockpit RB-58C “Marisol”, Main Runway, U-Thapao, Thailand
The four RB-58s were going first. Unlike the B-60s, they wouldn't be flying straight to their assigned targets, their flightpath was a series of loops that would cover the bombers against any attack. Their orders were quite simple “Defend the bombers against any threat using all necessary means.” After the months of training and the reconnaissance milk-runs, the Hustlers would be doing what they had been built for. Flying into enemy defenses and destroying them. With a little luck, after today, Marisol would be a little less egotistical. She'd been unbearable for the last few days, flaunting the lightning flash painted under her cockpit that denoted a radar system destroyed. It was most unlikely that, after today, she'd be only one in the B-58 fleet to have a kill to her name.
“Marisol, Tiger Lily, Sweet Caroline, Coral Queen. You are clear for takeoff. Good luck ladies.”
“OK boys and girl it’s party time.” “Andale, let’s dance!”
Main Tower, U-Thapao, Thailand
The glass shook as the four RB-58s went off the runway on full afterburner. Behind them, the long line of B-60s were taxiing forward, the glare of the tropical sun reflected from their silver skins almost unbearable. Most of the American ground staff at U-Thapao were gray with exhaustion, eight more B-60s had arrived overnight along with a clutch of C-133 Cargomaster transports. Some of those had been carrying extra weapons and equipment, others were simply stopping to refuel before heading off to, somewhere?