New Confederacy paramilitary units: Mechanized Dragoons

Unlike its predecessor, the New Confederacy is an industrial society (even though its labour force are slaves). Therefore, the NC military does not simply replicate a 19th Century army; it has a slightly different approach to “mounted infantry”.

The simple bicycle is a very efficient method of transportation and the New Confederacy uses it in both civilian and paramilitary roles.

Adding a small motor is an obvious move and the above picture shows the NC solution: a 1HP engine (burning gasoline or ethanol) and a small 3rd wheel.  This turns the bike into a narrow and asymmetric tricycle which is capable of about 20 miles per hour (30 kph).

The Dragoons are second-line troops, usually part-time militia and most likely to be involved in “Internal Security” patrols, keeping the Displaced Persons (DP’s under control. (see NC History)

Internal Security

DP’s  who are found without passes are returned to their designated workplace (Admistrators/owners). Punishments for runaways are immediate and harsh, but rarely lethal .

All non-whites are subjected to questioning, searches, and other forms of harassment.  For this reason, the Wanderers try to avoid New Confederacy homesteads and are willing to assist runaways.

Militia Weaponry

Bolt-action rifles, shotguns (usually sawn-off double barrel) and revolvers

The HMMWV 1025

Fourth edition adds a few vehicles to the “later date” Morrow Project and there are now 2 variants of the HMMWV in the MP motor pool.  This post will cover some details of the M1025 Armament Carrier, and provide a suggested load plan.

.

“Technical” Tactics

The most common pseudo-military vehicle in the world of the Morrow Project is usually a “Technical” – an open-backed civilian pickup truck or four-wheel drive vehicle mounting some form of heavy weapon: a machine gun, light anti-aircraft gun, recoilless rifle, or other support weapon.   Maxwell’s Militia is the most widespread user, but this weapons platform is available to almost any group that has Technology Level C.

Organization

There is very little sophistication in the use of  “Technicals”.

1. The basic unit is the vehicle and its mounted squad:  a group of 4 to 8 fighters with their gear  and supplies.

2. the vehicles usually operate in groups of 4 or more

3. There is only one tactical formation: the ‘extended line”

SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)

1. “Maintain an extended line abreast”

2. “Keep your neighbours just in sight, but no closer”

3. “Move to the sound of the guns”

4. “Dismount when you see the enemy”

5. “”When you come under fire, stop and fire back”

How this works in combat

Technicals always move abreast and maintain a distance between them such that each unit can just see the vehicles on either side (obviously, this distance varies dependent on terrain etcetera).   The intended result of this movement formation is that the enemy will be easily flanked.

The vehicles that first encounter the enemy will immediately halt and lay down suppressive fire.  The momentum of the advance will cause the other vehicles to advance a small distance  before they can react and turn towards the firefight – this will result in a flanking position.  There is no need for radio communication or formal orders, each unit turns towards the gunfire and (while maintaining formation) automatically positions itself on the flanks or to the rear of the enemy position

Once the fighters can see the enemy, they dismount and form another extended line about 3 or 4 metres in front of their Technical. The unit (dismounted fighters and vehicle)  then sweeps forward until they come under fire – at this point the fighters take cover and the vehicle stops while the squad’s heavy weapon is used.  Meanwhile the other Technicals (and their fighters) close in on the position (again without formal coordination – just guided by the sound of gunfire).

Note: The squad leader remains with the vehicle (and may be the main gunner).  He coordinates his fighters and driver by voice commands.  Professional military might consider this less than optimal, assuming that the squad leader should join the dismounted fighters and  leave a trusted subordinate to manouver the vehicle.  But it must be remembered that the leader usually owes his position to the fact that his family owns the Technical – an immensely valuable and almost irreplaceable asset.  He would be foolish to risk losing control.  All squad leaders agree that ambitious subordinates should be kept IN FRONT of the machine gun

22nd Century Weapons Carrier

This type of vehicle is representative of the “heavy weapon”  that is sometimes held by a community (or a wealthy Farmer).   It is obviously derived from a pre-collapse tractor, and has moderate cross-country capability.  Its main purpose is to transport a Heavy Machine Gun and provide the firepower necessary to fend off raiders.

Lifestyles of "The Rich 5" and the Famous

“The Rich Five” are the aristocratic familes of the Kentucky Free State and are renowned for their conspicuous consumption.

The above photo was taken at “Grand Central Station”, in New Manhattan.  It shows a few members of the Carswell family and their “Rolling Thunderbolt” – a private railcar used to travel between New Manhattan and Louisville.   As can be seen,  current fashions take inspiration from the 1940’s and 1950’s

The Rich 5 will often use “Thunderbolts” because road travel is too uncomfortable  and often too slow.  Road travel between New Manhattan and Louisville can often take 4 or 5 hours, but a  “Thunderbolt” is built for speed and luxurious comfort.  Its top speed is in excess of 150 kph – cutting the journey down to just over one hour.   Incidentally, the name is given to this railcar because it  uses the same engine/power plant as the KFS Air Force P-47 replicas.

Stats

“Rolling Thunderbolt”
Crew: 3 (Driver and 2 stewards)
Passengers: 10 (could carry 40 in emergency)
Length: 12m
Width: 3m
Height: 3.5m
Max Speed: 150kph

KFS River Patrol: Air Service

The various Armed Forces of the Kentucky Free State are notorious for their bureaucratic infighting and lack of mutual trust.   Because of these problems, the KFS River Patrol finds it necessary to operate its own Air Force: a tiny squadron of 6 ultralight amphibians, known as “Defiants”.  These are “Wing in Ground Effect” vehicles:  hybrid boat/planes designed to cruise at a height of 3 metres above the surface of the river (although they can make “hops” to an altitude of 30 metres).

The unimpressive specifications are due to the the political power of the “real” KFS Air Force – which will not allow any other Service to operate vehicles that can fly above 100 feet.  These aircraft are not (officially) permitted to carry bombs but – even so – they are CHEAP and perform several useful functions for the River Patrol: reconnaissance, survey, artillery direction and liaison/communications.

KFS River Patrol

The “Bullets and Bluegrass” module mentions that the troops of Fort Bundy should have modern means to cross the Ohio River.  But they don’t.

The above picture is one of the River Patrol assets that should be assigned to garrisons like Fort Bundy. It’s a small landing craft, capable of ferrying up to 32 troops, or 1 jeep or 1 pickup truck or approximately 2.5 tons of cargo.

real-world source of picture is Nigeria.  This is one of the units that protect the various pipelines and shipping docks that lie within Niger Delta – and conducts a continuous low-level war with MEND insurgents (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta)

KFS corruption ensures that these vessels are usually found performing services that the Five Families find more profitable than ferrying a platoon of troops.

These little craft are adequate patrol vessels and well-suited for “collecting taxes” (extortion) and ensuring that the Five Families have access to contraband goods.

As can be seen from the picture, they are well-armed (sometimes with up to 3 Heavy machine Guns or HMG/mortar combos) and have a shallow draft (approximately 0.7m when fully-loaded)

Note: this vessel is constructed from wood and (thin) steel.  It has no armour.  Therefore, the crews often pile sandbags around the wheelhouse and weapon stations

Length:	10.3 meters
Beam:	3.6 meters
Hull Type:	mono hull
Power:	Twin 225 hp
Propulsion:	Outboards (30″ shaft)
Fuel/Duration:	200 gallons/5 hours
Top Speed:	42 mph in “light ship” mode.  As slow as 10 mph when fully loaded

22nd century "All-Terrain Delivery Vehicle"

On Death Day, there were very few people who knew how to build vehicles that were designed to be  drawn by animals. However, by the 22nd century, the Cartwright’s art has been redefined.

The picture above shows a flexible delivery vehicle.  it is drawn by 1 horse/pony (or 1 mutant ‘Grunt’, or 2 men, or 3 dogs).  When fully loaded it  can carry a payload of up to 350kg.

This is an unofficial military variant (used by most KFS units) but similar vehicles can be found throughout North America and might be used by anyone.

Vehicle Plans: MARS-One, Scientific-One, Landmaster and XR-311

This is from another Morrow Project fansite .  The graphics etcetera are the work of Owen E Oulton and are used with his permission (and my thanks/admiration).

Atlantis One

The Atlantis Project did not have as many resources as the main Morrow Project – and could not afford different designs for their equivalent of the Scientific-One and MARS-ONE vehicles.

Therefore, they chose the “Atlantis-One” – based on a prototype design of the Science-One.  However, this Command Vehicle has different “trailer” options; this choice depends on whether it is primarily intended as a scientific, paramilitary, logistics or reconstruction asset.

ALSO NOTE: this vehicle can operate with more than one trailer (up to 4, in fact)

The Atlantis-One vehicle was originally conceived as a diesel/electric hybrid; it was later converted to fusion power.  In AP service, ‘trailer’ units have powered tracks and carry their own batteries (but only the tractor unit has an integral power plant).  Most trailers have auxiliary drive controls which can be used when operating in reverse – or to move the trailer when it is detached for independent service.

CREW: 6 (tractor) – crew of trailer varies
LENGTH: 7.5m (tractor) plus 7.5m (each trailer) : each trailer can accomodate a standard 20 foot ISO container
WIDTH: 4.5m
HEIGHT: 3.6m
GROUND CLEARANCE: 1m
TURNING RADIUS: 7.5m (add approximately 2 m for each trailer after the first)
MAX ROAD SPEED: 75 kph
WATER SPEED: N/A (vehicle is not amphibious, but can be sealed and  function underwater at speeds of up to 15kph)
GRADIENT: 50%
VERTICAL OBSTACLE: 1.5m
TRENCH: 5m
ARMOR CLASS: 1100