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Ztum - Setum Online News
The only independent source for news on the wars in
Ztumsia/Setumsia and the surrounding area.
All Else is Factional Propaganda
WARTZ and FARTS repulsed by ZSA. (13/12/81)
A combined WARTZ
and FARTS
army was driven back from the Ztumsian Highlands this week, despite
inflicting heavy tank losses on a massively outnumbered ZSA (Ztumsia
- Setumsia
Alliance) column defending the radio station at Mulagao. An attack by
the overwhelming WARTZ and FARTS attack force failed to make any impression
on ZSA defensive positions and demoralised WARTZ andf FARTS troops retreated
overnight having failed to reach any of their attack objectives.
The WARTZ had assembled a huge armoured force, based round
their elite Guard's Tank Regiment reinforced with a number of new US
tanks obtained through suspect relief channels. They were joined in
battle by a small column, comprising mainly militia troops, from the
Federated African Rhodesian Territories (FARTS).
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PANTZ Support Commando 7 took heavy casualties before abandoning
the radio station.
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ZSA forces were caught dispersed - heavily outnumbered in tanks
and with only two units of infantry immediately available, an
ARS (Army of the Republic of Setumsia) militia unit, deployed
in the village of Mulagao, and a PANTZ (People's Army for the
Nationa and Tribes of Ztumsia) mortar unit, deployed in the radio
station compound. Other ZSA units in the area did not arrive on
the battlefield until much later in the evening.
WARTZ launched a two pronged offensive with their armour advancing
towards a hill south of the radio station and their infantry attacking
the village of Mulagao on the left flank. A FARTS column advanced
into an unoccupied village on the right, sending their tanks towards
the radio station in support of their WARTZ allies.
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The WARTZ Guard's Tank Regiment masses for the attack.
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The PANTZ mortar unit in the radio station launched a highly
effective bombardment and caused heavy casualties among some WARTZ
militia who soon routed. They themselves came under an intense
fire from large numbers of tanks and armoured cars and were forced
to withdraw, leaving the radio station unoccupied.
WARTZ tanks then moved on the PANTZ armour, destroying them before
they received any support from their ARS allies, who were advancing
extremely slowly on the right. The ARS tanks were then destroyed
by the Guard's tanks, leaving ZSA with no heavy armour. Setumsian
Police are currenly looking for Major Paul Sitange, the officer
in charge of the ARS tank unit who was last seen fleeing the battlefield
in a jeep. The Major's wife and children have been taken into protective
custody after they were threatened by mobs accusing him of treasonous
behaviour by deliberately delaying his advance |
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ARSe armoured cars
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Things started to look even worse for ZSA when the FARTS took
control of their village objective - though the ARS militia had
established a stronghold in the heart of Mulagao village where
they held fast against all attacks. ARS armoured cars advanced
to support the militia and routed a unit of naval infantry with
their fire.
The WARTZ tanks continued to advance towards their hilltop objective
with support from their FARTS allies, but this massive tank force
failed to cause any casulaties in PANTZ Armoured Car Commando
5, which was defending the rear slopes of the hill.
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WARTZ armour advances through the wreckage
of PANTZ Tank Commando 4 (left) But as night fell they had failed
to gain control of the hill overlooking the radio station and
were still engaged in fighting with PANTZ Armoured Car Commando
7 (right).
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A unit of PANTZ infantry reinforcements arrived close
to the village held by FARTS troops and fighting broke out which lasted
until after dusk.
Having failed to secure any of their objectives by nightfall
the WARTZ and FARTZ forces retreated back to their starting lines. They
continued their retreat in the morning, pursued closely by ZSA armoured
cars.
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