Post by Josephus I on Mar 7, 2017 0:07:45 GMT
Minesca þæs Helm
Intelligence Report – ‘Feasibility of Railway Link to Mercury’
Overview;
On the 28th February 2017 a squad from Spittle’s Scouts embarked on a reconnaissance mission to confirm the status of a former freight line that connected the National Redoubt Region to the territories now held by Mercury. The aim of this was to report on the current status of the tracks themselves, security threats in the region and conclude whether it would enable a feasible transportation link to the Republic of Mercury. The squad reported back to their barracks at the Ely Race Course on the 6th March and what follows is their report.
Report;
Utilising the Nova English Nation Rail Maps, Y Squad followed the existing tracks leading out of Conriston. From here our squad followed the route for a further 25 miles during which we found no major breaks in the line. Minor repairs as noted in the separate ‘conditions’ report were photographed and their locations marked. The following day we pushed on through two abandoned settlements, both of which appear to have borne the mark of conflict. During our investigations of the settlements, only one civilian was found who stated that the village had been mostly abandoned since the evacuations.
After our encounter with the civilian we located a medium sized rail yard, which contained a number of boxcars and diesel locomotives. These were found to be in a variable state of decay, although we would recommend further inspection as they may be salvageable. By the third day of the reconnaissance we encountered our first resistance outside of a settlement named ‘Borkin’. A small number of opportunists had attempted to lay an ambush on the road leading into the settlement which was discovered by us before the ambush could be triggered. The squad then outflanked the ambushers and eliminated them as quickly as possible. One of the enemy wounded was then interrogated before summarily execution. From his account we learnt that a small band of criminals of mixed Mercurian and Nova English descent had utilised the settlement as a base for smuggling operations. No further action was taken by the squad, however a separate intelligence report was written and supplied to the MoD, with the recommendation being that the hostile faction is taken out prior to the use of the rail lines.
After which we were able reach the border of Mercury with no further issues save for small bands of roaming bandits. The railway upon inspection is in a better state then initially expected however a pioneer unit will be required to make essential repairs to tracks and one bridge which was found to be in a poor condition. In addition to this an extension of the existing line will be required to connect it to Mercury’s existing rail system. We would also recommend the establishment of several minor outposts along the line to act a refuelling stations and quick reaction forces should the trains require support. Should these actions be undertaken we conclude that this section of rail will be sufficient to allow a transport connection from the National Redoubt Region to the Republic of Mercury.
Signed,
Captain Joseph Dyer
Spittle's Scouts