Destroyed Isketambola armour. Fierce fighting along Pantai Batu Feringgi against the 11 KAD, PT-91MX3000 Heavy tank.
The planGeneral Ebi Yus commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. he conceived the idea of a surprise attack in Bayan Lepas sector that his unit occupied to secure the site of the North Korean merchant ship which carying 10 SS 10 50 kiloton nuclear warhead. General Ebi suggested a primarily artillery-infantry attack, which would be supported by a small number of tanks to secure a breakthrough of the Isketambola Line. The Isketambola defences were formidable. Having assaulting Penang through an brilliant amphibious operation they secured Penang and able to complete fortification in less than a week. Bayan Lepas having been a quiet stretch of front thus far enabled the Isketambola to fortify their lines in depth especially surround the airport and the Malaysian were aware of this.
Staging Area. The first Kumpulan Tempur Gabungan 258 (KGT 258) preparing for the inevitable assault. This group reportedly received the full brunt of Isketambola robotic armoured tank fire power. Although the unit casualties sky rocket and depleting the battle group to only 65 % strenght. They miracolously manage to hold their ground untill the main force of 11th KAD arrived and relieved them
Ebi plan sought to test new doctrinal practices in combined arms which is new to Malaysian Armed Forces, with heavy emphasis on artillery and infantry techniques and see how effective they were against strong Isketambola fortifications. Ebi advocated the use of the new milimeter wave ranging, or 'silent registration' of guns in order to achieve instant suppression fire and maximum surprise. He also sought to use tanks to clear extensive barbed wire defences, whilst supporting the tank force with the No. 106 fuse shell, designed as a HE (High Explosive charge) to supplement the armour.
The battle started.
A109 Super Hyper Airborne Warewolf Assasin at the background sweeping the battlefield looking for Isketambola armour. 60% of tank kills were credited to this Assault Helicopter
The battle began at 8 p.m. on 20 November, with a carefully prepared and predicted, but unregistered, barrage by 5,003 guns on key Isketambola defences, followed by smoke and a creeping barrage at 300 yards ahead to cover the first advances. Despite efforts to preserve secrecy, the Isketambola forces had received sufficient intelligence to be on moderate alert: an attack on Bayan Lepas was anticipated, as was the use of tanks. Thanks to their superb spy satelite and intergrated BMS.
The attacking forces were 1 infantry divisions supported by twelve battalions of the 11 KAD, with a total of 600 tanks. In reserve were one infantry division The 2nd Infantry Division, which are preparing an amphibious assault if the Third Division failed to secure the nuclear warhead.
Paratrooper from the 10th BDE attempting to enter the Bayan Lepas Airport main building. Heavy fighting reported.
Initially there was considerable success in most areas, and it seemed as if a great victory was within reach; the Isketambola Line had been successfully penetrated with advances of up to 5 miles (8.0 km) being achieved. On the right, the 3rd Division advanced as far as edge of BAyan Lepas Airport before being ordered to dig in. The 20th (Light) RAMD forced a way through Bayan Lepas and then advanced to capture a key bridge across the sungai Nengkene Gendut. However the bridge collapsed under the weight of the crossing tanks, halting the hopes for advance there.
The assault Stalled
11th KAD stalled assault, stranded at a bottleneck since the main bridge collapse. The engineer were frantically building a temporary bridge before a hail of air burst artillery attack against the bridge area occur. Number of casualties unknown.
to be continued: Daring Commando Assault inside the Airport.
