RED METAL

If you are a fan of Tom Clancy style, speculative present-day military fiction like, Hunt for Red October, and Red Storm Rising. Red Metal is just your cup of tea. The plot is a simple one, but most good stories are. Russia deems itself in a potential financial and technical crisis due to the loss of a rare earth metals mine in Kenya. The Russians develop a complex plan to regain control of the mine, embarrass the US and NATO by winning a short, limited war in Europe over a Christmas holiday.



The usual global actors are involved. China is pushing the envelope on Taiwan; seeking to undermine the government and take back control of the island. The response from the US is predictable. Military assets are moved from Europe to the far east. CSG (carrier strike groups) move from the middle east and the US to counter the threat. The Russians take advantage of the US attention away from Europe to implement the plan, Red Metal, to seize the REM (rare earth metals) mine in Kenya.



The plan is to take focus off Africa by invading Europe with a limited but focused strike on the headquarters of AFRICOM in Stuttgart. Russia believes that they can invade Europe, fight a limited war and by distracting NATO and also invade Africa with a strike army sent through Iran and across the Indian Ocean unnoticed by war fighters in Europe or the US.



The goal is to seize the REM mine and hold it. Failing in that, the Africa army has been equipped with nuclear artillery and instructed to either hold the mine or make the ground unusable for generations. What could go wrong with that?



The story outlines what are called the myths of war.



1.The myth of the short war.

After over 15 years in Afghanistan, Vietnam and Korea can any American ever believe that any war can be short, with low causalities and victorious.? Russians should not be any prouder of their record. No war meets the expectations of the planners they are always costlier, bloodier, and politically more costly than planned.



2.The myth of win from afar

It has yet to be proven that standoff weapons can win a war. It is possible to shape a battlefield and get inside an enemy decision cycle, but it takes people on the ground to hold territory.



3.The force generation myth

It has always taken time to build a force capable of fighting. You can take 10,000 men, put them in uniforms and call them a fighting division, but that does not make it so. It took Lincoln four years to defeat the South from the time he called up 70,000 volunteers in April of 1861 to victory four years later and the largest Army in. the world. In WW I it took over a year to bring forces to Europe and many of those were raw recruits. The same is true in WW II. In rough terms it takes at least one year to turn a division of recruits into more than a mob in uniforms. This myth can be restated as; you go to war with the force you have, not the force you wish you could have.



4.The myth that armies go to war

Nations go to war; armies are the tool.



As you read Red Metal every one of these myths is explored and disproved. The Russians achieve success in Europe through strategic and tactical surprise and destroy AFRICOM. However, getting out of Germany and Poland is more of a problem (myth 1). Although, the Russians have ample anti-air assets their ability to egress is hampered by the forces in the theater, especially militia. (myth 2, 3, 4)



The action is Clancy style, moving from Asia, Europe, Africa, Russia US, and Africa, highlighting individual characters in these locations. The fighting in Africa is very intense and Marine centric. The influence of Colonel Rawlings I assume. However, the defense in depth of the mine by a Marine MEU from the USS Boxer is very realistic.



The book is long, over 600 pages, so set yourself in for a long read, average about 12 hours. The action is fast paced and will keep you wondering about the outcome. The book ends with an oblivious sequel to China. Do not be surprised to see many of the same characters back for part two in Asia.