Dateline: The Mestia Valley, the Balkans (AP)

In what one British commander has described as "the most intense and utterly ruthless combat" he has ever witnessed, NATO forces last night managed to wrest control of the Mestia Valley from Militia forces.

The battle was fought almost entirely over the high ground occupied by two bunker complexes that were hold-overs from World War II. The NATO troops launched a simultaneous assault on both of these towers, hoping to divide the defending militia forces and make the assault with minimal casualties. The militia forces were prepared for this, downing trees across the access roads to the towers, forcing the superior NATO armor into the hills where it's early impact would be neutralized.

The initial wave of forces, under command of |TG-Irr|d1sp0sabl3, assaulted the eastern tower, taking it after some initial resistance was overcome. These troops hunkered down to wait for the western tower to fall into NATO hands. While waiting for the western tower to fall, the NATO commander deployed defensive emplacements to help entrench his forces on the East Tower, anticipating the militia counter-attack on his position.

What ensued over the next hour was some of the most intense fighting that these battle-hardened troops had seen in a very long time. The militia forces, lead by the renowned |TG-Irr|TurkishDelight, were fighting the entrenched NATO forces with everything they had. Wave after wave of militia forces crashed upon the battered walls of the tower, and many times the defenses appeared to have crumbled and the day lost. If not for the bravery of the men of the TG INF squad, it surely would have been. In the end, the NATO forces were able to claim victory through attrition of the militia forces, as they depleted their numbers through their efforts to retake the east and west towers.

"I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for my opponent and his men. They were worthy adversaries, and I do not relish meeting them again anytime soon on the battlefield." said |TG-Irr|d1sp0sabl3. "The men under my command...I don't know what to say other than the fact that these are the finest and bravest men I've ever gone into battle with. I would gladly fight by their side, no matter the circumstances or the odds, because they truly exemplify what teamwork and selflessness are all about."

-----

Mestia last night was truly an incredible match. Turkish is definitely worthy of all of the recognition he has achieved of late. His squad fought one of the most ruthless fights I've experienced - intense does not even come close to describing it. Our team was supposed to be on the offensive, but we were defending for our lives 90% of the match.

More importantly, I want to recognize every member of my squad, for they were truly awesome and were responsible for one of the more memorable games I've had.

|ccc|-TeflonDon
|TG|caffeine
=420th=BootyTrap
hipcraka
caseyjams

Also, kudos to our commanding officer - DoorGunner53E - for doing an incredible job!

Just a truly incredible match - GG everyone!!