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RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/19/2017 10:28:53 PM   
DanNeely

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 40 - 5. Rotunda Segnali
26th April 1941


The situation here, slightly to the west, is just as bad and these units too are told to do nothing at present....





If nothing else here, you need to move a unit up next to the armor in the center. The black dot in the upper right indicates that they're cut off from supply. That means 100% of their combat losses will be destroyed, and once supply gets low enough attrition will begin destroying them even if the enemy doesn't act.

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(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 481
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/20/2017 8:25:24 AM   
Olorin


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Oberst_Klink


quote:

ORIGINAL: Olorin

The British should have sent 20 divisions to Greece or none at all.

Since they lacked that force, the meager force that was sent was not an assistance at all, it simply hastened the deutsch decision to invade, because the reason for the invasion was the British presence in Greece.

Terrible decision for both nations.

Kalispera,

Etsi, re. It was indeed one of the reasons for 'Operation Marita'; Churchill deploying more Brits down there, but let's not forget the 'blunder' of Mussolini when Italy invaded your country in October 1940. The factors for the, shall we say, intervention in Yugoslavia and Greece at the same time was because of the Yugoslavs 'refusal' to join the Ti-pact and the involvement of the Brits to reinforce troops in Greece. And yes... it was a tragedy for the people there.

P.S. You do know the story of Ioannis Rallis, I take it?

Just my 2p...

Klink, Oberst


Hi, Oberst, I read a few things about him. He was from a prominent political family and served as prime minister during the German occupation. His son also became prime minister in the 70s.

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Post #: 482
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 9:52:45 AM   
warspite1


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Turn 41
30th April 1941


Rather than look in detail what happened in each combat, during the Axis turn, I will simply move to each of the areas and comment upon the situation of each.

We'll start at Gabr Saleh. Although the situation here has been stabilised somewhat - albeit with considerable loss - the Italians are now looking to get around the flanks, both north and south.

The poorly handled relief effort has turned into something of a disaster for the Commonwealth forces and the relief force itself needs continued help.



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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 10:12:10 AM >


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England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 10:36:54 AM   
warspite1


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Turn 41
30th April 1941


Okay I'll turn back to this sector shortly. Only one unit - a company of the 1st Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Machine Gun Battalion - failed to extract themselves at Gabr Saleh.

But first a look at what happened at 3. Knightbridge, 4. Bir Hachem, 5. Rotunda Segnali and 6. Bir Tengeder.

Surprisingly few units were actually wiped out, but losses were heavy and moreover, the surviving units are increasingly separated from their own lines.

We'll follow each of the survivors as they try and get back to the main British lines around Bardia.




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 10:51:22 AM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 484
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 11:25:38 AM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - 6. Bir Tengeder
30th April 1941






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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 11:50:24 AM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 485
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 11:30:55 AM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - 3. Knightsbridge 4. Bir Hachem 5. Rotunda Segnali
30th April 1941


Because of the proximity, these will be treated as one.



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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 1:18:27 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 486
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 1:30:29 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - 1. Tobruk
30th April 1941


Sadly there have been no personnel changes at Tobruk. The supply situation is challenging and bombardment is limited to an artillery regiment and the Royal Navy. The result was reasonable however - and even destroyed a few tanks.




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England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 1:34:27 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - 7. Bardia
30th April 1941


With Gabr Saleh having been given up, there are now two new areas to home in on - 7. Bardia and 8. Sidi Omar. We'll start with the former.




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 2:08:52 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 488
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 2:13:51 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - 8. Sidi Omar
30th April 1941


Finally we come to the mainly Indian force protecting the southern approaches.

And that brings to an end the Commonwealth movement for this turn....




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 2:35:51 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 2:47:01 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - Axis Turn
30th April 1941


As expected the Axis are now making a major play for Tobruk judging by the number of units headed in that direction.

Meanwhile the turn is, as expected, being hailed by the introduction of artillery and air attacks. The Hussars caught in the open south of Knightsbridge suffer only limited damage, but the Leicesters near Mechili take a pounding and the follow-up infantry attack throws them into retreat. A second attack later sees the supporting British artillery surrounded and destroyed.

Next on the Axis calling card list are the two southern strongpoints at Tobruk. The western one is barely touched but the eastern one take some loss.

A regiment from the Brescia Division and a battalion of CCNN infantry starts to work its way through the Commonwealth units unable to retreat. First up the 6th RTR loses a tenth of its remaining tank strength and retreats south. However, when the Italians come up against the 5th RTR they are forced to break off the attack with very heavy loss.

The poor Hussars south of Knightsbridge are pounded once more, and then the action switches to Bardia and environs. Firstly the Australian infantry, defending the northern approaches to Sidi Azeiz, are pounded by the artillery of the Savona Division.

Italian and German units move to the west of Tobruk to try and stretch the defences. But this attack is something of a disaster for the Italians who lose a large number of howitzers in this ill-fated move.


This is an interesting one. I don't know why the Italians would have lost so much. The Commonwealth Strongpoint was part of the defence but I thought this was just a minefield and there was not infantry attack.



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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 3:15:29 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 3:16:00 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - Axis Turn (Cont)
30th April 1941


The torment of Tobruk continues - this time against the eastern strongpoint once more. No damage is done however.

The Bologna Division makes a concerted effort to clear the British battalion from the airfield at Bir el Gubi, and the infantry reels under an intense bombardment, followed by an infantry attack that dislodges them from their defensive positions.

The Italian CCNN battalion then make a second attack on the British tanks west of Rotunda Signali. The RAF are able to provide assistance to the supply-starved British units and the Italian attack is halted once more.

The turn is not even half over yet but still the Axis apply the pressure. This time its the turn once again of the southwestern strongpoint at Tobruk. Slight damage is taken by the British.

The Queens battalion, having retreated from the airfield is out in the open and at the mercy of the Sabratha and Bologna Divisions. The British infantry is pushed back once more but RAF intervention ensures this is a costly enterprise for the Italians.

Tobruk is hit once again (to no effect) before the action switches to RAF Menastir, north of Bardia. The Savona artillery prove highly accurate as the Australians found previously.

Back to Knightsbridge and artillery from the Trento Division ensure there is no let up for the men of the 3rd Hussars who undergo a third bombardment.

Speaking of third attacks - the Italians west of Rotunda Signali continue to try and pressure the British tanks, but this time they suffer severely and cause little damage to the defending tankers.

Another inconsequential bombardment of Tobruk is then followed by another accurate shelling of Menastir. This lightly defended airbase is under serious risk of falling....

'Thinning out' attacks against the Leicesters at Mechilli and Hussars at Knightsbridge prelude another strike at the eastern strongpoint at Tobruk. This one causes the most concern yet with a number of infantry and guns lost.

Once again a bombardment against the western strongpoint is repulsed with reasonably serious losses meted out to the Italian gunners.

The Indians south of Bardia are next to face the Italians. The newly arrived Mahratta Light Infantry that were ordered to hold the crossroads between Sidi Omar and Fort Maddelenna are thrown back by a combined infantry and tank thrust by the Ariete Division. The attack however is painful for the Italians who record double the number of losses than the Indian infantry.

The Leicesters come in for more punishment before the action switches back to Rotunda Signali and the bizarre decision by the Italian high command to continue the attack against the British tanks. Once again the attack is repulsed with severe loss.

Will this turn ever end???

Bombardments of Menastir and Tobruk continue with losses for the British at the former and the Italians at the latter. I don't know what it is about that western strongpoint but its causing the Axis a good amount of grief.

More, increasingly weak, bombardments of the Hussars and the southwestern strongpoint at Tobruk follow but then yet another attack against the eastern strongpoint sees more losses for the Allies. Neame is begged for more infantry so that the defenders can be rotated....

The Italians refuse to concede defeat against the RTR despite the heavy losses taken so far. The RAF intervene but so does the Luftwaffe and the Regia Aeronautica. The British lose 10 bombers and 9 fighters, while the Axis lose 7 aircraft of all types. The balance sheet though is evened up somewhat by the fact that the Italian infantry continue to suffer appalling losses.

The Italian artillery switch their attention to the approaches to northwest Bardia for the first time. The accuracy of these gunners is impressive....

The Axis are no longer content to bombard Tobruks defenders, but they now believe its time to try and take the place. This attack is seen off with losses about even.....




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 4:21:05 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 491
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 4:26:02 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 41 - Axis Turn (Cont)
30th April 1941


The bombardment of the Hussars resumes - and the Italian gunners appear to have got a second wind. Speaking of bombardments, the southwestern defences of Tobruk are tested again, although with only light damage caused.

Following up on their successful taking of the crossroads, the Ariete Division try to dislodge the cavalry and artillery beyond. However, the attack is repulsed, and although the Mahrattas continue withdrawing, the remaining units hold their ground and inflict very heavy losses on the attackers. Undaunted by this, two battalions of tanks push north and force the PAVO cavalry into retreat into Sidi Omar.

As the turn draws towards its close the Hussars take another battering before all four strongpoints before Tobruk are singled out. These come to not very much, but Menastir is hit once again.

At the crossroads the Ariete Division continues to try and dislodge the Indian HQ. Once again the attacks are repulsed and in the process the attached Sabratha battalion ceases to exist.

Bombardments of Tobruk and the fusiliers north of Gabr Saleh come to nought and a third attempt at taking the Indian HQ falls flat when the RAAF come to the defence of the Indians and inflict significant losses on the Ariete's infantry.

The Axis are still not done with Tobruk, but another attack against the western strongpoint is repulsed.

The turn winds up with bombardments of Menastir (painful), the Hussars at Knightsbridge (negligible), and the eastern and southwestern strongpoints at Tobruk (negilgible).


Another 54 attacks this turn



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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 4:51:19 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 492
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 5:20:23 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42
3rd May 1941


The focus will be on:

- Continuing the extraction of as many armoured units as possible.
- Trying to shore up Tobruk (if I have any units)
- Trying to stop the Italians making further gains north and south of Bardia.

So I will begin the turn with the trapped units and take it from there.




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 5:25:48 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 493
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 9:35:30 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42
3rd May 1941


The 11th Hussars attack an out of supply 32nd CCNN Bn and force it to retreat.

1. 28th Australian Bn heads east for the junction at El Cuasc. It engages an Italian AA unit and severely mauls it before running out of steam. It is joined at the head of the retreating line by the 1st Rangers Battalion and the 1st RTR.

2. This move is followed up by the 1st KRRC Bn. that finishes off the air force unit.

3. The 7th Australian Cavalry Regiment and, either side of it, the 23rd and 43rd Australian Infantry Battalions are then ordered to take up position on the north-south ridge to keep a check on the southern flank and specifically an Italian Bersaglieri unit there.

4. The Australian 9th Division and the 24th Brigade HQ’s station themselves on the crossroads at El Cuasc and are joined by the Australian 3rd Field Artillery Regiment and three British units – the 2nd and 3rd RHA and the 1st Tower Hamlets Rifles.

5. All units that were being attacked by the Brescia Division previously, stopping their retreat) then make their move south, this time undisturbed by the battered Italian infantry. The 13th and 17th Australian Infantry Battalions are deployed to try and stop would-be pursuers from taking the retreating units in the rear and the 13th is joined by those units without the ability to go no further. Meanwhile the remaining 5th and 6th RTR and the 4th RHA join the 23rd Australian Bn on the ridge.

6. Stranded between the two Australian battalions, are the Royal West Kents who are unable to move.

7. There is nothing that can be done for the 2nd Queens Battalion, but the last unit in the north, the 3rd Hussars, are able to squeeze through the gaps in the Italian line.

8. Just west of the junction at El Cuasc are the 7th Armoured Brigade, 7th and 11th Hussars and the Kings Dragoon Guards.

9. That leaves the units around the Brescia Division battalion that are also unable to move. These are the 22nd Guards Brigade HQ, the 3rd Hussars, the 2nd KORR, the 1st Essex, the 2nd Rifle Brigade and a squadron of the 5th RTR.

It is hoped that this deployment will stop the Italians from getting in amongst the Commonwealth units....




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 9:40:15 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 494
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 9:57:29 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42
3rd May 1941


So while the British armour and the Australian infantry's fight for survival continues, what is happening to the east of these manoeuvrings?

1. Whatever happens in the short term, RAF Menastir is no longer viable and the support units retreat to Buq Buq.

2. Its noted that the forces attacking to the northwest of Bardia are somewhat isolated. The decision is taken to give up the defence of Sidi Azeiz in order to try and wipe out the Savona Division. The Australian forces at Sidi Azeiz are ordered to encircle the exposed Italian infantry division. A battalion of French marines are sent up the coast road to block any would-be relief efforts.

3. To the south at Sidi Omar the plan is simply to try and destroy the Ariete armour.

This is a dangerous game being played, the British are spreading themselves thinly elsewhere in order to try and force a decision in two key areas…..




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 10:23:56 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 10:30:24 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42
3rd May 1941


The proceedings begin with a number of bombardments. Air support is requested from the Blenheim squadrons at Sollum and Sidi Barani. Note: there are also bombardments against German positions south of Tobruk.




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_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 496
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 10:44:28 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Round 1
3rd May 1941


The initial air attack goes badly – two fighters lost for no appreciable reward against the infantry north of Bardia.

The results are better to the south as two regiments of Royal Horse Artillery open up against advance elements of the Savona Division between Sidi Azeiz and Fort Capuzzo.

The German forces are on the receiving end of a severe battering south of Tobruk, and these two attacks sandwich an airstrike south of Bardia. It must be said that the RAAF pilots do a better job than their RAF counterparts at Sidi Omar.

There is a good deal of success against the Savona’s artillery. Fire from no less than four Australian regiments smash into the exposed Italian gunners which suffer the loss of 18 of their guns, including half of their heaviest howitzers.




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_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 497
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 10:55:16 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Round 3
3rd May 1941


Round 3 seems pretty much more of the same. At Tobruk the very last of HMS Barham's 15-inch ammunition is expended, and there is only one artillery regiment in any fit state to fire.

Neither Blenheim is able to fly this time. In the north the artillery regiments split their fire, 50% against the artillery and 50% against the infantry.

To the south, the Ariete armour remains the focus, but the British 8th Field Regiment turns their attention to the motorised infantry to the south.




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_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 498
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 11:05:09 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Round 3
3rd May 1941


The bombardments are all satisfactory. The only question now is whether to continue with this or to go straight into the attack. The decision is for one more round of artillery fire. Again the attacks are broadly as expected, although there seems to be a drop off in performance as units use up supply. Here is a summary (note: the first attack is missing - this was the RAF strike north of Bardia that resulted in 4% losses to the RAF and 0% for the enemy).




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_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 499
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 11:10:10 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Round 7
3rd May 1941


There are just two attacks ordered. The first is against the artillery of the Savona Division and is to be launched by the Australians.

The second is carried out by a mixed British/Indian force and targets the Italian armour threatening Sidi Omar.

The two attacks go well.




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 11:27:13 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



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Post #: 500
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 11:31:06 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Round 8
3rd May 1941


The Savona units are too well dug-in for any further attack this turn, and so attention switches to the south where the Indians hope to finish off the Italian armour.

The Italians retreat in two directions and the Central Horse Cavalry Regiment pursues one battalion north and to its destruction.

Round 9

The second unit is luckier and manages to escape the attackers. The turn then runs out.




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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/21/2017 11:37:16 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 501
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/21/2017 11:40:42 PM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Axis Turn
3rd May 1941


The turn gets off to a bad start for the Commonwealth. Pre-Round 1, North of Bardia, the Savona Division break the encirclement despite being out of supply.

Round 1 gets started with an Axis engineer battalion attacking the Central Horse Regiment that had strayed too far north when pursuing the Ariete armour. The Italians suffer high casualties in this mis-matched battle.

The three out of supply Queens companies come under fire with light losses, before attention is switched to Tobruk – no major damage is recorded south of the port, but the southeast corner is hit harder.

The Queens come under further fire before the action moves to Sidi Omar. Once again the Commonwealth forces have overextended themselves and a Bersaglieri regiment pushes back a company of the PAVO regiment.

The bombardment of Tobruk continues to intensify as the Axis gunners liberally spread their shells over the defenders.

To the south, the Bologna Division, caught by the retreating British armour, successfully sweeps aside a weak 5th RTR Squadron in its bid to get back to the Italian lines.

Further Ariete gains are made, this time east of Sidi Omar, as the Mahratta’s are forced to retreat in the face of Italian tanks.

Incredibly, an out of supply Savona battalion pushes back the 4th RTR west of Bardia. The Savona Division are fighting for their lives - and fighting very hard.

The Engineer battalion won’t give up on trying to take on the Central Horse and once again suffers heavy losses.

On the extreme southern flank a detachment from the Bologna Division bombards the British at Fort Maddelenna

All three companies of the Queens battalion are bombarded – their doom cannot be long in coming

The Bologna Division continue to punish the 5th RTR

The Savona Division continue to fight extremely well north of Bardia, despite being out of supply to begin with and rapidly eating up their remaining resources. In the latest attack a company of RNF retreat.

The Indians continue to take heavy punishment around Sidi Omar and all units are in real danger of being simply overrun.

Back to the Savona Division and the Australians receive a further pummelling from the Italian infantry in an attack to the west.

Holy Cow!! An attack is launched against the southwestern corner of the Tobruk strongpoint. The British Guards Brigade and the Polish infantry battalions fire shot and shell against the attackers and units from the Pavia, Trento and even 21st Panzer Divisions are wiped out.





Attachment (1)

< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/22/2017 7:11:46 AM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 502
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 7:19:28 AM   
warspite1


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Turn 42 - Axis Turn (cont)
3rd May 1941


The Italian Engineers try yet again to push the Indian cavalry into retreat but instead, simply continue to take more punishment.

The most northern of the Queens companies is forced to retreat when attacked by a battalion from the Bologna Division.

Further bombardments of Tobruk are carried out, but with only limited results on this occasion

The trapped Bologna battalion continues to attack the remnants of the 5th RTR but this time an entire company is destroyed by the British tanks.

The ring around Sidi Omar is tightening as the Mahrattas are forced to retreat yet again.

I’m surprised there is anything left of the Italian Engineers as they attack again!

The Queens are almost finished, one company - the northern most - is destroyed and further shelling is meted out to the remaining two.

The Tobruk garrison and the German attackers trade losses in two bombardments and then its back to Bardia and more retreating for the British – but at heavy cost to the Italian infantry. The Savona Division don’t know when to quit and cause yet more problems for the British tankers – however, losses are mounting as their attacks get weaker.

The Indians are forced out of Sidi Omar at very heavy cost. For the second time the Indian forces follow-up a mauling of the Italians by themselves being over-extended and then on the receiving end of punishing, and potentially disastrous counter-blows.

Further shelling of Fort Madelenna results in the 42nd RTR retreating.

The Italian Engineers have obviously been told to fight to the last round and the last man. They continue to attack and the Indian cavalry continues to hold them off…..

The Indians near Sidi Omar are bombarded, no doubt as a prelude to another attack.

The same applies to the Queens.

A battalion of the Savona Division edges closer to Bardia – although at an alarming cost surely?

The tanks near Fort Madelenna are shelled

The Axis switch back to Tobruk which has not been attacked for a while…..although damage is light

The 7th RTR, southwest of Bardia, is bombarded but suffers no loss.

The Ariete’s artillery inflict further pain on the Indians – who hold for the moment

More shelling of the hapless Queens

Disaster as Fort Madelenna falls. The British plan has, once again, spectacularly back-fired and the 13th Light AA Regiment is completely destroyed.

Two more bombardments of Tobruk’s outer defences but no damage to anybody.

Amazingly the Queens last two companies still continue to remain in place.

There is another attack on the 42nd RTR and another retreat

The Indians northwest of Sidi Omar are attacked again and retreat – although the Camerons hold their ground to delay the Italian advance north.

Menastir is attacked and a company of the RNF is forced back to the coast.

There are two more attacks by artillery on Tobruk, bu again this is to very little effect

The Queens continue to survive, as do the 42nd RTR

A weak pincer attack on the RNF company pinned to the coast north of Bardia fails, and is repulsed with heavy loss.

The British units that held their ground at Sidi Omar are finally pushed back

And so ends another, hugely punishing turn......





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_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 503
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 7:26:06 AM   
warspite1


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From: England
Status: offline
Turn 43
7th May 1941


As Neame surveys the scene in front of him, the first thing to be done is to have a look and see if there are any quick wins i.e. attacking out of supply units ahead of the rounds-proper, starting.

West of Bardia the Italian 7th Legion HQ pays for its attempts to reach Bardia and is annihilated by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - although the latter are themselves brought under attack by Axis bombers.

The cavalry of the Central Indian Horse get their own back on the engineer battalion that had repeatedly engaged them previously, and the Italians are destroyed.

Finally the remnants of the Bologna battalion, southwest of Bir el Gubi, are attacked but saved by the Badlands that the British infantry cannot enter.

Here is a most unwelcome site.... All four battalions of the 22nd Guards Brigade are reorganising. The HQ for this brigade is still amongst the armour units trying to get back to Egypt. There are 2 and 3 intact battalions in the southwestern and southeastern strongpoints respectively. Reserves of riflemen? Just one Polish Cavalry regiment....





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< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/22/2017 7:56:34 AM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 504
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 4:28:43 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline
Turn 43
7th May 1941


As can be seen above, Neame needs no reminding that he really needs a reserve of infantry in Tobruk, but where does that come from if he is not to lose Egypt to the Italians?

Currently three battalions of the 7th Indian Brigade are just west of Sidi Barani, as are the first two battalions of the 6th New Zealand Brigade (the third battalion and the HQ are at Mersa Matruh).

A plan of action is thrashed out:

The Indians will seek to hold the Halfaya Pass and stop any encroachment of the Italians toward Buq Buq.

The New Zealanders will be thrown into the defence of Bardia.

The 9th Australians will continue to move toward Bardia, and their final deployment will depend on events as they unwind.

To defend Tobruk the 18th Australian Brigade are earmarked and the first units are shipped to the port:

Advance elements of the 18th Australian Brigade
12th Infantry Battalion (1 Company)
1st Machine Gun Battalion (1 Company)
1st Anti-tank Regiment

The threat to Bardia makes new calls on the over-stretched Royal Navy. The Barham group heads back to Alexandria and the replacement units are split into two task forces:

Tobruk Bombardment Force
HMS Valiant
HMS Arethusa
HMS Mohawk
HMS Nubian
HMS Partridge

Bardia Support Force
HMS York
HMS Fiji
HMS Marne
HMS Ledbury
HMS Airedale


HMS York, unlike her sister she had the 'old' style bridge. The bridge design fitted to HMS Exeter became the template for future ships.



Attachment (1)

< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/22/2017 5:10:34 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 505
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 5:16:55 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline
Turn 43
7th May 1941


The two remaining companies of the Queens Battalion make a dash for Sidi Azeiz. One company manage to get halfway there, but the torment continues for the second as it is stopped northwest of Bir el Gubi. For ease of reading I will show the situation in two screens again, with Gabr Saleh being the dividing line - but will show the wider map to show the overall position.

The hope was that most of the British / Australian units streaming east would have found the 'safety' of the British lines by now. The fact that Sidi Omar and Fort Maddelenna could not be held during the fighting of the previous few days has seriously affected those plans. Thus troops low on supply - or worse - will need to try and fight their way back.....




Attachment (1)

< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/23/2017 7:11:37 AM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 506
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 8:17:18 PM   
Zorch

 

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I have noticed a great similarity between Warspite and another beleaguered leader.





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(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 507
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 8:20:33 PM   
Zorch

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch

I have noticed a great similarity between Warspite and another beleaguered leader.







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(in reply to Zorch)
Post #: 508
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 8:21:06 PM   
larryfulkerson


Posts: 39932
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline
I love it.

(in reply to Zorch)
Post #: 509
RE: Campaign For North Africa 40D-43 - 12/22/2017 8:32:30 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch

I have noticed a great similarity between Warspite and another beleaguered leader.




warspite1

I take exception to that; one is a total twat, writing out incomprehensible and out of date orders for imaginary or previously destroyed units to anyone that listens, while the other is Adolf Hitler.


< Message edited by warspite1 -- 12/22/2017 8:40:02 PM >


_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805



(in reply to Zorch)
Post #: 510
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