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SeppDietrich -> Heersgruppe AAR (3/20/2002 1:05:48 AM)
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29th April 1941:
Col. Stemph
My Kampfgruppe was given the task of clearing a series of heights in the desert to the distant southwest of Alexandria. British strength was estimated at two platoons of medium tanks (Cruiser Mk. 2) and one platoon of Light Tankettes (Mk 1). Infantry was supposed to be light, and not too well entrenched. This was a horrible underestimation of the enemy force. Their armored contingent was at least twice that, as we destroyed 37 AFV's during the confrontation, and the Infantry was quite stodgy and difficult to break through. In addition there was the unpleasant suprise of AA guns (40 mm) that managed to shoot the treads and damage the suspensions of at least two of our tanks.
A few glaring weaknesses to clear up:
1: Immediate upgrades must be made to the armored force. Panzerkampfwagen III G's, while possessing a sufficient armament to deal with what we have encountered in our first month of operation, are far underarmored to deal with the British AA guns and British tank guns. Even 3pdrs have proven to be quite capable of piercing the armor and doing extensive damage to the vehicles.
2: Halftracks, while a convenience for moving into attack position, are completely and utterly useless in combat. British troops repeatedly burned out halftracks that were being used ill-advisedly to advance upon them.
3: Italian Infantry is useless, even moreso than the halftracks. Italian Armor is sufficient for mopping up manuevers, but not much else.
4: Over confidence in quick victory allowed company commanders to make very sloppy mistakes, none of which I can be blameless from. Simple communication of ACCURATE enemy dispositions in the future will alleviate this difficulty.
CASUALTY FIGURES:
German Infantrymen and Crewmen lost: 186
German AFV's Lost: 6
German APC's Lost: 11
British Infantrymen and Crewmen Lost: 751
British AFV's Lost: 37
British APC's Lost: 0
(NOTE: Only mines and command control are deactivated. Spotting is turned up 10 150%, as is rout/rally. I dunno, maybe that's too much?)
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