Europa Games and Military History

Author: Glen Davis (Page 2 of 2)

October 1940

I Oct 1940

In an attempt to extract the surrounded portion of the WDF, both those inside and out of the Italian noose attack the same point, an unsupported Italian armored force. The Italian tankettes and Libyan truck-borne infantry manage to not only hold off the outside force but also convince the surrounded forces to surrender! (3:1; -2 AECD: AR) The 10th Army remains almost unscathed while the WDF is reeling and most likely will be unable to stop the Italians at El Alamein. The British’s mere presence in North Africa is now at risk. Parliament asks Australia who’s side they’re on, but is quickly rebuffed, reminded of a similar but much more costly encirclement earlier this spring.
10th Army stays on the WDF’s heels, forcing back units based around the 4th Indian Divisional Headquarters before proudly marching into El Alamein proper (3:1; +3 AECA: DR). The Sicilian Air Force bombs Malta into complete submission (up 3 to 15). In what is perhaps the first good news to befall the British all campaign, Royal Navy destroyers engage a fleet of undefended Italian supply ships and sink or force the crew to scuttle each one.

II Oct 1940

Little can now be done to stop the Italian onslaught. The line east of El Alamein doesn’t even reach all the way to the Quattara. The CinC Middle East concedes to his commanders that the Axis may very well reach the vital Suez Canal by Christmas. Preparations are made for a general retreat into Palestine, signaled by Haifa being established as an Allied supply terminal.
In a reenactment of the Battle of El Alamein (last turn) the same forces continue their duel to the end of the month. The Italians manage to again pull off a resounding success, opening the Nile for their occupation (3:1; +3 AECA: DE). The 10th Army surrounds the remaining armored force east of El Alamein but can’t quite close a gap to the southeast. Libyans and some armor surround Alexandria via Damaphur. Some Egyptians join the Axis cause, including some in Cairo that take the capital for the Axis, destroy the British supply terminal, and capture some valuable supply. The Sicilian Air Force (all Axis bombers) fly to Albania and southeast Italy for the upcoming invasion of Greece.

September 1940

I Sept 1940

On the early morning of September 9th, 1940 the Italian 10th Army based out of Cyrenecia, Libya advances into Egypt on a wide front. Infantry and artillery columns march full speed along the coast while armored columns advance further south. A Libyan motor brigade takes Siwa Oasis before sweeping north to join up with the Italian motor pool and some artillery just south of Mersa Matruh. Italian infantry stops just short of Matruh but is unable to attack before the WDF reacts. Construction begins on a road from Oasis de Giarabub to Siwa Oasis. A massive Italian bombing force based in Sicily commences its campaign on Malta, reducing its effectiveness (by 3 to 9). The Italian merchant marine begins shipping AS to Tobruk, flooding the port with supplies. Tobruk is also opened as a supply terminal and is predicted to be effective before the end of the month. The Italian commander, pleased at his situation and forecasting victory, moves his permanent headquarters to Tobruk as well, which has now become the lynchpin in the Italian supply effort, although supplies stockpiled at Tripoli begin movement east as well.

II Sept 1940

CinC Middle East orders his units in Matruh to hold their ground, seeing the Italian supply lines are dependent on the road junction their. As reports come in from the field, however, the massive show of force by the Italians has pushed back the WDF already. The CinC therefore commands his motor pool in reserve at El Alamein to move up and support a solid defensive line from the Med to the Quattara Depression about 50 miles wide. Fighters based in Matruh fly to Alexandria.
Despite some supply troubles, the Italians stay close on the WDF’s heels. As soon as the WDF turns to fight the Italians attack in a display of both overwhelming force as well as tactical brilliance (6:1; +1 AECA: DE), breaking the center of the British line entirely. An incredible display of artillery only assists British logisticians in destroying supplies needed by the Italian troops. In a stunning display of bravado, the Italian commander allows his motor pool to continue southeast to the Quattara, cutting off almost half of the remaining WDF but also being in the tenuous position of no support. Supply continues flooding Tobruk and is sent east as quickly as possible, aided by the newly completed Oasis de Giarabub-Siwa Oasis road. Fighters jump forward to Matruh airfield to provide cover for the advancing 10th Army. The Sicilian Air Force again does significant damage to Malta (up 3 to 12).

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