Tag: WitD (Page 4 of 6)

(Mud in Algeria/North Tunisia)

Allies.
Algeria – The French scrap together enough men to reform the Casablanca and
Alger Infantry XXs and feed them back into the frontline. The US strengthen
their sector of the line with AT and AA units but are unable to sort out
their tactics. The German CinC sniggeringly points out this may be due to
excessive wearing of pearl handled revolvers by unit commanders, but the
Allies ignore him. The battered British cadres are rebuilt with fresh faced
recruits straight from England and Scotland, who are rather over awed by the
hard bitten veterans of the retreat from Bordj bou Arreridj. More and more
the Allied strength builds, but weather closes the front down.

Tunisia – The bulk of the 8th Army begins to cross the border and closes on
the Gabes Gap.

German.
Algeria – The 90th Motorised XX is linked with newly arrived Panzer forces
to form up as a fully mechanised Panzer Grenadier XX, and marches past the
review stand of the German CinC in Algeria on their way to face the British
along the coast. In Rome, the Commando Supremo wipes off its records
several units who are scrapped in the replacement pool to provide some extra
recruits for other Italian XXs. The 2nd Pz XX is rebuilt and the troops in
the area take it easy in the rain, free from Allied fighter raids.

Tunisia – In the bright sunshine troops relax in their bunkers at Gabes
while engineers continue to fortify the region around them. The salt pans
on their inland flank guard them against any Allied attack and the air bases
behind them begin to fill with Italian and German fighter cover.

Dec II 1942

Allies.
Tunisia – Using the relatively undamaged facilities of Tripoli port, the HQ
of the 56th XX and a couple of Infantry units land, much to the annoyance of
the Axis Air Fleet commander who’s aircraft at Malta failed to intercept and
sink the convoy. The commander of the AIF volunteers to the CinC Middle
East to try and break the Gabes Gap with his Corp of five XXs before they
are withdrawn for service in the Pacific and South East Asia. Unable to
resist allowing his compatriots the opportunity to provide one last chance
to add to their glowing list of successes in this campaign, the CinC ME
throws his forces into battle, determined to make good his promise to take
Tunis by Christmas. Italian defenders to the north of Fort Tarahoume are
hit by allied forces who surround them and destroy them in a ZoC DR result.
In the retreat from the battle, the Italians are unable to find a gap in the
lines and are swallowed up by the 8th Army. This opens up a supply line to
the NZ and Indians XXs with Armoured support from the British 1st Arm XX, SA
1st Arm XX and Aust. 1st Arm XX which smash into the 101, 102 XXs, 1st and
32nd Lt Arm Xs and assorted artillery. The Italians are forced back towards
the Australian infantry units who eagerly shuffle them into PoW camps before
hitting the main Gabes defence positions themselves. (3:1 = DR ZoC scam)
The Australian attack goes in under heavy air battles and the Hurricanes of
the Desert Air Force are unable to escort through ground support planes
against the superior machines of the Luftwaffe. This causes the odds to
remain low for success and the Australian attack falters and fails. (2:1 -1
fort = AS). To follow up these battles, the motorised and armoured units
approach close to Gabes.

Algeria – British Infantry and Armour units hit the 133 Littorio XX with
lots of air support but the AA units attached to the Italians chases off
several RAF units. Despite overwhelming numbers the weather and terrain
favour the defence and the Allied CinC is bitterly disappointed with the
results. (4:1 -2 Mud, -1 rough = AS). US AT units join the Alger XX north
of Relizane.

German:
Algeria – The line is reinforced as much as possible, but the weather delays
many units straggling along from the ports in Tunisia. Construction begins
on a line of forts around Bougie to Bordj bou Arreridj. Ideally this will
be the spot where the Allies will be unable to breakthrough, prolonging the
defence of North Africa.

Tunisia – Aircraft are flown to forward airbases behind Gabes. A final
shuffling of units places two armoured XX, one Inf XX and attached units in
the main fortifications. This sort of grouping should make it tricky for
the Allies to break through. The Brescia and Pavona Infantry XXs with the
9B Mot III are sent to Gafsa to block any deep swing through the desert by
the Allies to try and force the Nefta-Tozeur gap. The German CinC log
records “Impregnable Defence!!!”.

Allies:
Libya – Mechanised units beat into the ground Italian Garrison units who
have formed the unenviable rearguard. Following on from this they leap
forward and capture an unguarded supply depot to the west of Tripoli. Some
Axis units are pocketed around Tripoli. French *Xs and 1st Australian Arm
XX wash off the desert sand at the coast 32 miles west of the city.

Algeria – The Allied CinC announces the arrival of 1st British Army and
attached US military units at Oran and minor ports along the coast and
around Morocco. These units quickly spring forward to join some Frenchmen
at Tenes. The shattered cadres of the British forces retreat westwards
conceding much ground to the Germans. A crisis has broken out in Algeria
but the newly arrived Allied forces should give sufficient strength to hold
the Axis. Maybe.

German:
Libya – With the port still in their hands, some Italian units escape by sea
to Sfax from Tripoli. The remainder try and flee towards Tunisia.

Algeria – An unsupplied attack is launched on the Casablanca and Alger XXs
by German armour with Italian forces providing blocking positions. The luck
of the brave is with the Axis commander as he pulls off this jammy attack
and forces the French to retreat – into the arms of the waiting Italians who
escort them off to the labour camps in Tunisia. Rushing forward to gain as
much ground as possible, the Axis motorised units advance to contact the
British 78th XX and the battlegroups of the US 1st and 3rd XXs.

Comment to date:

The salad days in Algeria seem to be coming to an end.
The only good thing is the Allies are going to be hampered by the weather in
any counter attack the launch in the region which should mean a couple of
boring months coming up outside Algeria. Numerically I’m about at my
strongest now while the Allies will only get bigger, badder and meaner. In
Libya and Tunisia I’m pinning all my hopes on setting up a strong defence
line at Gabes until the Australian XX disappear in January. From this time
period on the 8th Army should start getting weaker and if – and this is a
big if – I can start to strip some of the Pz units I’m planning on assigning
to this area, I might be able to block the Allies in the Atlas Mountains and
hold Tunisia until May 43.

Nov II 1942

Allies.
Algeria – Heavy Bombers lift off from their bases at Gibraltar and in a
massive show of force blow to pieces the port of Bougie, leaving it a
scarred, smoking rubble. Axis logistic officials bemoan the lack of
effective AA support for the North African ports. Marching along happily,
the regiments of the US Army head towards the frontline while their comrades
in the British 1st Army move along the coast road to block the Germans. The
US soldiers are shocked when the bedraggled remnants of the British Infantry
units arrive piecemeal from the east. The sorry state of the British alerts
the Americans that this is no easy fight. The British 8th Armoured XX Cadre
arrives at Mostagnem.

Libya – Tripoli is fully invested by the 8th Army and armoured forces cross
the Tunisian Border, overrunning the Italian 5th Army Construction unit and
seizing Medenine. The Allied commander trumpets his intention via the BBC
Home Service to be in Tunis by Christmas. The capture of Tripoli results in
a vote of thanks from the House of Commons.

German.
Tunisia – The tactical withdrawal to the Gabes Gap continues, the German
CinC congratulates his Panzer units on such a masterful operation. His
Italian Aide-de-camp mentions that several slow moving Italian units area
still not in position at the Gabes Gap. The German CinC shrugs and mentions
something about “Traffic Calming techniques in the desert”. In the stony
desert south of Gabes, the Italian troops struggle to gain the
fortifications while behind them in the distance the tanks of the Australian
and South African 1st Armoured XXs throw up dust clouds……

Algeria – Vital supplies are rushed forward to the line where more Axis
forces move into position. The battle hardened Germans and Italians conduct
nightly probes on the newly arrived US troops, inducing some panic and
showing up severe tactical problems at a command and control level. The
German CinC toys with the idea of a swift attack on the yanks but decides to
keep that card up his sleeve for a short time. Especially when he hears on
the canvas awning of his tactical HQ caravan the sound of falling rain. The
wet season has begun!

Allied:
Libya – The 8th Army moves up to the new Axis line while behind them
supplies are rushed forward. In the Delta numerous forces are rebuilt from
the replacement pool and hurried along by all available means towards
Tripoli.

Algeria – British units slip through gaps in the Axis line to rejoin the
thin blue line west of the capital. Overhead RAAF and USAAF Heavy Bombers
with RAF and SAAF Mediums begin a series of round the clock raids on the
port facilities of Algiers, shattering the docks with their massive payloads
and impervious to the small amounts of AA in the area. (5 hits – I hate the
Allied Strategic Bombing strength!)

German:
Libya/Algeria – The 5th Pz XX is rebuilt to full strength along with the
Ariete XX. The 25th It Infantry XX is rebuilt and rushed into Algeria.
Supplies are broken up to provide resources for more forts and airfields.
With this limitation on them, the Axis are unable to attack anywhere. Ships
begin arriving in Algiers as a supply terminal is opened up here. The 131
Armoured XX finally completes grouping its separate elements together and
becomes a new worry for the Allies to deal with.

Oct II 1942

Allied:
Libya – The Allies show there mettle once again attacking the western
extremity of the Zem Zem Wadi defence line. In a brave decision, the Air
Commander Desert Air Force commits unescorted bombers and attack craft at
long range to try and up the chances of a break through. The Luftwaffe have
a field day as 3 Wellington bomber air units are slaughtered by fighter
interception. Only one A-30 gets through (interceptor rolled a 12) to aid
the infantry attack on the Armoured defenders. The German CinC is surprised
when news from the front arrives – all of it bad. The Allies have broken
through! (3:1 -2 AECD = HX) The follow on tanks trundle across the hills
towards Tripoli while Free French units mounted in trucks scoot along
towards the coast.

Algeria – British infantry units spread themselves across the line to give support to
the French. A couple of Brigades convert to motorised units to allow
formation of the 8th Armoured XX. Again bombers attack Algiers inflicting
severe damage on the port. An Italian Mc 202 is destroyed trying to take on
a B24-D5.

German:
Libya – Units fall back to the temporary stop line of Homs. As unusual they
are spread out from arsehole to breakfast looking very messy and vulnerable
to an Allied attack. Italian administration authorities from Tripoli are
intermixed with these forces with the city abandoned. No damage to the port
could be done due to the rushed nature of the retreat.

Algeria – The last of the hoarded supplies are used to attack the British
west of Algiers. By careful movement of Italian infantry to the town of
Medea, all retreat paths are blocked – all that is needed to inflict a
serious loss on the British is a DR. Despite brave efforts by the French
fighters to block Axis air support (all the French fgts are killed by
superior German aircraft) the British are forced back (2:1 = DR) and the
remnants struggle back westwards. The motorised sections of the Axis
advance to just short of Orleansville.

Allied:
The Australian Armoured XX is activated in the delta and begins to
ship out to Tobruk and on to the main battle line where Allied armour is
looking scarce.

Libya – Australian Infantry (3 XXs, 1 Cdr and 2 FF Xs + 2 Arty Xs) slam
headlong into the Italian Infantry defending the forts along the coast.
Again the Royal navy adds its guns to the battle while the air forces wheel
and dive overhead. The battle is short and brutal and the resulting gap
from the vaporised Italian Infantry allows some motorised units to slip
around the wicketkeeper (in the form of a single Arty III supporting some AA
units) and block the road. Another penetration in the line and the Axis
forces are looking shaky. The German CinC is said to be very concerned and
studying the problem in depth.

Algeria – The British attack the 90th Light and force it back, blocking the
coastal advance the Germans were obviously trying to set up. (3:1 -1 rough,
= DR) As a follow up to this, the motorised 51st Highlanders doubleback to
rejoin the main battleline facing the armoured Axis units.

German:
Libya – With heavy heart, the order is given to withdraw from the area.
Units disengage from contact with the enemy and pull back towards the rough
terrain behind the Haraua Wadi. Aircraft flee to Tripoli and beyond.
Several rebuilt units are sent towards Gabes in Tunisia where construction
units begin work on a new defence line, this one hopefully unflankable.
Italian officers are outraged! Rome demands an enquiry! The Rome-Berlin
Axis appears shaky before Ribbentrop and Ciano sign a pact committing
Germany to recovery of Italian possessions in North Africa. As usual, slow
moving Italian are positioned as speed bumps to slow the Allied pursuit.

Algeria – An attack is launched on French troops who are pocketed SE of
Bougie. They are forced away from the Axis LoC. ( 5:1 -2 mtn, = DR) South
of here the Axis armours fires up its engines, and proceeds to squash French
defenders into their fox holes outside of Bordj bou Arreridj. Despite
British Tank support and air cover, where the newly arrived Spitfires fail
their first mission and allow Stukas to add their valuable support, the
French are utterly destroyed opening a large gap in the line. (4:1 +3 AECA,
-1 rough, -1 ATEC = DE) Following on from this battle, the Germans charge
through the gap past the stunned British and into Algiers, shocking the
local inhabitants who flee in terror, blocking the roads leading to the
west. The air units stationed in the city are over run and the port taken
intact. The Provisional French Government is outraged and blames the lack
of assistance from London and Washington. Goebbels goes into a rapture as
the radio waves of Europe are filled with propaganda news of this stunning
victory. There is a call in Parliament for an official censure of the PM
and CinC Middle East. It is defeated on party lines.

Sep II 1942

Allied:
The SA Armoured XX is activated and shipped to Tobruk. The Italian
speed bump of AA units are overrun by the advancing infantry, and armour
trundles along to try and outflank the new defence line. Tripoli is within
striking distance.

Algeria – French authorities frantically try and rebuild a handful of units.
Eastern Algeria is abandoned as British units try and fall back to a new
defence line at Blide where the French have placed a couple of weak units at
the air base. The commander of the Oran XX and the 4th LE III volunteers to
remain behind in a mountain fortress to slow the Axis advance. The German
CinC rubs his hands together and mutters something about speed bumps. The
reconstruction of several French units means there are no replacements left
in North Africa.

German:
Libya – The retreat continues to the salt swamps north of Buerut el Hsun, a
couple of forts are built in the rough terrain SE of Tripoli.

Algeria – British infantry are caught in the process of fleeing across the
open terrain around Algiers by the tanks of the Whermacht. For a moment
panic sets in and it appears that the infantry will flee and be over run but
the steady influence of the NCO’s steadies the troops and a hasty defence
thwarts the Panzers from crushing the last significant force in Algeria.
(1:1 +3 AECA, = AS) Elsewhere the troops of the Oran XX and Legionnaires
are surrounded and attacked by the Italian 5th Army. The battle is fierce
and long but the air power available to the Axis eventually snuffs out the
last Gallic resistance but for the heavy cost of the core of the 5th Army
infantry. The valiant 60th and 61st XXs are ruined after having spent two
years in the desert (admittedly most of this was kicking their heels on the
Tunisian border while the 10th Army was flayed by the British, but hey….).
The 90th Light heads to Algiers and the 133 Lit XX occupies Menerville.

Allied:
Still the Allied commander refuses to attack. Supplies build up at
Aghelia and the DAF flies into to just behind the frontline. In Algeria the
British force commander reorganises some of his tank formations, making them
more powerful and able to take the fight to the Germans.

German:
The 90th Light XX forms up, as does the 164th Inf XX. Most units
in Algeria are in position to recommence the offensive, with supplies
positioned behind the line. In Libya the Aghelia line is as strong as it
will ever be.

Aug II 1942

Allied:
Algeria – The Scotsmen of the 51st Highland XX disembark at Oran and rail
their way to the frontline, along with supplies brought in at Algiers. An
attack is launched against the 15th Pz by French and British units but the
Germans are too well dug in and force the Allies back beyond their start
lines. (3:1, various modifiers, = AR) The German CinC is most pleased.

Libya – The final confrontation begins with a massive air battle over the
front. Allied airpower is overwhelming and chases most Axis aircraft from
the skies. The few that do get through are butchered by the new AA units
attached to the frontline. This air dominance gives sufficient strength to
the Allies to inflict serious losses on the defenders, although the
attackers do lose a few troops and tanks. (4:1, -1 fort, = EX)

In the follow up to the battle, Armoured forces swing south past the defence
line to outflank the Axis line.

German:
Libya – A counter attack is swift and fierce, ordered in by the CinC who
demands his lines remain inviolate. The Armoured units of the British are
the target, sitting deep in the heart of the Axis locations. All mechanised
forces swoop onto them and attack them from the north. The battles are
heavy and results in a bloody exchange of casualties. (3:1 +3 AECA, -4 ATEC
= EX) Following this battle the remaining Axis units reoccupy their
positions on the main defence line, leaving a pathetic British Armoured
Cadre behind amongst the smoking burnt out ruins several British tank units.

Algeria – German and Italian Infantry attack into the Atlas mountains using
overwhelming numbers to destroy the Alger XX. (5:1, -2 mtn = DH) The 90th
Light exploits through to seize Bougie with some attached Hvy AA, the
northern coast of Algeria suddenly looks shaky for the Allies.

Allied
Libya – Supplies continue to arrive at the front. So much supply, the
German CinC can only look on in envy and curse his own tortuous lines of
communication. Front line forces are shuffled about and carefully stacked,
ready to attempt to break through the Axis lines.

Algeria – To the cheers of the population, British infantry and Tank units
arrive at Algiers. The are shuttled to the frontline to join French and
Free French troops at the new defence line behind the town of Bordj bou
Arreridj where they immediately set about digging in and preparing a wicket
for the inter-Corp cricket competition the force commander hopes to run.
Large gaps exist in the allied line and to try and forestall any Axis attack
and distract him from the newly arrived British, the French commander
re-occupies Philippville, even though this puts his troops out of supply.

German:
The 90th Light and 55th Sav XX are rebuilt and sent into Algeria
where an out of supply 15th Pz and supplied 133 Lit XXs attack and destroy
the weak Casablanca XX before advancing to contact the new British/French
line west of BbA. (4:1 +3 AECA, -1 Rough = DE) At Philippville, Italian
infantry and aircraft retake the city, destroying the valiant French
defenders. (3:1 = DH)

Jul II 1942

Allied:
The 44 HC XX arrives in Algeria and joins the frontline with the
8th Spt X at the new line behind the mountain range west of BbA where French
and British troops have fallen back to. Along the coast, a defence line
just outside Bougie is set up in the mountains by French infantry. In
Libya, engineers and construction units frantically build advanced airstrips
for use by the Desert airforce while more supplies pour into the region.
The Australian CinC Middle East announces that everything is going to plan
and he has Jerry on the ropes. Despite this, there is ongoing pressure from
Whitehall to complete the drive on Tripoli and relieve the French.

German:
The frontlines are silent while rear area forces struggle to bring
supplies to the sharp end. Other than this, the guns are silent.

“Mein Fuhrer and Il Duce,

Glorious and everlasting success for my Panzer Armee Afrika! Soon all of
Algeria and Morocco will be mine and I can return to Libya to re-conquer
Egypt. As I outlined earlier, my plan has been a complete success against
the French. The current British incursion at Alghelia is temporary and I
will soon contain it…. trust me.

There has been a report from a U Boat off Algiers that British tank and
infantry brigades were observed off loading, but I discount this as mere
hysteria by the Kriegsmarine. If it is true, it will only delay my advance
to Casablanca by a couple of weeks. I estimate two weeks to destroy the
French, fours weeks to secure Morocco and another four weeks to commence the
recapture of Tobruk and onto the Nile.

Yours sincerely,

Field Marshall Rupert Von Wilhelm”

Comment: The fall of Malta was determined as being needed to free up the
aircraft currently tied up bombing it. Also this released the Spec Ops
Italians which gave me a few extra units to throw about the board when I
elected to hit Tunisia and Algeria. With Allied units short on numbers to
send to Algeria, I have been able to dig deep into Algeria, over hopefully
better terrain to defend in when November comes around. Besides, the French
are pretty weak, and after watching Syria, Iraq and Iran fall earlier in the
game, I felt that I should have a chance for some deep exploitation
movement. The problems of getting AS to the front line, especially for the
Allies at Aghelia has given me a bit of breathing space from the massive
forces the allies have gathered in the area. The problem is I have been
burning most of my supplies in Algeria!! This is the first time I’ve
actually violated Vichy neutrality in a game before as the axis and it seems
to be panning out quite nicely, but British units are soon to be in Algiers.
Hmmmmm.

Allied:
Libya – Supplies begin to arrive in the battle front while the armoured
might of the 8th Army builds up with the formation of the 1st Arm XX. The
CinC is heard to mutter several times about supplies while dictating
telegram responses to Whitehall over his lack of aggression at Aghelia.

Algeria – To try and get extra strength in defence, several XX’s form up and
enter the main line. Most French units now face the Italian and German
Armour, but it is clear they need more sophisticated Allied support.

Axis:
Libya – The only supplies in the area are used to construct fortifications
around the Aghelia zone, angering unit commanders who expected to be allowed
to go onto the offensive soon. This loss of supplies for pill boxes and
minefields means that no strong counter attack can be launched if a break
through is made. The German CinC snorts contemptuously at such defeatist
talk as he bares his buttocks in defiance at the Allied lines of Aghelia
before flying in his Storch back to Algeria.

Algeria – Italian and German paratroopers are flown into Constantine to join
in an attack by the 15th Pz on the Oran XX and 2nd LE III outside the city.
Again French fighters cut up the bombers flying air support and the results
are enough to spoil the attack and prevent any breakthrough. (2:1 -1 Rough,
+ 2 AECA = AS) At Bone, an Italian Corp based on the 133 Lit XX, German
paras and assorted infantry crush the French battle line and in exploitation
the Italian tanks seize Philippville.

Jun II 1942

Allied:
Algeria – All French units are brought into the main line against the Axis.
Where are the British or Americans? Still no support after so long. German
propaganda is highly effective at demoralising the frontline forces in the
area with knowledge that the British have made no move against the Aghelia
defences.

Libya – Armoured units begin the big push by sliding through the Axis ZoCs
on the east flank, past the El Faregh Wadi and the Sebchet el Gheneien salt
marshes. These are not the assault units, but just the covering force for
some 27 REs of infantry and artillery who also ooze through the front line
to attack the Axis mech units. Air battles overhead are hard and deadly,
but neither side gains any advantage. The attack goes off half cocked and
results in a disappointing stalemate for the Allies. (3:1 -2 AECD = AS)

In the exploitation phase however, the Armoured units enter the unguarded
town of Aghelia by swinging south, then west, then north then east to come
from behind the enemy to destroy the unguarded fort and seize the airstrip
in the area, placing itself firmly across the Axis supply line.

German:
Libya – In a dreadful panic, the Axis mech units spend all their regular and
exploitation movement to re-establish their defence lines west of Aghelia.
The German Commander is seen writing a very long and detailed explanation to
Berlin explaining just exactly what went wrong. A special delegation from
the Gestapo is flown out to discuss at length his attitude and ability.
Supplies are rushed forward from Tripoli.

Algeria – Special operations units are withdrawn, making the map look a lot
less cluttered and the remaining Axis units very lonely. “Good”, states the
CinC, “I can see where to attack!” and immediately does so – the 133 Lit XX
and 15th Pz XX hits the defenders outside Constantine, for once the
Luftwaffe stops the French airforce affecting the battle and blows away the
attempted air support. The French units put up a desperate struggle but are
eventually overcome (2:1 -1 rough, +3 AECA = HX) Outside Philippville
Italian infantry and artillery tries to drive the Alger XX out of the woods
to the east of the port but vigorous counterattacks unnerve the Italians who
abandon the city and flee. (3:1 -1 woods = AR) With these attacks, the
logistics chief notifies the CinC that there are no more supplies available
in the area for continued attacks. The CinC rolls about frothing for a
while and kicking the floor. This impresses the Gestapo team so much they
write him a glowing endorsement and leave him to carry on the campaign.

To seize as much ground as possible, the 15th Pz XX drives past the
Casablanca XX and takes Setif, destroying a wing of D520’s on the ground but
watches in frustration as DB-7’s escape to Bougie.

Apr I

Allied:  The attack continues, British and Commonwealth units flood across the map. A lonely Italian Armoured Battalion tries valiantly to stem the flow before Derna but is swept up by the Allies with barely a pause in their march. South of Ain el Gazala, the 22C Art III is attacked by Greeks and Poles and disappears from the desert into the PoW cages. (6:1 = DE) In the exploitation phase the Allies ooze around the defenders of Derna towards Benghasi.

German:  In the Desert the retreat continues towards Aghelia. Benghasi port is destroyed and the 15th Pz Cdr scurries along the coast to Tripoli. To show he is not cowed or defeated by the loss of eastern Libya, the German CinC launches his invasion of Malta. A German paratrooper regiment and Italian glider regiment lands amongst the 1st Malta *X defending west of Valletta, who, as they turn inwards to deal with this threat, are surprised by the mass landings of Italian Infantry along the shoreline. Air power is lent in heavy amounts from the LW and Italian Air Force. Despite their advantage in position, the overwhelming numbers and airsupport crush the defenders to the delight of Rome and Berlin. (5:1 -1 rough = DE). The 3 Malta *X in Gozo is now cut off from Valletta.

Apr II

Allied:  Benghasi is snapped up by advancing Allied units. At Malta, the garrison commander blinks nervously like a bunny in the headlights of a truck and sits still, waiting his fate.

German:  Libya – The 5th Pz HQ reforms and advances to Aghelia where Italian infantry occupy the prepared fortifications. German Armoured and motorised forces retreat past Agedebia and pause, daring the allies to attack, confident they have temporarily outrun their supply lines.

Malta – Italian units, specially selected and exhaustively trained for months, execute their attack on the city of Valletta. With overwhelming air support, the port falls to the Italians in an orgy of bloodletting and destruction. (6:1 – fort =DE) The Central Mediterranean is now an Italian pond! From his transportable HQ, currently a caravan bouncing along the coast road past Sirte, nefarious laughter is heard from the CinC.

France – Vichy. Marshall Petain is summoned to a meeting with Hitler at Paris. The meeting is quick and simple. France is to be no more! its failure to defend its interests in Syria in 1941 have indicated that it lacks any ability to operate outside of total National Socialist domination. As they speak German and Italian units occupy the rump state in mainland Europe. The Marshall is escorted from the meeting by the Gestapo. Across the North African colonies an alert goes out. Unfortunately only in Casablanca is the alert received, where the order is given to round up the usual suspects.

Tunisia – At Bizerte, French infantrymen and AA crews sleepily man their guns in the early dawn light. Since the fall of France a couple of years ago, there has been little to occupy the North African Garrison. The crews are surprised to hear the low throb of engines – perhaps some air units flying in from Algeria? But wait, these planes appear to be arriving from the north-east. The planes begin to disgorge small figures that blossom into parachutes, behind them swoop in bombers that attack the barracks of the defenders. Germany and Italy has violated the neutrality of France! Sacre bleu! In a daring operation, two parachute IIIs seize Bizerte in a sudden coup de main. AA fire is ineffective. The paratroopers land with no disruption. (8:1, -1 fort = DE) Other Italian bombers fly into Algeria and attempt to isolate Tunisia from the remainder of North Africa. The rail lines around Constantine are hammered repeatedly but only two hits are made, allowing a convoluted route for reinforcements to reach Tunis. Further south the Italian 5th Army (yes, it still exists having sat outside Tripoli since Dec 1940) crosses the border and races north, the newly rebuilt 15th Pz XX in the van. At Gabes the Pz XX breaks down and the Panzer III heads to Souza while the 310th Mot III heads across the Algerian border towards Tebessa. In Sicily, units of the Italian Special Operations Group wait patiently for transportation to Bizerte.