Tag: WitD (Page 5 of 6)

Mar I

Allies: The 1st Dragoons, with their armoured cars circled around the oasis at Siwa watch fearfully as a massive dust cloud approaches from the north. Fearing it to be the Mark IIIs and IVs of the 15th Pz, they are relieved to see it is the 2nd Spt X, trundling downs from CinC ME strategic reserve to bolster the extreme southern flank. Suddenly the German CinC realises he has been caught in a ruse! The damned CinC ME has tricked the noble German CinC into sending a sizeable contingent into desert and weakened his main line! In the north, a massive attack by four infantry XX’s, the 1st Arm XX and odds and sods smash into the 2nd Pz XX, SV 288 and 9th B III. In the air, the Hurricanes and P-40s clear the Luftwaffe from the sky, destroying the slow moving Stukas and preventing the defenders getting any air support. The Axis are quickly overwhelmed by the swarms of infantry, however the tanks of the 1st Arm XX are left as grease stains on the sand. (3:1 +1 AECA, -4 ATEC = EX).

In exploitation of this success, the HQ 7th Arm XX, 7th Mot X, and 4th Arm X trots around the flank of the Axis line, past the 2nd Pz Cdr and positions itself across the LoC for the axis.

German: Running without lights and escorted by swift Italian destroyers, a vital supply convoy heads towards Tobruk to rush badly needed supplies to the front line. Out of the looming darkness, the convoy spots a massive line of British Battleships and cruisers which proceed to cut the convoy and its escort to shreds. All the ships are sunk and the valuable supplies sent to the bottom of the Med. The German CinC demands that Malta be removed from his supply line. A couple of units are rebuilt but a general retreat from Halafaya begins towards Tobruk to set up a new defensive line. Construction units fall back towards El Aghelia, much to the amusement of the Australian CinC. In the south , the 16th Pz Cdr scuttles away sheepishly to rejoin the main line, much to the amusement of the cavalry troopers of the 1st Dragoons.

Mar II

Allied: The offensive continues with five infantry XX attacking and driving back two Italian XX and the 90th Light XX. (3:1 -1 AECD = AR). Along the coast, the Royal Navy adds its guns to an Armoured attack on the It. 101 and 102 XXs causing grievous damage that makes the German CinC weep in frustration. (3:2 +3 AECA = EX) Showing the flair that gave them such renown in early 1941, the HQ 7th Arm XX 7th Mot X and Dominion recon units drive across the desert to arrive just outside a supply depot on the Gazala-Mechili road.

As the Allied motorised units exploit the situation, the survivors of the battles outside Tobruk take El Adem airfield while the courageous deep penetration forces under the 7th HQ seizes the supplies from surprised outside Mechili and carry them into the town itself, over running LW and Italian Aircraft on the ground and leaving them charred smoking wrecks.

German: With the loss of his single supply depot in the area and no possibility of reasonable counter attacks, the Benghasi Handicap is on again. All remaining aircraft in the “hump” are flown to airfields in Crete or El Agheila (into overstack). A sea evacuation occurs from Tobruk to Benghasi by some units while the remainder fall back to the Benghasi highlands and towards Aghelia. Frustrated by the land campaign, an air armada flies over Valletta to continue the pounding of Malta. AA fire destroys three air units, much to the shock of the air commander. Pride to soothed by five hits being made by the surviving air units.

May I

British – The HQ of the 70th XX and a newly arrived SA X head for Palestine, it seems clear that the British intend on removing the threat of the Levant from their flank before the Axis reach anywhere near the Nile. Flying overhead are fighters and bombers of the RAF, drawn back from Libya. Some units are rebuilt in the Delta from the survivors of the earlier campaigning. Tobruk is garrisoned by the 7th Aust XX, a tank battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers and an Artillery brigade. The message is clear – “There will be no Dunkirk here!” The remaining units of WDF (9th AS XX, 22G X and odds and sods retreat to Halafaya sending signals of good luck to the Tobruk defenders.

Axis – Construction units (from the 5th Army in Tripoli) build a temporary airfield to help push forward the air umbrella the Axis are building up. Tobruk is surrounded, but the eastern hex left clear, showing the benevolence and humanity of the Italian Commander who gives the option for the British to evacuate the port without a fight if they so desire. (This is a fact – I felt I’d give my opponent this option to avoid the inevitable battle and expected EX/HX result that occurs when Tobruk is fought over. If he gets his units out with no losses and I get the port – great, there’s a benefit for both of us. I can always hunt him down in the open and crush him like a bug later). Over Malta, the Italian airforce again flies overhead, raining death and destruction. The plucky AA gunners exact a heavy toll, aborting a SM-79.1 and causing the pilots to drop their payloads wide of the target. The Malta status is at 8 and causes the CinC 10th Army to roll about on his Bengasi bunker floor foaming at the mouth and biting the ankles of his air staff in anger.

May II

British – Retreating units destroy the port facilities at Bardia and join the defenders at Halafaya. temporary airfields are built around Sidi Barrani to provide access for the Desert Airforce. More units are built up in Palestine where a round robin cricket contest results in a shock victory to the Free French XI who knock off the surprised South Africans. The Czech’s in the area elect not to field a team but do provide samples of their home brewed beer for refreshment.

Axis – Supply is desperate for the front line troops. No reserves of artillery rounds or fuel are available to meet offensive requirements and the troops are forced to eat their boots, fried up on the turrets of their tanks with eggs brought from local chicken farmers. Bardia is taken as the Axis close off Tobruk and advance to Halafaya.

Meanwhile in Baghdad……

German agents succeed in convincing Rashid Ali to rebel against the imposition of British control of Iraq. For months a network of spies and agents have been working within the Iraqi military and Civil Service, planting rumours and paying bribes, gradually making the German (and Italian) cause more attractive. On a dark night outside Habbaniya Airbase, Kurdish guards, on contract with the British authorities for airfield security, hear the sound of approaching lorries. Standing-to and alerting the RAF personnel on the base, they put up a stiff fight against the Iraqi soldiers of the 3rd XX who are half-hearted in their attempts to drive the British from the vital airfield. It is only when the light tanks and armoured cars of the 1st Mech X arrive later in the day that the Kurds are forced to retreat into the swamps to the west. The powerful RAF contingent (that pathetic Audax I often wonder what to do with) is destroyed on the airfield. News of this battle is conveyed to the Iraqi soldiers, which galvanises them to swear to fight to the finish against the British infidels. Kut is occupied by the 1st XX while the 4th XX marches proudly towards Basra.

“Dear Il Duce,

As requested, I have invaded Egypt and continue to punish the impudent British for not liking us. Fancy not realising we too deserve a North African Empire – even at their expense!!!!

There has been a slight hiccup in operations, mainly due to poor showing by the rabble I was forced to leave behind during my tactical redeployment from Sidi Barrani and the treacherous British attack on Tobruk and Bardia. I assure you it is almost impossible to fight a campaign in such trying conditions when the enemy refuses to let his intentions be known. Thankfully the replacements you have so wisely sent to me has redressed the balance, and allowed me to win the strategically brilliant battle of Barce and I am now driving forcefully to Tobruk and the border again and expect to be in Cairo within two months.

The news from the Levant is good as this will surely draw off some British troops during my triumphant drive to the Nile. The Germans have had less success in Iraq, but then we know what they’re like when it comes to diplomacy….

The Germans currently under my command have played some small part in my victory over the British last month, it would be churlish of me not to recognise their contribution, but they are soooo boorish – always wanting to attack, training and planning, leaving no time for enjoyment. Please don’t send anymore or they’ll want to actually participate in my staff conferences!

I will write soon outlining my triumphs in your name in Egypt. Tell Duc d’Aosta I’ll be there soon.

Fondest regards to Clara,

Marshall Roberto.”

Apr I

British – A colonial construction unit and Australian engineers begin construction of forts at Halafaya (a sure sign of impending doom commented the Italian commander) while the 3rd Arm X destroyed the airfield at Derna. More bombing raids are conducted on Bengasi – this time German Me 110Ds intercept and sent one Blen 4 spiralling out of control and on fire into the Abort box. The other gets through and causes more damage to Bengasi.

Axis – At Vichy in France, Marshal Petain summons the German Ambassador to a meeting. Citing numerous British outrages against France, he offers the full and unqualified support of Vichy forces operating in the Levant region. Germany and their Italian allies may operate in and out of Syria and Lebanon without restriction, and furthermore, if needed, may base troops in the region to support any efforts in Iraq and Iran. British outrage is loud and prolonged and authorisation is given from Whitehall to CinC Middle east to take any and all measures to crush this threat to British control over the Near East. The CinC ME is heard to mutter to the Commander Western Desert Field Forces “With what shall I crush this threat?!” (Rolled snake eyes for full Levant participation, a pleasant experience as its the first time this has happened for me in WitD). In the highlands west of Derna, British tank units are awoken at dawn by the low throb of advancing enemy tanks. The Italians and the attached 21 Pz XX hit the defenders hard, pushing them back in disarray. (3:1 -1 terrain = DR)

In exploitation, the 21 Pz XX runs around the southern flank of the British force to seize Derna and heads towards Ain el Gazala.

Apr II

British – Mass panic breaks out amongst the leading allied troops. The units based on the 7th Arm XX attack 21 Pz XX from the east while the AS 7th XX and odds and sods attacks out of Tobruk from the west. The panzers stand fast against this threat and turn aside the weak allied thrust. (3:2, -4 ATEC, +2 AECA = AS) Elsewhere the 4th Indian cadre returns from Ethiopia and is railed to Matruh while a transport unit heads to Palestine where much shouting and swearing is going on between border guards and the French.

Axis – The Italian CinC orders a massive attack on those units based on the 7th Arm XX surrounded west of Gazala. In a fierce battle, the plucky British give their best before being swallowed up by the mass of German armour and Italian tankettes. The Ariete XX is roughly handled and the 10B III lost while the whole British force goes in the bag – being isolated from other British units, not one tank or soldier is able to escape to friendly lines (No special RPs generated – aww shucks!) (3:1 AECA/AECD cancels each other = HX)

In a follow on from the successful attack, the 21 Pz and 102 Trento XXs with mechanised/motorised odds and sods swing south to south of Tobruk and glare threateningly at Halafaya.

Mar I

British – Reinforcements form up in the Delta, the NZ 2nd at Port Said, the Australian 7th at Alexandria and the Poles in Haifa. The MNDBO is sent to Tobruk and there is a general shuffling of units around Barce and Mechili on preparation for expected troop withdrawals to Greece.

Italian – The HQ of the 21st Pz XX is returned by Malta based forces to Europe. Other Axis reinforcements arrive in North Africa and are shuttled by coastal steamer to Bengasi or begin marching up the long road of the Gulf of Sirte.

Mar II

British – Troops for Greece are removed, leaving a sad pathetic number of stacks on the board. CinC Middle east begins a telegram war with Whitehall and the War Office, all to no avail. A shuffling of stacks continues as the desperate British try and organise a cohesive defence line. Bengasi is again the target of the RAF, but the strong AA in the city returns one Blenheim to base while the desperate crews of the remaining bombers drop their loads accurately onto the port facilities, damaging them further, hopefully soon this annoying life line for the 10th Army and attached Germans will be broken.

Italian – The 21 Pz HQ arrives in Bengasi. In consultation with the CinC 10th Army, the Axis forces advance to contact the British, putting pressure on them and limiting their movement points available. A plan so cunning that painting it red would make it a fox is obviously germinating in the fertile mind of the Italian commander.