French advance Tobruk 6/19/41

[robot]

Tobruk Libya
6/19/1941
0800 Hours

We will be starting our advance to try and stop the Germans here at Tobruk. As soon as our tanks have warmed up we will be starting our push against the German XV Grenadiers. This is an elite unit and will more then likely be heavy with tanks. Have given orders for our pre bombardment to commence as we move forward to no mans land. We have 2 batteries of the heavy 155mm guns loaned to us from corp.

The men are up for today and show no fear as we prepare to move out. A company has been given the job of taking the northern objective. While B and C will be moving in a two company front on the two southern objectives. Please see accompaning photo of our front set up. We have alot of open ground to move across so will continue to lay heavy arty down on there front. Visability is near 1000 yards and its kind of hazy not really hot as yet. Sun is starting to rise tho and looks like another schorcher here today. Viva La France !!!!

HQ: VII Legioneers
Col: Marcelle DuBois Commanding

[robot]

Tobruk Libya
6/19/1941
0840 Hours

A in the north is moving slow as they are seeing a lot of infantry in there path to the objectives. They still have at least 800 yards to go yet. They are sustaining some casualties around 50 men have been lost so far. Only saw one tank so far and took that out with no losses to our side. I have given orders to slow down and take the enemy out slowly. There is no big rush to reach the objectives. They are using there 81 morters to suppress then moving up and rooting the enemy out of there holes. Have given them 2 of the 120s to help them move the enemy out of there way.

B and C Co in the south have run into the most armor so far. They have taken out at least 12 tanks and our 120s took out 2 sig 33 150s. They have lost 2 recon light tanks and maybe 35 men so far. They have moved up to with in 400 yards of there two objectives. The enemy maybe 15 minutes ago hit us with 3 barrages of rockets and have been almost constantly dropping 105s and 81 morters on us. They are moving well at least 100 yards every five minutes. The Germans have not put up a real strong front mostly kind of piece meal.

Have not had much action so far kind of slow really. Mostly MG fire from the German squads a lot of that comin at us. Not doin much in the way of damage just harrasing to us. The german armor that has shown has not done much either. Our gunners have been right on target all day taking the tanks out almost as soon as they show up.

The southern 2 Objectives should be in our possession within the next 25 minutes to half hour. We are in no hurry and do not want to lose a lot of men or equipment today.

HQ: VII Legioneers
Col: Marcelle DuBois Commanding

[robot]

Tobruk Libya
6/19/1941
0915 Hours

A in the north have taken and are holding there assigned objectives. After taking and clearing the area they have begun to move towards the north rear ones. About 100 yards east of the flags they ran into at least 6 of the German tanks. In the insuing fire fight we lost three of our heavy tanks to the murderous german fire. The last two german tanks were taken out by two 105 SPIG. They were able to move up under the covering fire of there 3 comrads from the tank company. Due to the quick thinking of the 105s all three tank crews were saved.

B and C have also have taken there objectives in the south. They too are at least 300 yards past them and moving towards the rear southern objective. They still have close to 1800 yards to reach them. They have run into 2 mmg bunkers and taken them out as well as 2 37mm ATG which have been blown to pieces as well. Have found and taken out at least 7 50mm morters on our push to the rear. We also have found and taken out 1 88mm gun and we are in the process of blowing up 2 more which had taken out at least three of our units before being spotted. We have been lucky although at least 12 of our armor have been blowin to smithereens we have managed to save all but three of the crews.

Our heavy 155mm guns continue to lay in a heavy barrage on any and all suspected concentrations of enemy units. I know they have taken out at least 7 tanks on there own. Have called down a heavy bombardment on the area where the fire from the two 88s has been coming from.

There is no doubt this battle is ours and once again we will rout the hated enemy from the field. Sgt Argeneiu and his squad are still a one man wrecking crew. They have amassed a very high body count. From all reports they have some where around 32 kills to there credit.

HQ: VII Legioneers
Col: Marcelle DuBois Commanding