Campaign For North Africa 40D-43

[DanNeely]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Turn 40 - 5. Rotunda Segnali
26th April 1941

The situation here, slightly to the west, is just as bad and these units too are told to do nothing at present....

If nothing else here, you need to move a unit up next to the armor in the center. The black dot in the upper right indicates that they're cut off from supply. That means 100% of their combat losses will be destroyed, and once supply gets low enough attrition will begin destroying them even if the enemy doesn't act.

[Olorin]

ORIGINAL: Oberst_Klink

ORIGINAL: Olorin

The British should have sent 20 divisions to Greece or none at all.

Since they lacked that force, the meager force that was sent was not an assistance at all, it simply hastened the deutsch decision to invade, because the reason for the invasion was the British presence in Greece.

Terrible decision for both nations.

Kalispera,

Etsi, re. It was indeed one of the reasons for 'Operation Marita'; Churchill deploying more Brits down there, but let's not forget the 'blunder' of Mussolini when Italy invaded your country in October 1940. The factors for the, shall we say, intervention in Yugoslavia and Greece at the same time was because of the Yugoslavs 'refusal' to join the Ti-pact and the involvement of the Brits to reinforce troops in Greece. And yes... it was a tragedy for the people there.

P.S. You do know the story of Ioannis Rallis, I take it?

Just my 2p...

Klink, Oberst

Hi, Oberst, I read a few things about him. He was from a prominent political family and served as prime minister during the German occupation. His son also became prime minister in the 70s.

[warspite1]

Turn 41
30th April 1941

Rather than look in detail what happened in each combat, during the Axis turn, I will simply move to each of the areas and comment upon the situation of each.

We'll start at Gabr Saleh. Although the situation here has been stabilised somewhat - albeit with considerable loss - the Italians are now looking to get around the flanks, both north and south.

The poorly handled relief effort has turned into something of a disaster for the Commonwealth forces and the relief force itself needs continued help.

[warspite1]

Turn 41
30th April 1941

Okay I'll turn back to this sector shortly. Only one unit - a company of the 1st Royal Northumberland Fusiliers Machine Gun Battalion - failed to extract themselves at Gabr Saleh.

But first a look at what happened at 3. Knightbridge, 4. Bir Hachem, 5. Rotunda Segnali and 6. Bir Tengeder.

Surprisingly few units were actually wiped out, but losses were heavy and moreover, the surviving units are increasingly separated from their own lines.

We'll follow each of the survivors as they try and get back to the main British lines around Bardia.

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - 6. Bir Tengeder
30th April 1941

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - 3. Knightsbridge 4. Bir Hachem 5. Rotunda Segnali
30th April 1941

Because of the proximity, these will be treated as one.

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - 1. Tobruk
30th April 1941

Sadly there have been no personnel changes at Tobruk. The supply situation is challenging and bombardment is limited to an artillery regiment and the Royal Navy. The result was reasonable however - and even destroyed a few tanks.

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - 7. Bardia
30th April 1941

With Gabr Saleh having been given up, there are now two new areas to home in on - 7. Bardia and 8. Sidi Omar. We'll start with the former.

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - 8. Sidi Omar
30th April 1941

Finally we come to the mainly Indian force protecting the southern approaches.

And that brings to an end the Commonwealth movement for this turn....

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - Axis Turn
30th April 1941

As expected the Axis are now making a major play for Tobruk judging by the number of units headed in that direction.

Meanwhile the turn is, as expected, being hailed by the introduction of artillery and air attacks. The Hussars caught in the open south of Knightsbridge suffer only limited damage, but the Leicesters near Mechili take a pounding and the follow-up infantry attack throws them into retreat. A second attack later sees the supporting British artillery surrounded and destroyed.

Next on the Axis calling card list are the two southern strongpoints at Tobruk. The western one is barely touched but the eastern one take some loss.

A regiment from the Brescia Division and a battalion of CCNN infantry starts to work its way through the Commonwealth units unable to retreat. First up the 6th RTR loses a tenth of its remaining tank strength and retreats south. However, when the Italians come up against the 5th RTR they are forced to break off the attack with very heavy loss.

The poor Hussars south of Knightsbridge are pounded once more, and then the action switches to Bardia and environs. Firstly the Australian infantry, defending the northern approaches to Sidi Azeiz, are pounded by the artillery of the Savona Division.

Italian and German units move to the west of Tobruk to try and stretch the defences. But this attack is something of a disaster for the Italians who lose a large number of howitzers in this ill-fated move.


This is an interesting one. I don't know why the Italians would have lost so much. The Commonwealth Strongpoint was part of the defence but I thought this was just a minefield and there was not infantry attack.

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - Axis Turn (Cont)
30th April 1941

The torment of Tobruk continues - this time against the eastern strongpoint once more. No damage is done however.

The Bologna Division makes a concerted effort to clear the British battalion from the airfield at Bir el Gubi, and the infantry reels under an intense bombardment, followed by an infantry attack that dislodges them from their defensive positions.

The Italian CCNN battalion then make a second attack on the British tanks west of Rotunda Signali. The RAF are able to provide assistance to the supply-starved British units and the Italian attack is halted once more.

The turn is not even half over yet but still the Axis apply the pressure. This time its the turn once again of the southwestern strongpoint at Tobruk. Slight damage is taken by the British.

The Queens battalion, having retreated from the airfield is out in the open and at the mercy of the Sabratha and Bologna Divisions. The British infantry is pushed back once more but RAF intervention ensures this is a costly enterprise for the Italians.

Tobruk is hit once again (to no effect) before the action switches to RAF Menastir, north of Bardia. The Savona artillery prove highly accurate as the Australians found previously.

Back to Knightsbridge and artillery from the Trento Division ensure there is no let up for the men of the 3rd Hussars who undergo a third bombardment.

Speaking of third attacks - the Italians west of Rotunda Signali continue to try and pressure the British tanks, but this time they suffer severely and cause little damage to the defending tankers.

Another inconsequential bombardment of Tobruk is then followed by another accurate shelling of Menastir. This lightly defended airbase is under serious risk of falling....

'Thinning out' attacks against the Leicesters at Mechilli and Hussars at Knightsbridge prelude another strike at the eastern strongpoint at Tobruk. This one causes the most concern yet with a number of infantry and guns lost.

Once again a bombardment against the western strongpoint is repulsed with reasonably serious losses meted out to the Italian gunners.

The Indians south of Bardia are next to face the Italians. The newly arrived Mahratta Light Infantry that were ordered to hold the crossroads between Sidi Omar and Fort Maddelenna are thrown back by a combined infantry and tank thrust by the Ariete Division. The attack however is painful for the Italians who record double the number of losses than the Indian infantry.

The Leicesters come in for more punishment before the action switches back to Rotunda Signali and the bizarre decision by the Italian high command to continue the attack against the British tanks. Once again the attack is repulsed with severe loss.

Will this turn ever end???

Bombardments of Menastir and Tobruk continue with losses for the British at the former and the Italians at the latter. I don't know what it is about that western strongpoint but its causing the Axis a good amount of grief.

More, increasingly weak, bombardments of the Hussars and the southwestern strongpoint at Tobruk follow but then yet another attack against the eastern strongpoint sees more losses for the Allies. Neame is begged for more infantry so that the defenders can be rotated....

The Italians refuse to concede defeat against the RTR despite the heavy losses taken so far. The RAF intervene but so does the Luftwaffe and the Regia Aeronautica. The British lose 10 bombers and 9 fighters, while the Axis lose 7 aircraft of all types. The balance sheet though is evened up somewhat by the fact that the Italian infantry continue to suffer appalling losses.

The Italian artillery switch their attention to the approaches to northwest Bardia for the first time. The accuracy of these gunners is impressive....

The Axis are no longer content to bombard Tobruks defenders, but they now believe its time to try and take the place. This attack is seen off with losses about even.....

[warspite1]

Turn 41 - Axis Turn (Cont)
30th April 1941

The bombardment of the Hussars resumes - and the Italian gunners appear to have got a second wind. Speaking of bombardments, the southwestern defences of Tobruk are tested again, although with only light damage caused.

Following up on their successful taking of the crossroads, the Ariete Division try to dislodge the cavalry and artillery beyond. However, the attack is repulsed, and although the Mahrattas continue withdrawing, the remaining units hold their ground and inflict very heavy losses on the attackers. Undaunted by this, two battalions of tanks push north and force the PAVO cavalry into retreat into Sidi Omar.

As the turn draws towards its close the Hussars take another battering before all four strongpoints before Tobruk are singled out. These come to not very much, but Menastir is hit once again.

At the crossroads the Ariete Division continues to try and dislodge the Indian HQ. Once again the attacks are repulsed and in the process the attached Sabratha battalion ceases to exist.

Bombardments of Tobruk and the fusiliers north of Gabr Saleh come to nought and a third attempt at taking the Indian HQ falls flat when the RAAF come to the defence of the Indians and inflict significant losses on the Ariete's infantry.

The Axis are still not done with Tobruk, but another attack against the western strongpoint is repulsed.

The turn winds up with bombardments of Menastir (painful), the Hussars at Knightsbridge (negligible), and the eastern and southwestern strongpoints at Tobruk (negilgible).


Another 54 attacks this turn

[warspite1]

Turn 42
3rd May 1941

The focus will be on:

- Continuing the extraction of as many armoured units as possible.
- Trying to shore up Tobruk (if I have any units)
- Trying to stop the Italians making further gains north and south of Bardia.

So I will begin the turn with the trapped units and take it from there.

[warspite1]

Turn 42
3rd May 1941

The 11th Hussars attack an out of supply 32nd CCNN Bn and force it to retreat.

1. 28th Australian Bn heads east for the junction at El Cuasc. It engages an Italian AA unit and severely mauls it before running out of steam. It is joined at the head of the retreating line by the 1st Rangers Battalion and the 1st RTR.

2. This move is followed up by the 1st KRRC Bn. that finishes off the air force unit.

3. The 7th Australian Cavalry Regiment and, either side of it, the 23rd and 43rd Australian Infantry Battalions are then ordered to take up position on the north-south ridge to keep a check on the southern flank and specifically an Italian Bersaglieri unit there.

4. The Australian 9th Division and the 24th Brigade HQ’s station themselves on the crossroads at El Cuasc and are joined by the Australian 3rd Field Artillery Regiment and three British units – the 2nd and 3rd RHA and the 1st Tower Hamlets Rifles.

5. All units that were being attacked by the Brescia Division previously, stopping their retreat) then make their move south, this time undisturbed by the battered Italian infantry. The 13th and 17th Australian Infantry Battalions are deployed to try and stop would-be pursuers from taking the retreating units in the rear and the 13th is joined by those units without the ability to go no further. Meanwhile the remaining 5th and 6th RTR and the 4th RHA join the 23rd Australian Bn on the ridge.

6. Stranded between the two Australian battalions, are the Royal West Kents who are unable to move.

7. There is nothing that can be done for the 2nd Queens Battalion, but the last unit in the north, the 3rd Hussars, are able to squeeze through the gaps in the Italian line.

8. Just west of the junction at El Cuasc are the 7th Armoured Brigade, 7th and 11th Hussars and the Kings Dragoon Guards.

9. That leaves the units around the Brescia Division battalion that are also unable to move. These are the 22nd Guards Brigade HQ, the 3rd Hussars, the 2nd KORR, the 1st Essex, the 2nd Rifle Brigade and a squadron of the 5th RTR.

It is hoped that this deployment will stop the Italians from getting in amongst the Commonwealth units....

[warspite1]

Turn 42
3rd May 1941

So while the British armour and the Australian infantry's fight for survival continues, what is happening to the east of these manoeuvrings?

1. Whatever happens in the short term, RAF Menastir is no longer viable and the support units retreat to Buq Buq.

2. Its noted that the forces attacking to the northwest of Bardia are somewhat isolated. The decision is taken to give up the defence of Sidi Azeiz in order to try and wipe out the Savona Division. The Australian forces at Sidi Azeiz are ordered to encircle the exposed Italian infantry division. A battalion of French marines are sent up the coast road to block any would-be relief efforts.

3. To the south at Sidi Omar the plan is simply to try and destroy the Ariete armour.

This is a dangerous game being played, the British are spreading themselves thinly elsewhere in order to try and force a decision in two key areas…..

[warspite1]

Turn 42
3rd May 1941

The proceedings begin with a number of bombardments. Air support is requested from the Blenheim squadrons at Sollum and Sidi Barani. Note: there are also bombardments against German positions south of Tobruk.

[warspite1]

Turn 42 - Round 1
3rd May 1941

The initial air attack goes badly – two fighters lost for no appreciable reward against the infantry north of Bardia.

The results are better to the south as two regiments of Royal Horse Artillery open up against advance elements of the Savona Division between Sidi Azeiz and Fort Capuzzo.

The German forces are on the receiving end of a severe battering south of Tobruk, and these two attacks sandwich an airstrike south of Bardia. It must be said that the RAAF pilots do a better job than their RAF counterparts at Sidi Omar.

There is a good deal of success against the Savona’s artillery. Fire from no less than four Australian regiments smash into the exposed Italian gunners which suffer the loss of 18 of their guns, including half of their heaviest howitzers.

[warspite1]

Turn 42 - Round 3
3rd May 1941

Round 3 seems pretty much more of the same. At Tobruk the very last of HMS Barham's 15-inch ammunition is expended, and there is only one artillery regiment in any fit state to fire.

Neither Blenheim is able to fly this time. In the north the artillery regiments split their fire, 50% against the artillery and 50% against the infantry.

To the south, the Ariete armour remains the focus, but the British 8th Field Regiment turns their attention to the motorised infantry to the south.

[warspite1]

Turn 42 - Round 3
3rd May 1941

The bombardments are all satisfactory. The only question now is whether to continue with this or to go straight into the attack. The decision is for one more round of artillery fire. Again the attacks are broadly as expected, although there seems to be a drop off in performance as units use up supply. Here is a summary (note: the first attack is missing - this was the RAF strike north of Bardia that resulted in 4% losses to the RAF and 0% for the enemy).

[warspite1]

Turn 42 - Round 7
3rd May 1941

There are just two attacks ordered. The first is against the artillery of the Savona Division and is to be launched by the Australians.

The second is carried out by a mixed British/Indian force and targets the Italian armour threatening Sidi Omar.

The two attacks go well.