Turn 42 - Axis Turn (cont)
3rd May 1941
The Italian Engineers try yet again to push the Indian cavalry into retreat but instead, simply continue to take more punishment.
The most northern of the Queens companies is forced to retreat when attacked by a battalion from the Bologna Division.
Further bombardments of Tobruk are carried out, but with only limited results on this occasion
The trapped Bologna battalion continues to attack the remnants of the 5th RTR but this time an entire company is destroyed by the British tanks.
The ring around Sidi Omar is tightening as the Mahrattas are forced to retreat yet again.
I’m surprised there is anything left of the Italian Engineers as they attack again!
The Queens are almost finished, one company - the northern most - is destroyed and further shelling is meted out to the remaining two.
The Tobruk garrison and the German attackers trade losses in two bombardments and then its back to Bardia and more retreating for the British – but at heavy cost to the Italian infantry. The Savona Division don’t know when to quit and cause yet more problems for the British tankers – however, losses are mounting as their attacks get weaker.
The Indians are forced out of Sidi Omar at very heavy cost. For the second time the Indian forces follow-up a mauling of the Italians by themselves being over-extended and then on the receiving end of punishing, and potentially disastrous counter-blows.
Further shelling of Fort Madelenna results in the 42nd RTR retreating.
The Italian Engineers have obviously been told to fight to the last round and the last man. They continue to attack and the Indian cavalry continues to hold them off…..
The Indians near Sidi Omar are bombarded, no doubt as a prelude to another attack.
The same applies to the Queens.
A battalion of the Savona Division edges closer to Bardia – although at an alarming cost surely?
The tanks near Fort Madelenna are shelled
The Axis switch back to Tobruk which has not been attacked for a while…..although damage is light
The 7th RTR, southwest of Bardia, is bombarded but suffers no loss.
The Ariete’s artillery inflict further pain on the Indians – who hold for the moment
More shelling of the hapless Queens
Disaster as Fort Madelenna falls. The British plan has, once again, spectacularly back-fired and the 13th Light AA Regiment is completely destroyed.
Two more bombardments of Tobruk’s outer defences but no damage to anybody.
Amazingly the Queens last two companies still continue to remain in place.
There is another attack on the 42nd RTR and another retreat
The Indians northwest of Sidi Omar are attacked again and retreat – although the Camerons hold their ground to delay the Italian advance north.
Menastir is attacked and a company of the RNF is forced back to the coast.
There are two more attacks by artillery on Tobruk, bu again this is to very little effect
The Queens continue to survive, as do the 42nd RTR
A weak pincer attack on the RNF company pinned to the coast north of Bardia fails, and is repulsed with heavy loss.
The British units that held their ground at Sidi Omar are finally pushed back
And so ends another, hugely punishing turn......
