North Africa Tobruk: 1300 Hours 6/21/1941
I dont know what high command is thinking of. This command is not prepared to make a frontal assault. We are short on recon forces and tanks from the last battle. At least 7 tanks are still broke down and we need upgrades to our out dated equipment.
We were unable to requisition any extra Engineers to break thru the mine fields. This is goin to make it tough moving under there heavy guns. The Engineers are goin to take a pounding today. I would hate to be one of them in this battle. The Vis is near 1400 yards and clear. You can believe they will be opening up on us before we reach there mine field.
I have placed our IG guns on the best hills i could to try and get a clear shot over the fields. Our on call has been laying down a heavy barrage for the last 15 minutes. Now it is time to send the boys over the top and start this madness once again. The mortars have begun to drop smoke along with a battery of 4.5. I am hoping this will help as we approache the field. Just maybe the Engineers will find a soft spot thru the fields.
The whistles have gone off and I can see some of them already moving across dead mans land from here. We are set up in a three company front heading due east. The sun is beating down from almost directly over head. It is hot so burning hot. If you stumble and fall you are sure to get some kind of burn from the hot sand. The metal on your rifle feels like a frying pan in your hands. Your mouth is so dry and filled with sand it feels like its a sheet of sandpaper.
God Save the King and Protect the Empire.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Moderator: MOD_SPWaW
Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
North Africa Tobruk: 1330 Hours 6/21/1941
Well this battle is not going our way already. We have not broken thru there mine field anywhere so far. They have set up a double row against us this time. Some of the spots we have breeched the first row. I just dont have enough Engineers to do the job. I had to purchase some tanks to help with our depleted tank force. This cut down on the points spent to get the extra help.
Having a tough time fighting with the British forces for some reason. I lost way too much equipment and men in the first battle against the Germans at Dunkirk. We have not been able to get what we need from England. I guess there havin a tough enough time trying to keep up with production. Sure do hope Churchill can convince the USA they need to join in this war against Germany soon.
Have been laying down a lot of smoke hoping to help the Engineers so they can work faster. Have lost a tank and 2 Apcs to heavy bombardment from 81 and 105s. Have spotted one heavy bunker and at least 2 mmg nests. Been dropping 8 inchers in on them with no success so far. Couple of the Engineer squads working on the center have lost several men to small arm fire. Have laid 2 inch mortars in on them. Seem to have quited them down for the moment.
If we are able to take the forward objectives it will be due to some very heroic effort from our Engineers.
God Save the King and Protect the Empire
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Well this battle is not going our way already. We have not broken thru there mine field anywhere so far. They have set up a double row against us this time. Some of the spots we have breeched the first row. I just dont have enough Engineers to do the job. I had to purchase some tanks to help with our depleted tank force. This cut down on the points spent to get the extra help.
Having a tough time fighting with the British forces for some reason. I lost way too much equipment and men in the first battle against the Germans at Dunkirk. We have not been able to get what we need from England. I guess there havin a tough enough time trying to keep up with production. Sure do hope Churchill can convince the USA they need to join in this war against Germany soon.
Have been laying down a lot of smoke hoping to help the Engineers so they can work faster. Have lost a tank and 2 Apcs to heavy bombardment from 81 and 105s. Have spotted one heavy bunker and at least 2 mmg nests. Been dropping 8 inchers in on them with no success so far. Couple of the Engineer squads working on the center have lost several men to small arm fire. Have laid 2 inch mortars in on them. Seem to have quited them down for the moment.
If we are able to take the forward objectives it will be due to some very heroic effort from our Engineers.
God Save the King and Protect the Empire
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
North Africa Tobruk: 1400 Hours 6/21/1941
The north flank our left flank to be exact has broken thru the mine field. They were behind a small ridge and have now begun the climb up and over. They encountered 2 MMG nests plus a rifle pit. One mmg has been taken out and bringing up the Engineers to deal with the other two. They have maybe 200 yards to the objective once the nests are taken care of.
The center has got a 100 yard path thru the mines as well. They are of course facing the highest concentration of the enemy. They also have run into 2 MMg nests that are raking our lines. We have lost most of our troops in this push on the center. To there north is a concrete block house maybe 400 yards. Think we can bypass to the south of this. The VH sits behind this bunker maybe 300 yards. Have smoked it well and recieving no fire from them at the moment.
The south flank has opened some what of a corrider thru the two rows of mines. Its more of a zig zag line thru the mines. Have to really pick our way thru which makes it slow going. Am hoping they can force a gap in the German lines from here. If they can make there way back around the center concentration of Germans this battle will be over. They really loaded up on the mines in this section. Every 50 yards must have a 100 mines in it. At least that is the report I got from the commander of the Engineers working there. They have a big gun firing on them which we have not been able to locate as yet. Have ordered a heavy smoke bombardment to be laid about 200 yards behind the hill they are coming over. Hope this will cut down the line of sight of this gun. Sure wish we could locate where it is positioned. It has taken out a scout car and made a light tank scedatle off the top of the hill.
We are advancing and dealing heavy damage to the Germans. But this battle is far from over and there will be more losses on our side. Have only seen maybe 4 German tanks so far two were taken out by our heavy guns. These were all sighted maybe 500 yards behind there lines and mostly by smoke trails they made in the desert. I know they must have more armor then this.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
The north flank our left flank to be exact has broken thru the mine field. They were behind a small ridge and have now begun the climb up and over. They encountered 2 MMG nests plus a rifle pit. One mmg has been taken out and bringing up the Engineers to deal with the other two. They have maybe 200 yards to the objective once the nests are taken care of.
The center has got a 100 yard path thru the mines as well. They are of course facing the highest concentration of the enemy. They also have run into 2 MMg nests that are raking our lines. We have lost most of our troops in this push on the center. To there north is a concrete block house maybe 400 yards. Think we can bypass to the south of this. The VH sits behind this bunker maybe 300 yards. Have smoked it well and recieving no fire from them at the moment.
The south flank has opened some what of a corrider thru the two rows of mines. Its more of a zig zag line thru the mines. Have to really pick our way thru which makes it slow going. Am hoping they can force a gap in the German lines from here. If they can make there way back around the center concentration of Germans this battle will be over. They really loaded up on the mines in this section. Every 50 yards must have a 100 mines in it. At least that is the report I got from the commander of the Engineers working there. They have a big gun firing on them which we have not been able to locate as yet. Have ordered a heavy smoke bombardment to be laid about 200 yards behind the hill they are coming over. Hope this will cut down the line of sight of this gun. Sure wish we could locate where it is positioned. It has taken out a scout car and made a light tank scedatle off the top of the hill.
We are advancing and dealing heavy damage to the Germans. But this battle is far from over and there will be more losses on our side. Have only seen maybe 4 German tanks so far two were taken out by our heavy guns. These were all sighted maybe 500 yards behind there lines and mostly by smoke trails they made in the desert. I know they must have more armor then this.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
North Africa Tobruk: 1440 Hours 6/21/1941
We have broken thru and taken the 2 forward objectives. We are still facing heavy resistence even tho the enemy has been broken. We are facing 88s heavy ATG emplacments and a lot of stugs. Our guns seem to be unable to pierce there armor. Every German even the pieces of squads and crew members seem to be maniacs. They must all be marksmen as well where our boys couldnt hit the side of a barn with a 12 gauge shotgun.
They are cutting our troops to pieces with even a lowly luger that the crew members seem to all have. We are dealing death and destruction our selves but no where near as often as the Germans are. We have taken out at least 11 bunkers which has cost us lives as well. Now there 88s seem to have every unit we have zeroed in as well. I have smoked them and laid in a heavy bombardment on them to no avail.
If we survive this battle it will be at a very heavy cost to our side. Our 8 inchers are running out of ammo. Once this happens I fear our advance will be halted. I am now using our 3 inch mortars for smoke as they ran out of ammo long ago. Soon they will be out of smoke and then I have no idea what we do. Out of the 3 companys I dont think any of them are more then 60 percent.
It seems that every 50 yards we gain there is a new threat. Either with stugs,88s,ATGs or heavy flak guns interspacedwith MMG bunkers or heavy steel block houses. I have to say this is the toughest battle I have been in so far.
The men are to be commended for there bravery and determination against horrendous odds. Ive seen less then half squads go up against uneven odds and hold there ground until they were wiped out to the man. I am proud to command these men today and only hope we survive this horrible war.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
We have broken thru and taken the 2 forward objectives. We are still facing heavy resistence even tho the enemy has been broken. We are facing 88s heavy ATG emplacments and a lot of stugs. Our guns seem to be unable to pierce there armor. Every German even the pieces of squads and crew members seem to be maniacs. They must all be marksmen as well where our boys couldnt hit the side of a barn with a 12 gauge shotgun.
They are cutting our troops to pieces with even a lowly luger that the crew members seem to all have. We are dealing death and destruction our selves but no where near as often as the Germans are. We have taken out at least 11 bunkers which has cost us lives as well. Now there 88s seem to have every unit we have zeroed in as well. I have smoked them and laid in a heavy bombardment on them to no avail.
If we survive this battle it will be at a very heavy cost to our side. Our 8 inchers are running out of ammo. Once this happens I fear our advance will be halted. I am now using our 3 inch mortars for smoke as they ran out of ammo long ago. Soon they will be out of smoke and then I have no idea what we do. Out of the 3 companys I dont think any of them are more then 60 percent.
It seems that every 50 yards we gain there is a new threat. Either with stugs,88s,ATGs or heavy flak guns interspacedwith MMG bunkers or heavy steel block houses. I have to say this is the toughest battle I have been in so far.
The men are to be commended for there bravery and determination against horrendous odds. Ive seen less then half squads go up against uneven odds and hold there ground until they were wiped out to the man. I am proud to command these men today and only hope we survive this horrible war.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
North Africa Tobruk: 1510 Hours 6/21/1941
The battle is over and we managed to eek out a draw. Our losses were horrendous to both men and equipment. There is no way we will be able to regroup and be ready for the next battle. The Germans had too much facing us in this battle. Even after busting through the mine field and taking the forward objectives we never reached the rear ones. There were too many ATG emplacements and stug tanks to try and get thru. Being as we were alraedy short on tanks and losing as many trying to just get thru there lines.
After we had lost so much equipment and men in the first four battles. We were never able to get back up to full strength. We were short on recon, our companys were at 75 strength and the tank force was at half.
This has been a disaster for the British commonwealth today. The men did every thing with what they could. They are not to blame for this loss at all. They were a great fighting force. I assume I will be held accountible ive no doubt on that.
I have just recieved word I am to be recalled to England. I am to surrender my command to a Sir Thomas Bridewell. A whole new Kings Royal Rifles is now being formed in England. The base of which will be formed from our veterans. It will be formed with all the latest equipment that we have at our disposal. There will be a company from India and Canada as before. But there will now be a company from Ireland. The company from Ireland will be headed by Ron O'Grady and the one from Canada by Hal Beaman. I understand that the one from India will have an English officer named George Kingman as there leader.
I suppose it is time for me to retire after fighting in two world wars. My tactics that I used in the first world war dont seem to work in this new highly mechanized type of fighting. Leave it to the young more energetic type of commander. I wish them well we will need all the fighting skill and determination we can muster against the monster Adolf Hitler. He has to be a crazy man to inflict so much suffering on so many people. God save the world if he can not be stopped.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
The battle is over and we managed to eek out a draw. Our losses were horrendous to both men and equipment. There is no way we will be able to regroup and be ready for the next battle. The Germans had too much facing us in this battle. Even after busting through the mine field and taking the forward objectives we never reached the rear ones. There were too many ATG emplacements and stug tanks to try and get thru. Being as we were alraedy short on tanks and losing as many trying to just get thru there lines.
After we had lost so much equipment and men in the first four battles. We were never able to get back up to full strength. We were short on recon, our companys were at 75 strength and the tank force was at half.
This has been a disaster for the British commonwealth today. The men did every thing with what they could. They are not to blame for this loss at all. They were a great fighting force. I assume I will be held accountible ive no doubt on that.
I have just recieved word I am to be recalled to England. I am to surrender my command to a Sir Thomas Bridewell. A whole new Kings Royal Rifles is now being formed in England. The base of which will be formed from our veterans. It will be formed with all the latest equipment that we have at our disposal. There will be a company from India and Canada as before. But there will now be a company from Ireland. The company from Ireland will be headed by Ron O'Grady and the one from Canada by Hal Beaman. I understand that the one from India will have an English officer named George Kingman as there leader.
I suppose it is time for me to retire after fighting in two world wars. My tactics that I used in the first world war dont seem to work in this new highly mechanized type of fighting. Leave it to the young more energetic type of commander. I wish them well we will need all the fighting skill and determination we can muster against the monster Adolf Hitler. He has to be a crazy man to inflict so much suffering on so many people. God save the world if he can not be stopped.
Commander VII Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Hey Robot.
Since Helmsly has been relieved and Kingman is taking over does this mean we get a whole new campaign AAR thread?
Since Helmsly has been relieved and Kingman is taking over does this mean we get a whole new campaign AAR thread?
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Just from 1941 on after the new force has been formed with top men and equipment. I just never got off to a good start with what I had at Dunkirk never really was much after that battle. The Germans tore my command to bits in Europe. Never was able to catch up on the losses from that one. Just continued downward from that battle. Fought each succeeding battle with less and less supplies and men. Never was able to do much updating and was fighting in north Africa with mostly 1939 equipment. Like I said I dont feel bad im old and need fresh young blood in command with new ideas how to beat the German onslaught.
The British will return and will triumph over aggression.
The British will return and will triumph over aggression.
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
By the way Tyrone, Kingman will command the Indian company only. Sir Thomas Bridewell will be commander of the Kings Royal Rifles. He intends to run the Germans out of Africa by 1942.
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
ORIGINAL: robot
By the way Tyrone, Kingman will command the Indian company only. Sir Thomas Bridewell will be commander of the Kings Royal Rifles. He intends to run the Germans out of Africa by 1942.
[:D] Whoever is in command, robot --I look forward to reading about it!
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Robot, I believe you to be a man of honor, so I do not suggest this lightly. You could just "F9" a battle or two and rebuild your unit. Although you do lose some morale, I was getting an average of 800 points per battle to rebuild with in a test I did last night. Yes, it counts as a crushing defeat, but your unit stays in the fight and gets a chance to parade through the rubble of Berlin. Lincoln didn't quit, and I don't think that you should. Best of luck!
Astrologers believe that your future is determined on the day that you are born.
Warriors know that your future is determined on the day that your enemy dies.
Warriors know that your future is determined on the day that your enemy dies.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Poopy Im not quitting just replacing command. What with not being able to rebuild or upgrade due to heavy losses between battles. I was in a downward spiral to complete destruction. We are now rebuilding in England with a revamp in command and hope that soon we will be In Berlin after The Axsis forces have been defeated. We will be outfitted with the latest equipment and will be able to meet the Germans at there own game which will ultimatly run the enemy out of north Africa.
Col Thomas Helmsly who had fought in the first world war and had some outdated ideas on how to fight with tanks. He was from the group who were the old over the top bunch. Those that forged ahead right into the face of the enemy. He was glad to retire and give the reins over to Sir Thomas Bridewell who is well versed in modern war fare. I am positive that all the new commanders will get thru Africa with flying colors.
God save the King glory to the Empire.
Re: This report is straight from High Command in England
Col Thomas Helmsly who had fought in the first world war and had some outdated ideas on how to fight with tanks. He was from the group who were the old over the top bunch. Those that forged ahead right into the face of the enemy. He was glad to retire and give the reins over to Sir Thomas Bridewell who is well versed in modern war fare. I am positive that all the new commanders will get thru Africa with flying colors.
God save the King glory to the Empire.
Re: This report is straight from High Command in England
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Rifles assault the German lines Tobruk
Bravo! I'll start saving confetti for that parade.
Astrologers believe that your future is determined on the day that you are born.
Warriors know that your future is determined on the day that your enemy dies.
Warriors know that your future is determined on the day that your enemy dies.