9/23/40 British try to hold Italians back

[robot]

Bardia Libya
8/23/1940
1000 Hours

We have set up a defensive line around a small village in an attempt to hold back the Italian advance. A&B Company are set up around a small village on the north flank. A has the left flank as the Italians advance from the east towards us. B will be on the south side of the village. The Canadians have been given the southern most flank near the south side at the bottom extremes of the map. They are set up on the se side of a small hill to there rear and slightly nw of them. The village sits on the east side of a small hill. Part of the village sits on the top of this hill. A has the NE slopes and B has the SE slopes of this hill.

It is a clear day and vis is very good almost out to 3000 yards. We should have no problem of seeing them advance towards us. We have the area in front of us sighted in already and our artty should cut them to pieces as they come across the clear ground. They will have open field to cross to get to us. at least a 1000 yards of turky shooting so to speak.

For the past 10 minutes we have been under a very heavy barrage from 75mm and 81 Morters. The 75s have already taken out 2 of our tanks and inflicted at least 10 deaths so far. Our guns have sent at least 25 of there armor to hades as they try to move with in effective range. This has consiste of Lancia,auto belindas and 63/33s. nothing really heavy has showed up so far. Both crews from our two tanks got out safely as one was the HQ tank for there platoon. he is staying with the other tanks to help out with orders for them. Above and beyond the call of duty I would say. A very brave action to say the least.

This group may have got there butts kicked in France by the Germans earlier this year. But since we have rebuilt and had more training I believe they will make it thru this war ok. They are well trained and follow orders aggessivly and to the point. With no fear or hesatation from them we will truly be a formidable fighting force in the future. We want to face the Germans again and avenge our comrads who lost there lives to them in France.

HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly

[robot]

Bardia Libya
8/23/1940
1025 Hours

They came at us at 1000 Hours precisly. We began to shoot and hit armor from that time on. It looks like at least 7 companys of light armor backed up by moter cycles and ground troops. It has been a turky shoot at distance as it it beautiful today. it is clear and can see for ever like 3000 yards. i have given orders to not to fire at anything over 750 yards to conserve ammo. Do not want to run short today what with all the stuff they are throwing at us.

Supply did not have much in the way of mines for us. We were lucky to get 25 mines to cover the whole length of our front. Have got the engineers out in front of the troops trying to help by laying some of the mines they have. Only one piece of there armor has gotten close to the mines anyways and he was taken out by a Sec of atr with a head on shot.

The 75MM and 81 morters continue to fall on us with no let up in sight. Our big guns have made a mess of the battlefield and has really slowed down the advance. have seen a lot of light armor but not much in the way of infantry has come at us. I figure our 8inchers are really cutting wide holes in there infantry advance.

I dont see this battle lasting too much longer. We have taken out at least 40 pieces of there armor with very accurate shooting today. But they continue to send in more of there armor into this slaughter. I only wish it had been the germans we were facing today would have been a great pay back for France. None of our infantry other then the HMG have even fired there weapons so far. Dropped a couple of 2 inch rounds on a belinda few minutes back. Other then that it has been along distance fight so far.

HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel kingsly

[robot]

Bardia Libya
6/23/1940
1040 Hours

This battle was a short but furious fight. The italians have had enough and have pulled back into the desert. they lost 802 men to our 19. they also lost 1 artty and 24 trucks plus 56 tanks to our 2 we lost to the constant 75mm bombardments. Never really saw that much in the way of infantry advancing with there armor. Bad mistake on there part. Only two tanks made it as far as our mine field and they were taken out by the engineers who had laid the field. Our tankers were right on with there shots today. Never really was any doubt about the outcomeof this battle.

Sure was alot different from the one we lost in France earlier this year to the germans. I am sure these boys we have are ready to go up against them again with a much diferent outcome if we do. I believe the new matilda II we have will do well against the german armor.

WE are to pull back get some rest and relaxation before we go up against the Italians again later this year. We are to ship out and head to somewhere close to halfaya where ever that is.

HQ: VII Royals Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly