Bir hacheim Libya
6/12/1941
1800 Hours
We are set up just outside of Bir hacheim once again. This time we are to go up against the italians in a frontal assault aginst heavyly prepared defenses. They will have a line of mine fields no doubt. At least we have been given each company 3 extra platoons of Engineers to help with clearing the mine fields. They will also have at there disposal each company at least 3 mine clearing tanks. I think Hq is telling us they want to get thru this mine field fast. We are not to delay in our assault today.
B is in the north and must advance to a hill that lies about 350 yards to there east. Behind this hill lies there objective another 450 yards.All this is across open ground but the vis today is only200 yards so this may help and then again it may hinder as they will be right on top of the enmy before they see them. Once this flag has been taken they will have another 1200 yards to cover to the rear flag. Another flag sits 500 yards south of this one. It is going to be a long hot day im sure.
A has been assigned the center and must move 450 yards to the top of a hill in front of them there objective sits on the se slope of this hill.
The canadians have the honor of taking the south objectives. There flag sits at the southern most limits of the map. The whole distance of 600 yards is flat and open country.
We are to jump off at 1800 Hours. the Ities will have the sun in there eyes at this time hope this helps some. We are about to start the bombardment of the suspected mine fields withn the next 5 minutes. This will continue until it becomes a hazard to our Engineers as they get near to the field. We will start laying smoke directly on the field and maybe 50 yards behind the field with the hope of masking our movement into the field.
I have no doubt this will be one mother of a fight today with the ities dug in like im sure they are. We will have to dig them out and a lot of our boys are not going to make it today. We have beat the italians at least twice before today hopefully today will be no different.
God save us in this a battle for survival of the world as we know it.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Moderator: MOD_SPWaW
6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: 6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Bir Hacheim Libya
6/12/1941
1825 Hours
All Engineers have reached the fields and are fast at work trying to open a lane thru. There is an overabundance of mines in two rows along most of our front. Even at the short time the Engineers have been working they have already removed at least 50 mines. These boys are something else with there dedication to there jobs. A has recieved some small arms fire on there right flank. One of our tankers trying to rush up and provide some covering fire in advertly got into the mine filed and lost there tread to an explosion. Even at that the gunner continued to fire on the enemy routing them away from the Engineers. I dont know if i should hug him or kick his ass for getting his tank immobilized.
Our mortars and 25 pdr have been laying down a heavy smoke screen for the last 15 minutes. This should help the Engineers so they can cut thru this mine field very shortly.
So far our losses have been maybe three engineers down and one tank stuck in the field. Not too bad but this battle still has along tough way to go. It is hot and i mean very hot my uniform has become stiff already from the dry salt from my sweat. My eyes burn from this sweat constantly running down into my eyes. The sand gets into everything and chaves you when you move around too much. Dam I hate this place so much. Nothing green ever grows here. Not like my home in Burntwood England and my garden I had I miss home so much. When will this terrible war end and all our boys can go back home to there gardens once again.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
6/12/1941
1825 Hours
All Engineers have reached the fields and are fast at work trying to open a lane thru. There is an overabundance of mines in two rows along most of our front. Even at the short time the Engineers have been working they have already removed at least 50 mines. These boys are something else with there dedication to there jobs. A has recieved some small arms fire on there right flank. One of our tankers trying to rush up and provide some covering fire in advertly got into the mine filed and lost there tread to an explosion. Even at that the gunner continued to fire on the enemy routing them away from the Engineers. I dont know if i should hug him or kick his ass for getting his tank immobilized.
Our mortars and 25 pdr have been laying down a heavy smoke screen for the last 15 minutes. This should help the Engineers so they can cut thru this mine field very shortly.
So far our losses have been maybe three engineers down and one tank stuck in the field. Not too bad but this battle still has along tough way to go. It is hot and i mean very hot my uniform has become stiff already from the dry salt from my sweat. My eyes burn from this sweat constantly running down into my eyes. The sand gets into everything and chaves you when you move around too much. Dam I hate this place so much. Nothing green ever grows here. Not like my home in Burntwood England and my garden I had I miss home so much. When will this terrible war end and all our boys can go back home to there gardens once again.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: 6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Bir Hacheim Libya
6/12/1941
1900 Hours
One hour in and weare thru the wire on all 3 company fronts. B in the north has taken the western slope of there hill and trying to take the top. They are about 400 yards from there objectives. It is slow going as you have to be right on the Italians before you see them. They have taken out about 3 tanks in there push to the top of the hill. Running into heavy opposition from the enemy. Each and every 50 yards is taking its toll in there blood. They are down atleast 25 percent of there strength.
A in the center has also moved up on there hill and moving well against strong opposition. The italians are well dug in and mut be pushed hard to give up any ground. They too have lost at least 25 percent of there troops. We still have along way to go to get to the rear. But I believe the italians will begin to fold. They have lost a lot of troops. They are well dug in and fight to the last man. Our 3 inch mortars and 25 pdr are really doing the job for us today. Pound them with artty then move up and mop them up.
The Canadians in the south are doing a heck of a job as well. they are within 200 yards of there objective. Lt Elster commanding his tank has scored his 67th kill today. A few minutes ago he single handily took out 4 of the enemy tanks in a hard fought head to head engagement with 5 of there tanks sitting on the flags. We lost two portees in this exchange as well. There was at least 7 tanks sitiing on the flags holding the area against our advance. One of the squads took out one of the tanks in a frontal assault. I dont see where the Italians fight so bad. Of course i have not fought on there side so I dont really know for sure. I dont have to command them i only have to kill them. The ground we have gained has come at a price tho. At least 35 percent have been lost to the enemys fire today.
We will have all the forward objectives under our control within the next 20 minutes I am sure. Once we have them then it will be the long push to the rear. We have also run into three bunkers as we got close to the center flag. These were taken out by our tanks in frontal assualts. So far all they have hitting us with is 75 mm and a few 81mm and of course those dam brixia motors. At least we have taken out somewhere around ten of them as we move forward. But they continue to be a thorn in our sides. One took out 2 squads of engineers from 3hexes away. i have found the small mortors work best at under 250 yards they are real killers at this distance.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
6/12/1941
1900 Hours
One hour in and weare thru the wire on all 3 company fronts. B in the north has taken the western slope of there hill and trying to take the top. They are about 400 yards from there objectives. It is slow going as you have to be right on the Italians before you see them. They have taken out about 3 tanks in there push to the top of the hill. Running into heavy opposition from the enemy. Each and every 50 yards is taking its toll in there blood. They are down atleast 25 percent of there strength.
A in the center has also moved up on there hill and moving well against strong opposition. The italians are well dug in and mut be pushed hard to give up any ground. They too have lost at least 25 percent of there troops. We still have along way to go to get to the rear. But I believe the italians will begin to fold. They have lost a lot of troops. They are well dug in and fight to the last man. Our 3 inch mortars and 25 pdr are really doing the job for us today. Pound them with artty then move up and mop them up.
The Canadians in the south are doing a heck of a job as well. they are within 200 yards of there objective. Lt Elster commanding his tank has scored his 67th kill today. A few minutes ago he single handily took out 4 of the enemy tanks in a hard fought head to head engagement with 5 of there tanks sitting on the flags. We lost two portees in this exchange as well. There was at least 7 tanks sitiing on the flags holding the area against our advance. One of the squads took out one of the tanks in a frontal assault. I dont see where the Italians fight so bad. Of course i have not fought on there side so I dont really know for sure. I dont have to command them i only have to kill them. The ground we have gained has come at a price tho. At least 35 percent have been lost to the enemys fire today.
We will have all the forward objectives under our control within the next 20 minutes I am sure. Once we have them then it will be the long push to the rear. We have also run into three bunkers as we got close to the center flag. These were taken out by our tanks in frontal assualts. So far all they have hitting us with is 75 mm and a few 81mm and of course those dam brixia motors. At least we have taken out somewhere around ten of them as we move forward. But they continue to be a thorn in our sides. One took out 2 squads of engineers from 3hexes away. i have found the small mortors work best at under 250 yards they are real killers at this distance.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: 6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Bir Hacheim Libya
6/12/1941
1920 Hours
the Canadians in the south have taken there objective against heavy armor attacks. About 10 minutes ago the enemy sent at least 7 tanks to retake the flags. Lt Elstaer immediatly went on the attack. He took out two of those tanks before they got a shot off. A Engineer squad moved up and took out another one with a satchel charge. A Sgt Commanding another tank I cant remember his name got two more. The lone one remaining decided it was too hot there and ran off towards the rear. The southern objective I believe is now secure and they can begin the long trek towards the southern rear flag.
A in the center has run into a heavy tank force as well as they came over the hill. Took out two MG bunkers in frontal assaults with our tanks. They have taken there objective but it is not completely secure as there are still several tanks hanging around and causing some damage to our troops. This should be cleared up very soon and then they can begin the march towards the rear center flags shortly.
B in the north is having some what more trouble securing there area as well. As they came over the hill and got within 400 yards of there flag they ran into three anti tank bunkers. These are steel reinforced bunkers very hard to take out even from the rear. In trying to move some Engineers around to there rear they ran into at least 5 tanks supporting the bunkers. These had to be taken out before we could flank these bunkers. Four have been taken out and the fifth decided the rear was a safer place to be right now and ran when one of our tanks got within shooting range. These bunkers are sitting 150 yards dead in front of the flags so we will use Engineers on them as soon as we can flank them.
The Italians morale has been broken. So now all we have to do is mop up some token resistence. We have taken out at least 50 tanks didnt think the Italians could muster this much armor against us. Came as quite a surpprise when we saw those 7 tanks comin at us in the south. But our tankers were up to the challange and saved the day for us with some excellent shooting. Lt Elster is amazing how he gets right into the thick of it and always seems to come out smelling like a rose. He has amazing luck when it comes to hitting the enemys tanks and ripping them apart. Thought we had lost him in that last engagement, h e took at least 5 hits as he was firing back at the enemy. His tank is begining to look a little like a chunck of swiss cheese Will have to get some metal and close up the holes. What an amazing guy he is never shows any fear or hesatation when it comes to fighting the enemy.
Once again we have defeated the Italians. It was not easy they gave us a hard battle. But they were no match for the might of the British Empire. We defeated the Romans way back when just as we defeated them again today.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
6/12/1941
1920 Hours
the Canadians in the south have taken there objective against heavy armor attacks. About 10 minutes ago the enemy sent at least 7 tanks to retake the flags. Lt Elstaer immediatly went on the attack. He took out two of those tanks before they got a shot off. A Engineer squad moved up and took out another one with a satchel charge. A Sgt Commanding another tank I cant remember his name got two more. The lone one remaining decided it was too hot there and ran off towards the rear. The southern objective I believe is now secure and they can begin the long trek towards the southern rear flag.
A in the center has run into a heavy tank force as well as they came over the hill. Took out two MG bunkers in frontal assaults with our tanks. They have taken there objective but it is not completely secure as there are still several tanks hanging around and causing some damage to our troops. This should be cleared up very soon and then they can begin the march towards the rear center flags shortly.
B in the north is having some what more trouble securing there area as well. As they came over the hill and got within 400 yards of there flag they ran into three anti tank bunkers. These are steel reinforced bunkers very hard to take out even from the rear. In trying to move some Engineers around to there rear they ran into at least 5 tanks supporting the bunkers. These had to be taken out before we could flank these bunkers. Four have been taken out and the fifth decided the rear was a safer place to be right now and ran when one of our tanks got within shooting range. These bunkers are sitting 150 yards dead in front of the flags so we will use Engineers on them as soon as we can flank them.
The Italians morale has been broken. So now all we have to do is mop up some token resistence. We have taken out at least 50 tanks didnt think the Italians could muster this much armor against us. Came as quite a surpprise when we saw those 7 tanks comin at us in the south. But our tankers were up to the challange and saved the day for us with some excellent shooting. Lt Elster is amazing how he gets right into the thick of it and always seems to come out smelling like a rose. He has amazing luck when it comes to hitting the enemys tanks and ripping them apart. Thought we had lost him in that last engagement, h e took at least 5 hits as he was firing back at the enemy. His tank is begining to look a little like a chunck of swiss cheese Will have to get some metal and close up the holes. What an amazing guy he is never shows any fear or hesatation when it comes to fighting the enemy.
Once again we have defeated the Italians. It was not easy they gave us a hard battle. But they were no match for the might of the British Empire. We defeated the Romans way back when just as we defeated them again today.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: 6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Bir Hacheim Libya
6/12/1941
1955 Hours
Almost two hours into the fight and we are still meeting very heavy resistence. Didnt know there was a siegfried line here in Libya but we are running into somewhat of a one here. B in the north after taking out the 3 heavy at pillboxes moved maybe 400 yards east towards the rear. They ran into a line of heavy MG bunkers At least four in a row. They were backed up by at least 4 37mm ATG and a couple of aa guns mixed in with them. In trying to move around the left flank of them ran into two more heavy MG bunkers and a dirt rifle emplacement. Due to the heavy fire from these emplacements B has been held up for the last ten minutes and has taken heavy losses from this fire. 3 squads from 1st platoon and 3 from the second platoon have been lost. 3rd Platoon is down below half strength. have taken out 4 of the bunkers and all the guns that were supporting them. We are moving the sappers up at this minute trying to flank the other 3 emplacments. Have put some fire on them from there support tanks with no apparent damage inflicted as they continue to pour fire down on our troops.
A in the center is not faring much better they too ran into heavy resistence in at least 12 tanks sitting in a little valley they had to cross. Here too there was alot of heavy mg bunkers and heavy steel pillboxes. Took out 2 steel pillboxes and at least 4 Mg bunkers along with all the tanks that were supporting them. They have moved to with in 400 yards of the center rear objectives. They too have had heavy losses as they fought there way thru the line of bunkers. They too have lost 2 squads from 1st platoon and 2 from 2nd platoon. All squads are down to near half strength.
The Canadians have taken out at least 4 MG bunkers and 2 heavy pillboxes in there push to the rear southern flags. They have captured the flags but have not secured the area as yet. They are recieving fire from another Mg bunker 150 yards se of the flag area.
Have been trying to use our sappers to take out the bunkers and pillboxes. Hasnt worked out well. They are unable to hit the target when throwing there charges. Not good at hitting them but very good at taking out there own buddies who happen to be too near. And why does it seem that when ever we call down our 8inchers within 400 yards of our lines they always fall short. We have lost a hell of a lot of men to friendly fire today. What with the engineers killing our men and the 8 inchers falling short. If this keeps up the italians may beat us today thanks to all the help from our own guys. War is hell and today just goes to show that this is very true.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
6/12/1941
1955 Hours
Almost two hours into the fight and we are still meeting very heavy resistence. Didnt know there was a siegfried line here in Libya but we are running into somewhat of a one here. B in the north after taking out the 3 heavy at pillboxes moved maybe 400 yards east towards the rear. They ran into a line of heavy MG bunkers At least four in a row. They were backed up by at least 4 37mm ATG and a couple of aa guns mixed in with them. In trying to move around the left flank of them ran into two more heavy MG bunkers and a dirt rifle emplacement. Due to the heavy fire from these emplacements B has been held up for the last ten minutes and has taken heavy losses from this fire. 3 squads from 1st platoon and 3 from the second platoon have been lost. 3rd Platoon is down below half strength. have taken out 4 of the bunkers and all the guns that were supporting them. We are moving the sappers up at this minute trying to flank the other 3 emplacments. Have put some fire on them from there support tanks with no apparent damage inflicted as they continue to pour fire down on our troops.
A in the center is not faring much better they too ran into heavy resistence in at least 12 tanks sitting in a little valley they had to cross. Here too there was alot of heavy mg bunkers and heavy steel pillboxes. Took out 2 steel pillboxes and at least 4 Mg bunkers along with all the tanks that were supporting them. They have moved to with in 400 yards of the center rear objectives. They too have had heavy losses as they fought there way thru the line of bunkers. They too have lost 2 squads from 1st platoon and 2 from 2nd platoon. All squads are down to near half strength.
The Canadians have taken out at least 4 MG bunkers and 2 heavy pillboxes in there push to the rear southern flags. They have captured the flags but have not secured the area as yet. They are recieving fire from another Mg bunker 150 yards se of the flag area.
Have been trying to use our sappers to take out the bunkers and pillboxes. Hasnt worked out well. They are unable to hit the target when throwing there charges. Not good at hitting them but very good at taking out there own buddies who happen to be too near. And why does it seem that when ever we call down our 8inchers within 400 yards of our lines they always fall short. We have lost a hell of a lot of men to friendly fire today. What with the engineers killing our men and the 8 inchers falling short. If this keeps up the italians may beat us today thanks to all the help from our own guys. War is hell and today just goes to show that this is very true.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: 6/12/41 british assault at Bir hacheim
Bir Hacheim Libya
5/12/1941
2035 Hours
The italians have given up the will to fight any more. They have run off the map with the few units they have left. When the battle ended the Canadians in the south were trying to take out a machine gun bunker behind the hill they had taken to secure there objective. All three companys took out at least 10 mg and 5 steel pill boxes on there push to the rear flags. it was a great day for us with this victory. But it was also very sad due to so many of our friends falling in combat today. We lost 395 of our friends while the italians were losing 1945 Plus 50 Artty. We also lost 9 brave tank crews today while taking out 93 of the italian tanks. It was rather lopsided favoring us of course. This is rhe way we like to see it of course.
I have to mention 1st Lt Elster here the man is a one tank killing crew. He now has 70 kills to his credit. I would like to put him up for a citation and a promotion if at all possible. Something else too his brother Sgt Elster in the second platoon has over 17 kills between them they have almost 90 kills. His brother showed the same courage and leader ship as his older brother today. At one time he encounrtered 3 tanks and with out hesitation he took them all on. In a hard fought duel which lasted for more then ten minutes. he blasted two of them to pieces and chased the third off which we later caught and demolished. Like his brother he has the same quality as his older brother tom. Natueral tank killers both of them.
I thought that after todays victory against the Italians we would get the Hell out of this neck of the desert. But it seems once again we will advance towards Bir hacheim. Next month once again we are to advance but against the Germans. Hope we have the where with all to beat them as we did the italians today. At least we will have a month to get ready to face them. We did manage to upgrade all our destroyed tanks to heavier armored ones and the platoon leaders who had Matilda II got the new Matilda III in replacements. We must work on our tank manuvers before we go up against the german force next month. Wish we were able to get our 37 ATG replaced by the bigger 88s but no such luck.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
5/12/1941
2035 Hours
The italians have given up the will to fight any more. They have run off the map with the few units they have left. When the battle ended the Canadians in the south were trying to take out a machine gun bunker behind the hill they had taken to secure there objective. All three companys took out at least 10 mg and 5 steel pill boxes on there push to the rear flags. it was a great day for us with this victory. But it was also very sad due to so many of our friends falling in combat today. We lost 395 of our friends while the italians were losing 1945 Plus 50 Artty. We also lost 9 brave tank crews today while taking out 93 of the italian tanks. It was rather lopsided favoring us of course. This is rhe way we like to see it of course.
I have to mention 1st Lt Elster here the man is a one tank killing crew. He now has 70 kills to his credit. I would like to put him up for a citation and a promotion if at all possible. Something else too his brother Sgt Elster in the second platoon has over 17 kills between them they have almost 90 kills. His brother showed the same courage and leader ship as his older brother today. At one time he encounrtered 3 tanks and with out hesitation he took them all on. In a hard fought duel which lasted for more then ten minutes. he blasted two of them to pieces and chased the third off which we later caught and demolished. Like his brother he has the same quality as his older brother tom. Natueral tank killers both of them.
I thought that after todays victory against the Italians we would get the Hell out of this neck of the desert. But it seems once again we will advance towards Bir hacheim. Next month once again we are to advance but against the Germans. Hope we have the where with all to beat them as we did the italians today. At least we will have a month to get ready to face them. We did manage to upgrade all our destroyed tanks to heavier armored ones and the platoon leaders who had Matilda II got the new Matilda III in replacements. We must work on our tank manuvers before we go up against the german force next month. Wish we were able to get our 37 ATG replaced by the bigger 88s but no such luck.
HQ: VII Royal Dragoons
Col: Nigel Kingsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.