8/17/41 grenadiers defend at Bardia

[robot]

Bardia Libya
8/17/1941
1700 Hours

Soon the british will be coming at us once again. We have been ordered to set up defensive lines and to hold at all costs. Bardia is near the coast on the way to Tobruk. Supply was able to give us some mines to help at least one lane of mines have been laid and a short strip there is two lanes. Vis is 1400 yards which should benefit us more then the Brits. Will be able to fire and pick them off before they get close to the mine fields.

The weather is clear and hot very hot all day. Makes it hard to just sit and wait for them to show up. We have two batterys of 150s to help. Also have been able to construct 3 heavy pill boxes on our north flank with 2 MMg bunkers in there support. Any thing that trys to come in on that flank will be in for some nasty surprises. Engineers are out in front of our companys laying the few mines they have as well.

I have no doubt our men will hold and inflict heavy losses on the enemy today. Should be a short day. We are well dug in and ready and all guns have been zerod in where we think thay will be coming. Dam i love it when things go right dont you.

HQ: XV Panzer Grenadiers
Col: Rak Rokerts Commanding

[robot]

Bardia Libya
8/17/1941
1715 Hours

The Brits began there assualts almost pricisely on the hour. They have sent heavy infantry in front of there tanks this time. I have given orders to not to fire until they are with in 750 yards of our guns. Till we can see the whites of there eyes so to speak. Our 150 have opened up and are cutting wide gaps in there lines as they run towards. They sent in a heavy concentration at our north flank first. Thsi is where our heavy pillboxes lane of fire was. They opened up at 750 yard and cut huge holes in there lines. The pillboxes have taken out at least 4 pieces of there armor so far at near 1000 yards.

We have suffered no casualties so far from either there small arm fire or there 105 thank heaven. See the photo one of our recon planes took after only 15 minutes into the battle. I realy doubt if any of there forces get to or get thru our mine field. This is going to be a massacre im sure. Got to admit the British realy have guts although they are very fool hardy at times.

HQ: XV Panzer Grenadiers
Col: Rak Rokerts Commanding

[robot]

Bardia Libya
8/17/1941
1715 Hours

Here is the photo forgot to post before sorry

[robot]

Bardia Libya
8/17/1941
1735 Hours

Told you this fight would be short and sweet. They couldnt take us picking them off at long range so retired from the battlefild. Our 150s were right on target and took one heck of a toll from them. They lost 735 men and 64 tanks. We lost nada dont even think we lost a man. Might have been a couple that got a few nicks from flying shrapnel is all.

They were sitting ducks as they came running across the open field towards us. Very brave but also very fool hardy. Our heavy pillboxes were pickin off tanks at 1000 yards. Didnt even need the mines this time as only a couple of short squads reached the field anyways.

Only 35 minutes of our devastating fire and they began to run. Our gunners were right on the mark the whole time. I dont believe a single infantry man on our side even fired his weapon. The whole battle was fought by our tanks and pillboxes. Nice and short and quick and to the point.

Im sure Rommel will like this report when he gets it. Would have been real nice today if it wasnt so dam hot here. I will have to change my uniform before mess again. War is hell isnt it. Ha Ha sometime life turns in strange ways to say the least. Hope we have knotwurst for dinner tonite. Love those little sausages with dark beer.

HQ: XV Panzer Grenadiers
Col: Rak Rokerts Commanding