Turn 102 - Axis Turn
6th September 1941
Another punishing turn for the defenders of Tobruk.
....and from what I can see devoncop is bringing in more artillery!!
1. Once again one of my recce units (a company from the 4th South African Armoured Car Bn.) that couldn't disengage properly is surrounded, destroyed and the attackers then run back to their lines.
2, 4, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17 - attacks against the southwestern strongpoint. These are all artillery attacks. The Maori battalion went from 50 rifle squads to evaporated in two turns..... I also lost the Kopanski Machine Gun Battalion that I couldn't move last turn because the Polish Brigade were reorganising.....
3, 5, 9, 16 - attacks against the eastern strongpoint. The fifth attack was an air strike by 124 bombers, escorted by 253 fighters. 37 Allied fighters fly to assist the defenders and suffer 12 losses (2 destroyed), while the Axis lose 23 (7 destroyed) and the bombing attack is not pressed home. Axis persistence is rewarded better in the third attack which is carried out by 62 fighters and 19 bombers. For the loss of 18 aircraft (8 destroyed), the Axis dish out 21 losses (8 destroyed) on the Allies - although once again the bombing mission was stopped.
6. - an attack on RAF Dekheila, west of Alexandria by 21 Italian bombers. 15 of the bombers are lost (1 destroyed) and there is no damage to the airfield or the aircraft based there.
7, 10, 13 - three air strikes on RAF Buq Buq. The first wave sees 21 bombers escorted by 106 fighters attack and 23 are lost (4 destroyed) after meeting 60 fighters and 22 Blenheims (which were based there). 16 Allied aircraft are lost (4 destroyed). In the second attack 9 bombers and 36 fighters are employed, losing 10 (3 destroyed) after running up against 59 Allied fighters who lose 5 aircraft.
15 - an artillery barrage against the western strongpoint.
