Italians once again defend at Bardia 6/4/41

[robot]

Bardia Libya
6/4/1941
1000 Hours

Once again we have been given orders to set up heavy defenses and stop the British at Bardia. The german intelligence tells us not to expect too much in the way of a heavy attack. Which I personally dont put too much store into comin from them. For some reason they always seem to cut the strength of the enemy when it comes to us meeting them. But reports they send in of there meetings always seem to have an increase in size and strength.

We have been able to once again get a mess of mines from supply and have laid in some areas of our front at least three rows of mines. Also the Engineers will be laying there mines in front of our lines of there respected Companys. We have had a month to dig in and im sure we will once again give them a hell of a fight.

We do not have any heavy armor but our support guns have all been repaired and most cases upgraded to heavyer mm guns. Once again another Panzer company has been put at our disposil if we need to call them.

Visability is at 950 feet and the order is not to fire until they are with in 500 feet of our positions. Im sure my men will once again do very well today. They are coming along as a fighting force a few more battles and we will be a fighting force to reckon with im sure.

A has been given the southern flank B is in the north and C will have the center today. A needed the rest and im sure they will not see as much fighting today as the center and the north. The British always seem to strike heaviest in the center and the north. Have put what few tanks we still have in reserve closest to the center and the north. Hoping like hell we dont have to call on them today cant afford to not have any if our supplys dont get to us again.

HQ: Ariete Roma Legion
Col: Tito Cochelli Commanding

[robot]

Bardia Libya
6/4/1941
1040 Hours

The British are fleeing the battle field. Once again we have beaten a superior enemy. We lost 102 men and 11 pieces of armor. While in the process we killed 628 of there men and took out 21 of there dreaded tanks. I can only assume that last months totals effected there fighting ability for this month. And that is the reason they gave up so quickly today.

Our orders are to replace the mines we lost and to dig in deeper if possible. Once again we will face the British here at Bardia. It seems they really want to open this coast road to Tobruk very much.

Once again supply had quite a few extra mines that we have put to good use.

Also got some very good news today. By the time we have to fight again next month we will get in replacements at least 12 of our tanks. Some very much needed supply ships managed to run the British blockades and get into port and unload. Still leaves us at about 97% fighting effectiveness but it really helps when we didnt have any tanks left at all.

I have given orders the tanks are to stay in reserve and only show there selves in extreme emergencys. Once again the ranks of our vets are added to as we continue to fight and survive. We are getting there will take time to really get to a supreme fighting machine but we continue to improve with each battle.

HQ: I Ariete Roma Legion
Col: Tito Cochelli Commanding