North Africa Halfaya: 0800 Hours 9/22/1940
This is wrong what the high command has asked of us. Our orders are to seek out the Italians and destroy them. We were shipped out too early after the battle we had against the Germans. We did not get the replacements for our comapany from India. I under stand they are still in Calcutta waiting transportation. Dam the railroad system in India it may cost us this campaign.
We were able to repair most of our tanks but did not have time to get any of the new upgrades. We just did not have enough time to get every thing done. I just hope the rumors about the Italians hold true and is not a bunch of crap.
We will be goining into battle with only 2 companies. The Indian company lost so many men i am holding them in reserve. I am afraid thay just dont have the strength to help us much today. The Canadians are not up to company strength either but no where near as bad as the Indians.
Jump off time is in 5 minutes and i must go and talk to my companys commanders. They must know the importance of taking it slow and conserving what manpower we have left. It is clear and visability is over 2600 yards. I hope the Germans did not trust the Ities with any big tanks. If they did we are in for a lot of hurt.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
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Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
North Africa Halfaya: 0825 Hours 9/22/1940
We began to move out at 0800 in a 2 company front. Canadians has the south flank with the Brits just north of them. We are spread out pertty thin as we moved forward. Both companys has a plattoon of infantry tanks plus a section of support tanks. The north flank has 3 plattoons of tanks there as a stop gap to watch for any flanking movements of the enemy.We are spread out in line about 2000 yards wide. Have placed several sections of medium tanks in gaps in our lines.
Both companies have 3 inch mortars as well as a section of Anti tank guns along with 2 sections of infantry guns. We have on call 2 batteries of 8 inch guns which have already found some of the enemy. The north flank has already stopped a big push by over a company of men and have knocked out 7 tanks. The 8 inchers found the mark on 4 gun teams trying to move up to there front and took out 3 of them. Have also took out 5 HMG nests in a bitter small arm fire fight in the south.
The first VH is on the south map edge about 400 yards east of our lines. The north VH is 600 yards from north map edge and 1100 yards from our lines. Sitting 150 yards south of there is other VH. The 2 rear ones are 800 yards from that spot. The north one is 500 yards from edge and other one sits 600 yards from south edge. This is not going to be easy but we will give it a go old boy. For the Queen and country and all that rot.
We are advancing slowly and carefully. No losses in tanks as yet but have lost maybe 5 men. We are under constant harrasment fire from ther 75mm guns. Sure do wish we had the Indians on our left flank. The Italians have not given up as yet. Sort of wished they would have.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
We began to move out at 0800 in a 2 company front. Canadians has the south flank with the Brits just north of them. We are spread out pertty thin as we moved forward. Both companys has a plattoon of infantry tanks plus a section of support tanks. The north flank has 3 plattoons of tanks there as a stop gap to watch for any flanking movements of the enemy.We are spread out in line about 2000 yards wide. Have placed several sections of medium tanks in gaps in our lines.
Both companies have 3 inch mortars as well as a section of Anti tank guns along with 2 sections of infantry guns. We have on call 2 batteries of 8 inch guns which have already found some of the enemy. The north flank has already stopped a big push by over a company of men and have knocked out 7 tanks. The 8 inchers found the mark on 4 gun teams trying to move up to there front and took out 3 of them. Have also took out 5 HMG nests in a bitter small arm fire fight in the south.
The first VH is on the south map edge about 400 yards east of our lines. The north VH is 600 yards from north map edge and 1100 yards from our lines. Sitting 150 yards south of there is other VH. The 2 rear ones are 800 yards from that spot. The north one is 500 yards from edge and other one sits 600 yards from south edge. This is not going to be easy but we will give it a go old boy. For the Queen and country and all that rot.
We are advancing slowly and carefully. No losses in tanks as yet but have lost maybe 5 men. We are under constant harrasment fire from ther 75mm guns. Sure do wish we had the Indians on our left flank. The Italians have not given up as yet. Sort of wished they would have.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
North Africa Halfaya: 0850 Hours 9/22/1940
We have a situation here right during the middle of a very hard battle. Its not bad enough we had to go into battle with out the company from India. 2nd Lt. Marshall wants to hold a courts martial right here on the battle field. The prim little piss pot wants to bring charges up on Sgt. Forest for shirking of duty. He says that the Sgt. didnot keep up with the troops and he lost the use of the 2 inch mortar. Guess ill have to set him straight here and now. It was his duty to keep track of all the men under his command. I for one can not be responsible it is up to him to keep his men in line. I will personally when this fight is over sit him down and make sure he understands the right and wrong of command.
Other then this crap to put up with the battle goes as planned. We have moved up to with in 400 yards of the first VH in the north. The right flank has taken the south VH and gone maybe 150 yards past there. The right flank has begun a left oblique and are moving up on the rear of the southern Italians flank.
We have not had an extreme loss of life like our tussle with the Germans. There has been far less this time due too our very careful advance. I still have not seen the Ities run away from us in panic. Where the hell did that rumor get started any ways.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
We have a situation here right during the middle of a very hard battle. Its not bad enough we had to go into battle with out the company from India. 2nd Lt. Marshall wants to hold a courts martial right here on the battle field. The prim little piss pot wants to bring charges up on Sgt. Forest for shirking of duty. He says that the Sgt. didnot keep up with the troops and he lost the use of the 2 inch mortar. Guess ill have to set him straight here and now. It was his duty to keep track of all the men under his command. I for one can not be responsible it is up to him to keep his men in line. I will personally when this fight is over sit him down and make sure he understands the right and wrong of command.
Other then this crap to put up with the battle goes as planned. We have moved up to with in 400 yards of the first VH in the north. The right flank has taken the south VH and gone maybe 150 yards past there. The right flank has begun a left oblique and are moving up on the rear of the southern Italians flank.
We have not had an extreme loss of life like our tussle with the Germans. There has been far less this time due too our very careful advance. I still have not seen the Ities run away from us in panic. Where the hell did that rumor get started any ways.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
North Africa Halfaya: 0915 Hours 9/22/1940
It has not gone well for us during the last 15 minutes. We had to move up over a rather long sand dune in our path. As we got to the top of the dune we came under a heck of a lot of fire. Anti tank guns 47mm type opened up all along the line. Tanks on or near the 2 rear VH also opened up on us. We have lost at least 5 tanks from this fire. Several squads also recieved a lot of damage. There was a lot of direct fire from those dam bitchedas as the men like to call the Itie Brixida mortar.
In the ensuing return fire from our tanks and men we also did damage to them. Managed to take out at least five of the ATGs and destroyed 7 of the little bitchedas. Caught 4 of them in a small waddie and cut them to pieces. Our 8 inchers let lose on the 2 groups of tanks sitting on top of the rear VH. Hard to see from all the smoke but sure we took out a few of them from all the fire and explosions we seen.
The north and center is within 200 yards of there prime objectives. The south flank has closed the gap on the center and are raising hell on the enemys rear flank. Have sent a plattoon of infantry and engineers moving towards the southern rear VH supported by a section of Close support tanks. May have to give them another plattoon of men and maybe another sec of tanks.
We are moving well as expected against heavy opposition. The Italians are by no means the easy opponent i expected from all the rumor i have heard. They are retreating but by no means are they in a rout. Every 50 yards has to be taken with blood and sweat. I pray with all my heart this doesnt turn into what happened to us last year in Germany. Wait wait that wasnt last year that was this year. Time stands still it seems so long ago that terrible battle happened when we lost so many of our friends.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
It has not gone well for us during the last 15 minutes. We had to move up over a rather long sand dune in our path. As we got to the top of the dune we came under a heck of a lot of fire. Anti tank guns 47mm type opened up all along the line. Tanks on or near the 2 rear VH also opened up on us. We have lost at least 5 tanks from this fire. Several squads also recieved a lot of damage. There was a lot of direct fire from those dam bitchedas as the men like to call the Itie Brixida mortar.
In the ensuing return fire from our tanks and men we also did damage to them. Managed to take out at least five of the ATGs and destroyed 7 of the little bitchedas. Caught 4 of them in a small waddie and cut them to pieces. Our 8 inchers let lose on the 2 groups of tanks sitting on top of the rear VH. Hard to see from all the smoke but sure we took out a few of them from all the fire and explosions we seen.
The north and center is within 200 yards of there prime objectives. The south flank has closed the gap on the center and are raising hell on the enemys rear flank. Have sent a plattoon of infantry and engineers moving towards the southern rear VH supported by a section of Close support tanks. May have to give them another plattoon of men and maybe another sec of tanks.
We are moving well as expected against heavy opposition. The Italians are by no means the easy opponent i expected from all the rumor i have heard. They are retreating but by no means are they in a rout. Every 50 yards has to be taken with blood and sweat. I pray with all my heart this doesnt turn into what happened to us last year in Germany. Wait wait that wasnt last year that was this year. Time stands still it seems so long ago that terrible battle happened when we lost so many of our friends.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
North Africa Halfaya: 1005 Hours 9/2/1940
Have taken all forward objectives and rear southern one as well. The plattoon of infantry and engineers after taking the south VH have been under constant attack from there tanks. There support tanks were takin out or disabled before they ever reached the VH. They by there selves have takin out 5 tanks and are still being fired up on by 2 more. I am unable at this time to get any relief to them, they are on there own may god save there souls.
The north flank of tanks has closed to with in 100 yards of the final objective. The Italians seemed to save every tank they have to protect this final piece of the battle field. At one time my observers counted 15 tanks on and around this final bit of land. The cost of getting as close as we have has been costly. At least 7 of our best tanks have been left in rubble. Most of the crews were saved thank heaven. They made the Ities pay dearly tho for the loss of so many comrads in arms. The left flank has accounted for at least 20 tanks of the enemy.
The center made up of mostly infantry and of course there support of infantry tanks. The only problem is the tanks only have MMGs on them. Great for cuttin thru other ground pounders but not worth a bloody dam against other tanks. The troops have closed with the tanks and are assualting them as I write this. I dont really like the ATR we have in use here. But for close in fighting against tanks they bloody well do the job. Two of the little buggers have taken out 3 tanks and saved a squad of men that had been surrounded. My men have done a very fine job in holding against these tanks so far.
Lost a squad of men before to several tanks that had over run there position. Just was no way we could get to them in time. They were spear heading the 3rd plattoons drive on the rear VH. The bloody tanks just appeared out of no where and was on them too quick. At least they were not all killed saw the Ities walking a few of them toward there rear lines.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Have taken all forward objectives and rear southern one as well. The plattoon of infantry and engineers after taking the south VH have been under constant attack from there tanks. There support tanks were takin out or disabled before they ever reached the VH. They by there selves have takin out 5 tanks and are still being fired up on by 2 more. I am unable at this time to get any relief to them, they are on there own may god save there souls.
The north flank of tanks has closed to with in 100 yards of the final objective. The Italians seemed to save every tank they have to protect this final piece of the battle field. At one time my observers counted 15 tanks on and around this final bit of land. The cost of getting as close as we have has been costly. At least 7 of our best tanks have been left in rubble. Most of the crews were saved thank heaven. They made the Ities pay dearly tho for the loss of so many comrads in arms. The left flank has accounted for at least 20 tanks of the enemy.
The center made up of mostly infantry and of course there support of infantry tanks. The only problem is the tanks only have MMGs on them. Great for cuttin thru other ground pounders but not worth a bloody dam against other tanks. The troops have closed with the tanks and are assualting them as I write this. I dont really like the ATR we have in use here. But for close in fighting against tanks they bloody well do the job. Two of the little buggers have taken out 3 tanks and saved a squad of men that had been surrounded. My men have done a very fine job in holding against these tanks so far.
Lost a squad of men before to several tanks that had over run there position. Just was no way we could get to them in time. They were spear heading the 3rd plattoons drive on the rear VH. The bloody tanks just appeared out of no where and was on them too quick. At least they were not all killed saw the Ities walking a few of them toward there rear lines.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
North Africa Halfaya: 1010 Hours 9/22/1940
I just had to report this while it was fresh in my mind. Had taken some of the boys up closer to the front line to have a look at all those tanks. Mostly to see if we could get around there rear and envelope them.
Captain Martin was with us you know how coarse he is some time. He had got rather peeved at an Italian tank he saw off in a distance moving laterally across our front going after a squad of our men. For some unfanthable reason he made a rather rude guester with his mddle finger at this tank. About this time a bullet meant for me took the bloody finger off at the second didget. Im sure if his finger hadnt gotten in the way it would have struck me right between the eyes. But still one hates to be saved by such rudeness doesnt one.
God save the Queen and all that tommy rot old chap.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
I just had to report this while it was fresh in my mind. Had taken some of the boys up closer to the front line to have a look at all those tanks. Mostly to see if we could get around there rear and envelope them.
Captain Martin was with us you know how coarse he is some time. He had got rather peeved at an Italian tank he saw off in a distance moving laterally across our front going after a squad of our men. For some unfanthable reason he made a rather rude guester with his mddle finger at this tank. About this time a bullet meant for me took the bloody finger off at the second didget. Im sure if his finger hadnt gotten in the way it would have struck me right between the eyes. But still one hates to be saved by such rudeness doesnt one.
God save the Queen and all that tommy rot old chap.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.
RE: Sep 1940 Queens Rifles embark for Africa
North Africa Halfaya: 1045 Hours 9/22/1940
The Battle is over finally we have taken the field. The Italians have taken what ever was left and fled. Im sorry but they put up a hell of a fight. They were true soldiers today of the finest caliber. Most fought to the bitter end never gave a hint of surrendering. Close to 1400 brave soldiers gave there lives today as well as 162 brave men from our side.
We managed to get ahold of 28 of there artty most of which were 47 mm anti tank guns. There gunners did them self proud today taking 14 of our tanks with them. Our tankers accounted for 66 of there cracker boxes. We also where able to destroy 3 of those gun teams they have.
The 2 plattoons at the south VH held off at least 9 tanks till we could get to them. They alone took out 7 tanks of the enemy. Under extreme conditions they held there cool under very heavy fire from the enemy tanks. I believe they all deserve medals of the highest order today.
We have been ordered back to a sea port where we are to pick up our new replacements. I also under stand the company from India has arrived there in full strength. It will be good to see those boys especially after todays battle. I also understand we will have a full 3 companies of troops. Hope we get the repair parts and or some replacement tanks this time. We are down to about half strength in the tank department.
I shall give all the men a hip hip hooray tonite before we board the trucks for the port. They deserve more then that but it may give them a stiff upper lip for what ever may come our way.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
The Battle is over finally we have taken the field. The Italians have taken what ever was left and fled. Im sorry but they put up a hell of a fight. They were true soldiers today of the finest caliber. Most fought to the bitter end never gave a hint of surrendering. Close to 1400 brave soldiers gave there lives today as well as 162 brave men from our side.
We managed to get ahold of 28 of there artty most of which were 47 mm anti tank guns. There gunners did them self proud today taking 14 of our tanks with them. Our tankers accounted for 66 of there cracker boxes. We also where able to destroy 3 of those gun teams they have.
The 2 plattoons at the south VH held off at least 9 tanks till we could get to them. They alone took out 7 tanks of the enemy. Under extreme conditions they held there cool under very heavy fire from the enemy tanks. I believe they all deserve medals of the highest order today.
We have been ordered back to a sea port where we are to pick up our new replacements. I also under stand the company from India has arrived there in full strength. It will be good to see those boys especially after todays battle. I also understand we will have a full 3 companies of troops. Hope we get the repair parts and or some replacement tanks this time. We are down to about half strength in the tank department.
I shall give all the men a hip hip hooray tonite before we board the trucks for the port. They deserve more then that but it may give them a stiff upper lip for what ever may come our way.
Commander VII Queens Royal Rifles: Col Thomas Helmsly
Robots wear armor for skin.Grunts wear skin for armor.