A Long Long Road

[Alby]

11/08/1942
Morocco, North Africa
The hour is here, myself and my well trained ( I hope) US Force is ready for war. It is uncertain how the French will react to our landings in Morocco. If they resist, we'll be forced to take it to them.
We shall take the fight all the way to Germany, even though we realize, it will be a Long Long Road to Victory.
[:)]

My Core Force.
picture was taken after battle 1, so the support points shown is actually for battle #2

[Alby]

We have Been ordered to take a French airfield, what resistance we will meet is unknown.
I have decided to approach the Airfield from 2 directions and drop some Paratroops around the barracks area hoping to catch the Frenchys off guard, however if they are not surprized, our men could be shot to pieces.
[X(]
Support purchased for this Battle was an OB 105 battery, an OB 155 battery and 4 M13 MGMC SPAA vehicles armed with Twin 50 cals.
Also 2 Platoons of Paratroops, 2 30 MMGs, and 2 flights of C47 Cargo aircraft.

US Paratroops battle Vichy French forces at the Barracks area

[Alby]

Unfortunately our Paratroops meet heavy resistance, but are attempting to hold the area as our 2 columns advance on the airfield.
This is the advance form the Northwest

[Alby]

And the Column approaching form the Northeast.
So far Niether Column has received any fire as smoke rounds proceeded the Para drop

[Alby]

Column 1 from the NW moves onto the airfield as Paratroops still battle tough Vichy French forces.

[Alby]

Column 2 from the NorthEast
A Stuart keeps an eye towards the east, just in case.

[Alby]

A JU87 Stuka attacks the force coming in from the NW
NOOOOOOO!!
[:@]
This actually happened before we moved onto the Airfield.

[Alby]

A second Stuka attacks an M13 near my mortars as another M13 opens up on the Stuka with its twin 50s (Look close for the tracers!!)

[Alby]

As Column 1 starts to spread out on the airfield a MG Bunker is stumbled on, from the rear fortunately.
[;)]
It poses no threat at the moment so we will deal with it when we are ready.

[Alby]

Disaster!!!! A Gun Casemate is spotted and a halftrack loaded with troops moves up behind it, but BLAM!!!
Halftrack is destroyed by 75MM AP round, This sucker has a rotating turret!!!
[X(]

[Alby]

A Sherman Moving to the west section of Airfield Blows an ammo dump

[Alby]

To the East our forces have spotted French trucks heading their way on the road from the East, and have set up a defensive perimeter while paratroops still battle in the barracks area.

[Alby]

Here are my Preferences BTW if anyone cares.
[:)]

[Alby]

Turn 6 East end of Airfield
The French troops coming up the road have jumped out of their trucks and have engaged.
so far some mortars and an ATG are seen.
My paratroops have all been wiped out except for an AB light mortar and a 30 Cal MMG
VF Sapuers and VF Rifle Sqds are engaging me around the V hex.

[Alby]

The French troops coming in from the east are engaged by an M13 MGMC and a couple of M10s

[Alby]

At the Southern end of the airfield, while moving to capture the Vhex, troops take fire from a heavy gun and a Halftrack is destroyed, yet unseen but its in those trees where mouse pointer is.

[Alby]

A German BF 110 dives in to drop it bombs, fortunately, the bombs just missed , but the 13mm Cannon tears up a Stuarts suspension

[Alby]

A sherman blows another ammo dump on west end of airfield

[Alby]

While the Sherman was destroying the Ammo dump, another Sherman runs over a mine and is destroyed
[:@][:@]

[Riun T]

mines on the airfield ??? now I've seen everything!!![X(]