Italians at Bir Hacheim

[robot]

Bir Hacheim Libya
6/5/1941
1700 Hours

Mussolini got ahold of me after the farce last month at Msus. He let me know what he thought of me as a commander and was going to give me one more chance to stop the British here at Bir Hacheim. He also had a lot of words about my parents and grand parents all the way back to my great grandparents as well. There were also words that if i did not do well this time I would soon be seeing my great and grand parents where ever they went too.

We have been sent to Bir Hacheim in the north just about 75 miles south of Tobruk. The British are trying very hard to link up with there Garrison in Tobruk to relief them. We are to hold and not give any ground at all. No matter what the cost to men and equipment under threat of death if I fail this time.

We are set up in defensive postions in a three mile front. A is in the south with C on there left flank and B is holding the north. We have been able to stretch a thin line of mines the full length of the map with another row thru the center. Visability is down to 350 yards which means this is going to be close work. I have placed a full company of medium and heavy tanks on the far north flank of B co.

Orders have beeen given for our artty to begin laying a heavy smoke screen down about 150 yards in front of all our recon posts. Also our heavy guns have begun to lay in smoke covering most of the center at the mine fields for a length of about a mile. As soon as we have any idea from where the first attack will hit our lines I will call in the air support we have ben able to get from HQ. This will consist of three flights of aircraft.

At least high command is aware of the fight we are in for today and has granted us exclusive right to have on call 3 batteries of heavy artty. If our mines can slow the armor that we are sure will come at us today our tanks should be able to take care of any that break thru.

The companys 105s have been set up only 250 yards behind our main lines to be on instant call and respond immediatly to any threat. In the photo I have sent along you can see the heavy bombardment from there guns B and C have already been taking.

HQ: I Ariete Roma Legion
Col: Tony Cochelli Commanding

[robot]

Bir Hacheim Libya
6/5 1941
1730 Hours
 
They hit us at 5:05 exactly. They came in at the center mostly hitting C Co in the middle hard. Our mines slowed there armor attack as expected taking out at least 12 tanks as they tried to run straight thru the mine field. At least 4 tanks attacked Cs forward recon post where the British have lost three of them to the flame tanks that were supporting the out post. One of the recon squads took out the other one in a suicide assault. They are still holding there position at the moment. C Co has also lost one flame tanks plus two SPATG .
 
At least 5 tanks have made it thru the field as well in the north where B Co is holding the line. Have moved 4 platoons in as quickly as they could to help support them. Have taken out 3 of the tanks but lost two of our light tanks to there onslaught.
 
So far we are inflicting more damage to them then they are to us. Had to go up and make a big speech to get C to hold there ground and not run. Got a few rounds from one of there tanks fired my way but no one was hurt. Have now moved back somewhat to a better observation post and a hell of a lot safer I might add.
 
A heavy mist hangs over the whole battle field keeping visability to 350 yard at the most. Have given the order to have the tanks I was holding in reserve to move up closer and help the infantry repel the heavy onslaught of the enemy. Our losses so far are at a minimum and I hope we can keep it that way. Dont want to get musolini any more pissed at me then he is.
 
Our heavy artty has been doing a heck of a job on the enemy causing heavy losses to the enemy trying to get thru our mine fields. Also sent one of our planes into there backfield on a bombing run. He reports taking out one of there blasted 25mm guns. We have been under a very heavy bombardment from there 18 and 25mm guns since before we even saw them at our wire.
 
Getting ready to send out another airplane to see if maybe he can do some more damage to those blasted guns. They are really the only thing doing any damsge to us as they never seeem to quit firing. It is a constant explosion it seems not a lot of seperate but one continuous sound.
 
HQ: I Ariete Roma Legion
Col: Tony Cochelli Commanding

[robot]

Bir Hacheim Libya
6/5 1941
1740 Hours
 
I cant believe it the British have retired from the field. Only 40 minutes long this battle was over quick. I believe it was the losses they were suffering jamming up trying to get thru the mine fields. Our big guns were pounding the jam constantly and inflicting heavy losses on the crowd just east of the fields. Also when I turned loose my tanks and moved them up closer to our front they began to rake there troops and tanks that had gotten thru the mines.
 
All in all it was a great victory after our terrible defeat by the British at Msus last month. We lost 123 men and 15 tanks most of them were of the very light armor kind. We inflicted severe losses on the enemy tho they had 951 killed 5 artty and 36 of there tanks. At least one good thing in losing the tanks high command has finally decided that we needed better tanks then the ones we had. They have completely replaced the whole company of light tanks with all new somuras. These have better armor plus a 45mm gun to boot where the other tanks only had a bmg to fight with. They were only good against infantry at least these will be able to stand up better against the British light tanks. Where the other ones never had a real chance against even there lightest tanks.
 
Things are looking up for our guys they have gotten another battle under there belts which means more veterans, and it was a decisive victory as well.
 
I got a letter from one of Mussolinis boot lickers. He stated that EL Duche had changed his mind about my great grandparents he may have been wrong about them at least. He also sent us new orders and said that he trusted I would do as good if not better job this time as well. We have been ordered to move north on Tobruk next month. We are to do as much damage as possible even if we are unable to breach the citys defenses. Also recieved a unit citation along with letter which was typed on Mussolinis personal gold embosssed stationary.
 
HQ: I Ariete Roma Legion
Col: Tony Michelli Commanding