The Mission
2nd Lieutenant Kip Chaplin has been tasked by his Company Commander to take a section of his men and recon patrol over the wadi that parallels the British line of march towards Sidi Barani.
Deployment
Kip has split the section into three groups with the Bren gun group lead by the L/Cpl on the right flank. Kip with three men in the centre and the section Corporal and three other men on the left flank PEFs have been placed. Two behind the wall and building and a third on the other flank by the wadis edge.
Turn one
The Bren gun team moved up into the wadi on the right flank, but failed to get a resolution on the first PEF behind the wall. 2nd Lt. Kips squad advanced and moved into the wadi. The third squad advancing across the sand spots, an Italian, LMG team on the other side of the wadi.
Thet open fire on the Italian LMG, having won their insight test, however, it's ineffective and the Italians return fire with rifles and LMG forcing the British to duck back into cover.
Turn two
Both sides pass initiative, the Italians have the higher dice roll.
The PEFs all moved first. The Italian LMG team fires but with no effect, the British squad under fire all managed to recover and direct their fire on the Italian light machine gun knocking it out of the battle.
2nd Lt. Kip and his group proceed to move up the wadi towards the Oasis.
The Bren team cross the wadi and advance cautiously towards the wall nearest to them.
The Bren gun team failed to resolve 2 PEFs behind the walls in front of them. 2nd Lt Kips men spot the italian LMG squad and Two men, pop off a couple of shots, but miss.
Turn three
Both sides can activate, but the Italians have the initiative. PEF movement on the right flank as 2nd PEF is resolved. The rest of the Italian squad appear in cover behind the wall. The Bren team go prone in response to incoming fire
Turn Four
The Italians concealed behind the wall take a splattering from the bren gun and are forced to duck back.
Bren team fails to resolve the other PEF that's lurking behind the wall. 2nd Lt. Kips section has climbed out of the wardi and makes it's way through the Oasis towards the buildings.
On the other flank. The Corporals Squad advanced forward slightly, and exchanged fire with the Italians knocking another one out of the battle, and forcing the last man to duck back behind cover.
Turn 5
This turn the British take the initiative. The Bren Team having spotted the other PEF behind the wall was a Medium Machine Gun have scurried back into the cover of the wadi and let rip with another burst aimed at the troops behind the wall and managed to knock one of the Italians out, causing the rest of the squad to fail.their will to fight test. They break and seeing them bug out the MMG next to them joins them. All Italian forces at this point are in retreat.
Turn six
The Italians gain initiative, but fail to rally and continued to retreat from the table.
Kip and his group moved up through the wadi to the rough ground. The British Corporals squad move forward and into the wadi.
Bren team again, advances towards the wall,
The men of the Italian forces again fail to rally and leave the table, allowing British forces to reach the edge of the table and complete their reconnaissance patrol. The Italians suffered four out of the battle casualties three died of their injuries and one was taken prisoner and passed down the lines. The British suffered no casualties.
Excellent story. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteCheers Ed, The new North Africa campaign book is very inspirational.
DeleteThanks. John did a great job doing it.
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