WW2 in North Africa: Into the Gap Part 2

Turns 1 - 3

The first British turn began with the 11th Hussars frantically calling up the C/O but failed to get through. They subsequently took a command test and immediately rolled a 'command blunder'. They took half a move out of the dunes towards their own base line. Here the 40mm AA gun and infantry section look down on the retreating armoured cars and carriers of the 11th Hussars. 

The crew of the 40mm look down their sights at the Italian force cresting the top of the hill opposite their position. An AB40 armoured car makes a prime target silhouetted against the sky. They open up at long range and one of their rounds finds it's target. The armoured car survives but not for long.

Continued

The British 3" mortar is ordered to open fire on the same target and as mortar rounds fall around the Italian hilltop the AB40 erupts into flames as two find their mark.

Elsewhere the 25pdrs finally deploy but not quickly enough as the FAO abandons his position in the dunes. 

The Italian first turn was greeted with a multitude of command failures.

The worst of the command rolls belonged to the Bersaglieri moto cycle platoon who threw a command blunder. The result was a section lost to British fire.

With all his commanders failing their rolls it fell on the Italian C/O to get things moving. All the Italian armour and the Bersaglieri motorised company advanced under the C/O's orders but progress was slow.

The next turn was a complete about face on the command rolls. With no initiative actions the British C/O rolled for command and failed. There would be no British movement or firing this turn.

The Italians however had sparked into life. The Bersaglieri motor cycle platoon roared into the valley pulling up at the dunes. They quickly dismounted and spread themselves among the dunes taking cover.

The light tank company commander became spectacularly aggressive on seeing the advance of the motor cycles. He ordered his company to follow them.

They sped across the valley rounding the scouts position and falling on the rear of the retreating 11th Hussars. With another command roll passed the L33 flame tank opened up on the nearest Rolls Royce armoured car. It stood no chance and immediately burst into flames.

The British anti-tank rifle and 3" mortar on high ground in the background in the photo, opened up with opportunity fire. Their sight line to the flame tank was blocked by other Italian light tanks. They therefore fired on the nearest L33. A combination of fire from both weapons succeeded in destroying their target.

The Italian medium tank company followed by the motorised infantry company now made good progress as they advanced from the high ground.

In the next British turn all their attention was concentrated on the isolated Italian light tank company. They needed to put the flame tank out of action before it could do any further damage.

In the initiative phase the two anti-tank rifle equipped vehicles of the 11th Hussars turned on the L33's allowing the remainder of their recon group to retire to safety. Both opened fire on the flame tank successfully suppressing it. The 2pdr anti-tank gun and anti-tank rifle at the bottom of the photo fired on the lead L33 being the Italian company commander. The Italian commander paid the price for his rashness with his tank brewing up.

With the British initiative phase over the 11th Hussars rolled the first of the command dice with another command blunder! (A double 6 was thrown). The result being the universal carrier with the anti-tank rifle destroyed by enemy fire (the vehicle nearest the sand dunes in the photo.

The British C/O again failed his command roll bringing to an end the British turn.

In the final Italian turn for today, the last of the L33's used their initiative move to travel towards safety. 

The Italian medium tank company advanced into the path of the British A9's who fired into the side of the nearest M11/39 tank using opportunity fire. At close range they could not miss with the Italian tank bursting into flames. 

The British on the high ground looked on as the remaining Italian tanks swung around and opened fire on the A9's. 

The Italians unusually proved to be on top form. Having destroyed one tank they successfully rolled another command dice and fired on the remaining A9. This was the armour group commander who died under the combined fire from the Italian tanks.

The main body of Italian infantry had once again failed their command rolls leaving their armour isolated.

The end of the turn with the Italians looking apprehensively at the 25pdrs who have yet to make their presence felt.

To be continued -