Desert War Action

Whilst we are on a wargaming roll, Steve Clarke and I managed to squeeze in another game before I head off to Wisconsin later this week.

And for a change, it was WWII North Africa using I Ain't Been Shot Mum rules.

The flimsy scenario was that a British Colonel by the name of Clarke was instructed to capture an Italian held village jut beyond the British lines - little knowing that German support was nearby.

Below are Italians hidden on "Blinds"

British forces on "Blinds" on their start line

The Italians spot a squadron of Crusaders coming over a ridge 

and further back a squadron of Honey tanks

The chaps who did the spotting were a carefully sited anti-tank gun team

and their first shot takes out the lead tank.

Over on the Italian right, another AT gun spots a troop of Matilda tanks - more of a handful, them !

Nevertheless, the Italian gunners have a go and cause some damage

Another troop of British tanks (Valentines) have dashed forwards with élan (or stupidity) and outflanked the Italian gunners

The gunners are put to flight

 

The first squadron try to imitate them but run foul of a more determined AT team 

and an Italian AT rifle team is also poised to strike

Like this !

In fact, the place seems to be crawling with them !

The Valentines continue their dash past the Jebel as they have heard approaching engines

No doubt more Italians are concealed by the village (hence the Blinds)

A real cavalry-like dash this !

Meanwhile, Colonel Clarke has de-bussed his infantry from their trucks on the ridge line.

The Italian gunners keep up their fire on the British tanks

as do the AT Rifle teams

The two intact Matildas edge forward to see where all this fire is coming from.

Oh Oh ! The Valentines discover the source of engine noise - Panzer IIIs !

and a fire fight develops 

 The Panzers take out the lead Valentine.

Trying to support the Valentine charge, a battery of AT guns in Portees get caught in the open by another Italian AT team, side on.

These Italians are crack shots ! The centre vehicle explodes.

Now Panzer IVs appear on the battlefield 

Disdainfully leaving the Valentines to be dealt with by the Panzer IIIs

The Matildas move up to counter this threat

British infantry have been ordered forwards to deal with the pesky Italian gunners

The PzIVs now finish off the Portees stranded by the Jebel

With options running out, Colonel Clarke orders his Honey light tanks around the right flank

Here's the PzIVs concentrating their fire past the village

Not wishing to miss out, an Italian tank troop emerges from cover to engage the Honeys

At first they get the best of it severely damaging the lead Honey

Don't celebrate too soon ...

More British infantry infiltrate the Italian positions

and kill Italian AT riflemen

With a side swipe, a PzIV kills the only Valentine to survive the PzIII attack.

At last a British tank success ! A Honey kills an Italian M13/40

Now the PzIVs are in the village

Infantry assist the Honey tanks in clearing the right of the battlefield

The PzIIIs seem content to sit back and rest on their laurels after their success against the Valentines.

Now the German commander calls forward two Marder SP guns to take on the Matildas

The Matildas got in first and caused much damage to the Marders but they survive.

This is the view from behind the British position at this stage of the battle

Its grim, as there are a lot of tanks burning.

At least the British infantry have got into the orchard near the Italian village

But with the Marders opening up and destroying another Matilda all hope fades

Colonel Clarke pulls his remaining men out

The Italian commander emerges from his HQ building to thank the German CO.

We were a bit rusty with the IABSM rules but still enjoyed the action.

Its been a long time since my WWII desert war stuff saw any action so good to dust them off - dust them off !