[lawrie5]

Turn 15 – 18

As Algerian troops begin to converge towards the crest of The Fort, a sole BMP rushes forward machine guns blazing. Its emergence lasts only a second before explodes into fragments courtesy of the predatory T72.

The surviving T62 creeps along the periphery of the hills northern crest, desperately seeking a safe position with which to bare down its fire onto the advancing infantry. It finally finds one while reinforcements arrive at the other side of the hill. HMG teams run to join there demoralised comrades.

The Northern Wing follows its plan, bringing its tanks and BMPS further South, the rear of the Algerians hill assault come into range. Distant shells land wide of the advancing troops, but enduring fire from sides... it is hoped may collapse their tenacious resolve.

The dreaded T72 slams another direct hit, this time onto a BMP of the Northern Wing. The Libyan officers are unsure what to do? If they engage closer they might encounter the deadly AGT missiles? A game of cat and mouse ensues between the armour of both sides.

Meanwhile Algerian and Libyan artillery crash into The Fort, killing many of both sides.

Then a shock event occurs as the Algerian HQ perhaps retreating from the hill assault run straight into the forces of the Northern Wing. Quite isolated, the officers surrender without a shot, and with them the liberation of the Libyan captors.

Slowly but surely the battle of The Fort tips in favour of the Libyans, as one by one BMPS and reinforcements find hidden positions with which to blast at the Algerian infantry.

The T72 continues along the Southern flank towards the Libyan artillery. The huge mass of detected enemy infantry are now undetected, by a few RPG's fly from their unseen ranks towards our vehicles, fortunately missing by a whisker.

Again artillery fire from both sides crash into The Fort, slowly but surely the Algerian troops appear to be withdrawing. Some of their units stumble along the road Eastwards on the map, taking them into the forces of the Northern Wing. Isolated these injured bands of men mostly surrender.

Perhaps overconfident, the crew of the T72 bring their formidable vehicle within range of a battery of D30 artillery poised on the South – East map. Direct fire slams into the tank, it crumples under the bombardment, amidst the flames there are no survivors.

Cheered by the news of the tanks destruction, Fatah orders his beaten infantry on The Fort to aid in the counter attack started by the tanks and APCs. Amidst a cheer the men emerge from cover, only to be torn down in a wave before a number of entrenched die hard Algerian troops. The Libyan soldiers scramble back in panic.

Fatah is mystified that only the intensifying firepower of the surviving Southern Wing vehicles and long distance bombardment of the Northern Wing armour appears to have any effect in breaking down these troops.