DAR: Mersa Brega, North Africa

[RERomine]

Turn 38

Maneuver Force assault within 250m of objective G3. Leg units starting to dismount. Overwatching mark IVgs engaged one remaing Bofors to keep suppression on crew high. Most artillery on objectives have been lifted except one battery hitting each of remaining two crewed Bofors. Mortar crew remanned their gun, but were almost completely destroyed by dismounted infantry.

Enemy infantry force heading North has been destroyed.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 39

Three platoons of infantry have been dismounted on or near objectives G2 and G3. One flag on G3 turned. Crew of one of the remaing two Bofors destroyed. Several other fleeing units also eliminated. One enemy infantry section spotted by scouts 500m West of G2 heading East. It won't get there.

Enemy artillery inflicted a few casualties around objective G1.

Casualties

Friendly: Two

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 40

Mines encounted around objective G2. Two empty tracks destroyed. No time to clear them, so chances have to be taken. Crew to last Bofors eliminated.

Enemy artillery inflicted a few casualties around objective G1.

Scout trading shots with enemy infantry section. The scout only has one man left, but not due to this action. It will pop smoke to survive an engagement that is pointless.

Casualties

Friendly: Two SdKfz 250/1 half-tracks destroyed, three casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 41

All flags on G3 turned. Two on G2 turned. Another enemy infantry section seen 250m West of G2. Artillery dropped on unit to slow it down and prevent it from interferring with final victory. They are supressed now. Now units on hill 30-1 or 30-2 can spot enemy to engage them.

Enemy artillery inflicted a few casualties around objective G1.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

[RERomine]

Turn 42

Two more flags turned on G2. Three more left and should be turned next turn. Artillery hit one enemy infantry section inflicting casualties. Location of unit unknown. It was lost in the smoke.

Enemy artillery ceased firing.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Three.

[RERomine]

Decisive Victory!!!!

Turn 43

Last flags turned. Enemy infantry section routed through objective G2 and was taken apart.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Estimated 7 casualties.

Total Casualties

German

Men: 248
Artillery: 0
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 6
AFVs: 1 (1x SPAA track)

British

Men: 718
Artillery: 20
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 0
AFVs: 44

Note: One German spotting plane damaged, but not downed.

Score

Germany: 8244
GB: 843

Final Comments

Overall, this battle wasn't very complicated. Most of the heavy action involved two different groups. Obviously, the Tigers did a great deal of damage. It makes one wonder what effect a handful of Tigers would have in North Africa in late 1942, rather than mid 1943. They would have been prime targets for British aircraft, but it does make you think.

The other group that had a significant impact were the paratroops. They did much more damage than I thought they would, destroying around eight Lee I tanks and somewhere around six 6pdr ATGs. In addition to that, they were really rough on the British infantry. So much for my idea of them being just cannon fodder.

British defensive obstacles were less than usual in this battle. There actually was a gap in the main mine belt. This is surprising considering the amount of points I had to assault with. There were also fewer field fortifications than normal for an assault as well. An additional three bunkers were near the Southern edge, but those were not encountered since my assault hit along the North edge. The British were tank heavy during this battle (44). This is more than usual for a defense, but just goes to show you can't predict the AI anymore

I've attached the save just before I ended my last turn. Enjoy!

[Brummbar]

Originally Posted by RERomine

Obviously, the Tigers did a great deal of damage. It makes one wonder what effect a handful of Tigers would have in North Africa in late 1942, rather than mid 1943. They would have been prime targets for British aircraft, but it does make you think.

The Alt.history part of SP is just awesome!

Another well written report RERomine!