Re: DAR: Mersa Brega, North Africa
Turn 24
Enemy defenses around objective G1 on Southeast corner of hill 30-1 are crumbling. Except for a platoon just West of G1, all other enemy forces are routed or retreating. Enemy artillery is continuing on North slope, so Maneuver force is moving over the top. They will be late linking up with the Para Force, but the paras have effectively linked up with the Breach Force. A small opening has been cleared through the second mine field, but the area needs to be check further before the Maneuver Force proceeds through.
Turns out the Tigers on hill 30-2 aren't alone! Two enemy infantry sections are positioned on the South edge of the top. The Tigers were repositioning to see if they could get a better overwatch position for objectives G2 and G3 when the infantry opened up at 100m. If they hadn't been so trigger happy, they might have bagged one. As it is, the Tigers had nothing better to do than engage the infantry. A couple of AAA tracks tagging along with the Tigers joined in. Smoke dischargers were popped to screen the left flank of the tanks while they deal infantry threat. At this time, the enemy infantry is still in good order.
Paras are continuing to push West to G1 and South toward the Bofors. The group heading West destroyed another Lee tank. I think that was their eighth! The force heading South destroyed one of the two Bofors sighted.
Screen print of action near G1 on Southeast corner of hill 30-1 is attached.
Casualties
Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.
Enemy: One Lee I tank destroyed, one 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 20 casualties.
|