[valo2000]

Lombardi kicked in the door of the little mud hutoverlooking the oasis. traces of ashes showed where the french commander has burnt secret documents before escaping. They had left the wine though. quickly he and his men checked the building and after securing the area they investigated the food and drink stocks left behind.

There was still some fighting north of the oasis but basically all the french had been taken prisoners or had fled into the sahar dessert. probably they would come back the next days begging for water without their transports they are lost out here.

At the italain base colonel baggio had assembled his artillery troops to fire on the motorized attack from the north. They destroyed the lead jeeps and men looking like bedouins could be seen jumping out. it must be some special unit or maybe some local auxillaries he thought. quickly these units was turned back after they realised the defnses of the fort were well organised. they left a pair of burning jeeps taking with them their dead and wounded.

as the sun reached its highest point fighting had stopped everywhere. The few french troops still fighting surrendered after they saw the last bren carrier destroyed by grenades. there was just nothing they could do here anymore other the surrender.

Quickly the askari stripped them of any valuables they were carrying while the rest of the italians refreshed themselves in the oasis lake the fighting had made them thirsty.