DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge

[RERomine]

Turn 15

StuGs now receiving fire from both the North and South sectors, but the enemy tank near the middle objective has been destroyed. They are even being engaged by a 3in mortar via direct fire. I will have to hold off moving them forward until one sector or the other gets cleared. Otherwise, they risk taking flank hits. The infantry continued to push the enemy infantry. They can't be allowed to rally. Enemy FOO encountered and destroyed.

Last known Crusader III destroyed in the North sector. Three Valentine IIIs with 2pdr guns remain.

Enemy artillery was more random this turn. No damage reported.

Last known enemy Crusader III in South sector damaged several times, but is still alive.

My SPAs continued with their relocation and my towed guns ceased fire.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 2 casualties.

Enemy: Two Crusader III tanks destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 16

Two Valentine III tanks destroyed in North sector and one Crusader III destroyed in South sector, so the cross fire my StuGs faced has been eliminated. The pesky 3in mortar has also been destroyed. New threats have appeared, however. Two previously unseen Crusader III tanks have been seen South of the Southern objective and one 6pdr ATG and two Bofors opened up from around the middle objective. At 1250m, the Bofors will only mar the paint on the StuGs, but the 6pdr can kill them. It has to be dealt with. I have infantry about 400 meters from the ATG, so they will work on taking it out. In the meantime, the StuGs will reverse some to get to a safe ran and suppress the Bofors. Friendly infantry is within 600m of the middle objective, but the enemy gun emplacements have to be dealt with first.

North and South sectors showed no activity after the enemy tanks were destroyed. One Valentine III is still in the North sector, but hidden by smoke of it's burning comrades.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 2 casualties.

Enemy: Two Valentine III tanks and one Crusader III tank destroyed, one 3in mortar destroyed, estimated 5 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 17

Infantry continued to move forward and provided suppressive fire to the 6pdr ATG. They also fired on the Bofors. The StuGs joined in and finished both Bofors off. They then tossed the transmission in reverse and backed up to try to increase the distance between them and the 6pdr. There has to be more than one. A Crusader III-CS showed up and fired at the StuGs as well but had no effect. All that can be seen of the enemy infantry is their backs.

No artillery activity on either side.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Two 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 18

Identification error! Tank previously identified as a Crusader III-CS, was actually a Crusader II-CS. Not a biggie, because at 2500m, it's harmless to my StuGs. Another Crusader III has been seen 200m to the rear of the North objective. The II-CS is near it also. The enemy infantry has stopped resisting and continues to run. Another Bofors has been found 100 meters behind the earlier two. Infantry suppressive fire continued on the 6pdr. A new and now extinct addition to the enemy defense was two truck mounted 6pdrs.

Enemy artillery started coming in again on empty sand. They are trying to hit my infantry, but as long as they keep moving they are safe. The enemy doesn't do a good job of leading targets with artillery.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Two 6pdr Portees destroyed, estimated 5 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 19

Another Crusader II-CS seen, this one moving forward past North objectives. Currently, the enemy has six visible tanks: two Crusader II-CSs, three Crusader IIIs and one Valentine III. Truck mounted 88s are maneuvering against two of the Crusader IIIs and the Valentine III. StuGs should be able to take out the others. The 6pdr ATG was destroyed by infantry and the Bofors was destroyed by StuGs.

Enemy artillery is still churning up the dirt
Well, I guess not all of it. Mortar fire hit near my infantry.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: One 6pdr ATG and one 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 20

My infantry is now starting to fan out and head for all of the objectives. They are 200m from the middle objective, 400m from the South objective and 750m from the North objective. The enemy is making a last gasp effort to stop them. The surviving tanks are starting to move forward. Two unseen truck mounted 6pdrs just popped up also. Of the six enemy tanks remaining, two Crusader IIIs and one Crusader II-CS were destroyed. Another Crusader III and II-CS were damaged. A second 6pdr ATG was found and suppressed by infantry. The crew was last seen running for London.

The enemy mortar is continuing to fire, but all friendlies are out of the impact zone. Counter battery is plotted for next turn.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: Two Crusader III and one Crusader II-CS tanks destroyed, one 6pdr ATG abandoned, estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 21

It's not a big surprise but the enemy had infantry posted behind the middle objective. I've got artillery plotted to come in next turn. In the meantime, my infantry and StuGs pinned them down. So far, all I see is a platoon, but I expect more. The last Crusader III came forward and was destroyed. 88s maneuvered and were able to put fire down on the last Valentine III. It survived this turn, but next turn will be different. The truck mounted 6pdrs weren't so lucky. Both died.

Enemy artillery is still hitting empty desert and my artillery came in on the enemy mortar location. Some were dead on, while others need an adjust. I suspect I won't hear from that mortar again because it was on the back edge of the map. Run one hex and they are gone.

The Southern sector came back to life again, sort of. My scouts uncovered two Bofors where the spoiling attack died. A tank platoon will take care of them next turn.

I need to move my StuGs and tanks next turn. They've been sitting in one place too long.

Casualties

Friendly: Three casualties.

Enemy: One Crusader III tank destroyed, two 6pdr Portees destroyed, estimated 5 casualties.