DAR: Mersa Brega, North Africa

[RERomine]

Turn 30

The spotting plane made a run over objectives G2 and G3. Enemy infantry spotted moving North in company strength, one Lee I is still in a revetment between the two objectives and six Bofors seen. The spotting plane was engaged by the Bofors and was damaged, so it won't be back. The mission was well worth it, however.

Engineers and paras will hold position to stop the enemy infantry from recapturing objective G1. The Tigers on hills 30-1 and 30-2 will similarly hold position. Advancing enemy infantry took heavy casualties from friendly artillery.

Maneuver Force will require about six turns before it can attack the enemy round objectives G2 and G3. Artillery will bombard those positions until then to soften them up and limit interference with the Manuever Force getting in position for the assault. No field fortifications were seen, but they may be too well conceiled.

Enemy artillery is inflicting light casualties on hill 30-1.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 25 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 31

Artillery hit enemy infantry again with good effect. They really aren't moving North anymore. Three Lee I tanks showed up from South of objectives G2 and G3. Tigers on hill 30-2 engaged and destroyed one. The Tigers also engaged two of the Bofors, destroying one.

Maneuver Force starting to turn South along East edge of map. Paras are engaging enemy HQ near their path.

Enemy artillery is still inflicting light casualties on hill 30-1.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One Lee I tank destroyed, one 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 32

Enemy infantry continuing to be hit by artllery and has ceased forward movement. They have further been engaged by Tigers on hill 30-1 and para machine guns. One enemy battery is still hitting hill with artillery.

Enemy HQ unit engaged at close range by two recon tracks. It took heavy casualties and withdrew from the map.

Tigers on hill 30-2 destroyed two Lee I tanks continued firing on Bofors. The one tank sitting in the revetment is still there an not moving. Artillery came in on enemy gun positions and was widely scattered and generally ineffective. Adustments should change that.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Two Lee I tank destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 33

Artillery continuing to pound enemy infantry. Machine guns and Tigers and hit them as well. Enemy artillery is making life very difficult for the engineers.

Artillery also was adjusted onto enemy Bofors and one 3in mortar. Two Bofors and the mortar are abandoned.

Recon tracks from Maneuver Force have unloaded scouts behind screening hill. Those will move out while the heavy elements of the Maneuver Force comes up.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 34

Most of enemy infantry is running now. There is more armor around objectives G2 and G3 than initially seen. A Lee I tank destroyed two of my recon tracks. I'm going to have to be careful with my approach from the rear. My PzKw IVgs will maneuver against the offending Lee. Another moved forward and a third is now moving around G3. What this does seem to indicate is there aren't any mines in the area. Either that or they are just getting lucky.

Artillery continuing to hit gun positions around objectives.

Casualties

Friendly: Two SdKfz 250/17 recon tracks destroyed, estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 35

Additional enemy infantry spotted approaching objective G1 from SSW. Could be platoon strength. Infantry approaching from the South is regrouping to a minor extent and attempting to more to G1 again. They are taking small arms fire from paras to the North and Northeast. One ATR team actually got next to G1, but the area is swarming with engineers who quickly dispatched them.

One Lee I tank was engaged by Tigers from hill 30-1, but it's unclear if it was destroyed or moved into a defile. There are lots of burning Lees around.

Artillery continuing to hit gun positions around objectives. Enemy mortar crew attempting to return to their gun.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 36

Two tanks from Maneuver Force moved into position on a small hill to overwatch objectives G2 and G3. From this position, they engaged two Lees, destroying one. Artillery is continuing to fall in the area. The enemy crew went to ground 50m before getting back to their mortar. I'm going to deal with the last Lee and move the tracks forward to overrun the objectives. Tanks will come with them to deal with the remaining Bofors. Three have crews with them, but are either pinned or retreating. At this point, all guns are temporarily out of action.

Enemy infantry is continuing to by hit by artillery and still taking casualties. Because the ATR got close last turn, the engineers and paras are pushing forward some to keep them farther away.

Random enemy artillery falling around without effect.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: One Lee I tank destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.