DAR: Bou Arada - Tunisia

[RERomine]

Turn 4

MG-42s, ATGs, infantry, artillery, recon tracks and a few tanks engaged the approaching enemy forces inflicting heavy casualties. Still, it seems like just a scratch on the mass advancing in the North. Basically, I am using just about everything in my inventory. Most of the enemy tanks are beyond the engagement range of my tanks as of yet, however. That will change soon.

The Southern force might be larger than initial observations indicate. They seem to be more drawn out in length than anything. It could be in the range of 30 tanks. Still much smaller than the Northern group, but can't be ignored.

A few enemy mortars dropped smoke. The rest of their artillery is quiet at the moment. That will change soon.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Four halftracks, two Bren Carriers, two Daimler Dingos, two Daimler A/Cs, one Lee I tank and two Sherman II tanks destroyed, estimated 40 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 5

Most fire against the North group was from ATGs, MG-42s and artillery. The tanks are set to engage at 1500m to try to preserve ammo. Many enemy tanks are probably within that range, but smoke is blocking the LOS. Walking artillery with the group as they advance to keep them suppressed and dismount infantry. One Churchill Oke was immobilized by the artillery.

The Southern group lost a few tanks this turn. At this point, it's tough enough to keep track of what has been kill, much less who kill what where.

Still no enemy artillery.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Seven halftracks, one Bren Carriers, one Morris 15cwt truck, two Lee I tanks, three Sherman I tanks and two Sherman II tanks destroyed, estimated 30 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 6

Air Strikes!!! Luckily, there doesn't appear to have been any damage. They targeted one of my PzKw IVgs. The enemy is applying heavy pressure on the left edge of my line. It's anchored on the map edge, but a line of burning half-tracks are blocking the LOS of my tanks. The MG-42 teams in this area are pulling back. My infantry is waiting in ambush in a depression to their rear. Things in that area could get messy soon.

Most of the advancing tanks in the Southern sector are also screened by burning vehicles. There is a small depression along the South edge occupied by scouts and recon tracks. Another ambush, but a weak one. The 37mm on the recon tracks will only be effective at almost point blank range.

The number of enemy tanks being destroyed is increasing, but not fast enough

Enemy artillery is coming in near a few tanks, so those will relocate. They are trying to target some of the MG-42s as well.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Two halftracks, two Lee I tanks, five Sherman I tanks and three Sherman II tanks destroyed, estimated 45 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 7

More Air Strikes!!!!! They targeted the same tank again. Guess he really offended someone. At least the enemy targeting skills need work. He's still intact.

The pressure on the left flank is increasing. My MG-42 teams are still pulling back and taking some casualties on the process. They need a little distance between them and the burning enemy units because they aren't good at close assault. The enemy tanks are starting to pop out of the smoke and taking more damage. Unfortunately, they have plenty of tanks to spare. I can't really tell how many tanks they have behind the smoke anymore, not that it matters.

More enemy tanks are popping out of the smoke. Things on the right flank are well under control, but I wish the enemy units were all destroyed. The left flank needs more guns.

Enemy artillery is more accurately targeting my tanks, ATGs and infantry. The tanks can move and to a limited extent, so can the infantry, but the guns are stuck. Not much I can do about it. One troop of enemy 5.5in howitzers have been spotted on board. The question is do I target them or keep the firing at the advancing enemy. At this point, I'll keep after the biggest threat. Eliminating one enemy troop would only leave 15 left

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casaulties.

Enemy: Four Lee I tanks, three Sherman I tanks, eight Sherman II tanks, one Sherman III tank and one Valentine IX destroyed, estimated 30 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 8

The enemy tanks are pushing for a gap created in my infantry in the depression by their artillery. They have been pounding one area and a couple of squads there have bolted. I may start shifting troops North along the road to reinforce the left flank. Tanks and ATGs are still taking a toll on the enemy tanks, however. I'm going to have to check the ammo to see if I can rotate a few off for resupply. Enemy artillery has forced the crews of several ATGs to run.

My tanks on the Southern flank have shifted. One platoon of PzKw IVgs is moving Northeast to engage the enemy pressuring the Northern peak. The three Tigers are heading Southeast to finish off the South edge column. Once complete and ammo permitting, they will turn North and start chewing on the enemy's Northern group flank.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 15 casualties.

Enemy: Three Lee I tanks, nine Sherman I tanks, seven Sherman II tanks, one Sherman III tank and four Valentine IX destroyed, estimated 25 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 9

Starting to shift infantry North on the road to reinforce units in the depression. Interval between units is being doubled so I can maintain some sort of line. Three ATGs out of action because crews are on the run. I suspect those will be down for the rest of the battle. Found out I have a second immobilized Tiger on the Northern peak. Shifting some mark IVgs to Northeast corner to try to stop enemy. Two mark IVgs have pulled off the line for ammo resupply. Both had less than 10 rounds of AP left. Supply tracks are nearby. Artillery is almost out of ammo also. They have been firing every turn since turn 2. They should be done next turn. Tanks on Southern peak are moving Northeast slowly, taking a few shots before moving. Infantry popped smoke and are waiting behind it for enemy tanks to poke through.

Tigers took some shots at three Churchill Oke tanks moving Northwest from the South edge. There are a couple tanks unaccounted for down there and are probably hiding in the smoke.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Seven Lee I tanks, nine Sherman I tanks, eight Sherman II tanks and two Valentine IX destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 10

Enemy trying to push through infantry smoke and one tank was immobilized. Others were destroyed by flanking fire from the North end of the hill. Infantry at the North end of the depression are moving Southeast because the enemy isn't moving in that direction. A couple of MG-42 teams are in position to keep watch. Enemy aircraft made another appearance straffing one enemy tanke and one MG-42 team. A couple of ATGs are firing only HE right now. Not much I can do about that. An ammo truck to resupply them or a half-track to remove them would be easy targets.

One Churchill Oke and Sherman II tank were destroyed from the South group. That leaves one hidden Valentine IX and two visible Churchill Okes know to be still in the area. A scout is moving forward to check.

Two mark IVgs are resupplying.

I've attached a screen print of the main action point in the depression right now.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Six Lee I tanks, four Sherman I tanks, six Sherman II tanks and one Churchill Oke tank destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.