Italian Long Campaign

[sigeena]

Turn 16, 3rd Company sector

A similar story to 2nd Company sector. Once R platoon started feeling up the EN flank, the EN infantry began to budge and run. I had expected to use my tanks to force the decision but generally, it was over before they reached the lines.



After the EN broke, I sent my tanks along the road, aiming to capture the furthest EN objective flag near their edge of the map. The rest of the company spread out to clear the forested area to ensure no more EN stay behind forces.

[sigeena]

Battle Report at Turn 26

Most influential unit was probably P platoon of 3rd Company. They contacted the EN since Turn 6 and fought till the EN crumbled. 1 of the sections ended up with 0 ammo.

Most useless unit was probably the AT guns with motor transport. Again due to lack of opportunities. Their organic motor transport was still useful in trooplift ferrying.



As for the EN most influential unit, this was probably their 60mm mortars. They were fast in delivery and made it difficult in the first 3-5 turns after contact for L Platoon, 2nd Company.

The EN most useless unit, probably their tanks again. They turned up, barely fired a single shot and got destroyed by my tanks. They were slightly better than the ones in the 1st battle, at least they distracted my tanks from the main fight.

[sigeena]

Well well, the Eastern (Africa) Front has opened up in July 1940.

Meeting Engagement against GB in East Africa, probably Kenya or Somaliland.

Main features of the map are as follows

Road running E-W along the north of the map.

Stream running E-W along the south of the map.

Medium forested and some cultivated clearings.

Looks to be more of an infantry fight as little opportunities for armour to roam.

Battle plan is as follows with company boundaries.

1st Coy to advance swiftly down the road with Scout Team and ATG on Motor Transport leading. To dismount near the 1st unclaimed objective flag and then proceed on foot with infantry leading. ATG and HMG section to set-up firebase on high ground.

2nd Coy to advance 2-up with our tanks leading the way. As usual, the tanks will try to find and where possible, destroy the EN tanks.

3rd Coy to advance 3-up, and when the terrain constricts, to reduce frontage to 2-up. The boundary between 2nd and 3rd Coy is the stream itself. A rather convenient boundary.

Air recon will provide eyes and ears over the centre of the map and hopefully spot EN tank movement.

[sigeena]

Turn 3
Air recon always pays off. EN tanks were spotted near the stream and seem to be headed directly towards us. These are A13 MIVA. They are very well matched against my M-13/40. They are obviously better since they move so much faster, and have more accurate main guns.

At the speed with which both sides are closing, it may be another 6 turns before we bump into each other.

[sigeena]

Turn 5

EN 3 inch mortars are laying a smoke screen. This provides us another useful information on the likely firing positions. The 3 inch mortars tend to be very short range (1.5km- 30 hexes) so its very unlikely they'll try to counter battery us once our artillery starts firing.

[sigeena]

Turn 6

Both sides are closing fast.

Once the EN tanks have taken the objective flag, they will either continue to head West (Arrow A) or head North (Arrow B).

If Arrow A, I will move my troops into position to set up a possible ambush. My HMGs are already well sited to cover their expected route of advance. I will move a platoon each from the 2nd and 3rd companies towards the stream as a block force and my tanks will take a slight swing and approach from the EN flank and perhaps rear.

[sigeena]

Turn 6

If the EN tanks move north instead, Arrow B, they will likely move into 1st Company sector.

Currently, my ATGs are covering the road. I will be moving them to take up ambush positions near the forest so that as the EN tanks move into the clearing, our ATGs will have good fields of fire. I will also be moving 1 platoon to stiffen this line. Currently, H platoon is already moving quite ahead of everyone else.

[sigeena]

Turn 9

The EN tanks move much faster than my own tanks and are fast approaching the objective flag. My HMGs are in good position to keep them buttoned up.

It's often good to spray EN tanks, firstly, if there are any tank riders, it gets them off. Tank riders help the tanks in spotting, so if you find that the EN tank seems to have noticed your infantry, it's usually because they have tank riders with them. The second thing is to keep them buttoned, so that they are more susceptible to close assaults. My infantry lack credible AT weapons, so it's up to close assaults.

My tanks will take another 2 turns or so to get into the EN rear. Hopefully not too late to the show.



This is turn 10, where the EN tank has blundered into my infantry. The 1st 2 tanks have been immobilised due to close assaults. The 3rd tank lurking behind is still a very valid threat.



Turn 11, it's all over. The EN tanks have been destroyed by Q platoon. Push on! Remember keep the EN tanks buttoned up. Keep your Company Commander close by. Move different infantry sections towards the EN tank. Assault from different directions.

[sigeena]

My air recon reported another platoon of tanks lurking nearby. These turn out to be Matildas, which are not much of a threat at all. Though heavily armoured, they lack main guns and are terrifically slow.



I expect the tank-tank encounter to occur near the blue star. Since they have no AT capability, I will go up to point blank to engage them

[sigeena]

Turn 14,

My air recon reports spotting EN infantry near the centre of the map, between 1st and 2nd Company boundary. This seems to be a diversion of sorts, as I could only see 1 platoon size at the most. In a meeting engagement such as this one, due to my size force, I expect a minimum of 2 infantry companies. So this can't be the EN main force.