DAR: Bou Arada - Tunisia

[RERomine]

I've attached the save file for the set-up for this battle. It's pretty much as I had mentioned earlier, but the hill is a larger than I thought, so I put one tank platoon in the saddle between the two hills. They can shift as needed. My immobilized tanks are on the Northern peak since I think that is a safer place for them.

[RERomine]

Turn 1

Enemy prep fire hit part of the infantry line and one of the 75mm ATGs. The gun crew is running. Some infantry is running as well. They will get back online once the enemy artillery lets up. Estimated 16 enemy troops fired. That's 64 tubes! All of it was 5.5in or 25pdr stuff. I've seen a lot worse before, but I did suffer casualties.

The number of enemy vehicles approaching is 150+, most of which are tanks. They have most types in their inventory coming: Lee I, Sherman I, Sherman II, Valentine IX. There are a few recon units, truck and half-tracks, but their total number doesn't exceed 20. I've also dealt with larger numbers of attacking tanks as well, but they are going more with quality than quantity this time. They are approaching in two groups. About 90% are in a mass heading toward the North peak of my defensive hill. The rest are along the South edge of the map. Oddly enough, none are on the road at all

I'll give it a turn or two and may shift the one platoon of Tigers on the South peak to the Northern one. My 9 tubes of artillery are plotted in the path of the large group approaching. No kills are expected, but it should cause infantry to dismount. Maybe I'll get lucky with a shot or two and immobilize some.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Zero.

[RERomine]

Turn 2

The enemy drop smoke with a couple more artillery troops. Those should be additional troops, because the other just ended firing live HE on turn 1. They couldn't have replotted and started dropping smoke in one turn.

Tanks on North peak opened up and destroyed a couple of armored cars. My artillery is having the desired effect by causing a couple of platoons to have to walk the rest of the way. Arty even nailed a truck and damaged a Sherman II with a top hit A new type can be added to the list of tanks seen: Churchill Oke.

The gap between the two forces is still there. If I can take out the small group down South, I have a maneuver option against the North group's flank. It's funny to think about, maneuvering a couple platoons of tanks against the flank of an oncoming brigade

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Two Mrmn-Hrngtn III armored cars destroyed, one Morris 15cwt truck destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 3

MG-42s opened up and destroyed five advancing trucks. They also engaged some infantry that dismounted from some tracks that have already run up to my machinegun line. One mark IVg destroyed a couple of scout cars. Artillery hit the advancing mass again, hitting some more tanks forcing infantry dismounts. Now visible are some Crusader AA mk1 tanks. No matter, I don't have air support. The number of enemy tanks appears to be increasing. At this point, estimate the number of approaching vehicles at 200+. Smoke is obsuring some of the battlefield, so there is no way to be sure.

I've attached a screen print of what I see attacking. Some I can't see because of smoke. There are so many, the screen print is zoomed out. I have a total of 35 tank killing guns. While I don't really like to allow too much opfire because it wastes ammo, it's necessary in this case. Forces like this can't be stopped by just firing on my half of the turn.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Two Morris 15cwt and three 1&1/2 Ton trucks destroyed, two Daimler Dingos destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

[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.