DAR: Mersa Brega, North Africa

[RERomine]

Turn 28

Enemy resistence around objective G1 has ended. Paras destroyed the last enemy ATG and all enemy infantry has been destroyed. Two more flags turned on G1. The going is slow because most hexes are mined.

Two Sherman II tanks have been destroyed approaching Paras from the Southeast. They were engaged by the overwatch Tigers on hill 30-2. Only one more is seen at this point.

Scout East of hill 30-2 engaged by a sniper to the North and an FOO to the South. They are taking a beating.

A second Lee I tank approaching objective G1 from the South has been destroyed by Tigers on hill 30-1. The last one crested a rise and took fire from the Tigers and halted. The one enemy infantry section opened up on the paras at long range and inflicted a few casualties.

Maneuver Force continuing through the gap. The column shift South to give incoming artillery a wider berth.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One Lee I tank and two Sherman II tanks destroyed, one 6pdr ATG, estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 29

All flags turned on objective G1 and all enemy in the vicinity elimated. The Tigers on hill 30-1 will hold position while enemy forces advance North to try to recapture G1. They were able to destroy last visible Lee I tank approaching from the South.

Last Sherman II tank destroyed from Tigers on hill 30-2.

Two enemy infantry sections trying to move North toward objective G1, but encounting heavy fire from paras. Artillery has been plotted to disrupt their advance.

Maneuver Force continuing through the gap. They will swing wide to the East edge of the map before turning South. This will have them passing behind a small hill providing conceilment for the move. The plan is for them to approach objectives G2 and G3 from the East. Since all mobile enemy forces seem to be heading toward objective G1, all that should remain are towed guns. The mobile force has three companies of leg units that will take point on the advance. PzKw IVgs will stay back and provide supporting fire. Artillery will be used to suppress gun emplacements. I have to keep in mind there still may be field fortifications and mine around those objectives.

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

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One Lee I tank and one Sherman II tank destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

[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.

[RERomine]

Turn 37

Maneuver Force beginning finally assault on objectives G2 and G3. Lead elements are 500m ENE and advancing. Enemy crew tried to get back to mortar and received heavy fire from tanks and tracks. Last enemy Lee I tank in area was destroyed by two mark IVgs in overwatch. Enemy infantry moving North has been rendered combat ineffective. All are running now. Paras spotted, engaged and destroyed another 6pdr ATG.

Random enemy artillery falling around without effect.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

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