NO RETREAT
The mission tonight was of course no retreat, and fittingly the defenders in this scenario were the Italians.
Italian Carri Company
(Courtesy of Easyarmy.com)
| Platoon | Qty | Unit | Points | ||
| Headquarters | |||||
| 1 1 | M14/41 Improvised Tank Armour | 65 | ||
| Combat Platoons | |||||
| 3 3 | M14/41 Improvised Tank Armour | 195 | ||
| 3 3 | M14/41 Improvised Tank Armour | 195 | ||
| 3 3 | M14/41 Improvised Tank Armour | 195 | ||
| Divisional Support | |||||
| 1 2 | Carro Comando Semovente 75/18 | 180 | ||
| 1 4 2 2 | Cmd Rifle/MG team with Passaglia bomb Rifle/MG team with Passaglia bomb Mod 37 HMG 47/32 gun | 230 | ||
| 1 4 2 2 | Cmd Rifle/MG team with Passaglia bomb Rifle/MG team with Passaglia bomb Mod 37 HMG 47/32 gun | 230 | ||
| 1 2 | Cmd Rifle team 90/53 gun with 8+ crew | 220 | ||
| Company Points: | 1510 | ||||
British Light Armored Squadron
(Courtesy of Easyarmy.com)
| Platoon | Qty | Unit | Points | ||
| Headquarters | |||||
| 2 | Crusader II | 105 | ||
| Combat Platoons | |||||
| 1 2 | Crusader II CS Crusader II | 150 | ||
| 1 2 | Crusader II CS Crusader II | 150 | ||
| 1 2 | Crusader II CS Crusader II | 150 | ||
| 1 2 | Crusader II CS Crusader II | 150 | ||
| Weapons Platoons | |||||
| 3 | Grant | 280 | ||
| 3 | Grant | 280 | ||
| Divisional Support | |||||
| 2 1 1 1 1 4 | Cmd Rifle team Jeep Staff team Observer Rifle team 15 cwt truck OQF 25 pdr gun | 245 | ||
| Company Points: | 1510 | ||||
Deployment
The Brits put everything out, the Italians deployed the 2 Bersaglieri, held the 90/53 guns in ambush. The rest of the Italian stuff was in reserve.
Turn One
The Brits ATTACK!! All of the Armour rolled across the board in giant steamroller fashion. The assault was split into two equal sections. CC&2iC respectively, 2 Light Armor Platoons per flank, one Heavy Armor Platoon per flank. The Grants on the right flank rolled forward in the first round to get within 16 inches of the Italian infantry on the right flank. The Italians rolled out to be Confident Veterans, so at the start of the game they were 7+ to hit outside of 16 inches. Bill managed to score 1 hit and the Italian Infantry saved. Everything else on the Right Flank was out of range, in a mirror effect the left flank advanced, the Grants fired, no hits were made in the first round.
Wait for it...wait for it... BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM. Yes, the 90/53s appear from ambush and open up on the Grants advancing on the British right flank. 4 hits! even at range there is no armour save, firepower to destroy. That was all she wrote of the first grant platoon! Additionally the 47/32 guns on the British right flank open up on the advancing light armor. 4 hits and 2 bails! The shots were all aimed at the CC forcing him to join the nearest platoon, luckily his was one of the tanks bailed! An amazing first round of shooting if I may say!
Turn Two
Bills Royal Horse Artillery fired to no effect, got some hits but that wretched 5+ firepower makes it almost impossible to root out dug in troops. The left flank Grants fire full RoF into left flank Italian infantry, to no effect. Crusader CS tanks advanced and also fired to no effect. Right flank Crusaders stay bailed, other crusaders advance/ cs fire to no effect. This round for the Brits was less than effective wouldn't ya say?
Italians all unpinned. 90/53 guns open up on other Grant platoon at maximum range, 2 destroyed. Platoon fails morale check, runs from the field. I would be terrified too if some giant gun in the distance was liquifying the heaviest armor I had on the board! Fortunately for the Italians, their first reinforcements arrive! The Semovente 75/18s roll on from the back edge. Unfortunately in my silliness I forgot about my Avanti option (they were out of range of any enemies) so I lost an additional 4" of possible movement due to forgetfulness.
Turn Three
Bills Royal Horse Artillery manage to pin the 90/53 guns. His Crusaders roll forward, fire full RoF on MGs, then assault on the right flank. The first platoon manages to kill one tab before breaking off, the second platoon fall back with two bailed tanks from defensive fire. On the left flank the CS tanks continue to whittle away at the Italian infantry. They destroy one 47/32 this round!
90/53 platoon does not unpin this turn. BOOOOO! Reinforcements arrive again, this time three Carri 14/41s join the fray. The pressure is mounting on the Brits as the Italian heavy armour begins entering the fray! it is a known historical fact that the Carri 14/41 was the most feared tank in desert warfare! (I am not a real historian...)
Turn Four
The Royal Horse Artillery fire to no effect this round, Bill's Crusaders on right fire to no effect, the Crusaders on left roll into range of the 90/53 guns and fire all they have..., also to no effect. At this point Bill began hating his dice and was feeling rather ineffectual.
Between the 47/32, 90/53, and tanks the Italians managed to destroy two more platoons of Crusaders. With two more platoons of Carri 14/41s in reserve and an overwhelming show of force on the table, the Brits ran screaming back to their rear camp to regroup and settle their nerves after attempting to dislodge the most ferocious fighting force known in history. Long live Italia! Avanti!! Bill conceded the game.
6-1 for the Italians AVANTI!!
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