CAMPAIGNS IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943 and THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940-1941: Maletti Battlegroup Heads For Egypt

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Maletti Battlegroup Heads For Egypt

The post below predates above post(s) - just for atmosphere.
Date: September 1940

Location: Libya Near The Northwest Border Of Egypt

Situation: Portions Of The Maletti Motorized Battlegroup Head For The Border

The head of the column. Note red flash within the scrub bushes.

The frontier wire is just up ahead.

A 7th Armoured Division armoured car observes the Malettis.

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Quotes To Consider

"Quitters never win and winners never quit." Vince Lombardi

"Whining leads to complaining.
Complaining leads to excuses.
Excuses lead to losing."
Brian Burke, Team USA

"MERCY CHANGES US
Mercy is a word that can change everything, including the world."

"It's such a simple word and yet so filled with meaning and dimension that it can leave us dumbfounded. ...it's one of Pope Francis' favorite words, and he says it can change everything."

"What would change if we began thinking of mercy as our guiding principle for life and faith? What would change if we actually became mercy for everyone we meet? And what would change if we began by being merciful with ourselves."

From 30 Days of reflections and prayers, WHAT POPE FRANCIS SAYS ABOUT MERCY

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit." Julian Fellowes

The quality of mercy is not strain'd

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.

Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

Shakespere

Battle of Britain Players

Luftwaffe
Chuck S. (CinC)
Rob O.

Morgan E.
**********
RAF
John B.
Bill P.
Earl K.
**********
Otherwise
Chuck L. (Either side)
Dan W. (RAF preference)
Lewis S. (RAF Preference)
Earl K. (RAF preference)
Dan E. (Either side)
Morgan E. (Luftwaffe slight preference)

Nick K. (Depending 0n work)

Todd B. (preference = ?)

Keith L. (preference = either)

**********
As of January 27, 2016
**********
Let this serve as an invitation to all our regional gaming friends to fly with us in some of the games planned for 2016. You need not fly in every mission - but you might want to.

Inexpensive BKCII

To view the online version of this email, please click
http://www.lulu.com/static/021711_HAPPY305wv.html

This is the organization I got BKCII from. With the discount a person could pick up a copy (B&W only) for about $20. If you know of someone else who hasn’t gotten the rules yet because of cash or availability feel free to pass it on. Lulu also has a lot of Featherstone and other wargaming authors in their listing.

I have mixed feelings about such places and their impact on publishing and bookstores, but in my case where you work for charity you need to cut corners.

Cheers,
Michael

Oct. 9, 1940/2010 Game

BATTLE OF MERSA MATRUH
ITALIANS WIN
BRITISH RETREAT
Date: Early November 1940
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4th Indian Div. entrenchments at Mersa Matruh were assaulted by the I Corps of the Tenth Italian Army. Defenses consisted of trenches, anti-tank and AFV pits, minefieds, barbed wire and reverse slope dynamics.

The 4th Indian right flank along the seacoast was a static display; no gaming here.

The center came under attack on its northern side where L-3 tankettes eventually circumnavigated minefields, an anti-tank ditch, breached wire and close assaulted Indian gun pits and trenches. Given other pressure from Italian infantry forces closing in especially on the left, the position became untenable. After a vigorous defense, survivors retreated southwards into 4th Division's left flank.

The left flank was attacked head-on by large armoured forces with flame throwers. Fierce bombardment of the trench line caused large casualties and withdrawal to rearward fieldworks. Before this Italian trucked infantry maneuvered on the wide-open left flank out to the escarpment. It came under accurate and frequent bombardment by the RAF, two eight gun-batteries of 25 Pdrs. and from trench line small arms and mortar fire. The Italian infantry force withdrew due to losses.

Losses:

4th Indian Division
4,000 pts.
Lost 610
Recovered 153 (25% for loser)
Retreated with 3,543 pts.
7th Armoured covered with 2,855 pts.

Italian I Corps
8,000 pts.
Lost 2,390
Recovered 1,195 (50% winner)
Holds Mersa Matruh with 6,805 pts.
II Motor Corps in reserve with 3,266 pts.

Conclusion:
4th Indian Center lost to 1st Corps.
4th Indian Left trench line lost to 1st Corps whilst secondary fieldworks held out in the rear.

In view of 1st Corps success and desire to hold the field, British command chose to withdraw to the next box at Maaten Baggush where the coastal plain is about one mile wide. The retreat was covered by 7th Armoured Division.
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Next Game:
Our participants want to do an assault and defense of fieldworks again. The next game will be the Italian attack on the fieldworks at Maaten Baggush. Campaign time will be estimated to be late Nov. 1940. Can we can do this game before 2011?
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August 14, 1940/2010 Game

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RESULTS
7th Armoured repulsed II Motor Corps southeast of Mersa Matruh. II Corps 4,500 pts. reduced to 3,266. 7th Armoured 3,000 pts. reduced to 2,855.

Two RHA eight gun batteries (George) devastated advancing foes almost single-handedly. 7th Armoured was assisted by "automatic suppression" in addition to several II Corps "command blunders" and bunching units too closely. Whilst II corps advanced most of 7th Armoured waited in the fashion of The Duke of Wellington behind reverse slopes.

7th Armoured:
Right: Jim (2inC)
Center: Bill (CinC)
Left: Chuck
RHA & RAF: George

II Motor Corps
Right: Todd (CinC)
Center: Morgan and John
Left: Dan

Possible Changes For Next Game
1. Auto Suppression won't apply to AFVs.
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Positions October 1940

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Two Tenth Army Forward Forces:
#1: At Mersa Matruh: 8,000 pts.
#2: Out in the desert: 4,500 pts.
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Tenth Army Rearward Forces:
Sidi Barrani Region building works.
There are no points assigned for this.
We'll do this later, when needed.
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4th Indian Division
Mersa Matruh Box
4,000 pts.
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7th Armoured Division
East and Southeast of Mersa Matruh
3,000 pts.
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We will track losses to the above by points, not units.
Game winners recover 50% of lost points.
Game losers recover 25% of lost points.
No winner/loser, both recover 50% of lost points.
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Reinforcements?
We'll figure this out as we go along using historical data including Churchill's withdrawal of forces to Greece unless Suez is threatened/lost.
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1940-1941Commanders And Missions

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Italian Tenth Army: Todd
DAK upon arrival: Chuck
Mission: Suez Canal
Bonus? If you get to Suez we'll try to figure out a revolt by the Egyptian Army.
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4th Indian: Jim H.
7th Armoured: Bill
Mission #1: Protect Suez Canal.
Mission #2: Gain the Tripolitanian Border
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Miniatures Rules: Blitzkrieg Commander II
Goals: Several large games annually.
Smaller or multi-session games on weeknights.
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Campaign Rules:
Our own and made up as we go.
Minimal record-keeping stored here for easy access.
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Other Participants?
Yes naturally.
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Battle of Britain

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Maletti Battlegroup Heads For Egypt

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