Tank action at Jebel Sayyid - with Battlegroup:Tobruk

A Libyan desert tank fight (with some other supporting arms) for 1941, and a chance to get a lot of the desert models out, as they don't see much action these days. We pre-agreed, no infantry, just vehicles and guns for a meeting engagement, and picked our forces from the BG:Tobruk lists, DAK vs British Armour. We also pre-organised them into a march/arrival order. Here are the rough lists.

Brits - in order of march for reserves arriving.
3 x A9s (deployed)      
3 x Crusader II   
FHQ in Dingo       
2 x 3” mortars - off-table
3 x Crusader II
2 x 25 pdrs + loader teams + quad tows
2 x 2 pdr Portee AT guns   
1 x Matilda II
1 x Supply Truck
1 x Repair Truck
Timed P-40 Kittyhawk air strike (turn 3)

43 BR, 4 officers, 0 scouts

Germans - in order of march for reserves arriving.
3 x Pz II F  (deployed)
3 x Pz III H
3 x Pz III H
1 x Quad 20mm AA on truck
1 x FHQ Pz I Befehlswagen   
1 x 1st priority artillery request   
1 x 2nd priority artillery request
1 x PzJaeger I
3 x Pz III G
2 x Supply Trucks
1 x Timed Stuka air strike (turn 5)

39 BR, 5 officers, 0 scouts

The action began as the A9s and Pz IIs, both advancing south of the central ridge, came into contact. The Pz IIs quickly lost a tank, pinned an A9 with 20mm cannon fire, but then pulled back, as more tanks arrived. As they did so, a second was KO'd by 2 pdr fire. So, lost that firefight...

Now, the first Crusaders had arrived, and the first Pz IIIs, and the long range duel was prooving ineffective from both sides, who would risk moving up? The RAF but in a showing, the Kittyhawk bombing on the German rear just pinning the newly arrived PzJaeger I and a supply truck. Mortar fire had already pinned the German AA truck's quad 20mm, so it sat useless at the back (all game really), covering in case any more aircraft arrived (they didn't). It was the Luftwaffe that put in appearance, first a timed strike which caused much pinning with its bombs, then another immediate followed, this time from an Air Attack counter. It plunged in to add to the pinning, and a near miss caused one Crusader crew to abandon their tank and run for it (first lost British tank). 

Meanwhile, the tanks had manouevred a little and risked some closer shots, but 50mm and 2 pdr shells found the frontal enemy armour too thick, with many glancing shots to no effect – until one did, and a 2 pdr shell wrecked the first Pz III, another A9 kill... they were, surprisingly, having a day.

Reserves continued to roll in, the German FHQ in his little befehlswagen called in some 105mm artillery fire, and the Brits used their 3" mortar harassing firing to some pinnign effect. Both sides were taking chits to unpin, one being a 'Mine Strike' that saw another Pz III destroyed. Another being a 'Breakdown', that saw an A9 conk-out... no matter, a repair truck was on the way. 

The Brits had got their two 25 pdrs unlimbered and loaders teams active as they added their firepower, and one HE shell wrecked another Pz III. Getting those guns pinned was a top Geman priority. The Stuka did the work, bombing one to pin it, then a 'Confusion' counter saw the crew run... abandoning their gun and limber. Still, the other remained in place, but under HE fire from Pz IIIs.

The Crusader vs Pz III duel north of the jebel, over the open ground, saw a third Pz III KO'd and the Germans were getting the worst of it. South of the ridge, a German success saw a portee'd 2 pdr truck wrecked by the last Pz II, before it too was hit by return A9 fire and burnt. 

By now, the Stuka had used up all its ammo, three starfing runs against soft targets had seen only pinning, and it returned to base. That's when the desert dust clouds reduced ranges and spotting. Both sides now had to think about pushing up again, and the Brits did, their Matilda (a monster here) leading (slowly), as 50mm shells bounced off it. Three Crusaders followed, and a Pz III was KO'd at close range. The fight here was being lost, and the Pz IIIs, low on all ammo and still under punishing 25 pdr fire had to pullback and seek safety. The Pzjaeger's supporting fire had hit nothing (8 shots fired, 0 hits -disappointing!). With the Germans needing to unpin, this counter (a 4) pushed them over their BR limit. The British had won... still with 13 BR to spare, so a solid win, and the DAK would have to concede Jebel Sayyid. 

A cracking game, a bit different to others without the infantry, but it felt very 'desert'... Crusaders turned out to be handy vs 50mmL42 AP rounds, no kills for the German gunners today. Losses in the end were, for the Germans, 4 Pz IIIs and 3  Pz IIs. For the Brits, 2 A9s (1 was breakdown), 2 Crusaders (1 abandoned and recovered), 1 porteed 2 pdr and a 25 pdr (again abandoned). But they held the high ground of the ridge.

Pics of the action –

 

Jebel Sayyid in the centre, Brits arrive from the right corner, Germans from the left. The first tanks approach - A9s vs Pz IIs in the opposing vanguards.

Leading the Brits, the three A9s... come face to face with the German Pz IIs. The small rock marks the objective point, south of the low rocky ridge.

Pz IIIs arrive and manouevre into place north of the jebel.

First Crusader moves to the objective, the first loss of the day sees a Pz II burning from an A9's 2 pdr.

Crusader platoon arrive and move right, then halt to begin supporting fire at long range vs the Pz IIIs in the distance.

25 pdr is hauled into place to provide effective HE suppressing fire.

Early strike from the RAF, Kittyhawk bombs the Germans and pins their Pzjaeger I. German quad AA was pinned and so could not engage...

Then the Luftwaffe also get involved, target rich environment at the end of the ridge, as it plunges in... but scores no direct hits from its bombing run. Back with MGs then...

Trading fire with the A9s. No cover, so rely on your armour...

A lost Crusader gets aid from a repair truck, as the second 25 pdr deploys to aid the valiant A9s, still up front and duking it out. Ammo is a worry. 

German 105mm artillery impacts around the Crusaders and pins the lone Matilda. White smoke indicates on 'ambush fire'. 

PzJaeger I (first ever game I think), moves up and engages Crusaders at long range. No kills today. Bit rubbish...

25pdr and loader team continue to be a major threat, but return HE keeps pinning it.

Last Pz II makes itself useful, and brasses-up a portee 2 pdr truck at range.

First A9 lost, but they have put up a hell of a fight, and are now low on ammo. One retired to re-bomb.

The smoke and dust clears, and the Germans have withdrawn. Solid victory to the Brits today at Jebel Sayyid. Crusaders are tougher than you think...