After Action Report - Session #1

Session #1
Date: July 3, 2004
Game Time covered: 12 September 1940 thru 22 November 1940
Axis: Mike Haggett
Commonwealth: Eric Belser

After deciding what optionals to use and deciding on variable withdrawals and returns for the Commonwealth, we diced off for sides. I got the Axis.

The game starts with the Italians poised for their opening invasion of Egypt. Opening is somewhat of a misnomer, since we have been at war since June 10. Finally, Il Duce has sent us enough support to begin sustained operations against the British. I am required to invade with a minimum of 3 divisions plus supporting troops by September 15 and to capture the port of Sidi Barrani, about 100 miles down the coast, by October 15. Failing in either of these objectives will result in immediate loss. The Italian force is characterized by a fair number of low-quality infantry divisions, antiquated light tanks, copious artillery, and a number of independent battalions of varying quality. The Regia Aeronautica is not particularly numerous, but of decent quality. I have 2 units of Cr.42s, 2 of SM.79s, a Ba.65, a Ca.309, and an SM.82.

The Italians face about half of the 7th Armored Division deployed forward; the remainder is back in Egypt near their main base of Mersa Matruh. The 2 New Zealand and 4th Indian Divisions are also near Mersa Matruh, but restricted to that immediate area for some time. Further back and under restrictions for training and garrisoning are a brigade of Polish troops and part of the 6th Australian Division.

The Brtish deploy with two units forward, holding the area of Sollum and the Halfaya Pass; the rest of his forward units are back a little ways and inland. The initial drive is predictable if bloodless, with the Italians sending some of their mobile forces to pin the British units on the flank and arcing a small battlegroup in to the coast to cut off the two forward units. Units on both sides are disorganized by the initial air raids and bombardments and the forward British units manage to scamper back in time to avoid being cut off. The Italians continue their advanceand the British summon the rest of the 7th AD to the front near the small village of Sidi Barrani. The Italians take some losses from British sorties; as the artillery is dragged into range for some heavy pounding, the British concede the coast road to Sidi Barrani as their supply is running low and they need to use it to fall back.

The next stage of the campaign, taking up much of October and the first half of November, saw the Italians attempting to establish a narrow fortified line as far forward as they could. This provoked the British into counter-attacking. This proved unfortunate for the Italians, as one division was eliminated and two others mauled, while the majority of the army artillery was overrun by marauding columns of troops. Finally, a defensive line just to the east of Sidi Barrani was established; solid fortification, backed by what little artillery remained (more was summoned from Benghazi and Tripoli....did I mention the Italians have ALOT of artillery?). The line north of the escarpment was held by four divisions with supporting troops. What remained of my mobile troops were held in reserve under the swinish General Maletti.

In the rear areas, I provided garrisons for my forward supply base at the small port of Sollum and left troops behind in the fortifications at Bardia and enough to man the lines at Tobruk. Benghazi was, for the moment, only garrisoned by a small, low quality Territorial battalion. I had a number of under-strength Infantry Divisions at Tripoli but no replacements to bring them up to strength.

As the 22 November closed out, I thought I had perhaps 2 turns before the British would be built up for their offensive; events would prove otherwise.