During Operation Crusader 22nd Armoured Brigade was tasked with taking Bir el Gubi.158 Crusader tanks faced 146 M13/40 tanks and infantry and Guns of Ariete. The Italians emerged victorious, inflicting heavy casualties for less than 40 of its own tanks. Re-created at the club meeting, with Bill taking charge of the valiant British, and Mark upholding the honour of the heroic Italians. Bill charged his tanks across the open straight into the line of Italians trying to break through to the objective. Suffering horrific loses on the way as 88's, coastal,and A/T guns ripped his Crusaders apart. Having got on the objective he was repulsed at turn 7, and with his 1iC gone automatically failed morale. A valiant effort in what was a very difficult scenario for the British. Well done to both players for giving an enjoyable and sporting game!  |
| The Italians of Ariete Division Guns, Guns, Guns! |
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| Dug - in Italians |
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| 2 Coastal Guns |
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| The 4th County of London Yoemanry with their brand new Crusader tanks prepare to charge! After all theyre ONLY Italians!?! |
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| More Crusaders prepare to "Tally Ho!" |
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| British Recon Armoured Cars (They didn't last long!) |
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| After their valiant charge the Crusaders start gettting "Brewed Up" |
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| Who said the Italians were a pushover? |
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| The Coastal guns did a fair bit of damage to the British Armour |
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| Crusaders close assaulting the Dug-In Italians |
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| Not always successfully? |
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| The Italians repulse another attack by motorised Infantry on their right flank |
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| M13/40's, the cream of Italian Armour! |
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| Tally Ho!! |
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| Things don't go well for the Crusaders? |
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| On the British Left a platoon of Crusaders tries to cross the Wadi, with one of their tanks breaking down |
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| In the centre the British attempt to sieze the objective, but are counter attacked by heroic italians, the British losing their 1iC in the ensueing fight! |
Hope you enjoyed the AAR, feel free to leave a comment
Happy Gaming!
Great looking game.
ReplyDeleteI really like the sleek look of the Crusaders. And having them charge at the Italians makes them look even greater.
Hi Engel, Glad you like them, I really like the early / mid war desert battles. Unfortunately for the British it was one of the rare occasions when they faced well trained, dug-in, and well armed Italian troops!?
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