Slitherine

08:00 (1)
Updated intelligence from the front line has confirmed my suspicions on enemy locations....how in the blazes did they get so close to the Tobruk perimeter without my forces intercepting them?


With unmatched precision the 101st squadron begins the assault


21st Panzer links up with the Italians of Ariete and Brescia divisions and manage to adopt a defensive posture ready for the expected armour attack from the south, the advanced British forces are all but wiped out


15th Panzer advance slightly and begin their diversionary attack on the enemy flank hoping to draw of some of their forces. One artillery battalion is utterly routed and some infantry forced to give ground


To the east the boarder forces attempt to form up in a defensive formation


A large concentration of British armour has pushed south but for the most part shy away from a direct engagement with 21st Panzer. The one exception are a battalion of light tanks that was ambushed by the 1st Panzer battalion and badly mauled. A brave South African infantry battalion break through a gap in the lines and engages the Italians screening Tobruk, they will be isolated and destroyed


The boarder force failed to maintain a tight enough defence and some of their artillery is overrun. They also report attacks from the RAF. Two Hurricane and one Blenheim squadron, locations are relayed to 10th Fliegerkorps


The Italian divisions screening Tobruk have come under artillery fire from within the perimeter so will need to fall back out of range to avoid unnecessary casualties.

14:00 (2)
Substantial cloud cover will hamper our bombers but it is due to clear soon.

Intelligence has suggested a way I can find the fuel and ordnance to continue this campaign, I just need to locate the Dumps


High command have issued a new objective for my forces but refuse to divulge the exact nature of the task


To this end I will assign 15th Panzer this task along with the recon battalion and infantry currently assisting them from the 21st


The boarder forces entrench in position with strict orders “hold at ANY cost” To support them my two Luftwaffe squadrons are sent to engage the RAF and bring down half the enemy fighters


21st Panzer prove their elite status once more and utterly obliterate the British armoured offensive for very few loses.
The South African infantry that had penetrated the line are surrounded and destroyed by Ariete and Brescia divisions who also mange to finish the last of the British advanced force.
Italian divisions maintaining the Tobruk siege fall back out of artillery range


More south African infantry blocking the advance of 15th Panzer are finished off and our recon battalion finds some Dingo armoured cars


Which are quickly engaged by my Panzers and destroyed. It appears Gabr Saleh has no defenders


The RAF have engaged the strong-points guarding the coastal route and are reinforced by a further squadron of Hurricanes.....I note that they are unwilling to engage with the Luftwaffe even with a numerical superiority.
The boarder force holds against an attack

08:00 November 22nd 1941 (3)
A sandstorm has blown up out of no where. Luckily it effects the British as well as ourselves


I am worried about an Allied advance from the desert....earlier this year they showed their wiliness and ability to send large forces through the open desert. To this end I have ordered Ariete Division (yellow) to secure the area around Bir El Gubi as the most likely avenue for an attack to relieve Tobruk. A lone Italian infantry regiment is sent to Bir Hacheim to stall any attack from this direction even if they can't stop it. Brescia division (green) will reinforce the cordon around Tobruk itself as I am still concerned that the British may attempt to sally forth whilst my heavy hitters are engaged elsewhere.
21st Panzer (red) will drive eastward to relieve the boarder forces and then sweep “the wire” looking for the British supply dumps. 15th Panzer (blue) are to assemble before attempting the task intelligence has hinted at.


The boarder force is shrinking with heavy loses...I reiterated their orders to stand fast

14:00 (4)
The sandstorms have cleared as quickly as they arrived.

A message from intelligence came through


They obviously do not understand the need for caution when advancing against unlocated enemy forces!

The RAF have moved to the Tobruk area and I'm worried they may be there to support a break out...luckily I have Brescia division in place as I don't trust those Italians that are not part of my Afrikakorps


10th Fliegerkorps quickly responded and shot down two more squadrons


I contact my intelligence liaison and inform him that 15th Panzer has assembled in the position they requested and the response is not what I expected


Damn it I already knew to find the supply dumps! Garbled communication led me to believe that intelligence had another objective in mind and I berate my liaison officer for not being clearer.
I dispatch new orders to the 15th


21st Panzer advances east and makes contact with the British


My Panzers (with artillery support) easily dispatch the anti-tank battalion and brace themselves to face the Matilda IIs


Tempesto squadron was called in to engage the British heavy tanks and reports a build up of enemy forces between 21st Panzer and the boarder force


The boarder force looks vulnerable and I have doubts whether 21st Panzer will break through to them in time.
Further more they have reported yet more RAF fighters. P-40 Kittyhawks, made in America they could cause problems


Ariete tanks push south trying to spot any British forces coming this way whilst their infantry entrench in the city behind. Further west the Italian infantry regiment reaches their objective.
15th Panzer is to advance south-east to Fort Maddalena then turn eastwards while 21st Panzer take Sidi Omar and push east


The Matildas attack the 1st Panzer battalion of the 21st and come of worse. One of our forts guarding the coast route has been taken and the boarder force shows true grit and holds once more despite a lack of ammunition and supplies

08:00 November 23rd 1941 (5)
The Luftwaffe easily dispatch the RAF Hurricanes near Tobruk while on the ground the Italians entrench

The Tanks of Ariete division locate a British Guard battalion to the south and immediately radioed for support


I redirected my recon battalion to move in support and spot for additional British forces. Although they report no contact with combat units they did report a most unexpected find. I have ordered the Ariete infantry to move south in support of their armour


15th Panzer continue to advance but report no contacts

21st Panzer break through the Matildas and their supporting artillery I have told them they must relieve the boarder force soon. Sidi Omar is retaken


New Zealand and Indian troops have captured Fort Capuzzo and cleared the Italians out who were screening Sollum. The last of the artillery guns hav ebeen knocked out and the Matilda tanks hav emove dto block the advance of the 21st while some New Zealand infantry launch an ineffective attack. Further north Sidi Azeiz is lost and near the coast Bardin Fortress I sunder attack

14:00 (6)
The Matildas tanks and the New Zealand infantry are destroyed as the 21st continue to advance. A Dingo battalion is also forced back in disarray. The Vickers tank battalion that captured Sidi Azeiz is wiped out by my Panzerjagers.


15th Panzer continue their slow advance across the desert, without a recon force to scout ahead they must maintain formation


Ariete division pulls together ready to tackle the British Guards as one....I fear these troops will not be easily overcome.
The recon battalion fires a few shots at the hanger before moving past to scout for more combat ready enemy


The RAF P-40s spot an easy target and go after Tempesto squadron who barely have time to call for aid before the planes of the 181st streak past to intercept.
The light tanks attacking our Fortress take some loses then head North-west and we lose contact with them


My previous fears are confirmed and some British troops sally out from Tobruk but run into Brescia division who hold fast

The British must have lots of faith in those forts to launch an attack! Hopefully your Italians teach them a lesson or 2

Great AAR and a pleasure to read - keep it up!

LandMarine47 wrote:The British must have lots of faith in those forts to launch an attack! Hopefully your Italians teach them a lesson or 2

Well after it shot at me on the first turn I know there's artillery backing up those forts......I'd have faith in that too!

But I'm sure Brescia Division is more than up to the task of holding the Brits back

Resolute wrote:Great AAR and a pleasure to read - keep it up!

Thanks for reading and glad you're enjoying it

Enjoying the AAR very much. Glad to see your Italian troops helping out! They have been a pleasant surprise in my game as well.

Victor_K wrote:Enjoying the AAR very much. Glad to see your Italian troops helping out! They have been a pleasant surprise in my game as well.

Yeah those Bersaglieri really aren't too much worse than German infantry (I'm just hoping they get a 43 upgrade!) and their towed artillery (except the lack of halftracks) are on par. I'm just hoping for some tank upgrades because I can't help but feel they're gonna be left behind stats wise very soon, plus they're a little slow. Their air units aren't too bad either. All in all I'm pleased with the Italians and glad I kept them all (not that my prestige would have allowed me to replace them anyway!)

And thanks for reading

08:00 November 24th 1941 (7)
The 181st press home their advantage against the RAF and finish the P40s that had attempted to shoot down Tempesto squadron


The Stuart light tanks that fled north are located and destroyed by my Panzerjager battalion and we retake Sidi Azeiz.
The New Zealand infantry and British Dingo battalions are cleared form 21st Panzers path as they advance and more infantry and artillery is spotted.


15th Panzer continue their slow advance and locate an enemy anti-tank battalion


Which is quickly overrun


Ariete division with support from the recon battalion take out the stubborn British Guard battalion and report the location of a second enemy hanger. I send orders for these locations to be secured


Brescia division take care of the counter attack form Tobruk and ready themselves for more attempts

14:00 (8)
Both enemy infantry battalions near Fort Capuzzo are wiped out and the Fort itself now once more lies under German control.
The 101st squadron make an attack run on the Indian artillery causing significant damage. They have also radioed in with the location of an anti-tank battalion nearby


Continuing their cautious advance 15th Panzer locate a Dingo battalion shielding their objective


The Panzers speed forward to engage and promptly destroy the enemy. We catch sight of a light tank battalion on the other side of the wire and also confirm a well entrenched (and strong) Indian infantry battalion holding Fort Maddela


Arite have captured one British hanger (with support from our recon battalion) and report a second should fall soon. I have ordered any and all oil captured to be sent west to resupply our reserves. Areite will sweep the desert for more hangers and/or targets of oppurtunity


A British infantry Brigade has sallied form Tobruk. Their effort is too little and too late, even if the succeed in breaking out (and I have every faith in Brescia that they won't) they will find no friendly troops in the vicinity and will be easily hunted down

08:00 25th November 1941 (9)
21st Panzer mostly pauses to allow the supply trucks to catch up. Their 1st Panzer battalion continues its assault though and drives back the Indian infantry battalion standing against them


15th Panzer destroy the Stuart light tanks threatening their flanks whilst their supporting infantry ready themselves for the assault on Fort Maddalena


Another hanger has been located in the desert


The recon battalion engages whilst Ariete division spreads out to search the desert.

Brescia badly bloodies the British infantry attempting to break out of Tobruk and forces them back


Scant moments later a call for help arrives. British heavy tanks roll forward but stubborn defence from Brescia holds them for now...


More South African troops are seen advancing against 21st Panzer

14:00 (10)
10th Fliegerkorps go into action and reap damage and confusion through the enemy. They report a large concentration of enemy forces moving up towards the 21st


21st Panzer finish off the Indian infantry and artillery (deployed into direct fire mode) and adopt a defensive posture


I send orders for 15th Panzer to reverse direction and attack the allied formation in the rear and they make contact with previously unseen anti-tank guns still in transit. They also report the location of a supply dump


The anti-tank battalion is destroyed before they can deploy their guns against my Panzers. Further south Machine gun battalion 8 along with the 15th artillery pause for resupply


Ariete locate another hanger but their infantry is vulnerable. Other troops continue to comb the desert


In close fighting Brescia force back he Matilda tanks attempting to break out of Tobruk. The 101st squadron arrive nearby to provide close air support if needed and the British infantry have regrouped


Cruiser tanks are seen approaching Sollum whilst the enemy troops bypass 21st Panzer and attempt to drive towards Tobruk


The Indian troops defending Fort Maddalena abandon their defences and sally out. My infantry give them a bloody nose for their efforts.


The Matilda's move back into contact in an attempt to pin Brescia in place while the regrouped infantry assault our flank cover

08:00 November 26th 1941 (11)
One enemy infantry battalion make themselves an easy target driving past my Panzerjagers in Bren carriers and are quickly eliminated. My anti-tank battalion move cautiously west and locate two more mounted battalions


My fighters fly in to attack and also locate the enemy artillery moving up behind their infantry


The remainder of the 21st go into action and remind the British why they should not be ignored


15th Panzer manage to destroy the infantry that remained behind to hold them and begin moving on the supply dump.
Machine gun battalion 8 rout the Indian infantry and secure Fort Maddalena


One more hanger is neutralised and Ariete continue their search for more


Brescia finish of the Matilda heavy tanks facing them and once more force back the attacking infantry


Crusader tanks lead a break out over the wire closely supported by two infantry battalions, 21st Panzer will need to deal with this new attack.
The infantry breaking towards Tobruk continue moving north-west and the 21st will also need to find them


The British don't give up! The broken remnants of the infantry brigade move back into contact


And another assault is launched from Tobruk. With only weak Italian units holding the line here things could get rough

Interesting - Like to see how it ends

14:00 (12)
News from machine gun battalion 8




British Crusader tanks fully fuelled and ready to go. My troops found them with no crew and parked up, why the British had them here is unknown but I quickly rush men there to take possession and order them to bring these tanks into the fight.

With the British breaking west from Tobruk I order elements of 15th Panzer left in reserve to move forward


The 3rd battalion of 15th Panzer (equipped with PzIIIJ tanks) already fuelled using captured supplies moves quickly to the front and I have also received word that 10th Fliegerkorps has been reinforced by 35th squadron (flying Bf109F planes)


181st squadron flies a reconnaissance mission and locates the lone British battalion attemptin gto reach Tobruk


Tempesto squadron hit them hard and my anti-tank battalion mount up in half-tracks and hunt them down


The lead Crusader battalion is destroyed and 21st Panzer prepare for their drive east


The first supply dump is taken and a second located. A regiment of Ariete has found itself further east than intended and is ordered to link up with 15th Panzer (along with our new Crusaders)


The remainder of Ariete continue sweeping the dessert.

Brescia finish of the determined British infantry and reform their lines waiting for the next attempt at a break out


The Italian troops fall back against the British onslaught which could work to our advantage, the newly arrived Panzer battalion will come around and hit them in the flank


The British press their (temporary) advantage and destroy one of the Italian regiments while occupying the airfield

sigp210 wrote:Interesting - Like to see how it ends

Hopefully a DV

And thanks for reading

08:00 November 27th 1941 (13)
21st Panzer force their way into the pass destroying the infantry battalion trying to hold it. The anti-tank battalion that so far has remained passive is eliminated so as to secure our flanks


15th Panzer engage the second supply dump and report they expect to take it before then end of the day. The Ariete regiment now operating in the area was ordered to sweep the southern desert and locate a third supply dump. El Hamra is occupied


Southern supply dump is almost taken in a combined attack from Ariete and our new crusaders


The last located hanger is reduced to rubble and our forces finish our sweep of the desert without further contact. These forces will now move north to reinforce the siege of Tobruk


The newly arrived Panzer battalion attack the flank of the advancing British infantry but fail to dislodge them


With a total disregard for the precarious position the British advance further and attack the Italian artillery, they are now surrounded!