The battle for Al-Milazz

This battle was fought between Rommels 6th Panzer division and my opponents Indian Division, the mission; Maximum attrition. The battle would be fought over the small outpost of Al-Milazz and its life giving oasis.

Neither side started on the board so turn 1 was more about maneuver and establishing bases of fire for the coming confrontation. It was clear that the Indian Division intended to take the buildings to their front and the Axis couldn't prevent them fortifying the buildings. The Axis advanced towards the sand bags and compound walls hoping to turn the court yard into a killing ground. On the axis left flank the team with the anti tank rifle spotted a lone individual moving at the foot of the hill and one sat on the top of the hill. Seeing the glint of binoculars the gunner rightly surmised that this was a spotter for the 25 pounder. Sighting down his rifle he fired a single large caliber round. First blood to the axis! Sadly this choice of target would prove disastrous for the axis later. Both commanders nervously waited for the appearance of enemy armour, the tell tail squeal of tank sprockets echoing ominously.

The allied Matilda crawled slowly up the axis right flank supported by a unit of infanty moving towards the oasis. Looking across the battlefield the axis commander smiled hoping to turn the right flank into another killing ground. He signaled the Panzer III to advance and engage the enemy Matilda, confident its light anti tank gun couldn't threaten its thick armour.

The axis plan began to take shape, fix the enemy on the flank with armour and superior firepower. Sweep around the axis left flank clearing that lightly defended flank. Then assault the buildings while the base of fire provided by the two LMG squads suppressed the allies. This would be helped by the German 233 providing indirect fire with its light howitzer pounding the buildings.

The German kubelwagen advanced and began used its MMG to begin suppressing the allied 25 pounder. Confident of the plan the axis advanced using the cover of the walls to block line of sight to the enemy artillery. Unknown to the advancing axis forces a lone figure at the foot of the hill took a last look with his binoculars before consulting his map. Smiling to himself he raised his radio hand set "Fire for effect"

The axis commander heard the tell tale sound of heavy artillery in the distance, from the tone he knew it wasnt his own. Looking to his left flank he could see his troops were still shaking out their deployment and were horribly bunched up. Screaming at them to disperse and take cover he was blown from his feet as rounds began to fall. His ears still ringing as he picked himself up and looked to where his assault group had gathered he could see no movement. From the moans and screams of the wounded it was clear his force had been dealt a crippling blow.

His runner returned to report that enemy artillery had destroyed the anti tank rifle team and two full squads, plus his second fire support squad was heavily pinned.

On the axis left flank the kubelwagen charged forward to spitefully mow down the artillery observer following his slaughter of his friends. On the right the pioneer squad urged the driver of their staff car forwards desperate to get into the fight. The allied recce carrier joined the battle to see an enemy staff car barrelling towards it. Opening fire with its twin LMGs it killed the driver and the vehicle skidded to a halt. The axis pioneers debussed from the vehicle but couldnt save their squad mate. Peering through the smoking wreck of their vehicle they were surprised to see another group of allied soldiers charging towards them. Unable to shoot back in time the two forces clashed hand to hand. The fighting was viscous and no quarter was given. The allies expected the best of it but even surprised the pioneers fought hard, taking 4 enemy with them.

Meanwhile the Panzer III and the Matilda continued to exchange shots, neither side able to breach the others thick frontal armour. Each hit rang like a church bell inside the turrets of each vehicle making accurate fire more and more difficult (using desert rules makes all vehicles unreliable, so any pin marker generates and extra one!)

The Matilda gunner, now confident of his range and neither vehicle moving called out "On the way!" The armour piercing round hit the turret ring of the Panzer III cleaving the thin armour. The commanders order to bail out died in his throat as the magazine exploded spectacularly blowing the turret 40 feet into the air.

Seeing that both his left and right flanks had collapsed and seeing the defeated looks in the eyes of his men. The axis commander ordered a general withdrawal gifting Al-Milazz to the allies.

This was another fantastic game on Micks (allied player) new desert board and those palm trees really made a difference to the overall look. Starting this game I was pretty confident as I thought I could overwhelm his units one at a time on my left flank. But that damn forward artillery observer! Well placed by Mick it came in straight away. Normally I wouldn't be too concerned as they usually just dish out the pins. I have never seen so many 6's rolled though, followed by 3d6 hits averaging 12 easily wiped out my units. That really took the wind out of my plan as I had few large infantry units to take on his force. I was hoping to kill his Matilda as its something of a tradition that I blow his tanks up, sadly this wasn't the case this time. To Micks delight he was able his new vehicle destroyed markers, which i'm sure you'll agree look fantastic.