Introduction

January 3, 1941 – In support of the attack on Bardia, the 2/6th Battalion of the 17th Australian Brigade (with a platoon of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) launched a diversionary attack against elements of the Italian 63rd “Cirene” Division…

The mission begins at 0530 just before the rising sun.

Special Rules: Italian Surrender rules are in effect.

Australian Casualties will be presented by (#). Italians win by inflicting 7 or more steps.

The Battle

0530-0545 – Australians advance against the entrenched defenders pushing forward despite Italian Fire. They suffer their first casualty. (1)

0600 (Full Visibility) – The British Lt is shot (2). The first of the Italian line surrenders to the advancing Australians.

0615 – Italians are hit by friendly fire from their own artillery which allows the Australians to advance. The Italian AA Gun crews are eliminated

0630 - 0645 – The Italians lose the next entrenchment to the Australians, but the Fusiliers are eliminated by Italian artillery (3)

0700 – The Australians charge for the Italian back line where their mortars and artillery are positioned. Two more entrenchments retreat from the Australian assault and are eliminated.

0715 – Australians lose a full Infantry platoon to Italian Opportunity fire! (5)

0730 – Australians HMG platoons are hit hard by Italian artillery.

0745 – Australians push against the Italian back line and the Italian off-board large gun battery is reassigned to Bardia.

0800 – The Italian artillery surrenders. Australia loses another half platoon advancing (6). In a sneaky move, the Italians opt to flee from the Australian assault exposing the Australians to point blank HMG fire! The Australians suffer more casualties (7) and the Italians reach their victory condition!

0815 – The Italian mortars surrender to the Australian assault.

0830 – Australians retreat from the Italian HMG nests successfully but lose another half platoon to Italian off-board artillery. (8)

0845 – Italian off-board artillery is almost all reassigned to Bardia except for a single 77mm battery (6 bombardment value).

0900 - 0915 – Australians make little progress as they recover from disruption and prepare for a final push.

0930 The Australians clear out the last of the entrenchments except for the major Italian HMG nests.

0945 - 1015 – The Australians form fire groups under HMG fire.

1030 – The Australians begin to dig in, drawing Italian fire.

1045 – As the Italians are “distracted” by the feint, the Australian Infantry charges!

1100 – The Australians initiate assault. One of the Italian entrenchments surrenders! Only one more entrenchment to go and three hours to accomplish it in! Bring out the beer boys!

The last of the Italian artillery batteries is reassigned.

1115 - 1145 – With the Italians pinned in assault the Australians manoeuvre to surround.

1200 – The Australians initiate a final assault and eliminate an Italian HMG platoon. They were a bit lucky not to receive any casualties.

1215 – Regroup!

1230 – The Australians assault again and suffer a loss of half a platoon but make no more progress (9)

1245 – Regroup!

0100 – They assault again to no effect.

0115 – Regroup!

0130 – Italians eliminate an Australian HMG (10) but their HMG is demoralised!

0145 – Italian HMG flees and surrenders! The Italian infantry is reduced to half a platoon. The final half platoon and their Capitano need to hold out another half hour!

0200 – The Italians hold, surviving the major Australian assault.

0215 – The Italian infantry is disrupted but their Capitano holds them together.

The Australians are out of time!

1215 – Regroup!

Italian VICTORY!!!

Aftermath

The Italian Capitano (morale:10 1-2 leader) allowed the Italians to hold out and win the scenario. The Australians were assaulting hard, but had terrible luck near the end. (otherwise it would have been a draw.) They should have pressed against the HMG nest earlier and spent less time “preparing” But the Australian Major thought they had enough time.

As historical, the Australians were a bit too gung-ho and suffered too many casualties.

A fairly quick battle despite going the full 35 turn limit.