One day I was reading about how effective the German 88 AA FLAK gun was in the desert so i decided to pull out a desert scenario that had the 88 in it. I picked Sidra Ridge as it seemed to be a good medium sized scenario that would fit on my smaller game table. The scenario notes do warn you that it is a difficult one for the British and the notes are correct. This was one of the attempts by the British to break out of the Cauldron; but unfortunately, it depicts one of their piecemeal attacks against the well prepared defenders by a brigade sized force of infantry and tanks.

The Germans defend along the long ridge of Desert Map 4 with infantry, tanks and ATG guns as well as some mines. They also have a better mix of artillery than the Brits. I decided to put the mines on the flanks to encourage a middle of the map attack and then defense in the middle of the ridge with dug in company packets about 5 hexes apart they each would have one of the 50mm ATG with the center one having the 88. In the middle rear I kept a reinforced PG Company mounted ready to move to and dig in behind the ridge wherever the British sent their main attack. I put two leaders forward to be OPs for artillery.

The British plan was to attack up the east edge of the map with a main attack aimed at clearing the defenders in that sector with a tanks forces supported by some infantry to do a supporting attack on the right and to protect that flank. Although that sector had mines in it there was a large enough gap to effect the attack and the mines may actually help holding the corridor.

I though the Brits would get clobbered by artillery when crossing the valley floor but they survived the artillery pretty much intact. The Germans immediately countered the flank with a tank attack that did not go well for the Germans. It soon retreated back to the ridge as the fight moved up on the ridge. Now things went bad for the British. The German artillery superiority hit the infantry hard as they climbed the ridge. The leaders kept failing their morale checks and this stalled the attack. The British decided to assault the German infantry with their Matildas and this broke the German line in the attack sector. However, the German reserve company moved into position and dug in behind the ridge so the Brits now had another line to clear. Also the Brits’ losses had reached the German VC level so now the British were fighting for a draw at best. Soon afterwards, German units that shifted over dug in and created a third line. Panzers reinforced this defense and it became formidable.

The British infantry rallied as new leaders arrived and they move up and about to come over the ridge to hit the Reserve Company. Then the green Howards Battalion Commander got KIA by artillery and the were not going to work, and this scenario shows it.

Now, this one may not be for competitive play, but it is a good showing of a historical fight with likely historical thoughts. I do think, the Brits could clear a 6 hex wide corridor if they attack well and have effective rolls. But holding it open is another thing and they will always likely reach their 10 point casualty cap limit and never get anything better than a draw; and that would be better than the real outcome.

Pictures and SITREP tweets are on my CSW blog. Just search for Sidra Ridge and you should hit the posts for the playings. Note they are spread out over a few weeks as it took me that long to play out the scenario. whole attack ground to a halt. Some tanks and infantry did finally move forward but it was too little, too late. And the Germans massed on the flanks and began a slow grinding counterattack. It was clear this was over with four turns left to go out of the 32 of the scenario. I called it a German victory.

This game went pretty much like the real fight: a desperate piecemeal attack against a well established defender. The brits lost the real fight badly too. I read were Von Mellinthin criticized the British commanders for a poor choice in making the attack. In the game, and likely in the real thing; the British needed to hit as much of the German line as they could to stress the German defense. Single pushes