Come on Patsy.

This was probably a good draw insofar as it goes.

Italian Set-Up: Entrenchments in 0908(20-m); 0810(40-m); 0708(40-m); 0609(20-m). The L3/35's and the frozen reduced (captured) Matilda are dug in on 20-m around the perimeter. Mines: 1008; 0909; 0910; 0808; 0811; 0710; 0707; 0608; 0609; 0510.

The NZ force has a long trek across open sand. After Italian bombardment rolls (one on-board piece and one off-board factor) of 7, 7, 6, 8 (SIGH), they proceed to roll two "snake eyes" in succession killing two lorry-borne HMGs! The NZ colonel decides to foot pound it the rest of the way.

NZ attack axis is from the East and SE (having entered on N board edge).

Key Elements:

NZ 2-lbr shrugs off bombardment after bombardment and takes out three steps of M3/35 with 10's and 11's. Assault takes out the forth step of M3/35.

NZ makes its play for Entrenchment 0609. By 1030 hours (and seven turns of assault), situation is this:

Italians lost: 12 countable steps - 1 BERS platoon (2 steps); 1 ENG platoon (2 steps); and 2xL3/35 platoons (4 steps x 2). Lost ENTRENCHMENT 0609.

NZ lost: 7 countable steps - 2 x HMG (4 steps); 1 x 3-inch; 2xINF(red; 2 steps).

The NZ side will lose if it loses another step, but cannot win without taking three more entrenchments with equivalent holding force to the one taken after considerable trouble (and only after getting both BRENs and the lone HMG into the assault). The Italians are content to remain within the protection of their minefields and fortifications. Thus, the NZ force withdraws with periodic DIS due to artillery harassment.

The Italian HQ is saved; the Kiwis sent back with something called a "flesh wound," but still capable of combat at a later date.

PS The Italians also benefited from an inordinate number of good rolls on the DF 4 col! There were sufficient morale failures on the NZ side to prevent a second attack from forming, though perhaps just as well from the VC point of view.