Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Africa Orientale Italiana #25

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The First Offensive Africa Orientale Italiana #25
(Defender) Italy	vs	Britain (Attacker) India (Attacker)

Formations Involved

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	1

Overall Rating, 1 vote
5 4 3 2 1 3
Scenario Rank: --- of 913

Parent Game	Africa Orientale Italiana
Historicity	Historical
Date	1940-11-06
Start Time	05:30
Turn Count	40
Visibility	Day
Counters	98
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	1
Maps	3: 85, 88, 91
Layout Dimensions	84 x 43 cm 33 x 17 in
Play Bounty	191
AAR Bounty	227
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	0

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault
Entrenchment Control

Conditions
Anti-infantry Wire
Entrenchments
Minefields
Off-board Artillery
Randomly-drawn Aircraft
Smoke

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Africa Orientale Italiana	Base Game

Introduction
With the arrival of 5th Indian Division, the British commander in Sudan, Sir William Platt, wanted to recapture the border forts taken by the Italians during the summer. Brigadier William Slim’s 10th Infantry Brigade, supported by tanks, would take the fort at Gallabat on the Sudanese side of the dry riverbed marking the border and the fortified village of Metemma on the Ethiopian side. This would mark the first offensive action by British forces in the Second World War.

Introduction

With the arrival of 5th Indian Division, the British commander in Sudan, Sir William Platt, wanted to recapture the border forts taken by the Italians during the summer. Brigadier William Slim’s 10th Infantry Brigade, supported by tanks, would take the fort at Gallabat on the Sudanese side of the dry riverbed marking the border and the fortified village of Metemma on the Ethiopian side. This would mark the first offensive action by British forces in the Second World War.

Conclusion
The Italian Colonials put up fierce resistance, well-supported by the Grenadiers and their anti-tank guns. The British lost half of their tanks but managed to eject the Italians from Gallabat Fort. Things fell apart when Slim’s British battalion panicked. Slim had to abandon his plan to work his way around the Italian left flank onto the hills behind Metemma and attack the Italian post from both sides. The Indians and British retreated; Britain’s first offensive had ended in defeat.

Conclusion

The Italian Colonials put up fierce resistance, well-supported by the Grenadiers and their anti-tank guns. The British lost half of their tanks but managed to eject the Italians from Gallabat Fort. Things fell apart when Slim’s British battalion panicked. Slim had to abandon his plan to work his way around the Italian left flank onto the hills behind Metemma and attack the Italian post from both sides. The Indians and British retreated; Britain’s first offensive had ended in defeat.

Display Relevant AFV Rules

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle
Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0). AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement. AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1). Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2). Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3) Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0). Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3). Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3). AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42). AFV's may Dig In (16.2). Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC) Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle

Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0).
AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement.
AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1).
Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2).
Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3)
Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0).
Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3).
Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3).
AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42).
AFV's may Dig In (16.2).
Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT).
Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC)
Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable