When does a unit go "under" an entrenchment?

[plloyd1010]

This is a tactical question, not a rules one. In answer to the question, you were not ready to force the position by either means.

1st assumption: The South Africans have gotten adjacent to the Italians already. (elsewise they will get scrabbed OP fire.)
2nd assumption: There is no Italian leader. (Otherwise you would have taken 2 hits on a "12".)
3rd assumption: The Italians are good order. (Because you didn't say any of them were not.)
Correction: The Italians only have 14 points (4+4+6)

In an assault, the Italians are going to have 1st shot on the 13 column (83% result/33% kill). The South Africans (assuming no kill and survive result) attack on the 5 column (9+1-2) which has a 56% result and 6% kill possibilities (and that is rounded up).
In a shootout (under the assumptions listed) the Italians fire on the Italians fire on the 22 column (100% result/25% kill). The South Africans fire on the 11 (7+1+2-2) column (56% result/3% kill).

Unless you have back-up, I don't think either would have been a good idea.