Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Desert Rats #28

Panzer Grenadier Battles on November 21st:
Desert Rats #16 - The Panzers Pull Back	Desert Rats #19 - The Panzers Return
Desert Rats #17 - The Tomb Of Sidi Rezegh	Jungle Fighting #7 - Line Of Departure
Desert Rats #18 - A Pibroch's Skirl	South Africa's War #5 - Irish Eyes

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Jock Column Desert Rats #28
(Attacker) Italy	vs	Britain (Attacker)

Formations Involved
Britain		Douglas & Currie Columns
Italy		132ª Divisone Corazzata "Ariete"

	Total
Side 1	4
Draw	0
Side 2	0

Overall Rating, 5 votes
5 4 3 2 1 2.8
Scenario Rank: 841 of 940

Parent Game	Desert Rats
Historicity	Historical
Date	1941-11-27
Start Time	11:30
Turn Count	30
Visibility	Day
Counters	98
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	0
Maps	2: DR4, DR5
Layout Dimensions	116 x 88 cm 46 x 35 in
Play Bounty	147
AAR Bounty	171
Total Plays	4
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Delaying Action
Exit the Battle Area
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Meeting Engagement

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Desert Rats	Base Game

Introduction
After his 'dash to the wire' failed to disrupt the British offensive, Rommel ordered all three of his armoured divisions back to the Tobruk area. The two German divisions would strike the British from the rear, while Ariete screened this move to the South. The British tried to interfere with their 'Jock Columns'. A mixed unit of tanks, motorised infantry and artillery, Col.Jock Campbell believed these combined arms detatchments would be very effective in the desert environment.

Introduction

After his 'dash to the wire' failed to disrupt the British offensive, Rommel ordered all three of his armoured divisions back to the Tobruk area. The two German divisions would strike the British from the rear, while Ariete screened this move to the South. The British tried to interfere with their 'Jock Columns'. A mixed unit of tanks, motorised infantry and artillery, Col.Jock Campbell believed these combined arms detatchments would be very effective in the desert environment.

Conclusion
The 'Jock' column appealed to British romantic notions, but it had no place in the desert war. The Italians swatted the small forces with relative ease, and brushed past on their way to Tobruk. Like many concepts that appeal to inexperienced higher ranks, the columns remained a British strategy well after the Axis had shown them to be less than useless.

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). Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present. 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 Tank Destroyer: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier. Portees: Trucks with mounted Anti-Tank guns, Anti-Aircraft weapons, or artillery. Stack as combat units. Move like trucks, but fire like guns. Do not limber or unlimber. Have the truck's -1 armor value. Truck and gun are treated as a single unit, and do not transport other units. (SB)

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).
Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present.
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
Tank Destroyer: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier.
Portees: Trucks with mounted Anti-Tank guns, Anti-Aircraft weapons, or artillery. Stack as combat units. Move like trucks, but fire like guns. Do not limber or unlimber. Have the truck's -1 armor value. Truck and gun are treated as a single unit, and do not transport other units. (SB)

Display Order of Battle

Britain Order of Battle

Army
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Army

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Italy Order of Battle

Regio Esercito
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Regio Esercito

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Display Errata (4)

4 Errata Items
	All Bren carriers should have a movement value of 7. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	Two British infantry have their full strengths printed on the back. They should both be "2-3" when reduced. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	Ignore the direct fire values. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	Four counters (ID#s: 1502 to 1506) have the incorrect NATO symbol (infantry in lieu of armor). (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (1)

Jock Column

Author	Daedalus
Method	Solo
Victor	Italy
Play Date	2011-06-12
Language	English
Scenario	DeRa028

This meeting engagement started out with two Task Organized British "columns" entering on separate boards from the South while a combined arms Italian force enters fromt the East. The British intention was to establish two defensive positions and attempt to "pinch" the Italians between the fires of the two British Columns. The AT capability consists of five Crusader 1s two 2pdr portees and the best AT weapon, the 25 pdrs. The British looked to establish their defensive positions on the North half of map four with one force oriented east while the other oriented north in an attempt draw the Italians between the two positions and to take advantage of the AT crossfire benefit.

The Italians entered from the East in a broad front which almost immediately defeated the British plan and steadily made progress across the map. They actually moved faster than expected and made contact with the British columns before the two defensive positions were entirely established. They quickly realized the value of the 25 pdrs and spent a good three hours pounding away at them with their artillery, keeping their armor out of range of the British AT fires until the 25pdrs were suppressed. The Italians were able to swing their armored cars around the northern flank of the northernmost British position(the Brits just don't have the force to prevent this). They also attempted an infantry assault upon the southernmost British position attempting to get around the southern flank. The assault was repelled with losses (the bren carriers performed well) but, by then the Italian artillery had done its job and demoralized the 25pdr crews which opened the door for the armor to move into range and start taking out the British Armor and 2pdrs. The Italian Semoventes outranged the British and they were very patient, not wanting to risk an even up fire fight, so it was only a matter of time before the Brits were helpless. Once the Italians finished off the British AT capability they swung north of the positions and headed off the map as per the victory conditions.

An interesting scenario that is quite a challenge for the British.

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