On January 18, 1943, a German counterattack by units from Battle Groups Stolz (BGS) and Weber (BGW) caught the French troops of the 7e Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains and 3e Régiment Etranger d’Infanterie late in the day just north of Oum-el-Abouab. The Germans advanced from both the north and the east against French positions established in the woods on both sides of the central trail & in the wadi south of town, with a primary concentration of troops in the town itself. BGS advanced from the east through the southern wadi and the central valley, while BGW advanced along the trail. By 1700 hours, BGS had circumvented the minefield and placed three Hanomags carrying infantry in the wadi south of town. They assaulted the southwest corner of Oum-el-Abouab at nightfall and were repelled quickly by the Legionnaires. BGW was working its way through the central minefields and taking fire from a combined forces group that consisted of two AT units, and both motorcycle and infantry platoons being directed by Sergeant Mossier. That group ended up receiving the Croix de Guerre for their resistance in beating back repeated assaults from both German and Italian units; the first assault occurred at 1730, and they were under continuous attack for three hours until finally giving ground. By 1845, BGW had moved both armor and foot units to the northwest of town, and BGS was southwest ready to pounce. Through a series of assaults, the Germans eliminated the last elements of the Legionnaire platoon from the south side of town. Thus, the town was secured by 2015, and a perimeter established by 2030. Sgt. Mossier had moved south through cover and gathered a small force of Legionnaires to attempt a breakthrough from the southeast wadi at 2045, but met overwhelming resistance from the German Panzers and retreated resulting in a German victory.

This scenario ended being a much closer contest than one might assume looking at the overwhelming Axis firepower. The only element that helps the French is the opportunity to set up in well-protected positions. The town benefit of -2DF, BF and Assualt is a tremendous asset, but is countered somewhat by the combined APC/unit combos that the Axis can put together. In this particular play, the French benefited from FOW rolls on the first six turns (!) and three thereafter, while the Axis was fortunate that four of six minefields were easily passable (two decoys and two 1’s). The FOW rolls slowed the advance of the Axis over the rough terrain, and all the units did not even reach the board until the fifth turn. The setup for the French worked fairly well, as the minefields forced the Axis into combined fire situations. The only thing for the Axis to remember is that all town and village hexes, so be sure to take control of the small village in the southeast corner of Map 87 while BGS advances. The final results of this play were 26 French steps lost to a single Axis one, and an Axis victory gained with one turn remaining.