CM:ICS - Allied Commanders' Thread.

[Doctor Sinister]

Combat Mission: Interactive Combat Story - This is the official thread for the Allied Commanders

El-Kafir Airstrip

Libya, June 1942

Note:

Although the men and equipment are accurate for the period, and although the scenario revolves around actual events in the war, this is an entirely fictional battle.

General Briefing:

With Rommel's North African campaign in full swing and the battle of Gazala underway west of Tobruk, the British doctrine of grouping in defensive strong points was put to the test by constant attacks from German armour all along the front line.

Many heroic battles occurred in the period between the 26th of May and the 17th of June, not least of which was the one that took place in the small town of El-Kafir...

Allied Specific Briefing:

As you will be aware, the defNorth African campaign hangs in the balance and we are often only able to hold the lines by maintaining air superiority over the Axis forces that threaten to overwhelm us.

We have recently constructed a small airbase in the provincial town of E-Kafir, a crossroads for local commerce and also home to the Regional Governor for this part of the Empire.

Already, some planes are operating from this Airstrip. Very soon, it will be home to several squadrons of fighter-bombers and it must be defended at all costs.

This is now YOUR responsibility.

In addition, the town itself is of vital strategic importance as it is home to several river crossings and the administrative centre of the entire province.

With German probing attacks all along the line, it is inevitable that we shall be attacked sooner rather than later.

Indeed, aerial reconnaissance has detected a formation of German Panzers and Infantry approaching the town from the North-West.

Your mission is as follows:

1) Defend the town.

2) Protect the administrative centre.

3) Protect the home of the Regional Governor.

4) Protect the El-Kafir Mosque - this is home to a local Mullah who is supportive of the British Empire, if he is killed or replaced with a Nazi stooge, our influence in this sector of the front could be jeopardised.

5) Prevent Axis forces from gaining control of any of the three river crossings in the town centre.

6) Defend the Airfield - at ALL costs.

Enemy forces are believed to be of Company strength, or higher, with Light Tanks in support.

Your force composition is as follows:

2 x Platoons of Matilda II Tanks.

1 x Platoon of Mk VIB Tanks.

4 x Bren Carriers.

2 x Rifle Companies.

2 x Concrete Pillboxes with 2pounder AT Guns.

2 x Concrete Pillboxes with Machine Guns.

4 x Bofors 40mm AA Guns.

6 x Oerlikon 20mm AA Guns.

4 x 2 pounder AT Guns.

3 x Vickers Machine Guns.

If we are attacked, we will also be able to provide you with limited air cover at periodic intervals from the Airstrip itself:

2 x Hurricane I Fighters.

2 x Hurricane IIA Fighter Bombers.

2 x Hurricane IIA Fighter Bombers.

Good Luck!

* * *

To the Commanders:

Two views of the battlefield are attached showing your optional deployment zones. In the first picture, North is to the top. It is now up to you to decide how best to conduct your defence. Due to the importance of the area, some of your forces are in fixed positions to cover all objectives, however you also have a strong mobile force which you can deploy at will.

Assess the situation, study the defensive objectives and then decide from the following options:

1) Assemble all forces in the Airfield with a view to mounting a stiff defence and ignore all other objectives.

2) Have all mobile forces brought forward to the Administrative Centre, the Mosque and the Governor's Residence to impede any assault on the bridge crossings.

3) Spread your forces evenly around to cover every angle.

Voting must take place HERE where you will find the first poll, however please keep all discussion in this particular thread.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Oops, forgot to say, the first poll closes on 26th February, whereupon battle will commence for 5 whole turns of combat, where we will then stop again for the next one. And so on...

And a copy of this scenario will be made available via the WHQ Archives once the ICS has finished.

Dr. S.

[RichardS]

Poll? Where is the Poll? OH THAT POLL. Nevermind.

:flag:

[Doctor Sinister]

Originally Posted by RichardS

Poll? Where is the Poll?

There's a link in the final sentence of the first posting.

But here it is:

http://war-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22788

Dr. S.

[RichardS]

Originally Posted by Doctor Sinister

There's a link in the final sentence of the first posting.

But here it is:

http://war-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22788

Dr. S.

I found it. Need to figure out a new link colour that is bolder, but not to bold.

:flag:

[Doctor Sinister]

Originally Posted by RichardS

I found it. Need to figure out a new link colour that is bolder, but not to bold.

:flag:

Sorry, it is a bit obscure...I'll change it.

Dr. S.

[Jim H. Moreno]

How about a little G2?

Indeed, aerial reconnaissance has detected a formation of German Panzers and Infantry approaching the town.

From which direction?

...some of your forces are in fixed positions to cover all objectives

Mind plotting these on the map, along with their primary target lines and fields of fire?

[Doctor Sinister]

Originally Posted by Jim H. Moreno

How about a little G2?


From which direction?


Mind plotting these on the map, along with their primary target lines and fields of fire?

Enemy units are approaching from the North-West (I just added that to the main text as well).

Details of fixed emplacements, personnel and equipment will follow shortly...

Dr. S.

[RichardS]

Welcome aboard, JIm. I was wondering that myself. We need to protect that Wadi that branchs off from the road that can get to the bridge without going near the town. The upper bridge is most vulnerable. The middle bridge ie least so because it acts as a natural funnel. The lower bridge is vulnerable depending on how we deploy our forces. My initial thoughts are:

1) Defend the airfield at all cost.
2) Fortify the administration complex as much as possible. It can cover the approaches of the middle and lower bridges.
3) Use that force to cover the Mosque, but do NOT deploy troops in it.
4) The Matildas should be in defensive hull down positions.
5) The Mark VIbs should be deployed south of the airport to screen for enemy attempts to use the lower bridge.
6) Mines or minefields?
7) Bridges should be wired to be blown on command.
8) Evacuate the Governor to a safe location.

I really need more information on what has been done before we arrived.

:flag:

[Doctor Sinister]

Firstly, a close-up of the Airfield.



Each of the two entrances is covered by 2 pillboxes outside the airfield, one containing a 2pdr AT gun, another containing a machine gun. Within the perimeter, each entrance is again covered by two Vickers MGs with sandbag protection. Similar guns are on three of the corners (the fourth corner is already catered for by the rear entrance to the base).

Inside the base there are 4 Oerlikon AA guns and two more independent AT guns.

The base aso has the use of a Bren Carrier and a Platoon of 3 Matilda Tanks. A Rifle Platoon is also based here permanently.



Secondly, the Governor's Residence has a permanent guard detachment of one Rifle Platoon and a single Bren Carrier.



Finally, the Administrative Centre's fixed defences consist purely of 2 Oerlikon AA guns.

There are no fixed defences in the area of the Mosque. All other assets are yours to deploy as you wish.

Dr. S.

[Jim H. Moreno]

Thanks Doc. Helps to make a better decesion in the poll, which I'll go do now.

Are the guns in the corners in towers?

Enemy approaching from the NW, eh? Rich, think they might try to use the river? Can we spare a spotter?

[Doctor Sinister]

Originally Posted by Jim H. Moreno

Thanks Doc. Helps to make a better decesion in the poll, which I'll go do now.

Are the guns in the corners in towers?

Enemy approaching from the NW, eh? Rich, think they might try to use the river? Can we spare a spotter?

No, the corner guns are merely in sandbag emplacements.

Dr. S.

[RichardS]

Originally Posted by Jim H. Moreno

Thanks Doc. Helps to make a better decesion in the poll, which I'll go do now.

Are the guns in the corners in towers?

Enemy approaching from the NW, eh? Rich, think they might try to use the river? Can we spare a spotter?

I wish we had some mines. Could channel the buggers very nicely. If I was the Jerry commander that's what I'd do. I'd send a probing attack along the road to draw our attention out west beyond the mosque and then send a kampfgruppe on a blitz down the wadi and seize the upper bridge. See where the river turns and runs directly south till after the bridge? We could put a lewis gun with crew and an FO there they can tie up stuff till we redeploy on the threat axis. My opinion is that wadi will be the main axis threat avenue. The 2nd would be down the road past the centre.

Thinking on the fly. We could put our bunkers to guarding the Upper and Lower Bridges. Our mobile forces should stay EAST of the river to block any break throughs. 2lbers should be used to guard the middle bridge and troops deployed to funnel the enemy into the kill zone that leads to the centre bridge.

Doc: Are the guns in the centre fixed permanently as in towers or just unlimbered? Never mind. You already answered. *goes back to look at defenses*.

[Doctor Sinister]

Originally Posted by RichardS

I wish we had some mines. Could channel the buggers very nicely. If I was the Jerry commander that's what I'd do. I'd send a probing attack along the road to draw our attention out west beyond the mosque and then send a kampfgruppe on a blitz down the wadi and seize the upper bridge. See where the river turns and runs directly south till after the bridge? We could put a lewis gun with crew and an FO there they can tie up stuff till we redeploy on the threat axis. My opinion is that wadi will be the main axis threat avenue. The 2nd would be down the road past the centre.

Thinking on the fly. We could put our bunkers to guarding the Upper and Lower Bridges. Our mobile forces should stay EAST of the river to block any break throughs. 2lbers should be used to guard the middle bridge and troops deployed to funnel the enemy into the kill zone that leads to the centre bridge.

Doc: Are the guns in the centre fixed permanently as in towers or just unlimbered? Never mind. You already answered. *goes back to look at defenses*.

One small point, there are no transports available for the guns, so it would take a long time to drag them to new positions. The pillboxes I referred to are concrete emplacements, so they aren't going anywhere.

Dr. S.

[RichardS]

Originally Posted by Doctor Sinister

[center][i]

Your force composition is as follows:

2 x Platoons of Matilda II Tanks.

1 x Platoon of Mk VIB Tanks.

4 x Bren Carriers.

2 x Rifle Companies.

2 x Concrete Pillboxes with 2pounder AT Guns.

2 x Concrete Pillboxes with Machine Guns.

4 x Bofors 40mm AA Guns.

6 x Oerlikon 20mm AA Guns.

4 x 2 pounder AT Guns.

3 x Vickers Machine Guns.

2 x Hurricane I Fighters.

2 x Hurricane IIA Fighter Bombers.

2 x Hurricane IIA Fighter Bombers.

So what you are really saying is that all the pillboxes, AA guns and AT guns are already emplaced? It makes a HUGE difference. Please clarify.

:flag: