CM:ICS - Allied Battlefield Reports.

[Doctor Sinister]

By request of the Allied Commanders, this separate thread will contain the story elements of the CM:ICS.

Although the story will be regularly updated, this thread will be locked for responses, all discussion of tactics etc. must take place here.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir, Libya, June 1942.
Governor Fortescue's Official Residence...06:25 AM.

The beginning of a new day...


A gentle breeze blew westwards from distant hills as the sun crept over the horizon, spreading orange fingers over the land. As the glow steadily increased, this part of the world began to awaken.

Bleary-eyed and chilled from the cloudless night, Private Evans stood erect, teeth chattering, rifle in hand, peering northwards from his vantage point atop the large mansion house.

"Well old boy" he muttered to himself, "they say today's the day...let's see if I'm here tomorrow...".

But try as he might, it was impossible for Evans to verify the briefing he and his comrades had received overnight. He stained his eyes to look for any tell-tale dust clouds, but was unable to see anything. Rumours of a German column approaching would have to remain just that - rumours. Maybe this temporary outpost of the British Empire would become that little bit more permanent...

The sharp bark of a voice from below roused Evans from his semi-slumber. "No slacking lad! Get that flag up! And then get yourself down here!" Evans jumped and looked down to the ground two storeys below him. It was Sergeant Crowther, walking his regular morning patrol around the residence.

"Yes Sir!" yelled Evans, turning to the flagpole that stood on top of the residence, hurriedly unfurling the Union Flag and raising it into position. Evans briefly saluted before heading for the entrance to the stairwell at a rate of knots.

* * *

One floor below, Lt. Constable, CO of 2nd Platoon, B Company, put the finishing touches to his uniform, peering in the battered mirror before turning on his heel and leaving the room. As he holstered his pistol he turned into the stairwell, and was immediately floored by a blurred shape that rushed past him.

"Damn it to Hell, who's that?!" he shouted. As he looked down the stairwell, Private Evans' red face appeared from around the corner.

"Sorry Sir, in a bit of a rush Sir."

"So I gather - well, carry on..."

"Yes Sir, sorry Sir, thank you Sir". Evans saluted and ran as fast as decorum would allow. Behind him, Lt. Constable picked himself up, straightened his uniform and followed him downstairs.

* * *

Outside the main entrance of the Residence, Corporal Brown sat in his Bren Carrier and smiled to himself as Evans bolted out of the building, one hand holding his helmet on his head, scurrying to stand with the rest of his Platoon for the morning inspection. Sergeant Crowther had finished his walk around the perimeter wall of the Residence and was waiting there, pacing up and down the line of men. A few scant moments later, Lt. Constable emerged, looking immaculate as ever to join with Crowther.

"Tell the men to stand at ease Sergeant." muttered Constable.

"OK lads, at ease and listen up". The sound of boots in unison rattled across the assembly area. Lt. Constable looked them up and down, eyes settling on the bedraggled Private Evans briefly.

"Well chaps, as you know, we've had reports of a Jerry column heading for us. It's obvious that with the new airfield over there, we were always going to be a major target. This morning I've had confirmation that the attack is imminent. They'll hit us today. I'm currently awaiting orders from the CO as to whether we are to hold here, or to link up with the rest of the Company somewhere in the town, but until I get those orders, I want you all to assume that we will have to defend the Residence. So I want everything double-checked, triple-checked and then checked again. I want all weapons stripped and cleaned and a constant watch kept from the roof. So get your gear together and snap to it. Today's the day we all earn the King's pay".

The men snapped to attention at Crowther's command and headed off to their pre-assigned duties. Evans breathed a sigh of relief as he headed for the mess hall, he'd had nothing to eat all night.

"Oh, and Private Evans?" Evans stopped and grimaced to himself.

"Yes Sir!"

"No time to hang about, skip breakfast and head up to the roof for observation duties. And on your way, wake up the Governor and tell him what's going on".

As Evans headed back inside, Lt. Constable could hear the distant sound of Matilda Tank engines being gunned to life. From the Airfield.




Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir Airstrip, 06:30 AM.



Sergeant Curran wiped the sweat from his eyes as he emerged from the upper hatch of the Matilda Tank.

"I reckon that's got it now Sir" came a voice from inside.

"It had better bloody work, it's hot enough tinkering with this thing, the day hasn't even started yet."

Sitting at the head of two Tank Platoons just inside the main entrance of the El-Kafir Airstrip, Sgt. Curran couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. It was bad enough having to fight Jerry in a sandpit, but lately the entire complement of Tanks had become somewhat unreliable and it was always a trial to get them from A to B, let alone fight in them.

"You ready now Sergeant?" called a voice from behind him. It was Lt. Harris, the head of this particular Platoon.

"Yes Sir, we're ready to go".

"OK then, let's get to it." Curran felt the Tank tremble slightly as a Squad of soldiers mounted the rear deck. His driver revved the engine and with a lurch, they were off and out of the Airstrip perimeter.

Ahead of them lay a bridge, and beyond that - Jerry.

"Looks like recon' was right Sir, I can see dust plumes ahead..." called Curran back to the Lieutenant.

"Get us across the bridge and we'll dismount the troops. Full speed Sergeant Curran - full speed!!"



Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir, northern bridge of the River Rahman, 06:31 AM.

Sgt. Curran felt his stomach tie itself into knots as his Tank slowly crossed the bridge and emerged onto the west bank of the river. If anything was going to happen, it would happen soon...so soon he may not even know about it...

"Sergeant! Enemy Half-Track on the bank!!" Curran whirled to look.

"Bloody hell, you're right. Well lad, open up!"

The rattle of machine gun fire filled the air, red tracers flying towards the German vehicle.

"I think we got 'im Sir. He's backing off".

Curran wiped the sweat from his brow and realised he hadn't breathed for nearly a minute...

The battle for El-Kafir had begun.


Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir Mosque, 06:32 AM.

Atop the El-Kafir Mosque, Captain Ellsworth scanned the horizon and tried desperately to peer through the dense cloud of dust to the North.

"Forward scouts report sound contact from enemy armour Sir".

"Thank you Segeant. Now if only we can divine what they are and how many they've got, perhaps we can all get on with it without any more guessing..."

"Estimates are possibly three Panzer Platoons and supporting vehicles. Infantry strength is unknown Sir."

Both men looked up suddenly at the sound of machine gun fire from the northern bridge.

"Well someone's shooting at something".

Down below, elements of Company B, who had earlier assembled in the area surrounding the Mosque, were fanning out to adopt strategic positions covering the North-Western approach road. Ahead of him, Ellsworth heard the distinctive sound of Mk VIB Light Tanks moving up fast to support the Infantry.



With a start, the Captain realised that he could finally see movement through the dust plumes. German Half-Tracks were advancing cautiously through the desert.

"Inform HQ that we have contact. Instruct the Mortar crews to start laying down smoke as ordered. Oh, and get in touch with Lt.Constable and find out how close he is to joining up with us here".

"Righty-ho Sir" replied the Sergeant, jogging off downstairs to the radio room. He was not gone long. Outside the Mosque, there was a sudden "popping" noise as the Mortar teams began their work.

"Sir, Lt. Constable reports that his men are being shot at and requests a brief delay in the rendezvous time".

"I see. And the Governor?"

"Being evacuated in a Bren Carrier Sir. And there's a Mortar team onboard too."

Ellsworth could hardly restrain himself from laughing, but just at that moment, maching gun fire sprayed over the walls of th Mosque.

"Those buggers are shooting at us. Go down there and kick those Anti-Tank Riflemen into action!!"

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

The outskirts of Governor Fortescue's Official Residence...06:33 AM.

Having thrown himself over the perimeter wall of the Governor's Residence, Private Evans accompanied his Platoon on a leisurely march across the desert towards the El-Kafir Mosque. It seemed that the bullets heading in their direction had stopped for now, but Evans still flinched as he heard the distant cracks and bangs of battle. And he knew this would only be the beginning.

"Come on chaps, keep up". called Lt. Constable who was charging ahead at almost a jog.

"S'alright fir 'im, he hasn't got a full kit to lug around" murmured one of Evans's comrades.

"Enough of the lip back there" growled Crowther, glaring menacingly in Evans's direction as if to say "I know it was you son..."

Evans sighed and picked up the pace.



Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

North-Western approach road, 06:34 AM.

Sgt. Curran ducked as bullets whistled over his head. Unlike other Tank Commanders in his Platoon however, he refused to button up unless absolutely necessary.

Troops milled around him and his Tank, having unloaded their precious cargo, the Matildas were torn between heading back to a defensive line or patrolling the line of trees where German Infantrymen had been spotted advancing.

Curran's radio crackled - it was Lt. Harris.

"Enemy Panzers have been spotted near your position, they seem to be splitting up, watch out for targets of opportunity but don't take any chances..."

Curran acknowledged the command.

"Right then, we'll sit 'ere for a bit and see what 'appens"

As he glanced back, he could see the large bulk of A Company streaming along the road from the northern bridge.



Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir Mosque, 06:35 AM.

Nestling amongst the gravemarkers that surrounded the El-Kafir Mosque, Corporal Hartigan peered down the long barrel of his Anti-Tank Rifle. Around him, other ATR teams and Bazookas were assembled, facing the north-western approach road.

"Contact Sir!" came a voice - Hartigan could not tell who it was, but sure enough, German Panzers had appeared from behind the buildings ahead.

Suddenly, all hell broke loose, machine gun fire rattled off from both sides, incoming bullets spattered over the walls of the Mosque spraying sharp pieces of stone everywhere. Simultaneously, the defeaning roar of a Vickers MG within the building returned fire.

And then...with a spine-numbing crash, a High Explosive shell from one of the Panzers exploded within the compound. Hartigan went deaf instantly, his consciousness jarred by the shockwave. Dazed and confused he looked around to see men crying in agony from their wounds, blinded by smoke and dust thrown up from the blast.

More shells began to arrive, and Hartigan blacked out...



* * *

Captain Ellsworth observed the explosions from atop the Mosque and ducked temporarily as the building shook.

"They're trying to take the whole building out - get those AT teams to FIRE!"

As Ellsworth scanned the situation through his field glasses, he saw the advance elements of B Company, an entire Platoon, retreating hurriedly from the advancing German armour.



"GET THOSE MEN BACK INTO THE FIGHT!!" he yelled above the roar of the battle, but it was futile, even if the men head heard him they were clearly in no mood to listen.

But even as he watched, he could see that the Panzers, though still firing, were backing off. The reason soon became clear.

"Sir, looks like we've been sent some armour support..."

Ellsworth turned slightly at his Lieutenant's report - sure enough, a Matilda Tank had rounded the curve in the road and was returning fire to the Panzers. Almost immediately, sparks flew from one of the Panzers as a shell ricocheted off the front armour.

"Got 'im..." murmured the Captain.

* * *

Despite the sounds of battle from the far side of the building, Private Evans breathed a sigh of relief as his Platoon finally entered the Mosque compound. No longer exposed in the open, maybe he could scrounge a quick bite to eat...

A sharp pain in his ear quelled any thoughts of rest. Sgt. Crowther, as alert as ever to any signs of slacking, was attempting to lift Evans up using only his ear.

"Take that look off your face sonny jim, and report to the Captain for your orders with the rest of the Platoon..."

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

North-Western approach road, 06:36 AM.

Lt. Harris could hear the battle over by the Mosque, but had problems of his own.

"Sir, Sgt. Caldwell reports that his Tank is bogged down by the treeline."

"Dammit."

"He also reports that he can see large formations of German armour heading south down the approach road".



Bulelts spanged off of the Matilda's armour as Harris considered the position. He poked his head out from the top of the turret and looked around. Ahead of him, German Infantry had been sighted in the woods, the Matildas had to stay here to prevent a breakthrough, but over by the trees, Caldwell's own Matilda was immobile - a sitting target. And if he could see the Germans, then they could see him...

"What about the Light Tanks?"

"They are reinforcing our line from the Administrative Centre as ordered Sir".

"Then we have a good chance of containing the Germans here - we must keep up the pressure...Caldwell and his crew will have to look after themselves."

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir Mosque, 06:37 AM.

Black smoke poured from the smouldering Mosque as shell after shell from the Panzers threatened to set the entire structure ablaze.

Worried that the shaking structure would take his command with it, Captain Ellsworth had ordered an immediate tactical withdrawl of the Company Headquarters Staff - and they had hit the ground running.

Above and around them, bullets whizzed from both sides.

Ellsworth paused for breath in a gully and looked back at the Mosque. The brave ATR teams were scoring hits on German armour, but they were proving ineffective. The Panzers were holding back, directing fire at the troops on the ground, which could only mean...

Shouts from the north confirmed his suspicions. German Infantry was heading their way. The assault was on.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir Mosque, 06:38 AM.

Shaken and bruised by the shelling, Corporal Hartigan lay prone and stared down the sights of his Anti-Tank Rifle. Ahead of him were four Panzer IVs, remorselessly pounding away at the Mosque and its environs. Hartigan knew that he was virtually alone now, the rest of the Company had withdrawn or was withdrawing to the rear, behind the safety of the massive structure.

Hartigan fired shot after shot, the loud crack of his rifle pounding in his ears. But it was hopeless, few enough shots found a home, and those that did simply bounced off the enemy Tanks like water off a duck's back.



Hartigan shook his dazed head and continued firing...



* * *

Aboard his Matilda Tank, Lt. Harris listened to the reports over his radio headset with alarm and popped his head out of the turret.

"So it's true..."

Harris watched with alarm as he saw British soldiers running from the treeline - the probing attack into the wooded area near the North-West approach road had been repulsed utterly and the men were running for their lives. In the buildings near the bridge, mortars were firing smoke to cover the retreat.

To make matters worse, an ominous dust cloud was blowing across the riverbank.



"We're about to be flanked..." muttered Harris to himself.

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

North-Western approach road, 06:39 AM.

Lt. Harris watched in horror as the source of the dust plumes came into view. And they were already firing on the exposed troops...

"More Panzers Sir! It's a trap!"

"Full ahead to the road - we'll stand-off and form a defensive line."

The ominous shapes of Panzer IV Tanks began to appear through the smoke and the dust. There was no way of telling how many of them there were.



"Stand by chaps, this is going to turn into a duel".

* * *

"Steady now...don't panic lads..." Sergeant Lawton peered through the cupola of his Matilda II and held his breath.

"FIRE!"

With a loud boom, the Matilda shook and the crew loaded another round.

Lawton was at the vanguard of a force which was now directly engaging enemy Panzers threatening the Mosque in another deadly duel. The German machines sat on a small rise ahead of him, pefect targets, but they also had a clear view to the British Tanks.

"Let's hope we get lucky first - or that we can score a shot on their underbelly".

The Matilda's main gun roared as another solid shot leapt from the barrel.



"We got 'im Sir!" yelled the Gunner as he saw visible sparks fly off the Panzer.

"Hit him again".

With a sudden crash, Lawton reeled and smacked his head against the unforgiving interior of his vehicle.

"We just got hit - is everyone OK?" The crew checked in one by one, and Lawton patted the hull of his machine fondly.

A third roar announced the departure of another shell and the crew of Lawton's Tank raised another cheer. But still the Panzers fought on...



Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

North-Western approach road, 06:40 AM.

Captain Nevis lay with other members of A Company and listened to his radio with mounting horror.

"Enemy Panzers are approaching from the North and the West, your position is now untenable. You are ordered to withdraw your men back across Alpha Bridge and regroup. Do not delay, repeat, do not delay."

Nevis didn't need telling twice, the dust cloud over the hill to his right threatened to engulf them all - those Panzers had to be almost on top of them. This fact, combined with the frantic retreat of his men from the woods could mean only disaster if they remained here.

"Everybody grab whatever they can! I want an orderly withdrawal back to the airfield - on the double!"

Nevis watched as the Platoon leaders roused the men from their positions, but then a shout went up.

"Tanks!!"

Nevis whirled around to see the Panzers crest the hill - some of his men began to open fire, but the bullets ricocheted uselessly off the front armour. The rest of the Company began scrambling to their feet, screaming in terror as the Panzers opened up on their now exposed positions. All around him, Nevis could hear the sound of his terrified men, and felt a shiver of fear himself as he realised that they were in danger of becoming surrounded.

"Let's MOVE IT!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, and all of a sudden, his orderly withdrawal became a rout.



Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

El-Kafir, 06:41 AM.

Corporal Garraway peered through the hatch in his MkVIB light Tank and, not for the first time, prayed for a miracle. With the two other Tanks in his Platoon, he was tasked with defending the centre portion of the line - but the task was proving impossible. Everywhere he looked, German troops were constantly pressing, threatening to break through at any moment.

"Targets ahead Sir!" reported his gunner, Garraway sighed, it was the Half-tracks again, he could see them through the woods, they were constantly roving along the line, looking for targets, supporting the advancing German infantry..

"Fire at will, we must stop them from breaking through...we must..."

Suddenly, as if his prayers were being answered by God himself, Garraway heard a distant rumble from the skies. The rumbling got louder, and closer, and it was coming from the Airfield - from behind the British lines.



Golden lances of airborne machine gun fire dealt death from the sky as the Hurricane Fighter flew overhead, strafing the exposed German troops behind the treeline. As Garraway looked up in amazement, the plane climbed skyways, the pilot performing a snap roll in celebration and cheers went up from the men in the Tank Platoon. The RAF had arrived!



* * *

To the North, Lieutenant Harris's Matilda Tank sat alongside that of Sgt Curran as they blazed away at the appraoching Panzers threatening to pincer the British defence force. Harris too looked up as the Hurricane sped overhead.

"Right then, looks like the cavalry's here - we might see this through after all."

As he spoke, Sgt Curran's Tank fired and scored a direct hit on the lead Panzer, blowing a hole in the turret.

"Nice shot Sergeant, bloody good show."



Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

North-Western approach road, 06:42 AM.

The main gun on Lt. Harris's Matilda barked once again and with a sudden spurt of flame, the lead Panzer was knocked out. He wiped the sweat from his brow and strained his eyes to see the others, but they were slowly backing off.

"Looks like Sgt. Curran scored a hit on another one Sir, we might have killed two of them".

Then it's an even fight from hereon in. Keep firing as targets bear!"

* * *

Clouds of dust and sand jumped from the ground as the returning Hurricanes swept in for another strafing run. Bullets thudded into the unprotected open cockpits of German half-tracks and all Corporal Garraway had to do was watch as an entire Platoon of German armour was wiped out in front of his eyes.



The RAF planes sped overhead, searching for new targets...

Dr. S.