Sbeitla 1943, with Field of Battle WW2

 Another game with Field of Battle (which are of course proving very popular).

Another North Africa scenario, with Americans defending Sbeitla, in Tunisia, against the Afrika Korps in 1943. Again, the 20mm collection saw some action.

Shermans saved the day...

.Due to popular demand (I'm lookin' at you Jeffers ;)  ) the previously shown 'desert mat which looks like curried puke' has been withdrawn from service, and replaced with material which really looks like it has been borrowed from someone's roller blinds.... 

"Ohhh Mein Herr...it does look zooo Deserty, Ja!'

 Historically this was a containment action, permitting a withdrawal of a fledgling and inexperienced US force, to Kasserine Pass...1st Armored braces for 21st Panzer's assault...

The scenario was taken from the old Clash of Armor scenario book from 1994. A really nice game.

 

Looking south from Sbeitla

 Highlights from this one...

• Use Armor wisely...using good numbers, even if companies are inexperienced, and using the terrain, managed to foil a flanking move by an entire Panzer Battalion.
• The Germans assaulted prepared US positions (the Americans spent most of their asset points on engineered defences, which proved pivotal).
• Both sides tried to grind down the other's morale - such that both ran out of morale points almost simultaneously, making for some VERY tense moments where a dice roll would cause one side or the other to withdraw when the Morale card came up. 
• Again, the rules design is elegant, and abstracts the bits that need to be abstracted in my view. We had this done in 3-4 hours. Any other set would have taken a full day at a reduced level of command, and an increased level of complexity. 

Tunisia, 1943 ...desert colored roller blind material notwithstanding...

1st battalion moves to attack the US right (south of Sbeitla)

Combat Command B and a dug in US infantry battalion await the fireworks...

Seeing what is happening south - elements of Combat Command C start to move to reinforce - this move would prove absolutely pivotal

Whilst Combat Command A move to cross the river and attempt a valiant, yet doomed flank action; however this would help pin the German flank for a time

Taking advantage of superb move rolls, the German armour attempts a massive flanking action in the south against the US right

German mechanised attack on their left

Panzers move against horribly armoured M3 Tank Destroyers ...I can't watch...

The German attack in the centre

US AT gets lucky...

...for a time anyway

The German right, where anti tank units set up to foil the US crossing

Lots of movement in the centre - pay attention to the US entrenched position on the high ground on the left. This would become a hotly contested position, ultimately abandoned, but at GREAT cost to the Germans to capture.

It looks impressive - will it be enough

To the south, German armour readies an attack. If it works, the entire US flank will be open...

...luckily, the cavalry (!) is on the way

German Attack on the 2nd Infantry position unfolds

More M3s ...amazed they are still in the game

A second battalion in defensive position - almost left on two occasions, but the decision was taken to hold...

CCC heads south to prevent Panzers winning the day, by taking the flank

"Hold on there boys..help is on the way"

Around Sbeitla, US armour takes massive chances against the 88 - it pays off, for a time

The German Armoured attack...

...is amazingly - stopped! Very poor rolls for German armour here - stunningly unsuccessful...and defensive fire made them pay

Infantry assault on the hill

The US lines mid-game

The 21st Panzer throw everything at the hill

This is what a disgruntled Panzer battalion looks like, when it can't believe what just happened

This is what burning Shermans look like, when attacking German AT..

Yanks call down artillery on troops in the open.

Ultimately however, the hill will fall...BUT it will cost the Afrika Korps dearly in terms of casualties...and morale hits.

Both sides ran out of morale points around the same time - so it was tense...and then - the US had two morale cards - necessitating morale rolls in rapid succession - PASSING one...

...then the other !

Then the Germans had a morale card - PASSED!

The battle for the hill continues

The last US unit withdraws, opening up the second flank of the day

German armour probes deep, but, it is too late...

The US line holds; the hill valiantly held by 2nd Infantry has bled the Germans white

The US so desperate now, they attack the remaining Panzers, which have received so much damage (as per p.8 i do not let armour units rally - which seems eminently sensible)

Even some US M3s have survived and are on the move..

...another morale card for the 21st Panzer - this time they FAIL!

It's all over - what a close game

"We never got to do a damned thing Hank?   Count yerself lucky kid!"