Saturday 17 September 2022

WW1 Palestine Campaign Turn 3 - Game 3 Report

This is the battle report for game 3 of turn 3 of the WW1 Palestine campaign.

Background

The Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) are making their third attempt to breach the Gaza defensive line. An additional month was spent in preparing for this assault on the defences in April 1917. London has raised concerns about the delays and what they will mean to their plans to release much needed troops back to the Western Front. EEF Headquarters have selected what they believe to be a weak spot in the Turkish line, where defending forces are split between defending a hilltop and town, both are the objective of the attack and must be taken for a successful breakthrough.

EEF plan of attack

Plan

Knowing that all bar two of the Turkish units are committed to defending the town and hill, the EEF plan is to advance and take the centre rough terrain consisting of cactus groves and rocks. The artillery will bombard the town while the infantry will push up along the road towards the town and supporting attacks will be launched from the centre rough terrain on both objectives.

Order of Battle

Turkish defending forces:

  • 4 infantry units
  • 1 infantry unit with supporting machine gun
  • 1 cavalry unit
  • 1 mountain artillery unit

The EEF attacking forces:

  • 3 infantry units
  • 2 infantry units with supporting machine guns
  • 1 artillery unit
  • 1 mountain artillery unit

Battle Report

The planned swift advance by EEF forces was stalled on a couple of occasions due to supply issues, resulting in units moving rather slower than planned. The artillery was able to start the bombardment of the town on schedule. The slow advance provided the opportunity for Turkish infantry to occupy the rough terrain and have they cavalry swing round on their righthand side.

The attacking EEF forces appear

Turkish forces push into and around the centre rough terrain

As the EEF infantry advanced they found the Turks had it occupied and were then surprised by a Turkish cavalry attack. This turn of events stalled the advance for a while. Time was always going to be the EEF's enemy based on previous scenarios. Fortunately an air sortie arrived to attack the Turkish infantry and the EEF advance resumed.

Turks occupy the rough terrain and launch as cavalry attack

Some much needed air support

The attack on the town was moving ahead, but without the expected support from the rough terrain. Again the boys in their flying machines were on hand to support the attack, but it was eventually to be called off due to lack of numbers. It was not until late in the day EEF infantry were able to clear the rough centre terrain of Turkish defenders, by which time it was too late to mount any meaningful attacks on the town or hilltop. Both objectives were still in Turkish hands.

The attack on the town

The rough terrain is finally taken.

The EEF occupy the rough terrain, but are left to rue their slow advance.

This was a disaster for the EEF. They had not come close to taking either objective and the morale of the troops after three successive failed attacks would suffer. London is rapidly losing confidence and there is talk of replacing some of the EEF Headquarter staff.

This set back has certainly livened up the campaign. The next game will be a replay of one of the 3 scenarios played for the Gaza campaign stage. They all have two objectives which are challenging my multi tasking skills (or lack of).

20 comments:

  1. Game #3 to the Turks! The EEF is having a difficult time dealing with the defenders. A quick victory looks unlikely for the attackers and they may need to consider alternatives to their current approach.

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    1. The momentum of the campaign has certainly shifted. The EEF need to hope they get support from tanks or armoured cars.

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  2. Compelling stuff as ever sir. I suspect London may be looking to change their commander...politics..politics :) Not only is the campaign and narrative compelling here, but your table looks superb.

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    1. Thank you kindly. The campaign will follow history if there is a change of commander.

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    2. Wouldn't that be a bit of serendipity.

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  3. I take it Allenby is in Boots picking up some Factor 30 in preparation…

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  4. Johnny Turk is proving to be a tough opponent. Loving this campaign.

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    1. Thanks, the Turks are certainly defending well.

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  5. London need to give their generals the tools they need to do the job - a 3-to-1 advantage is usually considered necessary to attack a prepared defence.

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    1. I somehow don't think they will be that generous.

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  6. Another great game Peter. I hope you don't mind if I switch teams and start backing the Turks 😁

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  7. Ah, the EEF foiled again! Historically it's all too accurate. Lloyd-George will be thinking of sending Allenby out before long.

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    1. There are similarities and things will be looking shaky for the EEF Headquarters.

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  8. Aahhh, and I was rooting for the EEF this time around. 😀

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    1. The campaign is starting to get interesting with this loss. Reaching Damascus October 1918 is starting to look a bit more challenging.

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  9. It's looking tough for the EEF. These Turks are no pushover and the staff wallahs need to get their act together on the supply front.

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    1. Tough resistance indeed. I am hoping for a tank to assist with the next attack.

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