Sunday 2 October 2022

WW1 Palestine campaign - turn 3, game 4 game report

Here is the game report from the WW1 Palestine campaign - turn 3, game 4. The setup can be found in the previous post.

Armoured cars support advancing ANZAC infantry.

Background

The Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) is trying to breach the Turkish defensive lines around the city of Gaza. This is the fourth attempt and their advance has been delayed my many months. Pressure is mounting upon EEF Headquarters for a breakthrough as troops are desperately required elsewhere. The attack is upon two fortified positions and will be carried out by two assault waves. Both fortified positions need to be taken to achieve a breakthrough.

Plan

The plan was for the first assault wave to begin the attack at 4am on the closest fortified position. Once the position is taken, the second assault wave would attempt to roll up the Turkish line and capture the second fortified position. The EEF would use their armoured car unit to delay any Turkish attempts to provide support from their reserve. 

The troops have supplies and water to last them the day and will have to retire if the positions are not taken.


Battle Report

The EEF's first assault wave began moving towards the closest fortified position. The artillery took up position and targeted the Turkish artillery. 

The first assault wave moves on the fortified position supported by an armoured car.

Aircraft support the attacks on Turkish artillery.

By turn 6, mid-day, the first fortified position is cleared and a Turkish artillery unit eliminated.

The second assault was well underway by 1pm. The artillery shooting was proving to be particularly accurate and the second Turkish artillery unit was put out of action. Removing the artillery was important for the EEF as their troops will not come under fire as they advance on the second fortification. 

The armoured car unit was able to hold off the Turkish reserve cavalry allowing the second wave to advance swiftly.

The second wave advances and the armour car can be seen intercepting the Turkish reserve cavalry.

The assault was briefly held up by Turkish entrenched infantry which was eventually eliminated. 

The EEF advance pushes on to the second fortified position.

By 7pm the EEF finally cleared the Turkish troops from the second fortified position, and victory to the EEF.

This was an important victory to the EEF and allows them to advance to the next campaign step. The ability to silence the Turkish artillery early in the game was important and allowed the infantry to advance without hinderance.

Newspapers reported the victory.


14 comments:

  1. This attack went off without much of a hitch. Looked like an easy victory for the EEF.

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    1. To take both objectives within the timeframe of 15 turns. Requires pretty much every thing to go to plan with no hitches.

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  2. Great report Peter! I was thinking that the EEF would be up against the time limit having taken 6 turns to get the first defensive position, but it looks like they just made it.

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    1. Thanks. Fortunately everything pretty much went to plan and the armour car held off the Turkish cavalry who could have caused a delay.

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  3. Important day for EEF, in the last post, their chances were not favoured by commenters! The twists and turns of campaigns bring their own pleasures.

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    1. The campaign is certainly providing some interest. I am pleased the EEF won. The scenarios at this stage of the campaign are quite tricky for the attacker. If the EEF had lost I was considering amending the campaign rules to allow 3 months preparation for a third event be drawn.

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  4. Great campaign mate. Still following along and enjoying it tremendously.

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    1. Thank you. I initially thought I had got the balance in favour of the EEF, but after stage 3 - the Gaza defence line - I think not.

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  5. Hey they actually pulled it off this time! Hooray! I guess. I’m still not sure whom I’m rooting for. 😀

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    1. They certainly did, just! I have favourite units in both armies and I flip and flop between sides.

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  6. A great game report, and a much-needed victory for the EEF. I'm enjoying the campaign narrative and look forward to the next instalment.

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    1. Thanks, I am looking forward to moving on to the next stage of the campaign.

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  7. Catching up, again. The CO of the EEF must have narrowly avoided the letter bearing his replacement!
    This is such an interesting campaign, with top looking games, Peter.
    Regards, James

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    1. Thanks. A last gasp victory saves the EEF CO.

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