WW1 Palestine Campaign Turn 4 - Game 2 preparation

The last WW1 Palestine campaign I played was back in early November. The game had the Egyptian Expedition Force (EEF) failing to capture a bridge (see here). The next game sees the EEF making a second attack to gain Jerusalem (section 4 on the map).

Campaign map - October 1917

The rules for setting up the campaign battle can be found here with the choice of scenario and events. The EEF opt to spend another month preparing for the attack and will benefit with an Armoured Car unit and a Bombardment to soften up the defenders in the game. While the Turks have been digging in and will be able to have one unit entrenched.

Of the two remaining scenarios for this stage of the campaign - Melee, One-Hour Wargaming scenarios #2, was selected.

This game will be played remotely with Jon (Palouse Wargaming Journal) in a few days.

Campaign and Battle Background

Having failed to take a key bridge in October 1917 the EEF spent two months regrouping and preparing supplies before making a second attack on Turkish lines. Air reconnaissance identified a lightly defended hill in the defensive lines, and in early December plans were prepared to assault and hold the key hill position.

Orders of Battle

Turkish Forces:

• 5 x Infantry units (two units have machine guns)
• 1 x Artillery unit

Egyptian Expeditionary Force:

• 3 x Infantry units
• 2 x Artillery units
• 1 x Mounted infantry unit
• 1 x Armoured Car unit
• 1 x Opening off table bombardment

Map

Scenario map - The tabletop is 5x4 foot.

Deployment

The Turks have two units positioned on the hill with limited trenches for one of the units. Reserves are nearby,  two units can arrive on turn 3 and a further two units on turn 6. All reserve units arrive via the road.

The EEF have decided to make an overnight march to avoid alerting the Turks and will arrive in two waves. Three units will arrive supported by an early bombardment on turn 1 and the second wave of four units on turn 4. All units arrive via the road.

Objective

The EEF win by being in exclusive occupation of the hill by turn 15.