Republican counter-attack at Trijueque
Spain, March 1937
.jpg)
History
For four days (8th – 11th March) the Italian CTV (Corpo Truppe Volontarie) under General Mario Roatta had been attacking the Republican lines in an attempt surround Madrid and finally cut the city off from all support. Unfortunately the weather turned; rain, sleet and snow descended and the vanguard was finally halted 3km short of the town of Torija. The Republic launched a massive counter-attack, the Italians were warned that this might happen, but ignored advice from the Spanish chief of operations, Colonel Barroso!
On March 12th, the Republic counter-attack was launched with some success. Close to one-hundred I-15 "Chato" and I-16 "Rata" fighter planes and two squadrons of Tupolev SR-2 “Katiuska” bombers of the Spanish Republican Air Force had been made available at the Albacete airfield. While the aircraft of the Italian Legionary Air Force were grounded on water-logged airports, the Republicans did not have this problem since the Albacete airfield had a concrete strip.
The plan was to concentrate 11th Division under Líster and all armoured units on the Zaragoza road, while 14th Division under Mera crossed the Tajuña River to attack Brihuega. Mera nearly failed to cross the river, but local CNT members advised him where to place a pontoon bridge.
The battle also included one of the first (of the few) tank Vs tank engagements of the Spanish Civil War was fought near Trijueque when some Republican T-26s destroyed five Italian-made CV 3/35 tankettes and severely damaged two more.
The Battle of Guadalajara was an important strategic victory of the Republican Army and did much to lift morale. The Italian CTV lost some 3,000 men (Spanish Nationalist losses were marginal) and a considerable number of light tanks. In addition, the Republican army captured sizeable quantities of badly-needed materiel and equipment, including 35 artillery pieces, 85 machine guns and 67 vehicles. Strategically, the Republican victory prevented the encirclement of Madrid, ending the rebels hopes of crushing the Republic with a decisive strike at its capital.
Franco decided to adopt a new strategy of chipping away at the Republican territories, starting in the north. As an aside the rebels high command were actually quietly pleased that the CTV had been stopped as they did not really want the Italians to claim credit for the capture of Madrid. I have read that Colonel Barroso and his staff upon hearing of the Republican victory actually toasted them on their success 😁
The Scenario
This is a semi fictional tabletop reconstruction based on the above history. The game is a straight attack/defence action between Republican militia supported by armour, artillery and aircraft Vs Italian CTV.
Republican Orders
You command a mixed regimental group of Mera`s 14th Division, you are attempting to outflank the Italian line near Brihuega. Your scouts report a village ahead is occupied by elements of the Italian Littorio Division (arguably the best Italian formation), they appear to be in the process of organising a withdrawal but have some defensive works in place. Your orders are to attack and drive the enemy out of the village and clear the road.
Forces
1 x Militia battalion
Assault Guard company:
Platoon in armoured truck, Bilbao armoured car
Russian Armoured company:
Fa1 armoured car, 3 x T-26
Artillery battery (horse drawn):
2 x 75mm
Air support
Every 4 turns (4, 8, 12, etc)
1 x Bi-plane fighter + 1 x I-16 “Rata”
Italian Orders
You command a rear guard from the Littorio Division part of the CTV fighting here in Spain. After several days of successful advances towards Madrid, the enemy have counter-attacked supported by overwhelming air support and tanks! Your orders are to hold this little village for as long as possible to give command a chance to solidify the lines and prevent a complete rout!
Forces
HQ
Rifle company
2 x MMG teams, 80mm mortar team
65mm field gun
75mm field gun
Lancia 1ZM armoured car
3 x CV33, 1 x CV33 w/flame-thrower
On turn 12 the Italian finally get air support in the form of a Heinkel He123
My table
The game
Deployment
The Italians decided to defend the edge of village with a MMG on either flank each supported by half a platoon, on the right the LMG from third platoon was also added to bulk up the defence. The 75mm was positioned far back by the church allowing its observer a good view from this highest point on the battlefield; the 65mm was concealed close to the front cottages to directly support the infantry, the mortar was also similarly positioned. One platoon was held in reserve as were the L3/CV33 tankettes and the IZM.
The Republicans committed their entire force, one company on the left, two on the right; the “Russian” tank company would head straight up the road followed two turns later by the Assault Guard. Due to it being horse drawn, their artillery couldn`t get on the table until turn 3.
Turns 1 & 2 The Republicans advance, they take some fire from the Italian `75 and mortar which cause the odd casualty.
During this time the Russian tank unit advances up the road
Turn 3 sees the Militia come within range of the Italian MMGs which cause casualties, the company on the far left also get hits from the Italian 75mm, 65mm and mortar and are forced to make a morale test due to casualties!
The Russian tank company reaches the edge of the village and the lead tank breaks off to the left to engage the Italian MMG, the Italian 65mm tries to lob a shell onto a hull-down T-26 but misses.
Both the assault Guard and Republican artillery arrive on the tabletop
Turn 4 The Italians begin to organise a counter-attacked
The lead T-26 wipes out the Italian MMG on the Republican left! But the militia on that side (who made their morale check) are still under shell and mortar fire and are now receiving rifle and LMG fire also.
On the Republican right their artillery unlimbers to support the militia
An I-16 appears over the tabletop
Turn 5 A very busy turn, The Fa-1 and 2nd T-26 spot the incoming Italian L3s!
The I-16 launches a strafing run on the L3s (totally pathetic dice).
Luckily for the Republicans the T-26 plants a 47mm round into the lead L3 with predictable results
But a brave Italian NCO makes his heroic action role and lobs a grenade onto the Fa-1 succeeding in knocking it out!
The Italian 65mm tries again to lob a shell onto a partially concealed T-26 but misses
The lead T-26 is still trying to clear the Italians on the Republican, but in doing so has exposed itself to the Italian 75mm which doesn`t waste the opportunity
On the Republican right the two militia companies are hotly engaged with the dug-in Italians
Turn 6 A Republican bi-plane fighter appears over the table.
The 3rd T-26 smashes through the field wall on its right
The Assault Guard arrives at the edge of the village and debusses.
The Italian 65mm drops a shell onto the Assault Guards armoured truck, luckily for guard they were already out.
The T-26 on the road targets and smashes another L3
On the Republican right the Italian IZM arrives to bolster the defence, the Republican artillery begins to target Italian positions.
Turn 7 The Republican bi-plane makes a futile strafing run along the road to no effect
The last L3 fails its morale check and breaks off its suicidal charge
But the L3 flame-thrower makes its heroic action check and charges the T-26! The Russian must have been surprised because he missed!!
The L3 didn`t waste the chance and burnt out its enemy.
The remaining T-26 moves into the exposed flank of the Italians blocking the Republican right, the Italian 65mm misses on its one chance to destroy this last Republican tank!
The IZM is targetted and wiped out by a republican 75mm
On the Republican left the Assault Guard with their Bilboa armoured car begin to clear the last Italian positions on that side.
Turn 8 Another I-16 appears over the table. On the Republican right the T-26 clears one Italian position and Republican artillery wipes out the other opening the way for the militia to enter the town from that side.
On the left the Assault Guard clear the way for the militia there also.
The Italian infantry need a morale check!
Turn 9 the I-16 targets the L3 flame-thrower and roles a splendid 11 for effect, I rule the fuel trailer blows up!
As the Italians morale role was shaky, I rule a general withdrawal is ordered. In this last photo you can see the 75mm limbering up and the last L3 desperately driving towards the rear.
Not a complicated scenario, but some nice, interesting kit on the table.
In the historic action I based the scenario on, the T-26s got ahead of their infantry (who simply stopped advancing). The tanks entered the village alone and encountered a large number of enemy (believed to be a cavalry unit) with wagons and transport. They shot up the town, but having no infantry back-up couldn`t hold it, the enemy rallied and threw grenades and petrol bombs, one tank lost a track; another was set alight! The rest drove through the village, but encountered more enemy troops losing another tank to a direct artillery strike! The rest of the column made its way back to Republican lines having lost three valuable tanks and trained crews for little to no tactical gain.
No comments:
Post a Comment