French Automitrailleuse Dodge-White (car 2)

 French Automitrailleuse Dodge-White

This is another printed model by our Alex from Christopher`s design.

As you night remember when I built the first one, I had two turrets (link below)

https://baberonwargames.blogspot.com/2025/05/vichy-automitrailleuse-dodge-white.html 

So Alex was kind enough to print me out another model so I could use both turrets, I fould a French aerial in the bits box whilst looking for suitable headlights

Both cars together

Jaime I (new photo added 13th July 2025)

 Jaime I

Pride of the Republican Navy

Jaime I was the last of three Espana Class Dreadnought Battleships build by Spain between 1909 and 1923. The ships were part of an informal mutual defence treaty between France, Britain and Spain, the building of the ships was supported by Britain and the construction of Jaime I was much delayed due to Britains involvement in WW1 which caused supply difficulties, and even though she was virtually complete and ready for sea by May 1915, her main guns could not be delivered until 1919. The Espana class of Dreadnought were the only ones ever built by Spain and they were smallest Dreadnoughts built by any nation.

The class's limited displacement necessitated by the constraints imposed by the weak Spanish economy and existing naval infrastructure, requiring compromises on armour and speed to incorporate a main battery of eight 12-inch (305 mm) guns.

Jaime I as she appeared in 1932, note the AA guns on the fore and rear turrets

Layout of the Espana Class gun turrets

Displacement: Normal 15,700 tons, full load 16,450 tons

Length: 140m

Beam: 24m

Draft: 7.8m

Propulsion: 12 x Yarrow coal-fired boilers, 4 x Parsons steam turbines with 4 shafts

Speed: 19.5 knots

Range: 5,000 nautical miles @ 10 knots

Crew compliment: 854

Armament: 8 x 12 inch, 20 x 4 inch, 4 x 3-pounders, 2 machine guns

Armour: belt – 203mm, deck – 38mm, turrets 203mm, conning tower 254mm

Jaime I finally completed her sea trails and entered service with the Spanish Navy on December 20^th 1921. Along with her sister ships she took part in the Rif War in Morocco, shelling enemy positions in support of ground troops. She was hit by Riffi shore batteries in 1924, but took part in and supported the amphibious landings at Alhucemas Bay on 8^th September 1925 which eventually led to the end of the conflict. Some minor modifications were carried out in 1926, both Jaime I and her sister Alfonso XII gained a pair of Vickers 76.2mm (3 inch) AA guns, one each on top of turret numbers 1 and 2. In the 1930s, the foremast was reduced slightly on the two surviving ships

In 1931 with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic, Jaime I and her surviving sister Alfonso XIII (now renamed Espana) were reduced to reserve duty to save on costs. But in 1933 Jaime returned to the fleet as flagship with major plans to modernise her, but these were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War!

At the outbreak of the Nationalist revolt, wireless operators in the navy headquarters Madrid intercepted radio messages from General Francisco Franco to rebels in Morocco. Madrid immediately sent the follow telegram to all major vessels, this one to Jaime I (my English translation).

“Comrades Jaime I: all the true Spanish people are currently aware of the attitude of our fleet. The time has come to show that traitors have no place on our ships. I have never doubted your heroism and your loyalty. Follow the example of the Cruiser Libertad by doing your duty. Long live freedom, long live the revolution. Traitors die”

The crew mutinied against their rebellious officers and two officers and an ensign killed along with three “loyal” crewmen, plus there were at least a dozen more injured on both sides. But due to their shift action, they ensured the ship would remain under Republican control. Sadly due to loss and or imprisonment of most of the officer corps the vessel would be crippled by poor discipline for some time. (the same thing applied to most of the Republican fleet).

Photographs of sailors after the take-over

Once under Republican control Jaime I sailed to Tangier to take on coal and supplies and take any wounded and injured to the Spanish hospital there. Just off the coast she was attacked by a rebel Spanish aircraft, who it is claimed made loyal (raised fist) salutes to deceive the crew into thinking he was loyal to the Republic before dropping several incendiary bombs which caused some injuries among the crew.

During the first months of the war, some modifications were made and her armament enhanced with two Vickers 47 mm (1.9 in) 50-caliber anti-aircraft guns and a twin 25 mm (0.98 in) Hotchkiss mounting.

She shelled a number of rebel strongholds, among them Ceuta, Melilla and Algeciras.

On August 7^th accompanied by the Cruiser Libertad, Jaime I entered the bay of Algeciras and bombarded the city and harbour. She hit Rebel gunboat Eduardo Dato, which was burned down to the waterline (although she was later repaired and returned to service). She also heavily damaged two transport vessels in the harbour which had been requisitioned by the Rebels. The Customs House and warehouses along the port were destroyed, the railway station, military headquarters, artillery barracks and the power plant all took hits! Fires and explosions engulfed the town. The naval bombardment was supported and enhanced by Republican aircraft that carried out bombing raids. Unfortunately the Republic did not take advantage of this successful raid and the Rebels continued using the port once the ships left.

Jaime I also tried (with little success) to act as an anti-aircraft barrier to those planes flying rebel troops from Morocco to the mainland.

On 13 August 1936 she was damaged by a rebel air attack by two German JU-52 aircraft from the Condor Legion at Malaga; a single, small bomb struck the ship in the bow and caused minimal damage, though did result in one crewman killed, two more missing presumed dead and five wounded! Rebel controlled Seville Radio claimed this air attack to have been a total success and actually sunk her!

In September 1936 in an attempt to disrupt the blockade imposed by her sister ship Espana on the northern ports Gijon, Santander and Bilbao, Jaime I sortied forth along with a pair of cruisers and four destroyers. Neither side seemed too inclined to engage each other so eventually the Republicans withdrew in October that year, having achieved nothing!

Then on 21 May 1937, she was attacked again while in dry-dock at Cartagena for repairs after a recent grounding. Five Savoia-Marchetti SM79 bombers of the Italian Aviazione Legionaria carried out the attack, reports of the damage inflicted are mixed; according to Albert Nofi the ship sustained minor damage but Marco Mattioli wrote the damage was more serious.

But on 17 June, still while at Cartagena, she was wrecked by an accidental internal explosion and fire which killed over 300 men and injured many others! (Sabotage is/was strongly suspected, but has never been proved). She was re-floated, but determined to be beyond repair.

Photos of the ship followingthe explosion and fire

 

She was officially discarded on 3 July 1939 and eventually broken up in 1941.

In 1940 all the ships guns were recovered, the front and rear twin turrets were used in the Gibralter Strait coastal defence batteries D9 and D10 - El Vigia and Casquebel respectively near the town of Tarifa in th eprovince of Cadiz. Abandoned in 1985, the twin turrets and guns are still in place, but have not been well cared for and look worse for wear. All the ships other main guns and secondary armaments were placed in single mounts in several locations along the coast.   

During a recent visit to the Naval museum in Cartagena I found this excellent scale model of an España Class battleship on display

I  was a bit puzzeled that the destruction of the Jaime I in Cartagena during the Civil War wasn`t featured among the exhibits, but I`ve found the Civil War is often glossed over in Spanish museums (like the Vichy period is in French ones).

Wargaming with Jaime I

Now I am not  a naval wargamer, but it appears to me there are a couple of potential what if scenarios which present themselves.

1. The Republican attack on Algeciras - what if some Rebel cruisers try to intervene? Or the republic tried to land troops to seize Algeciras?

2. The September 1936 sortee - saw a face off between Jaime I and the Espana plus various cruisers, destroyers and other smaller surface vessels. As it happened no sea battle took place, but it may make and interesting tabletop action. I would penalize the Republicans for the lack of trained officers.  

 

 

 

2nd Melilla Campaign 1909

 2nd Melilla Campaign 1909

Soldado in cotton 1908 campaign uniform by Jose Maria Bueno Carrera

 With her defeat in the Spanish – American war of 1898 (El Desastre) Spain was left with little in the way of overseas colonies. In an attempt to improve her world position, Spain decides to extend her influence over the northern portion of Morocco using the Declaration of London of 1904 as an excuse. After the 12 March 1908 Spanish occupation of Ras Kebdana which caused further potential intervention in the Moulouya basin, foreign mining companies began to enter the area. The declaration gave Spain the task of providing aid to Morocco to carry out reforms be they military, economic or administrative as required which were much needed in this mountainous and wild area. A Spanish company: Compañia Española de las Minas del Rif, was constituted in July 1908, with directors: Clemente Fernández, Enrique Macpherson, the Count of Romanones, the Duke of Tovar and Juan Antonio Güell, who appointed Miguel Villanueva as chairman.

 At this time the control of Kabyle (tribal area) surrounding Melilla was in the hands of a pretender to the throne of Morocco - Muley Mohamet, known in history as Bu Hamara “father of the donkey”, who claimed to be the brother of Sultan Abd al-Aziz. Muley Mohamet negotiated with Spain the mining rights to mineral deposits in the Rif Mountains which were then sold to French and Spanish companies. However he seriously underestimated the opinions of his allies and followers, who rose against him for letting the infidel into the tribal lands. He was captured and turned over to the Sultan’s authorities, later taken to Fez and executed after a brief imprisonment.

 General José Marina Vega, Officer Commanding Melilla, requested reinforcements from the government, since the forces he has in Melilla just are not large enough for the present task of policing the área and protecting the continuation of mining operations.

General Marina with Alfonso XIII

 The government response is tell the General to remain calm and do nothing to aggravate the situation. He is prohibited from any military action and on June 9, 1909 the mining companies resume their work.

 The period of peace was short and at end of June various local troublemakers start to preach Holy War and an uprising against the Spanish. The government refuses to authorize the setting up of defense positions to defend the workers against possible attack by the Riffians. But a punitive expedition into the Kabyle, results in the capture of six prisoners, these agitators who are then brought to Melilla for trial. These arrests act as the trigger for the uprising and on July 9, a Riffian harka attacks a group of Spanish workers building a railway bridge to a mine near Sidi Musa killing six of them and wounding another. General Marina had foreseen the possibility of such aggression and the Spanish garrison responded by occupying several key locations in the vicinity of the city and the navy began bombarding coastal villages but the Spanish government order an end to naval bombardment due to concerns about international opinion.

Cover illustration from Le Petit Journal about the incident

When news reaches the government in Madrid headed by Antonio Maura Montaner (2 May 1853 – 13 December 1925), they order the mobilization of three mixed brigades, comprised mostly of reservists. These reservists were basically impressed back into service, those with wealth or influence could buy their way out (or get a less dangerous assignment) or even pay someone else to take their place! This led to riots in Madrid and in Barcelona, what is known as the Tragic Week in Barcelona (July 26 to August 2), where anti-war protests intertwined with outbursts of anti-clerical violence, forcing the Maura government to suspend Constitutional guarantees in the whole country after 28 July. Security forces brutally suppressed antiwar protests, during the riots a number of pólice and soldiers were injured (some deaths too) and many more civilians hurt, dead or imprisoned!

In Morocco almost everyday sees clashes with the Riffi, outlying farms and mining facilities are attacked or harassed; Spanish positions are sniped at with increased regularity. The reinforcments from Spain finally arrive on 16 July and after only a couple of days these inexperienced soldiers are committed to the field. 20 July sees another attack against Sidi Musa, but after a long hard fight the Spaniards under a blazing sun with little water and food without resupply, drove back the attackers.

By 22 July Riffi attacks are getting close to Melilla, so to stop the enemy advance the Spanish bombard villages using long range artillery. General Marina in anticipation of a direct attack on Melilla, organises a quarter column of six companies of infantry and a section of howitzers in the vicinity of the city, under the command of Colonel Alvarez Cabrera.

However the commander, on his own initiative, ordered a night march towards the heights of Ait Aixa; his command got lost during the night and morning found itself in a deep ravine where they were surprised and was decimated by rifle fire from Berbers positioned on the heights. This reckless mistake, cost the life of both the Colonel and 26 of his command and left another 230 wounded!

On 26 July, General Marina learns from spies of an impending attack on Melilla itself, so he decides to move troops out of the city to form a defensive line. He also sends Brigadier General Guillermo Pintos and the Cazadores de Madrid to patrol the area around Barranco del Lobo (Wolf Ravine) located in the foothills of Mount Gurugu. Unfortunately the Spanish made the serious error of advancing beyond their artillery support, this combined with a total lack of local knowledge, no maps and the complicated topology; they found themselves caught in a trap with Riffi riflemen holding the high ground. General Marina seeing the gravity of the situation, took personal command and organized the withdrawal of forces and artillery support from the forward defensive line. The ambush caused 153 deaths, including the General Pintos and almost 600 wounded.

Ambulance unit bring back the dead from Barranco del Lobo

Valley of the wolf (poem)

"In the Canyon of the Wolf there is a fountain that rules

Blood of the Spanish who died for Spain. (other versions: "for the homeland")

Poor little mothers, how much will they mourn, to see that your children to war they go!

(other versions: "they won't come back anymore")

I don't wash or comb.

Nor do I put on the mantle, until my boyfriend comes from the war of Melilla.

Melilla is no longer Melilla

Melilla is a slaughterhouse

Where are the Spanish to die like lambs."

Barranco del Lobo monument

On 27 July a Riffi harka attacks the fortified island in Alhucemas Bay

Reinactors wearing 1909 era uniforms 

Taken by me in Novelda, Spain October 2023

 

Sometime in early August, Abd al-Hafid, the Sultan of Morocco, informed Spain of his willingness to send Moroccan troops into the area to punish the Rif tribesman and establish peace; Spain refused the offer as insufficient and proceeded with plans to pacify the Rif. 

Given the gravity of events it was decided to suspend all military operations and further strengthen the Spanish forces in Melilla, which by mid-August rises to more than 35,000 men and a large number of artillery pieces and ammunition. Public opinion in Spain had shifted towards support for the war after the defeats suffered in July. Rif forces continued their attacks and extended their operations to attacking the fortress at Penon de la Gomera.

Interesting photo of a telegraph mule

In September, the possibility of the situation escalating to a war between Spain and Morocco was openly being discussed. The Spanish intended to demand an indemnity from Morocco because the sultan had failed to provide sufficient troops to keep order and prevent the Rif attacks on Melilla. Internationally, the great powers response to the situation seemed to assure Spain of non-interference. With the Spanish army in North Africa now having been reinforced to strength of nearly 60,000 troops, General Marina decided the best thing was to take control of the entire region by force. This way he could keep the population under control and avoid revolts and, in addition, isolate Mount Gurugú held by the Kabyle of Beni Sicar. The action plan was simple. Two columns would be formed that should take the territory north of Melilla. Other units were sent further south towards Zocco del Arbaa and the Rio de Oro in the hope of drawing off enemy forces.

Front cover of  The Graphic weekly illustrated newspaper (Saturday 25 September 1909) showing General Marina conferring with a Moorish ally

The Spaniards took the offensive against the Rif tribes beginning about September 20th, but now from a position of clear military advantage. The East-West column under the command of Generals Morales and Tovar became involved in a large battle with some 1500 Riffi near Taxdirt (sometimes called Taxdir), during this battle 4th Squadron of Cazadores de Caballería "Alfonzo XII" led by Lieutenant Colonel Don José Cavalcanti de Alburquerque y Padierna carried out three charges against a superior enemy and saved the day. Lt. Col. Cavalcanti was promoted and awarded the Laureate Cross of San Fernando for his brave leadership.

Painting of the Taxdirt Charge by Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau Nieto

Offensive operations continued throughout October with Spanish forces successfully occupying several key positions and villages; therefore expanding the Melilla enclave. The cost of the war, and the willingness of Rif leaders to accept peace now, then convinced the government to order a halt to the advance and begin demobilizing.

By January 1910 their overwhelming strength had enabled them to subdue most of the eastern tribes. The Spanish continued to expand their Melilla enclave to encompass the area from Cape Tres Forcas to the southern inlets of Mar Chica and west as far as the Kert River. Peace was formally considered re-established on April 23, 1910,  however, this was achieved at the cost of 2,517 casualties

Wargaming the period

I`ve been giving some thought to wargaming this period, it seems to me in either 20mm or 28mm scale FFL or Troupes d`Marine figures in sun helmet would do the job (you could even get away with Zulu/Boar War British at a pinch in the smaller scales). Also figures with kepi and havelock in shirt or jacket (no frock coats) would also serve (Indian Mutiny ranges possibly?). I`m toying with the idea of converting 1898 Miniatures Spanish from the Spanish/American war range if I can find suitable kepi heads, creating a havelock out of plasterscene (very old school).

Tumbling Dice British Camel Corps painted up as 1909 era Spanish

As well as the larger battles I did come across an interesting story which would make a good 1 to 1 skirmish game:

In the early morning of 28 September 1909, Cabo (corporal) Luis Noval Ferrao was in command of an avenzadilla (listening patrol) outside the camp located in the Zoco el Had in the area of the Kabyle of Beni Sacar, with four men from his section. All the men were from 3^rd Company, I Battalion, Regimiento de Infantería del Príncipe Número 3.

 Unknown to the patrol a large harka of Riffi was about to make an assault on the camp! The Riffi didn`t know the camp so decided to send warriors to attack and hopefully capture members of Cabo Noval`s patrol to get this information. Using their superior field craft, helped by the darkness and their grey Chilaba robes they soon found the patrol and surprised them; quickly killing three and badly wounding the fourth who was unconscious and thought dead also, so only Cabo Noval was taken alive. A Riffi who spoke Spanish tried to negotiate with Noval to lead them into the camp`s entrance (this took some time as by all accounts Noval`s heavy Asturian accent proved difficult for either to understand the other easily) and then bluff entrance for the Riffi; all this in exchange for his life! 

 Noval proceeded to guide the Riffi through the outlying trip wires to the camp entrance, but when challenged by the sentry he called out “I`m surrounded by Moors! Open fire! Viva Espana!” At which point a Riffi plunged a blade into the brave soldiers back and he was hit by several rifle rounds and fell dead; several of the attackers were also killed. At first light soldiers from 1^st Company swept the area killing fourteen more of the enemy, they also collected the bodies of Cabo Noval and his comrades.

 Because of his act of bravery at the cost of his own life Cabo Noval was awarded the Laureate Cross of San Fernando 2nd Class by Royal Order on 19 February 1910 

Cabo Noval

News announcement of the statue to be erected yo honour Cabo Noval

The statue as it looks today in Madrid`s Palacio de Oriente

Sources

Guerras de Marruecos 1859-1926 by Emilio Marín Ferrer 

ISBN 978-84-677-1896-6

El Ejército Espanol en Ultramar y Africa 1850-1925 by José Manuel Guerrero Acosta 

ISBN 84-95464-31-4 

Uniformes de las Unidades Militares de la Ciudad de Melilla by José María Bueno Carrera 

ISBN 84-86629-26-8

The Rif War (vol 1) Taxdirt to Annual by Javíer Garcia de Gabiola

 ISBN 978-1-914377-01-3

Espana en sus Heroes (magazine) Nos 1-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Hir Moussa, Tunisia, 19th January 1943

 Hir Moussa

Tunisia 19^th January 1943

Map borrowed from Spivak & Léoni`s "Les Forces Francaises dans la Lutte Contre L`Axe en Afrique

This is actually the 5^th game of an Operation Eilbote I mini campaign I started years back which follows the advancing German columns driving through the Eastern Dorsales. All can be found here on the blog, technically this scenario is game 3 of Kampgruppe Lüder`s advance and using larger scale rules (Rapid Fire! as an example) you could link the games together on one tabletop. Over the years since I started writing this mini-campaign more information has come to light and I have re-written this particular scenario several times. The basic game is a German attack Vs now allied, ex-Vichy French, in what should be a very one-sided game, but the interesting mix of forces makes for a visually different game.

 Background

Early in January, Kesselring decided he was not going to allow the allies to build up and probe von Arnim’s positions at will. Once the front had stabilised preparations were started for a limited counter blow with the aim of clearing the Eastern Dorsales as far south as Robaa and the Karachoum Gap; also capturing the Kebir Reservoir (which supplied Tunis).
This sector was held by an ad hoc collection of French units part of Juin’s XIX Corps; the French lacked modern equipment and radios and the Germans were convinced this was a weak point of the front. A diversionary attack was also planned against the British around Bou Arada to draw off allied reserves and disguise the axis of the German attack. The attack was code-named “Eilbote” – special messenger. 

Kampgruppe Lüder together with troops from 756^th Mountain Regiment having brushed aside Sous-groupement Carpentier continue their drive down the Ousseltia Valley towards Hir Moussa and the Karachoum Pass. There has been a brief pause whilst troops reorganise, rest, re-arm and mop-up remaining French colonials from around Oum-el Abouab.

The next objective is the Carrefour (cross roads) of Hir Moussa referred to by the Germans as “Point 19”, which sits on the road to Ousseltia the area provincial town. Taking the village and crossroads will both open the way south to Ousseltia and also close off the southern end of the Karachoum Pass, a major objective of Eilbote, closing off routes towards Tunis and forming a solid defensive line.

A plan was formulated for Lüder`s mixed column from 10th Panzer to proceed down the road whilst elements of 756th Mountain Regiment would swing in from the north and envelope the carrefour defences.

The French XIX Corps command had placed their only mobile reserve at Hir Moussa, it’s this force plus various stragglers that must halt the German advance.

French orders

A surprise German counter offensive has been launched, Juin`s XIX Corps stretched thin across the Dorsales is being pushed aside by superior German armoured units. Your command was the Corps only mobile reserve based around the village at Hir Moussa. The situation has now changed dramatically you’re your forces must try and hold the superior German units from breaking through to the provincial town - Oussetia! You must hold long enough for Allied reinforcements moving up from the south to reach you and stabilise the situation, the honour of France is in your hands, bon chance!

French forces

Sous-secteur HQ with –

HQ plus transport

Elements of 411e DCA with 2 x AA MGs

Section d`Sanitaires (Medical unit)

2 peloton 47e Regiment Infanterie Coloniale (10 men each with: 1 - LMG and 1 - VB launcher)

Gun section 61RAA - 75mle1897 plus crew (horse towed)

1ere du 1REC (Lt Nede) with –

1 x armoured car peloton, 1 x motorcycle recce peloton (9 men, 1 - LMG)

1 escadron moto du IV/8e Garde with –

2 x cycle pelotons (each with an LMG, 1 x VB launcher)

Compagnie “F” de 37 AC de Marine – 2 x 37mm gun with crews & tows

1 section de la 1re Batterie de DCB – 1 x 25mm AT gun plus crew & tow

7e escadron du 4RCA – 2 x D-1 tanks

Emplaced in and around the Roman ruin south of Hir Moussa, a totally separate command, the 1^st of three blocking positions thrown up by the Allies.

Captain de Mareul

57th Goum of 1st Tabor (1GTM)

Gun section - 47mm AC (64RAA)

Gun section - British 6pdrs (21^st Anti-Tank Regiment, RA)

Elements of a US tank destroyer company – 1 x Dodge w/37mm (601^st TD Battalion, 1^st US Armd Div.)

A platoon of US M3 lt tanks (1^st US Armd Div.)

A platoon of Ft17 (commanded by Capt. Lennen)

Additional troops

On Turn 4 - stragglers from 7RTM withdrawing from Oum-el Aboub and other positions NW of Hir Moussa

2 x reduced platoons (7 man platoons) one has an LMG, the other a VB launcher)

On turn 8 - stragglers from the Karachoum Gap

8 legionnaires (I/1er REI) inc LMG

Turn 12 + 1D6 from the south-east

Recce unit from US 1^st Armd Division: 2 x Jeeps (one with radio, the second w/.30cal) (6 men)

White scout car (8 men, inc BAR & Grenade rifle)

German forces

Down the road from Oum-el Abouab

Kampgruppe  Lüder

Elements of 10^th Panzer:

Elements of Kradschutzen-10: Armoured car platoon, 2 - motorcycle platoons

HQ + 2nd Kompanie/69^th Panzergrenadier Regiment (motorised) inc FOO for artillery with HQ (in trucks)

2/I battalion 7^th Panzer Regiment (3 x panzer III)

Platoon of 4/I battalion 7^th Panzer Regiment (1 x panzer IV)

Support

1 x battery I battalion 90^th Panzer Artillery Regiment (105mm) off table situated at Oum

Turn 8 - 1 x Stuka sortee

Turn 10 from the north 

Infantry company from II battalion 756th Mountain Regiment

Turn 15 Down the road from Oum-el Abouab 

Elements of 501st hvy Tank Battalion

1 x Tiger I

1 x Panzer IIIN

501^st Panzer pioneer platoon

2 platoons 3^rd Kompanie 69^th PG in trucks

1 platoon Panzer Pioneer Battalion 49 (in half-track)

My table

Looking north towards Hir Moussa

Looking north towards Hir Moussa across Roman ruins south of the town

Looking down the road from Oum-el Abouab

A few shots of Hir Moussa and the shrine

Roman ruins

The game

The German elected for three turns of random artillery (4 rds x 105mm) onto Hir Moussa as their forces advanced down the road.

Turn 1 Kradschultzen-10 lead the way

This turns artillery was scattered and caused no French casualties

Turn 2 the German advance continues, but 1^st motorcycle platoon takes casualties from an indirect `75 shell

The German artillery is once again random, but lands two shells one into the mosque (the French HQ) and the second among the Legion cavalry!

These shells not only knock out the Aml50 but, destroy a staff radio truck and kill several officers including the legion cavalry Lieutenant, the surviving legionnaires fail their morale check and go to ground!

Turn 3 last round of random German artillery, nearly takes out the Hotchkiss DCA (luckily gun and gunner survive), the rest of the shells land harmlessly but just infront of the advancing kradschultzen-10. The French `75 fails to land a shell on target!

Turn 4 the Moroccan stragglers arrive.

The German motorcyclist dismount and advance on foot

At this point they are hit from the French concealed in the vineyard and take a few casualties, the 25mm hits but fails to penetrate the Sdkfz232!

Turn 5 Both Krad platoons plus the 232 and the lead panzers move to engage the French in the vineyard.

The French infantry cause a few more casualties among the Germans, the 25mm once again failed to penetrate the 232. The gun is wiped out by a 50mm shell from a panzer III and the French infantry are chopped up by multiple LMGs, vehicle mounted Mgs and 20mm auto-cannon…..

The French `75 zeros in on one of the panzers (near miss, no effect)

Turn 6 what is left of lead French platoon retreat, but the Kradschultzen are still pinned by French troops on top of the store. The Panzers and 232 turn their attention to these! Behind the burning building you can see the first D-1 advancing to contact

The French `75 lands a round smack onto a panzer III, setting it ablaze!

Turn 7 the remaining panzer engages the D-1 which takes a catastrophic hit and blows up!!

The lead platoon of 2/69 PG arrives only to get its truck machine gunned from the opposite back – truck destroyed, casualties inflicted!! In this photo you can also see the 232 has moved out of the vineyard back onto the road.

Turn 8 the Luftwaffe arrive

As do the Legionnaires retreating from the Karachoum Gap

The Moroccans have moved to back up Guarde Republic on the south bank, both are hotly engaged with 2/69 PG across the river, a panzer IV adds its firepower to the struggle as does the 232, which is hit by a concealed 37mm AC d`Marine (fails to penetrate). Both sides take casualties. The panzer III supporting the Kradshultzen infantry moves through the vineyard and pushes past the burning D-1

Turn 9 the Stuka lays her eggs on a building in the village (French DCA proved ineffective), destroying the structure killing several french infantry.

At the river the German artillery FOO brings down fire onto the south bank

The 37mm damages the 232, but return fire from the A/Cs 20mm wipe out the gun crew.

Accumulative casualties force a morale check on the 1^st Guarde Republic platoon who fail badly mount the bikes and flee; but the Moroccans still hold the line and French infantry and the 2^nd Guarde Republic platoon in the village cause further German casualties.

Turn 10 The Kompanie from 756^th Mountain Regiment arrive on tabletop

The Panzer III supporting the Kradschlzen infantry in the village, spots and blows up another French truck near the mosque/HQ

The Panzer is hit in the flank by the last D-1 (fails to penetrate), the Kradshultzen infantry are badly mauled by Guarde Republic and MMG fire from the DCA position on top of the mosque.

Back at the river, the Germans have the fire-power, but cannot make forward progress as the Moroccans are well emplaced.

Due to overall casualties the French must take a morale check, which they pass

French first aid post bringing much needed comfort to the defenders and boosting morale.

Turn 11 the legionnaires coming from the Karachoum Gap arrive at Hir Moussa, their officer moves to re-organise the legion cavalry and form a solid defence around the shrine against the incoming 756^th Mountain Regiment

The Panzer in the village targets and wipes out the AA MG, but the Kradschultzen infantry have taken too make casualties and fail their morale and withdraw to cover.

Back at the river one platoon of 2/69 PG cross over covered by the Panzer IV, the rest of 2/69th along with the damaged 232 and the panzer III continue their battle with the Moroccans.

Turn 12 756^th Mountain Regiment runs right into the reformed Legion company, plus troopers from Guarde Republic and other odds`n sods. Both sides take casualties. The D-1 and the 37mm d`Marine both swing round to face the panzer III which has flanked them!

At the river the Moroccans are overwhelmed by fire, though 2/69th are badly blooded! The second Panzer III takes a direct solid shot hit from the `75 and is knocked out!

Turn13 the panzer III in the village moves to engage the D-1, the panzer misses and the D-1 fails to penetrate, the 37mm d`marine also fails to penetrate!!

The French `75 crew begin manhandling their gun to the road.

The combat between 756^th Mountain and the Legionnaires, et al builds up – very bloody

Turn 14 the US recce troops arrive on the tabletop

With the Moroccans gone the Germans reform and what is left of 2/69th and the Panzer IV start to moves down the road again

The infantry quickly come under fire from what is left of the French defenders, these intern are fired at by the damaged 232 and the Panzer IV.

The French gunners get their `75 in position

In the village, the Panzer III faces off against the 37mm AC d`marine and the D-1, all firing is simultaneous both French guns fire, hit but fail to penetrate! But the panzer rolls “double 1” the gun breech jams!! Faced with two from guns, surrounded by French troops in the various buildings, I rule a morale check – which they blow badly and abandon their tank, a couple of them are killed immediately!

Turn 15 The next German reinforcements enter the table

The Panzer IV is fired on by the French `75 (hit fails to penetrate), spots the gun and fires back – rolls “double 1” yet another jam!! The infantry and 232 are hotly engaged with the dug-in French infantry.

Back on the edge of the village, a brave Guarde Republic NCO jumps onto the abandoned Panzer III and drops a petrol bomb inside!

On the hill and around the shrine the Kompanie of 756^th Mt Reg. are in a bitter battle with the legionnaires and what is left of the Sous-groupe HQ.

Turn 16 the panzer IV reverses away from the French `75 - which fires again, hits again, but again fails to penetrate! The Panzer gunner manages to un-jam the gun. The 232 fires its 20mm towards the French `75 to keep the gunners heads down. The German infantry have virtually cleared all the troublesome French infantry. The first US recce vehicle reaches the outskirts of the village and cuts off road.

The battle around the shrine has reached stalemate, both sides have reached their limits.

Turn 17 the panzer IV advances again (successful morale check), this time its gunner is spot on

The German FOO calls down artillery onto the village with devastating effect, smashing the D-1 and killing several French

Turn 18 French morale collapses, though the legionnaires and HQ personnel still holdout at the shrine and mosque. The Germans are pouring down the road, The US recce quickly gets off it out of direct line of fire.

Interesting mix of kit and units, the game is quite one-sided, but the French did better than expected.