North Africa, April 1941. The British are retreating into Egypt in wake of the german advance...

Can we scramble and split one company with their anti-tank shit to skirt around the highground and try to get some anti-tank fire ambush set up?

You can split up companies.
As for the rest... You can try.

Lt. Stevens of the Royal Field Artillery is ordered to take a group of Anti-Tank Guns, hook them up to trucks and pulled them southwards towards the ridge, accompanying Company B with it's engineers in tow.

Company B is led by WW1 veteran Captain Reginald Steeler. His black eyepatch, covering a wound suffered at the Somme, gives him a grizzly look.

Meanwhile, the germans advance.

they should stay out of tank range. They may not be able to join battle until it is under way, but even drawing some fire or giving the impression of a large force attacking from different angles would deny the krauts from occupying said high ground.

I'll split up E company as well, leaving half to guard the camp around the righthand part of the perimeter, and the rest to join the little hill expedition. If there's time, have them lend their trucks to the artillery guys if they need any more transport.

Is the artillery properly ranged? They won't get a better chance with those duckies in a line as they are now.

If possible, try to draw the Germans north, between the airfield and lake. Can we get a few light tanks to fire on the trucks from the north of the airfield? I'd keep the heavier stuff silent until they can get good clear shots...

anti-tank should proceed at least to the base of the highground, but pillboxes may need to cover.

do we have luftwaffe air support?

if so bomb the Lt Stevens position

You have to roll for it, per

E company sends two platoons south, aiding B company and the C company Anti-Tank in reaching the ridge.

Hauptman Helmut Witzler of the 22nd Panzer Regiment, is ordered by Major Ulbrecht Manheim to intercept the british at the high ground. Who will reach it first? Witzler or Steeler?

The remaining british field artillery starts to set up it's pieces and hone in on the advancing german column. Sadly, radio requests to send light tanks south are not recieved in time for them to break off from the advancing southern force.

I'll have the field guns from A company fire on the German column (that is, G, J, and I) while group b scrambles to get at the hill and set up the ATGs somewhere that can cover as much of the battlefield as possible.

Let that artillery sing.

Concentrate on knocking out tanks and trucks (presumably troops are in transport trucks?).

The element of surprise is gone, which is good. Now it's about who makes the first good punch. Some of B company may need to meat-shield or distract to allow anti-tank to set up...

Do mortars have any smoke grenades?

>Do mortars have any smoke grenades?
Consider all troops fully equipped unless otherwise stated. Ammunition is not unlimited, however. Likewise, all troops have a passeable familiarity with opposing weaponry.

"Fire!" commands Captain Stewart. The artillery pieces, now in place and having taken aim, let loose.

Shells land all around the german column. One mercedes truck receives a direct hit, killing 21 men and wounding many more. Cries for help and aid are heard almost all the way over to the british positions. Major Manheim orders his column to spread out in relatiation of this concentrated fire, cursing his own stupidity.

Meanwhile, Hauptmann Witzler start advancing up the ridge. He has lost sight of the british on the other side. Likewise, Captain Steeler pushes his Stuart tanks at the utmost speed, flanked by trucks of british soldiers towing the anti-tank guns. They have a head start on the germans. Steeler spots a good position for the anti-tank and orders his subordinates to prepare a set up. But will he make it in time?

If some mortars (from any company) can lob a few smoke grenades between the pill boxes and the advancing column, do it. Likewise, if a few can send some between German companies F and H while the anti-tank can set up...

while is getting the ATGs set up, have D open up on the advancing column with their own ATGs, as well as anything else that's within effective firing range.

At the top of the ridge, Hauptmann Witzler is met with a screen of smoke. He curses his bad luck, being only a few moments late. Steeler has managed to order the platoons from E company to fire several smoke mortars to shield their position as Lt. Stevens is desperately unhooking the anti-tank guns, one by one. Sergeant Jenkins manages to get his up and going and turns it around - aiming it at the smoke screen...

Below, the german column spreads out, continously hit by british artillery fire. Soon the Panzers will be within range to fire at the pillboxes, but little do they know that D company is setting up their heavy machine guns and anti-tank weapons.

Witzler grits his teeth. He orders his tanks to charge forward - into the smoke. It must be a delaying tactic for a reason - the british are probably not ready to engage.

Get Company B's tanks in position to engage any hostiles charging through the smoke. Fire, but be prepared to withdraw behind the infantry should any return fire start coming towards their light tanks.

Hauptmann Witzler, riding ontop of one of the Panzer IV's leads the spearhead out of the smoke. He is followed by several IV's and III's and flanked by Mercedes and light tanks. On the other side they meet Cpt. Steeler's men getting in position, what looks to be like roughly 20 tanks and several tank destroyers.

The first shot is fired by Lt. Stevens which lands a direct hit on one of the Panzer III's, blowing it's tracks right off and stranding it in the desert. It whirls it turret around and returns fire, hitting the anti-tank gun next to Lt. Stevens and sending shrapnel all around it. Men fall screaming to the ground.

Steeler's tanks are in motion, attempting to surround the german force with their speed but they are intercepted by two light Panzers and an exchange erupts blowing the top off of one Stuart tank. Some of the British soldiers bring their machine guns to bear and open up fire, spraying several of the trucks. One truck is hit by a mortar, sending it toppling over the dunes and it lands on it side. Several german soldiers rush out and return fire. A grenade destroys the track of Steeler's Stuart.

Keep firing. Tanks immobilized behind a ridge are at least no threat to the airfield.

The field artillery is hopefully ranged for the shorter distance now...

Get those artillery pieces from C's b group ready and firing at the incoming tanks ASAP!

And I guess have the rest of C aim as much fire on group J as they can.

By the way, how far into the day are we? Roughly what time is it?

not OP, but I'm guessing it's still mid-morning? Not later than 9-10 or something.

On the ridge;
German troops spew out of the trucks and open fire with their rifles and submachine guns against the anti-tanks positions, killing many of the british crew. The british E company return fire with the rifles of their own, but all in all they are outnumbered by the germans. One of the trucks has it's drivers shot through the windshield and it rams straight into one of the anti-tank guns, both of them tumble down the ridge in a large cloud of dust.

A few of the anti-tank guns get off salvos, crippling two of the panzers but overall the positions are overrun with 4 guns already out of action. Lt. Stevens draws his pistol and shoots down two approaching germans before grabbing his gun and trying to rotate it to aim at a flanking Panzer IV.

Cpt. Steeler jumps out of his Stuart with his three man crew. They are beset upon by two german light tanks but they are both blown to pieces by E company's infantry anti-tank weaponry. Cpt. Steeler rushes to the ridge and overlooks the battle. The british are slowly losing ground due to their positions now having been overrun.

On the flats;
Kompanie G is shielded from artillery fire by the british smoke screen. The english curse their bad luck and turn to fire on the infantry trucks coming their way from the southern flank, hitting one of the Mercedes dead on and toppling it. Kompanie J has already suffered heavy casualties.

Correct.

Have company A move to interpose itself between Kompanie I and the guns at Ca.

The pillboxes should have plenty of scrambling Germans in range. Go on and hit 'em.

Campany A should go out and pay some attention to the German's. We don't want any krauts getting too close to the artillery.

On the ridge, keep fighting and do what they can.

Dubs! Company K of the Australian 6th Cavalry Regiment has arrived with 10 captured italian M11/39's and 7 Matilda light tanks. Led by Captain Leslie Mornington it is speeding southward.

The german light infantry of Kompanie I dismounts from it's trucks and starts opening up fire on the hopelessly outdated cavalry charge by the mounted dragoons. Primarily a garrison unit, these cavalrymen charge forward on the dunes firing their rifles and pistols from the saddle with expertise. Several of the horses are hit and throw their riders off in fits of confusion and rage.

In the center, Kompanie G emerges from the smoke screen, guns blazing. One of the pillboxes is blown out of the sky, sending several british soldiers of D company flying. One of the Panzer IV's is hit by a direct hit of the field artillery and the infantry in the pillboxes manage to score several hits on advancing german troops. The unprotected german infantrymen of Kompanie J suffer more casualties as heavy machine gun fire rains down on them. Many fall to the ground never to get up again.

On the ridge, Lt. Stevens fights off an advancing german Feldwebel but is bayonetted in the chest by another german. Blood drips from his mouth - his final gaze lands upon his one of his anti-tank guns as a grenade disables it utterly.

Steeler takes the remainer of his Stuart tanks and orders a fighting retreat, harassed by the German tanks which use their machine guns to mow down many of the british riflemen.

Bring K into the fray ASAP, have them roll down from the north and turn the flank by hitting Kompanie I.

Rolling for German reinforcements.

Goddam Stevens, you madman. It was always going to be a long-shot, but some of the wind has been taken out of F and H. At least he died fighting, and the halls of Valhalla will welcome him.

The boys on the ridge should do what they can, delay the Germans and take 'em down.

Rolling for air British air support, but I suspect these fucking radios aren't working...

On the ridge;
The germans have taken the high ground. Cpt. Steeler retreats with 10 operating Stuart tanks and two battered platoons of riflemen. It is a weakened force that is forced to turn tail and run. Kompanie H's light infantry manages to fling a few mortars in the direction of Cpt. Steeler, causing a near-miss to one of the trucks which busts a wheel and loses control. It slams into the ground and dazzled doughboys pour out.

The germans then hook up the two remaining anti-tank guns to their Mercedes - maybe they can bring them into the fray?

On the flats;
K Company rushes forward to the aid of the desperate stand of A Company. Many of the horses have panicked at the rifle and submachine gunfire that I Company is laying down on them. The field artillery is now to close for any serious operational damage to I Company, but they start adjuring their weapons for close encounters all the same.

The melee infront of the Pillboxes is deadly on both sides. Two pillboxes are now blown out of action, with all garrisoned troops inside blasted to the winds. But D Company are numerous and disciplined. They instruct E company to start lobbing mortars at the tanks, in the hopes of damaging at least their tracks.

Have the anti-tank weapons of D company turn their aim south, to cover the retreat of the guys from the hill. Focus as much fire as possible on J before they do anything fancy to our retreating guys.

A platoon of D Company, led by a robust Lt. Morse, grabs their Boys Anti-tank weapons and sprints out southward, trying to do what they can to help out in the ensuing clusterfuck that is going to happen to the retreating remnants of E and B company. They see several Mercedes trucks from J Kompanie racing to meet the Stuarts.

Cpt. Steeler looks out and sees the approaching infantry - both german and british. He attempts to aim his turret, but it is jammed. Steeler slams his fist on the metal and orders the pilot to charge straight ahead. "We'll ram them if we have too!"

In that instant, one of the Mercedes trucks is hit with a direct hit from artillery fire. "Huzzah!" Steeler shouts, "God bless Captain Stewart!"

Hot on his tail is the adrenaline filled Hauptmann Witzler, following at a slower pace in their heavier tanks. Meanwhile, Kompanie H have finished hooking up the Anti-Tank guns and are descending down the slope - heading for the encampment.

Kompanie I is taking fire from the rapidly approaching K Company. Leslie Mornington, also a WW1 veteran, is having some trouble aiming his inferior italian FIAT's but he manages to at least daze and confuse some of the germans, who scurry for cover behind dead horse carcasses. Dust and meat fly into the air as shells hit and blow up the littered corpses.

Have Ea and Company K envelop I. I want them dead and that flank turned, give the Germans something to think about besides mauling our guys from the hill.

*Clank* The artillery pieces ring empty. Captain Stewart looks at his machinery, distraught. There are no more shells for him to fire. "Cursed airforce..." he mutters and looks skyward.

Leslie Mornington manages to envelop Kompanie I, but the fixed turrets of the Italian tanks make them difficult to run and gun with. The Matildas fare better. Two of the FIATs are disabled by grenades to their tracks, but overall the onslaught is being won by the Australians. As the German Leutnant is rallying his troops, they are hit from behind by rifle fire from the emerging E company. Visibility is poor as tanks, horses and men have kicked up a great big dust cloud surrounding the melee but the germans are surrounded. The german leutnant screams out an order: "Fix bayonetts!"

Meanwhile, the last of the four pillboxes facing the center is disabled and Major Manheim charges in toward the airfield, as D company makes a fighting retreat toward the barracks. Major Wilkinson of Regimental HQ manages to throw himself out of harms way at the last second before his entrenched position is hit by a Panzer shell.

Captain Steeler finds himself almost surrounded and unable to stop. It's either charge ahead or slow down and be picked off by the pursing panzers. Luckily, some of D company have joined the fray and a private with a Boys anti-tank gun manages to disable an encroaching Panzer III with a direct hit.
"God save king George!" the soldier shouts but is cut short as he is hit in the throat by a german MG-38, set up on the back of a mercedes. Steeler throws himself into the turret of his gun.

"Straight ahead, men!"