Battle of Showaddy Wadi

Chapter 1 

Loosely based on Operation Supercharge at Second Alamein. The British were attacking and trying to capture a German fuel depot and the Germans were defending quite a long defensive line of about 16 foot of table. The rules were O Group and many of us will be slightly familiar with aspects of them as the orders are also the basis for Back of Beyond. Lots of dice are used with saving throws, dice for spotting and lucky double six throws often causing exponential critical hits. 

Chapter 2

Germans won the first initiative (not many thereafter so Rob and Patrick started to move on table). Brian and Alex went second and likewise advanced onto the table. British armour could only cross the wadi via bridges so these had to be secured. 

Chapter 3

Alex’s Grant squadron advanced and was summarily wiped out by the accurate fire of a Panzer 3 squadron.  At this point Alex felt like it was going to be one of those nights.

Chapter 4

Over the next few turns Brian and Alex began advancing infantry via combat patrols the allied mortar barrage caused no damage at first.

Chapter 5

Valentine tanks and Matildas were brought on to head for the bridges - so far the allies were still the only ones taking hits. As the Matildas advanced the German ambush struck - an 88 mm gun in a defensive position overlooking the line of advance - luckily for the Brits it was manned by some poor shooters at first. 

Chapter 6 

Attacking is hard work but the allies were aided by initiative and more orders but the 88 was finally finding its range. German infantry was taking hits from the desert rats in the wadi, artillery strikes and mortar barrages, but the allied armour was taking a pasting - fortunately they had more of it. 

Chapter 7

The Brits were getting closer to the fuel dump but the Germans unleashed their Panzer 4 tanks with exceptional HE power. Unfortunately this was not as successful against Brits tucked in the wadi. 

Chapter 8

Mounting casualties on both sides led to fubars - this means you lose order dice - so fewer and fewer actions per turn. Added to the extra happiness of rolling 3 or more 1s in the order phase, which leads to a random hesitant company that is unable to do anything except defend at close range. 

Chapter 9

As German infantry and armour accrued more losses Rob’s morale was beginning to crumble. But by the end of the evening 10.50pm we adjudicated a narrow German victory as they still held the fuel dump although losses were pretty equal. Thanks to Rob for hosting and to Brian and Pat for fighting each other to a standstill.