The dunes west of Buq-Buq

On 9th December 1940 whilst Op Compass got underway in attacks on the Italian camps, 11th Hussars discovered the Italian 64th Catanazaro Division, under General Armico, well dug into the dunes west of Buq-Buq.  This was potentially a strong position, behind the salt flats, with thirty-five guns of all types covering the east and another twenty-five guns of all types covering the south. 

A hastily assembled force of 3rd Hussars, a squadron of 2nd RTR, cruisers from the 8th Hussars, along with 'B' & 'C' Squadrons of the 11th Hussars, plus a battery of 4 RHA, all under the command of Lt-Colonel John Combe (11th Hussars) attacked the Italian force. 

8th Hussars in 1939

I have some disagreement with the IABSM Op Compass Supplement, although I`m not following it directly.  From my reading 8th Hussars were almost certainly using Vickers MkVI light tanks, upgrading from these to the Honey in 1941, but 3rd Hussars may well have been in cruiser tanks, probably a mixture of A9, A10, before upgrading to the Crusader.

In action at Sidi Barani

"Combe-Force" met strong opposition from the Italian artillery, which stopped the advance of 'C' Squadron, 3rd Hussars, and knocked out many of the tanks of 'A' Squadron. The Italians were finally overwhelmed by a flank attack by 8th Hussars, along the western seaward side.

In my IABSM game "Barker Force" are tasked to cause as much damage and chaos as possible to Italian communications and supply lines around Buqbuq.  The Italians dug into the dunes are well equipped with field guns, Infantry and light tanks.  Should be an interesting fight.

"Barker" Force 

11th Hussars C Squadron

Major The Hon. Ronald Barker VC

Sergeant-Major Ronnie Corbett

2 x Rolls Royce Armoured cars

Attached from C Battery, 4th Royal Horse Artillery 

Lt Milligan 

2 x 18/25-pounder Field Gun (5 crew each) 

2 x Quad 

Attached From Rifle Brigade

1 platoon 3 sections Lt Thomas Trinder

1 MMG Northumberland Fusiliers 

Lieutenant "Bumfluff" Farthingdale 11H Commanding:

Attached Armour from 3 Hussars

2 x MkIV Light tank

Attached 2RTR  Cruisers

Lt Max Miller

4 tanks mixed A9 A10.

  

The Maletti Raggruppamento

Raggruppamento HQ

Colonele Lorenzo D’Gelato 

Staff Caravanette filled with "luxuries"

1st Platoon, IX Light Tank Battalion

3 x L3 tankette 

2nd Platoon, IX Light Tank Battalion

3 x L3 tankette 

Elements of 17th Battery, Libyan Artillery

4 x 77/28 guns (5 crew each) 

4 x Lorry 

Elements of 24th Battery, Libyan Artillery

4 x 77/28 guns (5 crew each) 

4 x Lorry 

Position HQ 

Capitano Vermicelli

1 x Rifle Section (8 men) 

1 x MMG (3 crew) 

1st Platoon, from 

4 x Rifle Section (8 men each) 

2nd Platoon, 

2 x Rifle Section (8 men each) 

Artillery from 250th & 204th Artillery Regiment 

1 x 65/17 Field Gun (4 crew) 

1 x 75/27 Field Gun (5 crew) 

1 x 105/28 Field Gun (6 crew) 

The Game

The Italian defence.  Why do I think this looks like a desert battle of the Nile?

On come 7th Armoured's blinds

I take the support group off their blind, planning to bombard with the 25pdrs and then send in the Infantry.  Turns out that the MMG does as much damage as anyone though!

The Italians are spotted.  Strong in numbers and in guns!

But first blood to the 25pdrs almost spot on.  

The British armour.  Bumfluff's Vickers tanks use their MMGs to spray down the gunners.  

But the 11th Armoured Rolls Royce gets his eye in and absolutely wallops the Italians.  12 dice, nine hits... 

About to be overrun the Italians panic and surrender.

Even at point blank range the Italians do poorly.  Put that shell in the right way around my man!

The Rolls Royce is not so unprofessional.   Ten dice six hits, of which four kills and two shock.  Exit the Italian gunners!

The light tanks and an armoured car sweep up behind the lines.  The Italian left is done for.

Adding insult to injury the Rifle Brigade charge forward into the Italian left flank.

Over on the right the Italian Commander reacts, and it isn't favourable.  Start your engines and flee...

With 7th Armoured cruiser tanks behind them the Italian right collapses.  Il Duce has had a bad day.  perhaps the "fortress" at Bardia can hold?