Back to Palestine!

A fortnight ago, Peter and I met upon the remote plains of Palestine to continue the WWI campaign.  Peter's account of the action can be found at, WW1 Palestine Campaign T4G4.  For completeness, I offer up the tale from the Turkish perspective.

As a brief refresher, Peter is refighting the WW1 campaign in Palestine using his D3 variant of Neil Thomas' One Hour Wargames (OHW).  This variant extends the base rules to include some interesting twists including using a D3 die and unit activations.  The unit activation mechanism introduces variability and decision making into the game which enhances play markedly over the original.  Well, in my mind anyway.

In the two preceding contests, the EEF attacked Turkish defenders set in standard OHW scenarios.  This action is no different but Scenario #8 Melee is used a second time.  Peter mixed the terrain up a bit but the ground was familiar.  Orders of Battle were changed up too with the addition of an armored train and a tank.

Anyway, on to a captioned account from the Turkish perspective.

With Turks on the heights with gun and machine gun,
fire into the oasis is not very effective
 as the enemy comes on. 
Turkish reinforcements on the way!

As the EEF advances and deploys,
Turkish support comes under heavy fire.
The hilltop defenders retire slowly off from
their exposed positions on the hill.

The supporting unit of Turks is quickly dispatched.
Armored train arrives with infantry moving along in support.
Unfortunately for the Turks, the supporting infantry
is brought under fire from both gun and rifle. 
The EEF swings around to threaten the heights.

Infantry advancing under cover of the train take a pounding.
They are not under cover!
The EEF continues to advance upon the heights.

The MG on the train fires into the infantry to its front.
Enemy takes casualties but the Turkish infantry refuse to act!

In preparatory fire, the EEF lurks below the crest of the hill.
For the Turks, casualties mount.

Having seen the Turks off on the EEF right,
targets switch to the Turks detraining.
  Casualties are frightful.
A whistle blows.
Over the top! 

As the enemy crests the hill, fire erupts from the Turks.
Many fall.
The enemy emerging from the oasis scatters.
The train mounted MG continues its fire down the tracks.

An explosion is heard as a large, black plume of smoke
 rises from the enemy tank.
The tank stops and the crew bail. 

With armor gone, the enemy are caught in a deadly crossfire.
In a blink of an eye, two units disintegrate. 
Enemy guns take out another Turkish infantry moving up.

With time and resources ebbing, the enemy moves
 out from the cover of the woods and toward the hill.
They succumb to fire.
The MG fire scatters the enemy astride the tracks.

With only the EEF guns left and time expired,
 the battle is over.
Victory to the Turks,
AGAIN!

Turkish commander inspecting the burned-out tank
atop Mount Disappointment.
photo courtesy grid based wargaming.

Wow!

Another exciting game in which the action saw the defending Turks turn back yet another attack.  Three times, now, the EEF has come on in the same way.  Three times the Turks have repelled their attackers.  Will the enemy try a fourth time?  We will see.

In hindsight, the battle hinged on the untimely destruction of the EEF armor.  The Turks were taking a real pounding from enemy guns.  Failed activations hindered Turkish progress.  When the tank exploded from a failed activation, the balance of power shifted to open up the battle and turn the tide.

Great fun and an exciting match.

What comes next and can the EEF reach Damascus?