Turkish Delight

photo courtesy gridbasedwargaming

After beating back the EEF in Peter's ongoing solo campaign set in WWI Palestine in the Battle Fought In Two Years (see: First (and Last) Game of the Year), Peter asked if I would be interested taking a command in the next game of the campaign.  Of course, said I! 

OHW #11
map courtesy gridbasedwargaming

In this encounter, the EEF is still trying to breakthrough the Turkish defenders to continue the campaign.  Using Neil Thomas' Scenario #11, An Unfortunate Oversight from OHW, the Turks are defending a village protected by a wadi.  The goal is to hold Hill 12 by the end of the game.  Looks like a good situation for the defenders.  No?  Unfortunately, the defenders have overlooked a break in the wadi far out on their left.  Of course, this is where the attackers will breach the position.

To read Peter's battle account, please visit, WWI Palestine Campaign Turn 4 Game 3.

Let's see how the battle played out from the Turkish perspective.

The Turks begin the battle with all of their forces deployed close to the village.  It is a long way to reach the gap in the wadi.

Turks deploy around the village.

EEF deploy with five units at the wadi gap
 and two infantry facing the village.

Per-game bombardment shells three defending units.
The artillery and MG infantry take a severe pounding
 each suffering three hits.

With a firefight at the village anchoring the right,
the defenders move out to occupy Hill 12.

EEF counterbattery knocks out the Turk guns
almost before the battle begins.
This could be a tough fight!
Turks continue advancing toward Hill 12.

The attackers sweep through the wadi gap
 while artillery provides support.

Attackers exploit the gap and the defenders' oversight.

Lead Turkish elements reach the hill
 wary to remain behind the crest.

Mounted infantry attempts to sweep around the flank
 as the main attacking force moves up. 
Infantry near the wadi takes fire from the armored car.

As the two forces close, the firefight escalates.
Now in range, Turks on the hill are scattered by heavy fire.
The best Turk infantry destroyed in a blink!

Attacking the position is not so easy, though.
As Turkish reinforcements reach the hill,
 an EEF unit moving up is destroyed.
Casualties are mounting for the EFF.

Taking sustained fired from the Turk armored car,
the EEF guns are forced to limber and move away.

Fighting intensifies.  Mounted infantry is destroyed
while the EEF guns extract revenge against the armored car.

EEV guns continue shelling the defenders without pause.
Turks in the valley pull back attempting to escape the shelling.
Turks work around the hill to bring the attackers into a crossfire.
The attackers withdraw from their exposed position.

With time ebbing, two EEF units advance upon the hill.

Caught in a deadly crossfire, infantry in the center is scattered.

The ever-present EEF guns destroy another Turk!
With only one mounted infantry remaining,
the EEF pushes up on the hill

and takes out another Turk.
The Turks have only one unit remaining
but the attackers have run out of time.

With the EEF mounted infantry having sustained heavy casualties and the clock ticking down to Turn 15, victory has slipped away.  Another game goes down to the wire and another victory for the defending Turks.  Hoorah!

Having repulsed EEF forces in back-to-back attacks, the campaign is winding down for the EEF.  They will need to scavenge a victory soon if they are expected to win this campaign.

Great fun!