2011 Battlefront Mid War Doubles G.T.

Today I’m off to my first ever tournament, not only is it my first tournament, but it’s playing Flames of War. The game system I know the least about of all the games I play. Thankfully it’s a doubles tournament and my partner in crime is a Veteran at the game. It should be a blast and I’m luging in my camera and macro lens to take lots of photos as we play. Below is Will’s army list and info for our entry. Lot’s of photo’s to come… XXIII Battaglione Bersaglieri, 12° Reggimento Bersaglieri (part of Divisione Corazzata "Littorio", XXo Corpo d’Armata) with support from I Panzer Abteilung, 8. Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division These form part of the Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee at the second battle of El Alamein on the 23rd/24th/25th October 1942 An army list for the 2011 Battlefront Mid War Doubles G.T. prepared by Will & Rob 1st Army is an “Italian Bersaglieri Battalion” prepared using “North Africa” fielded by Will. Battalion HQ 30 Combat Platoons Bersaglieri Company - 3 Bersaglieri Groups 320 - Passaglia Bombs 15 Bersaglieri Company - 3 Bersaglieri Groups 320 - Passaglia Bombs 15 Bersaglieri Mortar Platoon - 3 Mortar Sections 100 Support Platoons Battaglione Carri 3 “Lancieri di Novara” - Light Tank Platoon 120 - 4 L6/40 TOTAL 920 Number of platoons for deployment/morale: 4 2nd Army is a “Panzerkompanie” prepared using “North Africa” fielded by Rob. HQ 2 Panzer III J (early) 180 - 1 upgraded to Panzer III J (late) 15 - 1 upgraded to Panzer IV F1 10 Combat Platoons 1 Zug 4 Panzer III J (early) 360 - 2 upgraded to Panzer III J (late) 30 - 2 upgraded to Panzer III L 50 2 Zug 3 Panzer III J (early) 270 - 3 upgraded to Panzer IV F2 165 TOTAL 1080 Number of platoons for deployment/morale: 2 Total Combined Force Points: 2000 Name Mobility Front Side Top Notes Weapon Range ROF AT FP   Panzer III J (late) Fully Tracked 5 3 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected Ammo 5cm KwK39 gun 24" 3 9 4+   Panzer III L Fully Tracked 6 3 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected Ammo 5cm KwK39 gun 24" 3 9 4+   Panzer IV F1 Fully Tracked 5 3 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected Ammo 7.5cm KwK37 gun 24" 2 9 3+ Smoke firing bombardments 48" - 2 6   Panzer IV F2 Fully Tracked 5 3 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected Ammo 7.5cm KwK40 gun 32" 2 11 3+   L6/40 Half Tracked 2 1 1 Co-ax MG 20/65 gun 16" 2 5 5+   47/32 Gun 24" 3 7 4+ Man-packed 81/14 Mortar 48" - 2 6 Smoke, Man-packed 133. Armored Divison Littorio was formed in 1939 from the Infantry Division Littorio that fought in the Spanish Civil War in the Corpo di Truppa Volontaria. It was a reserve unit during the invasion of France when it attacked through the Piccolo San Bernardo Pass. Later it took part in the invasion of Yugoslavia, fighting at Mostar and Trebinje. It was sent to North Africa in the spring of 1942 were it fought until it was destroyed at El Alamein in November 1942. At the start of the 2nd battle of El Alamein, Littorio counterattacked with the 15th Panzer Division and both divisions took heavy losses. The skeleton division that remained of Littorio was pulled back and what was left was assembled into part of the Brigade Imperiali, but the Littorio division effectively ceased to exist at this point in time. 15. Panzer-Division was formed in November 1940 from 33. Infanterie-Division. It was sent to Libya Feb 1941 and took part in the fighting in North Africa. At the beginning of July the Eighth Army had reached their final defensive position before Alexandria at El Alamein. The DAK was understrength from its recent battles, but Rommel attempted an attack along Ruweisat with the 15th Panzer and the remainder of the DAK. Only minor progress was made, British counterattacks and mounting German losses caused Rommel to call off the attack on July 22. Another attack was attempted on August 30, with Rommel's armoured forces attacking the southern flank. The 15th Panzer Division reached as far as the Alam Halfa ridge on September 1, but failed to break through the British defences. At this point Rommel went on the defensive and began to build a comprehensive position with deep minefields. The 15th Panzer Division formed the reserve in the northern part of the front. As with Littorio, 15th Panzer formed part of the initial Axis counterattacks at the start of the battle of El Alamein, but these failed to halt the advance; by November 4 British tanks had achieved a breakout. Now began a period of steady British advance to the west, combined with the Allied landings as part of Operation Torch on September 8. The remains of the 15th Panzer Division and the remainder of the Axis forces, were continually forced to withdraw. XXX Corps reached and out-flanked the line at El Agheila on December 17, then took Tripoli on January 23, 1943. By February 18 XXX Corps reached the defensive line at Mareth in Tunisia and were forced to halt. The 21st Panzer Division was drawn away to the Kasserine Pass operation on February 22, so 15th Panzer held the Mareth Line with the remaining Italian forces. It surrendered in Tunisia 13 May 1943 with the rest of the Axis forces in Africa. Links used: http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=4301 http://niehorster.orbat.com/019_italy/42-10-23/div_cor_littorio.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein Books used: Osprey “Men at Arms” – Rommel’s Desert Army Osprey “Battle Order” – Rommel’s Afrika Korps