The Coming Storm (Tunisia) North Africa Scenario 1943

[Hajo]

30 December 1942

    The last combats of 1942 were fought on the 30th, ending the year in a blaze of success for the Kittyhawks.  First off were eight
aircraft from 450 Squadron,which patrolled the forward area.  Six miles east of Bir el Zidan four Bf109s attacked, one of which PO Winn
damaged.  Eight Kittyhawk 3s' of 260 Squadron took off at 1220 hours on an interception patrol over Bir el Zidan, where they saw about 6
Bf109gs below, two of which dived down to strafe Allied troops, who put up an AA screen.  The Kittyhawks dived through the AA burst to attack,Fl. Lt. Edwards opening fire at one hundred yards, his Bf109 turning over, crashing and bursting into flames. He attacked a second
damaging it, but his guns seized.  FO Thornhill made two attacks on his target, upon which it burst into flames and crashed, and PO
Sheppard fired a brief burst at one which exploded and crashed. The top section of the squadron became involved in a dogfight with other Bf 109s, FO Fallows hitting one which broke into four pieces and crashed, and PO England claimed a fifth.  It seems the Messerschmitts were
aircraft of I/SG2, with an escort from II/JG 77.  These units reported being attacked by ten spitfires over Zidan at this time, Fw Erich Gasse of II/JG 77 and Lt. Edgar Cerne of I/SG2 being killed.

   3 RAAF Squadron had had a disappointing start in the morning, when Sgt. Roediger intercepted an He111 at 26,000 feet and chased it to
ground level.  Unfortunately for him his reflector sight fused, and he was only able to damage it. At 1350 hours seven Kittyhawks from this unit patrolled over Bir el Zidan, refueling at Alem el Ginza so they were able to remain in the area until 1730 hours.  During the afternoon, 15 Bf109s of II JG/77 attacked, but the Australians were also lucky, Fl.Lt. Watt, Fl Lt. Boardman and Sgt. Righetti each shooting down one fighter, Watts claiming a second probably shot down.  Oblt. Burchard Boker was killed and Uffz. Gunter Mielenz became a POW.

    So ended 1942, and with it, virtually the campaign in the Western desert.  It was to be a few more days before the Commonwealth forces entered Tripoli, but before January 1943 was out, they were across the border into Tunisia.

But that is another Story...........which the participants in the next Scenario have a chance to confirm, or rewrite.


Hajo  ( The above History is from: Fighters over the Desert, by Christopher Shores and Hans Ring)

[texasmom]

Very interesting. My interest in the past regarding Tunisia during this time period revolved around Gen. Terry Allen. I'll now be looking up more information.  Fantastic. 

I love that so much of this 'game' includes things that really spark the interest of history, and the great people recorded in it. 

[Angus]

My Great uncle was in Tunisia at the time flying with 111 sqn RAF. One heck of a time he said.

[Hajo]

Mom and Angus here is what you should do!

Registration should be open shortly!  Register and relive and maybe change History in the virtual skies of Aces High.

Scenarios are fun!  It places you in History.  In the aircraft at the date of the conflagration.

Nothing like working together as a large team that is goal oriented.

But here is what flips my trigger......immersion.  I'm flying over a terrain, fighting the same type of aircraft that flew
during that time in the skies over North Africa.  You actually get to experience somewhat what the Pilots of that time felt.
Let the immersion grab you...the history.  Feel what you can virtually.   In my case this is what is keeping me in Aces High.

We have great people doing a great job putting these events together.  They work hard to make them fun and equitable.
One of them said.  "Well....we gave both sides the opportunity to win.  Let's see how they use their resources."

I know I'll be in this one.  And I do hope hundreds more will want to try and feel the immersion by reliving History.
Or for that matter rewriting it in the virtual skies of North Africa.

[Twizzty]

<S> Nice post Hajo, I cannot wait to join you in the virtual skies of North Africa.

link here for info everyone:
http://ahevents.org/pacific-theatre/current-or-next-scenario-2.html

[bongaroo]

So this is the next planned scenario?  I look forward to it!  When will we be seeing a breakdown of the planes available?

<S>

[Hajo]

Bongaroo you will be seeing it shortly.  I'll let the CMs do that at their discretion.

I will however tell you that you will like the planeset 

Oh!   Not only aircraft.....but in North Africa were two gents that battled it out hammer and tong.

Their names were Montgomery and Rommel!  Ground vehicles are a huge part of this Scenario also!

This is a ground and air Scenario.

[Babalonian]

Speaking of Montgomery and Rommel, have the CMs found their vict... errr volunteers for Allied and Axis COs?  Last I heard they were waiting for some people to step up for the jobs so they could add some input from them on the finalized event.

[Treize69]

Sounds like a fun one, I'll definitely be there schedule permitting.

Hajo, did you break out your diaries and photos from 42-43 as a resource? Must have brought back some great memories.

 

[Hajo]

Babalonian..I don't know if Cos have stepped forward or have been selected.

Treize...LOL...yup those were excerpts from my Diaries <slap> 

[Treize69]

Sorry bro, after the Happy Birthday thread, I just couldn't resist. 

[B4Buster]

Can't wait. Nice post Hajo

[Roscoroo]

yes, thats the next Scenario  !!! 

This one is built heavily on the Historic side (Within AH2 Limitations) and has a place for everyone . GVers, Buff's,and Fighter's .

(the rules are currently in the last stage of testing and adjusting)

PM Brooke,Newman, and or myself for the CO positions if interested.

[Fencer51]

The Battle of El Alamein turned the tide of the Desert War on the frontiers of Egypt.  The Afrika Korps started a long withdrawl toward Libya with hopes of shortening their supply line and locating a place to make a stand against a resurgent British Eighth Army.  On November 8, 1942 Strategic surprise was achieved when the Allies landed troops in Morocco and Algiers.  There was sporadic fighting against the Vichy French troops who were occupying French North Africa.  As the Allies consolidated and started a slow move east toward Tunisia in hopes of cutting off the Afrika Korps from Tripoli, the Axis started landing aircraft and troops in French occupied Tunisia.  It was a tie as both sides reached Tunisia at the same time.  A succession of sharp battles were fought in the hills of western Tunisia and stalemate ensued.  Meanwhile Rommel, with a powerful force in his rear, fell back toward the safety of the Mareth Line in southern Tunisia.  Now the reinforcements denied Rommel for years flowed into Tunisia.  By February 1943 the Afrika Korps had been joined by Panzer Army Afrika.  Along with the ground units new Luftwaffe units flooded the airfields of Africa.  Soon the unbloodied American Army faced the veterans of numerous battles since 1939 across wind swept hills and amongst mountain passes.  The Eighth Army after a plodding pursuit of Rommel across half of North Africa had finally cornered him in southern Tunisia.  As the Allies paused to regroup and bring in more combat power, Rommel looked at the situation, and recognizing his interior lines made use of the terrain to attempt a defeat in detail of his two foes, the green Americans and the bloodied veteran Desert Rats.  It is February 1943 and at Kasserine pass an untested American army is about to see the dawn of battle.

[Hajo]

Nice Fencer.  I knew you'd have something waiting behind the curtain.