On 8 November, 1942, the Americans landed in Morocco
and Algeria along with their British Allies.
By the 17th, they were in Tunisia on a front
stretching from Beja through Pichon, Sidi bon Zid,
and to Gafsa, but it was a very thinly manned line.
The Axis responded, first with Stukas at Beja and
leveled the town. When the French General Barre in
Medjez-el-Bab finally threw in with the Allies,
the opposing armies were on his doorstep.
The ensuing battle was brutal and forced an Allied
retreat toward Beja. The battle for northern Tunisia
would stalemate at Medjez-el-Bab. December and January
would pass as the stalemate continued.
On Valentines Day, 1943, Rommel attacked the
Americans not in the north, but in central Tunisia.
With hindsight, it could be debated that the Allied
Command leadership up to this point in North Africa
was criminal. There was certainly plenty of blame to
be shared. Indefensible positions at Fiad Pass were
lost, then Sidi bon Zid fell. Gafsa was abandoned.
Sbeitla and Kesserine were left undermanned and
inviting to the Wehrmacht due to poor radio discipline
and finally, withdrawal.
It is at this desperate juncture on February 20th
that we pick up the battle with a ragtag force of
Americans holding Kesserine Pass west of the town of
the same name.
Aircraft are traditionally available at all vBase in
the AvA. No bombs on any fighter except the Bf110C-4.
Allies:
A20G 4x250lb or 2x500 lb bombs
P-40E
P39D, Q
Spit V, IX
Hurri IIC
B-25C 8x250 lb bombs
Boston III with 4x250 lb bombs
C-47
Storch
M4s (76mm) + Sherman
Firefly
Jeep
M3
M8
M16
Axis:
C. 202
109F-4
109G-2
190A-5
110C-4b
Ju-87D Stuka 1x250 + 4x50kg
He-111 32x50kg or 8x250kg
C-47
Storch
Panzer IV F, H
Tiger I
Jeep
SdKfz 251
M8
Ostwind
Wirble
Terrain: avatunis
Settings:
Friendly icons-- 3k
Enemy icons-- 0k
Radar everywhere
Killshooter is on.
Visibility is 12.0 miles
Fuel burn rate is 1.0
Ack settings are .25
Base capture: 10 troops
Designer notes:
P38-G wasn't there in time to participate and would
over balance the setup.
Spitfire Mk IX was there and is countered by the
Fw190A-5, a sub for the A-4.
Bf109G-2 was referenced as being in N. Africa in
this time period and helps balance.
