Operation Supercharge II

Operation Supercharge II – A part of the Battle of the Mareth Line

Tunisia March 2, 1943

Background

The 5th and 6th New Zealand Brigade as well as the 8th Armored Brigade are ordered to capture hill 184. The hill was defended by the Italians of the 80th Infantry Division (La Spezia) and the 16th Infantry Division (Pistoia) as well as the German 164th Light Africa Division. . The German 15th Panzer division led a counter attack. This battle was the final operation of the campaign known as the Battle of the Mareth Line where General Montgomery broke the eastern Axis defenses in Tunisia.

The allied forces ultimately took the hill along with 5000 casualties and the loss of nearly 100 tanks. The axis forces took 7500 casualties with the remnants of the Italian divisions being amalgamated into other units.

Terrain

 

Operation supercharge II map jpeg

 

Order of Battle (All forces are regulars except Tiger is elite)

Initial Axis Forces:

Two Semovente 75’s, a 40 figure regular infantry battalion which includes 2 MMG, 2x medium mortars and two 47mm AT guns,  one 75mm Howitzer, and to make it extra fun, two 90mm Italian Lancias.

Axis Reinforcements:

3x Pz IV 75 long -arrive T-4

1 Tiger – arrive T-5

Allied Forces:

40 figure Bttn with trucks and 2 MMG, 20 figure heavy weapon Bttn with 2 med mortars, 10 shermans 75mm in 3 or 4 platoons, and 4x 6 pounders in two batteries. Brits also have 3 priests (105mm) and an observer. They can be used off board or can be brought on board at any time. Note off board position to umpire /written note.

Victory Conditions

Allies win by taking the hill and holding it. Axis wins by keeping or retaking the hill.

Scenario Rules

  1. British start in a 2 foot radius quarter circle that has its center on the SE corner of the table.
  2. British may use “off board” movement starting 2′ from the SE corner on either side. The off board column moves 12” per turn and generates a dust cloud at that table edge. The Axis player is told which dust cloud is larger. (The larger dust cloud is made by the force with the most vehicles.
  3. Italians and Germans set up with overwatch, dug in, and at least 12” outside the British starting area.
  4. German Pz IV arrive T-4. German Tiger arrives T-5. All reinforcements start 12 inches from the NW corner of the table.
  5. Tanks and trucks can be hull down if behind the long center axis of the hill.
  6. Lancias can’t be destroyed by small arms fire originating in the front of their gun shield.