On February 3, 1941, air reconnaissance revealed that the Italians were preparing to abandon the city of Benghazi. General O’Connor, in charge of the British and Commonwealth forces, dispatched the 7th Armoured Division with the aim of heading off the Italian retreat. By the afternoon of February 5, a blocking position had been established south of Beda Fomm, across the enemy’s two routes of retreat. After capturing the surprised advance units of the Italian column, the British engaged the main Italian force on February 6. Although the Italians boasted 100 cruiser tanks and the British could field fewer than one-third of that number, British tank commanders utilized the terrain far more skillfully. When night fell, 60 of the Italian tanks had been crippled, and the remaining 40 were found abandoned the following day; only 3 of the British tanks had been knocked out. A decisive British victory.
The retreat routes blocked by the 7th Armour.
Italian Tanks
British Matildas
First turn of th game – the matilda of Dave K opens fire………..
4 Hits and no saves by David S seesan Italian tank brew up without even moving!!
Revenge is sweet as the 90mm of the Italian tank penetrates the Matilda.
Having out- manuevered the British, David S had nine dice into the side armour of the the second Matilda – not one hit!! The Matilda’s return fire quickly ending game one.
Swapping sides game two turned out to be more of a drawn out affair with most hits being saved.
The protagonists advanceon each other.
The Italian tank in a bit of trouble. – at least it would be if I could get to shoot!!
Edging past one tank the Italians couldn’t get past the second as the Matilda’s turrent moved and opened fire.
With one of the Matildas down to one dice this game was going down to the wire but their armour was proving the deciding factor as the Italians shots were bouncing off. Gradually losing any ability to respond as the hits mounted up on the Italians they lost their final dice and abandon their tank and the battlefield.
Two wins to the British – one decisive and the second a near run thing.