Battle of Bir Hacheim Playtest Game

I am planning to hold a refight of this little known battle. I have previously put on this game and the pictures from this can be found here, https://www.facebook.com/pg/New-Buckenham-Historical-Wargamers-302874659765417/photos/?tab=album&album_id=622646034454943

This was held at the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers Club whose facebook page is here https://www.facebook.com/New-Buckenham-Historical-Wargamers-302874659765417/

The models and figures used are a combination of 1/72nd and 1/76th from many suppliers. The rules used are a modified version of Rapid Fire.

After gathering feedback from the players, from the previous game, I will be making some modifications to the Rapid Fire rules and provide players with a revised quick reference sheet and a pamphlet including their scenario information, relevant vehicle data charts and any specialist rules.

The scenario for this game was a small French Foreign Legion force defending a trench line, covered by a minefield butted against an oasis with a desert tomb. These were being attacked by and Axis force of mixed Italian and German DAK.

Here is the entrenched position manned by French Foreign Legion. The figures are a mix of SHQ French Foreign Legion and British Mediterranean figures. Some of the British figures have French Kepi head swaps, (kindly provided by Ian at Shellhole Scenics). This is because although Free French forces had access to some Vichy French clothing stocks they still had to be supplied by the British with further equipment. This led to the defenders of Bir Hacheim wearing a mixture of British and French equipment.

On the other side of the defensive live was an oasis and tomb. The tomb is from Hovels and the trees are scratch built. On the lower left is one of the many French vehicle conversions. Here an Airfix carrier has an EWM French 25mm SA35/SA37 anti tank gun fitted to the front. The figures are again SHQ.

Here part of the Italian Triesti Division cross the dune in the background, after forming up, and advance towards the trenched position.

Here a closer shot of one of the Italian 13/40 tanks leading the way.

The German contingent followed the Italians onto the table and veered to their left to assault the oasis.

One of the leading vehicles, and MMS Panzer III, with some extra stowage.

The Germans also had some anti tank support in the shape of a Pak 38 50mm anti tank gun.

This movement brought the German vehicles into range of the French 1897 MLE 75mm field gun. This model, from MAC, https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MACD72110, has the solid wheels frequently seen on the guns used at Bir Hacheim. SHQ also do a version of this. The figures are SHQ conversions.

Unfortunately the Defenders were unable to hold off the attackers, even though the three Italian tanks all came a cropper when they entered the minefield. Throwing three consecutive ones on a D6 they suffered a light damage, an heavy damage and a destroyed all in the same move. The Germans were able to approach with impunity when the anti tank capability of the French was lost on that flank. This left the only French hope, which was to kill all the German supporting infantry, and force their tanks to attempt 'heroic actions' to close with the remaining French. This did not happen.

On the other flank the Axis forces reduced the numbers of defenders using mortars and long range artillery. Although the high morale of the Foreign Legion meant that they could only be pushed back by close assault the lateness of the day left the Axis with a win and a number of things to incorporate into the rules for the next game.