ITLSU - The Labyrinth, 1st Gaza 1917

[Martin1914]

Over the New Year we were able to play a game of 'If the Lord Spares Us' (Toofatlardies) using Pendrakens (mostly).

In March 1917 the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force had secured the Sinai and was poised to strike at Gaza, to open the door to Palestine. Aerial reconnaissance reported that the Turks had prepared a ring of defences between the sea and a ridge of high ground shielding the east of the town. Whilst Australian and Yeomanry mounted troops encircled and isolated the town to north and east, the 53rd (Welsh) Division would attack from the south and south east to capture the dominating high ground centred on the Ali Muntar Hill, thereby inducing the garrison to surrender. (Photo1)

(Photo2) The attack on 26th March would require 160th (Welsh Border) Brigade to carry a redoubt (subsequently named 'The Labyrinth') that lay on its axis of advance along the ridge, on the western slope of the 'Green Hill', to the southeast of Gaza. For this operation, Brigadier-General Butler commanded three of his English Territorial battalions, supported by a MG Company and two batteries of 18-pounders (all Saturday Boys – SR1). In addition, a heavy battery of 60-pounders (Jolly Good Fellows – SR0) was to be directed by air spotter. Early morning fog had disrupted deployment, reconnaissance and artillery registration.

[Martin1914]

(Photo3) The Turkish 1/79th Regiment had orders to Hold this sector of the defences, together with a detachment of regimental MGs (all Johnny Turks – SR2) and a battery of Austrian mountain howitzers (Kaiser Bills – SR0) in support. The battalion deployed with three companies and the MGs forward and one company in reserve. Two 'dummy' patrols were thrown forward. The biggest defensive asset were the thick cactus hedges enclosing the strip farming on the lower western slopes. This was expected to channel any British advance along the open ridge, so wire was positioned to protect the 'Green Hill', along with a registered defensive fire target on the road junction for the artillery.

(Photo4) The Turks were on the alert and deployed the defenders in the upper part of the redoubt at an early opportunity. Primarily to be able use the Austrian Forward Observer and his howitzers.

[Martin1914]

(Photo5) However, the first enemy to appear was Lieutenant Bigglesworth of the RFC flying his BE2c, who spotted one of the forward patrol posts.

(Photo6) The British brigade was approaching. But its units were under strict orders not to advance into view, but to remain in dead ground. The Brigadier chose to establish his headquarters to the south of a small hillock ready to issues orders once he'd a had a good look at the defences in front of him. He told the Forward Observer from 265th Brigade RFA to get his line communications back to the guns working. He was authorised to devise and submit a timed barrage fire-plan by both batteries, to cut the wire near the road and enable direct entry to the redoubt for the infantry. Only a limited reserve of gun ammunition was to be kept.

[Martin1914]

(Photo7) Beware the Hun in the Sun! A Rumpler two-seater suddenly flew overhead and spotted the 160th Machine Gun Company as it took post along the crest of the small hillock. It disappeared just as quickly, no doubt to report their location.

(Photo8) Now only too aware that there may be enemy aircraft about, Biggles decided to stop spotting enemy patrols and get on with his primary role of the day, to register the 10th Heavy Battery RGA on the redoubt. Readying his map and clock-code, he tapped out the letter 'G' on his wireless transmitter.

[Martin1914]

(Photo9) B/265th Battery were the first to fire its initial serial of the British barrage. Its fire (8x4" zone) was unregistered and fell to the left of the target. A/265th followed immediately afterwards, but its fire was both left and too short. ("At least they're both shredding cactus!")

(Photo10) The British Brigade MG Officer was on orders to Engage, and he directed his guns on the Turkish MGs in the redoubt, causing a high level of suppression on the supporting infantry.

[Martin1914]

(Photo11) In response the Turks brought a third MG into action, but in the ensuing MG duel they would be soundly beaten. The Turkish two-MG detachment was attached to the 1st Battalion to supplement its own MG. This was intended to simplify command and control, and dispersal to separate locations was to counter any artillery bombardment. However, this deployment was unable to compete with the firepower of the British massed MGs. Although the hard cover of the trenches kept casualties down to a single machine-gunner, suppression was increasing at an alarming rate which the Battalion headquarters was unable to control.
The British Forward Observer corrected the fire of both batteries onto the target wire.

(Photo12) The British fire support, both artillery and MGs, was unrelenting. As the timed barrage finished, the Brigadier anxiously peered through his binoculars. He saw that his guns had cut the wire on the road, assessed the adjacent wire section to be crossable and thought to himself, "That'll do!"

[Martin1914]

(Photo13) The British heavy guns called for by Biggles may have been slow to fire (4x4" zone), but these Regular Army gunners were spot on for accuracy, destroying an MG, killing the nearby battalion officer and causing double suppression.

(Photo14) Seeing that the upper redoubt was getting more than enough attention from the artillery, The British Brigade MG Officer switched the fire of his guns to the lower redoubt. Both remaining Turkish MGs were unable to stand the suppression and left their posts for the rear.

[Martin1914]

(Photo15) Not wanting to run out of limited ammunition before the onset of the enemy infantry attack, the Austrian Forward Observer had made the mistake of not engaging the British MGs went he first saw them. He now directed his howitzers with a single turn of fire (12x4" zone) on the small hillock. It was unregistered fire and he disappointingly saw it overshoot. He wasn't to know it had hit someone in the dead ground beyond.

A house rule that off-table barrage fire can inflict damage to troops under Blinds.

(Photo16) A little rashly perhaps, the Brigadier took his headquarters and Forward Observer onto a further rise, closer to the enemy. He felt safe and wanted to be in command distance of the coming assault. With the gap in the wire achieved and the enemy MGs removed, he turned to his Brigade Major, nodded and said, "Send them in." Due to the continuing suppressive weight of fire, the Turkish defenders were keeping their heads down. The British advance along the ridge was rapid and unseen.

[Martin1914]

(Photo17) Another Turkish Company was spotted in the western fire trench. On his own initiative Biggles adjusted the fire of the heavy guns onto the lower redoubt.

(Photo18) The British infantry were spotted as they launched the assault. A small advance patrol had been unnecessary to trigger any surprises before reaching the redoubt. The 1/4th Royal Sussex had been echeloned forward-right to sweep round the wire onto the 'Green Hill', whilst the 2/10th Middlesex headed straight through the gap in the wire.

[Martin1914]

(Photo19) Hoping it wasn't too late the Austrian Forward Observer called for fire on the registered defensive fire target. The howitzers responded quickly and caught the rear of the Middlesex, causing casualties and suppression. Fortunately for these two companies, they were still in extended order and not densely bunched to get through the gap in the wire. They showed A Stiff Upper Lip and readied themselves to follow their comrades.

(Photo20) The Turkish company on the 'Green Hill' were still too affected by MG suppression to show any tenacity in holding the fire trench against the Sussex. They were beaten in close combat and ran to the rear of the redoubt. Endeavouring the stop the British entering the redoubt, the 1st Battalion ordered its reserve company into a local counter-attack. Undeterred by the sight of their fleeing countrymen, 4th Company charged forward to plug the breach.

[Martin1914]

(Photo21) They were not up to the task. Losing two thirds of their number in close combat, they broke and ran back into the town. The leading Middlesex company had broken into the redoubt with no losses. Still under heavy gun and MG fire, the Turkish company in the lower redoubt was forced to the rear, as were the shaken MG crews. This left the Austrian Forward Observer isolated in the upper redoubt with enemy troops close by. Was it time to get out?

The rules state he will evade on his next activation, but I missed this.......and every story needs an ending.

(Photo22) The Brigadier thought he could see a route through the cactus, whilst also avoiding the nullahs, on the west of the ridge. He ordered his supporting battalion into the lower ground. The 2/4th Queens had been hit earlier by the Austrian howitzers whilst it had formed up in dead ground, but it didn't hesitate to go forward. Its leading companies exchanged rifle fire with the Turks moving uphill to try and retain some hold of the redoubt.

[Martin1914]

(Photo23) The Brigadier had every right to feel confident. The Brigade was on top form! The Turks appeared to be on the run. The Sussex had captured the fire trench on the 'Green Hill' and the Middlesex were in the upper redoubt. He was sure the Queens would get into the lower redoubt. The artillery had done all asked of it to cut the wire and the Forward Observer now directed the last shells onto the rear of the redoubt, to protect the consolidation of the break-in. The lad flying the plane had the good sense to do likewise. The MGs had been expertly handled and the Brigadier began forming the words of an MC citation in his head for the Brigade MG Officer.

(Photo24) Isolated in the highest part of the redoubt and fearful of the imminent arrival of the British, the Austrian Forward Observer trembled at the thought of what he was about to do with the last of the howitzers' ammunition. He wound the telephone set and ordered, "Gebrockener Pfeil! Gebrockener Pfeil!" Hankering down at the side of the trench, he closed his eyes. The artillery response was impressively rapid and accurate. He heard the detonations as the shells screamed into his own position and expected every moment to be his last. Yet when the explosions stopped, he was still breathing. He could hear men screaming and shouting, and when he opened his eyes, an enemy soldier was stood over him pointing a bayonet at his face. "You're a crazy bastard aren't you. Up you get! Hands up!" The Austrian didn't understand, but the bayonet said it all.

The scenario mechanism of two Blank Cards after the British first enter the redoubt, failed bring on the Turkish reinforcements of two companies and a MG from the 3rd Battalion. I felt it would make little difference against such British numbers and I excepted defeat. After 19 turns of play, the British won losing only 3 infantry figures and a machine-gunner. The Turks lost 1 officer, 7 infantry figures and an MG crew, whilst the bulk of their remaining force withdrew off-table. The Austrian Forward Observer was captured.

Well, Jason Is getting good at this! The post-game discussion covered timings of events due to the card activation system, the effectiveness of artillery against troops both in and out of trenches, and the use of MGs. I'm thinking of amending the scenario amount of artillery fire available to the British, but it was dice determined, and Jason rolled well. We agreed that the winning factor was the massed MG fire with its bonuses, as intended in the rules.

Wishing everyone well for 2023!

[fred.]

A great looking game Martin - very natural looking terrain. 

And thank you for providing such a detailed bat rep, I enjoyed reading it. 

Your experience with the defenders in the trenches is very similar to what we have seen, that the defenders take very few casualties, but take huge amounts of suppression, which they can't rally off. I can't decide if this is realistic or not. I do wonder if troops in trenches should be able to rally off shock more easily, or even just ignore the first point of shock caused, by an attack. 

What are the the sea mine like markers for?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

What an excellent report for a beautiful looking game

[Martin1914]

Hello. Thank you both. Glad you enjoyed the report.

Fred - As for the 'mines', they are to depict HE detonations and mark the artillery fire zones. The smaller ones for field guns and the larger, darker ones for the heavies. The rules make no distinction between types of fire. HE was the easiest. I'll have to have a think about depicting shrapnel.