Un Epineux Probleme (tr : A Thorny Problem) DTO (id:#56822)

Casus Belli (Casus Belli hors-série # 13 ID: CB 2)   [next]   [previous]

East of Medjez-el-Bab, Tunisia 1943-04-30 (4 others)

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Overview:

At the end of April 1943, the German bridgehead in Tunisia was living its last days, and although the outcome of the fighting was no longer in doubt, the last elements of the Panzer Army Afrika were still fighting with the same ardor. The British were now at the gates of Tunis, but any progress beyond Djebel Bou Aoukaz was impossible. Indeed, von Armim had massed more than 130 Panzers there, including the fearsome Tigers. Hard-handed, the British were then forced to bring three RTRs into line to hold their positions. Only one possibility was available to them. Try to pass through the Medjerda Valley, then take the German defense line from behind. But to do that, they must first expel the Fallschirmjägers of FJR 5 from the Cactus Farm and Sidi Abdallah. Indeed, from there, the paratroopers are able to interdict all traffic on the road to Tunis. Nothing too terrible, judged the British, a Priori, an infantry brigade supported by a Royal Tank Regiment should be largely sufficient to neutralize a handful of paratroopers. But too much optimism is harmful, and the British will demonstrate a dismaying amateurism. Incredible but true, Incredible but true, 50 paratroopers resisted an infinitely superior enemy for three days.

Defender: German (I & III Fallschirmjäger Regiment 5)  

Errata (source)