10th Panzer Takes The High Ground DTO (id:#62955)

(March Madness 2017 Hollis Partisans Pack ID: MM 35)   [next]   [previous]

El Guettar, Tunisia 1943-03-26 (0 others)

Overview:

On 20 March, 1942, the U.S. 1st Ranger Battalion, under COL Darby, conducted a successful infiltration behind Italian positions on Djebel Orbala. Together with 1st Infantry Division, the Rangers captured over 1000 Bersaglieri. On 21 March, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division attacked along Gabes Road against fortified positions held by additional Centauro Armored Division forces. The American infantry made headway and established footholds on the lower (northern) slopes of Djebel el Berda south of Hamra Ridge and Gabes Road. The Ranger Battalion, D Company, was put into position on the right of 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry on 23 March and occupied Hill 772, the highest position on Djebel el Berda which had recently been evacuated by the Italians. From there, the Rangers could observe and call fire down upon all enemy positions and formations along Gabes Road. Advance elements from 10th Panzer arrived in the area on 24 March; immediately recognizing the importance of Hill 772, 10th Panzer's commander dispatched his reserve to recapture this dominating position.

Defender: American (Elements of Company D, 1st Ranger Battalion)  

Errata (source)