Rachi Ridge MTO (id:#65687)

(ASL 7a - Hollow Legions (3rd Edition) ID: 36)   [next]   [previous]

Leros, Greece 1943-11-12 (4 others)

Overview:

At Churchill's urging, British Troops of the 234th Infantry Brigade began occupying the Dodecanese Islands off the Aegean coast of Turkey immediately after the armistice with Italy. Several battalions and support units were placed on Kos and Leros to bolster the Italian garrisons there, with the conquest of Rhodes the ultimate goal. The Germans were quick to react, however, recapturing Kos on 4 October. Then in November came their assault on Leros. Enjoying virtually total air superiority, a battalion of 2nd Parachute Division was dropped in coordination with amphibious landings. The paratroopers' objective was the stony and fissured feature known as Rachi Ridge, which lay astride a narrow isthmus in the middle of the island. If they could hold this position, the Allied troops on Leros would be cut in two.

Defender: British (2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers and A Squadron, Long Range Desert Group)  

Errata (source)