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The custom-built battlefield: a work of art. The Germans enter along the lower right and far right edges. The British are set up in and around the village, top left.
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A close-up of the coastal terrain, showing the coast road and bridge over a deep gulley.
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A deep depression with track running through it. This area provided a covered approach for some German infantry.
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The village and its orchards, with British fortifications and roadblocks around it.
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A deep gulley that provided a covered approach for German tanks approaching on the British left flank.
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The battle begins with one of many Ju 87 Stuka dive-bomber attacks on the British defenses. Note roadblock, foxholes, and entrenchments.
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The British set their truck park out in the open in order to lure the Stukas away from the troops. But the German pilots had their orders.
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Upon first sight of approaching German infantry, British Mark VI tanks raced forward from the British left flank.
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And more Mark VI tanks came out to harass the enemy from the British right flank as well.
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A Stuka takes more than a passing interest in the Mark VI's. Being strafed and bombed isn't much fun when you're driving a tin can.
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The quarry of the British light tanks: dismounted motorized infantry, part of 8th Machinegun Battalion, on the German left.
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Panzerjäger I's in the rear of another column of motorized infantry scan the area for British light armor.
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Mark VI's on the British left are also attacked by Stukas--relentlessly.
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German infantry on the left flank watch some of their transport catch fire as it is struck by machine-gun fire from the British tanks.
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In the German center, armored engineers dismount from their halftracks to scout for mines. A Panzerjäger I waits in overwatch.
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Three groups of German infantry make their way through the depressions and scrub. Trucks are only useful on the roads, and most are left behind.
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The Luftwaffe is sent to deal with the armored menace that is slowing the advance of the infantry. Mark VI's feeling conspicuous in the open.
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The German advance as seen from a high reconnaissance plane. Note the Panzerjager I's engaging Mark VI's at upper right.
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One Stuka is shot down by a 40mm Bofors, and the British tanks trade fire with German machine-guns.
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Enter the cavalry! These are old British cruiser tanks of 3rd Armoured Brigade sent forward to protect the village.
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A sudden swift move by the lone surviving Mark IV brings it into a dangerous flanking position. But the Panzerjäger I's are just a little too quick--and lucky!
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Enter the panzers! Mark IV's in the foreground, Mark III's in the gulley at upper right. A battery of 105mm howitzers unlimbers on a small hill, at upper left.
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A better view of the 105 howitzer battery.
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Curse those 25-pounders! British artillery begins to drop on the main center road. Germans scatter.
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Just to make sure no British tanks decide to make an appearance, a 50mm Pak 38 (left) and a dreaded 88mm Flak gun (right) unlimber to cover the German advance.
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A Stuka braves the 40mm flack to have a go at the cruiser tanks. They prove to be tougher than the Mark VI lights.
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And this is all that's left of the light tanks on the British right: burning hulks. The Luftwaffe did its job well.
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Suddenly the Germans are faced with the bizarre specter of an Italian tank attack. No, wait, those are manned by English crews! It's an odd collection of armor from 3rd Armoured Brigade.
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Another view of the same subject. British cruisers start to trade shots with German tanks at upper left.
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Stukas pile onto the Bofors AA gun on the German left. Nothing can be allowed to slow the offensive!
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Kaboom! British cruisers are taken apart by enemy 105's firing directly. It was spectacular, but it was the first and last time the German artillery had a role in the battle.
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On the British right flank, a 2-pounder AT gun opens up on the column of enemy trucks on the unpaved road.
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The German drivers press ahead bravely but foolishly. No more transport may budge until that 2-pounder is taken care of.
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After the nearest Bofors is silenced by a breakdown, the Luftwaffe pummels the erstwhile Italian vehicles with modest results.
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The Germans are moving up in the center to a position behind the line of hills in front of the village.
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The German left flank pushes past burning wrecks from both sides. A Panzerjäger I covers the advance.
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Light Mark II tanks of 5th Panzer Regiment keep out of harm's way by taking cover in small depressions.
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A closer look at the British M13/40 medium tanks with their Italian "sand and spinach" camouflage.
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German Mark IV's duel with enemy tanks and an antitank gun at medium range. One has already been knocked out by the gun.
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Some M13/40's reinforce the front trenchline in case the Germans come over the top.
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A platoon's worth of M13/40 tanks sorties out from the village area to halt enemy tank movements on the British far left.
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German infantry close in on the center hill. An ominous spotting round drops in their midst.
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All hell breaks loose as a 25-pounder barrage blankets the road again. The center is a dangerous place.
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Our gracious host with our rigorous referee doing a sighting check.
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A German tank officer--doomed to extinction like the fantastic creatures behind him? Time will tell.
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A British 2-pounder goes up in a puff of smoke as more German infantry and trucks move into position to assault the British right.
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The German 88 is unlimbered in a depression, and opens up on distant British-crewed M13/40's in an attempt to help open the way for the panzers.
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The leisurely pace of the advance is shattered by the staccato crack of rifle and machine-gun fire from British trenches. The German left flank reels.
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Unfortunately a hornet's nest has been stirred up; and the hornets are quite capable of strafing and bombing.
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Panzerjäger I's pour fire into the British trenches. Maximum fire from all available sources is brought to bear.
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The last British tanks in the open on the left are knocked out by tank fire and some lucky shots from the 88. German tanks rumble towards the village.
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German pressure on the British right and center becomes acute as infantry masses for a push, supported by Panzerjägers.
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