The Battle of Souk el Arba
October 22th, 2003, at Game Central
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An Italian column lead by a group of Semovente L40s entered the area of Souk el Arba shortly after daybreak on November 17th. As they passed through the town of Souk el Arba, they spotted British troops moving into the valley from the north. Almost immediately, British artillery began raining down upon the Italian Semoventes. Unfettered, the Italians took the battle to the British and began closing and firing at anything they could see. Soon, the explosions of Italian artillery were felt by the British as well. The Semoventes kept up the pressure and sniped at any British units they could see. Meanwhile British artillery continued to rain on the Semoventes. One Semovente unit fell, then another. But the Italians kept pushing and finally found the British artillery position behind a hill. The British, who were lacking AT capabilities, made a tactical withdrawal from the area to fight another day. Loses for both sides were light. In the end, the Italians held the area of Souk el Arba, including its fair weather air field. |
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British pound Semoventes with pack howitzers |
One Semovente down, two others under fire |
Italian forces invest the town |
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This mighty armored vehicle was repeatedly suppressed, but never knocked out |
Italian flanking moves cause a flurry of artillery fire by both sides |
British face off against close-range attacks by Semoventes (note pack howitzers) |
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British finally disengage in stages |
Generals grin above the battlefield |
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