Contro-Attacco a Gallabat!*
*
Date: November 7, 1940*
*
Battle Type: Italian Assault vs Indian Defend*
*
Design by Ed Mortimer*
*
Updated for v6*
*
*
At dawn, November 6th, after a violent air bombing and heavy artillery shelling, the 10th Indian Brigade attacked the fort at Gallabat in Sudan that the Italians had captured earlier. The Garhwali battalion, spearheaded by 6 Matildas and 6 Mk VIs took the fort.  The British then planned on sending the Essex, again supported by the tanks, to assault the Italian fort at Metemma in Ethiopia. However, 5 Matildas and 4 Mk VIs were lost taking Gallabat, and the Essex were spent after a hard battle.*
*
The next day the Garhwalis crossed the Abuchineira stream, but were stopped and thrown back by heavy machinegun fire. An immediate and determined Italian counterattack by Colonial Troops commanded by Lt. Col. C. Liuzzo followed. According to the British, the counterattack failed; according to the Italians, it managed to drive most of the Garhwalis out of Fort Gallabat. In any case, both sides had many casualties, and the Italians lost all their leading officers.*
*
However, it was the Regia Aeronautica which was to shine in this engagement as roaring SM 79 bombers, accompanied by 20 fighters, attacked the captured fort. Under the rain of bombs and bullets, the British and Indian forces panicked and many soldiers fled. Most Garhwalis kept their positions but a few bewildered units retreated. Only Brigadier Slim's personal intervention prevented the Essex from melting away.*
*
Subsequent Italian air raids severely hit the Garhwalis and caused high losses. When the British attempted to take the battle to the skies, the Italians shot down 7 British fighters at the cost of 2 Italian planes.  The Italian Air Force ruled the sky.*
*
Substantial Italian reinforcements began arriving the next day, and the British and Indians fled. The battle was over. It had unquestionably been a scorching British setback.*
*
This assault/defend scenario encompasses the Italian counter attack from the ground and the air, and is better played from the Italian side.  If playing the Indian side, increase Italian Troop Toughness to 150%, and Italian Searching to 150% -- to counteract poor AI tactics.*