Fourka #2*
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Anzac Delay vs German Advance (Escort Crew mission)*

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19 April 1941*

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Scenario Design: Pyros Lambert*
Map Design: Pyros Lambert*
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Primary Objectives:*
You should deploy in the SouthWest location near end of the trail and you must try to escort the 6-in crews. to the abandoned gun located at the artillery park (visible at turn1).*
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Secondary Objectives:*
You should try to breakthrough the enemy infantry that is around the artillery park in order to escort the Crews back to the abandined guns (visible at turn1).*
You should try to delay the enemy Mtn troops to the NW in order to buy time for the rest of your army to retrieve the guns and return back to safety.*
You should try to inflict maximum damage to the enemy.*
You should be very cautious with the casualty rate of your Core Force because you might face total destruction during this battle!*
For the reason that the ammo levels of your troop (those stationed at the arty park) is critical you must collect ASAP the ammo containers that the Italian Gargo planes will accidentally airdrop to your position (before the German scouts have the time to destroy the captured ammo containers).*
You should try to delay the Pz advance toward your lines (SW) through the mountain trail that will happen after turn50*
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INTEL:*
You will face one Mtn Bn advancing from the North-West, one Inf Bn advancing from the North-East,  one Pz Bn advancing from the N, and two Pioneer Coys advancing from the East (approx turn50).*
The village will be target of a North-directional attack, and the enemy patrols will try to infiltrate your lines.*
I suggest you to deploy your artillery assets somewhere to the SW corner.* 
Be cautious with the enemy ON-Map artillery units and try to counter-strike them at any occasion (look for smoke traces).*
The enemy will receive as reinforcements several ammo units (resupply) next to each on map artillery after turn 50.*
If everything else fails try to make a last hold next to the artillery park in the South-West location.*
Whenever possible try to take advantage of the tall buildings.*
The enemy is controlling both the North of the battlefield.*
If you fail to delay enough the advance of the Mtn Bn (to the NW) you might be trapped between to fronts.*
The first wave of main enemy task force will arrive near the arty depot at about turn 30, so try to retrieve the abandoned guns before turn 30.* 
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Historical Background*
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The Passes of Fourka  *
(text from www.nzetc.org)*
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Lee had left another rearguard at Fourka, however, and this, too, had no anti-tank guns. So Sweetzer's six remaining guns went into action in defence of the Fourka Pass. Here they suffered more than air attack; for the enemy brought up artillery and made liberal use of mortars. Tanks also appeared and were engaged by tanks with Lee Force. As the engagement was warming up word came that all other troops were safely past Lamia and this final rearguard could withdraw. The injudicious dissemination of these orders to men engaged with the enemy (though not, again, to Sweetzer) caused something of a panic as infantry raced to their vehicles. In the midst of the storm the six guns of 33 Battery attracted much fire and could not reply to it.*
The anti-tankers responded splendidly and two of them were decorated later for what they did here: Lance- Sergeant Harper (MM) and Second-Lieutenant Hill (MC). One gunner was not decorated but rebuked for indifference to danger that amounted to foolhardiness. Harper's citation reads in part that his gun position,‘owing to the sudden retirement of the infantry and MG platoon, was exposed to accurate observed fire of enemy 5-9-inch infantry guns. In withdrawing his gun L/Sgt Harper showed the utmost coolness and parade precision in giving his orders and seeing them carried out, with the result that his gun and detachment were enabled to get out from what appeared to be an impossible position. On reaching the position of assembly, to which the shelling had switched, this NCO again showed marked coolness in holding his men together in spite of a general panic of infantry and tanks….’*
And Hill, according to his citation,‘supervised the embussing of Australian infantry on such vehicles and tanks as were available under considerable and accurate shelling of the road … and … was largely responsible for the safe withdrawal of the infantry and anti-tank guns and preventing the incipient panic from spreading….’*
Both citations actually speak of the Dhomokos Pass; but the Fourka Pass was the scene of the actions for which Hill and Harper were decorated. The anti-tankers were not sorry to leave it. As they passed through Lamia the Stukas were sleeping, but the town still cringed from their blows and fires were alive in many places among the shattered buildings.*
