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Critical Hit (Critical Hit # 6.4 ID: CH146)   [next]   [previous]

Pont Du Fahs, Tunisia 1943-01-20 (1 other)

Overview:

After the bad result of French offensives towards Pont du Fahs in last December 1942, the French troops were in defensive positions near the Wadi Kebir reservoir. As a part of Kampfgruppe Weber, the Gebirgsjager-Regiment 756 fought its first major engagement during Unternehmung Eilbote 1 (Operation Special Delivery). This attack, beginning on January 18, 1943, was intended to clear the Free French Moroccan Infantry Division off the Eastern Dorsal, a mountainous area which dominates the Tunisian Coastal Plain. Supporting the 756th was the 1st Company of the 501st schwere Panzer Abteilung (heavy Tank Battalion) equipped with Tiger 1 tanks. Their orders were to break through at Djebel Solbia. The terrain was very rough, and the 56 ton Tigers had difficulty in maneuvering. The rough terrain, however was no obstacle to the mountain trained 756th. The regiment's performance was considered good for its first time in combat. When the operation was ended January 28, it was considered a success.

Defender: American / British / French (2nd Troop, 'A' Battery, 72nd RA , Anti-Tank Regiment with CCB, 1st Armored Division and Barre Group's Moroccan Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)