Circle the Wagons! E-AFR (id:#65706)

(ASL 7a - Hollow Legions (3rd Edition) ID: 257)   [next]   [previous]

Prior Publication: ELR Soldiers of the Negus

Selaclaca, The Shire, Ethiopia 1936-02-29 (1 other)

Overview:

By the end of February, only Ras Imru’s army of Gojjam remained undefeated on the northern front. Imru and his troops had proved themselves to be formidable foes by the first halting, then bottling up the Italians for two months and with the collapse and rout of Ras Kassa’s army to the east, Imru was threatened with encirclement. At a hastily called council of war, it was decided to move across the Takkaze River before being completely cut off. Large groups of “Regulars” would cover the withdrawal. As this plan was being implemented however, the Italians began to move. The 2nd Corps, under General Maravigna, had left Axum on 29 February and began its advance. Italian intelligence had detected no enemy within miles of Axum, so Maravigna deployed his troops in a long column to take advantage of the lone road through the area. No flank guards were sent out. The 21st April Blackshirt Division headed the column, followed by the Gavinana and Gran Sasso Divisions. By mid-day, the slow moving column split up as the 1st April swung off the road to secure some high ground west. The Gaviana, now the lead unit, had just entered a small valley near Selaclaca when it was brought under intense automatic weapon fire from both sides of the road.

Defender: Italian/Eritrean (83º Reggimento Fanteria and 19º Reggimento Artiglieria da Campagna, 19º Divisione Fanteria "Gavinana" and Gruppo Spahis)  

Errata (source)