Iraq 1941 - Scenario 2
NIGHT PATROL AT RAF HABBANIYA
Scenario
This scenario represents one of many night patrol actions that led to the
defenders dominating the ground around the airfield.
It is suited to a skirmish level action.
Introduction
The flat ground between the station and the plateau was under observation from
the Iraqi positions. During
daylight the Iraqis are confined to their positions by air attack.
However the main threat to the air base comes from a dawn attack bu
troops that have moved into position during the night in order to launch a
surprise attack.
Ground
The north edge of the table is the airstrip itself.
This is picketed by RAF armoured cars and Iraqi Levy positions to enable
night flying. The south side of the
table is the forward edge of the plateau.
Between these lies the main east – west road with flat ground split by
ditches, fields and low irrigation bunds.
There are the four unoccupied low building with some trees and fields
around their irrigation ditches.
British Force Briefing
Mission: To establish LPs in each
of the farms and patrol aggressively beyond the LPs in order to deny the ground
to the enemy.
Execution: Your Company is Patrol
Company for tonight. It is
composed:
3 x Platoons (Fighting Patrols) 1 x Officer, 1 x SMG, 1 x LMG, 6 x Rifles
You are to escort the LPs, establish
them and then carry the battle to the enemy with your fighting patrols.
You are use ambush tactics where possible to minimise casualties and you
are take prisoners for interrogation.
You have the battalion 3” mortars on priority call for illuminating targets (no
HE).
Iraqi Force Briefing
Mission: To establish Listening
Posts (LP) in each of the farms and patrol aggressively beyond the LPs in order
to deny the ground to the enemy.
Execution: Your Company is Patrol
Company for tonight. It is
composed:
You are to escort the LPs, establish them and then carry the battle to the enemy
with your fighting patrols. You are
use ambush tactics where possible to minimise casualties and you are take
prisoners for interrogation.
You have a battery of 3.7” Howitzers on priority call for illuminating targets
(no HE).
Playing the Game
Lay out the terrain with the farms roughly equidistant from the opposing start
lines (not necessarily their front lines).
Both commanders write their patrol orders detailing the approximate patrol
and/or ambush areas.
Both sides start out at the same time.
Winning the Game
The British win if they prevent the Iraqis from establishing any LPs.
They may claim a victory if they take more Iraqis prisoner than the
Iraqis take British prisoners.
The Iraqis win if they prevent the British from establishing any LPs.
. They may claim a victory
if they take more British prisoner than the British take Iraqis prisoners.
If either side forces the other to withdraw then that side wins outright.
Any other result is a draw.
Notes
Both sides are evenly matched and so the result will depend largely on the
opposing plans and initial deployments.
The night is dark and there is scope for concealed movement.
The use of random artillery flares is always present and so a die is
rolled each turn and on a 6 an illuminating round drops above a randomly
determined point in no-man’s-land.
Those caught in its glare (say 12” diameter) may improve their chance of
remaining concealed by halting. If
they move they can be spotted more easily.
Gun flashes may only be seen by those directly in front of them.
And the flashes only give direction not range.
I used black card with yellow/orange flashes painted on them.
Alternative Actions
If this is played several times then the British may have a platoon or two of
Assyrian Levies instead of British ones.
These are Officer, LMG, 7 rifles. They have good morale and average
shots.
The Iraqi player may have a militia platoon of an Officer, LMG (Lewis), 8
rifles. They have poor morale
and average shots. They do not have
bayonets.
Historical Action
Similar actions took place every night and the British and Assyrian Levies
totally dominated the ground.
Iraqi Counter Attack at Fallujah
River Crossing at Habib Shawi and Qrmat Ali
What If the Arab Legion and Legion Freies Arabien Met?