Iraq 1941 - Scenario 5
ASSAULT ON FALLUJA
Scenario
This scenario represents the assault river crossing of the Euphrates at Falluja.
It is a planned assault on prepared positions defending a 177 foot long
iron bridge.
Introduction
The British, having removed the immediate threat to Habbaniya and staged a break
out at Sinn el Dhibban, two weeks ago are advancing on Baghdad.
To do so they must cross the Euphrates and the most direct route is along
the main road. The bridge and the
town behind are held in some strength by the Iraqis.
Ground
The ground for 4 miles in front of the bridge is flooded as a result of the
deliberate flooding of the low lying areas.
The incomplete road running along the top of Hammond’s Bund is cut and
the water is roaring through the gap.
The engineers and Gurkhas crossed it during the night.
About a mile from the bridge and extending towards it are fields and
orchards. The ground that is not
flooded or arable is mainly open desert covered with low bushes and mounds.
The main road runs along the south side
of the Euphrates. The town is on
the far bank and it has the main road running trough it to Baghdad, to the north
are marshes and three good tracks.
To the south are some low hills and two more good tracks.
The most significant features are the River Euphrates and the steel bridge.
Beyond the bridge is the town of Falluja.
The Iraqi forces are dug in around the bridge.
General Outline
The British are approaching Falluja in strength from the west.
The defenders are expecting an attack by a large force from the west and
south. The British have air
superiority.
Brit Force Briefing
Mission: To capture Falluja bridge
intact and take the town beyond.
Execution: The operation has three
phases.
Phase 1: Air Landing to east of
Falluja
Phase 2 South: Assault the bridge
and town
Phase 3: Occupy the town
Forces
Air Landing Force 1 x Vickers
Valentia
1 x Company 1/KORR + 1 x Vickers MMG |
Southern Assault Force
2 x Coy Assyrian Levies
2 x 3” mortar, 2 x MMG, trucks
2 x RAF Armoured Cars
2 x 3.7” How, mules
2 x OP teams
Support (off table) 2 x 25 pdr
2 x OP teams (on Table) |
Air Operations 2 x Hawker Audax
1 x Blenheim IV Bomber
2 x Oxford
1 x Blenheim IVF
2 x Gladiators |
Northern Assault Force
3 x Columns each: 1 x Coy 2/7
Gurkhas & 1 x platoon KORR, on foot
1 x Coy Assyrian Levy, on foot
1 x 3” mortar, 1 x MMG, pack mules
1 x 3.7” How, truck
1 x RAF Armoured Car |
The
Iraqi defenders are estimated at a weak battalion in strength with possible
militia support. They have been
“bombarded” by leaflets telling them of the large forces approaching them.
The northern columns are late, delayed by difficult ground.
About dawn the RAF ill cut communications from Falluja by flying Audax sorties
through the telephone wires.
After dawn Vickers Valentia transports will land a company of 1/KORR to the east
of the town to prevent any reinforcements reaching it from Baghdad.
Iraqi Force Briefing
Mission: To hold the town and the
bridge until enough explosives arrive to destroy it.
Execution: The troops are in their
night positions at the bridge, the south of the town in the low hills and in
reserve. The British are expected
to attack from the west and the south.
You are to maintain a reserve of at least 1 company. The battalion has
suffered casualties and has now only 3 of its 4 companies and has lost its
mortars.
The reinforcements including the engineers with explosives are expected at any
time from Baghdad along the main road.
First Line Infantry Battalion
(all transport is horse drawn unless stated)
HQ Coy, 1 x HQ car, 1 x HQ truck
1 x wagon with twin Lewis AAMG
2 x MG platoons each cart and Vickers MMG
3 x Inf Coy
Artillery
2 x Batteries each
1x horse drawn 3.7” How and 1 x OP party |
Iraqi Reinforcements
HQ: 1 x car
Support: 1 x Boys ATk
Rifle, 1 x MMG, 2 crew, driver, 1 x light truck
2 x Rifle companies
Transport: 4 x drivers, 4 x 3-ton trucks
Armoured Car troop:
2 x Crossley armoured cars
Artillery Battery
OP Car, 1 x 3.7” How and truck with crews.
Engineer Section
Officer, 1 x LMG, 8 x Rifles, driver, 1 x 3 ton truck with explosives. |
Playing the Game
Before the game starts determine the arrival time of the northern column if you
are allowing it at all. Though if
you don’t then it will be very tough the attackers unless the defenders are
really demoralised. In a balanced
wargame they will probably need to arrive as it will be little fun for either
player if the Iraqi troops run away as the Assyrians attack the bridge.
So in this scenario we will expect the Iraqis to fight.
Therefore, roll a d6 and the column arrives on its own track(this table
may need to be adjusted for your favourite rules):
Roll |
Left column |
Centre column |
Right column |
|||
|
Entry |
Turn |
Entry |
Turn |
Entry |
Turn |
1 |
A |
12 |
B |
14 |
C |
16 |
2 |
A |
10 |
B |
9 |
C |
lost |
3 |
A |
10 |
B |
12 |
B |
9 |
4 |
A |
lost |
B |
lost |
C |
12 |
5 |
A |
12 |
A |
10 |
C |
8 |
6 |
A |
lost |
C |
9 |
C |
11 |
The Iraqi reserves will never arrive.
At some stage, towards the middle part of the action, probably as the
fighting at the bridge is about to begin, send a signal to the Iraqi commander;
“Reinforcements delayed by air attack.
Imperative you hold bridge and current positions”.
At this point release the air landed force to the British commander.
Then as the British forces approach send the Iraqi commander another
signal, “Reinforcements delayed indefinitely.
Hold until relieved”.
Actually the reinforcements have been destroyed by RAF air attack along the
Baghdad – Falluja road. You may add
some “eye witness” reports of smoke on the horizon and the sight and sound of
heavy air raids. They may be
allowed to arrive to balance things out (see below).
The RAF may use up to 2 aircraft
loads of “Screaming Bombs” these
force an immediate morale throe o the Iraqi forces subjected to the attack.
Winning the Game
The British win if they take the bridge intact.
The Iraqis win if they hold the bridge at the end of the game.
There is no other result.
Notes
The Assyrians have very high morale and can be considered elite as can the
Gurkhas.
Alternative Actions
Allow the British forces to be complete at the start and allow the Iraqi
reinforcements (depleted by air attack) to enter the fray.
When this option is played allow the air landed force to be in ambush positions
near their arrival point.
Historical Action
The northern force was divided into three columns each made
up of a company of Gurkhas and Assyrians, some captured 3.7” howitzers and
armoured cars. They crossed the
Euphrates on a pontoon ferry at Sinn el Dhibban.
However the crossing and the flooded land beyond through the village of
Saqwaliya was so difficult that the battle was won before they reached Falluja.
A company of 1/Essex was flown in Valentia transports without
mishap beyond Falluja on the track leading to the sluice at Notch Fall.
Here it was to prevent reinforcements reaching Falluja from Baghdad and
to prevent the sluices being opened to flood the low lying ground.
A relief column was despatched from Baghdad and its vehicles
were destroyed on the road by air attack.
The wreckage included a truck laden with explosives that were probably
destined for the destruction of the bridge.
In the action the Iraqis were demoralised and fled after a
token resistance at the bridge.
Note on Terrain Models
The long bridge can be represented by the Airfix/Dapol girder bridge, Airfix
pontoon bridge or similar.
Iraqi Counter Attack at Fallujah
River Crossing at Habib Shawi and Qrmat Ali