SCENARIO 8
HABIB SHAWI (BASRA)
Scenario:
This scenario centres on the capture of a bridge to open the road north and
involves a diversionary attack and an amphibious assault on prepared positions.
Introduction
Basra has been captured and the base areas secured in the city and at RAF
Shaibah a few kilometres to the south.
It is now time for 10 Indian Infantry Division to start its move
northwards against the insurrectionists holding Baghdad.
The first step on the western approach is to force the bridge at Habib
Shawi. Both sides appreciate the
importance of the bridge. A
previous attempt by the Gurkhas failed to take the bridge but left it under
observation preventing the Iraqis from blowing it up.
Ground
The spring flooding of the land around the Shatt al Arab and Qarmat Ali Creek is
receding leaving the ground near the watercourses muddy and remaining creeks and
canals that crisscross the area full of garbage, excrement, dead dogs, dead
babies and the entrails of donkeys.
The mud of the region has a glue-like quality that makes movement through it
extremely fatiguing.
In the south is the suburb of Qarmat Ali with the main road running north over
the bridge. In the centre is the
road bridge. On the right is the
Shatt al Arab with the suburb of Ma’qil and its quays.
In the middle of the river is a small island.
The water in both the Shatt al Arab is deep enough for a frigate to sail
and the Qarmat Ali creek will take small craft.
The
road bridge is a substantial structure that will take a fair amount of
punishment before being rendered impassable.
The charges on the bridge failed to fire and have been rendered harmless
by a party landed from HMAS Yarra.
The explosives were wet guncotton manufactured in Waltham Abbey in 1937, the
reason for failure being a badly fitted primer.
The bridge is defended in some strength by elements of the Iraqi 4th
Division, a second line formation.
Facing them is the 21 Indian Infantry Brigade and 2/4 Gurkha Rifles in
particular.
Both forces have suffered reverses and are keen to succeed in their appointed
tasks.
21 Indian Infantry Brigade Briefing
The Fd Arty Regt has 4 batteries not 3 in this game to represent the firepower
of 24 guns at 1/6 scale.
One embarked OP party on HMAS Yarra has an improvised tower made from a
telegraph pole and guy ropes with a platform on top.
It will need 4 men to assist in carrying it.
Forces embarked on HMAS Yarra, feluccas and rowing boats may not take transport
elements with them. They will have
to RV somewhere near the road.
The 2/4 Gurkhas have 4 x 3 tonners from the Brigade RASC Company to carry the
Rifle Companies. Each can carry 24
men on roads and tracks but only 12 cross country.
Iraqi Force Briefing
Execution
Your positions are to be marked on a map and the field telephone lines also
marked. The Infantry HQ has 2
exchanges and one of these is connected to Brigade HQ further north.
You have 2 trucks, each able to carry 12 men from the Brigade transport pool.
Playing the Game
This action takes place at night and so involves a lot of concealed positions
and movement. In this case it is
best if there is an umpire to decide any issues of visibility and concealed
movers. An umpire may devise all
sorts of delays and muddles for the players at night.
Since most players will not have a Sloop to hand I suggest that a shadowy card
drawing is used to represent it on the Shatt al Arab.
The whole force from 21 Brigade should be lined up on the “land” table
edge until they land from their boats on the flank.
The amphibious landing should come as a surprise!
Winning the Game
·
The player who controls the bridge and the road at the end of the game wins
outright.
·
If 21 Brigade hold the bridge only they have a partial victory.
·
If the Iraqis block the road but lose the bridge they gain a partial victory.
·
If the Bridge is destroyed the Iraqis win.
Notes
If an umpire is available the he controls the Iraqi Militia until they enter the
fray. The Iraqi militia roll 2 dice
(d6), one red one black when the enemy get within 18” of their positions.
The red die indicates which column to use and the black die result on
that column. This keeps the result
secret from the 21 Brigade player.
The Iraqi player can be kept in the dark too if an umpire is controlling them.
Red Die |
|
|||||
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Result |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
They have already fled taking any weapons and transport with them. |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
They are panicked – half have fled |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
They are disorganised -2 from firing and morale |
4 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
They are in poor shape -1 from firing and morale |
5 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
They are confident – no penalties |
6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
They are over confident and launch an immediate attack. |
1060 tons and 1510 tons
deep load.
Speed: 16.5 knots,
Complement: 100
Armament: 2 x 4.7-inch QF
guns, 1 x 3 –inch, 4 x 2 pounder AA guns.
In this action she also carried the 3” mortars supporting the assault troops
mounted on her decks.
The 4.7” guns on HMAS Yarra in the real action had almost
no real effect because the naval shells were being fired at very close range.
They passed through the mud brick buildings exploding beyond them.
In wargame terms this means that the damage is calculated in the normal
way and reported as “hits” to the 21 Bde player until he gets close enough to
see that the guns have made some neat holes in the buildings.
However, if they are fired at a “hard” target – a vehicle, trenches or
fortifications then they will have the normal effect of a medium artillery hit.
There are a significant number of civilians in the huts and houses.
They will escape at the first opportunity away from any firing.
They have small fishing boats that carry 3-5 people.
If the Iraqi troops choose to escape in these boats they may not be fired
upon by any party with an officer present.
The Old Matchbox kit of the Flower Class Corvette could be used as a
representation or a “wargamer’s approximation” constructed from card if desired.
The area was recced by the captain of the Yarra and 2 petty officers dressed in
Arab clothing. They discovered that
the centre of resistance was a large house north of the creek.
The diversion at the Habib Shawi bridge started at 0200 with Bren and Vickers
fire as well as artillery bombardment of the big house.
This increased as the Iraqis were drawn in as the Gurkhas and Madras
sappers attacked.
Then just before dawn the Yarra opened fire with a heavy bombardment until the
boats hit the shore then a spirited assault with grenade, rifle and kukri took
the house. The Iraqis fled
northwards as dawn broke.
It was then that it was realised that the Yarra’s guns had punched holes in the
house and not reduced it to rubble.
The artillery observers abandoned the telegraph platform and directed fire from
the roof of the house.
The diversionary force stormed over the bridge and both the Gurkhas and Madrassi
Sappers mopped up the remaining Iraqis.
The Iraqis who escaped by boat mixed with the civilians were not fired
at. The CO forbidding anyone to
fire on them in case innocent women and children became casualties.
Then the battalion collected its dead and wounded and marched back to Basra as
the other battalions came forward to exploit the success.
Iraqi Counter Attack at Fallujah
River Crossing at Habib Shawi and Qrmat Ali