Cutler's Cross MTO (id:#58773)

Sherry Enterprises (Schwerpunkt # 6: Victoria Cross ID: SP71)   [next]   [previous]

Merdjayoun, Syria 1941-06-19 (3 others)

Overview:

The Vichy Army of the Levant had not rolled over as the British had expected. Everywhere the Vichy put up strong resistance. Nevertheless, the Allies ground forward. The Vichy commanders were equally surprised by the lack of imagination of the invaders. Specifically, the British pursued a three-pronged attack instead of massing their forces. Looking to take advantage of this opportunity, the French counterattacked boldly. The Australian prong, suffering tank fright, lost Merdjayoun. However, they quickly began counterattacking despite having no tank support. A Renault tank and its supporting infantry attacked Lt. Cutler and a work party from his artillery unit. Using LMG fire to strip the tank's infantry from it, Cutler then used an ATR to drive the tank off. Later in the day, Cutler helped rally the Australian attackers, keeping them from being pushed out of the town and into open ground.

Defender: Vichy French (Elements I/6th Regt de la Legion Etrangere; 6th Chasseurs d'Afrique)  

Errata (source)