Bolt Action Escalation League: Battle report January 2026, Jeff versus Archie
Captain Archie Smith looked across the dust filled lands in front of him. A small desert stream babbled along on his right flank cutting across the land ahead, to his left a stretch of palm trees covered the area. Ahead lay his goal the main desert highway and stone bridge crossing the stream. An empty one storey dwelling stood across the road.
This looked like the ideal position to relocate his small body of men to for the fast descending cold desert night ahead. His small force consisted of two rifle sections about twenty men in total plus himself and his 2nd lieutenant ‘Buggsy’.
To initiate his advance upon the highway, he placed his most experienced section under his personal direction on the right flank,with the stream creating a natural border and protection on his right. His 2nd section of less experienced men he tasked with navigating through the palm trees on his left flank. He felt this would offer them more cover while they moved into position.
Unaware of Cpt Archie’s men creeping silently towards their planned objectives; Oberleutnant Franz Menday was also considering setting up his HQ in the abandoned building with a commanding position over the highway and aforementioned bridge. He commanded two sections of Deutsches Afrikakorps 5th Light division.
These men had seen a small amount of previous action and were looking towards a well earned rest. Cautiously the two sections advanced towards the dwelling with one section on the Oberleutnant left side and the other on his right.
Suddenly without warning the section on his right (2nd section) observed British Tommies emerging from the section of palm trees on the other side of the road ahead and to their right. The Tommies had already observed the German units movements and opened up with Bren and rifle fire.
Oberleutnant Menday watched two men fall and the rest of the section diving for cover, using a low stone wall for some appreciated cover.
Cpt Archie Smith on hearing the distinctive sound of his own men’s Bren gun and sporadic rifle fire, realised his left section had already engaged the enemy. He then urged his veteran unit of men to his right to rapidly advance. They covered the ground ahead quickly moving into a position close to the bridge, using its low stone walls for protection. Ahead they saw some German’s moving towards their position and opened fire.
With both his sections now under fire Oberleutnant Menday scrambled to cover behind the building and proceeded to shout orders to both sections. Soon both sections were under cover and returning fire.
Uncertain of the size of the force approaching his men, he commanded his right flank to fall back to a safer position closer to his own. He would make the damned Tommies pay dearly for each section of the desert they advanced across.
Cpt Smith now found himself across the road from the disused and dilapidated building; close to his hardened men on his right. He shouted an order above the deafening gunfire and with practiced gestures, he commanded the men to advance. His men on the left were too far away to receive any instruction from him and would have to be left to use their own initiative.
With characteristic braveness under a hail of bullets, his veteran unit started to advance across the road. Reaching the other side they were met by a hail of MG fire from the Germans the damned ‘Hitlers Buzz saw’ taking a huge toll on his men. The brave unit had underestimated the German numbers ahead of their advance and caught in the open at point blank range, they were cut down to a man.
Cpt Smith looked on in shock, realising his right flank was no more, with sadness he held his position across the road. Bravely facing the growing overwhelming numbers in front of him. He and ‘Buggsy’ would hold ground hoping that his 2nd section could advance on seeing his predicament.
Sadly they were in no position too and were receiving heavy fire themselves and taking casualties.
Seeing Cpt Smith’s awkward position Oberleutnant Menday took swift action advancing with his 1st section around the building and engaging him in a fierce fire fight. His 2nd section on his right, advanced back to the low wall by the highway and continued to engage the British.
Although Cpt was fighting bravely and causing some casualties in the German units with his Thompson SMG barrel glowing Red hot, his position was precarious. The final act was seeing ‘Buggsy’ take a bullet right beside him. Realising the situation was now untenable and ‘Buggsy’ needed urgent help. Cpt Archie decided to withdraw and take ‘Buggsy’ back for medical assistance. His troops to his left covered his withdrawal, then retreated themselves.
Oberleutnant Menday seeing Cpt Smith’s desperate situation, but impressed by his bravery. decided to let the Cpt withdraw without taking advantage of his unlucky position. He ordered his men to hold fire and not pursue. After all they had secured their objective and would have shelter and plenty of water for the cold night ahead. Cpt Archie was able to get ‘Buggsy’ back to his rear positions and the medics were able to work on his wound. Both ‘Buggsy’ and Cpt Archie would live to fight another day.
And so closes the first mission of the Bolt Action Escalation League. A decisive win for Oberleutnant Menday and the German forces. However there will be many more conflicts ahead.
Written by Jeff Menday