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Cecil B. Romero.
Some of the actual camera footage shot by the
famed Italian director at the
Battle of El Salami,
Libya 1913
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| After having dropped off the minister, Governor
and women, Rigollini has returned in his auto to lend what further assistance
he can to the dwindling ranks of the legion square, who's casualties now
include a wounded Etienne Dufus and Saul Derriere. The French Mission is
going terribly, and the only thoughts on their mind is of survival. Omar
El Muhki, their prisoner is also brought down in the cross fire by a fatal
shot to the head. |
 |
After veering off from their attack on the
camera position, the Mujahidine horsemen bear down on the remnants of the
Legion square. At the square, Rigollini has returned and offers to evacuate
the seriously wounded Dufus and Deriere in exchange for the body of El
Muhki. |
| The Furious French, angry at the Italians
for not advancing out of El Salami, reluctantly agree. |
| Back in Ben Geroot, another section of Mujahidine
has surrounded the building containing the Bat' D'Aff troops who are prevented
from doing anything but defend themselves. The Tunisians, however, under
Mustafa Bier, realize the French situation is critical and sally forth
from the town. |
 |
| A hidden group of Arab swordsmen have been
waiting for just such an opportunity and descend upon the Tunisians as
soon as they emerge from the protection of the town. This does, however,
provide an opportunity for the remnants of the Sailor platoons to limp
into town. The Tunisians get off few inaccurate volleys before they are
fell upon by the swordsmen and cut to shreds, Mustafa Bier himself being
seriously
wounded and left for dead on the side of the road. Today is just not the
day for the French Forces. |
 |
The other section of
Arab horse, that split away earlier, now bear down on the few remaining
sailors and tunisians, forcing them back through town. With the Bat'
D'Aff held up in one building, the Arabs run amok throughout Ben Geroot
and carry off supplies and weapons. |
| As most of the Arabs on the central hill begin
to withdraw, the Horsemen threatening the Legion square give one last charge,
pushing it back onto the vacated hill in the center inflicting a few more
casualties. |
| Their attack brings them down onto to the
Italian MG car, who's ammo is now seriously depleted and in a final act
of battle, the car is wrecked and its crew killed. The last of the Arabs
threatening El Salami pull back, their repeated charge attempts on the
perimeter of |
 |
| El Salami have been beaten back
by determined rifle fire form the Italians. El Salami, is safe, the Minister,
Governor and the women were safely returned to the Governors house, where
they watched the battle from the safety of the roof. The Italians and their
Askaris were successfully kept in El Salami by the threat from the hill
and also by odd skirmish attacks from the south of the town which were
beaten back by rifle fire from the Askaris. |
 |
The battle resulted in a major victory for
the Italians, who kept their ransom, and recovered El Muhki, who, although
dead, was still strung up from the gallows in the town square later that
day. They also were now in possession of some incredible camera footage,
that demonstrated the |
| superiority of Italian firepower
and tactics. They also gained the political prestige earned through the
daring rescue of the French Officers and dignitary that could hardly be
down played by the French as it had all been caught on film.
The Mujahidine, who, although they didn't secure
the release of El Muhki, felt very pleased with themselves due to the huge
amount of loot liberated and the casualties they inflicted on the Europeans.
The only disappointment in the game was that
Crixus and Spartacus were not fed into the affray. |
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