Wargames Illustrated "Checkpoint Pasta" pictures

[nevermore]

Wargames Illustrated "Checkpoint Pasta" pictures

We did another for the Wargames Illustrated magazine, heres the photos from issue 308

link to magazine site

http://www.wargamesillustrated.net/Default.aspx?tabid=308&art_id=3906

link to the full set of part 1 pics

http://grimsbywargamessociety.webs.com/

1993, July 7th: the Italian Army runs an extensive weapon search all around the dismissed Pasta Factory, in North Mogadishu, in a key district to keep control over "Via Imperiale", the main northbound road out of Mogadishu. Italians have proved extremely effective - as acknowledged by other contingent, including US Army - at confiscating weapons, since the beginning of 1993, when the aim of the UN multinational peacekeeper force has focused on depriving all fighting factions of heavy weapons as RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenades), grenade launchers, recoilless guns and assault rifles. A few days before, the checkpoint located just a few hundred meters from the Pasta Factory has gone under heavy assault - mostly from General Aidid's SNA militias - and only the prompt intervention by an armed reinforcement team had been successful in avoiding a disaster. Situation changes quickly for italian "Folgore" paratroopers, that morning. Somali resistance grows bigger and bigger, and while women and kids on a row offer visual protection to fighters, the very first shooting begins. Brig. Gen. Bruno Loi, under fire as well as his men, is reluctant to order them to open fire on the crowd, despite the increasing of the shooting. Soon, the less and less sporadic shooting turns in a real battle. Somali gunmen starts targeting italian armored cars with deadly RPGs. Italian's fire, although effective, cannot but limit casualties. A few hours later 23 paratroopers lay wounded on the ground and three - Lieutenant Andrea MILLEVOI, Maj. Sarg. Stefano PAOLICCHI and Private Pasquale BACCARO - are dead. The very first italian war casualties after WW II. The checkpoint itself is lost to somali militias. Paratrooper Lieut. Gianfranco Paglia, who was inside his M-113 armored troops transport vehicle when hit by an RPG grenade, suffers spine wounds by shells with consequent paralysis.

Map of the checkpoint


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Pasta checkpoint


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The area where the fighting took place


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The search of the pasta factory


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Inside the pasta factory


screenshot tools

The convoy moves on through the checkpoint


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The ambush of the convoy


photo sharing software

The ambush area


screen shot software

Will upload part 2 next week of the riots and the Italians holding out.

http://grimsbywargamessociety.webs.com/

[Cypher226]

looks great, love the table

Any chance of some more building shots?

[nevermore]

looks great, love the table

Any chance of some more building shots?

Quite a few uploaded on the website

[Arrigo]

Well,

the role of General Loi is a bit controversial... let's suffice that having been under him in the military academy I have also heard less than favorable comments from other officers. I once listened to one of his talks on Somalia, he did not come out as a really good officers but more as a political crony.

Anyway good article and nice pictures.

[Centaur_Seducer]

Great stuff!
I'm curious about the vehicles (civilians). Toys or plastic models?

[dhtandco]

some toys, some Corgi die-cast and a Solido pick up and Commando Car masquerading as the Italian armoured personnel carrier

[Rob_bresnen]

stunning stuff. As usual.

[grant]

Just thought I would share this link on painting Italians in Africa, from armouredacorn:

http://www.armouredacorn.com/Refs-%20Thumbprints%20&%20Images/NCVM/NCVM%20Part%203%20(Italian%20vehs).pdf

January 1993 vehicles, camo patterns. Kind of cool. 

[dhtandco]

That's great many thanks for posting