Historical Background: The first objective of Operation Crusader was the relief of Tobruk garrison surrounded by Axis forces. When the 7th Armoured Brigade reached Sidi Rezegh, at 16 km from the fortress, it seemed that the relief was coming soon. Major General Scobie prepared a sortie in force from Tobruk with troops of the 70th Infantry Division. At 06h 30, on the 21st of November 1941, Matildas tanks of the 32nd Army Brigade opened the way to infantrymen of 2nd Black Watch. On the other side, Italian soldiers of the Bologna division resisted fiercely, but finally the lines were broken and the Italians lost their artillery batteries in the rear of the front. The intervention of German Kampfgruppe Wechmar restored the situation on Tobruk front by stopping the British advance. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Axis player [Italy] : 6 command cards. Allied player [United Kingdom] : 6 command cards, you move first.
Conditions of Victory: 6 medals.
Special Rules: - Use "BCF Command" rules (Nations 5) to all Allied units. - Use "Royal Italian Army" rules (Nations 6) to all Axis units. - Use "North African Desert" rules (Actions 9). - Use "Night Attacks" rules (Actions 19). - Use "Antitank Weapons" rules (SWA 1 & 2) to the Italian infantry with badge. - Use "Elite Armor" rules (Troops 2) to all Allied armor units. These tanks are moving slow, they can move only one or two hexes and fight. - The Axis player lays out the minefields (Terrains 29).
Scenario Bibliography: - Album Historique 21.Panzer Division - Ed. Heimdal. - Magazine Batailles & Blindés hors-série n°6 - Afrika Korps, tome 1. - "Tobrouk" - Michaël Carver.
Warning: Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.
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