Historical Background: After the crushing of the 2nd NZ Division and the withdrawal of a small brigade size of New Zealand soldiers, Axis troops had closed once again the surrounding of Tobruk. At that time, Rommel wanted to relaunch the attack toward the Egypt border to rescue the defenders of Bardia and Halfaya-Sollum. Two light battlegroups "Vorhut" were made with the rest of some units of Afrika Korps : the "Vorhut" of Oberstleutnant Geissler had to advance on Via Balbia and the "Vorhut" of Oberstleutnant Knabe on the Trigh Capuzzo. On the 3rd of December, "Vorhut" Geissler was ambushed by the 28th Maori Battalion near Bir el Menastir and the Kradschützen Bataillon 15 (motorcycle battalion) was virtually destroyed. "Vorhut" Knabe advanced up to Sidi Azeiz but was stopped by the 31st Field Artillery Rgt, the Central India Horse and one antitank battery. The German advance to the border was definitively ended. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Axis player [Germany] : 5 command cards, you move first. Allied player [New Zealand/United Kingdom] : 5 command cards.
Conditions of Victory: 6 medals. For the Axis player, exit markers are in effect on road hexagons "vers Bardia" and "vers Capuzzo" (Actions 23).
Special Rules: - Use "BCF Command" rules (Nations 5) to all Allied units. - Use "Specialized Units" rules (Troops 2) to the four Axis infantry units with elite badge. - Use "Antitank Weapons" rules (SWA 1 & 2) to Allied infantry units with SWA badge. - Use "North African Desert" rules (Actions 9).
Scenario Bibliography: - 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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