Kasserine Pass [M44 World Cup] - February 15, 1943 - February 22, 1943

Mediterranean Theater By: Red-Eyed Jack - Last update: 12/20/2016
Axis Player: Allied Player:
x6 x6 x5 x6
first You play first    


Historical Background:
After the Anglo-American landings in North Africa on November 8, 1942, the Americans remained optimistic about their ability to fight an opponent like Rommel and the Afrika Korps. Although in headlong retreat after the Battle of El Alamein, Rommel was not without the ability to fight, and prepared to teach the U.S. forces a lesson the British had already dearly learned.

The green Americans moved slowly to take advantage of the Axis retreat, and while Montgomery pursued Rommel across North Africa, taking Tripoli on January 23, 1943, the Americans did not press the Axis western flank. Eisenhower would later write that the American operations "violated every recognized principle of war."

Rommel and his junior officers were openly contemptuous of the Americans' ability to fight. After a buildup that included the heavy Tiger I tanks, Rommel concluded that Kasserine Pass was the soft spot in the American lines. On February 20th, he personally led the attack that cracked the American defenses and sent them reeling back.

Almost everything the Americans believed was wrong. U.S. tactical doctrine was inflexible and did not account for the rapid German armored advances.

The Americans suffered heavy losses of 1,000 dead, hundreds taken prisoner, and most of their heavy equipment. The Axis victory would entice German commanders to underestimate the Americans in the future.

Kasserine Pass taught the Americans the doctrine of massed firepower, mass artillery fire, and to coordinate aircraft with ground forces. This costly and valuable lesson would serve the Americans well in the difficult and bloody campaigns ahead.

The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis Player (Germany):
- Take 6 Command cards.
- You move first.

Allied Player (United States):
- Take 5 Command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
6 Medals.

Fon Douk, Sbeitla, Sbiba, Kasserine, Thala and Tebessa are all Temporary Medal Objectives for the German forces.

Special Rules:
This is an online adaption of the scenario, Kasserine Pass, from the Air Pack.

All hills are considered steep (Terrain 13 - Steep Hills).

Place a badge on German and American elite tank and elite infantry units (Troops 2 - Specialized Units).

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.

Set-up Order
20
8
3
12
1
1
4
6
6