Historical Background: In May of 1942, Rommel ordered the operation Theseus, an Axis offensive to bypass by the south the Gazala line, the British defense line which protect Tobruk. On the southern point of this line, isolated in the middle of the desert, the Bir Hakeim pill box was defended by 1st Free French Brigade Group under the command of general Koenig. At that time, the Free French were on the way of the Italian armoured division "Ariete". On the 27th of May, in the early morning, the legionnaires of 2nd battalion of Foreign Legion which defended the exit East of the pill box, saw about a hundred of Italian tanks charging to their positions.The Free French opened fire with their 75mm guns and 47mm antitank guns only when the enemy tanks reached the minefields. In one hour, the enemy assault was broken and more than thirty tanks were destroyed on the battlefield, some were in the middle of the French positions. The Italian crew who made this heroic charge were all taken prisoners, the majority of them were wounded, the Free French had only two light wounded. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Axis player [Italy] : 5 command cards, you move first. Allied player [Free French] : 6 command cards.
Conditions of Victory: 6 medals. The capture of 5th Coy HQ (PC 5° Cie) is a temporary medal objective for the Axis player.
Special Rules: - All Axis troops are Italian, use "Royal Italian Army" rules (Nations 6). Badges are not required. - Use "North-African Desert" rules (Actions 9). - Use "Special Weapon Asset" and "Anti-Tank Guns" (SWAs 1 & 2) to the Allied units with anti-tank badge. - The Allied player lays out the minefields (Terrains 29).
Scenario Bibliography: - "Bir Hakeim" - Erwan Bergot. - Magazine Les Années 40 n°41 - Bir Hakeim. - Magazine Ligne de Front hors série n°9 - FFL, les heures de gloire. - Magazine Batailles & Blindés hors-série n°8 - Afrika Korps tome II. - Magazine Troupes d'Elite tome 7 - Bir Hakeim.
Remember, see the Free French war graves in Tobruk.
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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