[Desert war] Bir Hakeim - Act 4 - June 10, 1942

Unternehmen Theseus - The Breakthrough
Mediterranean Theater By: jdrommel - Last update: 07/04/2022
Axis Player: Allied Player:
x6 x6 x6 x6
    first You play first


Historical Background:
On the 10th of June 1942, knowing that holding Bir Hakeim was no longer essential for the continuation of the battle, French general Koenig decided to break through the encirclement and escape to the British lines with all the 1st Free French Brigade Group. At twilight, all units gathered at the south-west gate, except for Pacific Battalion 1 which used another exit, east of the old fort. Around midnight, units on foot who opened the road reached the German positions of the 580 Aufklärungs Abteilung. This was the beginning of a fierce and confused night battle, often in close combat. A charge of Bren Carriers of the Legion opened the road for all French vehicles.
On the 11th of June, unit by unit, group by group, on foot or in vehicles, the majority of the Free French reached the allied lines. Bir Hakeim was finally in the hands of Rommel but the 1st Free French Brigade Group lived to fight another day.
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.

Allied Player [Free France]
Take 6 Command cards. You move first.

Conditions of Victory:
6 medals.
Exit rules are in effect for all hexes of the Axis player’s baseline, for the Allied forces. An Allied unit that moves off the battlefield from an Axis baseline hex is removed from the board and the Allied player places one of its figures on the Victory track as a medal.

Special Rules:
- North African Desert rules (Actions 9) are in effect.
- Reduced Visibility (Actions 27) are in effect.
- Special Weapon Asset rules (SWAs 1) are in effect for Axis units equipped with anti-tank guns (SWAs 2). Place the proper figure or badge on these units.
- Supply Trucks rules (Troops 17) are in effect. However, these units cannot re-supply.
- Half-Tracks rules (Troops 18) are in effect, though these units cannot re-supply. Place a badge on these units or use the proper figures.
- The Allied player lays out the Minefields (Terrain 29).
- No air support was available. Do not use the New Flight Plan expansion with this scenario and remove the Air Power card before beginning the game.

Scenario Bibliography:
- "Bir Hakeim" - Erwan Bergot.
- Magazine Ligne de Front hors série n°9 - FFL, les heures de gloire.

Remember, see the Free French war graves in Tobruk.

Set-up Order
6
3
6
2
8