III. The Scenarios
Scenario Introduction
From a scenario design point of view Alamein ’42 offered its own challenges which were different from most other games of the series. In previous titles such as Sicily, Bulge or Kursk, the game usually depicts a single battle, most often with a clear start and end point. As previous noted in the Order-of-Battle Section with the tank upgrades alone, such a single phase battle wouldn’t work for Alamein. In reviewing the Historical Timeline section above, one can readily see a clear division of time after the advance to the Gazala Line. But in reading various sources it is not so clearly defined when the battle for the Gazala Line ended and the drive from Tobruk to Alamein.
Therefore, to tell the story in the Desert War for 1942, it was essential to begin with Gazala and this earlier phase of the battle in 1942. The Equipment upgrade was not a problem at this early juncture, but it was decided not try and continue the campaign from Gazala and follow through to Alamein for two principle reasons. The first reason for this was time. Using the 2 hour time period for each turn, attempting to combine the Gazala Campaign to the pursuit to Alamein would cover to long a time period to be playable and be impossible to test.
Secondly, the different style of the close action during the month long struggle around the Gazala Line demanded a different recovery factor in the game parameter data to account for the huge difference with the ability, particularly of the Germans, to recover panzers and press them into service in more stationary battles. In early June, German panzer strength improved dramatically in short spaces of time as German recovery teams hauled in and repaired many AFV’s. These same levels of recovery were not possible in the long drive to Alamein and so a second parameter data (PDT) file was required. Of course each scenario can only have one parameter file assigned to it, so this along with the sheer length of a combined campaign was enough to warrant handling both phases of this battle separately.
As with previous games in the series, scenario files names begin with numbers using the format mmdd_xx where the xx portion represents the scenario number on that particular day. There is also a couple introductory scenarios 00 and 01 so as to appear first in the list out of chronological order. Some scenario numbers are ended with a lowercase "a" or "s". The scenarios with the "s" are those that have Explicit Supply units available.
When we test these games we play almost exclusively against the AI but a number of the testers are avid Play-by-Email fans and they could see where certain scenarios could be best duplicated with a second copy of the scenario optimized specifically for Head-to-Head (HTH) Play. These scenarios are designation with the "a" after the number. Players interested in the challenge of play against another human can find a great bunch of guys at mainly two clubs which handle Panzer Campaigns.
First of all "The Panzer Campaigns Club" isn’t a normal or traditional ladder. Rather than tell you about it myself, I asked Joseph Alberti Jr to give me a few words about his organization. Joe says:
"Panzer Campaigns Club: ( http://www.panzercampaignsclub.com/ )Is a on-line wargaming club dedicated to the HPS Panzer Campaigns and Squad Battles WWII titles. More than a ladder where members advance in points by the number of games played and victories won, club members can role play positions within the various Allied and Axis Armies. Club members can advance from battalion to army level command through active club participation and gaming. Comradeship between members of the same army is encouraged and fostered. The club sponsors a number of tournament events between the armies, and there is an active training center and war college where tactics are taught and discussed. By joining the club, one can enjoy playing the games against worthy opponents, discuss WWII tactics and topics on the message boards, and have real comrades in one of the club armies."
The second club of note is "The Blitz", which hosts a more traditional Ladder style, and to speak for them I asked Paul Sinatra, the Panzer Campaign Forum Custodian to tell us about his club. Pauls says:
"The Blitzkrieg Wargaming Club: ( http://www.theblitz.org ) If you like your wargaming uninterrupted by banners, pop ups, spy ware, or membership fees, than The Blitzkrieg Wargaming Club is for you. Established in 1999, The Blitz is one of the oldest and most active clubs supporting on line and PBEM war gaming, and is home to over 3400 active war gamers from 80 different nations, over 400 of which are involved in playing HPS Simulations Panzer Campaigns and Modern Campaigns series of games. The Panzer Campaigns/Modern Campaigns community is particularly active, and the forums are visited on a daily basis by many of the fine developers, scenario designers, and play testers who produce these fine HPS products, not to mention the Internet's highest caliber PBEM players. In addition, The Blitz also supports other fine HPS products such as Squad Battles, and their American Civil War and Napoleonic series of Wargames."
The Blitz without a doubt hosts the most active Panzer Campaigns discussion forum so even if your not interested in playing another human, do check it out as a great place to visit, ask questions of discuss the games. Another place to be aware of is HPS Tech Support guy Rich Hamilton operations an Unofficial HPS Forum site
Before moving on to the list of scenarios and designers, I’d like to thank a few people for their ongoing support with the Panzer Campaigns Series.
Mike Avanzini for his Campaigns Maps found in a folder under the Start menu.
Adam Parker for his assistances in preparation of the written and graphical components of the STARTED.HLP file that introduces every new player to the games.
And finally the most over worked bunch of guys who thankless give up tens if not hundreds of hours, playing, replaying and then playing again the various scenarios we design until we get them right. To Bob Hutchison, Ed Williams, Rick Bancroft and Paul Sinatra – Thanks Guys – we couldn’t do it without you.
We sure hope you all enjoy Alamein ’42 – we had a lot of fun bring it all together for you. Stop by the HPS Website from time to time to ensure you get the latest update for this or any of the games in the series. Also, drop by my own Unofficial Panzer Campaigns Homepage if your looking for more information on this series of game or if you would like to ask me a question by email rather than using one of the above mentioned public forums.
Scenario List
#00_Started.scn Getting Started: "Up in the Blue"
#01_No_Mans_Land.scn 01: No-Man's Land
#0527_01_Gazala.scn 0527_01: The Gazala Gallop Campaign
#0527_02_Bir_Hacheim1.scn 0527_02: Round the Horn
#0527_03_Bir_Hacheim2.scn 0527_03: First Try for the "Dogs Well"
#0531_01_Sidi Muftah.scn 0531_01: The Destruction of the 150th Brigade
#0605_01_Cauldron.scn 0605_01: The Cauldron
#0619_01s_Tobruk_to_Alamein.scn 0619_01s: The Tobruk Stakes and the Race for Alamein
#0619_02s_Tobruk_to_Alamein.scn 0619_02s: Tobruk to Alamein (stronger Allied)
#0619_03s_Tobruk_to_Alamein.scn 0619_03s: Tobruk to Alamein (stronger Axis)
#0619_04s_Tobruk_to_Alamein.scn 0619_04s: Tobruk to Alamein (both stronger-unfixed)
#0620_01_Tobruk.scn 0620_01: The Fall of Tobruk
#0622_01_Malta.scn 0622_01: Operation Herkules
#0622_01a_Malta.scn 0622_01a: Operation Herkules (HTH Balanced)
#0626_01s_Matruh_to_Alamein.scn 0626_01s: The Race for Alamein and Beyond
#0626_02s_Matruh_to_Alamein.scn 0626_02s: Matruh to Alamein (stronger Allied)
#0626_03s_Matruh_to_Alamein.scn 0626_03s: Matruh to Alamein (stronger Axis)
#0626_04_Mersa_Matruh.scn 0626_04: Right Hook
#0626_04a_Mersa_Matruh.scn 0626_04a: Right Hook (HTH Balanced)
#0630_01_1st_Alamein.scn 0630_01: The First Battle of Alamein
#0630_02_Alternate_1st_Alamein.scn 0630_02: First Alamein with Axis Airborne Operation
#0701_01_Deir-el-Shein.scn 0701_01: Ice Cold in Alex
#0701_01a_Deir-el-Shein.scn 0701_01a: Ice Cold in Alex (HTH Balanced)
#0703_01_Alam_Nayil.scn 0703_01: The Charge of the Ariete
#0710_01_Tel_el_Eisa.scn 0710_01: Crumble at Tel el Eisa
#0710_01a_Tel_el_Eisa.scn 0710_01a: Crumble at Tel el Eisa (HTH Balanced)
#0721_01_Ruweisat_Ridge.scn 0721_01: Ruweisat Ridge
#0830_01_Alam_Halfa.scn 0830_01: Alam Halfa Ridge - Last Try for the Nile
#1023_01_2nd_Alamein.scn 1023_01: 2nd Alamein - The End of the Beginning
#1023_02_2nd_Alamein_Setup.scn 1023_02: 2nd Alamein - Variable Allied Setup
#1023_03_Lightfoot.scn 1023_03: The Point of Attack
#1023_03a_Lightfoot.scn 1023_03a: The Point of Attack (HTH Balanced)
#1023_04_Bertram.scn 1023_04: Diversion in the South
#1102_01_Supercharge.scn 1102_01: Operation Supercharge
Scenario Overviews
Getting Started: "Up in the Blue"
Up in "The Blue" - west of the Gazala Line, January 17th 1942: After the second British victory in North Africa, Operation "Crusader" around Tobruk in 1941, Panzerarmee Afrika was forced to retire to the Mersa el Brega position, having given up the Cyrenaica. But the pendulum of battle was about to swing once more, and with the fiery breath of a Khamsin wind, Rommel was on the move again determined to take Tobruk. Meanwhile, the British 8th Army, led by General Ritchie, was thinly strung across the Cyrenaica. Ritchie was preoccupied with Axis units trapped in his rear when Rommel struck. What followed was a series of small scale running gun battles "Up in the Blue" - the soldiers' name for the open desert - as units scurried back toward the safety of the Gazala Line. [Size, small] *Designer Note: This scenario was created only for Human Axis play vs. an Allied AI Opponent with FOW ON. ***SEE STARTED.HLP***
01: No-Man's Land
Libyan Desert, 1940-43: The armored car regiments were very important in the battles of the Western Desert for a number of reasons. They had a very long range compared to other units and were used for independent missions. As soon as Mussolini declared war the three squadrons of the 11th Hussars were unleashed into "No-man's Land" with the orders "to raise hell, keep the enemy on edge and report what he was up to". Off they went and created havoc behind the Italian lines. So much so that a small force of Italian infantry, armor, and guns were sent to try to confront the marauding cars. Unfortunately they were spotted early and the 11th called in their buddies from the 4th Armored Brigade to join the party. [Size, small] * Designer Note: This is a "What-If" scenario as far as the units used.
0527_01: The Gazala Gallop Campaign
Gazala, May 27th 1942: After recapturing the Cyrenaica early in the year, Rommel and the Afrika Korps paused to catch its breath. Facing them, across a minefield stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the French stronghold at Bir Hacheim some 65km to the south, was the 8th Army led by the ever-tentative British commander, General Ritchie, a staff officer who had never commanded anything larger than a company in battle. Ritchie deployed his infantry in a number of defensive boxes along a static front line with an open left flank. This position, known as the Gazala Line, was backed with the only mobile formations, the armored divisions that represented his reserves. Everyone at 8th Army HQ expected Rommel to drive down the main road along the coast. So Rommel provided a diversion in that direction to keep the British command occupied while he lead the powerful Panzer divisions, and the best of the Italian mobile formations, around the end of the line into the British rear area. Dawn found the Axis forces "galloping" around the Gazala Line, slicing through the screening armoured car recon units Ritchie had deployed to cover his open flank. This would be a battle where the British led 8th Army was once again out maneuvered. The position Rommel placed the Africa Korps in was very tenuous for a number of days, however, due to the poorly coordinated British counterattacks, Rommel was able to turn a bad situation into one of the greatest victories in his career. [Size, large]
0527_02: Round the Horn
SE of Bir Hacheim, May 27th 1942: "The first victim was the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade", as Mitcham in his book "Rommel's Greatest Victory," describes events. This unit was spread out over the southern flank, covering the area from Bir Hacheim to Bir el Gubi. Many of the men were eating breakfast when the Afrika Korps suddenly appeared at dawn. They, and their supporting units of armoured cars and artillery, were quickly overrun, while both the 8th Army and XXX Corps HQ seemed frozen with disbelief at the events that were taking place. One armoured brigade had even pre-planned their battle positions on ground of their own choosing, but events overtook them before they had an opportunity to occupy the positions. However, all did not go according to plan for the Afrika Korps either. The plan called for the Italian Ariete Division to capture Bir Hacheim (Dog's Well) from the 1st Free French Brigade, an opponent that Rommel and the Italians regarded as a rebel unit made up of Jews and Legionnaires......they were in for a big surprise! [Size, medium]
0527_03: First Try for the "Dogs Well"
SE of Bir Hacheim, May 27th 1942: As the Africa Korps rounded the bend and cut in behind the British, not everything went according to plan. The Italian Ariete Division was assigned the mission to capture Bar Hacheim, (Dog's Well) from the 1st Free French Brigade, an opponent that Rommel and the Italians regarded as a rebel unit made up of Jews and Legionnaires......they were in for a big surprise! [Size, small]
0531_01: The Destruction of the 150th Brigade
The Encircled 150th Brigade at Sida Muftah, May 31st 1942: By the morning of the May 31st, Brig Gen Hayton, in command of the 150th Brigade of the 50th Infantry Division, knew he was in grave danger of losing his entire command. He withdrew his southernmost battalion into the main box defensive position, where, supported by some tanks from the 44th Royal Tank Regt. and some additional artillery assets, he continued to interdict Rommel's supply line. It was "do or die" time for the Afrika Korps with Rommel declaring, "The 150th Brigade must be evicted!" Meanwhile, 40 km to the east, 8th Army HQ was slow to respond to the growing crisis, then it reacted with a number of uncoordinated efforts to breakthrough to the beleaguered defenders. [Size, medium] *Designers Note: The area marked as impassible, at the north end of the map is occupied with units that were not available for the action that is the subject of this scenario.
0605_01: The Cauldron
The Cauldron, June 5th 1942: By early June, both sides were down to less than half of the tanks they had at the start of the battle. During the lull in the fighting, Rommel hastily recovered more battle-damaged tanks for his next move. But before he could act, Gen Ritchie at 8th Army ordered up Operation Aberdeen, the goal of which was to annihilate the Africa Korps in the Cauldron. [Size, medium]
0619_01s: The "Tobruk Stakes" and the Race for Alamein
Near Tobruk, June 19th 1942: After winning "The Gazala Gallop" Rommel was faced with a situation very much like the one he was in at this time in the previous year. The 8th Army was in retreat to the Egyptian frontier leaving a sizable force garrisoning Tobruk. Rommel knew he could not sustain a deep drive toward Cairo and the Nile without first securing his lines of communication. This meant capturing Tobruk, a prize that eluded him in 1941, and using the port as a basis for supplying a drive to the east. So with 8th Army in retreat and his weary panzers hot on their heels, Rommel disengaged his army, turned and attacked Tobruk in a run one author called the "Tobruk Stakes". The fortress fell in a single day's fight in what was a staggering blow to British prestige. With his rear secured, Rommel was free to concentrate his army on the ultimate objective of the campaign - Alexandria, Cairo, and the Nile. But his army was badly depleted from the previous month's fighting. Many of the panzers were broken down or disabled across the wide expanse of the desert battlefield. His men had already gone about as far as any commander could have expected. Yet Rommel still had another race to run - the Race to Alamein and beyond! [Size, large]. *Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible and if used the Axis player will get more supplies if he captures Tobruk. Selecting the option to invade Malta will result in an additional bonus supply convoy landed in Tobruk, but the Axis player requires Tobruk captured to receive it. Using VST Supply there is a Supply bonus for the Axis for capturing Tobruk.
0619_02s: Tobruk to Alamein (stronger Allied)
Near Tobruk, June 19th 1942: This scenario is the same as 0619_01s with the addition of two Allied divisions. First, the 4th Indian Division was in North Africa and too part in campaigns in 1940-41. During this 1st Battle of Alamein this veteran division was dug-in on the Nile. The second division was the British 44th Infantry. This unit was on route to North Africa and arrived after the 1st Battle of Alamein and was deemed to be in need of training after it had arrived. Both units are deployed in a FIXED state with possible release and are intended as a last hope defense of Alexandra and the Nile, particularly for Axis Human Play against the Allied AI. [Size, large]. *Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible and the supply conditions from 0619_01s are in effect here but there is no additional Explicit supply for the additional units.
0619_03s: Tobruk to Alamein (stronger Axis)
Near Tobruk, June 19th 1942: This scenario is the same as 0619_01s with the addition of extra Axis units, including the German 164th Light Infantry Division, the Ramcke Parachute Brigade as well as the crack Italian Folgore Division. These units historically arrived by air in the middle of July and given the desperate state of both sides at that time, it is interesting to speculate about the effect these units could have played. [Size, large]. *Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible and the Axis player receives the bonus supplies at Tobruk, regardless if he invades Malta. Also note, the Folgore Division is only available in North Africa if it is not used to Invade Malta. If Malta is invaded, the Bologna will arrive early.
0619_04s: Tobruk to Alamein (both sides reinforced - unfixed)
Near Tobruk, June 19th 1942: This scenario is the same as 0619_01s with the addition of extra Axis units for both sides from 0619_02s and 0619_03s. These include the German 164th Light Infantry Division, the Ramcke Parachute Brigade as well as the crack Italian Folgore Division. There are additional Allied Divisions two. Furthermore, most later releasing Allied units are Unfixed at start allowing for more flexible play. However, Axis units at the start of the scenario remain Fixed to encourage a historical development of the beginning of this battle. [Size, large]. *Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible and the Axis player receives the bonus supplies at Tobruk, regardless if he invades Malta. Also note, the Folgore Division is only available in North Africa if it is not used to Invade Malta. If Malta is invaded, the Bologna will arrive early.
0620_01: The Fall of Tobruk
Tobruk, June 20th 1942: By the June 14th June, Gen Ritchie had accepted the fact that the battle for the Gazala Line had been lost, and ordered the units remaining on the front line to break off action and withdraw. The Axis closed in at once and surrounded Tobruk by the June 18th. The Australians had held out through a long siege the previous year, so the upper echelon expected the same result once more. The Tobruk Garrison was roughly the same size as before and was organized around the 2nd South African Division, but the fortifications were not near as strong. Many of the mines had been pulled to be re-sewn on the Gazala Line, also many minefields were simply lost track of through the changing of the garrison. As before, Rommel bypassed Tobruk and drove the 8th Army back across the border into Egypt. But on the night of the June 19th, Rommel disengaged his tanks at the front line and doubled back to strike at Tobruk. When the attack began, General Klopper thought the first strike was a diversionary attack and, thus, he was slow to react with his reserves. Before he could, it was too late. The front line was broken in a sector held by the 11th Indian Brigade's Cameron Highlanders, and Mahratta Light Infantry, arguably two of the best regiments in the 8th Army, that were, as it turns out, stretched over too much frontage. The fortress of Tobruk, having withstood the siege for months the previous year, fell in a single day's fight. It was a staggering blow to Britain and in particular their leader Winston Churchill, who was said to have muttered, "Defeat is one thing, disgrace is another!" [Size, medium]
0622_01: Operation "Herkules"
Malta, June 21st 1942: This quote, from Italian Count Ciano, sums up the situation of 1st Panzerarmee in North Africa, "Because of the revival of Malta as an air base and the numerous sinkings in the Mediterranean, supplies for the First Panzerarmee have fallen far below normal requirements. Unless Malta is weakened or paralyzed once more, this situation cannot be remedied." The plans to take Malta had long been on the drawing board, indeed, some Axis strategists deemed it essential to crush this island for the war in the desert to succeed. [Size, medium]
0622_01a: Operation Herkules
Malta, June 21st 1942: This quote, from Italian Count Ciano, sums up the situation of 1st Panzerarmee in North Africa, "Because of the revival of Malta as an air base and the numerous sinkings in the Mediterranean, supplies for the First Panzerarmee have fallen far below normal requirements. Unless Malta is weakened or paralyzed once more, this situation cannot be remedied." The plans to take Malta had long been on the drawing board, indeed, some Axis strategists deemed it essential to crush this island for the war in the desert to succeed. [Size, medium] *Designer Note: Victory Levels optimized for Human vs. Human play.
0626_01s: The Race for Alamein and Beyond
Mersa Matruh, June 26th 1942: With victories in "The Gazala Gallop" and "The Tobruk Stakes" under his belt, final victory in the desert had still eluded Rommel. With his battered Panzer Army he still faced an 8th Army that was battered, but not yet beaten. Ritchie had been removed from command and leadership fell to the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East, General Sir Claude Auchinleck. The Army had been positioned for a stand at Mersa Matruh, but the new commander could see that it was best to surrender ground and make a stand at Alamein. Here the defense could be positioned at a narrow neck between the Mediterranean Sea and anchored inland at the Qattara Depression. While the 8th Army was demoralized and disorganized, the Afrika Korps too was almost at the end of its tether. This last push by Rommel was a gamble to reach the Nile, before his supplies, his panzers, and men ran out! [Size, large]. *Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible.
0626_02s: Matruh to Alamein (stronger Allied)
Mersa Matruh, June 26th 1942: This scenario is the same as 0626_01s with the addition of two Allied divisions. First, the 4th Indian Division was in North Africa and too part in campaigns in 1940-41. During this 1st Battle of Alamein this veteran division was dug-in on the Nile. The second division was the British 44th Infantry. This unit was on route to North Africa and arrived after the 1st Battle of Alamein and was deemed to be in need of training after it had arrived. Both units are deployed in a FIXED state with possible release and are intended as a last hope defense of Alexandra and the Nile, particularly for Axis Human Play against the Allied AI. [Size, large]. *Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible but there is no additional Explicit supply for the additional units.
0626_03s: Matruh to Alamein (stronger Axis)
Mersa Matruh, June 26th 1942: This scenario is the same as 0626_01s with the addition of extra Axis units, including the German 164th Light Infantry Division, the Ramcke Parachute Brigade as well as the crack Italian Folgore Division. These units historically arrived by air in the middle of July and given the desperate state of both sides at that time, it is interesting to speculate about the effect these units could have played. [Size, large]. Designer Note: Explicit Supply is possible and the Axis player receives the bonus supplies at Tobruk just like he would had he invaded Malta in the 0619_01 scenario.
0626_04: Right Hook
Mersa Matruh, June 26th 1942: Rommel was chasing the 8th Army across the desert sands he had retreated over a few months previously. Tobruk had fallen easily, after the frustration of the year before and the Allied commanders just couldn't put it all together, the chase was on. Gen. Ritchie had decided to make a stand at Mersa Matruh in order that the ground around El Alamein could be readied for defense. In reality, Rommel was almost at the end of his tether, he was using all the supplies he could capture, and his daunted Afrika Korps was getting to be quite thin on the ground. This was a desperate gamble to push the disorganized 8th Army in front of him, all the way to Alexandria, before his supplies... and men... ran out. [Size, large]
#0626_04a: Right Hook (HTH Balanced)
Mersa Matruh, June 26th 1942: Rommel was chasing the 8th Army across the desert sands he had retreated over a few months previously. Tobruk had fallen easily, after the frustration of the year before and the Allied commanders just couldn't put it all together, the chase was on. Gen. Ritchie had decided to make a stand at Mersa Matruh in order that the ground around El Alamein could be readied for defense. In reality, Rommel was almost at the end of his tether, he was using all the supplies he could capture, and his daunted Afrika Korps was getting to be quite thin on the ground. This was a desperate gamble to push the disorganized 8th Army in front of him, all the way to Alexandria, before his supplies... and men... ran out. [Size, large] *Designer Note: Victory Levels optimized for Human vs. Human play.
0630_01: The First Battle of Alamein
Alamein Station, July 1st 1942: Rommel believed he had the 8th Army on the run and that he could easily break through the opposition and continue in triumph all the way to Alexandria and Cairo. He drew up plans to send the DAK on an end run to the south, as at Gazala and Mersa Matruh. He knew his weary troops could not withstand a protracted battle and, with only 55 panzers left, he wanted a swift end to hostilities. Here though, things did not go right from the start, the enemy were not where expected, the Desert Air Force threw wave after wave of aircraft at the DAK, and his men were getting more and more exhausted. [Size, medium] *Designer Note: Scenario best for Human vs. Human but certainly possible for Human vs. AI Play too.
0630_02: First Alamein with Axis Airborne Operations
Alamein Station, July 1st 1942 This scenario is the same as 0630_01 with the addition of extra units, including the Ramcke Parachute Brigade as well as the crack Italian Folgore Division. These units historically arrived by air at the start of the game. The Allied Player may receive additional forces as well [Size, medium]. *Designer Note: Scenario best for Human vs. Human but certainly possible for Human vs. AI Play too.
0701_01: Ice Cold in Alex
Alamein Station, July 1st 1942: Rommel believed he had the 8th Army on the run and that he could break easily through the opposition and continue in triumph all the way to Alexandria and Cairo. He drew up plans to send the DAK on an end run to the south, as at Gazala and Mersa Matruh. He knew his weary troops could not withstand a protracted battle and with only 55 panzers left he wanted a swift end to hostilities. Here, though, things did not go right from the start, the enemy were not where expected, the Desert Air Force threw wave after wave of aircraft at the DAK, and his men were getting more and more exhausted. [Size, medium]
0701_01a: Ice Cold in Alex (HTH Balanced)
Alamein Station, July 1st 1942: Rommel believed he had the 8th Army on the run and that he could break easily through the opposition and continue in triumph all the way to Alexandria and Cairo. He drew up plans to send the DAK on an end run to the south, as at Gazala and Mersa Matruh. He knew his weary troops could not withstand a protracted battle and with only 55 panzers left he wanted a swift end to hostilities. Here, though, things did not go right from the start, the enemy were not where expected, the Desert Air Force threw wave after wave of aircraft at the DAK, and his men were getting more and more exhausted. [Size, medium] *Designer Note: Victory Levels optimized for Human vs. Human play.
0703_01: The Charge of the Ariete
South of the Ruweisat Ridge, July 3rd 1942: The Afrika Korps' chances of snatching a victory at the First Battle of Alamein were rapidly dwindling. Although the 8th Army was fighting as individual units, the Axis forces were thoroughly exhausted with their supplies and reinforcements lying hundreds of miles to their rear. Rommel was roaming far and wide trying to get his troops to give their all in one last, final push, but with the DAK down to a tenth of its strength, it was not to be. The Italian part, on this last day, was the Ariete Division to advance to the south of the Ruweisat Ridge aiming at the Alam Nayil ridge. Little did they know that this would take them right into part of the well rested, although a little below strength, 2nd New Zealand Division. [Size, small]
0710_01: Crumble at Tel el Eisa
Tel el Eisa, July 10th 1942: As the German attack petered out, 8th Army adopted a plan to 'thrust and parry' along the front in order to tire and wear out Rommel's remaining the panzer reserves. Fighting had lapsed into a virtual stalemate with the Allies holding the upper hand, but with no impetuous, or energy, to carry on the assault any longer. By the 10th, three days had passed without Auchinleck being able to muster any sort of offense. The lull was broken with the arrival of the 9th Australian Division. Fresh from reserves, this formation launched a major offensive on the Coastal Road which shattered the Sabratha Division, leaving the road held only by HQ Panzeraramee Afrika to hold the line. HQ troops and AA guns were deployed across the road and they successfully held the initial attack, but in the process lost a number of irreplaceable Wireless Intercept specialists. 15th Panzer responded with vastly reduced strength from the south, but the day was saved with the arrival of the 382nd Regiment, the lead unit of the 164th Division, the first reinforcement dispatched to Africa in months. This 'Crumble at El el Eisa' signaled a change in fortune for the Afrika Korps. [Size, small]
0710_01a: Crumble at Tel el Eisa (HTH Balanced)
Tel el Eisa, July 10th 1942: As the German attack petered out, 8th Army adopted a plan to 'thrust and parry' along the front in order to tire and wear out Rommel's remaining the panzer reserves. Fighting had lapsed into a virtual stalemate with the Allies holding the upper hand, but with no impetuous, or energy, to carry on the assault any longer. By the 10th, three days had passed without Auchinleck being able to muster any sort of offense. The lull was broken with the arrival of the 9th Australian Division. Fresh from reserves, this formation launched a major offensive on the Coastal Road which shattered the Sabratha Division, leaving the road held only by HQ Panzeraramee Afrika to hold the line. HQ troops and AA guns were deployed across the road and they successfully held the initial attack, but in the process lost a number of irreplaceable Wireless Intercept specialists. 15th Panzer responded with vastly reduced strength from the south, but the day was saved with the arrival of the 382nd Regiment, the lead unit of the 164th Division, the first reinforcement dispatched to Africa in months. This 'Crumble at El el Eisa' signaled a change in fortune for the Afrika Korps. [Size, small] *Designer Note: Victory Levels optimized for Human vs. Human play.
0721_01: Ruweisat Ridge
Ruweisat Ridge, near El Alamein, July 21st 1942: The 8th Army had been whittling away at the remaining Axis forces for some weeks. Any chance to bleed some strength from the Afrika Korps was taken. So it was, on the night of July 21st that the 161st Indian Bde, and the 6th New Zealand Bde, attacked to the west along the ridge towards El Mreir. The attack went well and by early morning the New Zealanders were firmly in possession of the El Mreir depression, well inside the Axis lines. However, to hold against the expected counter attack, both 15th and 21st Panzer were in the area, armor was needed. The job fell to the newly arrived and inexperienced 23rd Armored Bde, who charged onto the waiting Axis anti tank screen, losing valuable tanks in the process. [Size, medium] *Designer Note: This scenario has some non-standard (unusual) reinforcements in order to simulate the arrival of both 23rd Arm'd Bde and the anti-tank screen.
0830_01: Alam Halfa Ridge - Last Try for the Nile
El Alamein position, August 30th 1942: Rommel was frustrated by his lack of supplies, receiving only a fifth of the requirement. It would have made sense to withdraw to Fuka to shorten the supply line, but Hitler would not let any of his commanders give up any ground for any reason. On the other hand, he had received some replacements and the two sides were at the most balanced they would ever be in the Desert War. The longer he waited, the more solid the Allies line at El Alamein became, so for Rommel the only alternative was to attack while he still had the strength left to make the attack. Montgomery had used time well to prepare his new command for defense, and this time the Allies would be waiting for the "right hook". [Size, medium]
1023_01: 2nd Alamein - The End of the Beginning
El Alamein, October 23rd 1942: Two years had passed in the struggle for control of the Western Desert. Each side had won, and each side had lost, neither side had managed to inflict a decisive defeat on the other. The two sides had frequently been compared to two boxers, each tied by the elastic rope of their supply line, as one moved further from the supply source, the stronger the pull his rope exerted to get him back to his corner. The balance had now passed back to the 8th Army, close to its supply and getting stronger each day, while the Afrika Korps was at the end of its rope and getting weaker. Montgomery had planned a deliberate bleeding of Rommel's daunted troops, attacking here and there to cause them to react and burn precious fuel in constant movement. The time was now ripe to finish the Afrika Korps once and for all. Monty's plan was for XIII Corps to mount holding attacks, while XXX Corps delivered the main blow in the north. Two corridors were to be secured so that the armor of X Corps could move through the extensive minefields and destroy the Axis armor. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the Allied victory at Alamein "The End of the Beginning!" [Size, large]
1023_02: 2nd Alamein - Variable Allied Setup
El Alamein, October 23rd 1942: The Second Battle of Alamein was Monty's Battle - his effort to select the battle ground and destroy the Africa Korps once and for all where it stood. Part of this plan was to confuse the Germans as to where the main effort was to be using a series of diversionary strikes. In this variation of the Second Alamein battle, the Allied player can pick from one of four different battle plans in an effort to keep the German player guessing as to where the main attack will fall. This scenario features historical forces, but variable Allied Setup, using the Strategy|Operations feature, so that the 8th Army player can pick from the options for a variable setup of the attack force. Axis forces begin the game Unfixed and thus they can respond at will to Allied probes and attacks. [Size, large] *Designer Note: Even though the number of hexes with troops vary within each possible Operation, all the Allied Setups contain exactly the same force. Furthermore, the entire Axis line is equally fortified so it is up to the Allies to outwit the German with probes and main attacks. Please note, that while the AI can play the Allied side in this scenario, there are no scripted AI Orders for the Allies because you can't specify a objective for a division when the setup position for that division can vary as widely as can be the case here. Special thanks to Rick Bancroft for assistance with the Allied S|O Setups.
1023_03: The Point of Attack
El Alamein, October 23rd 1942: The start of the Allied attack on at El Alamein was code-named "Operation Lightfoot". This main event was to last just one night, or so Monty thought. The infantry went in first, it was known that many of the anti-tank mines would not be tripped - hence the code-name "Lightfoot". Behind the infantry, engineers had to clear a path for the tanks coming up in the rear, but first they had to clear sufficient gaps through their own mines to allow for safe passage of troops, as well as supplies, before moving forward to clear the German mines. It was an awesome task and one that essentially failed. The attack on the Axis lines started with a great artillery barrage and, legend has it, that the noise was so great that the ears of the gunners bled. This scenario depicts XXX Corps' part in the battle to secure the corridors in the main area of the attack. [Size, medium] *Designers Note: Additional "Bunker" hexes added to provide the Allied Human Player more challenge when facing the AI Axis Opponent.
1023_03a: The Point of Attack (HTH Balanced)
El Alamein, October 23rd 1942: The start of the Allied attack on at El Alamein was code-named "Operation Lightfoot". This main event was to last just one night, or so Monty thought. The infantry went in first, it was known that many of the anti-tank mines would not be tripped, hence the code-name "Lightfoot". Behind the infantry, engineers had to clear a path for the tanks coming up in the rear, but first they had to clear sufficient gaps through their own mines to allow for safe passage of troops, as well as supplies, before moving forward to clear the German mines. It was an awesome task and one that essentially failed. The attack on the Axis lines started with a great artillery barrage and, legend has it, that the noise was so great that the ears of the gunners bled. This scenario depicts XXX Corps' part in the battle to secure the corridors in the main area of the attack. [Size, medium] *Designers Note: Victory Levels optimized for Human vs. Human play.
1023_04: Diversion in the South
Southern sector, El Alamein, October 23rd 1942: To throw the Germans off the scent, Montgomery launched 'Operation Bertram'. This plan was to convince the Afrika Korps that the full might of the Eighth Army would be used in the south. Dummy tanks were erected in the region. A dummy pipeline was also built, slowly, so as to convey that the Allies were in no hurry to attack. Monty's army in the north also had to "disappear". Bertram worked and when Rommel, who was away sick when the battle began, returned to command the army, he was convinced that the attack would be in the south. But to hold the Axis reserves in place in the south, a strong push had to be made, or the deception would be quickly disregarded. [Size, medium]
1102_01: Operation Supercharge
El Alamein, November 2nd 1942: Montgomery was keeping to his schedule. He now planned what he was hoping to be the death stroke of Rommel's army. Operation Supercharge would be delivered north of Kidney Ridge in three phases. Phase 1, breaking into the enemy's forward defenses on a two brigade frontage, east of the Rahman Track. Phase 2, destroying the AT gun screen and breaking through the main position on the Aqqaqir Ridge, west of the Rahman Track. Phase 3, bringing to battle and destroying the armor, then breaking out into the open desert. Montgomery left his subordinates in no doubt about the losses to be expected, he was prepared to accept 100 per cent in the opening phases to get out into the desert. [Size, medium]
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