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2 2 Life's but a walking shadow... It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signify nothing. W. Shakespeare HIGH COMMAND Grand tactical rules for the second World War Copyright Richard Affinati Game Designer: Richard Affinati (ITALY) Graphics Wizard and Chief Playtester: Mike Patton (USA) Acknowledgments: Norman MacKenzie Kiss Rommel Luca Mazzamuto Alto Comando Lorenzo Sartori Dadi & Piombo Andrew Carless Translations Historical Background and QUESTIONS: Please direct any questions or comments about the game to: Riccardo Affinati: affinati@tin.it CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION: Dedication: HIGH COMMAND is dedicated as a token of remembrance to the soldiers of the Second World War.

3 HIGH COMMAND Grand tactical rules for the second World War 3 GAME PHILOPHY For many years we played Napoleonic battles in such a tactical way that wargamers would never allow us to field more than a couple of per side. Then we discovered methods that allowed us to simulate entire battles without them getting too complicated. However today that old destructive mentality still ruins our Second World War games, preventing us from recreating entire battles. At the most, expert wargamers put a few more tanks and platoons on immense tables and worry about tactical problems and the thickness of armour, without e- xmaning the strategic or gaming aspects that are implicit in combats between infantry division and armoured brigades. With HIGH COMMAND we can play the entire Normandy landigs, or even the battles on the Russian Front or in Africa. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Richard Affinati When Benito Mussolini declared war on the Allies on 10th June 1940, he already had over a million men in the Army based in Libya. In neighbouring Egypt the Army had only 36,000 men guarding the Suez Canal and the Arabian oil fields. On 13th September, 1940, Marshall Rodolfo Graziani and five divisions began a rapid advance into Egypt but halted in front of the main defences at Mersa Matruh. Although outnumbered, General Archibald Wawell ordered a counter-offensive on 9th December, The s suffered heavy casualties and were pushed back more than 800km (500 miles). troops moved along the coast and on 22nd January, 1941, they captured the port of Tobruk in Libya from the s. Ligth Tank M.3A1 STUART III Adolf Hitler was shocked by the defeats being suffered by the Army and in January 1941, sent General Erwin Rommel and the recently formed Deutsches Africa Korps to North Africa. Rommel mounted his first attack on 24th March 1941, and after a week of fighting he pushed Archibald Wawell and the Army out of most of Libya. However, under Lieutenant General Lesile Morshead the managed to hold vital forward supply base at Tobruk. Aerchibald Wawell attempted a counterattack on 17th June, 1941, but his troops were halted at Halfaya Pass. Three weeks later he was replaced by General Claude Auchinleck. On 18th November, 1941, Auchinleck and the recently formed Eighth Army went on the offensive. Erwin Rommel was forced to abandon his siege of Tobruk on 4th December, and the following month had moved as far west as Archobald Wawell had achieved a year previously. Aware that Wavell's supply lines were now overextended, Rommel, after obtaining reinforcements from Tripoli, launched a counterattack. It was now the turn of the Army to retreat. After losing Benghazi on 29th January, Claude Auchinleck ordered his troops to retreat to Gazala.

4 4 Over the next few months the Eighth Army, under Lieutenant General Neil Richie, established a line of fortifications and minefields. Erwin Rommel launched his offensive on 26th May. The infantry attacked at the front while Rommel led his panzers round the edge of the fortifications to cut off the supply routes. Ritchie outnumbered Rommel by two to one but he wasted his advantage by not using his tanks together. After defeating a series of small counter-attacks Rommel was able to capture Sidi Muftah. On 12th June, two of the three armoured brigades were caught in a pincer movement and were badly defeated. Two days later Neil Richie, with only 100 tanks left, abandoned Gazala. Rommel returned to Tobruk and took the port on 21st June, This included the capture of over 35,000 troops. However, Rommel now only had 57 tanks left and was forced to wait for new supplies to arrive before heading into Egypt. Erwin Rommel In July 1942, General Erwin Rommel and the Italo-German Panzer Armee Afrika, (part of the Deutsches Africa Korps) were only 113km (70 miles) from Alexandria. The situation was so serious that Winston Churchill made the long journey to Egypt to discover for himself what needed to be done. Churchill decided to make changes to the command structure. General Harold Alexander was placed in charge of land forces in the Middle East and Bernard Montgomery became commander of the Eighth Army. On 30th August, 1942, Erwin Rommel attacked at Alam el Halfa but was repulsed by the Eighth Army. Montgomery responded to this attack by ordering his troops to reinforce the defensive line from the coast to the impassable Qattara Depression. Montgomery was now able to make sure that Rommel and the German Army was unable to make any further a- dvances into Egypt. Over the next six weeks Montgomery began to stockpile vast quantities of weapons and ammunition to make sure that by the time he attacked he possessed overwhelming firepower. By the middle of October the Eighth Army totalled 195,000 men, 1,351 tanks and 1,900 pieces of artillery. This included large numbers of recently delivered Sherman M4 and Grant M3 tanks. On 23rd October Montgomery launched Operation Lightfoot with the largest artillery bombardment since thefirst World War. The attack came at the worst time for the Deutsches Africa Korps as Eewin Rommel was on sick leave in Austria. His replacement, General Geaorge Stumme, died of a heart-attack the day after the 900 gun bombardment of the German lines. Stume was replaced by General Ritter von Thoma and Adolf Hitler phoned Rommel to order him to return to Egypt immediately.

5 5 The Germans defended their positions well and after two days the Eighth Army had made little progress and Bernard Montgomery ordered an end to the attack. When Erwin Rommel returned he launched a counterattack at Kidney Depression (27th October). Montgomery now returned to the offensive and the 9th Australian created a salient in the enemy positions. Cruiser Tank Mk.VI(A.15) CRUSADER II Winston Churchill was disappointed by the Eighth Army's lack of success and accused Montgomery of fighting a "halfhearted" battle. Montgomery ignored these criticisms and instead made plans for a new offensive, Operation Supercharge. On 1st November 1942, Montgomery launched an attack on the Deutsches A- frica Korps at Kidney Ridge. After initially resisting the attack, Rommel decided he no longer had the resources to hold his line and on the 3rd November he ordered his troops to withdraw. However, Adolf Hitler overruled his commander and the Germans were forced to stand and fight. The next day Montgomery ordered his men forward. The Eighth Army broke through the German lines and Erwin Rommel, in danger of being surrounded, was forced to retreat. Those soldiers on foot, including large numbers of soldiers, were unable to move fast e- nough and were taken prisoner. For a while it looked like the the would cut off Rommel's army but a sudden rain storm on 6th November turned the desert into a quagmire and the chasing army was slowed down. Rommel, now with only twenty tanks left, managed to get to Sollum on the Egypt-Libya border. On 8th Novembre Erwin Rommel learned of the Allied invasion of Morocco and Algeria that was under the command of General Dwigth D. Eisenhower. His depleted army now faced a war on two front. The Army recaptured Tobruk on 12th November, During the El Alamein campaign half of Rommel's 100,000 man army was killed, wounded or taken prisoner. He also lost over 450 tanks and 1,000 guns. The and Commonwealth forces suffered 13,500 casualties and 500 of their tanks were damaged. However, of these, 350 were repaired and were able to take part in future battles. Winston Churchil was convinced that the battle of El Alamein marked the turning point in the war and ordered the ringing of church bells all over Britain. As he said later: "Before Alamein we never had a victory, after Alamein we never had a defeat." Allied troops continued to advance on Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. General Kenneth Anderson got to within 12 miles of Tunis before being attacked at Djedeida by General Walther Nehring and the Deutsches Africa Korps. A further attempt by the Allies to reach Tunis was halted by bad weather on 24th December, General Jurgen von Arnim now arrived to take control of the German forces in Tunisia. In January 1943 he was joined by General Erwin Rommel and his army in southern Tunisia. Rommel was in retreat from Egypt and was being chased by General Bernard Montgomery and the 8th Army.

6 Montgomery now spent several weeks in Tripoli building up his supplies. Arnium and Rommel decided to take this opportunity to attack Allied forces led by General Kenneth Anderson at Faid Pass (14th February) and Kasserine Pass (19th February). The Deutsches Africa Korps then headed for Thala but were forced to retreat after meeting a large Allied force on 22nd February, General Harold Alexander was now sent to oversee Allied operations in Tunisia whereas General Erwin Rommel was placed in command of the German forces. On 6th March 1943, Rommel attacked the Allies at Medenine. General Bernard Montgomery and the 8th Army fought off the attack and the Germans were forced to withdraw. Rommel now favoured a full retreat but this was rejected by Adolf Hitler. On 9th March, Rommel left Tunisia on health grounds and was replaced by General Jurgen von Arnim as commander of the Deutsches Africa Korps. Arnium now concentrated in defending a 100 mile arc across north-east Tunisia. By April 1943 the Allies had over 300,000 men in Tunisia. This gave them a 6-to-1 advantage in troops and a 15-to-1 superiority in tanks. The Allied blockade of the Mediterranean also made it difficult for the German Army to be supplied with adequate amounts of fuel, ammunition and food. The Allies now decided to make another effort to take Tunis. General O- mar Bradley, who had replaced General Gorge Patton, as commander of the 2nd Corps, joined General Bernard Montgomery for the offensive. On 23rd April the 300,000 man force advanced along a 40 mile front. At the same time there was a diversionary attack by the 8th Army at Enfidaville. On 7th May 1943, forces took Tunis and the US Army captured Bizerte. By 13th May all Axis forces in Tunisia surrendered and over 150,000 were taken prisoner. Bernard Montgomery WEAPONS IN NORTH AFRICA The fact that Rommels DAK (Deutsches Afrika Korps) in North Africa contained equipment which was far more advanced and effective than the Eighth Armies e- quivalent meant that the campaign lasted much longer than it may have done o- therwise, whilst at the same time there were not sufficient numbers of them to become a decisive factor in the campaign. For instance, when the launched Operation Crusader in late November 1941 the 8th Army outnumbered the combined Axis force (118,000 men to 113,000), had 680 tanks (with 500 in reserve or in supply) to Rommels 390 and 1000 planes confronted 320 Axis aircraft. The 88mm flak gun was used as an anti-tank gun more and more frequently as the conflict progressed and the Allies were slow to grasp its efect u- pon the battlefield. At a startling 2000 yards it could still penetrate the tanks frontal armour, which made it an extremely lethal weapon in the Germans armoury and a severe threat to the tanks throughout the Desert War. All the technical edges which Rommel s Afrika Korps had over the Eighth army helped Rommel to inflict heavy losses on the, inevitably lengthening the desert war. This had to weighed up against the fact that the s weapons were as much a liability as were the German 6

7 7 ones superior. The Afrika Korps did not receive sufficient numbers of these superior weapons, such as the Panther and Tiger tanks or the 88mm flak guns to e- nable it to be a decisive factor in the campaign, but there were enough to lengthen the Desert war considerably. COMMANDERS AND THEIR TACTICS IN THE WESTERN DESERT In literature on the North African Campaign in the Second World War, both Rommel and Montgomeryas portrayed at tactical genius`s that turned certain defeat into victory; this is due to the fact that history prefers to glorify people and battles rather than an aspect of warfare such as supplies. Rommel`s crowning glory is said to have been at Gazala in May 1942 and Montgomery`s at El Alamein in October Likewise in October 1942 Montgomery enjoyed a numerical superiority that no other commander had possessed in North Africa as the Eighth army had received 300 Sherman tanks more capable of matching the lower grade Panzer tanks and 100 self propelled guns in time for the El Alamein offensive, so from these statistics it is clear that logistical considerations were much more decisive factors than Second World War literature cares to mention. One couldn`t help feeling a little sorry for the man at this time. He had shown himself a brilliant fighter in the desert; three times he had escaped Montgomery`s efforts to surround his panzer army; he had been consistently starved of supplies and equipment. 1 Rommel was constantly held back by the lack of fuel and ammunition, which highlights the fact that supplies were a much more significant factor than commanders and their tactics. There is also the fact that both strategies were very similar aswell. At Gazala Rommels attack was in accordance with the best German textbookstrategy and looking back on the battle of France, it all sounded rather familiar. This was the case Panzer IV with Montgomery`s strategy too; where deception was to play a key role and an attack was to be made in the suprise flank with the aim of outflanking and encircling the enemy. This clearly shows that the tactics employed at Gazala and El Alamein although effective, were not original. Rommel successfully attacked at Gazala, but then ignored Hitler and Cavallero`s orders to pause, and pursued the retreating Eighth Army 250 miles accross the desert to El Alamein. To put it bluntly, Rommel had over-stretched himself 4 and this was as much a failure as his Gazala battle had been a success, but again literature selectively excludes this in order to sustain the popular image of Rommel as a tactical genious. Montgomery showed extreme caution when pursuing the Axis forces after El Alamein, which he could afford to do as his overwhelming numerical superiority neccesitated no hasty pursuit and the forces from the Torch landings now formed the 1st Army which was also advancing in the direction of Tunis. Rommel was forced to go on the offensive at Alam Halfabecause he knew the advantage of numerical superiority would soon lay in the hands of the Eighth Army. Fuel was in short supply and the Afrika Corps had insufficient Air support and all these factors led to Rommels defeat.

8 8 BASING We play with units (HQ, Artillery, Recon,, Tank, Motorised ) on base (measuring 3cm x 3cm for 6mm miniatures; 6cm/12cm for 20mm or plastic 1/72), upon wich we then place the right sort of soldier or vehicles. A base represent a battalion, more or less. If you have troops that are already based for another system you won t have to change the basing as they are all the same. If you have to start from scratch then try to create some small dioramas, using your creativity and modelling ability. A truck and 3 or 4 soldiers will be enough to represente a Motorised unit, a Recon unit could be represented by an armoured car and a couple of motorbike; and for a tank unit, one tank will do. HQ TANK TANK TANK MOTORISED INFANTRY ARTILLERY RECON MOTORISED INFANTRY MOTORISED INFANTRY ARTILLERY MOTORISED INFANTRY IRREGULAR MINIATURE 3 Apollo Street, York YO10 5AP, UK Tel/Fax: (in UK) Tel/Fax: (overseas) @irregularmin.fsnet.co.uk 6mm World War II - s BRITISH ARMOURED DIVISION HQ TANK TANK 40 Tanks and Vehicles and 20 strips (80 figures) Packs, for any Nation, Year and Theatre. Made up to our own realistic and balanced composition. CONTENTS MOTORISED INFANTRY MOTORISED INFANTRY TANK FIGURES German Russian French American Japanese Other Nations TANKS, VEHICLES & GUNS German Japanese Polish French & Commonwealth American Russian MOTORISED INFANTRY MOTORISED INFANTRY RECON AIRCRAFT German Polish French Russian American Japanese PACKS s Battlepacks ARTILLERY 88 MM RECON GERMAN PANZER DIVISION

9 9 BATTLE SET-UP Mediterranean Ocean (optional) 120cm x 10cm (optional) 48 x 4 Axis Supply Axis Defences Defences Supply Axis Supply Axis Defences Defences Supply Axis Supply Axis Supply Axis Axis 30x30cm Southern Desert 120cm x 30 or 60cm 48 x 12 or The table is divided into Zones a foot square, with bigger tables tending to improve the battle (preferably by extending it Southwards). The top (North) is considered the Mediterranean and the south is the desert "sand sea". 2. Select forces using the Force Cards 3. Deploy minefields followed by Axis ones 4. Deploy forces, then and lastly the Germans Defences indicate minefields and dug-in positions with minefields being placed right up to the centre line if wished. Troops must be at least 6" - 15cm from the centre line. You need not put a 's troops near their HQ but this could be risky! A Supply base (use a tent or supply truck model) is placed in the centre of each "Supply" Zone. For a bigger table you might add other Supply bases further South.

10 TURN SEQUENCE 1. The German- player may replace a Dispersed unit (one for the entire army). 2. The German- player may move his units (including the replacements) and place aircraft units. 3. The German- units may fire. 4. The player may replace a Dispersed unit (one for the entire army). 5. The player may move his units (including the replacements) and place aircraft units. 6. The units may fire. There are 9 to 12 turns in a day. Throw before each turn from 10 to 12 with a 5+ indicating the game has ended. HEADQUARTERS (HQ) Once per turn for the whole army the Headquarters (HQ) can bring back to the battlefield any unit from its own that was previously Dispersed (i.e. placed in the Remplacements box). This means that the player must decide wich Headquarters (HQ) will use the available replacement that turn. If a unit that comes back into play is Dispersed again it can be replaced afterwards. The HQ is one of the most important units as it can bring Dispersed units removed from the game back into play. You can move units to anywhere on the battlefield but the may be Destroyed and not Dispersed if they are too far from the HQ. It is also assumed that the HQ is where the batteries of light artillery and anti-craft units are located. The HQ cannot be Destroyed, unless there are no other units in its left on the table. In this case it is considered Destroyed. The Dispersed HQ is not removed from the battlefield, but in the next turn it replaces itself, without being able to replace other units in its. The unit that is replaced is placet next to its Headquarters (HQ). 10 The Dispersed HQ immediately moves 15cm/6 directly to its rear (distant by enemy), and it cannot move or fire and no unit in its can be replaced until the HQ is back in action. In any case a Dispersed HQ has a command radium of 30cm for its, impeding the Destruction of units in the within 30cm if they are hit during combat, but not their Dispersion. If the HQ is shot a- gain must go back 15cm/6. MOVEMENT Headquarters (HQ) Rommel Units have a 360 frontale and their movement is always straight in any direction. They may not move closet than 5cm from an enemy unit. Units can only leave the battlefield from their set-up side. They are considered Dispersed. You can measure anything during the game. FIRING You can only fire on a unit that is within firing range and sighting range. If a unit in the manages to see an enemy unit, it is assumed that the whole can see it. A may not spot on behalf of other s. You may fire at one unit at a time and you need to roll a 5+. Units will fire at the closet enemy unit except for artillery that can fire at any target. Units do not block line of sigth.

11 11 SAVING THROW Every time a unit is hit it must make a saving throw or be removed as Dispersed (removed from the battlefield and put in a box labelled Remplacements ), and then may be return later during the battle (see HQ). Those units that are not within 30 cm or 12 of their HQ are classified as Destroyed and removed from the battle (without the possibility of being replaced). Tanks and Recon automatically fail the Saving Throw if hit by a 88mm (Tiger or Artillery). TERRAIN Only Artillery can fire over hills, woods or villages. If a unit is on top of a hill or within woods or villages the spotting range for enemies that want to sight them is reduced by 8cm, and units in woods, hills or villages get a +1 modifier on their Saving Throw (except for tanks). Villages, woods and hills have a standard size of 12cm x 12 cm. Tank VICTORY CONDITIONS Each player gets 3 Victory Point (VPs) for every Tank unit destroyed; 2 Victory Points for each Light Tank or Artillery (88mm) destroyed; each Supply base destroyed counts as five VP's; and one Victory Point for every other type of e- nemy unit destroyed. If there are less than 5 VP difference between the totals then the game is a DRAW; between 5 and 9 is a VICTORY and a difference greater than 10 is a DECISIVE VIC- TORY. All the Dispersed units that were waiting to come back as Replacements are considered automatically Destroyed, i.e. all units that have not been replaced at the end of the established number of turns and are still Dispersed are considered Destroyed. GERMAN STUKAS & BRITISH AIR FORCE Each side is allowed up to two air-strikes per turn that can be used against any e- nemy unit. Roll a dice: 5 6 = the target must make a saving Throw or become Dispersed (Destroyed if not within 30cm from the HQ). 2 4 = no effect. 1 = if the attack is within 30cm of an e- nemy HQ, the attacking aircraft is Destroyed. From that moment onwards you have one less air attack per turn for the rest of the battle. If you destroy all three enemy Supply Bases you may opt to end the game and claim an immediate Major Victory! German teams

12 12 MINEFIELDS DUG IN Each side can have up to 60cm or 24" of minefields (a base depth deep). To cross an enemy minefield dice per unit that tries: 5-6 = Get through OK, stopping on other side; 2-4 = unit stopped in front of minefield; 1 = the unit is Scattered (or Destroyed if not near the HQ)! To clear a one base wide Gap (allowing up to six units to pass through each turn), get an infantry unit adjacent to the minefield and throw with a 5 or 6 to create a Gap. Note that only one infantry unit per may try this per turn (representing the al engineers / pioneers; count the Free French "Brigade" as a for this rule). Up to 16 units may begin as Dug-in (in substantial trenches, protected by barbed wire, suitable model bases being required)., artillery, 88mm's, and HQ's improve their saving throw to 4+ and allows them to Spot 7,5cm or 3" further, as well as allowing them shooting in the Dug-in phase. Note: troops Dug-in on a Hilltop only increase Spotting by 7,5cm or 3" maximum. Tanks and Recon can be "in" the trenches but get no benefit from them. Troops in captured positions do not get the Spotting bonus as the trenches probably face the wrong way! Alternatively you may simply remove captured positions. ITALIAN PROBLEMS Count the HQ distance as 22,5cm or 9" rather than 30cm or 12". Foot is short of AT weapons, so require a 6 to hit Tanks. soldiers to Bardia

13 ORGANIZATION Force HQ Recon Tank Motorised Foot Artillery German Panzer th Light and 164 Infanterie Leichtedivision Schutzen Brigade Fallschirmjager Tank or Special Motorised Black Shirt or Libyan Tactical group, Montemurro, Santamaria, Maletti, ecc Free French, Australian or Neozeland Brigade Selby Group or Polish Brigade Brigade - - 3* mm Folgore Anti tank Detachment USA *These have no HQ but can be attached out to another HQ for the battle. Tanks can be any mix of (heavy) or Cruiser (light fast) tanks. "88mm" were either their own 90mm AA guns or attached Luftwaffe forces. The numbers of 88mm are exaggerated because their tactical effect was truly brutal! Light AT and support batteries are assumed parcelled out a- mongst the infantry. Artillery 88 mm

14 14 UNITS Nationality Battalion type Spotting Range Saving throw Speed All nations Head Quarters (HQ) 15cm or 6 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" Reconnaissance (Recon) 22,5cm or 9" 15cm or 6" 5+ 22,5cm or 9" Foot 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 7,5cm or 3" Motorised 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" Artillery 15cm or 6" 45cm or cm or 6" Supply Base Anti-tank gun 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" German Tanks 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 4+ 15cm or 6" 88mm 15cm or 6" 30cm or 12" 6 15cm or 6" Fallschirmjager 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 5+ 7,5cm or 3" Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501 (only Tunisia campaign) 15cm or 6" 22,5cm or 9" 3+ 10cm or 4" Tanks 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 5+ 15cm or 6" or USA Light Tank 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" Folgore 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 5+ 7,5cm or 3" Bersaglieri 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" Tank 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 4+ 15cm or 6" Cruiser Tank 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 5+ 22,5cm or 9" German tank

15 15 1) NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: ITALIAN OFFENSIVE. September The Tenth Army under Marshal Rodolph Graziani invaded Egypt from Libya. At Sidi Barrani, 60 miles into Egypt, the armyset up a series of fortifies camps in the desert. Eight miles to the east. The Western Desert Force under Ge. Sir O Connor was based at Mersa Matruh, the terminus of the railway and road leading out fron Alexandria. In a surprise march O Connor army of circled south of the defenses and attack the sidi Barrani encampments from the flank and rear on December 9. The first Axis threat to the Suez Canal was smashed. FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal trhee more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add o- ther forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a highranking leader. Bologna Sabratha 7th Savona ITALIAN CARDS Pavia 4th (Indian): Brescia BRITISH CARDS New Zealand Brigade Sirte 1 CC. NN (Black Shirt) 6th : Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! Blank! Troops diverted to Greece or Malaya! THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Sollum. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! Tobruk last stand Marsa Lucch Bardia Sollum Sidi el-barrani Marsa Matruh last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

16 16 2) NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: FIRST BRITISH OFFENSIVE In Great Britain s first offensive of the North African campaign, the XIII Corps, crossed the Egyptian frontier into Libya, following its victory at Sidi Barrani. At the small Mediterranean port of Bardia, Ge. Sir O Connor army surrounded 45,000 troops of the Tenth Army under the overall command of Marshal Graziani, on January 3, Leaving mop-up operations to the infantry, the 7th raced west along the coast road (Via Balbia) to the fortress of Tobruk. FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal three more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add o- ther forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a highranking leader. ITALIAN CARDS Cirene Catanzaro Marmarica Special Maletti Tactical Group 1 Libyan 2 CC. NN (Black Shirt) Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! BRITISH CARDS 7th 4th (Indian) Selby Group Detachment 6th (Australian) Blank! Troops diverted to Greece or Malaya! THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Sidi Barrani. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! Beda Fomm last stand Bengasi Derna Tobruk Bardia Sidi Barrani Marsa Matruh last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

17 17 3) NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: FIRST AXIS OFFENSIVE Gen. Erwin Rommel s first Axis offensive in North Africa began on March 24, at El Agheila, Libya. Meeting thin resistance, he drove eastward rapidly, recapturing an evacuated Benghazi on April 4 and reaching Tobruk four days later. Rommel s troops stormed Tobruk durino April and again on April 30 but were beaten back each time. Meanwhile the Axis counterattack carried eastward to the Egyptian frontier on A- pril 28. FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal trhee more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add o- ther forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a highranking leader. AXIS CARDS Bologna Pavia Brescia 132nd Ariete Tank 5 Leichtedivision German 15th Panzer German Trento Motorised Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! BRITISH CARDS 9 (Australian) 4th (Indian) 7th 3 Brigades 18 (Australian) Brigade Blank! Troops diverted to Greece or Malaya! THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Agedabia. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! Marsa el-brega Axis last stand El Agheila Ageidana Derna Tobruk Bardia Sollum last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

18 18 4) NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: SECOND BRITISH OFFENSIVE The second offensive in Libya was ordered by a new Middle East commander, Gen. Sir Auchinleck and direct by a new combat leader, Gen. Alan Cunningham. The attack, called Operation Cruseder, was launched on Novembre 18. The initial attack of armor reached Sidi- Rezegh, the key to besieged Tobruk, on Novembre 19. Rommel counterattack fiercely driving to the rear at the Egyptian frontier. Then, on the night of December 7-8, Rommel, short of supplies, began to fall back across Cyrenaica. The occupied Gazala and Benghazi. The pursuit finally ended at El Agheila on January 6, FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal trhee more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add o- ther forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a highranking leader. AXIS CARDS 132nd Ariete Tank 15th Panzer German 21st Panzer German Trento Motorised Brescia Pavia Savona Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! BRITISH CARDS 7th 70 4th (Indian) 1st Brigade 4th Brigade 2nd New Zealand 1st South African Blank! Troops diverted to Greece or Malaya! THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Sollum. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! El-Agheila Axis last stand Agedabia Bir Hacheim Bir el-gobi Sidi Rezegh Sollum Sidi Barrani last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

19 19 5) NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: SECOND AXIS OFFENSIVE On January 21, two weeks after the Eight Army had pursued his Panzerarmee Afrika back to El Agheila, Libya, the German general Rommel turned and counterattacked in western Cyrenaica. The Gazala defeat and esnuing retreat cost the about 45,000 casualties, largerly prisoners, plus the los of another 33,000 men in the surrender of Tobruk. The long months of fighting and pursuit finally ended on June 25 when the made a stand at their Mersa matruh base. FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal trhee more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add o- ther forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a highranking leader. AXIS CARDS 15th Panzer German 21st Panzer German 90th Light German Trieste Motorised 132nd Ariete Tank Brescia Pavia Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! BRITISH CARDS 7th 50 1st South African 5th (Indian) Free French Brigade 1st Brigade 1st Blank! Troops diverted to Greece or Malaya! THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Ain el Gazala. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! El Agheila Axis last stand Bir Hacheim Ain el Gazala Tobruk Marsa Matruh last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

20 20 6) NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: THIRD BRITISH OFFENSIVE The last Axis eastward thrust had been blocked at Alam halfa two months before. On the night of October 23-24, under cover of an 800-gun artillery barrage, Gen. Leese s XXX Corps struck west from the village of El Alamein. For seven long days the Eighth Army slugged at the Axis defenses, manned chiefly by the veteran Africa Korps-15th and 21st Panzers and 90th Light. On two of these days, October 27 and 28, Rommel s armor counterattacked fiercely but was beaten back by the Eighth Army. The Axis withdrawal, begun the night of Novembre 4-5, continued without letup for 15,000 miles... FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal four () and three (Axis) more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add other forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a high-ranking leader. AXIS CARDS 15th Panzer German 21st Panzer German 90th Light German Trieste Motorised 132nd Ariete Tank Brescia Pavia Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! BRITISH CARDS 7th 50 1st South African 4th (Indian) 10 51st (Higjhland) 1st Blank! Troops diverted to Greece or Malaya! THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Kidney Ridge. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! El Daba Axis last stand Sidi Abdel Rahman Kidney Ridge Ruweisat El Alamein last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

21 21 7) NORTHWEST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: TUNISIA The Anglo-American invasion of French Northwest Africa on Novembre 11 provoked a quick Axis reaction in Tunisia. The German general Jurgen von Arnim concetrated most of the Axis strength in the northern cities of Tunis and Bizerte. On February 14 Rommel s 10th and 21st Panzer divisions of the veteran Africa Korps lunged out of faid toward Kasserine Pass, the gateway to the communications hub of Tebessa. The German attack at Kasserine proved to be the last successful Axis offensive in Africa. Three Axis divisions, trapped between Allied forces in Bizerte and Tunis, surrendered on May 9. The six-month battle of Tunisia ended the North Africa campaign. FORCE CARDS. Each side may chooses one card and then randomly deal four () and trhee (Axis) more. This is their strength for the oncoming battle. For a quicker battle have four rather than five cards. Allow inexperienced players to choose two of their deal. Once you have got used to the system, you can add other forces as you wish, and feel free to have your favourite s rather than those noted. We are not doing an exact recreation of the campaign, but will aim at its feel from the post of a high-ranking leader. AXIS CARDS 15th Panzer German 21st Panzer German Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501 Trieste Motorised Centauro Tank Superga 10 Panzer German Blank!: Planes from Malta sink supply convoy! ALLIES CARDS 7th 50 1st 4th (Indian) 10 1st USA 1st 1st USA THE CAMPAIGN The aim is, in a series of battles, to push the enemy back until Africa is cleared. Note that we start at Kasserine. A Victory pushes the enemy back one area; a Major Victory pushes two spaces. Losing their "last stand" area means total defeat! You should rename the commander after any Major Defeat as they were constantly replaced! Médenine Allies last stand el Kef Kasserine Mareth Uadi Akarit Enfidaville Axis last stand s that suffered half their bases Destroyed (ignore Dispersed), are left out of the Force Card pack for the next game. All formations return to strength for their next use.

22 22 8) NORTHWEST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: BEDA FOMM On February 5 the 7th reached the coast at Beda Fomm, well beyond Benghazi, blocking the retrat into Tripoli of Marshal Graziani s Tenth Army. After two days of futile effort to break through the defenses, the entire army of 20,000 men surrendered. Deployement Road Hill Deployement eastern edge The game table is approx 60 (150cm) x 36 (90cm). THE FORCE (Special Force) 1 HQ (Major Combe), 1 Recon, 3 Tank, 2 6pdr Anti-tank, 4 Motorised. (Gen. Bergonzoli) 1 HQ, 3 Tank (M13-40), 9 Foot, 1 Tank Light (L3). All nations Battalion type Spotting Range Saving throw Speed Head Quarters (HQ)* 15cm or 6 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" Reconnaissance (Recon) 22,5cm or 9" 15cm or 6" 5+ 22,5cm or 9" Foot ** 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 7,5cm or 3" Motorised 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 6 15cm or 6" 6pdr Anti-tank*** 15cm or 6" 15cm or cm or 6" Tank () 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 4+ 15cm or 6" Tank (s) 15cm or 6" 15cm or 6" 5+ 15cm or 6" * Count the HQ distance as 22,5cm or 9" rather than 30cm or 12". ** Foot is short of AT weapons, so require a 6 to hit Tanks. *** Tanks automatically fail the Saving Throw if hit by a Anti-tank. Victory Conditions The win if they can exit the equivalent of six units (stands), off the eastern edge of the board. The game ends when all stands are off table or destroyed.

23 23 TANK - BRITISH TANK - BRITISH TANK - BRITISH MOTORISED INFANTRY - BRITISH MOTORISED INFANTRY - BRITISH MOTORISED INFANTRY - BRITISH 6pdr ANTI-TANK - BRITISH 6pdr ANTI-TANK - BRITISH MOTORISED INFANTRY - BRITISH HQ - BRITISH RECON - BRITISH HQ - ITALIAN TANK - ITALIAN TANK - ITALIAN TANK - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN LIGHT TANK - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN FOOT INFANTRY - ITALIAN BEDA FOMM The Units and Markers: Print-off and/or photocopy the units onto tan (for Allied) and gray (for ) paper. Then glue strips of the units onto cardboard. (Here, I would mark the backs of the units with a colo to distinguish them when they are "dispersed"/flipped.) Finally, sciss them out.

24 24 9) NORTHWEST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN: HALFAYA PASS, 15 TH JUNE, Background The 11th Indian Brigade was ordered to destroy the enemy forces in the area of Halfaya pass as part of Wavells 'Operation Battleaxe' during the summer of Aided by Matildas of the 4th RTR, the 11th was to advance on the Sollum - Sidi Barrani coastal road and take positions held by 'Reverend' Bachs Afrika Korp forces. The attack begins at dawn on June 15th. order of battle 11th Indian Brigade 1 X HQ (Brigadier R.A. Savory), 4 X Motorised (2nd Battalion, 5th Mahratta Light ), 4 X Motorised (1st Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles), 4 X Motorised (2nd Battalion, Queens own Cameron Highlanders), 2 x Artillery (25 pdrs).. Scenario basis and terrain The game length is 15 turns starting with turn 1 and ending with German turn 15. Terrain features are as per scenario map (60 X cm X 90cm). Wadis provide soft cover to infantry or support weapons. Victory Conditions : Capture the Pass above and below the escapment. German: Prevent the from capturing the ground above and below the escarpment. Any other result is a draw Deployment and arrivals The on board German forces may deploy anywhere on the board as shown. All on-board forces start dug-in (hard cover). The forces deploy as shown: Tank Unit 3 x Tank (Matilda IIs of the 4th RTR). German order of battle 1 X HQ (Reverend Wilhelm Bach), 4 X Motorised (1st Battalion, 104th Regiment). 1 x HQ (Supports weapons), 1 X Artillery (88mm Flak), 1 X Artillery (105mm Howitzer), 1 x Tank (Pz II), 1 X Light Anti-tank gun, (Tanks automatically fail the Saving Throw if hit by a Anti-tank gun or 88mm Flak). 2 x Minefields (4 X 4-10cm X 10cm). Scenario Map Sea Halfaya Pass Wadis German Deployment Zone Halfaya Pass Scenario, June 15th th Army Deployment

25 INDEX 25 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2 GAME PHILOPHY 3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3 WEAPONS IN NORTH AFRICA 6 COMMANDERS AND THEIR TACTICS IN THE WESTERN DESERT 7 BASING 8 MINIATURE 8 BATTLE SET-UP 9 TURN SEQUENCE 10 HEADQUARTERS (HQ) 10 MOVEMENT 10 FIRING 10 SAVING THROW 11 GERMAN STUKAS & BRITISH AIR FORCE 11 VICTORY CONDITIONS 11 MINEFIELDS 12 DUG IN 12 ITALIAN PROBLEMS 12 ORGANIZATION 13 UNITS 14 SCENARIO: ITALIAN OFFENSIVE 15 SCENARIO: FIRST BRITISH OFFENSIVE 16 SCENARIO: FIRST AXIS OFFENSIVE. 17 SCENARIO: SECOND BRITISH OFFENSIVE. 18 SCENARIO: SECOND AXIS OFFENSIVE. 19 SCENARIO: THIRD BRITISH OFFENSIVE. 20 SCENARIO: TUNISIA. 21 SCENARIO: BEDA FOMM. 22 SCENARIO: HALFAYA PASS, 15 TH JUNE,

26 26 DESERT WAR, EASTERN FRONT, ITALIAN FRONT, WESTERN FRONT, PACIFIC,