Background
Operation Crusader was a military operation during the Second World War by the British Eighth Army against the Axis forces in North Africa between 18 November and 30 December 1941. The operation was intended to relieve the 1941 Siege of Tobruk; the Eighth Army tried to destroy the Axis armoured force before advancing its infantry. The plan failed when, after a number of inconclusive engagements, the British 7th Armoured Division was defeated by the Afrika Korps at Sidi Rezegh.
Rommel once again split his forces with 21st Panzer taking up a defensive position alongside the Afrika Division between Sidi Rezegh and Tobruk and 15th Panzer moving 15 miles (24 km) west to Gasr el Arid to prepare for a battle of manoeuvre which General Ludwig Crüwell believed would favour the Afrika Korps. This presented a clear opportunity for a breakthrough to Tobruk with the whole of 7th Armoured Division concentrated and facing only the weakened 21st Panzer. However, XXX Corps commander Norrie, aware that 7th Armoured division was down to 200 tanks decided on caution.
Instead, in the early afternoon Rommel attacked Sidi Rezegh with 21st Panzer and captured the airfield. Fighting was desperate and gallant: for his actions during these two days of fighting Brigadier Jock Campbell, commanding 7th Support Group, was awarded the Victoria Cross. However, 21st Panzer, despite being considerably weaker in armour, proved superior in its combined arms tactics, pushing 7th Armoured Division back with a further 50 tanks lost (mainly from 22nd Brigade).
The fighting at Sidi Rezegh continued through 22 November, with South African Division’s 5th Brigade by that time engaged to the south of the airfield. An attempt to recapture it failed and the Axis counter-offensive began to gain momentum. 7th Armoured Brigade withdrew with all but four of their 150 tanks out of commission or destroyed. In four days the Eighth Army had lost 530 tanks against Axis losses of about 100.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Crusader
Special Terrain rules:
- Escarpment: Difficult going and provide bulletproof cover for stands in / touching them. The vertical edge of the escarpment is impassable to any team. Any stand or vehicle within 3” of the edge of an escarpment has line of sight to the entire next level down. Gaps in the escarpment are treated as difficult going.
- Buildings: Any stand in contact with a building is considered to be in bulletproof cover.
- Desert Track: vehicles may add 1” to their movement if it is entirely along a desert track. It is otherwise treated as normal cross-country movement.
- Landing Ground: open terrain. Unlike formal airstrips which prohibit teams digging in, the landing grounds in the desert were graded dirt (so teams may dig in on them).
- High Ground – the area of Ed Duda and Belhamed had great visibility due to their height. Stands on these rises do not have their line of sight blocked by any other terrain feature. Although their height was great, they were passable to vehicles, so they are treated as difficult going for movement.
Italian Forces: One Fucilieri Company of three infantry infantry, one Mortar and one 47mm AT platoon. The was supported by one 88mm AT, one 105mm Howitzer and one 75mm Gun battery. The strike force would be made up on a Carri Company of three M14/41 platoons and one Autoblida.
British Forces: One Crusader Squadron of four Troops, One Honey Squadron of four troops, Armoured car troop and a South African 25lb section..
Victory Conditions: There are four objective markers on the table. The player that holds the most objectives at the end of the game wins. The game wins after ten turns or if one side is eliminated.
The Italian plan was to hold against the initial British attack and then make a concentrated armor assault towards the airfield objective. The British plan was to pin the Italian infantry forces and attack from the airfield to take the back table objective. This basically meant that each sides plans would come into direct conflict!
The Italian tanks and infantry held their ground against the initial British attack, throwing it back with heavy casualties. The Italians then started their counter attack and swept the Honeys from the field, capturing an objective. The Italian infantry then launch a brave assault to capture the third objective before the British Crusaders could intervene. The game resulted in a historic axis victory!
- Manteuffel