Battleaxe 1941

INTRODUCTION

This is the Afrika Korps BattleAxe scenario, the counterattack by the Commonwealth commanded by O’Connor in June 1941. The Axis forces under Rommel attacked in March 1941 and achieved rapid success, bypassing Tobruk and reaching Sollum. Axis forces then dug in and began the siege of Tobruk.

The Commonwealth forces are numerically limited and led by General O’Connor, with tanks that are inferior to German tanks.
The Axis led by Rommel have high morale German troops, the German tanks are superior, but the Italian Infantry still suffers from limited mobility. They must block the enemy attacks, and sustain the siege of Tobruk.

The scenario starts during the siege, where the Commonwealth forces are prepared to counterattack. Can the Axis hold position? Can the Commonwealth break through and relieve Tobruk?

Be careful of the supply lines for the Commonwealth, as early success can outrun your supply!

The game Cards and Events allow full replay ability thanks to the numerous various situations that they create on the environmental, diplomatic, military, or political fields.

DURATION & FORCES

Duration: 0h30
Favored Side: Axis
Most Difficult Side to Play: Commonwealth

The BattleAxe scenario lasts 3 turns with each turn representing 2 weeks, starting June 1, 1941.

The Commonwealth player always plays first.

The Commonwealth forces include British, Indian, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Free French, Greek and RAF units.
The Axis forces include German Army, Italian Army, Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica units.

MAPBOARD

The map represents northern Africa, from Tripoli to the Nile and Suez Canal. There are two Theaters: Libya and Egypt.

Many Italian Metropolitan Infantry units are limited to a strip of land 2-3 regions from the coast, usually those with main roads and adjacent [the Coastal Road]

Regions that cannot be entered in the scenario (usually in the south) are grayed out.

VICTORY

IMMEDIATE VICTORY

The Commonwealth player wins if he controls either El Adem or Kambut, in supply.
The Axis player wins if he controls Sollum or Fort Capuzzo fortress at the end of the game.

Otherwise, the player with the most Victory Points at the end of the scenario wins the game.

BONUS VP

The Commonwealth player earns 5 VP for the death of Rommel.
The Commonwealth player earns 1VP for the first time Sollum is controlled.
The Commonwealth player earns 1VP for the first time Bardia is controlled.
The Commonwealth player earns 1VP for the first time Fort Capuzzo is controlled.
The Commonwealth player earns 1VP if Tobruk is controlled at the end of the game.
The Axis player earns 1 VP if Sollum is controlled at the end of the game.
The Axis player earns 1 VP if Fort Capuzzo is controlled at the end of the game.
The Axis player earns 2 VP if Kambut is controlled at the end of the game.
The Axis player earns 2 VP if El Adem is controlled at the end of the game.
The Axis player earns 1 VP if Tobruk is controlled at the end of the game.

REINFORCEMENTS

Neither player receives scheduled reinforcements in this scenario.
They may receive some new units (e.g. trenches, depots, mines or obstacles) via the use of cards.

SPECIAL RULES

ITALIAN INFANTRY
Most Italian Metropolitan and Blackshirt, non-motorized, Infantry have their movement restricted and limited to locations with main roads or adjacent to them (which are usually
2-3 regions from the coast). They are identified with an Italian shield on the unit.

Exceptions are local units such as 1 Sibelle, 2 Pescatori, 3 Gennaio, 61 Sirte, 62 Marmanica, 63 Cirenne.

REPLACEMENTS
All replacements and constructions are handled by cards.

CARDS
There are two cards drawn each turn in this game, and players may keep up to 10 of them in hands.

SUPPLY SOURCES
– For the Commonwealth units: Alexandria,
– For the Italian units: Tripoli.

FOG OF WAR
Both sides benefit from a partial fog of war, i.e. the player cannot see what an enemy stack contains (only a flag is displayed on those). To observe the enemy content, you need to play a Reconnaissance card (Air or Land).

BREAKTHROUGHS
Only Armor and Leaders can initiate a Breakthrough.