Killing the 10th

[Schwerpunkt75]

CS Brethren,

I'm looking for someone to test a new scenario based on the Battle of Beda Fomm, 6-7 February 1941. Below is the scenario description:

Beda Fomm, 100 km SSE of Benghazi, Libya: Operation Compass had been a stunning success. Originally conceived as a large-scale raid that was to last just five days, the ease with which the British had broken Italian defenses in eastern Libya had encouraged British senior officers in the Western Desert to think bigger - much bigger. By late January 1941, the Italian 10th Army was in full retreat out of eastern Libya. General Wavell, commander of British forces in the Middle East, sensed an opportunity to destroy the 10th Army altogether. To that end, he ordered the 7th Armoured Division to advance across the Western Desert south of the Jebel Akhdar and cut the Via Balbia, the paved coastal road which constituted the 10th Army's escape route. While 7th Armoured cut the Via Balbia, Australian forces would continue to apply pressure on the beleaguered Italian rear guard in the north. If all went according to plan, the British would catch the 10th Army between the Australians and the 7th Armoured. On February 5th, Combeforce, a wheeled, ad hoc task force of the 7th Armoured, reached the Via Balbia and immediately set up a roadblock. Combeforce was soon joined by the tanks of the 4th Armoured Brigade. The appearance of British forces astride their only route of retreat shocked the Italians. During the evening of February 5th, General Tellera, 10th Army commander, began assembling forces to break through the British roadblock. 

Orders to Italian Commander: I need not tell you how desperate our situation is, Generale. We have been defeated in Eastern Libya, but we must save as much as possible of the 10th Army. Gather what forces you can, and break through the British roadblock to the south. I am assigning you our best tank units to spearhead your attack. Buona Fortuna, Generale, and God willing, I will see you in Tripoli! By the way, I hear our German friends are sending help. 

Orders to British Commander: I know your men and machines have reached the end of their ropes. But we can’t pass up this opportunity. Between you in the south and our Aussie cousins in the north, we have got an entire Italian Army in the sack! All we have to do now is close it tightly. Get this done, and I'll owe you a drink at Shepheard's. Tally-ho, General!                                                                                                               
[All on except VV and EA; Armor Facing optional.]

Let me know if you're interested: alexkuhns75_at_gmail_dot_com