#410615_01v Operation Battleaxe - North Africa 1941



Rating: | 7.8 (11) |
Games Played: | 10 |
SM: | 6 |
Turns: | 90 |
Type: | Stock |
First Side: | Allied (NA41) |
Second Side: | Axis (NA41) |
Fort Capuzzo, Egyptian - Libyan Border: June 15th, 1941. (Scenario Size: Corp. Head to Head or Human vs AI for either side. This scenario uses variable objective victory points) Operation Brevity in mid-May 1941 had failed to clear the Axis frontier defenses bar the capture of the strategic Halfaya Pass. This strategic location was lost to Rommel when Operation Skorpion was launched on May 26th. Operation Brevity though was only intended as a precursor for Operation Battleaxe - the first time that the Allies would have a clear superiority in tank numbers and the first operational use of the new A15 Crusader tank. With Halfaya Pass back in their hands the Axis forces turned it and several other localities into Stuetzpunkt (fortified positions). Notably, the newly arrived 50mm AT guns as well as several 88mm guns formed the core of the defense both at Halfaya Pass and at the Hafid Ridge (Point 208). The British planned to clear the major Axis positions at Halfaya, Sollum and Fort Capuzzo with the 4th Indian Division supported by 4th Armored Brigade. This Brigade had been outfitted with every available Matilda tank in its two tank regiments. 7th Tank Brigade was to protect the flank of the Indians from any incursion by the German Panzers and the 7th Support Brigade was left as a deep reserve and a further flank guard. Operation Battleaxe was to be an archetypical desert engagement of grandiose maneuver, open flanks and entrenched positions. Both sides were to be placed in positions of success and failure. This scenario covers all three days of Operation Battleaxe.
Player Voting Stats | ||
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Member | Balance | Enjoyment |
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Slightly Pro Axis (NA41) | 9 |
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Slightly Pro Axis (NA41) | 8 |
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Well Balanced | 7 |
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Moderately Pro Axis (NA41) | 7 |
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Well Balanced | 9 |
Gaming Records | |||||||||
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1st Side Player | 2nd Side Player | Result | Score | ||||||
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Kool Kat | vs. | Ricky B | ![]() |
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Allied (NA41) Major Loss | 12 | 72 |
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Ricky B | vs. | Kool Kat | ![]() |
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Axis (NA41) Major Victory | 72 | 12 |
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Bioman | vs. | hogan130 | ![]() |
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Axis (NA41) Major Victory | 72 | 12 |
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Ricky B | vs. | Captain K | ![]() |
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Allied (NA41) Minor Victory | 54 | 18 |
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Beerweasel | vs. | Outlaw Josey Wales | ![]() |
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Axis (NA41) Major Victory | 72 | 12 |

Lots of open desert to maneuver. Brits have to focus on objectives early since scenario runs with variable victory points on objectives. Germans have to play for time early to allow their armor to concentrate. Matildas sure are hard to stop!

Almost impossible for the Brits to win. German forces are superior in infantry quality and firepower (Brits only marginally better than the Italians)as well as their armor quality (except the Matilda which is slow and not in sufficient numbers to offset the German armor advantage.

Capture of Halfaya Pass objectives on Day 1 was a key to Allied victory

i never get tired of this one.

Looks good. Am I overlooking something, but where do I actually download these Scenario?

A good mobile battle overall. I played the Commonwealth. For the Germans, I would say they need to avoid standing early until their reserves arrive, and avoid the Matildas, focusing the panzers on the other forces.


The Allied side has to push hard to take objectives, before all of the panzers arrive on day 2. The armor battle is a touch one, both sides have advantages there.


There is a lot of movement across open terrain here, with at least 3 main areas to fight in. In some ways the Axis forces have advantages, but the Allied side also has strengths and whoever plays most effectively to their own strengths is more likely to win.


I believe, especially since restarting this scenario for a second time, the Allies are at a disadvantage. The Germans have superior armor, combat range, and unit quality. The Axis advantage is offset (a little) by the Allied Matildas and Crusader tanks. I'll give the Allies a slight advantage in artillery too. However, between evenly skilled players, I believe the Axis will win the majority of games. The recorded match results support this reasoning.
Regards, Mike / "A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - George S. Patton /