#410615_03v Operation Battleaxe - Halfaya Pass - North Africa 1941

Halfaya Pass, Egyptian - Libyan Border: June 15th, 1941. (Scenario Size: Brigade. Head to Head or Allied Human vs Axis AI. 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. 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. Halfaya Pass had been heavily fortified since it's recapture and its defenses had been extended to the sea on the plain below the escarpment. The bulk of the available defenders were above the pass, but an extensive minefield protected a detachment preventing access along the coast road. 11th Indian Brigade was tasked with taking the pass supported by a squadron of Matilda tanks from 4th Royal Tank Regiment. The Allied forces planned to attack both above and below the pass simultaneously, hoping to roll the defenses up quickly. This attack was going to pit the German 88mm guns against the Matilda tanks for the first time and there was to be a clear victor.