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** A Blunt Battleaxe - The Matrix Games version of West Front

** A Blunt Battleaxe Image
Campaign Series Ladder

** A Blunt Battleaxe

By Rod Coles
Allies 0 - 2 - 3 Axis
Rating: 9.78 (4)
Games Played: 5
SM: 8
Turns: 40
Type: Stock
First Side: Allies
Second Side: Axis
Downloads: 687
[H2H] {HIS} [SPECIAL NOTES] {EA, NVV} Multi day -- see Notepad for details. Turns 1-12 Day, 13-16 Night, 17-28 Day, 29-32 Night, 33-40 Day} "I regret to report failure of 'Battleaxe'."...with this chilling phrase, General Wavell (CinC Middle East) commenced his report to the CGS and the PM of the failure of the first major operation to relieve Tobruk. Rommels' stunning riposte to retake Cyrenaica had left only this important port.....and many thousands of Axis prisoners.., as witness to the brilliant British victories in late 1940/early 1941 under O'Connor- himself now a POW. The prewar Egyptian/Libyan border again marked the uneasy front line. The "stretched rubber band" analogy this time favoured the British. The Axis forces were limited in their strategic supply capability by effective British control of the Mediterranean sea lanes, and the loss of the important port of Tobruk. The British had better supply prospects, although Axis air and submarine power did impose significant limitations. Operation Brevity in mid May had left British control of Halfaya Pass as its only significant gain, but Rommel regained this strategic route up the escarpment in the lightning Operation Skorpion on 26 May. In the meantime, the "Tiger" convoy, with enough material to rebuild 7th Armoured Division, had arrived, along with increasing pressure from Churchill for offensive operations. "Battleaxe" objectives were :- (a) to defeat the enemy on the frontier and the area encompassing Halfaya, Sollum, Fort Capuzzo and Sidi Azzeiz; (b) the relief ofTobruk; and (c) exploitation westward to a line Derna -Mechili. For the British, these plans failed totally. Superior German equipment, doctrine, leadership and tactical skill saw the British defeated. Facing encirclement by the DAK after 2 1/2 days, they retreated again into Egypt. The way to the Suez Canal was open to Rommel, but his critical supply situation and the latent threat of Tobruk in his rear prevented exploitation. (Read NOTEPAD for playing and other info). My thanks to Erik Walraven for testing and encouragement.
Player Voting Stats
Member Balance Enjoyment
Panzerjaeger's ProfilePanzerjaeger Well Balanced 10
Scud's ProfileScud Well Balanced 10
Tiger 88's ProfileTiger 88 Well Balanced 9
Panzerjaeger's ProfilePanzerjaeger Well Balanced 8
Gaming Records
1st Side Player 2nd Side Player Result Score
Axis Panzerjaeger's Profile Panzerjaeger vs. ergli ergli's Profile Allies Draw 48 48
Axis Tiger 88's Profile Tiger 88 vs. Boisforas Boisforas's Profile Allies Axis Major Victory 96 16
Allies Zap's Profile Zap vs. JRTXX JRTXX's Profile Axis Allies Major Loss 16 96
Axis Panzerjaeger's Profile Panzerjaeger vs. Scud Scud's Profile Allies Draw 48 48
Axis kernel t's Profile kernel t vs. Relayer Relayer's Profile Allies Axis Major Victory 96 16
Scud
Huge map, I played allies. Had a major at one point and a minor through most of the second half, but the Germans came on strong and we ended in a draw. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Day/night. Rod Coles even supplies recommended reading in his supplied text document.
Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blasts on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us. --Walt Kelly