A Rude Surprise for Rommel - The Matrix Games version of West Front

10km E of Bir Hacheim, 60km SSW of Tobruk, Libya: [Best played against human opponent] May 26th, the first day of the attack on the Gazala Line, had gone according to Rommel's plan. While diversionary attacks convinced General Ritchie that the German main effort would come at his center, the bulk of Rommel's DAK drove into the desert, skirting the Gazala Line to the south of Bir Hacheim. At dawn on the 27th, Rommel headed NE toward the grand prize, Tobruk. Directly in the path of the 15th Panzer was the 4th Armoured Brigade, recently re-equipped with the new "Grant" tank from America. The 4th Armoured was in the process of taking up its battle positions when the 15th Panzer struck. A furious battle ensued, pitting the tough Grants against superior German tactics and training. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and the situation was in doubt until the arrival of German reinforcements, in the form of a detachment from the 21st Panzer lead by Rommel himself, which forced the withdrawal of 4th Armoured to the northeast.