Panzer Assault at Wadi Zem Zem
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The Afrika Korps advance rapidly toward the British defences at Wadi Zem Zem. The British fought a strong defence with the artillery playing a major role, successfully repelling any attempt by the Germans to take the road. However a weak defense on the left flank allowed the fuel dump at Sirie to fall to the enemy. This will hamper the British armour in the forthcoming battle. |
“Well done chaps, it was tough fight, the Bosh had superiority in armour. We’ll address that situation. I’ve mobilized the 2nd Armoured. We did a lot of damage, they’ll think twice before trying that again. The 4th infantry are well entrenched at Bir Hakeim and we’ve got a line of mines that will give the Hun a bloody big surprise! Fall back, re-group and I’m confident we can stop them at the oasis.” |
"We gave the Tommies a bloody-nose, and the Afika Korps have fought with valour. Gentlemen, you have fought like lions and been led by donkeys. I have relieved Oberst Barhzerie of command and promoted Hauptmann Schulter. Perhaps some new blood at the top will save some blood at the front.
Bir Hakeim is a vital resource, we cannot press forward without first taking this objective. I have promised the Führer that Tobruk will fall before the end of the month and I am a man of my word.” |
Campaign Score after Game 1: Axis 8, Allies 5
Defence of Bir Hakiem
A successful defence at the Oasis sees the Afrika Korps forced back to the Wadi and going on the defensive. The German force was divided by the minefield but there was also a lack of direction from Headquarters which denied the vital movement of units on the left flank. This allowed the British to rally and hold off the German advance despite there being very little to stop the German advance had it been able to gather any pace. |
"Another job well done. Keep up the good work and we'll have the Bosh running all the way back to Berlin with their tails between their legs. It's going to be a tough battle, we weren't able to draw up the reinforcements I would have liked at this time. But our fuel supply is back up, so we can press home the advantage with our armour. Let's keep the initiative, and good hunting." |
"This setback must be used as an opportunity to regroup. We inflicted severe losses on the enemy and their reserves will take time to get to the front line. They will try to go on the offensive but they do not have the forces needed. We have the advantage in the coming battle, we must press home that advantage and follow it through to the Oasis, only then can we stage an effective assault on Tobruk." |
Campaign score after Game 2: Axis 12, Allies 12
Counter-attack at Wadi Zem Zem
Rommel's forces were dug-in at the Wadi with superior numbers. It looked like an impossible task for the 8th Army. But both Lt. Johnson and Cpt. Soutar performed exceptionally, emboldening their troops to dominate the battle. amid burning Panzers and despite enemy air power the Germans were routed. An unexpected and decisive victory for the British. |
Campaign Score after Game 3: Axis 14, Allies 19
First Battle of Tripoli
Poor tactics proved fatal for the Germans. The Panzers went on the offensive coming out from the heavily defended zone into the no-mans land to confront the British Cruisers, with limited success but to the destruction of all the Panzer divsions! Now Tripoli is defended only by infantry forces.
Although the British have a similarly infantry led force, the Afrika Korps are on the back foot. The campaign is slipping away. Only a series of swift and decisive victories can pull it back. |
“Ok men, we’ve got them on the run. First division to reach the Berghof can stick the kettle on.
The German High Command is in total disarray. Thanks to the boffins at Bletchley we’ve been one step ahead of them all the way. We encountered for the first time the new Tiger tank. It proved to be a pussy-cat. Thanks to the 2nd Armoured the German Panzers have been completely destroyed. We also suffered great losses to our armour, but now it’s our turn to roll out the heavy tanks. I have deployed the 25th Armoured Brigade to punch a hole in the defensive line. We’ll hit them again, and again. We mustn’t give them opportunity to reinforce.” |
"Nein, nein nein! This is not acceptable! The British are humiliating us!
High Command have refused us more Panzer divisions. The Führer has lost faith in the Afrika Korps! He calls the Afrika campaign a side-show. We stop them here, now. We will prove those puppets in Berlin wrong. We will show the Führer that the Afrika Korps are the best soldiers the world has ever seen.” |
Campaign Score after Game 4: Axis 19, Allies 28
Second Battle of Tripoli
Another successful assault on the port of Tripoli, although again the British failed to secure the town. The Churchill was like a battering ram! rolling a path through the German minefield and taking out the German artillery and anti-tank guns. The British forces could have taken the German ammunition dump, as it was unprotected but failure to think ahead meant this remained untouched which was extremely lucky for the German defences. |
“They’ve lost morale, we have them in an iron grip now. I’ve brought up the 5th and 9th Armoured Brigades to assist in the final push. We just have to maintain the pressure and find the weak spots. The minefields weren’t too much of a problem. The new heavy tanks punched right through the line. One more push and the drinks are on me.” |
Campaign Score after Game 5: Axis 21, Allies 34
Third Battle of Tripoli
Campaign Score after Game 6: Axis 29, Allies 38
Third Battle at the Wadi
"We had a tough fight. The enemy had superior numbers. They caught us with our pants down, but we won't let that happen again. We need to pull back and regroup. We have to pull our socks up, dig in and make the next one count. The enemy still outnumber us, so we need to use the terrain to our advantage. Let's not drop the ball now."