Zachary Grant, 2 February 2025
Let’s recap
Willkommen zurück! If you remember from the last article, the German forces trying to encircle Tobruk were attacked. Two panzer battalions were forced to retreat from Gambut and barely escaped; however, they are in complete retreat and not a viable fighting force. The supply lines to Tobuk are reopened and the Allies are ready to deal with whatever the Axis does next.

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Events of the second impulse for the Axis
For the event roll, the OKW, hearing about the latest setback, sends the DAK HQ Luftwaffe support. Better late than never! I know I must regroup the German battalions or run the risk of completely losing them. I also need to get supplies to the front and the Italians into the fight.

In Tripoli, the German 15th Division’s I/8 panzer battalion is ready to join the fray, along with the two trucks I sent back last phase. All three units enter the map and advance to Msus. I ship the Trento’s 7B infantry regiment via naval transport to Benghazi. Unfortunately, they are caught by the British Navy and suffer a step loss. At least I didn’t lose the entire regiment.
The remainder of the movement phase sees the Italians continue to slowly advance and the Germans regroup. My main concern is the British armor units in Tobruk attacking weak points along the Axis advance. I place the Flak battalions at the weakest locations to thwart any attack by Allied armor. The end result sees the Italians consolidating their forces west of Tobruk while the Germans huddle together to the south east of Tobruk, protecting the two German panzer battalions as they rally from their full retreat to being disrupted.

Events of the third impulse
The Allies, sensing the Axis are still disorganized and over extended, sally forth to cut off the Germans east of El Adem. Trust me gentle readers when I tell you, my heart sank when I saw the Allied movement phase unfold before me.
To make a long story short, the Allies successfully encircle the Germans. British and Australian infantry brigades move from Bir el Gubi in the south to just west of the German battalions, while more Allies from Tobruk advance beyond their defensive positions to complete the potential ring of doom. A weakened 7th Hussars probes west, just north of Bir Hacheim, to act as an impediment to any Axis attempt to aid the now trapped German battalions. The 6th Royal Tank Regiment, (RTR) protects the south western flank of the Allied infantry and the 11th Hussars screen the German southern defensive perimeter, corralling any German units that might try to escape. As you can see from the picture, it does not bode well for the Germans.

4th Indian Division leads the attack against a group of German 15th Division battalions with the 5th and 11th Indian infantry brigades. They are supported by those pesky Matildas. The Matildas might be pokey and they pack a powerful punch! I consider using the Luftwaffe to contribute defensive air support and decide against it for now.

The battle is quick and successful for the Allies. The Germans lose a strength step and must retreat 2-3 hexes. The 15th battalion, with their maneuverable motorcycles, take the brunt of the attack and are eliminated.

The Germans, knowing that retreating will spell doom for their comrades in the 5 Light Division to their east, attempt to conduct a determined defense. The 115th regiment leads the effort in stabilizing the defensive line and rallying the German defenders to not retreat. Luck is on the German side and with the benefit of a +1 die roll modifier for their elite status, the 115th regiment successfully passes their determined defense check. When units pass a determined defense, they are not disrupted nor can the enemy advance. Of course, this successful defense comes at a cost of one strength step, which the 115th regiment takes.

The Allied commander’s elation at the initial successful attack by the 4th Indian Division is quickly deflated at the grim resolve of the German defense. All follow up attacks are cancelled and the Allied impulse ends.
This is the latest episode in a running playthrough of North Africa ’41 from GMT Games; you can find the links to all published episodes at the end of article, with new ones each Sunday
The Axis, knowing how lucky they have just been, breathe a sigh of relief and wonder how in the hell they are going to extract themselves from their current predicament. The Axis event roll is a bombing raid and I finally turn my attention to Tobruk’s port. The bombing raid is successful and Tobruk’s port capacity is reduced from four to two.
I finally realize the replacement units in Tripoli need to get closer to the front. I’m not sure why I didn’t move them earlier. I also ship the Trento 61st infantry regiment to Benghazi. The British Navy, getting wise to my transportation attempts, is able to damage part of the convoy and reduce the strength of the Trento regiment by one step. The Italians begin to swing towards the action south of Tobruk to help the trapped Germans. Shoring up the supply lines and preventing an attack from Tobruk is their main mission. The German 15th Division I/8 panzer battalion races as fast as its treads will carry them towards their comrades, yet it isn’t going to be soon enough.

The surrounded Germans have devised a plan that hopefully will get them out of the mess they are in. The 11th Hussars recon battalion is the weakest point in the Allied attack. The undisrupted units from the 5th Light Division will join the two remaining units from the 15th Division and attack with overwhelming force against the 11th Hussars.

This move will produce 10:1 odds against the Hussars, forcing them into a full retreat. Recon units don’t suffer damage in events like this, they only retreat. The Hussars fall back one hex to the safety of the fortified hex at Bir el Gubi.

Now a path is clear for the disrupted battalions from 5th Light Division; however, they can only move 2 hexes in their current disrupted state. If I voluntarily route them, they can move a full eight hexes and begin their flight to safety.

Next, the DAK HQ, the Flak battalion, and two units from the Ariete Division advance one hex south to attack the lone 6th RTR, in hopes of blasting an opening in the Allied defensive line.

The approaching Italians from the west threaten the 7th Hussars both from the north and south and a Mobile Supply Unit advances with supplies to ensure the Germans get the vittles they need if they break out. The question is, can they escape?

I decide the 7th Hussars need to be dealt with first. The Italians attack with regiments from the Brescia and Pavia Divisions supported by a battalion of tankettes. The 7th Hussars request defensive artillery support from Tobruk and get it. For whatever reason, either the defensive artillery from Tobruk, or just bad luck, the battle is not good for the Italians. I get the worst result possible on the CRT, which results in an Exchange.

This means both sides lose one strength step, and your opponent selects your loss. The Allies select the tankette battalion, and as there is only one step remaining for the Hussars, they are eliminated. At the end, the Italians are allowed a limited advance and the Pavia 27th regiment moves into the empty hex. So, although the combat result seemed bad, the overall result was good.
Next, the Italians attack the 6th RTR with the Ariete 7th tank battalion and the 88th motorized infantry regiment. The 6th RTR, seeing they are outnumbered and outgunned, request defensive artillery support, but their requests are denied.

The battle is hard fought with the Italians taking a step loss and the 6th RTR being eliminated. The Ariete 7th tank battalion takes the hit and then both Italian units advance into the now empty hex.

Now we arrive at the most challenging part of the breakout. The group of units involved in the Auto Disrupt can take advantage of their 4 hex advance as a breakthrough move.

The units can advance into the hex vacated by the retreating Hussars and ignore any EZOC. From here the Germans split up into two groups. The battered 115th infantry regiment joins the DAK HQ and Flak battalion to provide them more protection and the remaining units advance to position themselves adjacent to the Aussies and the Brits.

Now the Germans launch their counter attack against the Allied infantry brigades. Attacking are the II/5 panzer battalion, two recon battalions and the 8th machine gun battalion. The odds will be 4:1, thanks to the German elite combined arms and tank shifts. The situation doesn’t look good for the Allies.

I roll the dice for combat and get . . . a one! Verdamt! The worst result possible. Wait! What is that small dust cloud approaching the battle? It’s Rommel! One of the major advantages of playing the Germans is having Rommel. Rommel allows you to reroll either one attack or one determined defense per turn. I bring Rommel onto the map and reroll, getting a 4, which means both sides will take a loss and the Allies will need to retreat if they fail their determined defense roll.

The Allied commander selects the Aussies to take the step loss and forgoes any determined defense attempt and immediately retreats back to the safety of Tobruk. The Germans advance after combat to put space between themselves and the Allied forces around Tobruk and to strengthen the defense of the units not involved in the battle. The turn ends with the Axis not losing any supply points due to supply attrition, which is lucky and welcome.

Conclusion & Discussion
At the end of the turn, the Germans successfully foiled the Allied attempt to encircle and destroy them; however, the cost in resources and time were considerable. The attempted encirclement of Tobruk completely failed and there are only three turns remaining in the introductory scenario. Any chance of meeting the victory conditions in that amount of time are slim. It is clear I over extended the German advance too quickly. I should have waited for adequate supplies and support from the Italians. Neglecting to reduce Tobruk’s port capacity also has been a mistake. The Allies have been shipping units and resources for the last three turns, so they were well prepared for an attack. Even if the siege had worked, Tobruk’s port capacity could sustain the units in Tobruk for quite some time. Now it is time to regroup and see what I can do in the next turn. Tune in next week, same Dragoon time, same Dragoon channel, to read the next installment!
NORTH AFRICA ’41 AAR
PART 1 ~ PART 2 ~ PART 3 ~ PART 4 ~ PART 5 ~ PART 6 ~ PART 7 ~ PART 8
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Are you playing this solo or against an opponent?
This game is against an opponent. Maybe I should have played a game or to solo before playing a real opponent, just to learn how to avoid some of the mistakes I made during this game. However, if I had done that, I wouldn’t have all this great material to share with everyone about what NOT to do!
I, for one, wouldn’t notice any mistakes, because I don’t play this game. I’m just enjoying the well-written narrative.
Well done, Grant, to put yourself out there and show your learning mistakes to the rest of us! There are, I’m sure, many Rommel acolytes waiting in the wings to emerge from the shadows, ready to storm Tobruk in their opening games!!!
Thank you!