Pyrrhic Victory



Mavropiye, Greece, April 13th, 1941: On April 8th, just two days after the German offensive, it became
obvious to General Wilson, commanding officer of the Imperial Expiditionary Force (IEF), that the Greeks 
would not be able to resist enemy pressure much longer. Consequently, he decided to redeploy his forces 
to the south, along a shorter defensive line, anchored on wooded moumtains and easier to defend. But he 
needed time to do so. Several units were detached from the IEF and placed under General Mackay. They 
started blowing up a series of bridges, managing to greatly slow down the Panzer Divisions. Even this 
was not enough though, and Mackay fought a first (and successful) blocking action at Vevi. Encouraged by 
the result, he decided to try again, 35 km to the south, at Ptolemais, a natural antitank ditch cut across
the South road. This looked like the perfect spot from where to try stopping the unrushing Panzers. The
clash was not long in coming. On the morning of the 13th, the 4th Hussars forward observation posts 
beyond the ditch came under heavy attack. The Germans quickly realized that it would be impossible to
force their way through. A glance at the map indicated a posible solution: a trail bypassed the obstacle,
but the ground was swamppy and seemed impassable for the Panzers. Nonetheless, it was the only way out
and had to be attempted. A few hours later the first German tanks showed up on the British flank.

Game Length: 8 Turns

For the Germans to win they must capture the town of Mavropiye
For the British to win they must defend the town

Germans: Squads, LMG's, ATR's, AFV's
British: Squads, MMG, LMG's, ATR's, AFV's, ART Gun

Boards: #3, #18

Aftermath: The fighting started right away. Two Hussars squadrons threw themselves at the Germans without
further ado: the action turned into a slaughter. Despite their bravery, Sir Winston's Hussars were felled
one after the other. Nonetheless, the German victory did not last very long. Rushing straight for the 
1st Armoured Division's HQ, the Panzers stumbled upon the 2-pdrs of the 102nd Norththumberland Hussars. 
Eight tanks were quickly knocked out and the German momentum was broken. And that was not the end of it. 
Two Cruisers squadrons, coming to help, set another five on fire within a few minutes. However, Brigadier
General Charrington, the Brigades's commanding officer judged that it would be safer to withdraw without
delay. Night was falling and it would be easier to disengage under the cover of darkness. Mackay's force 
escaped. But losses had been heavy. Too heavy in fact, for what proved to be the 1st Armoured Brigade's 
first, and last, action.


Source: Tactiques magazine, Scenario ASL TAC 53, Phyrric Victory
 