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Turn 63
23rd September 1941

Round 9

The bombardments at Tobruk finally yielded results. I counted about 5 or 6 Italian units evaporated. Meanwhile the action continues northwest of Sofafi. Further German units are destroyed as the Axis are forced back once again.

I can't take a picture as its the last round, but will catch up next round instead.


This is a picture taken after the Axis turn but pretty much shows the position at the time except the Coldstream Guards have now retreated back to Sofafi.

Turn 64 - Axis Turn
26th September 1941

Another grim day for the medics and surgeons....

The Axis turn starts with an attack on the Coldstream Guards southeast of Sofafi.

Support is provided by the Royal Horse Artillery in Sofafi and, despite the massive number of attacking units (plus aircraft) the Guardsmen hold.

They cannot hold off a second attack however, but at least manage to retreat into Sofafi.

Massed enemy formations destroy the rear-guard AA unit on the coast road and Buq Buq is now open to attack.

The defenders of Tobruk receive more gruelling punishment.....

Turn 64
26th September 1941

Not sure how but my brand-spanking new, full strength Tomahawk squadron gets itself evaporated. I can only see one battle involving the unit - and by then it was down to 3 aircraft? No idea how the other 21 were lost. Maybe it was during my turn and I missed it??

Either way, I am down to 7 squadrons - if one can count the Free French. These units are almost at full strength and so again I have little choice but to keep them flying.

The 10th Australian Battalion shows up in the Nile Delta. I despatch two Australian 9th Division units by sea to Tobruk.

Round 1

The turn starts with bombardments at Tobruk and of the Axis front line.

Round 3

More of the same

Round 5

The bombardments continue but this time they are supplemented by attacks on the Axis units east of Sofafi.

Round 7

The Allies continue their push southwest to try and get at Sofafi. Anything that moves is ordered to fire shot and shell into the surrounding Axis forces.

Round 9

The British make their move to relieve Sofafi. Similar to the artillery, the troops are told if you can pick up a rifle then do so and CHARGE! The Axis units are thrown back once again and for the moment, the road to Sofafi is in British hands.

Turn 65 - Axis Turn and Commonwealth Turn
30th April 1941

The Axis force the British back - thus surrounding the units in Sofafi once more. Nothing seems to have happened on the coast road, but the Australians continue to suffer....

... the efforts to save the Sofafi garrison continues. I got so wrapped up in that I forgot to make any notes of the rounds.

Essentially the rounds took similar format. I put some more units on the coast road, and then concentrated on trying to save Tobruk and relieve Sofafi.

The efforts re the latter went well and the Commonwealth forces retook the road - opening up supply once more. The Axis forces appeared to take a lot of casualties in so doing.

At Tobruk I decided that if I just sit there I'm going to be destroyed anyway so.....

... I put my heart in my mouth and attacked along the coast from the Western Strong Point. The Italian infantry was forced to retreat and took some losses. Whether this was a good move or just venting frustration, only time will tell.


Tobruk end of Turn 7 (left) and end of turn situation at Sofafi (right)

Turn 66 - Axis Turn
3rd May 1941

The Axis undertake two attacks, bombarding the Southwestern Strong Point twice and destroying another Hurricane unit....

Turn 66
3rd May 1941

A strange turn. All aircraft placed to rest and it was a case of trying to mop up units the Axis left behind - without getting all out shape for the expected counter attack.

Turn 67 - Axis Turn
7th May 1941

The Axis restrict themselves to three bombardments of their favourite strong point. The only thing I console myself with is that I am a least making some nominal hits against my enemy too.

I still have zero reconnaissance capability which is incredibly frustrating - but really adds to the tension. I can see devoncop is moving loads of units as the counter at the bottom of the screen rises - but what he is moving and where to remain largely a mystery.

Turn 67
7th May 1941

This turn is very much one of consolidation. After all the excitement of the last few turns, I need to:

a) sort out what units ended up where (they can all get mixed up in the fighting)
b) what reinforcements and, perhaps more importantly, what withdrawals, I have coming up
c) based on the above, what needs to go where.
d) all aircraft squadrons are either reorganising (2) or resting (5)
e) I've been able to reinforce Tobruk with a battalion of Australian infantry (the missing 10th from a few turns back).
f) I send out a couple of scouts to try and find some clue as to where the enemy are - this is dangerous and can be costly as the 11th Hussars of the 7th Armoured Division almost found when stumbling across a couple of Italian units northwest of El Hamra.
g) in the absence of any real idea as to what is going on, I have little choice but to hold fire and allow my units to R+R.
h) I maintain patrols at key junctions and maintain forces on the coast road around Buq Buq and at Sofafi.

Turn 67
7th May 1941

At Tobruk, devoncop's tactics are almost as if he wants me to attack. The units directly adjacent to my defenders are pretty weak. That could be that he wants to protect his artillery (which I am unable to spot) or it could be he wants me to make another attack - after which he can counter with whatever he has behind. It is tempting to try another attack but for the moment I daren't.

I limit myself with bombardments. A couple of engineer units and at least two infantry units evaporate.

Turn 68 - Axis Turn
10th May 1941

The Luftwaffe have found their Ju-87's at last.... HMS Valiant is damaged (6) - I'll need to look up what that means but sounds serious. 6 bombers were shot down and 11 disabled.

My reconnaissance is non-existent but there is nothing wrong with the Italians, who surround and destroy the Long Range Desert Group...

There are also two attacks on the Southwestern Strong Point

Turn 68 - Axis Turn
10th May 1941

Not too much damage at this stage - but something to keep a check on as repair at sea is slow if indeed even possible. I've compared to Barham to show the effect the 6% damage has on operations.

Turn 68
10th May 1941

The air situation could be better; two Hurricane squadrons and a Tomahawk Squadron available - but one Hurricane unit is in poor shape. I am finding the Axis air forces are roaming seemingly free so I decide to put the two better units in the air and rest the third. Bombers are okay but not much to do at present so stay grounded.

The Tiger Convoy will be arriving next turn. Let's see what difference this makes - the tanks are added to the replacement pool.

7th Armoured HQ - 5/5 MkVI Light Tank
4th Arm Bde HQ - 5/5 MkVI Light Tank
7th Arm Bde HQ - 5/5 A-9 Cruiser Tank
6th RTR - 49/50 MkVI Light Tank
7th Hussars - 48/50 MkVI Light Tank
2nd RTR - 49/50 A-13 Cruiser Tank
1st RTR - 41/50 A-9 Cruiser Tank

2nd Armoured HQ - 5/5 MkVI Light Tank
3rd Arm Bde HQ - 1/5 Crusader Mk I Tank
5th RTR - 50/50 A-13 Cruiser Tank
3rd Hussars - 50/50 MkVI Tank

42nd RTR - 50/50 Matilda II Tank
4th RTR - 50/50 Matilda II Tank

7th RTR - 50/50 Matilda II Tank

Matilda II = 150
MKVI = 162*
A-9 Cruiser = 46
A-13 Cruiser = 99
Crusader Mk I = 1

* I seem to be 2 missing but I can't be bothered to search.

Turn 68
10th May 1941

I decide to switch tack with the RN. I need to destroy the Ju-87 and so target the German airfields. Sadly the Ju-87 were the last aircraft to be hit....

Even so, the German air losses numbered 70 (presumably some of those will be disabled and not destroyed) still not too bad.

Turn 69 - Axis Turn
14th May 1941

The Axis continue their bombardment of Tobruk, I can't see much else.

Turn 69
14th May 1941

So lets see what difference the Tiger Convoy has made:

7th Armoured HQ - 5/5 MkVI Light Tank
4th Arm Bde HQ - 5/5 MkVI Light Tank
7th Arm Bde HQ - 5/5 A-9 Cruiser Tank
6th RTR - 49/50 MkVI Light Tank
7th Hussars - 50/50 MkVI Light Tank (+2)
2nd RTR - 49/50 A-13 Cruiser Tank (+1)
1st RTR - 41/50 A-9 Cruiser Tank

2nd Armoured HQ - 5/5 MkVI Light Tank
3rd Arm Bde HQ - 4/5 Crusader Mk I Tank (+3)
5th RTR - 50/50 A-13 Cruiser Tank (plus 8/15 Crusader I Tank)
3rd Hussars - 50/50 MkVI Tank (plus 17/20 Crusader I Tank)

42nd RTR - 50/50 Matilda II Tank
4th RTR - 50/50 Matilda II Tank

7th RTR - 50/50 Matilda II Tank

Matilda II = 150
MKVI = 164*
A-9 Cruiser = 46
A-13 Cruiser = 100
Crusader Mk I = 29

* I seem to be 2 missing but I can't be bothered to search.

A nice reserve of Matilda II built up and the two 2nd Armoured Regiments have shiny new Crusaders to play with.

Turn 69
14th May 1941

The Western Desert Air Force are up to 10 Squadrons.

3 (2 Operational) x Hurricane sqns - 57/72 aircraft with 43 reserves (6 per turn).

3 (3 Operational) x Blenheim sqns - 72/72 aircraft with 31 reserves (3 per turn).

1 (0 Operational) x Tomahawk sqn - 16/24 aircraft with 12 reserves (2 per turn).

1 (1 Operational) x Gladiator sqn - 18/24 aircraft no reserves (0 per turn).

1 (0 Operational) x Beaufighter sqn - 6/24 aircraft no reserves (1 per turn).

1 (0 Operational) x Morane-Saulnier sqn - 1/2 aircraft no reserves and no more replacements

I continue to rest my bombers pending the assault that presumably will come soon. I am aware that the 15th Panzer is around - although of course have absolutely no idea where.... The reserve of Hurricanes is the best its been.

Turn 69
14th May 1941

Until the Axis show their hand I can't move. I continue to bombard with the RN, evaporating two squadrons near the Halfaya Pass.

Turn 70 - Axis Turn
17th May 1941

Once again the southwestern strong point is pounded to kingdom come. I'll have to check out the damage.....

Turn 70
17th May 1941

The game continues in a cat and mouse phase. The RN seek to fight back but the problem is the Commonwealth can't spot the artillery fire....

Historically the CW should be preparing for Operation Battleaxe - but until I know where the panzers are I just cannot take any risks....

Turn 71 - Axis Turn
21st May 1941

The Axis continue to inflict a level of pain and misery on the Australians unknown since Kylie and Jason's Especially for You....