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I have played an older computer game based on this Operation, so I thought I would give this a try.

Situation

It is Nov, 1941 and the war is continuing to go in favour of the Axis powers. The Germans are heading towards Moscow, making huge gains against the Soviets.

In the desert, the Commonwealth forces are getting ready to challenge Field Marshall Erwin Rommel – the desert fox.

Following two unsuccessful operations, Brevity in May 41 and Battleaxe in June 41, General Auchinleck takes over command of the Middle East Command and LGen Cunningham in in charge of the 8th Army.

Tobruk is still under siege by Axis forces. Rommel was tasked with driving the Commonwealth forces out of Egypt and controlling the Suez Canal. But he was unable to push into Egypt with Tobruk still in Allied hands.

The Axis supply situation

The Axis forces were constantly struggling with supply issues. British efforts in attacking Libyan-bound convoys were very successful between July and October.

Despite shipping losses the Italians succeeded in putting an average of 72,000 tons, slightly more than Rommel’s current consumption, across the Mediterranean each month during July through October. Rommel’s difficulties, for the moment, stemmed less from the threat posed by Malta and problems with Mediterranean convoys than from the impossible length of his supply lines with most supplies being delivered to Tripoli.

Moving the supplies from Tripoli to the front line was about a 1000 miles drive. The capture of Benghazi helped shorten the distance, but the capacity of the port was still very low.

Securing the port of Tobruk, would assist in reducing the supply line distance, but again most supplies would have to come from Tripoli.

For more info on the supply situation in North Africa – see http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/ ... logistics/

Here is a look at the terrain in the Area of Operations

Good stuff will watch with interest.

Supply is a huge challene for both sides ....it is just horrible

Narses,

Thanks, this looks like it should be a fun battle.

Here is a look at the Halfaya pass

A look at Rommel's forces...

A look at what I think I am facing at the outset - note the 2 German Panzer Divisions are Eat of Tobruk along the coast.

Here is a look at what I think the Axis reaction to my attack may be...

The VP locations drive success and provide objectives for my forces.

A look at the forces available to me

My reinforcements. I think the arrival locations of the first two brigades are wrong - but time will tell.

Here is a look at my first option for the 8th Army

Option 2

Option 3

Option Analysis

I like Options 2 and 3 the best.

Option 2 seems to give me the best chance to secure lots of VP – so many of them are available in the area near Bardia. However, Option 2 will allow the Axis player to concentrate his forces, including the two powerful Panzer divisions in the same area.

Option 3 will strain the Axis forces, as they will have to respond to two threats that are far apart.

I want to put some of the key things from manoeuvre warfare theory into action. So, I want to preempt, dislocate, and disrupt the Axis plans.

How do I achieve this?

All three options attempt to dislocate the Axis forces – by attacking from the South when they are mainly looking/defending towards the East.

I’m going to use my Air Force to try and disrupt the Axis plans through interdiction.

In Option 3, I may be able to disrupt the Axis plans by having their forces moving East only to see a big threat to the rear area with the advance of XXX Corps.

At the outset, I do not see a chance to preempt at the moment, but that opportunity may come.

Decision - Option 3

Option 3 is a good balance between dislocation and disruption of the Axis forces. It also gives me a really good chance of linking with Tobruk. The delay may also all for better supply routes to open up as XIII Corps attacks northward.

I need to be careful that I do not get sucked into a battle of attrition along the Axis Eastern line of defences, I want to bypass and push North as much as possible.

Holding most of XXX Corps in place is going to be hard for me.

My Air Force is going to attack the German fighter air bases right at the start – trying to establish a great air supremacy.

Is this Daniel McBride's Crusader that comes with the game?

Good morning Olorin,

It came with the game, but it is designed by Doug Bevard and is called Crusader 41.

Have a good day,

Here is a look at the opening plan for XXX Corps

And for XIII Corps

When I played TOAW III, I did not do a very good job of managing my Air Force - I often let the computer play it. I'm going to try harder to take control of the Air Units to make sure that what they are doing fits with my overall plan more.

As I mentioned earlier, I want to try and get air superiority early on. So, I'm attacking the four airfields basing fighters. Two of these airfields are on the map and two are off the map.

Air war - Nov 19th