Battle for El Alamein - I'm Rommel this time

[MikeJ19]

Almost a year after Operation Crusader, we are back at it. This time I will be the Axis player trying to fend of Montgomery's attack.

This should be an interesting challenge. I wish that I had a chance to check out my defences before the attack started, but such is life. I will go through a bit of a planning process before starting my first moves.

The Situation

The Germans had pushed East quickly and hard over the summer of 1942, but got stopped along a defence line near El Alamein.
In August, Rommel had tried to break through, without success.

Following this failed attack, Rommel prepared an extensive defensive position with lots of minefields and barbed wire.

LGen Bernard Montgomery had been appointed commander of the 8th Army in late August. Signals intelligence and local sources exposed the Axis order of battle and its very weak supply situation. By October, the Commonwealth forces had more soldiers, tanks and airplanes than Rommel’s forces.


The Battlefield

A look at where we are fighting...

[MikeJ19]

The 8th Army

From the designer’s notes: All in all, given the advantages he had, Montgomery’s overall conduct of the battle displays a remarkable lack of imagination and manifests caution carried to an almost pathological extreme.

So, I expect a deliberate set of attacks by 8th Army. This should give me opportunities to strike hard and push back the Commonwealth forces.

Also, the Commonwealth forces are made up of many different nationalities, it would be good if I can exploit that a little.

The 8th Army has a great supply situation and will have air superiority. Not having at least air parity is going to be a challenge for me.

Here is a look at the forces involved in the battle

[MikeJ19]

A look at the VPs and what they mean to me

[MikeJ19]

Some random thoughts about my options.

[MikeJ19]

A look at options and a decision...

[MikeJ19]

Morning Oct 24th

[devoncop]

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19

Morning Oct 24th

To launch airstrike simply click on a unit you want to do the bombing with and mouse over the target unit and a crosshair should show up. You then right click and choose the relevant option.

[MikeJ19]

Devoncop,

Thanks. That sets up attacks during my portion of the turn. But sometimes my opponent seems to get to do airstrikes during my turn.

Here is a look at the afternoon situation.

[devoncop]

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19

Devoncop,

Thanks. That sets up attacks during my portion of the turn. But sometimes my opponent seems to get to do airstrikes during my turn.

Here is a look at the afternoon situation.

Sorry, I misunderstood. The strikes during your turn will be the PO's interdiction strikes.

[MikeJ19]

Devoncop,

Thanks and makes sense.

Have a good day,

[devoncop]

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19

Devoncop,

Thanks and makes sense.

Have a good day,

No worries....first time I have made sense since about 1974 !

Really enjoying your AAR....nice to see your thought processes as to strategic options.... If you ever fancy a MP game of the Campaign for North Africa (I am an Axis player mainly) let me know. Lots of options there !

[MikeJ19]

Devoncop,

I'm glad you are enjoying the AAR. It is fun putting it together...

Thanks very much for the offer of a MP game. I have never tried that and I worry that I do not play enough turns a day...

All the best,

[MikeJ19]

Here is look at the battlefield on the morning of the 25th

[MikeJ19]

Here is the situation on the afternoon of the 25th. I'm going to think about my response.

[MikeJ19]

So, here is what I decide to do...

[MikeJ19]

Whoops - the last slide should read Oct 25th PM - not the 26th.

[MikeJ19]

Time continues to march on...

[MikeJ19]

Here is my actions on the morning on the 26th.

[MikeJ19]

I keep expecting Monty to break free. So far so good though.

[MikeJ19]

After re-reading the game notes, I think that for the next 4 turns Monty is going to pause. This gives me an opportunity. I could hold tight and buildup my supply, launch a quick counterattack to better position my forces or give up the south to shorten my lines of communication and supply.

Time to think...