The opening shots of Charles' solo game.
1. Msus April 1941. The set-up.
This aerial view shows the Germans advancing in Blinds, divided into left, centre and right. They were randomly generated by dice rolls and Command Dice duly allocated. Due to the small number of Command Dice, it was often the case that a long dice chain had to be used in a zone where it really wasn’t needed. Although the Germans were stronger, their command and control was more haphazard. They just weren’t used to desert conditions yet! You can see the KDG Rolls Royce A/C in the centre. To the left the three M13/40s of 6RTR are hull down on a small ridge, and to the right the three Vickers MkVI tanks await instruction. In reserve, the Brits have two A9 and two A13 tanks of 5 RTR plus a 25pdr battery.
2. The British Right.
By chance, the German Blinds in the centre were quickly activated and all proved to be dummies. On the right, the British soon found themselves faced with a recon Sd222 supported by PaK36 37mm anti-tank guns. Here the two sides engage each other at medium range as German artillery is called in on the light tanks of 5RTR. They fall back and are relatively unscathed. The blind behind the ridge cannot be spotted but from the dust cloud it seems likely to be tanks!
3. A better look at the German anti-tank units.
4. The British left
The British recce unit in the centre has spotted dummy blinds all around, it seems the Germans are attacking in a double flanking formation. On the left the 6RTR see German armour looming out of the dust. These are 50mm armed PzIIIs and they fancy their chances against the British in unfamiliar and unreliable Italian captures. Still, the British are on favourable ground, they hold their position and hope for support.
5. Trouble on the left
By Turn 4 the battle on the left has warmed up. 6RTR have forced back one of the PzIII units, but have taken hits from the Panzers moving into close range. One M13/40 has been hit hard and forced back suppressed. British support is arriving behind the ridge on the far left, an A9 and A13 from 5 RTR. Penny packets form the British perhaps, an all out assault by all the reserve armour could be more decisive….
