Author	treadasaurusrex (Australia)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Germany, Italy
Participants	Reconquista
Play Date	2022-12-12
Language	English
Scenario	AfKo042

This was another poorly designed & likely, nonplay-tested mess of a scenario. As with most Desert Rats scenarios it was far too long. I played the relatively boring Australian side, and Reconquista led the attacking Italo-Germans. We managed to complete this abomination in a 7-session play-through, using the FOW, smoke/illum, excess initiative, extended assault and strategic movement optional rules. Leader draws were awful for both sides, but perhaps a shade worse for the Aussies. There were 10 FOW-shortend game turns of 42, that materially benefited the Australian defenders.

All went well for the attacking Axis force until the sun rose. They were able to take 5 entrenchments before dawn, but then lost 3 of these in daylight as the fight continued, and the Aussie counter attack mounted. There were the usual dismaying surrenders by multiple Italian units before we were done, which contributed to the recapture of 3 entrenchments by close assault.

The final step loses were: 23 for the victorious Italo-Germans, plus 4 leaders killed; versus 10 Australian steps and 3 leaders eliminated.

This mess is only suitable for SOLO play. I gave it a very generous 2, in shared online play with a gracious and hard-fighting opponent. Otherwise, it really did deserve a 1, but we mostly enjoyed playing it over an extended period of time.