Desert Rats, scenario #11: Gabr Saleh

I reacquired this game, as I was missing playing some of the scenarios from it and especially after reading the excellent book called: Steel Centurions, not to mention the Italian Ariete Division was at their peak performance in many of these scenarios, which I can relate to after reading the book mentioned. Funny thing is, I ended up playing a scenario without any Italians in it. Also I picked a scenario which required two sets of counters, which was kind of irritating, but pulled counters from other games. I believe Desert Rats has 3 scenarios out of the 50 that require two sets of counters, I played many of them years ago.

In this scenario, it is all about eliminating enemy steps and the Germans can pretty much protect their weaker units but not the British as even their Stuart tanks are weak. About the only chance the British have in this one, was to charge the Germans in the darker hours and hope for good dice rolls. My game ended with the Germans achieving 37 points to the British 8 points for an easy victory.

I could kind of see the Germans were going to win this one, before I even setup it up but wanted to play some wide open tanks battles. It would have been more fun if the British would have had stronger Grant tanks. The Maps are pretty dull compare to the newer games like: An Army at Dawn but I reacquired this game mostly for the scenarios, counters and got it at a really good price from Noble Knights. Next time I’ll pick a closer match scenario.