Panzer Grenadier Battles on April 26th:
Afrika Korps #28 - "Meet Me at the Pass" Edelweiss: Expanded #13 - Spring Offensive
Army Group South Ukraine #1 - A Meaningless Day First Axis #20 - End Game in Italy
Army Group South Ukraine #4 - Beyond the Prut Parachutes Over Crete #39 - Corinith
Edelweiss #10 - Spring Offensive Road to Berlin #71 - Horst Wessel's Last Verse
Edelweiss IV #19 - Spring Offensive
Too much desert for Ariete to prevent a British exit
Author Brett Nicholson
Method Solo
Victor Draw
Play Date 2013-11-19
Language English
Scenario DeRa048

I finished this scenario in 18 turns out of a potential 40 with a draw. I thought that with the corrected set-up and deployment that this would be far more enjoyable but still found flaws. There was a lot of action at times, especially with the tank battles, but still found two maps and plenty of time gave the two British forces not much trouble in exiting 20 steps off the east edge; especially as there are east-to-west roads on both maps. I set the whole of the Ariete Division forces up only on map 5; contrary to the original, written scenario's deployment, as this was the only area with limiting terrain with the two hills. Luckily the Italians had plenty of transport as soon enough, 90mms and 47mm guns would be transported to attempt to chase down the 22nd Armoured Division after most Italian tanks were quickly dispatched. However, the remnants of the M13/40s; M14/41s and even a reduced Sem 75/18 that survived the first showdown versus British armour were able to rally and take out a few more Grants before they were finally all eliminated. Surprisingly, the Italian manned 88mms failed to eliminate one step of exiting British armour with rolling a natural '2' and then a '3' on the AT fire table at a convoy of Grants fleeing off the east edge but at the same time, even spotted, British OBA failed to knock out either battery of 88s. Eventually, even after the British exited the 20 required steps Ariete was also able to eliminate 20 British steps as well, forcing the draw.

I gave this a low rating of '2' because even fixed, played solo, I didn't get much out of it overall except a lot of counter pushing. I don't think it would be too much better as a shared play either but not the worst scenario; just still something broken about it. If the victory conditions required the British to only be able to exit off the east edge of map 5 then I think it would of made for a better or at least more challenging play. Other than that there is just too much desert area from north to south for Ariete to cover.

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