In this scenario, the Germans face a tough challenge. Knowing that the Australians will likely blow the bridge, they split their infantry forces, move north and south along the wadi, and plan to cross the wadi to attack the entrenchments. The Australian strategy is to remain in place and repel the attacks as the Germans emerge from the wadi; off-board artillery will harass the Germans and Italian reinforcements on the west side of the wadi. In addition, British artillery is positioned on a hill to put additional pressure on Axis forces.

About two hours after the Germans enter the map, they have started to cross the wadi. Knowing that the bridge will inevitably be blown, they avoid the bridge, and leave their tanks, halftracks, and trucks on the west side of the wadi. By now, off-board artillery has been effective in eliminating four steps of Germans.

At 1115, the Australians had lost about 75 percent of their off-board artillery (see special rules), but the engineers had successfully blown the bridge.

At noon, the German units that had crossed the wadi were assaulting two entrenchments, but artillery and direct fire were disrupting and demoralizing German platoons trying to join the attack.

An hour later, the Germans had taken one entrenchment and were assaulting two others. The wadi had provided cover as they approached, and now they looked forward to the arrival of the Italian reinforcements. Perhaps they can pull this one off!

At 1430, with only an hour left to achieve their objectives, the Germans controlled two entrenchments, were locked on assault in one, and preparing to assault another. Meanwhile, the Italian forces were trying to get across the wadi to assault other Australian positions. The Australians remained in place and waited for them to get into range.

At 1530, the German situation was roughly the same; however, their ongoing assaults were stagnating. One Italian platoon was able to get into assault position, but by then it was too late. The Australians were victorious. Destruction of the bridge really hurts the Axis, as they can only use their armored units by firing across the narrowest part of the wadi. But they did get infantry units across and were able to take the fight to the Allies.

I just had the misfortune of playing this one as the Axis player in a face-to-face battle and took an unadulterated HIDING !!

It was very very difficult (as the historical note would suggest).

With just 6 x INF, 2 X HMG, some light tanks and 1 x MTR (No OBA !!!),the AK have to cross a wide WADI (so their tanks can't cross) AND If they DO use the bridge, the AUS can blow it up with anything but a rolled '1' and everything on the 4 hex bridge dies. Once across the wadi, they will be faced by entrenchments, 14 x AUS INF plus 4 x HMG etc. The AK need to capture an incredible 5 entrenchments ...

Whilst trying to find the thinnest part of the wadi, casualties were whirring up at a rate of knots as Allied OBA rained down a series of rolled 2's, 3's & 12's plus the 2 x on-board 25pdr's were just as effective.

In the end, all the AK had left to attack ONE entrenchment were 3 x platoons, 2 of them with step losses supported by some long range (5 hexes) MG support from HMG and vehicles the other side of the wadi. It was TOUGH.

Even the Italian reinforcements that come on turn 18 of a 25 turn game did'nt have time to close to contact (maybe I should have used a couple to rush the bridge in a suicide gamble).

All in all, my harshest loss ever I'd say. Just 2 steps of casualties inflicted on the Aussies with around 14 steps of AK lost.

Being a true gamer, rather than throwing in the towel, I did Manfully play the game out till turn 25, despite the horrors confronted by against my Evil scenario chooser opponent, Darryl Simms

On another day, not such severe losses from OBA, plus a small gamble at the bridge may have paid different dividends, but on the evidence above a VERY convincing Allied victory