Author	treadasaurusrex (Germany, Italy)
Method	Face to Face
Victor	Germany, Italy
Participants	Tambu
Play Date	2022-07-22
Language	English
Scenario	AfKo045

We played out this unbalanced scenario in 6 intense, face-to-face sessions. Tambu ably-led the British side on offense. As in so many of the older PG scenarios, this one is all about the Axis force defending a piece of worthless desert terrain in Libya. An understrength, entrenched Italian infantry battalion with a mortar platoon, a light tank outfit, a 65mm mountain gun unit, and a 47mm AT gun platoon are wired-in at the beginning. Unfortunately, the surrender rule for the Italians was in effect. On the brighter side, we played without the tedious fog of war rule, and with the smoke, consolidation and excess initiative optional rules.

As play developed, it was a mad dash to get the 4 German armored platoons integrated into the Italian defenses as quickly as possible, in order to prevent too-easy, Italian surrenders to the combined arms teams of my quick-thinking British opponent. It was very tempting to spread out the German armor to try and get crossfire shots setup on the heavily-armored Matilda IIs, but in the end, digging the panzers in with the poor bloody Italian infantry proved to be a game winning, or at least surrender preventing, strategy. The Italian leader draws had been favorable, with all 5, having morale modifiers, which helped prevent mass surrenders and allowed for some eventually successful, but costly, close assaults. A total of 8, number 7 combat dies rolls were thrown by the attacking side which undid some clever attack sequencing. All told, the dice gods were on the side of the Italo-Germans as most morale recovery, AT shots, and close assault die rolls went their way. Expect very heavy casualties in this scenario, no matter how things turn out.

This scenario generally favors the British side, but if the Axis force can outlast the initial onslaught and is favored by the dice gods, there is hope for a successful defense. I give this vintage scenario a 3, mostly because it was fun to play with many decision points for both sides. Though, if you want a game of sweeping maneuver, pick another, as this effort is likely better-played in solo mode.