Author	plloyd1010 (Germany, Italy)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Germany, Italy
Participants	Col. Sonichu
Play Date	2022-10-11
Language	English
Scenario	AAAD034

First I'll say this is a very difficult scenario for the Americans. Kudos to my opponent for sticking to it to the completion of the Axis victory conditions. I gave this scenario a 2 because of the extremely lopsided opening caused by the first 6 turns being night.

The scenario begins 10 turns before dawn. A combined Axis force enters from the east with the intent of transiting the map. Normally this would be quite a challenge, but this is February in North Africa, so it is dark. We were using illumination rounds. That helped the Americans a little, but they not enough.

Italian motor infantry drove up near the American blocking position while my tanks moved out on the flanks. The German armored cars and krad ran to the north, while my Italian car cut south. A brief tank battle began in the center as starshells illuminated the armor.

The weakness in the scenario became apparent as the darkness allowed strategic movement, so long as I avoided contact with the Americans. My opponent realized the danger and moved to counter me as best he could. This created a skirmish between my krad and armored cars and 2 of his tank platoons. The Americans simply did not have adequate presence to contain the Axis movement. If not in assault, the Axis units drove around them, with limited visibility, assault opportunities were limited.

In the end it became a broken-field run to the western edge. American tank losses were heavy and the Axis armored cars were loose. An Axis victory.

The scenario could be improved by upping the Axis exit requirements, like units instead of steps, or allowing more illumination rounds, but still few enough to require prudence.