First off, this is a tough campaign scenario for both sides and it could of gone either way but in this case Australia prevailed in the end.

To begin with, Italy gains 15 V.P.s automatically if they are able to hold down the road and unbroken track hexes with either units or minefield points and if they set-up correctly, it is nearly impossible for the Aussie engineer units to clear all the minefields blocking passage, especially if 3-pointers are randomly drawn, and most especially if they are protected by the higher morale ranking Bersaglieri units, and even then to try when visibility is more than one hex is suicide at best. So the minefields were virtually out of reach until nightfall and this battle had to be won the hard way, through sheer attrition.

The Italians held the higher hand during the the first half of the battle until about dusk when their field pieces began to disappear but at that point they had more V.P.s by keeping road and track hexes blocked. Their reinforcements arrived right on time but the M11/39 tanks were caught in a chase by the British Matildas and quicly reduced to scrap metal. Soon however, the West end of the fortifications began to crumble and the highest ranking Italian officer, the Maggiore, was sent fleeing to Northwest corner with a few army regulars. By nightfall both sides were in a stranglehold when the order was given to brave the minefields and damn the casualties. Incredibily enough, no Aussie ENG units were eliminated while others were pulverized by a 3-pointer and opportunity fire at point blank range. At this moment the V.P.s briefly shifted to the Italians favor.

However, even the seemingly formidable Bersaglieri units began to break down first with their HMG units and then INF but they still managed to block the road in the end retaining their 15 V.P. points which made this Commonwealth victory a minor one. The one Maggiore who fled the fortifications earlier recovered with a platoon and gave chase to an overwhelming force of Bren carriers and managed to evade them and block the Northwest tracks until the last hour. Minefields were cleared but not enough. The one 3-pointer blocking the road was never attempted as it was guarded by the remaining Bersagieri who were determined to fight to the last man.

In the overall campaign scheme the British and Commonwealth still lead by 25 C.P.s, still reaping the rewards of Operation Compass while the Italians still remain defiant though their wins at the initial invasion of Egypt and defense of Bardia were marginal. The remnants of the 10th Army would have to give their all with a breakout at Beda Fomm to at least balance the scales until Germany delivered their promised support.

Not a bad scenario overall but everything is required for both sides and some turns lasted well over an hour laden with frustration, especially the second half of the battle with night-time restrictions and modifiers. I believe it is a fair match though and I could of won with Italy if I perhaps split the forces up; the stronger group holding the road and the weaker holding the tracks, forcing the British to divide their attack ... now on to Beda Fomm ...