#410615_02v Operation Battleaxe - Day 1 - North Africa 1941

Fort Capuzzo, Egyptian - Libyan Border: June 15th, 1941. (Scenario Size: Corp. Head to Head or Human vs AI for either side) Operation Brevity in mid-May 1941 had failed to clear the Axis frontier defenses bar the capture of the strategic Halfaya Pass. This strategic location was lost to Rommel when Operation Skorpion was launched on May 26th. Operation Brevity though was only intended as a precursor for Operation Battleaxe - the first time that the Allies would have a clear superiority in tank numbers and the first operational use of the new A15 Crusader tank. With Halfaya Pass back in their hands the Axis forces turned it and several other localities into Stuetzpunkt (fortified positions). Notably, the newly arrived 50mm AT guns as well as several 88mm guns formed the core of the defense both at Halfaya Pass and at the Hafid Ridge (Point 208). The British planned to clear the major Axis positions at Halfaya, Sollum and Fort Capuzzo with the 4th Indian Division supported by 4th Armored Brigade. This Brigade had been outfitted with every available Matilda tank in its two tank regiments. 7th Tank Brigade was to protect the flank of the Indians from any incursion by the German Panzers and the 7th Support Brigade was left as a deep reserve and a further flank guard. Operation Battleaxe was to be an archetypical desert engagement of grandiose maneuver, open flanks and entrenched positions. Both sides were to be placed in positions of success and failure. This scenario covers the first day of Operation Battleaxe.