#411121_06hv: November Attack on Tobruk (Hypothetical) - North Africa 1941

Tobruk, Libya, November 21st, 1941. (Scenario Size: Army, HTH). This scenario represents what-if Operation Crusader was delayed, as almost happened. Rommel planned his attack for 21 November, just a few days after Crusader historically started. It consists of all of the Axis and Allied forces with the exception of those deployed around the forward Axis positions, including the New Zealand division being sent toward Tobruk to assist in the fighting, rather than its historical deployment toward the frontier defenses. The Axis had a well-planned attack, rare for Rommel. Historically, their forces had already begun to deploy for the attack when Crusader launched, which was one of the causes of the historical lack of reaction to the 8th Army's advance. Rommel's plan was to strike with z.b.V Afrika (soon to be renamed 90. leichte Afrika-Division) at the southeast corner of the fortress and then follow up with 15. Panzer-Division to penetrate into the interior of the fortress and defeat the fortress reserves. In the meantime, the remaining Axis mobile forces were to fight off any counterattacks from the 8th Army. Time is short in order to capture Tobruk prior to the full weight of the 8th Army striking from the rear. Rommel planned on entering the town of Tobruk by the end of the second day of the offensive. Note, this is basically the plan followed by Rommel's forces the following June when the fortress quickly fell to an attack on the fly.