** A Blunt Battleaxe - The Matrix Games version of West Front

[H2H] {HIS} [SPECIAL NOTES] {EA, NVV} Multi day -- see Notepad for details. Turns 1-12 Day, 13-16 Night, 17-28 Day, 29-32 Night, 33-40 Day} "I regret to report failure of 'Battleaxe'."...with this chilling phrase, General Wavell (CinC Middle East) commenced his report to the CGS and the PM of the failure of the first major operation to relieve Tobruk. Rommels' stunning riposte to retake Cyrenaica had left only this important port.....and many thousands of Axis prisoners.., as witness to the brilliant British victories in late 1940/early 1941 under O'Connor- himself now a POW. The prewar Egyptian/Libyan border again marked the uneasy front line. The "stretched rubber band" analogy this time favoured the British. The Axis forces were limited in their strategic supply capability by effective British control of the Mediterranean sea lanes, and the loss of the important port of Tobruk. The British had better supply prospects, although Axis air and submarine power did impose significant limitations. Operation Brevity in mid May had left British control of Halfaya Pass as its only significant gain, but Rommel regained this strategic route up the escarpment in the lightning Operation Skorpion on 26 May. In the meantime, the "Tiger" convoy, with enough material to rebuild 7th Armoured Division, had arrived, along with increasing pressure from Churchill for offensive operations. "Battleaxe" objectives were :- (a) to defeat the enemy on the frontier and the area encompassing Halfaya, Sollum, Fort Capuzzo and Sidi Azzeiz; (b) the relief ofTobruk; and (c) exploitation westward to a line Derna -Mechili. For the British, these plans failed totally. Superior German equipment, doctrine, leadership and tactical skill saw the British defeated. Facing encirclement by the DAK after 2 1/2 days, they retreated again into Egypt. The way to the Suez Canal was open to Rommel, but his critical supply situation and the latent threat of Tobruk in his rear prevented exploitation. (Read NOTEPAD for playing and other info). My thanks to Erik Walraven for testing and encouragement.