Assault on Tobruk - 1st of May, 1941 - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Tobruk Fortress, 120km W of Bardia. Adolf Hitler responds to the defeat of his Axis partner in Africa by sending the Afrika Korps and Erwin Rommel to assist Mussolini's demoralized forces. Soon Rommel has surrounded the Australian 9th Div. with supporting British and Indian units in the fortress of Tobruk but Mosehead the Australian GOC Tobruk Garrison curtly declared that 'there will be no Dunkirks here!' Morsehead known to his 9th Division as 'Ming the Merciless', had used the time since Rommels investiture of the fortress to strengthen the Italian made defences and formulate a sound policy of active patrolling and sector defence. At nightfall on the 30th April units of 5th Light Division and 15th Panzer Division advanced on the wire against Hill 209, this would be Rommels first objective, followed by an advance along the Bianca - Pilastrino - Solaro road. The 'Brescia' and 'Ariete' Divisions would follow on the flanks. The Australian 'diggers' had orders to let the tanks roll over them and be dealt with by the AT screen while they would destroy the following infantry. 'We're here to give it not take it!' was their attitude. As for Rommel he knew that nothing stood between him and the Suez Canal except Morsehead's 'Rats of Tobruk' and that in order to conquer he must destroy them and take the port or see his chances slip away.