** The Five Day Raid- Sidi Barrani - WFBP1_do not use for reporting games

The Western Desert, Egypt and Libya. (H2H) (HIS) (BZ) [Suitable as Team Game] {Some playing notes at end}. The Italian invasion of Egypt began on 13 Sep 1940, and proceeded, with majestic caution, under fierce and constant British harrasment, towards Mersa Matruh. It had reached some 12km past Sidi Barrani to Meiktila, a flyspeck on the big map in HQ Middle East. The C-in-C, General Wavell, was charged with massive responsibilities-the Italians on his western border, a further campaign against them in East Africa, hostility from Vichy French forces in Syria/Lebanon, German meddling in Iraq, the continuing Palestine problem, and likely German takeover of Italy's stalled invasion of Greece. Despite the massive material losses of Dunkirk the British were able to assemble and train a Corps of armour and infantry - the Western Desert Force - under LtGen Richard O'Connor. The objective of Operation Compass........to eject the Italian invaders from Egypt, with the possibility of greater exploitation should opportunity beckon. Assembling in the desert SW of Mersa Matruh, with a brigade attacking west up the coast road, the force was to advance W and NW, engage and destroy enemy concentrations and cut him off from his Libyan bases. In the freezing desert predawn of 9 Dec 1940, the artillery thundered the opening of the first British offensive of WWII, the success of which would lead to the effective destruction of one enemy army, but the introduction into the desert theatre of another, far more formidable foe. {Playing Notes:} Obviously, players can play as they wish...the scenario offers a number of options . The following is offered to assist historical play. The Italians are fixed for various periods, simulating both surprise and their sluggish reaction. Once "Compass" had started, the Italian reaction was essentially to retreat. As always, however, the Italian artillery fought with valour and skill. It is historically accurate for the Italians to retreat, so I see no objection to removing units to save them from destruction, but there is no exit objective.The map has an impassable terrain edge in the S and SW. British aim is basically to cut the Italians off from their bases, and hence destroy his formations. Selby Force will try to bypass Meiktila and prevent 1 Lib Divn retreating west. From 4 Ind Divn, 11 Bde, with 7 RTR moves west to attack Fort Nibeiwa, whilst the rest of the Divn advances NW to attack the Tummar Camps from the W, then moves to attack Sidi Barrani. 7 Armoured Divn covers the left flank and aims to cut off retreating enemy forces. Support Group proceeds SW to mask Rabia and Sofafi Camps.