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Operation BattleaxeJune, 1941

Campaign for the Khamsin WW2Campaign Rules

Version 1.60 January, 2013

Offered by GAJO Games

[email protected]://www.gajominis.com9341 S. 1300 EastSandy, UT 84094801-563-5956
http://www.gajominis.com/http://www.gajominis.com/http://www.gajominis.com/http://www.gajominis.com/

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12/22/2012 Khamsin Operation Battleaxe, GAJO Games 2

1.0 Order of BattleEach historical force is made up of a groupof representative FOW companies. Actionsgenerated through campaign maneuverswill be fought out on the tabletop usingthese types of companies, and the strengthof a formation in the campaign is shown astheir unit strength.

Initial Deployment Axis formations may be deployed in any

areas not marked as Allied controlled onthe campaign map Formations indicated with a % are

restricted to deploying at Bardia

IntroductionKhamsin is intended to provide a simple campaign system to generateinteresting Flames of War battles. This module is intended to be used withthe basic rules to recreate a campaign set during Operation Battleaxe, thesecond Allied attempt to relive Tobruk, in May of 1941.

AXIS FORCES (#, ## - reinforcements)

FORMATION MOBILITY ACTIVATIONUNIT

STRENGTHTABLETOP UNIT OPTIONS

Rommel## Motor +1 - Leader

15thPanzer Division

8thPanzer Regiment Motor 3 4 Leichte or Mittlere Panzerkompanie

115thSchutzen Regiment Motor 3 2 Schutzenkompanie

104thSchutzen Regiment Motor 3 1 Schutzenkompanie or Panzerschutzenkompanie

33rdRecon Battalion Recon 2 1 Kradschutzenkompanie

33rdPionier Battalion Motor 3 1 Leichte Pionierkompanie

5thLight Division

5thPanzer Regiment ## Motor 3 4 Leichte or Mittlere Panzerkompanie

2ndMG Battalion ## Motor 3 1 MG-kompanie

3rdRecon Battalion # Recon 2 1 Kradschutzenkompanie

Italian Trento Division

I/62ndInfantry Regiment % Leg 0 1 Posizione de Fucilieri

II/62ndInfantry Regiment Leg 0 1 Posizione de Fucilieri

III/62ndInfantry Regiment Leg 0 1 Posizione de Fucilieri

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[1]Indian unit but uses the Australian list, but with Indianspecial rules - see OOB notes

Initial Deployment

up to one formation from 7thArmouredDivision may be initially deployed in Sidi

SuleimanAll other Commonwealth formationsmust be initially deployed in HalfwayHouse, Quaret el Reteim or the British

Assembly area

Force Changes / Restrictions

Flames of War forces are selected from theappropriate list in the Hellfire & Back book.

Details by nationality are as set forth in theArmy List Section.

COMMONWEALTH FORCES

FORMATION MOBILITY ACTIVATIONUNIT

STRENGTH TABLETOP UNIT OPTIONS

7thArmoured Dvision

7thArmored Brigade Motor 3 4 Armoured Regiment or Crusader Armoured Squadron

Jock Campbell Motor +1 - Leader, affects 7thSupport Group Only

7thSupport Group Motor 4 2 Jock Column

4thIndian Division

Central India Horse Recon 2 1 Australian Divisional cavalry squadron [1]

11hIndian Brigade Leg 4 3 Indian rifle company

4thArmored Brigade Motor 3 4 Infantry Tank Company

22ndGuards Brigade Motor 3 3 Guards rifle company

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2.0 Campaign Timeline

The Operation Battleaxe campaigncommences on June 15thand ends byJune 17th, 1941 (a total of 3 days).

Determining WeatherThe weather during this campaign wasprimarily dry and sunny. Weather has noimpact on the campaign and is assumed tobe clear each campaign turn.

Reinforcement Arrival Areas All Axis reinforcements arrive in

Sidi Azeiz

Replacements Integration - both sides in theOperation Battleaxe campaign usededicated replacements

The Axis CiC receives 10 replacementpoints in the morning turn of June 16and 17 The Commonwealth CiC receives 15

replacement points in the morning turnof June 16 and 17

Jun 15 morning [1] Jun 16 morning $ Jun 17 morning $

Jun 15 afternoon [2] Jun 16 afternoon Jun 17 afternoon

Jun 15 evening [3] Jun 16 evening Jun 17 evening

Milestones indicated on the turn chart below are:[1] - British surprise move[2] - Axis reinforcements arrive (3rdRecon)[3] - Axis reinforcements arrive (5thPanzer Regt, 2ndMG Bn,Rommel)$ - both sides receive replacements

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2.0 Coordination Special Rules

Axis Command Restrictions:Unlike their Allied opponents, the Axisforces had a more unified commandstructure in the frontier area at the time ofthe Battleaxe fighting.

The Axis forces suffer from no commandrestrictions in this campaign scenario.

Commonwealth Command Restrictions:

British doctrine at this time discouragedclose cooperation between armored unitsand infantry units, other than the infantrytank units specifically designed to supportthe infantry.

To reflect this, Commonwealth forces from7thArmoured Division may not cooperate inbattle with forces drawn from 4thIndianDivision, and vice versa. Forces from onedivision may never occupy an areaoccupied by forces of the other division,although they may move through such anarea as long as they end their movement inan area not occupied by forces from theother division. In addition, an enemyoccupied area may only be attacked byforces from one of the divisions in a giventurn.

3.0 Air Operations

Air Support Specifics

During this period in the desert most airoperations were concentrated on

interdiction and naval / convoy operations.Effective air / ground coordination was stillbeing developed.

During the Battleaxe operation the Alliedforces enjoyed almost total command ofthe air, but did nothing effective intranslating this into a positive effect on the

ground campaign.

To reflect this, neither side may purchaseor use air support in any engagementduring this campaign scenario.

Aerial Recon

One advantage the Allies did gain from

their command of the skies was betterintelligence about enemy movements thantheir Axis opponents.

To reflect this, each turn the Allied CiC maydesignate one map area as the focus ofaerial recon. The referee will reveal the unitstrength and type of the Axis forces located

in that area at the start of that turn.

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4.0 Movement Special Rules

Desert Movement Types

In the desert theater, movement andparticularly supply were heavily dependenton the coastal road (Via Balbia), which isthe only significant artery through thetheater.

Movement

Movement point costs for OperationBattleaxe are as follows:

Control of Areas

At the start, all areas on the map exceptHalfway House, Sidi Suleiman, Quaret elReteim and the British Assembly Area arecontrolled by the Axis.

The British Surprise Move

Rommel had a pretty good idea that anAllied offensive in the frontier area wascoming, but did not know the exact timing.Consequently, the British / Commonwealthoffensive achieved a small level oftemporary tactical surprise.

To reflect this, on the first turn of thecampaign, only Allied formations may begiven movement orders. In addition, all

Allied units automatically pass theiractivation rolls on the first turn.

Supply Areas / Special Rules

Supply areas for Axis formations areBardia and Sidi Azeiz. Supply Areas for the

Commonwealth formations are HalfwayHouse and Quaret el Reteim.

German Forward Supply Doctrine

German mobile divisions during this periodhad supply columns which traveled withthem up close to the front lines. To reflectthis, any German mobile formation that is

in a position where it would normally be outof supply may ignore the effects of beingout of supply for one campaign turn. If theformation remains out of supply for morethan one turn it suffers the normal effectsof being out of supply.

Infantry Tank Supply

British Infantry Tank units had a verylimited range and required regular supplyreplenishment, which made it very difficultto keep them supplied too far from thecoastal highway.

To reflect this, supply for an Infantry Tankunit may only be traced along a maximum

of 2 non-artery connectors. If the unitneeds to trace supply through more than 2trail or desert connectors it is treated asout of supply.

Connector Movement Point Cost

Artery 2

Trail 3

Desert 3

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5.0 Engagement Special Rules

Setting up the table

This campaign uses the following terrainplacement tables:

Basic desert table:

Roll for one random feature for every 2 by

2 section of table (6 rolls for a 4 by 6 table)

If a terrain feature is indicated, one shouldbe placed by the defender anywhere withinthat section of the table. Terrain featuresshould be at least 8 and no more than 16

in length and width, and may cover nomore than of the surface area of thatsection of the table.

Note that areas with no other terrain arehard sand (treated as road for FOW).

Special Rulesoft sand areas in thedesert were particularly difficult for wheeledvehicles to traverse. Areas of soft sand areimpassable to any but fully trackedvehicles and all gun teams except man-packed gun teams.

Escarpment table:

Set up the table as per the basic deserttable above, but add +1 to each die roll. Inaddition, place an escarpment along onerandom long table edge.

The escarpment is represented by a thinstrip of very steep terrain along one of thelong table edges. It is impassable to allexcept infantry or man-packed guns thatare mountaineers. Place d2 rocky draws orwadis at random in the escarpment, treatthem as difficult terrain providing cover.

Any reserves may only enter theescarpment table edge at a wadi/draw.

The base of the escarpment (within 6) is

treated as rocky ground, counting as verydifficult going that provides cover.

Tables with Defenses:

Set up the terrain as per the main terraintype.

The defender receives force adjustmentsas follows:

Frontier Wire Areathe defender maydeploy up to 8 barbed wire sections.The wire must be placed in no mans

land and in a straight line, although theline may have gaps

Fortress Areathe defender maydeploy up to 4 AT obstacles in no mans

land

Terrain Table

Terrain Die Roll

None 1-3Soft sand 4

Ridge or low rise 5

Rough going / scrub 6

Gully 7+

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5.0 Engagement Special Rules(continued)

Strongpoint Areas

Although the frontier area was not asfortified as Rommel would have liked, goodprogress had been made at several keypoints in creating strong defensivepositions.

To reflect this, a German force defending ina strongpoint area may be fielded as astutzpunkt instead of its normal list.

Such a force follows all of the normal rulesfor using a stutzpunkt on the tabletop.

6.0 Allied Special Rules

British Armor Laager Doctrine

British armored formations operated undera doctrine of laager, where they withdrewat dusk to a safe location and formed a

laager for the night. This often resulted inthem relinquishing positions they hadfought for successfully during the day.

To reflect this, any force consisting of only

British armor companies must withdrawafter any engagement fought during anevening turn; unless their combat resultwas double that of the opposing side. Theyfollow the normal withdrawal rules, exceptthat they are not required to withdraw ifthey have no valid area to withdraw to.

7.0 Axis Special Rules

German Recovery Efficiency

During Operation Battleaxe the Germanvehicle recovery teams were moreeffective than the correspondingCommonwealth and Italian teams. Toreflect this, German formations receive a+1 modifier to any die rolls for AFVrecovery.

Italian Mobility

The Italian formations deployed on thefrontier were stripped of all of theirtransport for use in keeping the Axis forcessupplied, and deployed in static positions.

To reflect this, Italian forces in thiscampaign are immobile and may not beordered to move or attack another area. Ifthey are forced to retreat as a result ofcombat they are destroyed (dispersed andno longer combat effective), as they haveno transport to move any of theirequipment.

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10.0 Strategies:

Map Movement and Area Control

The Allies start out with a slendersuperiority in power, which will erode

quickly as Axis reinforcements arrive. TheAllied forces must be aggressive early, andhope to keep the Axis off balance longenough to complete their corridor. Just aswas the case historically, this will be a tallorder.

Tactical / Tabletop

Remember that you know the mission priorto planning your army list for a givenengagement. Think through your plan forthe action, remember the restrictions ondeployment, etc. when setting up yourforce. This is a key element for achievingvictory on the tabletop.

German -The Axis forces, particularly theGerman units, have lots of different optionsto bring to the tabletop, allowing lots ofcustomization by mission and opponent ifthe Axis has good intelligence. This bringsa tactical flexibility, which combined withsome important weapons advantages (the88mm gun, the versatility of the PzIV and

solid armor of the PzIII, the excellent50mm PaK, etc.) makes the German unitsvery tough through the campaign.

The choice on whether to hunker downusing a stutzpunkt force where allowed, orfight a more mobile action, should be madecarefully defending on the wider strategic

goals at that point in the campaign.

Commonwealthon the other hand,playing the Commonwealth is really anexercise in getting a few basic things right.Infantry units have solid, tough infantrycombined with portees and excellentartillery. Armored units have decent andfast tanks combined with, well, powerfulartillery. While there are fewer differentviable looks to offer on the tabletop, goodCommonwealth players will get very goodat using their core units well together.

ItalianItalian units were basically usedas static defenders during the operation,and this is reflected on the tabletop. Theircommanders should strive to utilize theirstrengths. If you focus on artillery, arguablythe best arm of service for Italy, your forcescan be surprisingly tough for theCommonwealth to tackle.

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Army List - Axis

5thLight Division / 5thPanzer Regiment

Rating: 5thLight Division units are rated Confident VeteranList: Leichte or Mittlere Panzerkompanie, Hellfire & BackAdded units:none

Prohibited units:no captured British armor was availableNotes: none

5thLight Division / 2ndMG Battalion

Rating: 5thLight Division units are rated Confident VeteranList: MK Kompanie, Hellfire & BackAdded units:noneProhibited units:noneNotes: none

5thLight Division / 3rdRecon Battalion

Rating: 5thLight Division units are rated Confident VeteranList: Kradschutzenkompanie, Hellfire & BackAdded units:noneProhibited units:noneNotes: none

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Army List - Allied

4thIndian Division / 11thIndian Brigade

Rating: Indian Division units are rated Fearless Trained except where noted in Hellfire & BackList: Hellfire & Back bookIndian Rifle Company list

Added support units:noneProhibited units:may not field Valentine platoons or Australian rifle platoons or field batteriesNotes: none

7thArmoured Division / 7thArmoured Brigade

Rating: 7thArmoured Brigade units are rated Confident Trained except where noted in Hellfire & Back

List:Armoured Regiment or Crusader Armoured Squadron list, Hellfire & BackAdded units:noneProhibited units:captured armoured companies ; may not field Humber armored carsNotes: none

4thIndian Division / 4thArmoured Brigade (Attached)

Rating: 4thArmoured Brigade units are rated Confident Trained except where noted in Hellfire & BackList: Infantry Tank Company, Hellfire & Back listAdded units:noneProhibited units:may not field Valentine platoons, Commonwealth rifle platoons or Commonwealth Carrier platoonsNotes: none

4thIndian Division / 22ndGuards Brigade

Rating: Guards units are rated Confident Veteran except where noted in Hellfire & BackList: Hellfire & Back bookGuards Rifle Company listAdded support units:noneProhibited units:may not field Valentine platoons or Australian rifle platoons or field batteriesNotes: uses the Guards special rules

4thIndian Division / Central India Horse

Rating: Indian Division units are rated Fearless Trained except where noted in Hellfire & BackList: Hellfire & Back bookAustralian Divisional Cavalry Squadron listAdded support units:may not field Commonwealth rifle or Commonwealth MG platoons, but may instead field 8 thArmy MG platoons or Indian Rifleplatoons for those support slotsProhibited units:may not field captured Italian or French tanks; may not field Marmon-Herrington or Humber armored carsNotes: may replace all Universal carriers with India-pattern carriers; troops are Indian and use Indian and not Australian special rules

7thArmoured Division / 7thSupport Group

Rating: Support Group units are rated Confident Veteran except where noted in Hellfire & BackList: Hellfire & Back bookJock Column listAdded support units:noneProhibited units:may not field Honey Armoured platoons or Humber Armoured CarsNotes: none

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Move and Attrition Sheet Axis

FormationCurrent Attrition Points Start

AreaDestination

AreaVia*

Armor General Total

Rommel

8thPanzer Regiment

115thSchutzen Regiment

104thSchutzen Regiment

33rdRecon Battalion

33rd

Pionier Battalion

5thPanzer Regiment

2ndMG Battalion

3rdRecon Battalion

1/62ndInfantry (Italian)



* indicate the area to be moved through to get to the destination if the formation is moving through multiple areas

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Campaign MapOperation Battleaxe

BritishAssemby

AreaSidi

Suleiman

QuareEl Rete

HalfayaPass

Sollum

FortCapuzzo

BirSceferzen

Bardia

SidiAziez

SidiOmar

OmarNuovo

Point206

Point208

Operation Battleaxe Map

Birhirba

Gabr elAhmar

Key:

Fortress Area

Road Connector

Trail Connector

Desert Connector

Escarpment Area

Supply Source Area

Frontier Wire Area

VP Area

Strongpoint Area

Documents

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