WW2 Western Desert Campaign Rule Modifications

For my WW2 Western Desert campaign I am going to be adjusting the campaign game set up after finishing this current campaign turn. As a quick reminder the old approach had all divisions lined up in a row with the defending division counters flipped, and the attacking army made up to three attacks with the best of three games determining the campaign turn's winner. If the attacking force won two games they advance one zone on the campaign map, and if the defending force won two games they would be attacking in the next campaign turn.

An example of the current campaign approach

The changes to the original approach came due to various suggestions and questions from previous posts about the campaign (thank you - comments and questions are always welcome). This got me thinking about modifying how the opposing forces line up and capture of supply dumps.

So here are the modifications I am going to give a try in the next campaign turn. Instead of one row, the divisional counters are lined up in two rows: a front line of three divisions and a secondary reserve line of two divisions.

Example setup where Axis forces are attacking

The idea with this approach is if the attacking army has a victory in attacking the first line of defence. They then can use a mobile reserve (armoured divisions only and not infantry divisions) to launch attacks on the second reserve line of defence. Should both attacks on the second line be successful, then this constitutes a breakthrough and major victory allowing the successful attacking army to move forward two zones rather than one zone.

The risk trade-off is it is necessary to have two armoured divisions held in reserve. Should a first armoured  attack fail to get a breakthrough, then you are reliant to achieve a second successful battle with the two infantry divisions in the first line. Not an easy task, unless the opposition are understrength.

An examples below...

The first attack is on the first line of defence.

If the attack on the first line of defence is successful, a breakthrough is achieved, which allows the mobile reserve divisions to attack the second line of defence. In the example, below Axis forces are trying for a major victory, both battles will be fought and if won by the attacker the major victory is achieved.

If there was only one armoured division in reserve then only one attack could be made. In which case a major victory is not achievable, but capture of supplies is possible. More about supplies later.

The reserve armoured divisions attack the reserve defensive line. Both battles will be fought to see if a there is a major victory.

If the initial armoured thrust is defeated and no breakthrough is achieved, then another first line attack must be made, in the case where the remaining armour is being held in reserve it will fall to the infantry divisions to make the next attack.

The first armoured attack is repulsed and the second attack involves an infantry attack.

In this case the infantry attack is successfully (presumably against a weakened armoured division in the above example) and the mobile armoured reserve can make an attack on the second defensive line.

What about supply capture? This a broad term covering supply dumps captured and the recovery of equipment from the secured battlefield. Before the end of the campaign turn after all the battles have been fought. The attacker rolls one D6 dice for each second line defending unit beaten, and on a 4+ they will get one additional supply point in the next turn.

Having now written up the changes, I hope this weekend to play the second game of the current campaign turn.