A quick WW2 Western Desert game

The recent gift of Rommel’s command and completing some wadi terrain (see previous posts) motivated me to set up a WWII Western Desert game on my tabletop this past week.

Advancing Allied tanks.

Rommel’s HQ gets to play a part in the game.

For this game, I used the One-Hour Wargames Bridgehead scenario (number 5). Instead of a river, there is a minefield with a gap cleared by German engineers, who are now trying to secure it and establish a bridgehead. Alerted by a recent reconnaissance flight, the Allies are scrambling to mobilize nearby armored units to prevent the enemy from establishing a bridgehead.

Here's an overview of the battlefield: the minefield runs north to south. The photographs are taken from the northern end of the tabletop. Several hills are scattered around, primarily concentrated in the south, and there is a wadi located in the northern area (bottom of the photo).

The Allies arrive in three groups on turns 1, 3, and 5, with a dice roll determining which of the three possible entry points they will use. Afrika Korps reserves arrive steadily from turns 1 through to 5 from the western edge. For this game, I'm using the Tank on Tank board game rules, adapted for the tabletop with a few additional modifications, such as a -1 penalty on attacking dice rolls for moving units, which is indicated by the use of dust clouds.

Game Report

Here are the photographs of the game as German units try and create a bridgehead. I have drawn on some of the photographs to indicate where the action is occurring as it is not so obvious with 6mm units. 

In the initial phase of the battle, German forces advanced to secure a hill overlooking a potential entry point for the Allied reserves. Meanwhile, other German units pushed through the gap in the minefield, and quickly spot the dust trails of Allied forces arriving from the east.

Additional Allied reserve units arrive, joining the earlier arrivals who have taken positions on higher ground to assess the buildup of German forces.

The Allies launch an initial attack on the hill to the south but are easily repulsed with losses.

German anti-tank units arrive, with Rommel’s HQ visible in the background. Rommel's presence on the tabletop will enable the Germans to re-roll a couple of their failed activation dice rolls.

In response to the advancing Allies, the Germans launch two attacks to support their units on the hill and block the main Allied advance.

After an initial clash the Allied armour take casualties and choose to retire, while their last expected reserves arrive to launch an attack the hill to the south. The German artillery arrives and is quickly rushed into position to provide support to their troops defending the hill.

A close up on the action. Burning wreaks block line of sight in the amended rules.

The Allied armor initiates an attack from the hill to divert the attention of the German armour while they launch their assault on the hill.

Following a brief yet fierce engagement, the Allies successfully secure the hill to the south. Switching their attention the Germans to use their now superior tank numbers in an attempt to make an outflanking manoeuvre against the Allied armour in the centre.

Following the armor clash in the centre, the Allies have withdrawn to the eastern hills. The German control of the bridgehead remains at risk as long as the Allies maintain their positions.

The Germans attempt to dislodge the Allied units from the southern hill, using their artillery and 88mm gun to support their armoured attack, which has manoeuvred around to the rear of the hill.

After several efforts, the Germans successfully secure the southern hill. Then they use it as a launching point to mount an attack on the eastern hills where the remaining Allied units capable of threatening the bridgehead are positioned.

The final Allied position falls, and the bridgehead is firmly secured.

An entertaining game. The Tank on Tank rules provide quick games which seem very suitable for armoured clashes in the Western Desert.