Campaign Scenario Setup Help - France

[SaS TrooP]

Any repair points? Please specify in the briefing if I can use them or not.

[Ts4EVER]

It is the next day, so no significant upgrades or replacement. You can fix immobilised or bailed vehicles though.

[SaS TrooP]

OK, it is finished.
This time I was effective... to the point. As sugested, I assembled ad hoc motorized QRF unit. I absolutely did not expect to encounter another Legionaire company (or more), but it happened. Yet, with good usage of firepower, I managed to break though them rather quickly and secured both villages with low losses on my side. In the meantime, British help off the Vichy rather well, stuff got complicated when tanks came. I was still pushing and making a good use of my field guns, suppresing Vichies to the limits. In the end, I reached the Brits just in time to take out about company of R-35 and to decimate attackers from the back. I also placed my tanks close to enemy trucks with intention to capture them and use if needed.
Sadly, I lost 3 tanks in the very end of this scenario. I engaged field guns in order to disable them for the future, but crews managed to load AP rounds and knowcked out 3 Crusaders. It must be noted that. adjutant Frenault managed to organize from suppresion of 99 to "ready" status and assaulted a fiend gun with his pistol, killing all the crew after brief fight.
In the end, I stand firm and ready, but my casualties are mounting high. To make things worse, I am nearly out of armoured vehicles.

[Ts4EVER]

Ok. Any idea about what to do after Syria? Bir Hacheim?

[SaS TrooP]

This division was disbanded in August 1941 for reorganization and several brigades were made out of it. Those brigades fought at Bir Hakeim and El Alamein, yes, but we could make a scenario or two of skirmish engagements not seen in normal books, on a smaller scale. Then we could proceed to Bir Hakeim, which should be one of the most important battles in this campaign.
And then probably another non-historical break and El Alamein. After that brigades went back to 1st FF Division status and fought together long and heavy fight in Tunisia.
So, pretty much thats the plan. Then we could touch Italy if dates will be historical. And then you will have to make a choice if we stay in Italy and then go Southern France with Op. Dragoon or if I join Leclerc forces in Normandy.

[Ts4EVER]

Dunno about making skirmishes, imo we should keep it rather historical with this campaign.

[SaS TrooP]

Allright then, I am waiting for next assignment.

[Ts4EVER]

So it has come to this... the big battle of our time.

After a period of rest and refitting our brigade, minus the rest of the division, is back in the line. We are tasked with defending a brigade box in the Gazala line, based on an old fort called Bir Hakeim. If you thought Syria was an arid wasteland, wait until you see this...

The Afrika Korps has started another offensive. Details are scarce so far, but units of the Italian Ariete tank division are closing in on our fortress. It might not be the Maginot line, but we will make them pay with blood for every trench. Don't get too cocky though: These are not the timid colonial Italians of East Africa, but battle hardened and well equipped tank troops.

- Deploy your unit behind the minefields
- I know you got some fortification points, but DO NOT USE THEM. believe me, you have enough
- Hold your positions

[SaS TrooP]

This is gonna be funny.
I held off first assault with ease, taking very few casualties amongst my men. I wonder what enemy will throw next.
However, this looks increasingly dramatic. I call for the British to deliver me any sort of additional ammo supply (trucks at best, but I will do with everything). Also, I have recently added a platoon of Genie into my ranks. Now, a job for them: there are about 6 Italian M14/41 tanks abandoned on a mine field. I want them to check these tanks and make them running if its possible. If it is not, I want them to disassemble as much MGs from these tanks as possible and make them usable for infantry in order to increase my defensive power.
Finally, I want to have all Italian trucks possible running, these may be useful in reserve roles.
And then I am resting my men for next assault.

[Ts4EVER]

And so it goes on.

After a day of battle, we settle down for an uneasy night. Surviving Italians have taken up positions between the burning wrecks and mine clearing details are probing our positions for weaknesses.

- Deploy your forces as before
- Form some aggressive patrols (platoon sized units) in order to regain control of the gaps in the minefields
- Note that some of the immobilized tanks might still be active