Just for fun... Operation Crusader November - December, 1941 High Command Wargame Rules Adaptation of a Flames of War's scenario from http://www.gajominis.com
Army Lists from North Africa
AXIS FORCES Deutsches Afrika Korps 15. Panzer-Division - Panzer-Kompanie Kompaniesstab - Panzer III G/H Aufklarungs-Zug - SdKfz 222 Panzer-Zug - Panzer III G/H Panzer-Zug - Panzer III G/H Panzer-Zug - Panzer III G/H leichte Panzer-Zug - Panzer II F Kradschutzen-Zug - Motorcycle and sidecar with MG Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck schwere Flak-Batterie - 8.8cm FlaK36, SdKfz 7 half-track Artillerie-Batterie (motorisiert) - 10,5cm leFH18, 3-ton truck leichte Flak-Batterie - SdKfz 10/5 (2cm) half-track 21. Panzer-Division - Panzer-Kompanie Kompaniesstab - PzKw III G/H Aufklarungs-Zug - SdKfz 222 Panzer-Zug - PzKw III G/H Panzer-Zug - PzKw III G/H Panzer-Zug - PzKw III G/H leichte Panzer-Zug - Panzer II F Kradschutzen-Zug - Motorcycle and sidecar with MG Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck schwere Flak-Batterie - 8.8cm FlaK36, SdKfz 7 half-track Artillerie-Batterie (motorisiert) - 10,5cm leFH18, 3-ton truck leichte Flak-Batterie - SdKfz 10/5 (2cm) half-track Panzer-Auflkarungs-Kampfgruppe - Panzerspah-Kompanie Kompaniesstab - Command SdKfz 223 leichte Panzerspah-Zug - SdKfz 222 leichte Panzerspah-Zug - SdKfz 222 leichte Panzerspah-Zug - SdKfz 222 schwere Panzerspah-Zug - SdKfz 231 (8-rad) Schutzenspah-Zug - MG team, Motorcycle and sidecar with MG Schutzenspah-Zug - MG team, Motorcycle and sidecar with MG Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck Panzerjaeger-Zug - 5cm PaK38, Kfz 70 truck schwere Flak-Batterie - 8.8cm FlaK36, SdKfz 7 half-track Artillerie-Batterie (motorisiert) - 10,5cm leFH18, 3-ton truck leichte Flak-Batterie - SdKfz 10/5 (2cm) half-track 90. leichte Division - Schutzen-Kompanie Crusader Kompaniesstab - Command SMG team, Kubelwagen Aufklarungs-Zug - SdKfz 222 Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck Schutzen-Zug - MG team, Kfz 70 truck Infanteriegeschutz-Zug - 7,5cm leIG18 Gun, Kfz 70 field car Panzer-Zug - PzKw III G/H leichte Panzer-Zug - Panzer II F Kradschutzen-Zug - Motorcycle and sidecar with MG schwere Flak-Batterie - 8.8cm FlaK36, SdKfz 7 half-track Artillerie-Batterie (motorisiert) - 10,5cm leFH18, 3-ton truck leichte Flak-Batterie - SdKfz 10/5 (2cm) half-track Artillerie-Kommandeur 104 Kommandersstab - Command SMG team, Kfz 15 field car Artillerie-Batterie - 15cm sFH18, 3-ton truck Artillerie-Batterie - 15cm sFH18, 3-ton truck Artillerie-Batterie - 15cm sFH18, 3-ton truck 55ª Divisione fanteria "Savona" - Battaglione Fucilieri Comando - Command Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Plotone carri armati - AB41 Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck schwere Flak-Batterie - 8.8cm FlaK36, SdKfz 7 half-track Corpo d'Armata di Manovra 132ª Divisione corazzata "Ariete" - Compagnia carri Comando - M14/41 Plotone carri - M14/41 Plotone carri - M14/41 Plotone carri - M14/41 Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team, 3-ton truck Plotone Bersaglieri motociclisti - Rilfe/Mg motorcycle team Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck 101ª Divisione motorizzata "Trieste" - Battaglione Bersaglieri Comando - Command Rifle team, 3-in truck Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team, 3-ton truck Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team, 3-ton truck Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team, 3-ton truck Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team, 3-ton truck Plotone controcarri - 47/32 AT Gun, TL37 tractor Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar, 3-ton truck Plotone carri - M14/41 Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Plotone Bersaglieri motociclisti - Rilfe/Mg motorcycle team Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck RECAM - Squadrone Esplorante Commando - L3/35 Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Plotone carri - M14/41 Plotone carri - M14/41 Plotone carri armati - AB41 Plotone carri armati - AB41 Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team, 3-ton truck Plotone motociclisti - Rilfe/Mg motorcycle team Plotone mitraglieri motociclisti - Mod 37 HMG motorcycle Plotone controcarri - 47/32 AT Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck XXI Corpo d'Armata 17ª Divisione fanteria "Pavia" - Battaglione Fucilieri Comando - Command Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Plotone carri armati - AB41 Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck 25ª Divisione fanteria "Bologna" - Battaglione Fucilieri Comando - Command Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck 27ª Divisione fanteria "Brescia" - Battaglione Fucilieri Comando - Command Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck 102ª Divisione motorizzata "Trento" - Battaglione Fucilieri Comando - Command Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia fucilieri - Rifle team Compagnia Bersaglieri - Rilfe/MG team Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone mortai - 81/14 mortar Plotone carri leggeri - L3/35 Plotone carri armati - AB41 Batteria canoni - 65/17 Gun, TL37 tractor Batteria artiglieria - 100/17 Howitzer, TL37 tractor Batteria contraerea - 20/65 autocannon on 3-ton truck COMMONWEALTH FORCES XXX Corps 7th Armoured Brigade - A13 Armoured Squadron Headquarters - A13 Cruiser Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Light Armoured Platoon - A13 Cruiser Light Armoured Platoon - A13 Cruiser Light Armoured Platoon - A13 Cruiser Light Armoured Platoon - A13 Cruiser Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee RHA Battery - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor 4th Armoured Brigade - Light Armoured Squadron Headquarters - 'Honey' Stuart Scout Platoon - Universal Carrier Light Armoured Platooon - 'Honey' Stuart Light Armoured Platooon - 'Honey' Stuart Light Armoured Platooon - 'Honey' Stuart Light Armoured Platooon - 'Honey' Stuart Light Armoured Platooon - 'Honey' Stuart Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee RHA Battery - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber 22nd Armoured Brigade - Light Armoured Squadron Headquarters - Crusader I Scout Platoon - Universal Carrier Light Armoured Platoon - Crusader I Light Armoured Platoon - Crusader I Light Armoured Platoon - Crusader I Light Armoured Platoon - Crusader I Heavy Armoured Platoon - Grant Heavy Armoured Platoon - Grant Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee RHA Battery - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber 7th Support Group - Motor Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team, 15cwt truck Scout Platoon - Universal Carrier Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Motor Machine-Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Motor Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Light Armoured Platoon - Crusader I Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee RHA Battery - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor 1st South African Division - South African Rifle Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team Carrier Patrol - Universal Carrier Armoured Car Platoon - Marmon-Herrington III Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Mortar Platoon - 3" mortar, 15cwt truck Machine Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor Transport Section - 2x 3-ton lorry XXX Corps Recon - Armoured Car Squadron Headquarters - Humber II Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Light Armoured Platooon - 'Honey' Stuart Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee RHA Battery - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber 22nd Guards Brigade - Motor Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team, 15cwt truck Scout Platoon - Universal Carrier Armoured Car Platoon - Humber II Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Motor Platoon - MG team, 15cwt truck Motor Machine-Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Motor Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Light Armoured Platoon - Crusader I Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee RHA Battery - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor XIII Corps XIII Corps Recon - New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Squadron Headquarters - Crusader I Divisional Cavalry Carrier Platoon - Universal Carrier Divisional Cavalry Platoon - Mk Vlb Divisional Cavalry Platoon - Mk Vlb Divisional Cavalry Platoon - Crusader I New Zealand Rifle Platoon - Rifle team, 3-ton lorry New Zealand Rifle Platoon - Rifle team, 3-ton lorry Anti-Tank Platoon, RA - 2pdr portee Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor 2nd New Zealand Division - New Zealand Rifle Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team Carrier Patrol - Universal Carrier Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Mortar Platoon - 3" mortar, 15cwt truck Machine Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Infantry Tank Platoon - Valentine II Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor Transport Section - 2x 3-ton lorry 4th Indian Division - Indian Rifle Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team Carrier Patrol - Universal Carrier Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Mortar Platoon - 3" mortar, 15cwt truck Machine Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Infantry Tank Platoon - Valentine II Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor Transport Section - 2x 3-ton lorry 2nd South African Division - South African Rifle Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team Carrier Patrol - Universal Carrier Armoured Car Platoon - Marmon-Herrington III Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Mortar Platoon - 3" mortar, 15cwt truck Machine Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor Transport Section - 2x 3-ton lorry Tobruk 70th Infantry Division - Rifle Company Headquarters - Command Rifle team Carrier Patrol - Universal Carrier Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Rifle Platoon - Rifle/MG team Mortar Platoon - 3" mortar, 15cwt truck Machine Gun Platoon - Vickers HMG, 15cwt truck Infantry Tank Platoon - Valentine II Anti-Tank Platoon - 2pdr portee Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Field Battery, RA - 25 pdr Gun, Quad tractor and limber Light Anti-Aircraft Platoon, RA - Bofors 40mm Gun, AA tractor Transport Section - 2x 3-ton lorry
1940 December 9 - Gen O'Connors's Western Desert Force (WDF) begins Operation “Compass" - It was to be in four stages: (1) the recapture of Sidi Barrani; (2) the build-up of sufficient forces on the frontier; (3) the occupation of bardia and the Jararub Oasis at the southern end of the frontier; (4) the capture of Tobruk - The opening phase of "Compass" was designed to deal with the forts of Nibeiwa and East and West Tummar, then to advance towards Sidi Barrani and Buq Buq, to isolate the enemy at Maktila and Sidi Barrani - The 4/7th Rajputs from 11th Indian Brigade with the Matildas from 7th Royal Tank Regiment attacked Nibeiwa December 10 - By 1000 hours Nibeiwa was conquested by the Western Desert Force. Some 2-3,000 prisioners had been seized, plus large quantities of guns, ammunition, vehicles and supplies - The force moved immediately on to Tummar West and East, then to Point 90, with much the same results - Maktila was bombarded by the Royal Navy during the night December 11 - The garrison abandoned Maktila - The 7th Royal Tank Regiment joined the 16th British Infantry Brigade to attack Sidi Barrani - The assault force was strengthened by replacing two of the battalions which had been fighting all the previous day, while the cruiser tanks of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division were attached to protect the northern flank - The attack began at 1615 hours, with the Camerons and the Rajputanas attacking from the north, while the Queen's and the leicesters came in from the south, both attacks supported by artillery, by the remaining eleven infantry tanks and by the 2 RTR cruisers. It was all over before dark
December 16 - By this date the British forces had occupied Sollum, taken Fort Capuzzo and driven the Italians out of Egypt 1941 January 1 - The Western Desert Force renamed as XIII Corps - Fierst Australian troops begin to move up to Bardia January 3 - At 6000 hours 16 Australian Brigade, supported by the Matilda Mk II of 7 RTR, the light tanks and carriers of 'A' Squadron, 6 Australian Cavalry and the medium machine -guns of one company of the Northumberland Fusiliers assault the western perimeter - At same time 17 Australian Infantry Brigade carry out vigorous patrolling to the south, to attract the enemy's attention and draw him away from the western front - Also at same time 7 Armoured Division make a feint against the northern sector and prevent any enemy relieving Bardia from Tobruk - At 1130 17 Australian Infantry brigade, 7 RTR and 'A' Squadron 6 Australian Cavalry resume the attack against southern sector but is received by heavy artillery fire January 4 - 16 Brigade continues the advance and soon reaches the coast both north and south of the town, where the garrison starts to surrender - By the end of the day it was all over and Bardia was captured
January 8 - Italians have a garrison of some 25,000 men in Tobruk under Gen Mannella, commander of XXII Corps. Its main elements were the units of 61 Sirte Division, plus 200 artillery guns, medium and light tanks, and some 7,000 garrison and depot troops. The nearest relief forces were those of Xx Corps, which included 60 Sabratha Division at derna, and an armoured brigade under Gen babini near Mechili -There were two main routes to Tobruk from Bardia - one along the coast and the other running parallel to it some 10 miles inland (joining Fort Capuzzo to El Adem airfield - O'Connors plan was for the 7 Armoured Division to advance along the Capuzzo track, while 6 Australian Division used the coast road January 9 - The entire defensive perimeter of Tobruk was surrounded, with two armoured brigades to the south, south-west and west, while 7th Armoured Brigade's Support Group had moved to cut the coast road - According O'Connor's plan, 7 Armoured Division would distract the enemy along the perimeter, while the Australians broke through in the south-east - 16 Australian Brigade would make the initial assault, while 17 Brigade carried out a "demonstration by fire" in the east to confuse the defenders - Once the breach was made, 19 Brigade would then deepen the penetration, supported by the divisional cavalry squadron (the squadron was now partially re-equipped with 16 captured Italian medium tanks (M11 and M13) - Attack was fixed for 0540 on 21 January January 21 - The assault to Tobruk starts on time - By midday it was all over January 22 - British armour pushed om towards Mechili to take on the Italian armour - The Aussies continued along the coast road with the aim of capturing Derna - Once both had been taken then a "pincer movement" would be mounted against Bengazhi - However, once it was realised that the enemy was bent upon a complet withdrawal from Cyrenaica another plan was forged - to destroy the enemy army - O'Connor's plan was to send a major part of his armour across desert to cut off the Italians, while the infantry pressed on along the coast, eventually taking Benghazi February 2 - The Aussies reached Giovanni Berta in the Jebel Akhdar and found that the Italians had melted away - 7 Armoured Division was therefore sent directly across the desert, from Mechili to the Gulf of Sirte, via Msua and Antelat, to set up a blocking position in the area of Beda Fomm/Sidi Saleh, well below Behghazi - At the same time the Australians would continue to follow the enemy along the coastal road via Barce and Benghazi, keeping them moving and thinking that this was still the main thrust January 3 - By noon the advance guard, under command of Lt Col john Combe, CO 11 Hussars, had arrived at Sidi Saleh and taken up position astride the coast road - First contact came at 1430 hours when the head of a large convoy appeared on the road - 15,000 Italians surrendered February 5-7 - Battle of Beda Fomm/Sidi Saleh and surrender of 10th Italian Army February 6 - Benghazi captured by XIII Corps Order of Battle HQ Western Desert Force The total strength of O'Connor's force during the entire operation was never more than 32,000 men. Corps Troops 7th Royal Tank Regiment - Matilda Mk II infantry tanks 1st Regiment RHA - 25pdr 3rd Regiment RHA (less two batteries) - 2pdr AT Guns 104th Regiment RHA - 25pdr 51st Field Regiment, RA - 25pdr 7th Medium Regiment, RA - 6 inch Howitzers & 6 inch Guns 64th Medium Regiment, RA - 4,5 inch Guns 7th Armoured Division 4th Armoured Brigade 7th Hussars 2nd Royal Tank Regiment 6th Royal Tank Regiment 7th Armoured Brigade 3rd Hussars 8th Hussars 1st Royal Tank Regiment Support Group 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps 2nd Rifle Brigade Divisional Troops 11th Hussars 'M' Battery, 3rd Regiment RHA 4th Indian Division 5th Indian Infantry Brigade 1st RF 3/1st Punjab Regiment 4/6th Rajputana Rifles 11th Indian Infantry Brigade 2nd Cameron Highlanders 1/6th Rajputana Rifles 4/7th Rajput Regiment 16th Infantry Brigade 1st Queen's 2nd Leicesters 1st A and SH Divisional Troops Central India Horse Battery 3rd Regiment RHA 1st Field Regiment, RA 25th Field Regiment, RA 31st Field Regiment, RA 1st RNF (MG Bn) Mersa Matruh Garrison 3rd Coldstream 1st South Staffs 1st DLI 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA 'A' Company, 1st Bn Later in the operation the 4th Indian Division was replaced by 6th Australian Division HQ 6th Australian Division 16th Australian Infantry Brigade 2/1st Battalion 2/2nd Battalion 2/3rd Battalion 17th Australian Infantry Brigade 2/5th Battalion 2/6th Battalion 2/7th Battalion 19th Australian Infantry Brigade 2/4th Battalion 2/8th Battalion 2/11th Battalion Divisional Troops 6th Cavalry Regiment 1st RNF (MG Bn) - transferred from 4th Indian Division 2/1st Field Regiment, RAA 2/2nd Field Regiment, RAA 2/3rd Field Regiment, RAA 3x Light Anti-Aircraft Batteries, RAA Italian Forces Just three days before the attack was launched, on 6th December, the Italian forces manning their forward positions were known to be as follows: Maktila - 1st Libyan Division (5,000 Libyans) Sidi Barrani - 4th Blackshirt Division (15,000 Libyans) Tummar West & East - 2nd Libyan Division (6,000 Libyans) Point 90 - Part of 1st Libyan Division (1,000 Libyans) Nibweia - Maletti Group (2,500 Libyans) Sofafi - Part of 63rd Division (3,000 Italians) Rabia - Part of 63rd Division (7,000 Italians) Along coast from Sidi Barrani to Buq Buq - Blackshirt Division (10,000 Italians) Along the Escarpment - Remainder of 63rd Division (10,000 ? Italians) References: FORTY, George; "The Desert War"; Sutton Publishing; 2002
This is my current project that I revised already a few times. The idea is to make a chronology of the Western Desert Campaign starting in September,13 1940 - when Italians invade Egypt - and finishing in November,8 1942 - when operation "Torch" is launched. I start to draft a General Chronology of the Campaign. I started with the mentioned source and nexts posts will be titled "The Western Desert Campaign 1940-42 - General Chronology - Update 1" and so on - "(...) - Update 2", (...) - Update 5", always mentioning the references. All these posts will be filed under the tags "WDC 1940-42" and "WDC 1940-42 - General Chronology". When I'll find enough sources to draft an Order of Battle for a specific battle or operation, I'll write specific posts. For instance "Western Desert Campaign 1940-42 - Operation Compass" and the updates will be organised in the same way as the General Chronology. These posts will be filed under the tags "WDC 1940-42" and "WDC 1940-42 - Op Compass". When I can convert an Order of Battle to the Army Lists of a specific Wargames Rule I'll also identified those posts. For instance "Western Desert Campaign 1940-42 - Operation Compass - High Command Wargames Rules", and the post will be filed under the tags "WDC 1940-42", "WDC 1940-42 - Op Compass", and "High Command Wargames Rules". I know there are different and probably easier ways to establish the links between the posts bu this is simple enough for me and I hope it also will be for you. I don't know if anyone will find this work interesting but I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun doing it. 1940 September 13-18 - Italians invade Egypt October 16 - Italians enter Sidi Barrani December 9 - Gen O'Connors's Western Desert Force (WDF) begins Operation “Compass” December 11 - Sidi Barrani captured by WDF 1941 January 4 - Bardia captured by WDF (now called XIII Corps) January 22 - Tobruk captured by XIII Corps February 5-7 - Battle of Beda Fomm/Sidi Saleh and surrender of 10th Italian Army February 6 - Benghazi captured by XIII Corps February 12 - Rommel arrives in Tripoli March 24 - Axis forces occupy El Agheila April 1 - Rommel's first advance begins - Mersa Brega captured April 3 - Rommel takes Benghazi April 7 - Generals O'Connor and Neame taken prisioner April 8 - Rommel takes Mechili April 10-11 - Rommel reaches Bardia, then Sollum, and starts attacks on Tobruk, which was besieged from 10 April to 10 December (242 days) May 4 - Attacks on Tobruk fail May 15-17 - Operation "Brevity" - British attack Halfaya Pass-Sollum-Fort Capuzzo May 27 - Germans retake Halfaya June 15-17 - Operation "Battleaxe" assault on Halfaya-Sollum-Capuzzo fails July 5 - Gen Auchinleck replaces Gen Wavell - Marshal Bastico replaces Marshal Gariboldi July 31 - Panzergruppe Afrika formed September 14-15 - German raid on Sofafi fails September 18 - Eighth Army formed November 16 - Operation "Crusader" begins November 21 - Sidi Rezegh battle starts December 7-8 - German withdrawal commences December 10 - Tobruk relieved December 15 - German withdraw from Gazala December 25 - British take Benghazi 1942 January 2 - Bardia surrenders to British January 17 - Sollum and Halfaya garrisons surrender to British January 21 - Rommel advances from Mersa Brega January 28 - British evacuate Benghazi and withdraw to Gazala Line February 2 - Eighth Army manages to stabilise line at Gazala-Bir Hacheim May 10 - Auchinleck ordered to attack May 26 - Rommel beats them to the punch and attacks the British line June 5-6 - Cauldron battle June 10 - French position at Bir Hacheim falls June 11-12 - DAK armour defeats British armour June 14 - Decision made to withdraw from Gazala Line June 21 - Tobruk falls to Axis - Rommel promoted to Field Marshal June 25 - Auchinleck takes over command of Eighth Army from Ritchie July 1-5 - Rommel tries to break trhough at El Alamein but fails July 10-26 - British attacks end indecisively - both sides exhausted August 13 - Gen Montgomery takes over command of Eighth Army August 15 - Gen Alexander succeeds Gen Auchinleck as C-in-C MELF August 30-31 - Rommel's forces attack Alam el Halfa positions but cannot break through and suffer heavy casualties September 2 - Axis forces start to with draw September 22 - Rommel hands over to Gen Stumme and flies home October 22 - Battle of El Alamein begins - Gen Stumme heas heart attack and dies October 23-24 - The Break-in battle October 25 - Rommel returns and takes command October 25 - November 1 - The "Dogfight" November 2 - Operation "Supercharge" November 4 - Axis withdrawal begins - it will continue until they are forced out of Tripolitania November 8 - Operation "Torch" - landing of US and UK troops in French North Africa References: FORTY, George; "The Desert War"; Sutton Publishing; 2002
