Old Orders For Everyone

Concepts and Rules Exceptions:
1. This is a what if campaign; Tenth Army attacking the Mersa Matruh region.
2. While Tenth Army rolls forward, others will be building works in the rear in the Sidi Barrani region.
3. Check Osprey's Operation Compass book for inspiration and actual equipment.
4. Date: October 1940. Maximum two games.
5. Afterwards it will be November 1940 allowing a maximum of two games.
6. Tenth Army moves first in October and November1940 games.
7. Commonwealth moves first in December 1940 games.
8. We will collectively collaborate to determine next games.
9. When forming Battlegroups:
          Use the month we are doing; October 1940 for now.
          Add +50% movement. This will automatically add +50 to weapon ranges.
          Check/Select "Ignore the random points modifier."
          Increase command distance +50% on your own. The website won't do this.
          Leave these options alone:  (Don't check them.)
               "Ignore Battlegroup selection rules." (We will stay historical)
               "Ignore point limits."
               "Ignore convert to inches." (We will stay metric)
10. Free Stuff:
          Each Battlegroup has one Forward Air Observer free
          Each Battlegroup has one fighter aircraft free.
          For each armoured car bought, add two more free; maximum = four for free.
          COs, HQs, FAOs. and FACs have vehicles for free.
11. House rules for actual tabletop elevations and actual line of sight as these relate to the actual height of miniatures. Use a laser pointer if needed with an agreeable/companionable benefit of the doubt going to the defense.
12. Optional Rules To Be Used. See p. 134:
          Defensive Smoke
          Auto Suppression
          AFV Smoke
          Final Defensive Fire
          Reduced Artillery Fire-Zones             
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Jim  And Bill:
1. Form 7th Armoured Div. (Two Battlegroups; one for Jim and one for Bill)
2. Todd chose to attack 7th Armoured and not Mersa Matruh. This battle will be out in the desert far from Mersa Matruh using terrain undulations, palm trees and a building here and there. There is no map for this at this time. Sides will be widely separated apart.
4. Jim:
    You have 1,500 purchase points.
    One HQ may increase its command value +1 free. E.G. CV8 becomes a CV9.
    Your Battlegroup may have one command failure "do over" per game.
     You have one Forward Air Observer free
     You have one fighter aircraft free.
     For each armoured car bought, add two more free; maximum = four for free.
     COs, HQs, FAOs. and FACs have vehicles for free.
5. Bill:
    Same as Jim above.
6. On Turn 1, throw 1D6 per Battlegroup and add 1. This is the turn 7th Armoured may start moving. Example: 1D6 throw = 3+1 = 4. 7th Armoured may move on Turn 4. Throw separately for each Battlegroup.
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Todd:
1. Your Tenth Army 2nd. Corps is attacking 7th Armoured out in the desert.
2. 2nd. Corps has:
    4,500 pts. Form 2-3 battlegroups.
    Each Battlegroup has one Forward Air Observer free
    Each Battlegroup has one fighter aircraft free.
    For each armoured car bought, add two more free; maximum = four for free.
   COs, HQs, FAOs. and FACs have vehicles for free.
3. Chuck L. and John B. are subordinate commanders. Others are welcome.
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IF IN GAME #1
TENTH ARMY 2nd CORPS ATTACKS 7th ARMOURED AND WINS
1. 7th. Armoured survivors retreat eastwards recovering 25% of lost points.
2. 4th Indian must decide to stay in works at Mersa Matruh  or  retreat eastwards.
3. If 7th and 4th both retreat, next battle will be near Bagoush or El Alamein.
4. If 4th stays at Mersa Matruh, next game Tenth Army attacks Mersa Matruh Box.
5. Tenth Army 2nd. Corps recovers 50% of lost points.
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CAMPAIGN TRACKIF IN GAME #1
TENTH ARMY 2nd CORPS ATTACKS 7th ARMOURED AND LOSES
1. Tenth Army 2nd Corps retreats westwards recovering 25% of lost points.
2. Tenth Army 2nd. Corps may retreat to friendly forces at Mersa Matruh or....
3. All Italian forces (1st and 2nd. Corps) retreat to enclaves at Sidi Barrani.
4. Next game will be at Mersa Matruh or Sidi Barrani depending on where Tenth Army is.
5. 7th. Armoured recovers 50% of lost points.
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Your Input Please:
1. Your ideas, critiques, etc. etc. are wanted. Anything wrong/grievous?
2. Slow the pace here, if you please because, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” —George Bernard Shaw
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Maletti Battlegroup Heads For Egypt

The post below predates above post(s) - just for atmosphere.
Date: September 1940

Location: Libya Near The Northwest Border Of Egypt

Situation: Portions Of The Maletti Motorized Battlegroup Head For The Border

The head of the column. Note red flash within the scrub bushes.

The frontier wire is just up ahead.

A 7th Armoured Division armoured car observes the Malettis.

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