Tunisian Tussle

We have decided to begin the year with a narrative campaign for Flames of War. This is a new thing which I hope works well.

Basic premise is to have two sides, Axis and Allied. Using emails they make Strategic decisions regarding issues surrounding supply, allocation of limited troops like Heavy tanks, when to conduct raids, troop training and what their attacks will focus on turn.

Once they have decided on their strategy I then create 3-4 scenarios for the players to play over the next two weeks. They must play 1 game in this period but can play more if they want. I then collect the results on how the players did and then use those results to base an update on how the overall campaign is doing. Then they decide on what their strategy is for the next turn. And we repeat the process till a get a conclusion to the campaign.

We have decided on Tunisia as our theme. It has a few interesting limitations on the forces involved. It saw the Torch landings by the Americans, Use of Churchill Infantry tanks and the inclusion of the British 1^st army. It also saw the first use of Allied airborne troops although they were used more for elite infantry than airborne invasions of D-day and Market Garden.

The Germans also are in an interesting situation. They have been on the retreat out of Egypt but have stronger defensive lines. Shipping of fresh equipment and men played an important part of the campaign and the allies first saw how dangerous a Tiger tank could be.

General overall strategic situation 1942:

The Germans and Italians have been in retreat since their defeat at El Alamein. They have fallen back along their lines of supply and have resisted all attempts by the British and Commonwealth forces. They have been ordered to stay and fight as high command have not given up on North Africa.

The British and Commonwealth forces have been fighting in North Africa since 1940 and have had a huge surge in confidence since their victory at El Alamein. However victory has eluded them as the Axis refuse to commit to a battle. The Veterans of the 8^th army are tiring but with fresh troops from 1^st Army and the American forces eager to fight but their strategic use is unknown.

Map: