What happens between Matruh and Fuka can have a decisive effect on the fate of the two armies at El Alamein.

This scenario for DAK begins two turns before the start of the two First Battle of El Alamein scenarios (7.15 and 7.16). It can be tacked on to either the Campaign or the One-Map versions. It essentially adds two turns to either scenario but what momentous turns! What happens between Matruh and Fuka can greatly influence the comparative strengths of the two armies when the battle of El Alamein commences. The challenge for the German player is to prevent a significant proportion of the CW infantry brigades from reaching the Alamein Line. Obviously, the CW player wants to bring in every unit possible.

At the start of the scenario, the armor of 13th Corps has already withdrawn from the Matruh position. With little or no coordination between the various commands, the infantry are on their own against the panzers of the Afrika Korps.

General Information

First Player: Axis
First Turn: 26 June 42
Last Turn: 26 July 42 (Two-Map Version)
Game Length: 11 (Two-Map Version)
Maps in Play: Maps C & D,
or
Last Turn: 29 Nov 42 (Campaign)
Game Length: 48 (Campaign)
Maps in Play: All (Campaign)

The general rules in effect are as stated in the rules for scenarios 7.15 and 7.16.

The set up is the same as in the standard scenarios, except as noted below.

Commonwealth Set Up for Mersa Matruh

C38.01: 12-0 Corps HQ (10), 50 Inf Div (69 Inf Bde (-1 step), Organic Truck (Full)), 5 SPs
C37.02: 50 Inf Div (151 Inf Bde (-1 step))
C39.03: 10 Ind Div (21 Ind Inf Bde, Organic Truck (Full)), Level 2 Airbase
C38.04: Level 1 Hedgehog, 10 Ind Div (25 Ind Inf Bde)
C37.04: 4 Ind Div (5 Ind Inf Bde)
D35.33: 2-4-8 SA Arm Car Bn (6 SA)
C34.03: 2 NZ Div (4 NZ, 5 NZ Inf Bde), 1 SP
D33.34: 5 Ind Div (9 Ind Inf Bde (-1 step), Organic Truck (Full))
D35.29: 5 Ind Div (29 Ind Inf Bde (-1 step))

Axis Set Up

The Axis units at Mersa Matruh (C39.03) in the Campaign Scenario 7.15 begin at Sidi Barrani (C43.19).

Special Rules

General Gott has ordered most of 13th Corps to retreat directly to the Alamein Line. To make things simple, set up the Commonwealth units as directed in scenarios 7.15 or 7.16, except those listed above. It is assumed that the various units that have already withdrawn from Matruh are scattered across the desert to the east on their way to Alamein. The NZ Division and 10th Corps were not informed of the retreat, and are still at Mersa Matruh when the scenario begins.

In order to represent General Strafer Gott's state of mind, he does not possess the usual +1 Leader Action Rating modifier. While he does retain the ability to make "Reactive DRs", his AR modifier is 0 (-1 might be closer to the truth).

The 24 Aus Inf Bde (9 Aus Div) may move up to Alamein on the July 5 turn.

The 26 Aus Inf Bde (9 Aus Div) may move up to Alamein on the July 8 turn.

During the June 26 and June 29 turns, all of the units in the El Alamein area must remain east of the Rahman Track (they are organizing the defenses).

Victory Conditions

The victory conditions remain the same as the standard scenarios, unless you decide to give the Optional Victory Conditions below a try.

Optional Victory Conditions

A combination of maneuver, bluff and psychological factors brought Rommel victory at Mersa Matruh. He was depending on the same formula for success at El Alamein. Historically, by this time the Panzerarmee had been bled white. The only way Rommel could have moved the British out of the Alamein position was by a repeat of the Matruh debacle. The weakness of 8th Army was not in the arms of its soldiers but in the heads of its leaders. Time after time during this period they missed opportunities to end the Western Desert campaign. Rommel never would have let such opportunities go begging.

I realize that attempting to simulate the personal psychology of individual commanders in a game is difficult and highly subjective. These optional victory conditions attempt to reflect the morale and perspective of the CW leaders at the time. If the German player is able to get the Afrika Korps and 90th Light Division through and behind the Alamein position so that they are able to cut off the CW units, this triggers an immediate withdrawal of 8th Army to the Delta. In the Campaign scenario the game goes on from there; if playing the Two-Map version it means an automatic Axis victory, and Mussolini can saddle his white horse.

Notes on Play

The German player must decide how many units to send immediately to Fuka in order to cut off the CW retreat, and how many will remain at Matruh to attack the infantry brigades there and hopefully capture SPs. The critical Axis supply situation will of course influence his decisions.

The Commonwealth player must choose between breaking out directly to the east or moving well south before turning east (as many units did historically). Thanks to General Gott, he will get no help from the forces at Alamein. But there is the Desert Air Force!