Intro

Brazen Chariots is a Battalion Combat Series (BCS) game that chronicles fighting in the North African desert towards the end of 1941. Once Axis forces under Rommel had laid siege to Tobruk, they then set about trying to take it. Meanwhile, Commonwealth forces pushed back to the Egyptian border launched several attempts to break into and relieve the fortress. Two of these efforts, BREVITY and BATTLEAXE, lacked the depth needed to accomplish this goal and were utter failures. The third, CRUSADER, was a massive undertaking that successfully opened communications to Tobruk and proved to the British 8th Army that Rommel could be beaten. It also set the stage for Rommel’s Gazala offensive in 1942.

Components….

-A BOX & a LID! +

• BCS v1.2 rulebook (full color)
  
• two v1.2 BCS Charts and Tables (full color)
  
• BCS v1.2 Crib Notes Booklet
  
• Brazen Chariots game specific rulebook
  
• three full color 22″ x 34″ maps
  
• four countersheets (1,120 counters)
  
• 12 scenarios:
  
  • Easter Battle, 1 map, 5 turns
    
  • Battle for the Salient, 1 map, 5 turns
    
  • Operation Brevity, 1 map, 2 turns
    
  • Operation Skorpion, 1 map, 2 turns
    
  • Operation Battleaxe, 1 map, 3 turns
    
  • Operation Battleaxe: Mini-Crusader, 3 maps, 10 turns
    
  • Operation Crusader (Campaign), 3 maps, 21 turns
    
  • Two Map Crusader, 2 maps, 21 turns
    
  • Operation Crusader: Clash of Armor, 3 maps, 19 turns
    
  • Totensonntag, 2 maps, 3 turns
    
  • Operation Crusader: Dash to the Wire, 3 maps, 15 turns
    
  • Operation Crusader: Victory by Logistics, 3 maps, 11 turns
    

Historical Note: General Brink:

There was no time to ponder or to argue. The Army Commander was applying the acid test. I was not happy about the state of training of my Division and in my heart I felt that it was not in a fit state, tactically, and did not possess the hitting power to engage in serious operations. We have splendid fighting material, well led and ably commanded, but the best human material in the world requires careful moulding and must have the wherewithal to engage a tough and determined enemy such as the Afrika-Korps. The die was cast, however, the Division was already on the move to its concentration area and the honour of South Africa was at stake.

Pitt, Barrie. Auchinleck’s Command: The Crucible of War Book 2 . Sharpe Books. Kindle Edition.

Opening moves

Auchinleck’s forces have a bold plan. Lure the panzer heavy forces of Rommel into a battle and allow Tobruk’s besieged men to break out. Fair enough. As usual this one plan did not last past first contact with the enemy.

But who know what different schemes and plans might befall both sides in this version of history. Let’s tune in and see.

4^th Indian advances up the road to Sollum and its southern escarpments.

Under fire they begin clearing minefields and preparing to assault the perimeter defences. The Arty delivered takes its toll on KG Bach [dropping 2 steps].

Then the big 88mm bark. Inflicting two step losses one on the Rajputana Rifles and the other on 2/5 Maharatta Light Infantry. Shell bursts, and shrapnel tear at the exposed forces!

22^nd Armoured begins its push towards the besieged forces in Tobruk, in an effort to relieve the Pole and Brits besieged there.

Historical note: During the weekend of November 16th and 17th, 1941, the whole of the Eighth Army was on the move – 100,000 men, 600 tanks, 5,000 assorted cars, trucks and lorries; and although the troops accepted the resultant tribulations with their usual sardonic good humour, the administrative staffs were shaken by the ordeal. desert….Even at the low ration of a gallon of water per day per man, each brigade needed to take with it enough to fill a small reservoir – and water was only one of the vital necessities. Each brigade required 1,000 vehicles to carry the men, weapons, ammunition and stores – and spread out at ten vehicles to the mile, this gave a tailback 100 miles long which took six and a half hours to pass any given point. On the last seventy-mile move up to the concentration area the leading vehicles of each brigade arrived at their destination before the last had left the starting-point.

Pitt, Barrie. Auchinleck’s Command: The Crucible of War Book 2 . Sharpe Books. Kindle Edition.

They quickly assault the elite but shallowly dug in Bersaglieri and inflict heavy losses, they retreat under the onslaught of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. This opens the way for the London Yeomanry to press forward and engage the VII Bn light tanks. Both sides take heavy losses in a swirling tank battle [50% each].

The Glosustershire Royal Hussars drop the defenders support then head for the flank, while 3^rd and 4^th CLY prepare to combat.

Historical Note: And then the rain came. Squalls of bitter sleet swept across the huddled army, lancing down through every tear in fabric, gap in lacing, open windshield or gun-port; soaking inexorably through serge or drill to transform it into icy poultices to chill the flesh and blood beneath – and to turn the desert dust to mud. Along the Escarpment, wadis flooded and cascades washed away not only rocks and clumps of scrub but men who had thought to find cover and shelter in them, and their weapons and equipment too. The rain flooded the whole of the desert from Tobruk across to Sidi Barrani

Pitt, Barrie. Auchinleck’s Command: The Crucible of War Book 2 . Sharpe Books. Kindle Edition.

8^th Brs loses 50% under the withering fire and the supported attacks of the 22^nd Armoured Brigade units.

The County of London Yeomanry launch their attack directly at the VII Battalion of the Ariete, their light M13/40 tanks take a fearful pounding from the British Crusaders.

Further North. 21^st Panzer is made aware of the situation. They sense an opportunity.

More soon!