I had planned to do a TOBRUK mini-campaign, but on closer examination, the following scenario problem seen at Phase V presented itself. I may work it up to a full game, but at present it does not hold enough operational interest to pursue before other projects:
Phase I: Operation Sonnenblume (6 February – 25 May 1941). The Germans drive the Allies east, isolate TOBRUK and on 10 April attack a largely Australian defence. The Australian infantry prove that a coherent infantry force behind well-sited concrete defences in three layers can contain a frontal armoured attack.
Phase II: Two unsuccessful allied relief attempts ensue, Operation Brevity (15–16 May), Operation Battleaxe (15–17 June), before Operation Crusader (18 November – 30 December) relieves TOBRUK on On 27 November 1941.
Phase III: Around TOBRUK itself, nothing happens for five months operationally. The Germans lack the strength to penetrate the defences and at the same time fight of the Allied counter-offensives.
Phase IV: After TOBRUK is relieved, the garrison is changed (see below).
Phase V: The Axis forces attack, and Tobruk falls in a matter of hours!
HQ 9th Australian Infantry Division & Tobruk Fortress
HQ 3rd Armoured Bde (60 x tanks working; another 26 tanks in repair)
3rd Hussars/5 the Royal Tanks (Det 4 x light tanks and 18 x cruisers) 1 Crusader (CF3)
1st Royal Tank Regt (Det 15 x light tanks and 19 x cruisers) 1 Crusader (CF3)
1st Kings Dragoon Guards (30 x armoured cars) 3 Marmon Herrington @ (R1)
4th Royal Tank Regt (Troop of 4 x infantry tanks not modelled)
For local colour, substitute a Crusader for an M13 with a huge kangaroo painted on the side
18th Cavalry Regt (Indian)
HQ Royal Horse Artillery
1st RHA Regt 1 25-pounder (S2)+ tractor (L2)
3rd RHA (minus one bty) (16 x 2-pounder antitank guns) 2 2pdr Atk guns @ (S1)
104th RHA Regt (16 x 25-pounders) 1 25-pounder (S2)+ Quad tractor (L2)
107th RHA Regt (16 x 25-pounders) 1 25-pounder (S2)+ Quad tractor (L2)
51st Field Regt (12 x 18-pounders and 12 x 4.5 inch how) 1 4.5″ Howitzer (S2)+ tractor (L2)
2-3rd Aust Antitank Regt (Unkown no., type, Bofors
(minus one bty) 37-mm; Breda 47/32-mm; 2-pounders) 2 Atk guns @ (S1) (from the previous list)
HQ Royal Australian Engineers
2nd Aust Field Bn 3 Engr stands @ (E1)
2-4th Aust Field Park Company
2-1st Aust Pioneer Battalion 3 Pioneer stands @ (E1) –count as logistic when fighting
Signals 9th Aust Div
HQ 18th Aust Inf Bde 1 Comd stand (F3)
16th Aust Antitank Company 1 (C1) 2pdr Atk stand
2-9th Aust Inf Bn 1 Rifle stand (F3)
2-10th Aust Inf Bn 1 Rifle stand (F3)
2-12th Aust Inf Bn 1 Rifle stand (F3)
HQ 20th Aust Inf Bde (As 18th bde above)
20th Aust Antitank Company
2-13th Aust Inf Bn
2-15th Aust Inf Bn
2-17th Aust Inf Bn
HQ 24th Aust Inf Bde (-) (2-25th Inf Bn still in Australia) (As 18th bde above)
24th Aust Antitank Co
2-28th Aust Inf Bn
2-43d Aust Inf Bn
HQ 26th Aust Inf Bde (As 18th bde above)
26th Aust Antitank Coy
2-23rd Aust Inf Bn
2-24th Aust Inf Bn (as above)
2-48th Aust Inf Bn (as above)
1 Royal Northumberland Fusiliers 1 Machine Gun stand (S3)
9th Aust Div Supply Column
7th Aust Div Supply Column
2nd Aust Field Ambulance
9th Aust Div Provost Coy
9th Aust Div Protection Pl
9th Aust Div Empl Pl
9th Aust Salvage Unit
Fortress Troops
Royal Artillery
HQ 4th Antiaircraft (AA) Bde
13th Light AA Regt
14th Light AA Regt
51st Heavy AA Regt
3rd Aust Light AA Regt
Notts Yeomanry (coast defense)
Royal Engineers (under CRE, 9th Aust Div)
295th Field Coy Royal Engineers
551st Tps Coy Royal Engineers
4th Field Sqn Royal Engineers
143d Field Park Troops
Signals (under Comd Signals, 9th Aust Div)
K Base Section
27th Line Maintenance Section
Royal Army Service Corps (RASC)
309th Reserve Motor Coy
345th Reserve Motor Coy
550th Coy
Medical: 16th MAC
Royal Army Ordnance Corps [RAOC]
2nd Armoured Div Workshops RAOC
A Sect Ord Field Park AAOC
HQ Tobruk Subarea
1st Libyan Refugee Bn
2nd Libyan Refugee Bn
4th Libyan Refugee Bn
HQ 45th Group
1205-7th Indian Pioneer Coys
Admin units have been omitted and are represented by supply dumps.
Use the DAK orbat for Gazala for the Germans
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Tobruk [Accessed 7.11.16]
- http://www.ww2f.com/topic/24891-orbat-tobruk-fortress-april-1941/ [Accessed 7.11.16]
Not Quite Mechanised 