IABSM AAR: The Road From Fort Capuzzo

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As those who follow this blog will know, I have recently painted a squadron of plastic British A13 cruiser tanks from Zvezda in desert colours. I was naturally keen to get them onto the tabletop, so invited my regular opponent, Neil, round for a battle.

I'd determined to use one of the two 'all tank' scenarios from the Operation Compass scenario pack (written by me and available to purchase from all good retailers: well, here and the TFL main site!) so carefully printed off the pages we'd need for Scenario 10: The Road From Fort Capuzzo.

It wasn't until I'd laid out the terrain and turned to getting the figures out that I realised that Scenario 10 doesn't feature any A13s: just A9s and A10s!

No bother: the newly painted tanks will have to wait their turn as my BEF tanks demonstrate what they can do re-tasked to the desert.

So click here or on the picture below to see what happens when Rae Leakey and his tank squadron drive towards the road from Fort Capuzzo in December 1940: an interesting game that takes place up in the blue in the dead of the night...

Rae Leaky up in the blue in the dead of the night

Rae Leaky up in the blue in the dead of the night

Morris CS9 Armoured Cars

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Keen to clear the painting table ready for my next major project (WW2 US Paras modelled on Band of Brothers' Easy Company), I've just finished a couple of British Morris CS9 armoured cars for the desert.

Nice little models these, from Battlefront, and with some nice detailing on the hull and crew figure. They will represent vehicles from 11th Hussars for Operation Compass.

AAR: The Assault on El Gubbi Airfield

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Originally posted 20th May 2012

A quick battle reports for I Ain't Been Shot, Mum!:  I finally managed to get around to playing one of my favourite Operation Compass scenarios: the assault of the El Gubbi airfield.

Operation Compass Redux

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Originally posted 24th December 2011

My final scenario pack updated for IABSM3 takes us to Libya and the opening phase of the war in the Western Desert: Operation Compass.

Scandinavian Tobruk Day

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Originally posted 26th June 2011

I've added the report from the Scandinavian contingent

TFL Gamesday: Tobruk

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Originally posted 16th June 2011

The TFL Games Day 2011 took place on Sunday 12th June, with the action being a re-fight of the Commonwealth break-in to Tobruk in January 1941.  Seven games were fought during the day. In the morning, the Commonwealth troops broke through the Italian perimeter. A lunchtime interlude saw the Matildas of 7TRT attempting to suppress the main Italian gun line. Finally, the Commonwealth troops fanned out, with three games charting their progress inside the perimeter.

Full reports of the day's play, plus tons of photos!

AAR: The Battle of Girba

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Originally posted 6th April 2011

Another version of the Battle of Girba from the Operation Compass scenario pack. This time John Sullins plays the game...

AAR: The Battle of Girba

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Originally posted 24th March 2011

Zippee's second battle report from the Operation Compass scenario pack. This time, British armour encounters an Italian column patrolling along the Wire.

AAR: The Road to Fort Capuzzo

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Originally posted 15th March 2011

An AAR from Zippee, who recently played the first scenario from the Operation Compass Scenario pack.

A successful and enjoyable game, except for the fact that the Zipmeister's camera tripod fell apart just after he'd laid out the terrain. Accompanying illustrations are therefore of the desert in all its lonely glory. Enjoy!

AAR: Action within Tobruk

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Originally posted 3rd January 2011

The first game of the New Year: a scenario taken from the Operation Compass scenario booklet covering the early war in the Western Desert.

Today, deep within the heart of the Italian stronghold of Tobruk , the assaulting Australians find themselves on the end of a rather nasty looking Italian counter-attack. 

AAR: Buq Buq (IABSM: Operation Compass)

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Originally posted 22nd May 2010

The second AAR from the Operation Compass scenario booklet. Action similar to that of Sidi Barrani, but this time east of Buq Buq.

AAR: Sidi Barrani (IABSM: Operation Compass)

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Originally posted 9th May 2010

The first AAR from the Operation Compass scenario booklet. Night time action at Sidi Barrani as 6RTR attempt to crush the last resistance from 1st and 2nd Libyan Divisions in the dunes to the east of the town.

IABSM: Operation Compass Scenario Pack

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Originally posted 9th April 2010

Fox Killed In Open!

Cruise the Blue with Robert Avery's latest pdf scenario booklet for "I Ain't Been Shot, Mum!"

An extensive history of the Italian invasion of Egypt and the British response: Operation Compass, the Five-Day Raid that turned into a campaign. Set between June 1940 and early February 1941, the booklet contains twenty-three unique scenarios for “I Ain’t Been Shot, Mum!” including attacks, counter-attacks, encounter battles, desperate defences, and the types of action typical of desert warfare: tank vs tank and tank vs gun battles.

From the 11th Hussars’ initial reconnaissance and harassment missions; through to the assaults on the network of Italian camps in the Western Desert; the Australian assaults on Bardia, Tobruk and Derna; and on to the thrilling climax at Beda Fomm, you’ll encounter British, Australians and Italians of all shapes and sizes.



Operation Compass contains the following scenarios: 

1. The Road to Fort Capuzzo; 

2. The Battle of Girba

3. The Invasion of Egypt

4. Nibeiwa

5. Tummar West

6. Tummar East

7. Alam el Dab

8. Sidi Barrani

9. Buq Buq

10. The Road From Fort Capuzzo

11. Bardia One

12. Bardia Two

13. Bardia Three

14. Tobruk One

15. Tobruk Two

16. Tobruk Three

17. Mechili

18. Siret el Chreiba

19. The Derna Wadi

20. Sidi Saleh One

21. The Pimple One

22. The Pimple Two

23. Sidi Saleh Two