Crusade for Empire - Battleground WWII Supplement - Easy Eight Enterprises

easy eightÕs

Created by Brad Sanders Devin Cooley Jim Bland Kurt Coyle

©

COPYRIGHT © 1999 EASY EIGHT ENTERPRISES, INC. 10036 CAENEN LENEXA, KANSAS 66215 www. battlegroundwwii.com 1•800•335•2977 All rights reserved. No part of this publication unless otherwise marked may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by means electrical, mechanical or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America

introduction Welcome to Crusade For Empire, the North African Campaign Pack designed for use with Easy Eight’s Battleground WWII. Inside you will find in-depth historical detail and hard-hitting desert combat for your gaming pleasure. For those familiar with Easy Eight products, Crusade For Empire is the second of our Campaign Pack line. Like its predecessor, Islands of Glory (the Pacific Theatre), Crusade For Empire gives the gamer everything needed to begin gaming the battles of North Africa. Special rules, tank charts, historical information, and 12 scenarios help to bring the desert alive on your gaming table. Also, this Campaign Pack is the starting point for future Easy Eight Scenario Packs involving North Africa. So why a North African pack? Well, simply Battleground fans around the world requested it. And we listened. Also, many have been waiting for rules and tank charts on the British. Because these were our two biggest requests, we decided to combine the two! This Campaign Pack looks at the desert war from more of a British perspective. We felt this was a fresh approach as opposed to the more common German/Afrika Korps view present in most historical games and books about the desert war. Crusade For Empire also focuses in detail on tanks and the battles they fought in the desert. Inside you will find a new Battleground range chart for 1/285th scale “micro-armor.” Because the war in the desert was won and lost by tanks and because Battleground is so suited for large tank battles, we naturally had to view this pack through the “gunner’s sight.” Though Crusade for Empire specifically highlights the desert, the standard British AFVs used throughout the war are also included as are British small arms. Look for more British packs in the future going further into the British involvement in the war; though if you love gaming the British, you no doubt love the desert war! And, no desert pack would be whole if the Afrika Korps and the Italians weren’t thrown in as well! Special Thanks go out to the following: - Jim Morrison (Pathfinder One) - All Pathfinders (Easy Eight Playtesters) who participated in the creation of this Campaign Pack - Harold Coyle - The Coyle Family - Combined Arms Research Library in Ft. Leavenworth, KS. - Kyle Jamison, creator of “Meeting With Stefan,” “Fortress Cairo,” and “The Lion’s Teeth” scenarios; plus playtesting and graphics assistance. - Jim Bland for his weeping story about “Pipes” MacLeod.

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And most of all - the Battleground fans throughout the world!

Overall, we hope you enjoy this desert Campaign Pack and have fun gaming. Though ownership of Easy Eight’s Battleground WWII is required for play, we encourage you the gamer to use Crusade For Glory with other systems. So, wipe the dust off your goggles, load AP, and get ready for some heavy combat! May your crusade on the gaming table be a successful one! Happy Gaming!

This work is dedicated to the valiant men and women of the British Commonwealth and of all colors who fought and died in the African desert for democracy and freedom.

the plan

the plan

“England will be beaten. Inexorably beaten. That is the sure truth.” - Benito Mussolini

italy When war broke out between the Italians and the allied French and British in 1940, the Italian presence in Africa was hard to miss. Four years earlier, il Duce and Italy defied the world and conquered impoverished Ethiopia with a force of nearly one million men. This territory, added to Italian Somaliland, gave Italy control over the northeastern “horn” of Africa and threatened the British influence in Egypt and in the Red Sea - both vital to keeping the supply lines of the British Empire open. Ironically, the British only had themselves to blame for this predicament. In 1876 the British invited the Italians to occupy and administer the Somali port of Assara and thus the Italian colonial empire in Africa was born. Seeing a great opportunity, the Italians expanded and moved inland forming the colony of Italian Somililand. For several decades the Italians were content with their modest piece of the African colonial pie, but like Ethiopia in 1936, another great opportunity presented itself to the ambitious Italians. The territory this time was Libya, part of the declining Ottoman Empire, and it was conveniently located direct across the Mediterranean from the Italian mainland. In 1911 Italy declared war on the Ottomans and quickly snatched Libya from the helpless empire. The Italians divided Libya into two colonies: Tripolitania in the east and Cyrainica in the west. An influx of Italian money and colonists were quickly poured into the new colonies and vast modernization efforts begun. Roads were established along the coasts, water purification systems set-up, and ports developed. Without a doubt,

the two Libyan colonies together were the most important African possessions in Italy’s new colonial empire and it would be mostly here where the great desert war would be fought. Libya’s close proximity to mainland Italy enabled the Italian government to effectively rule the area with a much tighter control than other African colonies. Strategically, Libya’s location opposite the Italian “boot” gave Italy and its growing navy to put a strangle on the central Mediterranean. More importantly Libya’s location, wedged between the French in Tunisia to the west and the British in Egypt to the east, guaranteed Italy would remain a big player in colonial Africa. Colonizing the desert had its problems however. Many from the native Libyan and mostly Islamic population resented their new Italian masters and revolted, namely the Senassi tribe of desert nomads. The Italians somewhat prophetically brought some WWI vintage Fiat tanks to the desert in 1926 to help deal with the “revolt.”Again in the mid 1930’s when the Senassi took up arms, the Italians responded in kind constructing (with British help) a triple barbed-wired boundary along the border with Egypt designed to separate the nomadic desert tribe and to limit their movement. “The Wire,” as the obstacle was called, helped to finally defeat the uprising after a couple of years and would soon play an even bigger role in the desert war to come. As the winds of war began to stir in 1939, Italy halfheartedly started to prepare her forces in Libya for war. The commander of Italian forces in Libya, Marshal Italo Balbo, was forced by the Italian Comando Supremo to develop strategic plans for attacking the British in Egypt. This invasion, Mussolini later assured after pledging Italian support to Hitler, would be leveled at the British simultaneously with a German invasion of the British Isles. Victory would be sure and swift.... The man responsible for an Italian victory in Egypt was himself an anglophile and like many of his fellow countrymen, did not feel anger towards the British. Despite his personal feelings, Balbo’s review and analysis of both the Italian strategic situation and the composition of his forces resulted in a less than positive outlook for Italian success. Nine divisions divided into three corps were in Cyrenaica defending that colony from any French threats to the west. This left five divisions in two corps in the east and these were not ready for action. Reorganization of the standard Italian infantry division in 1938 had reduced the force from three (tertiary) infantry regiments to two (binary) - thus weakening the division. Balbo’s corps lacked motorized vehicles, adequate water supply, AT and AA Guns, and decent armor. The L3 tankette was the only “tank” available and this at best was

crusade for empireª 1

the plan

a tin can armed with only a dual-mounted machinegun. Meanwhile, the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) could only effective put into the air some 60 various aircraft. Balbo complained to Rome where many in the Comando Supremo viewed any coming war in Africa as a colonial conflict and thus not requiring “modern” weapons, though poison gas was assumed to be used as it had in Ethiopia and in Spain during that country’s civil war. Balbo was much disliked for his attitude and aggressiveness in trying acquire the proper equipment and weapons, but he did win enough support and was promised the items he requested including some 70 medium tanks. Balbo’s plan for the invasion of Egypt was acceptable only in that it was realistic for what resources he had and for what he was asked to do. Not only did the Italians lack proper war material they also lacked strategic military goals and aims. Balbo’s plan must be viewed in this light. After weaning forces facing the French in Tunisia, the Italians would move along the coast and seize Sollum. The Halfaya Pass, just east of Sollum and strategically placed along the escarpment running parallel to the sea, would also be captured and would thus block any British attack into Libya from the coastal area. From these staging areas, Balbo would then strike for the Egyptian Delta and the Suez Canal. The plan was simple, arguably achievable, but abstract. This last characteristic of Balbo’s plan would ultimately cause the Italians the most grief in the confusing first days after war erupted between the Italians and the British. Only Balbo had really known the specific details of his plan and these died with him when his observation plane was shot down by friendly forces at Tobruk on June 28, 1940: eighteen days after the war in North Africa had begun. More than anything, the Italians believed that the British were very strong in Egypt. This psychological effect left most Italians feeling surrounded by the allied French and British, despite having 250,000 Italian troops in Ethiopia and nearly another 200,000 in Cyrenaica and Tripolitania! The Italians were not ready mentally or physically for war with the British and this would ultimately be seen in the first months of combat in the Western Desert.

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great britain When Italy declared war on Great Britain in the summer of 1940, the British Empire was still formidable in Africa and the Middle East. The center of British power in the region radiated from Egypt where the British still exercised a military presence. Though the country itself was by treaty independent of British rule, Egypt was still the largest British military base outside of the U.K. This was simply because Egypt was the key to the survival of the empire; Egypt possessed the vital Suez Canal linking British possessions in India to those in Europe. Supplies and personnel to and from India not only came through the Suez, but also so did precious oil from Iran and Iraq. Control over Egypt and the Suez Canal was of prime importance to the British. They exercised this control several times in the years leading up to WWII by brutally putting down numerous uprisings both in Egypt and in the Sudan. Despite the success in squashing revolt in Egypt and granting the country independence in 1922, sentiment for ousting the British from the country all together still lingered with the majority of the native population. This was probably manifested the most (though secretively) in the Egyptian Army, where many officers including the future Egyptian presidents Nasser and Sadat plotted to lead Egypt to “full” independence. However, the Egyptian Army was closely monitored by the British and was generally relegated to a policemen role in the country and served in WWII as mostly a rear-guard force. Despite harboring some pro-Axis feelings, the Egyptian Army and the Egyptian people did not demand that the British leave during the war; the Egyptians in fact played an important role in helping defeat the Germans in North Africa. Two other areas of British concern in the region were Palestine and Iraq. For numerous years the British had policed the region and attempted to keep the peace between militant Jewish and Arab settlers. This responsibility had grown to Britain maintaining some 27,000 troops in Palestine, namely cavalry and artillery units. Iraq, once a major part of the old Ottoman Empire, maintained its importance to the British Empire for its large oil reserves. Care and political savvy was required to ensure that this vital resource

the plan could still be drawn upon in the event of war. Overall, what cannot be overlooked is that regardless of the war in Europe, the war in Africa was truly a war between colonial empires: the British, strong in tradition and powerful and the Italians relatively new and weak. Though the Italians possessed more numbers of troops on the African continent, the British had experience in not only winning wars here but in the “lay of the land” as well. These two elements would have to be the rock upon which British fortunes in Africa would have to rely, especially after France’s fall in 1940. Assigned to coordinate the British military power in the region was General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander in Chief, Middle East. Forces under his command included approximately 40,000 troops in Egypt (figures in sources vary) and 27,000 in Palestine. Allied French forces in the region numbered 45,000 but these troops were spread out between Tunisia, Syria, and French Somililand and could not be counted on. Wavell realized obviously that Egypt was the key to the British strategical presence in Africa and therefore concentrated his efforts there. The commander of British forces in Egypt fell upon Lt. Gen. Maitland Wilson, nicknamed “Jumbo” for his large size as well as his demeanor. Wilson took to organizing Egypt as a military base for expanded troop size and operations - no small task in light of the primitive conditions of the country and a reduced, if not relaxed, British presence since Egypt’s independence in 1922. The task also fell to Wilson to devise a plan to attack the Italians and this plan was as a simple as his Italian adversary’s (Italian Marshal Balbo) plan to attack the British. Wilson’s plan was simply to capture Bardia and Jarabub (some 200 miles to the south of Bardia) and to organize land and air forces towards this end. Like the Italian Balbo, no further detailed plans really existed much in detail - the plan essentially boiled to down to reacting to the Italians once these objectives were seized. This lack of foresight was no doubt a result of the British view of their own situation in Egypt, basically one of being outnumbered and surrounded by the Italians. Wilson’s work and planning would not go to waste however, as would be seen in the last month of December, 1940 in what would later be remembered as Operation Compass - the destruction of the Italian X Army and the capture of most of Libya. Perhaps, the greatest pre-war planning for the British came from Maj. Gen. Percy Hobart, who was given command of armored forces in Egypt. “Hobo,” as he was affectionately known by his troops, took the task of creating an armored division out of the scant number of British armored cars and tanks currently in Egypt. This force, originally known as the Heavy Armoured Brigade, would later win international fame and recognition as the core unit of the

7th Armoured Division - “The Desert Rats.” Hobart drilled his tankers incessantly and forced them to know the desert terrain of North Africa firsthand. His inspired leadership, reorganization of his armor units, and training of tactics would instill this unit with incredible skill and morale in the months leading up to war with Italy. Unfortunately, Hobart did not get along with Lt. Gen. Wilson, his superior, and “Hobo” was later relieved of command before the opening of hostilities. Yet, Hobart’s valuable leadership in such a crucial time would positively effect the modernization of British armored forces and its wartime conduct in the desert. Hobart (whose sister was interestingly married to General Bernard Montgomery until her death before the war) would later gain great fame in Normandy for his specially equipped tanks known as “Hobart’s Funnies.” In retrospect, the British situation in North Africa looked bleak when war was declared in June, 1940. They were simply outnumbered, outgunned, and surrounded. The professionalism and quality of the British military would quickly turn the odds much in British favor.

germany Hitler, after the fall of France, had gained much of Europe. But he hadn’t yet seized his nemesis, the Soviet Union. Hitler despised the Soviet Union, whom he had lashed out against since his earliest days. In Mein Kampf, Hitler clearly stated his wish for the Soviet Union - the bastion of bolshevism - to be destroyed. To Hitler, the British were more of a nuisance than anything else within the confines of his own desire to crush the Soviets. It is therefore no surprise that German strategy focused little on the British Empire, namely the British in the Middle East. In gaining much of Europe, Hitler and Germany had also gained Mussolini and Italy as an ally. Despite Mussolini’s earlier insistence to Hitler that Italy was not ready for war and would not be until 1943, the Italian dictator could not pass up a piece of the French “pie” in June of

crusade for empireª 3

the plan 1940. This impulse not only thrust Italy into war with France but also with Great Britain. Hitler was not much concerned with Italy’s desire to forge her own empire in the Mediterranean, but nonetheless promised German support in any Italian invasion of Egypt. Air assets and a German panzer division (the 3rd Panzer Division) were to be made ready to assist if needed. Mussolini essentially gave lip service to Hitler, claiming that the Italians did not need much help - perhaps a German panzer division in the last “stage” of an invasion of Egypt but nothing else. Yet, early Italian failures in North Africa combined with a failed and disastrous invasion of Greece soon threatened German plans to invade the Soviet Union. This forced Hitler and Germany to play a much larger role in the war in the Mediterranean; certainly more than expected or desired. Admiral Raeder and the German Kriegsmarine pressed for a more strategic fight against the British once war began between the countries. Raeder advocated a German attempt to knock Britain out of the war once and for all. He believed that if Egypt was seized and the Suez Canal captured, the British Empire would be severed and would fall onto its knees. Hitler, obsessed with the Soviet Union, lacked the foresight to see what this strategy really could do in hurting the British Empire. Therefore, Operation Barbarossa (the invasion of the Soviet Union) was pushed to the forefront and the British position in the Mediterranean dismissed. It was only when Germany’s Italian allies began to threaten Barbarossa that Hitler paid North Africa any attention. Generalleutnant Ritter von Thoma was sent to North Africa in October 1940 to observe Germany’s new ally at war and to make suggestions as to what German forces were needed and could be realistically supported in the desert. Thoma’s observations were many but the most notable were that the Italians were horribly at odds in leadership, equipment/weapons, and terrain; and that at most only four German divisions would be able to be supported in the desert. Italy’s collapse in December, 1940 in front of a small British invasion of Libya, formally brought Germany militarily into the North African theatre of war. As in Greece the Germans were forced to bail-out their lesser Italian ally. The German answer to the North African problem was to immediately stabilize the front in North Africa, regain as much of the lost Italian ground as possible, and maybe push the British back into Egypt. Much to Hitler’s and the world’s surprise, a collection of specialized German units dubbed the Afrika Korps and led by a man named Erwin Rommel would do just that and a whole lot more.

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the battle

the battle

“It was only in the desert that real tank battles were fought by large-scale formations.” - Erwin Rommel

The Opening Moves On June 10th, Mussolini declared war on Great Britain and France bringing Italy fully into the war as an Axis power. The next day, the British made the first moves in North Africa, thus starting the war in this theatre. Along the Libyan/Egyptian border, the famous boundary between the Italian and British Empires known as “The Wire” was crossed by Rolls Royce Armoured Cars from the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own). In a process known as “gapping,” this British reconnaissance unit from the 4th Armoured Brigade (the only British armored formation in Egypt at the time) literally drove over the stakes holding the barbed wire and dragged down gaps in the wire. From here, the 11th Hussars fanned out and scouted Italian forces around Forts Capuzzio and Magdalena and the seaside town of Bardia. They also encountered a few small Italian units and opened fire on them, taking several prisoners in the process. It was then that the Hussars realized that the Italian units in North Africa had not yet been notified about war being declared! Over the next few days, the 11th Hussars with supporting elements of the 4th Armoured Brigade, caused havoc behind the Italian lines. The unprepared and unorganized Italians were driven from Forts Capuzzio and Magdalena, while many Italian troops and equipment were captured. One interesting tactic utilized by the British in these first confusing days of war in the desert was a trick learned in Palestine. The British, while behind enemy lines at night, would find a main trail or road and drag

a pole (or some other obstacle) across it. Italian truck columns would naturally be forced to stop to clear the obstacle and the British ambush would then be sprung, normally netting the entire Italian column! While the British continued to raid and harass the disorganized Italians in the first few weeks of the war, the Italians became further disadvantaged when Marshal Italo Balbo was shot down and killed by his own troops when returning to Tobruk from an air reconnaissance flight. This immediately suspended plans for an invasion of Egypt (though the necessary equipment and weapons requested by Balbo had still not arrived) and called for Mussolini to choose Balbo's replacement. Mussolini chose Marshal Graziani who was familiar with Libya; Graziani was responsible for suppressing the local Libyan tribal revolts of the 1930’s. Naturally, Graziani appeared to be the wise choice for the job. He was not only a senior officer qualified for the job he also had experience. He did not, however, have the experience of fighting the British who were nothing like the lightly armed guerrilla- styled adversaries of his past in Libya. Moreover, Graziani did not possess an aggressive personality, definitely needed for any invasion of Egypt. But, the invasion of Egypt is what Mussolini wanted more than anything. He wanted to prove not only to Italy’s new allies, Hitler and Germany, but to the world that Italy too was a formidable military power. As a bonus the Germans were very soon to invade the British Isles and this would presumably make matters easier against the isolated British in Egypt. Thus at Mussolini’s prodding, Graziani prepared for his invasion. Morale amongst the Italian troops was already low due to the British having a free hand - mostly at the expense of poor Italian leadership. Water, supplies, equipment were all still lacking. The Italians simply were not ready for any kind of offensive, either physically or in spirit. The Italian invasion into Egypt began on Sept. 13, 1940. The British met the Italian advance along the coast west of Sollum and at the soon to be famous Halfaya Pass. Despite large Italian artillery bombardments, the Italians clogged the mine-ridden coastal highways and the pass and the whole affair turned into a “shooting gallery” for the British guns. Yet, this small British force could not fight against an entire army and soon retired back toward defensive positions in the Egyptian interior. Four days and 65 miles later, the Italians entered the primitive village of Sidi Barrani and there the invasion stopped. The Italians dug-in here and established a loose ring of partially defended “camps.” They also began work connecting the paved Via Balba roadway along the coast to Sidi Barrani.

crusade for empireª 1

the Battle M

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NORTH AFRICA While Graziani and the Italian forces wallowed in inaction, the British were quickly expanding their forces and plans. Wavell had returned to London in August and pleaded for more tanks and anti-tank guns. These arrived by convoy in mid-September and were quickly organized for combat. By November plans codenamed “Compass” had been laid to drive the idle Italians back into Libya.

the british strike back Operation Compass was planned to be nothing more than just a 5-day raid with the option of expanding operations if the situation warranted it. The operation itself began on Dec. 8 and saw immediate British success. After five days of hard fighting and maneuvering in conditions including sandstorms and even rain, British units (the core of which was the 7th Armoured Div. and the 4th Indian Div.) had more than bloodied the nose of the unsuspecting Italians. Four Italian divisions were eliminated in the field and 38,000 captured. In addition many tanks and guns were also captured, left behind by the Italian troops streaming into retreat back into Cyrenaica. By January 5, 1941, the once Italian towns of Sollum, Sidi Omar, and Bardia were all in British hands while British armored forces raced towards Tobruk. Italian forces were in shambles and now defeat instead of victory looked certain. Eight Italian divisions had been wiped out in about four weeks. Tobruk would now have to be held if the Italians were to have any hope. On Jan.21, the British attacked Tobruk which was defended by 32,000 Italian troops but these offered only mild resistance and Tobruk fell in one day. Tobruk was a huge score for the British for not only did the British capture more Italian weapons, they also seized a great amount of food as well.

crusade for empireª 2

The Italians were in horrible shape. Their only hope was to retreat along the coast towards the large coastal city of Benghazi. But the British, in hot pursuit, split into two forces. One force continued to roll up the retreating Italians along the coastal Via Balba road, while a more mobile force cut across the desert to entrap the Italians south of Benghazi. Surrounded, the Italians attempted to breakout but this largely failed. At Beda Fomm south east of Benghazi, the last serious Italian attempt to break free and possibly reach Tripoli failed. Benghazi itself capitulated within the next 48 hours, as did the vast majority of the Italian armed forces in North Africa. Operation Compass, the five-day raid that hoped to be so much more, turned out to be one of the most lopsided victories in modern warfare. Ten Italian divisions were destroyed, some 130,000 captured, and countless numbers of tanks and guns captured. All this by approximately 30,000 British troops who had covered roughly 500 miles in two months. The British could not have asked for better results!

The afrika korps With Italy at her knees from the disaster in North Africa in Spring of 1941, Germany came to the rescue. Help

the battle arrived in Tripoli in the form of the Afrika Korps, a small yet skilled collection of German armor and infantry units. Its leader was Erwin Rommel who in a very short time would become a Field Marshal, hero, and legend. His mission was to push the British back, into Egypt if possible, and this he would do at all costs. Upon arriving in North Africa, Rommel quickly surveyed his new battlefield and took stock of the Italian military. With elements of his 5th Leicht (Light) Division arriving daily and with the Italian Ariete Armored Division on the scene, Rommel pressed to be aggressive and to attack immediately. This posture was not in agreement with either the Italians or Hitler. Both envisioned a gradual build-up and then a mass attack could take place once more Axis troops, supplies, and weapons arrived in North Africa. Rommel believed the time to attack was now. Britain had pledged military support for Greece and had siphoned off units in North Africa. The British were at their weakest and Rommel knew it. Therefore he ignored his orders and pushed his combined German-Italian force forward towards Cyrenaica in March of 1941. By early April Rommel had proven right. The British were too thinly scattered to put up much of a fight and found themselves in retreat. Like the British, Rommel divided his forces south of Benghazi. One column would continue down the Via Balba coastal road while two other more mobile columns would take a more easterly approach through the desert. All three columns would meet at Gazala, just west of Tobruk. There, Rommel could invest Tobruk and seize the key port for his supply line. Tobruk proved to be too tough a nut to crack however. Attacking the port’s labyrinthed defenses blunted Rommel's inertia and resulted in many casualties for the Afrika Korps and the Italians. The force was also suffering from supply problems and the lack of replacements/new units. Leaving a mostly Italian holding force to keep the Tobruk defenses besieged and holed up, Rommel continued the advance and entered Egypt. After taking the Halfaya Pass, the Afrika Korps bogged down. It was now the British turn to bounce back and attack. Reinforcements, namely Crusader tanks arrived in Egypt in mid-May and these were to be put to good use in a new offensive designed to hit the Afrika Korps. This plan, called Operation Battleaxe, simply planned to use a sweep of armored units from the south to engage and destroy the Axis armor force; from there troops breaking out of Tobruk could be linked up with. However, the Germans also received reinforcements as well. Elements of the 15th Panzer Division had joined the Afrika Korps no doubt adding a morale boost to Rommel and his troops. Battleaxe was launched on June 15th, 1941 and two days later it was over. After fierce and bloody

fighting highlighted by deadly accurate German anti-tank guns, the British attack had failed and miserably. Half of the entire British tank force in North Africa sat smoking in ruin on the desert and the majority of German tanks were not even engaged. Because of this failure, Wavell was relieved of command and replaced by the Commander-in-Chief, India, Gen. Auchinleck.

Crusader While Rommel beefed up his forces in the late summer into fall, the British under Auchinleck planning yet another attack. Auchinleck’s command now called the Eighth Army, numbered nearly 100,000 men and some 600 tanks. Operation Crusader basically had the same general ideas for Battleaxe (i.e. bring the German armor out, destroy it and relieve Tobruk) but without the mistakes. Unfortunate for the Allies, Rommel departed for Rome on Nov. 15 to celebrate his birthday. Fortunate for the Axis, the commando squad sent to kill Rommel at his HQ on Nov. 17 failed because Rommel was in Rome. Yet, the next day Rommel returned ñ Operation Crusader began. British armored forces met early success by reaching Sidi Rezegh on Nov. 19 where large and bloody tank battles lasted into the next day. German armor counterattacks pushed the Tommies back however and the Germans recaptured Sidi Rezegh on the 22nd. Rommel responded by his own quick armored counterthrust, better known as “Rommel’s Dash to the Wire.” While the 15th and the 21st (formerly the 5th Light) Panzer Divisions were giving the British problems along “The Wire,” the New Zealand Division was close to linking up with Tobruk. However, the DAK doubled back to cut-off the New Zealanders with British armored units in full pursuit. Yet, the Germans were quicker and chewed the New Zealanders into bits. A further week's battles along the Sidi Rezegh line combined with the previous weeks actions essentially had taken its toll and bled the Germans white. In dan-

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the Battle ger of losing everything, Rommel pulled his forces back to the Gazala Line, though abandoning German garrisons at Bardia, Sollum and one at the Halfaya Pass (all would capitulate in Jan.,1942). When even this withdrawal seemed untenable from the pressure 8th Army was placing on him, Rommel retreated even further to El Agheila where he paused on Dec. 28th, 1941. The British - burnt out, lacking fuel, and slowed even further by rough weather - could not repeat another Beda Fomm and wipe up the Axis forces. The British had won Crusader and had finally beat Rommel. But, though the British won the battle they also lost an opportunity to win the war. Consequently, Rommel had escaped and once again he would return.

gazala and beyond Rommel received three great gifts in Jan, 1942 at a time when his force was understrength and licking its wounds. The first was a medal: the Oakleaves and Swords to the Knight's Cross. The second gift was promotion to Colonel General. But the third was the best: reinforcements. A big convoy had recently arrived bringing with more men and tanks. Determined to quickly take the fight back to the British, Rommel gathered his forces and on January 21, 1942 restarted an offensive towards Gazala. By February, Rommel and his men had reached their destination, driving the British back once again. After stabilization at the front line (now called the Gazala line), Rommel planned to strike further. The plan was to swing around the southern n flank of the British and to hit them hard and fast. Tobruk this time would have to be taken so that supplies could be brought closer to the front and to prevent the tactical problems British possession of the port had caused during operation Crusader. Codenamed “Case Venezia,” the offensive began May 26 and quickly evolved into some of the fiercest fighting of the entire campaign. Places before unheard of now became battlefield legends: “The Cauldron,” Bir Hacheim, and Knightsbridge.

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The British, understrength and as yet not recovered from Crusader, fought hard but soon had their numbers of tanks significantly reduced. Helpless, the beleaguered British garrison at Tobruk surrendered to the larger combined GermanItalian forces on June 21, 1942. The next day Rommel was elevated hold the baton of a Feldmarschall - Field Marshal. Living and fighting in the desert was more than hard. It took every single soldier’s total effort to stay alive from not only the bullets of the enemy but from the elements as well. The desert was scorching hot by day and oddly freezing cold at night. Swarms of insects including flies and mosquitoes made breathing and eating difficult at best. Sandstorms literally swept vehicles on their sides and blinded all that dared stand in their paths. But the elements were just part of the anguish of the desert. Water was precious and Axis and Allies alike dug into the earth for it. And if troops were not digging for water, they were digging foxholes for cover or pits in an attempt to keep cool. Dust, sand, and at times mud made the armies of the desert filthy dirty. Food too was often scarce, in particular fresh foods. And glory to the troops that captured a supply convoy of the enemy. When the British captured Tobruk the first time, they were greeted by tons of spaghetti and Italian beer. But, these presents were rare. Most men ate tinned beef and hardtack, hardly fancy fare, and sipped their water never really knowing if they would have water the next day. Identification in the desert was also difficult and this made engaging the enemy difficult as well. Vast lengths of distance would often have to be closed in order to even tell if units were friend or foe. Thus, most desert fighters were as prepared to get out of a fray as they were to get into a fight! Therefore, the eyes were the most important of all the tools and equipment possessed by those who fought in the desert. Quick identification often meant the difference between survival and death! Because of the desert’s relatively open terrain, military operations there were regarded as a “tactician’s paradise.” Success in the desert militarily meant commander had to thrive at not only having good eyes and intelligence, but also tactics. Rommel thrived at both as did some of the British commanders and winning on the battlefield came to be synonymous with which commanders had the best strategies, tactics, and craftiness. It was from this type of success and skill on the open field of battle that Rommel would earn his nickname the “Desert Fox.”

Desert Fighting Living and fighting in the desert was also about being mobile. Tanks ruled the desert battlefield and tanks won the battles. Armored cars and halftracks provided the

the battle

eyes of the armies, speeding across the desert in reconnaissance. Planes and artillery provided a second punch sometime providing the firepower to turn the tide of combat on a given day. More than anything else, the desert was a logistician's hell. Supplies won or lost the battles in the desert and every commander on both sides knew it. Key ports like Benghazi and Tobruk changed hands many times because of the importance they had as supply hubs. The soldiers of the desert knew that losing such a supply source would result in no food, water, gas, and ammo. And in conditions as harsh as the desert’s, the loss of just a small percentage of such supplies could spell victory or defeat. The law of the desert was not necessarily about what was ultimately gained, but was ultimately lost. Soldiers quickly learned that miles of desert terrain mean nothing to armies if they do not have the vital supplies needed just to live in such harsh conditions.

again to the south of the British positions. His objective was the Alam El Halfa ridgeline behind the British lines. Rommel believed this would open up the way to inner Egypt and to victory. Yet, Montgomery's men and his remaining Grant tanks (known as “Egypt’s Last Hope”) held the line and forced Rommel to retire to his original starting point by the first of September. Later that month Rommel left for medical treatment in Germany. Meanwhile, Montgomery planned his strike. In what has been called as one of the turning points of the entire war, Montgomery and his Eighth Army finally massed enough resources and attacked. In the 2nd Battle of El Alamein the Germans were decisively beaten. After unleashing a brutal 5 hour barrage from 25-Pounder guns, the British attacked with the addition of 300 Sherman tanks. Two armored division sallied forth with four infantry divisions behind them, driving a wedge deep into the German infantryheld defenses. The German tanks were forced to commit and engage this threat and in the process lost almost everything. Rommel, along with his Afrika Korps and his tired Italian allies, retreated on Nov. 4 for what would be the last time. It would only be a matter of time before the famed Afrika Korps would be bottled up in Tunisia by the newly arrived Americans from the west and the victorious British Eighth Army from the east. Rommel would escape to command again in Normandy while his adversary Montgomery would also rise to the rank of Field Marshal and see duty in Normandy as well. The battles in North Africa will always be the stuff of legend and great heroes. Yet, in the end it will also be remembered as a struggle of enduring hardship and final triumph over some of the toughest terrain in the world.

el Alamein The Beginning of the end By July 2 the continued Axis offensive orchestrated by Rommel finally was brought to a halt at El Alamein. The British recovered enough to finally stall the Germans - themselves exhausted after nearly a month of brutal combat. Playing for time, Rommel dug-in building an elaborate network of minefields and defenses known as “Devil’s Gardens.” Yet, the British were building up and poised to once again strike back at the “Desert Fox.” On Aug. 13, 1942 the British Eighth Army gained a new commander. His name: General Bernard Montgomery. Montgomery went to work fast organizing his new command. Fortunately, for the British Montgomery's arrival did not come too late. On Aug. 30 Rommel attacked again sweeping

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Sollum Fort Capuzzo

Bardia

Halfaya Pass

NORTH AFRICA

Sea

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El Daba

El Alamein

Alexandria

the Men

the Men Tactics were not the only thing that plagued the British in North Africa. When war was declared, the British did not have enough trucks to keep their forces properly supplied. Because of this many British soldiers only received one gallon of water a day and sometimes it was almost undrinkable. The harsh desert also conjured up brutal sandstorms. This wind blowing from the south would create horrific sandstorms that made life practically unbearable for the British and Axis soldiers alike. Medical problems also haunted even the toughest veteran. A simple cut could result in infectious sores. Sandfly fever and jaundice were routine. Yet, despite the inhospitable conditions faced by the British they still maintained their high morale and fighting spirit.

great britain Of all the nationalities that fought in the harsh climate of North Africa, Britain and her Commonwealth allies were perhaps the best prepared. British troops had been deployed in Egypt since the late 1800’s and were accustomed to warfare in the desert. As war loomed with Germany, Italy also posed a threat with its increasingly expanding empire in Africa. To counter this immense threat, British General P.C.S Hobart was sent to Egypt to organize the scant armor forces there. Throughout the rest of 1938 and 1939, Hobart organized and trained what would later gain fame as the 7th Armoured Division (the Desert Rats). His extensive training programs and desert exercises helped to prepare the British armor assets in Egypt for the inevitable conflict ahead. Most of the British troops in North Africa were generally fairly well equipped and highly trained. This gave them a higher morale than their Italian enemies and this would prove to be a major factor during the desert campaign. The British armored formations enjoyed a superiority in both quality and numbers when when compared to their Italian adversaries. It wasn’t until the Germans entered North Africa that the British tasted their first defeat. The Germans taught the British a hard lesson about the employment of tanks and tactics in the desert. British commanders would often distribute their tanks among the infantry. This tactic worked fine before the German involvement because the Italians had very few weapons that could penetrate the heavy British tanks (like the Matilda). All the Italians could do was run from the impenetrable monsters. When the Germans arrived in North Africa they massed their armor and attacked one point of the British line. When the British finally took this and many other lessons to heart they were able to push the Axis out of North Africa.

Morale and Training When the World War II broke out, the British were considered one of the best armies in the world. Their army, in particular their infantry, was very well equipped and trained and each soldier had high morale. In addition to these attributes the British troops were often well led. British NCOs were always professional soldiers and often veterans of several conflicts. This gave the English a reliable corps of experienced men to call upon. The forces in North Africa were no different; all the British troops deployed in Egypt were familiar with the region. This allowed them to deal much better with the unpredictable and harsh desert climate. In addition to the experience already gained, training programs were initiated that allowed British troops to hone their survival and combat skills for war in the desert. Interestingly, British morale was strong as long as supply of tea was ample. Tea formed the core existence of the average British soldier in the field and often dictated a unit’s ability in battle. Strangely, the British would stop in the middle of a fight simply to have a "brew up" of some hot tea. Many British commanders had standing orders that men caught having tea when not ordered to would be court-martialled! Yet overall, the bottom line was that the British in North Africa knew that the fight there was helping matters on the homefront. Winning the war in Africa kept the empire intact. Possession of Egypt and the Suez Canal kept the lifeline open between India and the British Isles. The Fight in North Africa meant a united Britain and all ranks knew it. Rare was the British soldier who shirked from even the most menial of tasks.

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the MEn armor Of all the countries that deployed forces to North Africa, England employed the greatest variety of armor. Throughout the war in the desert, the British enjoyed a numerical advantage in armor. When war broke out in 1939, British tanks were divided into three separate classes and each had it’s own role in England’s armed forces. Light tanks were used for reconnaissance and mechanized cavalry. Infantry tanks ("I" tanks) were slower and more heavily armored tanks which were designed to provide direct support for the infantry. The armor on these tanks was designed to be able to withstand enemy anti-tank fire. The last class comprised the infamous Cruiser tanks which were the British medium tanks. These were lightly armored and generally carried a 2-Pounder gun and machine guns. Yet, speed was to be the Cruisers’ best defense. The British also began to utilize American armor (more out of necessity than want) acquired through the Lend-Lease program. The most common British light tank to see action in North Africa was the Vickers Mk. VI. The Vickers Mk. VI and its variants were armed with one Vickers .303-inch machine gun and one .5-inch machine gun. By the outbreak of war, over 1200 of these vehicles were in service with the British army worldwide. The armor was barely thick enough to stop a .303-inch machine gun firing an AP round. The Mk. VI’s limited armament and armor, along with poor crosscountry performance, gave the tank a bad reputation. The Mk. VI’s cross-country ability was so low that one British officer stated the vehicle was suited only to reconnaissance work and even at that a wheeled vehicle was preferred! Early in the desert campaign the British Infantry tanks (like the Matilda) were very successful. They were armed with a 2-Pounder and a .303-inch machine gun. Later models were upgraded with a 7.92mm machinegun. The distinguishing features of this tank was its incredibly thick armor and its slow speed. Yet Axis forces possessed very few anti-tank guns which could penetrate the Matilda’s thick hide. Since the Italians could not stop these behemoths they were forced to run from them. This resulted in several early British victories early in the North Africa campaign. Although the Matilda was very successful early in the war, slow speed and mechanical unreliability compared to the faster and more heavily armed German tanks quickly made them obsolete. The Cruiser tank series was Britain’s answer to the medium tank. It was faster and more reliable than the Infantry tank (Matilda) and cheaper to produce. It mounted a 2Pounder and a machine gun for close defense. Cruiser tanks were not heavily armored and could be easily penetrated by 20mm AP rounds. In addition it was easy for a Cruiser tank to throw a track. In Greece for example, the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment began the campaign with over sixty Cruiser tanks. Of these less then a dozen were lost to enemy fire, the rest

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were abandoned with thrown or broken tracks. Despite these problems and others, the tanks were popular with their crews and were more than a match for Italian armor. Early in the war England also acquired a number of American tanks that were also used in North Africa. The Americans sold the British large numbers of the M3 Stuart light tank (named M3 Honey by the British), the M3 Grant medium tank and the M4 Sherman medium tank. These proved very successful in the desert and were generally popular with their crews. Artillery The bulk of the British and Commonwealth artillery support was provided by 25-Pounders and the 2-Pounders of the Royal Horse Artillery Regiments (RHA) in motorized batteries. It was important that the artillery be equipped with transports so they could keep pace with the rapidly moving armored formations in the desert. A British armored division in North Africa had two RHA regiments for support and of course this changed throughout the war. A RHA regiment was divided into three batteries of eight guns. These batteries could either be equipped the 25-Pounder field gun or the 2Pounder (later the 6-Pounder) anti-tank gun. 25-Pounders fired a 87.6mm round and were very well constructed and reliable pieces of artillery. It was often mounted on a circular firing table that allowed the gun to switch targets rapidly. This helped greatly when engaging enemy armor which it often had to do because the 2-Pounders could not penetrate the heavier Axis armor. Unfortunately, the gun had no AP round and had to use its HE rounds when engaging armor (even that was better then the 2-Pounder). By the time World War II broke out, the 2-Pounder (firing a 40mm round) was almost obsolete. It was an overcomplicated anti-tank weapon capable of penetrating only lightly armored vehicles. The 2-Pounder was twice as heavy as any other gun in its class due to the carriage it was mount-

the Men

ed on. The high gun shield gave the crew excellent protection against small arms but the shield was unable to stop AP rounds fired from German tank mounted machine guns. This left the crew at a distinct disadvantage since they were supposed to fight German tanks. By the end of 1941, the 2Pounder was being replaced with the bigger 6-Pounder which fired a 57mm round. Infantry British and Commonwealth infantry in the desert were seriously handicapped: there was very little cover and they had few anti-tank devices. However, if the infantry had time to erect some defenses then they could level the playing field like the Australians at Tobruk. This was usually not an option in the open desert and the infantry generally were hard pressed to stop the Axis armored formations with 2-Pounders and Boys Anti-Tank Rifles. In North Africa the role of the infantry was mostly defensive, often holding the ground gained by an armor attack or protecting key defensive points in the battle line. There was a great collage of infantry fighting for the British in North Africa. Australians, New Zealanders, Indians, South Africans and even some Free French all fought under the British. These different nationalities provided the bulk of the infantry for the British. While most Commonwealth formations lacked armor of their own, they still fought very well considering the terrain they were fighting in. During Rommel’s siege of Tobruk, the Australian 9th Infantry Division held out for almost eight months until relieved. All Commonwealth forces were well trained but usually not as well equipped as units from the British Isles. Nevertheless, this mix of troops had high moral throughout the North African campaign. When World War II started in 1939, the standard British squad was ten men. The squad consisted of one squad leader who was equipped with a .45 cal. Thompson SMG while eight men were equipped with the .303 cal. No.4, Mk.1 Enfield rifle. One soldier carried the squad’s 7.7mm Bren LMG and was assisted by two of the riflemen carrying extra 7.7mm ammo. This organization lasted through 1941. With the advent of the 9mm Sten SMG, the British changed the

structure of their squad in 1942. The squad leader and three of the riflemen were equipped with the new Sten SMG, everything else stayed the same. Yet, the Sten SMG was rare in the desert and not nearly as prevalent as the Thompson. Each British platoon had one headquarters section and three squads. The headquarters section was led by one platoon leader generally equipped with a pistol and either a Thompson SMG or a Sten SMG depending on the year. Each headquarters section had one 2" mortar with a gunner and two assistants armed with rifles and either a Boys anti-tank rifle or a PIAT with a gunner and two assistants also armed with rifles. Most of the Commonwealth forces were organized along these lines except for one notable exception. As of 1942 the Australians had big platoons. Each platoon consisted of one headquarters section and three squads. Each squad had sixteen riflemen, two NCOs and was lead by one officer. The entire squad was equipped with the .303 cal. No.4, Mk.1 Enfield rifle and had no light machineguns. The platoon headquarters section had eight enlisted men led by the platoon leader. One man was armed with a 7.7mm Bren LMG, one was equipped with a 2" mortar and the other six and the platoon leader had the .303 cal. No.4, Mk.1 Enfield rifle. The total strength of a 1942 Australian rifle platoon was 62 enlisted men and 4 officers! Uniforms and Equipment Before war broke out the tropical service uniform issued to British and Commonwealth troops in North Africa and the Middle East were quite formal and required lots of starch and ironing. However when war broke out the uniform became less formal and more practical. It consisted of either a pullover sweater or a khaki tunic worn over a khaki drill shirt. This was worn with either the same colored trousers or shirts and a pair of rubber soled suede boots known as ‘chukka’ boots. All ranks wore either the Mk.1 steel helmet, the field service cap or the peaked cap. Each infantryman was also issued the 1937-pattern web gear and a service respirator, which was supposed to be worn on the chest, but never really was. Tankers usually wore a black beret (later made famous by Gen. Montgomery) and the 1937-pattern web belt with a special tanker pistol holster. Many British tankers often wore this low with the holster strapped to their thigh. All troops were also issued a greatcoat for the chilly desert night. While all Commonwealth forces were issued the British tropical uniform each nationality added its own identity. The Indians would often wear their native head-dress known as a Puggree. An educated observer could tell the wearer’s caste and religion by the way he wore his Puggree. In addition many Indian troops preferred to wear the khaki

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the MEn pullover sweater instead of the tunic. Australian troop liked to were their famous slouch hat, but otherwise their uniform did not differ from the British kit. Many Africans also fought with the English during the campaign in North Africa. They were generally equipped the same as their British allies but did not hesitate to use captured Axis equipment!

counter the better British tanks such as the Matilda. Despite these early problems, the Italian Army did place into production larger tanks such as the M-13/14 medium tank. But these were already outdated as they reached the North African battlefields and did not give the Italians much firepower. Proper supply and weapons quality also plagued the Italian war effort. Food and clothing supplies were erratic at the front and Italian small arms were horrible. These problems instantly gave Italian combat troops a disadvantage and led to morale problems on the front lines. Yet despite good doctrine, supplies, and weapons, the Italian Army continued to fight on even in the harshest of climates. The efforts of the Italian Army and the Italian soldier must be viewed with attention to these problems. When one takes into account the complete picture of the Italian war effort, it is easier to see why the Italians struggled militarily. It is also much easier to see the Italian soldier as one who made the best out of a horrible situation than as one who acted as a coward.

italy

Morale and Training Training and morale varied throughout the Italian Army, yet both were naturally linked to each other. Professional officers (ufficiali) attended the Royal Military Academy for two years and then spent another two years learning their branch of service. Their education was good morale among most officers in the field was generally high. Reserve officers did some schooling but did not attend the Royal Military Academy and thus were not as educated. Yet, many officers lacked initiative in combat and most were professionally distant from the men they commanded. The result was usually a spirited Italian commander who by default often did not infuse the same spirit into his men. NCOs or Sottufficiali were professional enlisted men who also were well schooled. The Italian NCO was the backbone of the army and often led better in the field than Italian officers. The common Italian soldier, usually a conscript, lacked as good of training as what officers and NCOs received. Many conscripts were simple peasants who did not know how to read or write or even know left from right. Training and tactics revolved around the platoon and usually did not involve training in conjunction with larger formations. This hindered large operations but made the platoon adequate when fighting at the platoon level. Most Italian conscripts were from the same region of Italy and this helped in a platoon’s spirit and ability to gel. Yet, morale amongst conscripts seemed to vary from unit to unit. Many units had good morale and were good fighters while others were simply bad in both areas. Rommel, who believed that the Italian soldier was a disciplined worker but lacked a martial spirit to conduct war, best expresses the best summation of the Italian soldier.

The Italian Army is generally regarded as the poorest army of any country to take the field in World War II. Italian debacles in both North Africa and in Europe witnessed military failure after failure. Hundreds of thousands of Italian troops were captured early in the war and this fact has led most historians to an overall perception that the Italian soldier was ill trained and cowardly. This generalization is at best unfair as many Italian units fought hard and well in various theatres of war. Yet, the Italian Army did suffer from many problems that undoubtedly contributed to an overall lack of military success throughout the war. The Regio Esercito (Italian Army) attempted a mass modernization in the years after World War I. However, Italy lacked numerous vital resources and a modern philosophy towards warfare. The result was an Italian Army that was understrength, undersupplied, and underdeveloped. The core doctrine of the post-WWI Italian army emphasized a war of rapid movement (Guerra di Rapido Corso) and thus mechanization throughout the army was initiated. Yet, by the beginning of Italy’s involvement in WWII in 1940, most units were either unmechanized or lacking sufficient motorized transport. Some units labeled as motorized did not even possess trucks! Italian doctrine stressing rapid movement also effected Italy’s armored units. Because the emphasis was on speed, the Italians focused armor production around light and fast tankettes (the L-3) instead of tanks sporting more armor and bigger guns. This decision hurt the Italian efforts early in North Africa where the Italians could not field a bigger AFV to

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the Men Morale and leadership varied in the type of unit as well. Elite troops such as the Bersaglieri, Alpini, and Carabinieri generally were better in these regards and in combat than regular army troops. Fascist Blackshirt divisions were at times both good and bad in both morale and fighting, though politically reliable and motivated. Italian armor units were brave (one had to be given Italian tanks) and artillery units effective in their role. Valor in the Italian Army was awarded through various medals purchased by the recipient from various manufacturers. The highest award for military valor was the Military Valor Medal. This came in three variants (gold, silver, and bronze) and could be awarded more than once to the same recipient. Native troops, however, received a different version. Though the Italian Army was not as trained or spirited as their German allies were, its psyche was different. The Italians were reluctant enemies of the British while being reluctant allies of the Germans. The typical Italian did not hate the British perhaps like the Germans. Of prime importance to the Italian soldier were survival, patriotism, God, and il Duce (not necessarily in that order). As the Italian war situation worsened and supplies decreased, many Italian soldiers lost faith in both fascism and in Mussolini. Armor Italian armor in WWII was basically outdated and ineffective. The vast majority of the tanks in service at the start of the war were of the L-3 design, a thinly armored tankette usually armed with dual 8mm Breda machine guns. Hardly a tank, the L-3 was so lightly armored that Italian crews nicknamed it the Cassa de Morto - Death Box. This tankette was the only tank in North Africa when war erupted but was soon reinforced with the M-11/39 that mounted a 37mm gun. This too was lightly armored and all 70 sent to North Africa were destroyed or captured during Operation Compass, where many were used by Australian troops in the subsequent defense of Tobruk. The main Italian battle tank was the M-13/40 medium tank which first saw action in 1941.This tank and its slightly upgraded companion, the M14/41, were improvements for the Italians but grossly unable to stand up to the more heavily armored British Matilda and Grant tanks. On a side note, Italian tank designation/names were derived from a tank’s weight in tons and the year introduced. Thus, an M-13/40 denotes the 13-ton medium tank introduced in 1940. Organization for most units was formed around a base platoon of five tanks. Most Italian tanks did not have radios until later in the war and this significantly hindered Italian armor movement and attack in the desert. Italian tank crews were brave and at times distinguished themselves in

combat despite having inferior tanks. Italian armor divisions (divisione corazzata) and their armored regiments (reggimento) or units sent to North Africa included the following: 131st Centauro (Centaur) Divisione Corazzata: 31st Reggimento Carristi Gruppo Autoblindo Polizia Africa Italiana (Police Autoblinda armored cars) Raggruppamento Esplorante Corazzato Poldi (Armored Exploration Group Poldi) Battles: 1943 Tunisia 132nd Ariete (Battering Ram) Divisione Corazzata: 32nd Reggimento Carristi 132nd Reggimento Carristi Battles: 1941 First German Offensive Tobruk Defense during Battleaxe and Crusader 1942 Second German Offensive 1st El Alamein Alam el Halfa 2nd El Alamein (destroyed) 133rd Littorio (Fasces Bundle) Divisione Corazzata: 133rd Reggimento Carristi III Gruppo Carristi Lancieri di Novera (Tank Group) Battles: 1942 Tobruk 1st El Alamein Alam el Halfa 2nd El Alamein (destroyed)

Artillery Like the rest of the Italian Army, the artillery (artiglieria) was cursed as well - Italy still employed WWI vintage guns mostly of Austrian design or manufacture. Despite Italy’s lack of technical development in most areas, the 90mm Breda 51 was an excellent weapon that could be mounted on a truck. This gun was very similar in performance and reliability to the German "88" (which was also uti-

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the MEn lized by the Italians). Artillery units assigned to armored or motorized divisions (and corps designated artillery as well) were usually motorized through the use of trucks (some mounted on trucks, others in tow) or were on self-propelled carriages like the Semovente. Infantry artillery units were generally horsedrawn or by whatever means available. Italian artillery was also often grouped into fast and mobile groups whereby they could be rushed around the battlefield at quick notice. Italian artillery gunners were praised at times by Rommel for their accuracy and efficiency and performed well in battle. Despite the overall lack of modern guns, the Italian artillery in North Africa served its function admirably.

"Corporals" (Corporale) equating as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army. A LMG gunner and loader formed the firepower for the Italian section. For ease of game play, sub-sections of 9 men will be utilized with one LMG being assigned to one of the sub-sections. Breakdown for Italian section for Easy Eight’s World War II as follows:

Infantry Italian infantry (fanteria) units can be distinguished by being either "Metropolitan" or colonial units. "Metropolitan" units were those comprising Italian troops native to Italy while colonial troops (mostly Libyan in the North African theatre) comprised regional conscripts and volunteers led by white, Italian officers. The Metropolitan units were more successful overall and many of these divisions saw service in North Africa. Regular infantry divisions were termed as being "binary," having two infantry regiments as opposed to the pre-war three. This significantly reduced the size and effectiveness of the Italian infantry division during the war. In addition to the two infantry regiments, the infantry division was rounded out with the addition of an artillery regiment and numerous support units. Interestingly, one such support unit was a Blackshirt legion comprised of loyal fascists. This helped to keep the entire unit politically in line. Motorized divisions were also employed. These were created to assist armored divisions in the field or aid in reconnaissance type missions. Motorized divisions had similar organization to the normal infantry division (same number of infantry and artillery regiments), with the exception of having a Bersaglieri regiment and an engineering battalion (plus other support units) in place of the Blackshirt legion. The two motorized divisions employed in North Africa were the Trento and Trieste Divisions; both saw extensive combat and were good units, the former being destroyed at 2nd El Alamein and the latter surrendering in Tunisia. The core unit of Italian infantry organization and operations was the platoon (platone) normally commanded by a 2nd Lieutenant (Sotto Tenente). The Italian infantry platoon consisted of the Platoon leader plus 38 other ranks. The platoon was further broken down into two sections of approximately 19 men (Truppe) with a Squad Leader who is a NCO (Sottufficiale). This NCO was usually a Sergeant (Brigadieri) or Corporal-Major (Corporale Maggiore) with regular

Uniforms and Equipment Standard Italian uniform for tropical desert climates called for a lighter version of the European field tunic made from khaki linen. However, another shirt called a sahariana was more popular in the field. This was essentially a lightweight field jacket in style with numerous pockets and in shades varying from tan to olive green. The sahariana was initially issued to officers but others including the Germans soon wore the comfortable shirt in the field. Trousers consisted of linen trousers also varying in shades from tan/khaki to olive green; shorts of tan to khaki were also worn. Woolen greatcoats, mostly of European make and gray-green color were worn during the cold desert nights. Footwear consisted of brown leather boots often worn with woolen puttees. Amazingly, the quality of Italian footwear during the war was shabby with some boots having cardboard soles! Combat headgear was usually the M33 steel helmet, normally painted tan. Pith helmets were also sometimes worn, though these gave little protection in the field. Behind the lines the most common headgear was the comfortable bustina sidecap worn in gray-green or in desert colors ranging from brown to tan. Armor units normally wore a heavy black leather tank jacket and a black leather crash helmet in combat. These proved to be too hot inside of a tank in the desert and most of these items were put aside in battle for practical comfort. Standard infantry kit comprised an aluminum 6.5 liter canteen (or two in the desert), gas mask in brown canvas bag, camouflaged tent quarter (doubling as a poncho), entrenching tool, knife or bayonet, and ammo pouch/belt. The Italian soldier overall was lightly equipped and comfortable in battle. However, the Italians lacked in supplies and ammunition often and did without some necessities (like blankets) at times when they were most needed.

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Section 1 Section Leader/Brigadieri (Squad Leader) Sub-section A - 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore 1 LMG Gunner 1 LMG Loader 6 Riflemen Sub-Section B - 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore 8 Riflemen

the Men

the dak When someone thinks of North Africa in World War II, Rommel is usually the name that comes to mind. From February 1941 to March 1943 Rommel did what was thought to be the impossible. The Afrika Korps managed to fight a numerically superior opponent both in men and equipment for almost two years. The discipline and fighting skill of the individual German soldier combined with outstanding leadership allowed them to fight against impossible odds for longer then anyone thought they could. In the end though, even great soldiers cannot fight without supplies in logistical nightmare presented by the desert. The German soldier initially was not prepared for war in Africa. The Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) was thrown together on February 19, 1941 by the German OKW at the last minute to help their badly mauled Italian allies. The 5th Leichte Division (later redesignated as the 21st Panzer Division), and the 15th Panzer Division were slotted to make up the DAK. These formations dramatically improved the Axis performance in the North African theater. Rommel never thought highly of most of the Italian troops under his command and would often give the critical assignments to the Deutsches Afrikakorps. The DAK would prove to the bane of the British throughout the North African campaign. As the campaign wore on, the woefully inadequate supply system used by the Axis could barely equip the DAK with the vital equipment it needed at the front. These same supply problems often plagued the units of the DAK and usually forced them to operate at less than full effectiveness.

North Africa, studies and observing with the Italians had been initiated to figure out the most effective employment of German units in the desert. In addition the Germans had developed a uniform for use in tropical theaters . These preparations helped ready the troops in North Africa for combat and survival in the desert. In addition the outstanding quality of leadership made the DAK one of the best German units in World War II. Despite the preparations of the German Army, North Africa showed that Germans had a lot to learn about desert warfare. The 5th Panzer Regiment of the 5th Leichte (light) Division was the unit that was initially earmarked to go to North Africa in support of the Italian forces there. As a result the 5th Panzer Regiment had received training and equipment for desert warfare. These two factors helped to boost the overall moral of the division and made them far more effective in combat then some of the other DAK units engaged. Their initial offensive against the British showed the superiority of preparations done by the 5th Leichte Division and especially the 5th Panzer Regiment for desert combat. The 15th Panzer Division was formed from the 33rd Infanterie Division by adding the 8th Panzer Regiment in late 1940 and was considered a better then average unit. This division along with the 5th Leichte Division formed the core elements of the DAK. Most of the troops in the 15th Panzer Division had already experienced combat in the blitzkrieg through France and were very well equipped and trained. Until their surrender in 1943, the 15th Panzer Division would remain one of the best units in North Africa.

Armor Moral and Training When Germany sent the DAK to North Africa they were initially not as prepared for the hardships of the desert then their British counterparts. Prior to German entry into

In the open desert, armored vehicles reigned supreme. German equipment did not have a clear advantage over vehicles fielded by the British; it was the employment of the Panzer divisions that gave them a decided advantage over the British. The German tactics employed throughout the

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the MEn North African campaign was to mass all their armor and attack one point, or sweep around the flank of the defending British forces. This allowed them to level the playing field against the British who had more armored vehicles, but were never massed together until late in the war. Also contributing to the success of the panzer regiments was their higher moral which can be argued was greater than most British units. Artillery The German artillery in the desert can be summed up in one weapon, the FlaK 18 88mm anti-aircraft gun. Initially intended for use against high flying aircraft, the FlaK 88 proved to be brutally effective against enemy armor. It could consistently penetrate the thick armor of the British Matilida at long range early in the war. It was used very effectively against the British armor formations at Halfaya pass and during the battle of Gazala at "The Cauldron." A battery of FlaK 88mm guns could devastate entire armor formations in only a few minutes gaining a fearsome reputation in the desert. A captured British officer commented that he thought it was unfair to use the Flak 18 as an anti-tank gun because the armor on a British tank could not stop the round! Infantry The composition of German infantry in North Africa varied little from those in Europe. Infantry squads generally had one squad leader known as the gruppenfuhrer , an assistant squad leader known as a truppfuhrer, a MG-34 LMG team and six riflemen known as gewehrschutzen. The squad leader and his assistant were equipped with a MP-40 SMG while the riflemen carried the Kar 98k bolt-action rifle. The whole squad was centered around a MG-34 light machinegun team. This finely crafted weapon gave each squad lethal firepower. Unfortunately, in the desert the infantry lost some of their effectiveness due to the lack of cover. Therefore the bulk of the fighting fell on the steel "behemoths" of the Panzer regiments. Uniforms and Equipment German troops going to Africa were first issued the tropical service uniform. Each soldier received an olive drab field tunic, shirt and tie, plus brown breeches and knee high boots with canvas tops. Initially the M1940 tropical pith helmet was standard issue for German troops, but steel helmets and the German tropical peaked field cap were more practical and comfortable respectively. The tropical peaked field cap soon became the unofficial symbol of the Afrikakorps and was by far the most popular headgear in North Africa. By 1943 almost every German soldier wore one instead of the pith helmet or the steel helmet. Veterans could easily be picked out because their once green tropical peaked field cap

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was bleached white by the sun. In addition to these items, German troops were also issued the M1940 tropical greatcoat for the cold desert nights. Several items of the German tropical uniform were designed specifically for the desert. One such unique item issued were the boots. These were mostly made out of canvas and went almost up to the knees. Only the sole, heel and toe were made out of leather, where the rest of the boot was canvas. This is do to the fact that sweat and extreme temperature will cause a boot made entirely out of leather to deteriorate. The tropical pith helmet was also unique to the North Africa campaign. These however proved to be unpopular and were quickly exchanged for the tropical peaked field cap. Shorts also were preferred during the day because these were naturally much cooler than the heavy, cotton tropical trousers. Another common item issued to troops in North Africa was a pair of heavy work goggles. These protected the eyes from the sand and dust which was kicked up in the desert. Interestingly, another item of clothing which set the DAK apart from other units was the Afrikakorps cuff title. Only troops who had served in the DAK for more than two months were allowed to wear the cuff title. This certainly added a distinctive flare to the uniform and to the esprit de corps of the unit. Most of the other gear and weapons varied little from the standard German infantry fighting in Europe. The belt used by the troops in North Africa was the only basic difference in the German web gear. It was made from heavy olive-green canvas and had an aluminum belt buckle painted olive-green, although many officers chose to keep their leather continental belt. Overall, the tropical uniform was a well thought out item that greatly improved the performance of the German troops fighting in North Africa.

monty Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery General Sir Bernard Law Montgomery is known to history as Britain’s greatest and perhaps most controversial military leader of WWII. "Monty," as he was called by all, was ordered to Egypt to command the Eighth Army at the pivotal moment of the desert war. In a twist of fate, Monty was not Britain’s first choice in this role. The commander selected died suddenly leaving a void in command. Monty was thus thrust into the command of the Eighth Army and tasked with defeating Germany’s greatest military mind: Rommel, the "Desert Fox." Monty immediately gained popularity with the British troops in the field. He would visit the front lines, drink tea with the lowest of privates, and even adopted a tanker's beret to which he pinned various unit insignias. Yet, Monty benefited from commanding the Eighth Army at a time when it was its largest in assets and size. Never did the British possess more men, tanks and artillery then when Monty was at the helm. Yet, Monty took the fight to Rommel and the depleted Afrika Korps. In one of the greatest battles of WWII, Monty brilliantly forced Rommel to employ his tanks when and where he did not want to do so. The result was a stunning victory and defeat for Rommel that elevated Monty to the rank of Field Marshal and to hero status. Monty experienced his greatest shining moment in his defeat of Rommel. Later experiences in other campaigns such as Sicily, Normandy, and Operation Market Garden showed Monty to be stubborn, inflexible, and difficult to deal with. Yet, Monty always retained the respect gained from his days in the desert! Monty was later knighted and given the title, "Viscount of Alamein." Special Rules Monty’s special rule is his luck. When Monty is in a scenario he may re-roll any type of roll at anytime during game play of that turn. This is limited to one re-roll per turn and lasts each turn of the scenario or each turn Monty is alive and well (whichever is applicable). Morale: 18-2 Weapon of Choice: Walking Stick

Lt. Gape Lt. Gape Lt. Gape was one of the first British soldiers to fight the Italians in North Africa. Dashing and daring, Gape commanded a troop of Rolls Royce armoured cars belonging to the 11th Hussars. Gape and his men would cross "The Wire" and cause havoc deep behind enemy lines. At the Battle of Nezuet Ghirba, Gape himself was responsible for knocking out several Italian L3 tankettes. His leadership and knowledge of both his armoured cars and the desert made Gape one of the great heroes early in the North African campaigns. Sadly, Gape was later killed in Halfaya Pass when his armoured car was destroyed by a German Sdkfz. 231 8-rad armored car. Lt. Gape will always try and lead by example. He will not hesitate to charge the enemy in his armoured car. It is this style of leadership that makes Gape an asset in any reconnaissance role. He never backs down from a fight and is always willing to get job done right. It is men like Lt. Gape that enabled the British to drive the Italians out of most of Libya in the early stages of the battles in North Africa. Gape and his armoured cars may be found in the scenario "Swanning About." Special Rules As long as Lt. Gape is not Broken or KIA, the armoured cars under his command will never be Broken for any reason. All Morale rules are immediately in effect for all armoured cars if Gape becomes Broken or KIA. Morale: 15-1 Weapon of Choice: Rolls Royce Armoured Car

Major Crisp Major Crisp Major Crisp is the essential British officer – he loves his tea and does not blink when asked to kill the enemy. In his mind war is a gentlemen’s duty. War is also somewhat of a sport – with rules and codes of conduct. Valor and bravery are of the utmost importance. Crisp served as an officer in the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment where he commanded "Honey" tanks in the desert. These American built tanks were so admired by Crisp and his men that Crisp’s tank driver exclaimed that they were "Honeys!" Major Crisp is a consummate warrior in the most professional manner and who excels in armor tactics. Crisp always manages to see the entire picture of an engagement. As a tank commander he also knows how to manipulate his tank in order to get the most out of it. In battle Crisp is fierce and uncowardly – sheer proof of his courage is the fact that several tanks were shot from underneath him throughout the desert campaigns! Special Rules Major Crisp gets all the benefits due a tank commander. In addition, his platoon never has to take a Platoon Integrity Check as long as he is alive. Morale: 17-2 Weapon of Choice: Stuart I "Honey"

ÒPipesÓ "Pipes" MacLeod This Seaforth Highlander of the 51st Highland Division is the heart and soul of his unit. He is the piper – the one who inspires his fellow Scotsmen in battle. "Pipes" has played his bagpipes since being a wee lad in the northern climes of Scotland. He loves his pipes and takes them wherever he goes. In battle, "Pipes" knows nothing but the inspirational music he plays. Absolutely nothing will prevent him from playing his native songs! German shells and guns can try to squelch his tune but this laddy plays on and on. Once "Pipes" and some men were in a hopeless battle. The Germans were pouring in fire and things looked bleak. "Pipes" filled his bagpipes with air and blew out a martial Scottish song that rallied his comrades. These brave Scottish soldiers charged to their deaths, leaving their piper behind………. When you hear the pipes and "Scotland the Brave," take heart because "Pipes" is nearby – helping you on to victory! Or... Special Rules "Pipes" MacLeod is an instant morale lift in combat. He will try to be near an officer on the field of battle if possible. All units within hearing range of "Pipes" (24 inches) will get to rally on the nearest leader’s morale. If there is no leader, units may roll to rally as Elite troops with Morale of 14. Morale: 16 Weapon of Choice: Scottish Bagpipes

Tommy Gunners The Tommy "Gunners" These salty Tommies named Nigel, Vyvian, and Ricky are grand with an anti-tank gun (which they refer to as a "sporting piece"). They first encountered success early in the desert war with their trusty 2-Pounder, knocking holes in Italian "tin cans." Later, they improved their success against Jerry by acquiring a "smashingly wonderful" 6-Pounder. These young and accurate lads are at the pinnacle of their game, blowing Axis tanks to smithereens on a regular basis. They can be found virtually anywhere and at anytime in the desert, with their British helmets securely strapped to their heads. The enemy fears this group and yet they know no fear. Beware of these salty dogs who prefer a smoking barrel to a smoking kettle of boiling tea anytime! This band of gunners may be used in any desert scenario! Special Rules The Tommy "Gunners" may never be Broken at any time. Further, they always collectively fire their anti-tank gun like a tank hero/leader, i.e. they may choose to use their –2 modifier to either the To Hit roll or to the location, but not both. The Tommy "Gunners" will never lose Rate of Fire if one or two of them is KIA; even if only one of them is still alive there are no penalties when firing the gun and all special rules still apply. Morale: 16-2 Weapon of Choice: 6-Pounder

Cavallini Corporale Maggiore Cavallini This fictional character hails from the "boot" of Italy and has gained a fair reputation for being an accurate tank gunner. Cavallini takes his job very seriously for he knows his and his crews’ lives depend on his keen eye and straight aim. This brave soldier was conscripted into the Italian Army but he believes in Italy. He supports il Duce but he loves his native land more than the principles of fascism. Cavallini sees himself as a simple peasant who knows nothing but hard work. Yet, he understands that his speed and accuracy in firing his M-13/40’s 47mm gun is the difference between life and death. He knows that the only way to defeat the British is to fire fast and true because his tank lacks formidable armor. Corporale Maggiore Cavallini and his talent of war should never be underestimated in the thick of a firefight! Special Rules Cavallini excels in pure tank gunnery skills. He receives a –3 To Hit when firing his M-13/40’s 47mm main gun. Morale: 14 Weapon of Choice: M-13/40 Medium Tank

fritz Leutnant Fritz The fictional Leutnant Fritz has been in the forefront of the Deutches Afrika Korps since the very beginning. He is a total tanker and has embraced the desert. Fritz loves the desert and feels at ease in this particular landscape which he believes is conducive to proper tank warfare. While others curse the harsh conditions, Fritz revels in them feeling as if he is in a "tanker’s paradise!" Because Fritz loves the desert, he has especially taken the time to learn it inside and out. He has taught himself to accurately gauge the landscape and his crew how to traverse it. Because his knowledge of the desert floor is so extreme, Fritz and his crew almost always takes the point and leads the rest of his unit through the sometimes perilous terrain. Fritz has always bragged that the British may one day get him, but the desert never will! Special Rules Fritz knows the desert better than anyone. Therefore, all Sighting and Recognition rolls he makes for his unit receive a positive modifier of a two-column shift to the right. In addition all Bog Checks forced on Fritz’s tank receive a –2 on the die roll. Morale: 15-1 Weapon of Choice: Pz.Kfw. IV ausf. F2

Wolz Colonel Wolz Colonel Alwin Wolz commanded the 135th Flak Regiment of the 15th Panzer Division at the Battle of Gazala. During the fighting around the Knightsbridge Box, the 15th Panzer Division was hit in the rear by a strong force of British tanks. The forty Grant tanks supported by Matildas almost routed the whole division. Only Panzer IVF2s could penetrate the thickly armored Grants and there were only nineteen of these in the whole Division! Under orders direct from Rommel, Wolz deployed his regiment of sixteen 88mm FlaK guns in line stretching for almost two miles. Wolz moved along his gun line making sure that it would not break. Only when the British started to shell the gun line did it start to crack. Just when Wolz thought all was lost, a sandstorm blew in and the British had to call off the attack. Colonel Wolz is featured in the scenario, "Into The Storm." Special Rules When Wolz takes command of a gun, that crew (and that crew only) will never be Broken and will receive Wolz’s –2 leadership modifier for him directing the fire of that particular "88." Morale: 16-2 Weapon of choice: 88mm FlaK 18

ÒPapaÓ Capt. "Papa" Krupfganz Capt. Krupfganz is a battle-toughened veteran of the desert. As a battalion commander of the 382nd Panzer Grenadier Regt., he has led his men successfully through Rommel’s latest campaign. Now, Krupfganz and his men have prepared positions along the El Alamein line and await their fate. Krupfganz is dedicated to his men and will do anything to see to their well being. This has made him popular with the troops who have affectionately nicknamed him "Papa." They will follow him to Hell if he asked them to! Krupfganz not only shares in the plight of his men; he also shares their burdens. He is a quality fighter who will fight to the bitter end. He is also frequently seen digging foxholes and filling sandbags. He has even trained them on how to spot mines in the desert soil. Overall, this German leader is one of the best combat commanders in the desert! Beware of "Papa" Krupfganz and his men - they will never quit! Special Rules "Papa" Krupfganz receives an additional –2 modifier in all Hand To Hand Combat rolls. In addition Krupfganz and his men have trained eyes when it comes to spotting mines. All rolls on the Anti-Personnel Mines Chance to Hit Chart by Krupfganz and the men directly under his command will receive a +3 modifier on all die rolls on the chart previously mentioned. Morale: 16-2 Weapon of Choice: MP-40 SMG

The Desert Fox Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel is without doubt the most famous leader to fight in North Africa, and perhaps the most famous German general of WWII. Rommel began his military career in WWI where he won Germany’s highest award for valor, the Pour ‘l Merite. Ironically, Rommel won the medal fighting the Italians – whom he would later lead in the desert during WWII. Rommel was an intellect in war and tactics. He wrote a field manual on infantry tactics after WWI and later put his own theories on armor into practice during WWII. Rommel is credited with being the first to order the FlaK 18 "88" into action as an anti-tank weapon, as well as numerous inventions to thwart enemy attacks. Some of these inventions include "Devil’s Gardens," anti-ship landing obstacles, and "Rommelspargel" (stakes with mines attached designed to destroy enemy gliders in open fields). Rommel’s greatest asset besides his genius of tactics was his charisma. He was loved by his troops and admired by the British who nicknamed him the "Desert Fox." Rommel’s charm also affected the German people who revered him as the country’s greatest hero of WWII. Rommel was even paid homage for his greatness by Winston Churchill, who in a speech to the British Parliament praised the German leader’s great abilities and achievements – against his own countrymen! Rommel will always be remembered as one of the great military minds of all time and his name will forever be linked to the North African desert where he won his fame. Special RulesRommel will force all Morale Checks for all troops under his command (all units on the game table) to be rolled using his Morale rating; further Rommel and the vehicle he is in may move at anytime during a game turn. This movement allowance is automatic and may be enacted at player’s discretion. Morale: 19-3 Weapon of Choice: Leica Camera

the weapons

british weapons

Rifle No.4, Mk. 1 Caliber: .303 in. (7.7mm) Cartridge: .303 Mk VII ball type Length: 44.43 in. Weight: 9.125 lbs. Muzzle Velocity: 2,465 ft. per second Effective Range: 547 yards Rate of Fire: up to 20 rounds per minute Magazine: 10-round box The Rifle No.4, Mk. I is the standard bolt-action infantry rifle employed by the British Armed Forces in 1944. Developed from the Lee-Enfield No.1, Mark III of World War I fame, the No.4 was specifically designed for mass production unlike its predecessor. It features a heavier barrel and aiming sights placed back behind the receiver as opposed to the mid-forestock. These improvements created a relatively inexpensive rifle that was significantly more accurate. Another feature is the “spike” bayonet that replaced the traditional “sword” bayonet seen during World War I. The new “spike” was disliked by the men in the field because it had no practical use as a field tool like the “sword” bayonet.

Sten Mk.V Caliber: .351 in. (9mm) Cartridge: 9mm x 19 Parabellum Length: 29.98 in. Weight: 8.59 lbs. Muzzle Velocity: 1200 ft. per second Effective Range: 218 yds.(firing range) 43 yds. (combat reported) Rate of Fire: (cyclic) 550 rounds per minute Magazine: 32-round box The Sten (a combination of the designers’ names, Shepherd and Turpin, and Enfield, the manufacturer) SMG is a crude,

simple, but effective close-range weapon. Designed to meet the British demands for a cheap and simple SMG that could fire German 9mm rounds, the Sten delivered. Operating as a straight blowback weapon with a large return spring, the Sten has few pieces and is easy to strip apart. All of these factors contributed to approximately two million Stens being produced during World War II. The Sten Mk.V is a later version of the original and features a trademark wooden stock and pistol grip, in addition to an attachable “spike” bayonet. The Sten was generally disliked by many British troops, due to its lack of range and its ability to misfire when dropped on hard surfaces! However, the Sten Mk.V met the needs for many British troops, especially airborne troops. Many Stens were also parachuted into occupied Europe due to its small size and its ability to fire captured German ammunition. Special Rules The Sten Mk.V suffers in its range, having a penalty -1” on each range band (except point blank range) making its effective range only 5”. The Sten Mk.V will jam on a die roll of 19 or higher.

Webley Mk.4 Revolver Caliber: .380 in. Cartridge: .380 SAA Ball Length: 10.5 in. Weight: 1.7 lbs. Muzzle Velocity: 600 ft. per second Effective Range: 32 yds. Rate of Fire: single shot Feed: 6-round integral cylinder The Webley Mk.4 Revolver is almost identical to the weapon that replaced it, the Enfield No.2 Mk.I Revolver, with the exceptions that the Enfield is nearly 2 lbs. lighter. The Webley Mk.4 Revolver is essentially the same as the Webley used in WWI though smaller in caliber than its predecessor The Webley Mk.4 Revolver was usually carried with the characteristic British lanyard and the Pattern 37 holster.

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the weapons Muzzle Velocity: 2400 ft. per second Maximum Range: 500 yds. Bomb Wt.: HE 2.25 lbs.

Bren LMG Caliber: .303 in. Cartridge: .303 Mk.VII ball Length: 45 in. Weight: 22.25 lbs. Muzzle Velocity: 2400 ft. per second Effective Range: 880 yds. Rate of Fire: (cyclic) 500 rounds per minute Magazine: 30-round clip The Bren is actually a copy of the Czech ZB26, the name Bren being derived from the Czech factory Brno and the British manufacturer Enfield. Light in weight and accurate, the Bren is also rugged in the field. Its light weight enables soldiers to fire this weapon from the hip and its design makes it easy to change overheated barrels with ease. Despite these good qualities, the Bren cannot keep up a good sustained fire due to its inability to fire belts of ammunition. Also, the Bren can only fire bursts, making it almost impossible for the average soldier to fire “single” shots. The Bren was found in all theatres of the war. Special Rules The Bren gun is a LMG with ROF of three, as opposed to the normal LMG ROF of four, due to its being clip

fed. Ordnance Muzzle Loading 2-inch Mortar Caliber: 2 in. Length: 26.2 in. (barrel), 19.94 in. (bore) Weight: 9 lbs.

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The British 2-inch Mortar is a modified version of the Spanish ECIA mortar. Though produced in fourteen different variants, there are simply two models: the infantry carried model and the vehicle mounted model. The infantry model has a tube attached to a small baseplate where a trigger firing mechanism is located. Because of its design the 2-inch Mortar can be fired virtually horizontally, which makes it effective in assaulting enemy positions and fighting house-tohouse. The 2-inch Mortar fires HE “bombs” (grenades being a more accurate description) as well as a smoke and a flare version. The bombs are stored in three-tubed cardboard cases, each tube holding three bombs. An airborne version of the 2inch Mortar differs in that it has a shorter barrel. Special Rules The 2-inch Mortar can use Direct Fire like a rifle grenade out to 12” range.

PIAT Length: 39 in. Weight: 32 lbs. Maximum Range: 100 yds. (anti-tank) 300 yds. (mortar) Muzzle Velocity: 350 ft. per second Bomb Wt.: 5.5 lbs. Maximum Armor Penetration: 3 in. The PIAT (Projectile Infantry Anti Tank) is a most unusual weapon. Basically, it is a giant spring that rams a firing pin into a shell, hurling it towards its target. The PIAT is dreadfully hard to initially cock and requires a soldier to literally force the spring back in a manner resembling riding a pogo stick! Once fired the PIAT is supposed to recock itself, but this was not always the case. A positive note to firing the PIAT however, is a lack of a backblast and noise making it hard to spot by enemy soldiers. The PIAT fires HEAT, shaped charge projectiles that are transported in three-tubed cardboard cases, each tube able to carry one projectile. The PIAT also can use an elevating device placed in the barrel to enable it to fire 2-inch Mortar bombs. Special Rules Because of the recoil of a PIAT the firer must be prone when firing. Alternately, the PIAT may be rested on a window sill or ledge. When firing, there is very little visible

the weapons backblast or noise, therefore any figure firing a PIAT will not count as “Firing” on the Sighting Chart; they will be “Concealed” or “Open” as normal for the terrain type that figure occupies. The PIAT jams on a roll of 15 or more To Hit; the round is still fired, however the PIAT must be recocked in order to fire again; this will take four actions to complete and will still demand that the PIAT spend an action to load.

this was overlooked by its users who did not mind trading the heavy weight of the Vickers for the killing power and protection it provided. The Vickers was used on all fronts of WWII and even saw service in the British army until 1961. It easily was one of the longest used and most loved of all the modern weapons in the British army of the twentieth century.

PIAT to hit Chart Weapon

3"

6"

9"

PIAT

15

10

5

Penetration 30

Boys Anti Tank Rifle Caliber: .055 in 13.97mm Length: 64 in. 1614mm Weight: 36 lbs 16.56kg Muzzle Velocity: 3250 ft/sec 990 m/sec Effective Range: 300m Magazine: 5 round vertical magazine Vickers Mk. 1 HMG Caliber: .303 in. (9mm) Cartridge: .303 in. (9mm) Length: 45.5 in. (1156 mm) Muzzle Velocity: 2,440 ft. (744 m) per sec. Rate of Fire: 500 rounds/min. (cyclic) Feed: 250 round belt The Vickers water-cooled HMG was usually crewed by three men and first entered service in the British army in 1912. A descendant of the famed Maxim, the Vickers gained its own notoriety for being a reliable and never tiring killer in the trenches of WWI. It was distinctive in appearance, sporting a large jacket around the gun’s barrel designed to hold 7.5 liters of water for cooling purposes (which blew gusts of white steam when depleted - not advantageous when firing concealed). It’s firing mechanism was crude as seen in the exposed hammer on the right side of the breech that hammered up and down as the gun fired off each round in succession. But, the gun was reliable and was brutally effective as a killing machine. Perhaps its greatest downfall was its weight - 40 lbs. for the gun and another 40 for the tripod. Yet,

The Boys AT Rifle was an attempt t arm early war British infantry platoons with a lightweight but effective AT weapon. Unfortunately, it met neither of these two aims. The Boys was heavy and bulky to the point of being cumbersome. It relied on a 5 round clip vertically mounted on the top of the weapon and fired a large steel "slug". The Boys was reloaded through the use of a bolt action which gave the weapon a violent kick and made it hard to physically rechamber the next round. Though unpopular with infantry, the Boys was fairly effective against Italian armor in the desert at close ranges. Standard issue was one Boys per infantry early war British platoon. Special Rules Violent Recoil The Boys AT Gun is –2 To Hit due to its violent recoil. Anti-Tank The Boys and its penetration value is listed as below; all Penetration Effects rolls caused by a Boys round receives an additional +2 on the Penetration Effects Chart. Anti-Personnel When firing at personnel, the Boys uses the range of a rifle but hits on the Effects Chart like a LCMG. BOYS ATR Chart

Boys

5"

10"

15"

20"

25"

To Hit

16

14

12

10

8

30" 6

Penetration

9

8

7

6

5

4

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the weapons 3. No. 80 WP Grenade Length: 5.5 in. Weight: 1 lb., 3.5 oz. Filling: 11.25 oz. White Phosphorus Fusing: 2.5 - 4 second delay

1

2

3

British Grenades 1. No. 36M ÒMillsÓ Grenade Length: 3.75 in. Weight: 1 lb., 11.25 oz. Filling: 2.5 oz. Baratol Fusing: 4 or 7 second delay

The No. 80 is a white phosphorus grenade that produced smoke, but could also prove to be deadly to nearby enemy soldiers in woods or wooden structures. The grenade is activated by pulling a safety pin which releases a lever, which in turn causes a striker to hit a percussion cap. The struck cap releases a small flame that ignites a detonator, which causes the grenade to explode. The phosphorus is then shot out in a 10 yard radius and ignites automatically when it touches air. Though potentially dangerous, this grenade was used at the discretion and caution of its user. Special Rules Explodes exactly like a standard grenade, leaving a smoke cloud the size of a small HE template. Starts fires on a die roll of 7 or less in Woods or Wood Buildings.

British Guns

The No. 36M, nicknamed “Mills” after its inventor, was developed in WWI where it first saw service in Mesopotamia late in that war. The Mills is a “defensive” grenade designed for heavy and irregular fragmentation, able to throw shrapnel out to approximately 100 yards. Special Rules The Mills grenade is a specific type of the standard grenade in Easy Eight’s Battleground World War II. 2. No. 69 Grenade Length: 4.5 in. Weight: 13.5 oz. Filling: 3.25 oz. Baratol, Lyddite or Amatol Fusing: Impact The No. 69 grenade is an “offensive” grenade often called a “flash-bang.” Its main purpose is to stun and blind enemy troops and is thus perfect when assaulting enemy fortification or when engaged in house-to-house fighting. It will automatically explode on contact and can severely wound or kill an enemy soldier that happens to be near it when it explodes. Special Rules The “C” ring counts as the “E” ring; friendly troops in the “E” ring ignore any effects. With this grenade friendly troops may enter a building the same action the No. 69 grenade is thrown (otherwise not allowed).

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2-Pounder Caliber: 1.575 in. (40mm) Barrel Length: 81.95 in. (2081.5mm) Weight: 1840 lbs. (831.6 kg) Traverse: 360 degrees Elevation: +15 degrees Muzzle Velocity: 2616 ft. (792m) per second Maximum Range: approx. 600 yds. (548m) Shell Weight: 2.3 lbs. (1.08 kg) Named after the weight of its shell like most British artillery pieces, the British 2-Pounder was an outdated weapon when WWII began. The idea for this gun was to provide the Royal Artillery with a towable, light anti-tank weapon that could be readily moved onto the battlefield, emplaced and concealed.

the weapons When it entered active service in 1938, the 2-Pounder sported a 360º tripod carriage and could be towed by a truck. However, its combat success in France in 1940 was less than adequate. The gun was ineffective at long ranges, lacked a modern AP shell (firing solid shot only) and the ability to fire HE. Also its 360º carriage, though perhaps ideal for a fixed gun, proved to be realistically too heavy to quickly maneuver in the anti-tank mode. Unfortunately, the British lacked a replacement and thus reluctantly continued to manufacture the 2-Pounder. The gun was used in great numbers in North Africa but was even more ineffective on a desert battlefield that demanded mobile weapons and offered little concealment. Sometimes the gun was mounted in the rear of a truck portee style, but even this could not improve the 2-Pounder’s poor performance at long ranges. The 2-Pounder was pulled from Royal Artillery anti-tank units in Summer, 1942 and transferred to some infantry units where it was used to some notable success against the Japanese in Burma. German-captured 2-Pounders were given the nomenclature 4cm PaK 192(e) and were used mostly against their former owners in Normandy. Two odd features of the 2-Pounder were an ammo stowage space just to the right of the breech (handy but highly dangerous when used) and rarely employed side gunshields. Special Rules Penetration Value The 2-pounder suffers from Penetration value reduction when firing at targets at longer ranges; see diagram. Penetration Effect The 2-Pounder and its penetration value is listed on the British Gun Statistics Chart; all Penetration Effects rolls caused by a 2-Pounder round receives a +2 on the Penetration Effects Chart. Side Gunshields Though rare in the field, Side Gunshields will add +5 cover to a 2-Pounder’s crew.

Traverse: 90 degrees Elevation: +15 degrees / -5 degrees Muzzle Velocity: 2,700 ft. (900 m) per second Maximum Range: Shell Weight: 6.2 lbs. (2.85 kg.) Upon the introduction of the 2-pounder to the British Army, work on a larger AT Gun began. The result was the 6-Pounder which entered service in the Fall of 1941. Firing a six pound shell, the 6-Pounder was a vast improvement over its smaller predecessor in the range and penetration categories. The 6Pounder, like the 2-Pounder, was heavy for its size and could sport side armor (though rare) in the field. However, its 57mm size would soon be ineffective by mid-war through the introduction of heavier armored German tanks such as the Tiger and Panther. Two versions of the gun were utilized by infantry and artillery units, the Mk. II (shorter barrel) and the Mk. IV; these versions were used in the North African and European Theatres. A lighter airborne version was also created, being delivered to the battlefield via glider. The basic design of the 6-Pounder was copied by the Americans and influenced the creation of the 57mm M-1 AT Gun

25-Pounder

6-Pounder Caliber: 2.244 in. (57mm) Barrel Length: 80.9 in. (2.56 m) Weight: 2,471 lbs. (1112 kg.)

Caliber: 3.45 in. (87.6mm) Length: 94.5 in (2.4 m) Weight: 3,968 lbs. (1800 kg.) Traverse: 8 degrees (on carriage) Elevation: +40 degrees / - 5 degrees Muzzle Velocity: 1,745 ft. (532m) per second Maximum Range: Shell Weight: 25 lbs. (11.34 kg) The 25-Pounder is regarded as one of the best pieces of British artillery to see service during World War II. It

crusade for empireª 5

the weapons incorporated aspects of both a gun and a howitzer and was used to devastating effect as both a field gun and in the anti tank role. The use of the 25-pounder was first utilized at the Battle of El Alamein in North Africa where some 830 bombarded the Germans in the opening salvoes of the battle. It was also used in the anti-tank role where it proved to be more successful than the smaller British anti-tank guns. However, early on the 25-pounder did not have an AP shell and had to rely on its HE shell to damage enemy tanks. An AP shell was later developed but the charge of this shell demanded a muz-

zle break to be fitted to the gun barrel. The 25-Pounder utilized a circular carriage that allowed its crews to engage various targets with little difficulty. The 25-pounder went on to see service on the European continent and in the jungles of the Pacific. Both a jungle and a airborne version were developed with these versions being much lighter in overall weight. The 25-Pounder was simply an excellent gun for both its tremendous firepower and its durability in the field.

British Small Arms List Weapon

Type

ROF

Crew

Range

Effect

Jam

Set

Enfield No. 2, Mk. I Revolver

P

1

1

P

P

20

NA

Colt Automatic M1911A1

P

2

1

P

P-1

20

NA

SMG

3

1

SMG -1"

SMG

19

NA

Sten Mk. 5 Rifle No. 4, Mk. I Enfield

R

1

R

R

20

NA

Bren LMG

LMG

3

2

LMG

LMG

20

0

Vickers HMG

HMG

4

4

HMG

HMG

20

2

P

1

1

P

P

20

NA

Webley Mk. 4 Revolver

BRITISH GUN STATISTICS Name

Range Crew Set-Up Min Max

AP

Penetration APDS HEAT

Type

Gun

Load

OML 2" Mortar

M

51

1/2

2

0

22

120

-

-

OML 2" Mortar (Para)

M

51

1/2

2

1

15

100

-

-

Notes

No Range Penalty for Point Blank

HE

HE Size

-

10

Sm

Crew may operate mortar from prone position. Smoke

-

10

Sm

Crew may operate mortar from prone position. Smoke

Notes:

OML 3" Mortar

M

76s

1/2

3

1

30

UN

-

-

-

14

Med

Smoke

OSB 4.2" Mortar

M

107s

1

6

2

45

UN

-

-

-

21

Lrg

Smoke

Sm

OQF 25mm Hotchkiss

ATG

25XL

1/2

3

2

-

-

13

-

-

6

OQF 2-Pounder

ATG

40L

1/2

3

2

-

-

18

-

-

-

-

OQF 6-Pounder

ATG

57L

1/2

4

2

-

-

29

-

-

9

Med

OQF 17/25-Pounder

ATG

76XL

1/2

4

3

-

-

40

44

-

12

Med

OQF 17-Pounder

ATG

76XL

1/2

4

2

-

-

40

44

-

12

Med

OQF M1A1 75mm Pack How

G

75s

1/2

4

2

45

UN

18

-

-

-

Med

WP avaliability is a 16

Canon de 75 mle 1897

G

75

1/2

4

2

45

UN

25

-

-

13

Med

Smoke

OQF 18-Pounder

G

84s

1

5

3

45

UN

21

-

-

14

Med

WP avaliability is a 14. Smoke

OQF 25-Pounder short

G

88s

1

5

3

45

UN

20

-

-

14

Med

Smoke

OQF 25-Pounder

G

88

1

5

3

45

UN

23

-

-

14

Med

Smoke

No HE

OQF 3.7" Howitzer

G

94s

1

6

3

45

UN

-

-

20

14

Lrg

WP avaliability is a 14. Smoke

OQF 4.5" Howitzer

G

114s

1

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

18

Lrg

WP avaliability is a 14. Smoke

OBL 4.5" Gun

G

114

1

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

18

Lrg

OBL 5.5" Howitzer

G

140

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

21

Lrg

OBL 6" Howitzer

G

152s

2

8

4

60

UN

30

-

-

28

Lrg

OBL 7.2" Howitzer Mk. I

G

183s

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

28

Lrg

OBL 7.2" Howitzer Mk. VI

G

183

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

28

Lrg

OQF 20 AA Gun

AC

20L

-

4

2

-

-

11

-

-

-

-

When used vs infantry roll To Hit as a HMG, Effect as a LCMG -7

OQF 40mm AA Gun

AC

40L

-

5

2

-

-

18

-

-

-

-

When used vs infantry roll To Hit as a HMG, Effect as a LCMG -7

OQF 3" AA Gun

G

76s

1/2

4

4

45

UN

16

-

-

12

Sm

OQF 3.7" AA Gun

G

94s

1/2

4

4

45

UN

-

-

-

14

Sm

crusade for empireª 6

the weapons

Italian weapons

Model 34 Beretta Pistol

Model 38A Moschetto Automatico Beretta SMG

Caliber: 9mm Cartridge: 9mm short (.380 cal) Length: 6 in. Weight: 1.5 lbs Muzzle Velocity: 825 ft. per sec. Effective Range: 30 yds. Magazine: 7 round clip

Caliber: 9mm Cartridge: 9mm short/9mm parabellum Length: 37.2 in. (945mm) Weight: 11 lbs. (4.97 kg) Muzzle Velocity: 1,350 ft. per sec. Rate of Fire: 600 rounds/min. Magazine: 10, 20, 30, or 40 round box

The Model 34 design began in WWI and by 1934, improvements had resulted in quite an effective handgun. The most defining characteristic of the Model 34 was its very small size - it was small enough to almost conceal with the hand. It featured automatic fire fed by a 7 round clip loaded into the pistol’s grip and had a snub-nose design. Unique to its size was the fact that the Model 34 fired a fairly large 9mm (.380) round, though effective range was still only limited to roughly 30 yards. Another version was created to fire the smaller 7.65mm (.32 cal) round. This weapon was the standard sidearm for Italian officers of all branches of service and for armored tank crews; it was also a favorite of partisans and souvenir-seeking GIs for its size and concealability. Its design would later influence Beretta’s post-war handguns, namely their famous .25 pistole. Special Rules Range Penalty The Model 34 is P-1" at all Pistol (P) ranges.

The Model 38A Moschetto Automatico Beretta SMG is generally regarded as one of the finest submachine guns to see service in WWII. The Italian approach to the design of the Model 38A was to create a reliable and well built weapon that was versatile in the field. The Beretta Model 38A delivered in all three categories. Its simple one-piece wooden stock gave the weapon the feel of a rifle and a heavier weight thus making it durable in most any condition. Also, its metal components were of the highest quality steel parts machined with almost craftsman precision. Uniquely, the Beretta possessed two triggers for two different types of fire. The front trigger enabled the weapon to be fired semi-automatically, one round at a time, while the back trigger provided full automatic spraying fire. Rifle-type sights and (later in the war) a highvelocity 9mm round gave the Model 38A a much longer range than most standard SMGs. Ammo clips were provided for 10, 20, 30, or 40 rounds. Perhaps the only knock on the Model 38A was that production time per individual weapon was very time consuming. The only attempt to speed the production process of the gun was the adding of a stamped metal sleeve to the barrel. This weapon could be fitted with a folding bayonet and was a favorite of Italy’s elite troops including the Alpini, Carabinieri, and the Bersaglieri. In 1942 a cheaper and shorter version entered production and was known as the Model 38A/42. After Fascist Italy surrendered to the Allies, large stocks of the Model 38A (particularly the

crusade for empireª 7

the weapons Model 38A/42) were captured by the Germans and subsequently used against the Allies by them and the Romanians. Without a doubt, the Beretta Model 38 was the finest weapon of war manufactured by the Italians during the war. Special Rules High Velocity Rounds Mid to Late-war Berettas use high velocity rounds. This will give the Beretta a range bonus like a German MP-40: SMG + 2", except for Point Blank. Folding Bayonet When in use, this will give -1 in Hand-to-Hand on Strikes and Blocks only.

Model 1891 Mannlicher-Carcano Rifle and Carbine

did not improve the rifle’s performance though the heavier round caused it to "tumble" in flight and thus smack into a target with greater damage. Part way through the re-calibration of the Mannlicher-Carcano, the Italians deemed the effort to be too expensive and manufacture of the 6.5mm versions resumed. This left the Italian armed forces with the supply problem of having two standard rifles in the field with two different sizes of ammunition (like the Japanese with their Arisaka rifles). The 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano (notably the carbine version) gained its greatest fame not from being one of the war’s worst rifles, but by being the gun supposedly used to assassinate American President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Special Rules Jamming All Mannlicher-Carcano rifles Jam on a 19 or higher because it collected dust and grit easily. 6.5mm rounds The smaller Mannlicher-Carcano rifle round suffers a +2 on the Effects Chart due to its small size and hitting power. The larger 7.35mm round is treated as normal on the Effects Chart.

Caliber: 6.5mm / 7.35mm Cartridge: 6.5mm short Length: varied Weight: 7.6 lbs. Muzzle Velocity: 2,300 ft. per sec. Magazine: 6 round clip The Mannlicher-Carcano rifle was a horrible rifle and is regarded as the war’s worst rifle. When Italy entered WWII, this standard Italian infantry rifle was a 19th Century design outdated when the Italians used it in WWI! The original single-action bolt design dated back to 1891 and was basically a Mauser copy. Unfortunately, it combined the worst features one could have in a rifle: low caliber and low velocity. The Mannlicher-Carcano fired a small, round tipped 6.5mm bullet from a 6-round box clip that discarded the spent shell casings through an open trap underneath the clip feed. This naturally caused problems for its user as this trap collected dust, mud, and sand quite easily. Though producing decent initial muzzle velocity with little recoil, the Mannlicher-Carcano’s performance over long ranges was terrible and resulted in bad accuracy and little stopping power. These results gave the rifle the less than glowing nickname of "the Humanitarian Rifle." A lighter carbine version with folding bayonet was also manufactured but suffered even more with range and stopping power due to its shortened barrel length. In 1937 the Italians made efforts to improve the rifle’s caliber to 7.35mm and from a rounded bullet to a tipped one. Unfortunately, this

crusade for empireª 8

Model 30 Breda LMG Caliber: 6.5mm Cartridge: 6.5mm short Weight: 22.5 lbs Muzzle Velocity: 2,000 ft. per sec. Rate of Fire: 475 rounds/min Magazine: 20 round clip The Model 30 was the standard Italian LMG of the war and, like most other Italian small arms, suffered from numerous flaws. The primary flaw was in the gun’s overall design. Breda, the locomotive turned weapons manufacturer, had previous to the Model 30 only sub-contracted arms production; the Model 30 was Breda’s first independent design and it showed. The air-cooled, gas-operated weapon was awkward in working design and in appearance and it looked as if an engineer rather than a gunsmith designed it. It fired the 6.5mm round used by the majority of the rifles in service with the Italians and was thus interchangeable making ammunition

the weapons supply a minor concern. However, the 6.5mm round was small and inadequate for the firepower support role needed by a LMG. Ammo was fed into a side ammunition port on the Model 30 through the use of 20 round "stripper" clips of linked 6.5mm rounds. Yet, the complicated firing mechanism demanded that the rounds be oiled (both before and during firing) causing all kinds of problems. Rounds not sufficiently oiled jammed in the gun’s breach. Dust, sand, and mud easily collected on the gun’s rounds and in the firing mechanism also making the gun susceptible to misfires. Because only 20 round clips could be used with the Model 30 (and not belts of ammunition) and because the gun’s barrel had to be changed after only 250 rounds fired, the gun could not sustain a high rate of fire over time. Further, the gun lacked a carrying handle and had a fixed bipod. This made the gun awkward to carry and fire, especially when hot! Overall, the Breda Model 30 was a great disservice to the Italian war effort, in particular to the Italian squad. This weapon’s poor performance gave very little punch to the basic Italian squad who would replace this wretched weapon with a captured enemy LMG at any given chance! Special Rules Jamming Due to its poor design, the Breda Model 30 will Jam on a d20 roll of 18 or higher. Special Fire Modes Because it cannot fire belts of ammo, the Model 37 may not declare any Special Fire Modes other than Op-Fire or Ambush; all others are disallowed.

The Model 37 marked Breda’s second attempt at machine gun design. Though slightly better than the earlier Model 30 LMG, the Model 37 MMG also had its fair share of problems. The Model 37 was gas-operated and air-cooled like its predecessor the Model 30, but was an improvement in that it fired a much larger round 8mm round. However, the Model 37 sadly needed its rounds to also be oiled in order to maintain steady fire and thus suffered from the same jamming problems of the Model 30. Another problem was a unique firing system that fired a round, collected the spent cartridge and neatly placed it in a tray before firing the next round. Though credit can be given to the Model 37 not being wasteful (the idea was for the collected spent cases to be used for loading other rounds), the tray of spent cases had to be removed before a another clip of ammo could be loaded into the weapon. The Model 37 was mounted on a tripod and was the most common Italian MMG. Because it used 20-round clips and because of its firing system, the Model 37 could not sustain a high rate of fire over a long period of time - something much desired by a heavier machine gun. Despite all of these flaws and factors, the Model 37 gets the nod as the best and most reliable of al the Italian machine guns - which isn’t saying too terribly much! Special Rules Jamming Due to its poor design, the Breda Model 37 will Jam on a d20 roll of 18 or higher. Special Fire Modes Because it cannot fire belts of ammo, the Model 37 may not declare any Special Fire Modes other than Op-Fire or Ambush; all others are disallowed.

Model 37 Breda MMG Model 35 Fiat-Revelli MMG Caliber: 8mm Cartridge: 8mm Weight: 43 lbs Muzzle Velocity: 2,600 ft. per sec. Effective Range: Rate of Fire: 450 rounds/min Magazine: 20 round clip

Caliber: 6.5mm & 8mm Cartridge: 6.5mm & 8mm Muzzle Velocity: approx. 2,100 ft. per sec. Rate of Fire: 225 to 450 rounds/min Magazine: 50 round box or ammo belt The Fiat-Revelli Model 35 was an attempt to "modernize" the water-cooled, 6.5mm Fiat-Revelli Model 1914 of WWI vin-

crusade for empireª 9

the weapons tage. A fair amount of these weapons were converted to fire the larger 8mm round, but poor design often resulted in overheating the gun’s firing mechanism and "cooking" the rounds before firing (very unpleasant to the firer). The Model 35 was fired from a tripod and was often fitted with special anti-aircraft sights. Ammo could be fired from a 50 round box magazine or from a belt, the latter of which helped give the weapon a decent rate of fire as long as the gun did not overheat! The barrel could be fitted with a special declarator that helped to almost double the gun’s firepower. The Italians made the worst machine guns to see service throughout WWII and this weapon was far from adequate. It was unpopular in the field with the troops as were most Italian machine guns. Special Rules Jamming Due to its poor design, the Fiat-Revelli Model 35 will Jam on a d20 roll of 18 or higher.

rely on the damaging concussion from their blasts but are generally less effective than fragmentary grenades. When resolving damage, the "C" ring counts as the "E" ring. All rules for Duds below also apply. SRCM M35 This grenade is the specific type of the standard grenade in Easy Eight’s Battleground WWII. All rules for Duds below also apply. Duds When thrown or activated, Italian grenades will be a Dud and not explode on a To Hit roll of 18 or higher. Any unexploded grenades of this type may be picked up and rethrown – roll a d20. A roll of 10 or less treat per the normal hand grenade rules. A result of 11 or higher will result in the grenade exploding in the hand of the thrower; place the grenade template on the thrower and resolve for damage as normal.

Model 35 Brixia Light Mortar-Grenade Launcher Hand Grenades OTO Model 35, Breda M35, SRCM M35 These three grenades were the standard hand grenades employed by the Italian armed forces in WWII. All were similar in construction and appearance, namely being painted red. Activation of these grenades was caused by the user pulling a rubber tab from the top of the grenade and then hurling it –exploding upon striking a hard object (like the ground). This fuzing was not very effective and a "dud" could be simply a good grenade with a bad fuze that could possibly explode if picked up again. Because of their poor and unpredictable time fuzes and their red color, these grenades were collectively nicknamed by the British "Red Devils." The OTO Model 35 and the Breda M35 were concussion, knockdown type grenades while the SRCM M35 was fragmentary. These grenades were used universally by both Axis and Allied forces throughout the North African desert campaign. Special Rules OTO Model 35, Breda M35 These offensive type grenades

crusade for empireª 10

Caliber: 1.77 in. (45mm) Length of barrel: 10.2 in. (260mm) Weight: 34 lbs. (15.5 kg) Elevation: +10 to +90 degrees Maximum Range: 580 yds. (532m) Bomb Wt.: 1 lb. (453 grammes) Named after its inventor, the Brixia (also known as the Mortaio da 45) was essentially a grenade launcher rather than being a mortar. It also is one of the most interesting weapons to come out of WWII. The lightweight Brixia was carried into combat folded onto the back like a backpack and was unfolded on the ground for use. The weapon was fired by the gunner assuming a "rowing" or prone position whereby he could utilize a lever mechanism that allowed the Brixia to be loaded from the breech. Activating the lever would also load a propellant charge from a 10- round clip. A loader would then insert a small finned bomblet/grenade and the gunner would fire the Brixia through the use of a trigger mechanism. Range was controlled through manual elevation and/or through a

the weapons gradual-type closing of the propellent’s gas vent. The Brixia could reach a maximum range of 500 yds and had a high rate of fire. However, it was a very complicated design that fired a very small and rather ineffective round. A Brixia mortar squad was comprised of three of the weapons; one such squad was usually assigned to each rifle company in an Italian infantry battalion. The Brixia was introduced in 1935 and first saw action in Ethiopia , but was pulled from front-line service in Africa in 1942. Partisans in Italy and the Balkans and Allied Italian troops continued to use this unusual weapon until the end of the war; a weapon that is a precursor of the modern day automatic grenade launcher.

Special Rules The Brixia follows all standard mortar rules and is listed on the Italian Gun Statistics Chart. The only variation is that the grenade template is used to determine damage from its shells instead of a HE template. Breakdown The Brixia takes two man actions to set up or breakdown.

Italian Small Arms List Weapon

Type

ROF

Crew

Range

Effect

Jam

Set

P

1

1

P-1"

P

20

NA

Model 38A Moschetto Automatico SMG

3

1

SMG +2"

SMG

20

NA

Model 1891 Rifle / Carbine

R

1

1

R

R +2

19

NA

Model 38 Carbine

R

1

1

R -3"

R

19

NA

Model 30 Breda

LMG

3

2

LMG

LMG

18

0

Limited Special Fire Modes

Model 37 Breda

MMG

4

4

MMG

MMG

18

2

Limited Special Fire Modes

Model 35 Fiat-Revelli

MMG

4

4

MMG

MMG

18

2

Model 34 Beretta

ITALIAN GUN STATISTICS Name

Range Crew Set-Up Min Max

AP

Penetration HVAP HEAT

HE

HE Size

-

9

Sm

Smoke

-

14

Med

Smoke

Type

Gun

Load

Mortario da 45 "Brixia"

M

45

1/2

2

1

18

UN

-

-

Mortario da 81/14

M

81

1/2

3

1

24

UN

-

-

Cannone da 37/45

ATG

37L

1/2

3

2

-

-

14

-

-

7

Sm

No Smoke.

Cannone da 47/32

ATG

47

1/2

3

2

-

-

17

-

-

9

Sm

No Smoke. Smoke

Cannone da 65/17

G

65s

1/2

4

2

36

UN

16

-

-

10

Med

Cannone da 70/15

G

70s

1/2

4

2

40

UN

14

-

-

12

Med

Notes No Range Advantage for Point Blank

Notes:

Obice da 75/13

G

75s

1/2

4

1

45

UN

17

-

-

12

Med

Cannone da 75/27

G

75s

1/2

4

2

45

UN

15

-

-

10

Med

Obice da 75/18

G

75s

1/2

4

2

45

UN

17

-

-

12

Med

Smoke

Cannone da 75/32

G

75

1/2

4

2

45

UN

24

-

-

12

Med

Smoke

Obice da 100/17

G

100s

1

8

3

45

UN

-

-

-

18

Lrg

Smoke

Cannone da 105/28

G

105

2

8

3

45

UN

25

-

-

18

Lrg

Smoke

Smoke

Obice da 149/13

G

150s

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

28

Lrg

Cannone da 149/35

G

150

2

8

4

60

UN

36

-

36

28

Lrg

Cannone da 149/40

G

150L

2

8

4

60

UN

48

-

-

28

Lrg

Cannone-mitr da 20/65

AC

20L

-

4

2

-

-

10

-

-

-

-

Cannone-aa da 75/39

G

75L

1/2

4

2

45

UN

28

30

-

33

Med

HVAP availability is a 8, d6 rounds if available.

Cannone-aa da 75/46

G

75L

1/2

4

2

45

UN

28

30

-

33

Med

HVAP availability is a 8, d6 rounds if available.

Cannone-aa da 90/53

G

90L

1

5

3

45

UN

35

48

-

14

Med

HVAP availability is a 8, d6 rounds if available.

Smoke

When used vs infantry roll To Hit as a HMG, Effect as a LCMG -2

crusade for empireª 11

Italian weapons Guns & Armor ITALIAN VEHICLE STATISTICS Name

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R TS/R

L3/35

3.5

VS

2

1

1

L6/40

7

S

6

7

2

Speed Load

TR

Type Smoke

HMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

Penetration APCR HEAT

HE

HE Size

HT

TT

0

0

0

7

-

-

T

-

2xLMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

1

1

7

1

S

T

-

-

LMG

-

20L

-

-

-

5

Sm.

M11/39

11

S

6

5

2

2

1

1

6

1

S

T

-

-

2xLMG

-

37

14

-

-

7

Sm.

M14/41

14

M

6

6

6

6

3

3

6

1

S

T

-

2xLMG

LMG

LMG-10

47

17

-

-

9

Sm.

-

-

9

Sm.

-

12

Med

M15/42

15

M

6

7

6

6

3

3

7

1

S

T

-

2xLMG

LMG

LMG-10

47L

19

Semovente M40 da 75/18

14

S

6

7

6

6

3

3

6

1

-

AG

16

-

-

LMG-10

75s

17

Semovente M41 da 75/18

14.5

S

6

7

6

6

3

3

6

1

-

AG

16

-

-

LMG-10

75s

17

-

-

12

Med

Semovente M42 da 75/18

15

S

6

7

6

6

3

3

7

1

-

AG

16

-

-

LMG

75s

17

-

-

12

Med

Semovente M42 da 75/32

15

S

6

7

6

6

3

3

7

1

-

AG

16

-

-

LMG

75

24

-

-

12

Med

Semovente M43 da 105/25

15.5

S

14

14

6

7

3

4

7

1

-

AG

16

-

-

LMG

105

-

-

26

18

Lrg

Lince

3

VS

7

6

2

2

1

1

18

-

-

AC

-

LMG

-

LMG-10

-

-

-

-

-

-

1 AB Lancia 1ZM

4

M

1

1

1

1

0

0

10

-

S

AC

-

MMG(r) 2xMMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Autoblinda 40

7

M

11

2

2

2

1

1

15

-

S

AC

-

LMG(r)

2xLMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Autoblinda 41

7.5

M

11

2

3

2

1

1

15

-

S

AC

-

LMG(r)

-

-

20L

10

-

-

9

-

M-13/40

14

M

6

6

6

6

3

3

6

1

S

T

-

2xLMG

LMG

LMG-10

47

17

-

-

9

Sm.

Type

Gun

Load

Range Crew Set-Up Min Max

Mortario da 45 "Brixia"

M

45

1/2

2

1

18

UN

-

-

Mortario da 81/14

M

81

1/2

3

1

24

UN

-

-

Cannone da 37/45

ATG

37L

1/2

3

2

-

-

14

-

-

7

Sm

No Smoke.

Cannone da 47/32

ATG

47

1/2

3

2

-

-

17

-

-

9

Sm

No Smoke. Smoke

ITALIAN GUN STATISTICS Name

AP

Penetration HVAP HEAT

HE

HE Size

-

9

Sm

Smoke

-

14

Med

Smoke

Cannone da 65/17

G

65s

1/2

4

2

36

UN

16

-

-

10

Med

Cannone da 70/15

G

70s

1/2

4

2

40

UN

14

-

-

12

Med

Notes:

Obice da 75/13

G

75s

1/2

4

1

45

UN

17

-

-

12

Med

Cannone da 75/27

G

75s

1/2

4

2

45

UN

15

-

-

10

Med

Obice da 75/18

G

75s

1/2

4

2

45

UN

17

-

-

12

Med

Smoke

Cannone da 75/32

G

75

1/2

4

2

45

UN

24

-

-

12

Med

Smoke

Obice da 100/17

G

100s

1

8

3

45

UN

-

-

-

18

Lrg

Smoke

Cannone da 105/28

G

105

2

8

3

45

UN

25

-

-

18

Lrg

Smoke

Smoke

Obice da 149/13

G

150s

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

28

Lrg

Cannone da 149/35

G

150

2

8

4

60

UN

36

-

36

28

Lrg

Cannone da 149/40

G

150L

2

8

4

60

UN

48

-

-

28

Lrg

Cannone-mitr da 20/65

AC

20L

-

4

2

-

-

10

-

-

-

-

Cannone-aa da 75/39

G

75L

1/2

4

2

45

UN

28

30

-

33

Med

HVAP availability is a 8, d6 rounds if available.

Cannone-aa da 75/46

G

75L

1/2

4

2

45

UN

28

30

-

33

Med

HVAP availability is a 8, d6 rounds if available.

Cannone-aa da 90/53

G

90L

1

5

3

45

UN

35

48

-

14

Med

HVAP availability is a 8, d6 rounds if available.

crusade for empireª 12

Smoke

When used vs infantry roll To Hit as a HMG, Effect as a LCMG -2

British armour BRITISH VEHICLE STATISTICS Name

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R TS/R

HT

TT

Speed Load

TR

Type Smoke

HMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

Penetration APCR HEAT

HE

HE Size

Mk VIB

5.5

S

2

2

2

1

1

1

9

-

N

T

10

-

HMG/MMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Mk VIC

5.5

S

2

2

2

1

1

1

9

-

N

T

10

-

LCMG/MMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Stuart I/III Honey

12.5

S

7

7

5

7

2

2

9

1

S

T

10

-

LMG

LMG-15

37XL

19

-

-

7

Sm.

Stuart V

14.5

S

10

7

5

7

2

2

9

1

S

T

10

LMG

LMG

LMG-15

37XL

19

-

-

7

Sm.

-

-

-

-

-

-

Lrg

Cruiser Tank MkI (A9)

13

M

2

2

2

1

1

1

7

1

N

T

10

LMGX2

LMG

LMG-15

40L

18

Cruiser Tank MkI CS (A9)

13

M

2

2

2

1

1

1

7

1

N

T

10

LMGx2

LMG

LMG-15

94S

Smoke Only

Cruiser Tank MkIIA (A10)

14.5

M

5

5

5

5

1

1

5

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LMG-15

40L

18

Cruiser Tank MkIIA CS (A10) 14.5

M

5

5

5

5

1

1

5

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LMG-15

94S

Smoke Only

-

-

-

-

-

-

Lrg

Cruiser Tank MkIII (A13)

14

M

2

2

2

2

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

LMG-15

40L

18

-

-

-

-

Cruiser Tank MkIVA (A13 MkII)

15

M

5

5

4

5

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

LMG-15

40L

18

-

-

-

Lrg

15

M

5

5

4

5

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

LMG-15

94S

Smoke Only

-

-

Crusader I

19.5

M

7

7

5

6

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LMG-15

40L

18

-

-

-

Crusader ICS

19.5

M

7

7

5

6

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LMG-15

94S

Smoke Only

-

-

Lrg

Crusader II

19.5

M

7

8

5

6

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

LMG-15

40L

-

-

-

Crusader IICS

19.5

M

7

8

5

6

1

1

8

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

LMG-10

94S

-

-

Lrg

-

57L

9

Med

Cruiser Tank MkIVA CS

Crusader III

20

M

7

8

5

6

1

1

8

1

S

T

10

-

LMG

Grant

28

VL

14

14

7

9

5

5

7

1/1

N/-

T

-

-

LMG

Sherman I (M4)

30.5

L

14

14

7

9

5

5

7

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10

75

Sherman II (M4A1)

30.5

L

19

14

7

9

5

5

9

1

N

T

15

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10

76L

32

L

19

14

7

9

5

5

9

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10

75

Sherman II (M4A1(76)W)

18

-

-

Smoke Only 26

-

-

-

-/23

25

-

23

13

30

35

23

13

Sm

25

-

23

13

Med

LMG-10 37XL/75 19/25

7/13 Sm/Med Med

Sherman III (M4A2)

32

L

14

14

7

9

5

5

8

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10

75

25

-

23

13

Med

Sherman V (M4A4)

32

L

14

14

7

9

5

5

7

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10

75

25

-

23

13

Med

Sherman IIC (M4 Firefiy)

33

L

19

14

7

9

5

5

7

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10 76XL

40

44

-

12

Med

Sherman VC (M4A4 Firefiy)

33

L

14

14

7

9

5

5

7

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

LCMG-10 76XL

40

44

-

12

Med

Cromwell IV

28

M

13

11

7

8

4

4

9

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

75

25

-

23

13

Med

Cromwell VII

28.5

M

16

15

7

9

4

4

8

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

75

25

-

23

13

Med

Cromwell VI

28

M

13

11

7

9

4

4

9

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

95S

-

-

28

14

Lrg

Cromwell VIII

28.5

M

16

15

7

9

4

4

8

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

95S

-

-

28

14

Lrg

Challenger

33

L

11

12

5

6

3

3

8

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

-

76XL

40

44

-

13

Med

Comet

36

M

15

14

7

9

3

3

8

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

77L

33

-

-

13

Med

Matilda I

11

S

11

11

11

11

4

4

3

1

S

T

10

-

MMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Matilda II

27

M

19

18

14

14

4

4

5

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

-

40L

18

-

-

-

-

Valentine II

16.5

M

10

12

10

10

4

4

5

1

S

T

10

-

LMG

-

40L

18

-

-

-

-

Valentine III

17

M

10

12

10

10

4

4

5

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

-

40L

18

-

-

-

-

Valentine VIII

17.5

M

10

12

7

7

4

3

5

1

S

T

10

-

-

-

57L

26

-

-

9

Med

Valentine XI

17.5

M

10

12

7

7

4

3

5

1

S

T

10

-

LMG

-

75

25

-

-

13

Med

-

-

-/13

Med

-

-

9

Med

Churchill I

39

L

19

19

14

14

4

4

5

1

N

T

10

-

LMG

-

Churchill IV

40

L

19

14

7

9

5

5

5

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

40L/76S 18/16 57L

26

Churchill V

40

L

19

14

7

9

5

5

5

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

95S

-

-

28

14

Lrg

Churchill VI

40

L

19

14

7

9

5

5

5

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

75

25

-

23

14

Med

Churchill VII

41

L

25

25

19

19

6

6

4

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

75

-

-

28

14

Med

Churchill VIII

41

L

25

25

19

19

6

6

4

1

N

T

10

LMG

LMG

-

95S

25

-

23

13

Med

76L

Wolverine

29.5

M

14

14

5

5

3

3

9

1

N

TD

-

-

-

LCMG-10

Achilles

29.5

M

14

14

5

5

3

3

9

1

N

TD

-

-

-

LCMG-10 76XL

30

35

-

13

Sm

40

46

-

13

Med

crusade for empireª 13

British Armoured Cars & Guns BRITISH ARMOURED CAR STATISTICS Name Daimier Scout Car Lynx Scout Car

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R TS/R

3

VS

7

5

2

4.5

S

7

5

2

Speed Load

TR

Type Smoke

HMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

Penetration APCR HEAT

HE

HE Size

HT

TT

2

1

1

15

-

-

AC

10

LMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

1

1

13

-

-

AC

10

LMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Humber II

7

M

4

3

2

2

1

1

14

-

S

AC

8

-

LMG

-

LCMG

-

-

-

-

-

Humber III

7

M

4

3

2

2

1

1

14

-

N

AC

6

-

LMG

-

LCMG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

Sm.

-

-

-

Humber IV

7

M

4

3

2

2

1

1

14

1

N

AC

8

-

LMG

-

37XL

19

Morris CS9

4.5

M

1

1

1

1

0

0

12

-

S

AC

10

-

LMG

LMG

ATR

-

Rolls Royce

4

S

1

1

1

1

0

0

12

-

S

AC

10

-

-

-

HMG

-

-

-

-

-

Marmon-Herrington II ME

6

M

1

2

1

2

0

1

13

-

S

AC

-

-

LMG

LMG

ATR

-

-

-

-

-

Marmon-Herrington III ME

5

M

2

2

1

2

0

1

13

-

S

AC

-

-

LMG

LMG

LMG

18

-

-

-

-

Marmon-Herrington III MFF

5

M

2

2

1

2

0

1

13

-

S

AC

-

-

LMG

LMG

ATR

18

-

-

-

-

Daimler Armoured Car

7.5

S

4

4

2

3

1

2

19

1

S

AC

12

-

LMG

LMG-10

40L

18

-

-

-

-

AEC I

11

M

11

13

6

8

3

4

10

1

S

AC

16

-

LMG

-

40L

18

-

-

-

-

AEC II

13

M

11

9

6

6

3

3

12

1

N

AC

16

-

LMG

-

57L

26

-

-

9

Med

AEC III

13

M

11

9

6

6

3

3

12

1

N

AC

16

-

LMG

-

75

25

-

-

9

Med

Staghound I

14

L

7

9

4

5

2

3

19

1

N

AC

16

LMG

LMG

LMG-10

37XL

19

-

-

7

Sm

Staghound II

14

L

7

9

4

5

2

3

19

1

N

AC

12

-

LMG

LMG-10

76

30

13

-

13

Med

Type

Gun

Load

Range Crew Set-Up Min Max

OML 2" Mortar

M

51

1/2

2

0

22

120

-

-

OML 2" Mortar (Para)

M

51

1/2

2

1

15

100

-

-

BRITISH GUN STATISTICS Name

AP

Penetration APDS HEAT

HE

HE Size

-

10

Sm

Crew may operate mortar from prone position. Smoke

-

10

Sm

Crew may operate mortar from prone position. Smoke

Notes:

OML 3" Mortar

M

76s

1/2

3

1

30

UN

-

-

-

14

Med

Smoke

OSB 4.2" Mortar

M

107s

1

6

2

45

UN

-

-

-

21

Lrg

Smoke

Sm

OQF 25mm Hotchkiss

ATG

25XL

1/2

3

2

-

-

13

-

-

6

OQF 2-Pounder

ATG

40L

1/2

3

2

-

-

18

-

-

-

-

OQF 6-Pounder

ATG

57L

1/2

4

2

-

-

29

-

-

9

Med

OQF 17/25-Pounder

ATG

76XL

1/2

4

3

-

-

40

44

-

12

Med

OQF 17-Pounder

ATG

76XL

1/2

4

2

-

-

40

44

-

12

Med

OQF M1A1 75mm Pack How

G

75s

1/2

4

2

45

UN

18

-

-

-

Med

WP avaliability is a 16

Canon de 75 mle 1897

G

75

1/2

4

2

45

UN

25

-

-

13

Med

Smoke

OQF 18-Pounder

G

84s

1

5

3

45

UN

21

-

-

14

Med

WP avaliability is a 14. Smoke

OQF 25-Pounder short

G

88s

1

5

3

45

UN

20

-

-

14

Med

Smoke

OQF 25-Pounder

G

88

1

5

3

45

UN

23

-

-

14

Med

Smoke

No HE

OQF 3.7" Howitzer

G

94s

1

6

3

45

UN

-

-

20

14

Lrg

WP avaliability is a 14. Smoke

OQF 4.5" Howitzer

G

114s

1

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

18

Lrg

WP avaliability is a 14. Smoke

OBL 4.5" Gun

G

114

1

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

18

Lrg

OBL 5.5" Howitzer

G

140

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

21

Lrg

OBL 6" Howitzer

G

152s

2

8

4

60

UN

30

-

-

28

Lrg

OBL 7.2" Howitzer Mk. I

G

183s

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

28

Lrg

OBL 7.2" Howitzer Mk. VI

G

183

2

8

4

60

UN

-

-

-

28

Lrg

OQF 20 AA Gun

AC

20L

-

4

2

-

-

11

-

-

-

-

When used vs infantry roll To Hit as a HMG, Effect as a LCMG -7

OQF 40mm AA Gun

AC

40L

-

5

2

-

-

18

-

-

-

-

When used vs infantry roll To Hit as a HMG, Effect as a LCMG -7

OQF 3" AA Gun

G

76s

1/2

4

4

45

UN

16

-

-

12

Sm

OQF 3.7" AA Gun

G

94s

1/2

4

4

45

UN

-

-

-

14

Sm

crusade for empireª 14

LIght tank Mk.vi 20 18

17

12 7

No Penetration

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

2

16 11 6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Mk. VI Light Tank was the most common early war British light tank. Lightly armored and armed with only machineguns, the Mk. VI would be obsolete by 1940. Introduced: 1936 Crew: 3 Weight: 10,804 lbs. Length: 12’11.25” Width: 6’8.5” Height: 7’3.5” Ground Clearance: 13” Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: 0.5”Vickers M.G. Max Elevation: +37 Ammunition: 200 .50 Cal MG rounds/2500 .303 MG rounds Speed: 34.78 mph Range: 124.2 miles Trench Crossing: 5’ Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Engine

Commander

Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Normal Damage 15. DrivervKIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

19

13

Front

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Variants The Mark VI Light Tank was cheap and easy to produce and provided the bulk of the British tank strength early in the war. In 1940-1941 its faults were soon apparent and they proved ineffective in combat. Mark VIB Light Tank Like the earlier A version, the Mk. VIB was equipped with a turret mounted Vickers .50 Cal LCMG and a .303 Vickers HMG. A few Mk VIBs were equipped with larger sprocket wheels and seperate idlers at the rear. When the war broke out this was the most numerous Mk VI variant. Mark VIC Light Tank In an attempt to improve the firepower of the Mk VIB, the British equipped the C version with a 15mm Besa and a Besa 7.92mm LMG. Despite this change the tank was still combat obsolete by 1940 and production ceased. By 1942 most of these tanks were used only for training. Poor Cross-Country Performance One major deficiency of the Mk VI series was its poor cross-country performance. Many British tankers felt that the Mk. VI would only be useful in a reconnaissance role and even then a wheeled vehicle would be preferred. Therefore, the Mk IV Light Tank is treated as a wheeled vehicle when moving cross-country.

Gunner

VEHICLE STATISTICS Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

Mk VIB

5.5

S

2

2

2

1

1

1

9

-

N

T

10

Mk VIC

5.5

S

2

2

2

1

1

1

9

-

N

T

10

crusade for empire©

Speed Load

TR

Type Smoke HMG

Penetration APCR HEAT

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

-

LMG

-

LCMG

-

-

-

HMG

-

LCMG

-

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

-

-

-

-

LIght tank Mk. vi 20

10

9

No Penetration

16

17

18

19

11

12

13

14

15 8

1 2

3

4

5

7

6

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Tank Immobilized/ MC 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. No Effect 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6 1

Rear hit location

top No Penetration

3

2

4

5

8

7

20

9

10

1 11

13

12

16

17

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Rear hit location

R

6

Rear

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9R. Immobilized Smoke / MC 9L. Normal Damage 10R. Immobilized Smoke / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Normal Damage 17L. Normal Damage 17R. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

18

14

15

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Half Move / Smoke 8. Half Move / Smoke 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Immobilized Smoke / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Infantry tank Mk.iiA matilda II 20

No Penetration

17

18

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

Front

6 1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Driver KIA / MC 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Driver -1 Action 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

Front hit location

Specifications

Special Rules

Heavily armored yet slow, the Matilda was an “I” tank designed to support attacking infantry. It was very successful early in the war

2-Pdr HE The 2-Pounder was never supplied with a High Explosive round. The round did exist but the British never felt it was neccessary to issue the round. This greatly handicapped British tank efforts in France and in the desert, especially when engaging emplacments and infantry. Fuel Hit Several British tanks had a provision for an extra fuel tank mounted on the hull rear. These were often left on during battle but were sometimes removed. If the British player wants to remove these tanks during the battle then it will take the crew 8 man actions. If a British tank goes into combat with its extra fuel tank, then any rear hit to location 14 will cause the diesel fuel to burn. Roll on the Molotov Effects Chart in addition to any results on the Penetration Effects Chart. The presence or absence of the fuel tanks should be determined as part of the scenario design. Unarmored Ammo Racks Early British tanks were equipped with unarmored ammo racks. This slight oversight resulted in several catastrophic kills that could have been avoided by armored ammo racks. Later British tanks would be equipped with these valuable armored ammo racks resulting in fewer casualties when a round penetrated the armor of the tank. As a result of the ammo rack being unarmored, the tank receives a -1 on the Penetration Effects Chart. Variants The Matilda was developed to support attacking infantry. Slow and heavily armored, the tank was not suited to the rapid moving engagements of World War II. Its initial success against the Italians in the North African campaign was short lived due to faster and better armed (and armored) German tanks and the 88mm Flak gun. Matilda I This was the first version of the Matilda. Only 140 were made by 1940 and was armed with a .50 Cal LCMG and a .303 Vickers HMG. Matilda II CS This version had a short 76mm gun which could fire both HE and smoke. It was the only Matilda “I” tank which could fire HE. Initially deployed only in Asia, it was quickly issued to units operating in the desert by 1941.

in both France and North Africa. Introduced: 1938 Crew: 4 Weight: 26.5 tons Length: 18’5” Width: 8’6” Height: 8’3” Ground Clearance: 1’4” Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: 2-Pdr Max Elevation: +20 Ammunition: 93 2-Pdr rounds/2925 belted 7.92 MG rounds Speed: 14.9 mph Range: 158 miles Trench Crossing: 1’2” Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Driver

Gunner

Commander

VEHICLE STATISTICS Matilda II

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

27

M

19

18

14

14

4

4

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 5

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

10

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

40L

18

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

Infantry tank Mk.iiA matilda II No Penetration

20 16

18

10

9 1

17

2

11 3

19 12

13

5

6

4

14

15 8

7

side

1. No Effect 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

5 9

8 7

11

4

3

6

10

1 12

13 17

16

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

20

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Cruiser tank Mk iva 20 No Penetration

17

12 7

18 14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

2

16 11 6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Cruiser Mk. IVA was the most common British tank early in the war. Problems plagued the vehicle while bearing the brunt of

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. 2-Pdr HE The 2-Pounder was never supplied with a High Explosive round. The round did exist but the British never felt it was neccessary to issue the round. This greatly handicapped British tank efforts in France and in the desert, especially when engaging emplacments and infantry. Unarmored Ammo Racks Early British tanks were equipped with unarmored ammo racks. This slight oversight resulted in several catastrophic kills that could have been avoided by armored ammo racks. Later British tanks would be equipped with these valuable armored ammo racks resulting in fewer casualties when a round penetrated the armor of the tank. As a result of the ammo rack being unarmored, the tank receives a -1 on the Penetration Effects Chart. Variants Cruiser tanks were designed to be fast. Generally having light armor and a 2-Pounder gun, Cruisers were the main striking force of the early war British Army. Crusier Tank Mk 1 This had sub-turrets on locations 8 and 10 each mounting a .303 Vickers (treated as LMGs). Crusier Tank Mk 1 CS This version had a 3.7” Howitzer which could only fire Smoke. Cruiser Tank Mk IIA This variant deleted the turrets and had thicker armor. Cruiser Tank Mk IIA CS This variant had a 3.7” Howitzer which could only fire Smoke. Cruiser Tank Mk III This traded armor for speed but was otherwise the same as the Cruiser Mk. IIA. Cruiser Tank Mk IVA CS This version had a 3.7” Howitzer which could only fire Smoke.

the fighting in North Africa and France. Introduced: 1940 Crew: 5 Weight: 19 tons Length: 19’8’ Width: 9’1” Height: 7’4” Ground Clearance: 1’4” Track Width: 10’7” Main Gun: 2-Pdr Max Elevation: +25 Ammunition: 110 2-Pdr rounds/4,500 7.92mm MG rounds Speed: 26.5 mph Range: 93 miles Trench Crossing: 7’6” Fording Depth: 3’3”

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Driver

Commander

Gunner

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Driver KIA / MC 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. Driver -1 Action 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

19

13

Front

VEHICLE STATISTICS Crusier Tank MkIVA

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

15

M

5

5

HS/R TS/R 4

crusade for empire©

5

HT

TT

1

1

Speed Load 8

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

10

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG LMG-15

40L

18

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

Cruiser tank Mk iva No Penetration

20 16

17

18

10

9

19

11

12

13

14

4

5

6

7

15

1 2

3

8

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Driver -1 Action 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Driver KIA / MC 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

3

6

7

11

12

4

8 1 13 17

16

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

5 9

10

14

15

20 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Valentine IIi 20 No Penetration

17

18

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Valentine was mechanically reliable and popular with its crews. By 1943 the Valentine was combat obsolete and most were converted to SP Guns like the Archer and Bishop. Introduced: 1940 Crew: 3 Weight: 39,028 lbs. Length: 17’9” Width: 8’7.5” Height: 7’5.5” Ground Clearance: 1’4” Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: 2-Pdr Max Elevation: +20 Ammunition: 60 2-Pdr rounds/3,150 .303 Cal MGrounds Speed: 15 mph Range: 183 miles Trench Crossing: 7’9” Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Gunner

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Driver KIA / MC 15. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. Driver -1 Action 15. Hull Gunner -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

6

Driver

Front

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. 2-Pdr HE The 2-Pounder was never supplied with a High Explosive round. The round did exist but the British never felt it was neccessary to issue the round. This greatly handicapped British tank efforts in France and in the desert, especially when engaging emplacments and infantry. Varients In 1938 plans were drawn up and submitted just prior to St. Valentines day for the new Infantry “I” tank. The new vehicle was named the Valentine because of this and it became one of the most important British tanks of 1943. Valentine II This version had a small turret which could only hold two men and therefore suffers from the Commander/Gunner rule. Commander/Gunner The gunner in the Valentine III also served as the commander. This individual was very overworked and at no time could be Commander Exposed when firing the main gun as he is acting as a gunner, not a commander. Therefore all main gun shots will suffer No Commander penalty as well as the Button-Up penalty. Valentine V This version was identical to the Valentine III except its turret could turn faster and was slightly heavier. It also is not affected by the Commander/Gunner rule because it had a loader. Valentine VIII This tank was the first to mount the 6-Pdr which in turn replaced the loader. Because the this gun replaces the loader, this vehicle suffers from the Commander/Gunner rule. ValentineXI This version mounted a 75mm gun in a three man turret and does not suffer from Commander/Gunner. rule. It also used a diesel engine which gives the tank a +1 on all on the Penetration Effects Chart.

Commander

VEHICLE STATISTICS Valentine III

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

17

M

10

12

HS/R TS/R 10

crusade for empire©

10

HT

TT

4

3

Speed Load 5

1

TR S

Type Smoke HMG T

10

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

40L

18

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

Valentine IIi No Penetration

20 16

18

17 10

9 1

11

2

3

19 12

4

13 5

14

15 8

7

6

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

4

3 8

7

12

L

9

13 17

16

5

10

20

1 11

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. No Effect 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

churchill IV 20 No Penetration

17 12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6 1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Churchill was built to operate on terrain similar to the western front of World War I. It was produced in many different variants and saw service in both Europe and North Africa. Introduced: 1941 Crew: 5 Weight: 87,450 lbs. Length: 24’5” Width: 10’8” Height: 8’2” Ground Clearance: 2’ Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: 6-Pdr. gun Max Elevation: 20 Ammunition: 58 6-Pdr rounds/9,450 .303 Cal MG rounds Speed: 15 mph Range: 120 miles Trench Crossing: 10’ Fording Depth: 3’4”

Tank Crew Positions Driver

Loader Gunner

Radio Operator Hull Gunner

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Driver KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Driver -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. MG Destroyed / Radio Man -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

18

Front

Unarmored Ammo Racks Early British tanks were equipped with unarmored ammo racks. This slight oversight resulted in several catastrophic kills that could have been avoided by armored ammo racks. Later British tanks would be equipped with these valuable armored ammo racks resulting in fewer casualties when a round penetrated the armor of the tank. As a result of the ammo rack being unarmored, the tank receives a -1 on the Penetration Effects Chart. Variants The Churchill was designed to support infantry attacking over broken ground and cross wide trenches like those seen in World War I. This vehicle changed dramatically throughout the war to meet different requirements. Churchill I This was the first type in the churchill series. It had one 2-Pdr in it’s turret and a 3” howitzer in the hull and unarmored ammo racks. Multiple Guns The Churchill I carries two guns and two gun crews: a 2-Pdr. in the turret and a 3” howitzer in the hull. Each gun operates independently and may fire seperately, load seperately, engage different targets, or even set Op-Fire seperately. The Commander may only direct fire for one gun or the other. The Commander’s cupola also rotates seperately from the 2-Pdr. turret and thus he may direct the 3” howitzer gun even as the 2-Pdr. gun engages targets to the side or rear. Churchill V This version was the CS and mounted 95mm howitzer which could fire HE and HEAT. This vehicle also suffer from unarmored ammo racks. Churchill VI This varient was the first to mount the 75mm main gun and was equipped with armored ammo racks. Churchill VII This Churchill still mounted a 75mm main gun in addition to more heavily armored. It too had armored ammo racks. Churchill VIII This version was a Churchill VII with a 95mm howitzer in stead of the 75mm gun. It had the same speed and armor as the Churchill VII and it had armored ammo racks.

Commander

VEHICLE STATISTICS Churchill IV

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

40

L

19

14

HS/R TS/R 7

crusade for empire©

9

HT

TT

5

5

Speed Load 5

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

10

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

57L

29

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

9

Med

Infantry tank mk.iv churchill No Penetration

20 16 10

9 1

17

2

18

11 3

19

12

4

13

14

15

6

7

8

5

Side hit location

No Penetration

18

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6 1

Rear hit location

top No Penetration

3

2 7

4

5 9

8

10

1 11

13 12

16

17

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Immobilized / MC 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Rear hit location

R

6

Rear

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exhaust Hit /Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9R. Driver KIA / MC 9L. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Normal Damage 17L. Loader KIA / MC 17R. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

20 17

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized/ MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Gunner-1 action 17L. Loader -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

20

14 18

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Hull Gunner -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

cromwell VII 20 No Penetration

17

18

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Driver KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Driver -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Hull Gunner -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

6

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Cromwell was one of the best armed British tanks of World War II. However, it lacked sloped armor and was box-like in shape, giving it poor protection and a high profile.

Variants When the Cromwell was introduced in 1943, it was the most common Cruiser tank built by the British in World War II. During 1944 through 1945, the Cromwell became the mainstay of the British armoured divsions. Initial models mounted the 6-Pdr and later models were upgraded with a 75mm main gun. Even with the 75mm gun, the Cromwell still was at a disadvantage when facing most German armor. Cromwell IV This was the first version of the Cromwell to mount the 75mm gun and the Meteor engine, making it the fastest and best armed Cruiser tank to that date. Cromwell VI This version mounted a short 95mm howitzer instead of the 75mm main gun. It was used to support infantry and could fire both HE and HEAT. Cromwell VII This Version had several important upgrades which allowed it to be more successful against German armor. The VII had thicker armor and wider tracks which greatly improved performance. A governer was also added which slowed the tank’s maximum speed down to 32 mph. It also mounted the 75mm main gun. Cromwell VIII Like the Cromwell VII, this version had thicker armor and wider tracks but mounted a short 95mm howitzer which could fire both HE and HEAT. Cromwell “Prong” This was a standard Cromwell tank equipped with the U.S. Culin hedgerow-cutting device. This allowed the tank to break through the Bocage country found in Normandy.

Introduced: 1943 Crew: 5 Weight: 61,673 lbs. Length: 20’10” Width: 9’6” Height: 8’2” Ground Clearance: 1’4” Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: 75mm gun Max Elevation: +20 Ammunition: 64 75mm rounds/6,950 7.92mm MG rounds Speed: 32 mph Range: 173 miles Trench Crossing: 7’6” Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Driver

Front

Loader

Hull Gunner

Gunner

Commander

VEHICLE STATISTICS Cromwell VII

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

28.5

M

16

15

7

9

4

4

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 8

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

10

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

75

25

Penetration APCR HEAT -

23

HE

HE Size

13

Med

cromwell VII No Penetration

20 16

18

10

9 1

17

2

11 3

19 12

13

5

6

4

14

15 8

7

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. Driver -1 Action 10L. Hull Gunner -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Driver KIA / MC 10L. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

4

3 7

8

5 9

10

1 11

12

13 17

16

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

20

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Hull Gunner -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Universal carrier No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6 1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Driver KIA /MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Main Weapon Destroyed / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Normal Damage 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Driver -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Main Weapon Destroyed / MC 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. No Effect

20

12

Front

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The British Universal Carrier was a versatile AFV which could perform a wide range of functions for the infantry it supported. LMGs, mortars, and flamethowers were just some of the weapons able to be mounted on it. Introduced: 1930s Crew: 2 Weight: 9,922 lbs. Passengers: 4 (2 with weapon) Length: 11’10” Width: 6’7” Height: 5’2” Ground Clearance: 1’2” Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: Bren Gun or Boys ATR Max Elevation: +15 Ammunition: Variable Speed: 29 mph Range: 93 miles Trench Crossing: 2’ Fording Depth: 3’

Open Top The open top of the Universal Carrier had several disadvantages. It exposed the crew to grenade and rifle fire, and to overhead artillery bursts. Any figure who is elevated high enough above a Universal Carrier to make a top attack, may fire small arms at the crew who recieve partial tank cover. Grenades may be thrown in using normal grenade rules. If the Universal Carrier is underneath an artillery burst in Woods, the crew is effected just as in any other open topped vehicles. The open top allows the vehicle to use indirect fire following all normal rules. Crew Exposed The crew and passengers are always Crew Exposed. AAMG If the Universal Carrier has a Bren Gun mounted as the main armament, then the gunner may spend three actions to remove the Bren Gun and move it to the AAMG mount in the passenger compartment as long as there is no crew served weapon already present. Crew Served Weapons The Universal Carrier may mount a Vickers HMG, a 2” or 3” Mortar, or a Piat (1943 and later). Any crew served weapon will take the place of two passengers.

Tank Crew Positions Crew Location

Driver

Engine Gunner VEHICLE STATISTICS Universal Carrier

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

20

M

1

1

1

1

1

1

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 8

-

TR -

Type Smoke HMG T

-

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

-

-

-

-

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

Universal carrier No Penetration

16 10

9 1

17

2

18

19

12

13

14

5

6

7

11 3

4

20 15 8

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized / MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Weapon Hit/ MC 17R. Driver -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. No Effect

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10 Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Main Weapon Hit / MC 17R. Driver KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Normal Damage

Side hit location

Side hit location

No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

13

14

15

17

18

19

20

11 16

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Normal Damage

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. No Effect

20

12

Rear

top hit location

1. No Effect 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Normal Damage 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Main Weapon Destroyed / MC 12. Gunner KIA / MC 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. No Effect

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Normal Damage 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Main Weapon Destroyed / MC 12. Gunner KIA / MC 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Medium tank m3 Grant 20 17

18

19

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

13 12

No Penetration

11

2

6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Grant was a variant of the first medium tank built by the U.S. It was supplied in vast numbers to the British who used the tank in the desert and referred to it as a “Grant.” Introduced: 1941 Crew: 6 Weight: 60,064 lbs. Length: 18’6” Width: 8’11” Height: 10’3” Ground Clearance: 1’5” Track Width: 1’4.5” Main Gun: 37mm gun/75mm gun Max Elevation: +60/+20 Ammunition: 178 37mm rounds/46 75mm rounds/ 9200 .30 Cal MG rounds Speed: 26 mph Range: 120 miles Trench Crossing: 6’ Fording Depth: 3’4”

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Gunner

Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 14. Driver -1 Action 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

16

7

Front

Loader

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Hull Gun Because American industry was not yet able to cast a turret large enough to house a 75mm gun, the gun was mounted in the hull of the M3. This limits the gun to firing only in the front arc. The gun may only traverse side to side 15 degrees. In order to fire at targets outside of this limited arc, the M3 must move. The M3 can shift position in place using 90 or 180 degree turn manuevers. Any use of a turn will count the vehicle as firing on the move if it fires the same action as the turn, or as moved in the previous action if it fires the action after the move. Multiple Guns The M3 carries two guns and two gun crews: a 37mm in the turret and a 75mm in the hull. Each gun operates independently and may fire seperately, load seperately, engage different targets, or even set Op-Fire seperately. The Commander may only direct fire for one gun or the other. The Commander’s cupola also rotates seperately from the 37mm turret and thus he may direct the 75mm gun even as the 37mm gun engages targets to the side or rear. Unarmored Ammo Racks Early British tanks were equipped with unarmored ammo racks. This slight oversight resulted in several catastrophic kills that could have been avoided by armored ammo racks. Later British tanks would be equipped with these valuable armored ammo racks resulting in fewer casualties when a round penetrated the armor of the tank. As a result of the ammo rack being unarmored, the tank receives a -1 on the Penetration Effects Chart. High Ground Pressure M3 gets +1 on all Bog Checks. Top Armor Because of the steep slope of the front glacis, any top hits to locations 6 or 11 will use the front armor value of 14

Commander Gunner

VEHICLE STATISTICS Grant

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

28

VL

14

14

HS/R TS/R 7

crusade for empire©

9

HT

TT

5

5

Speed Load 7

1/1

TR N/-

Type Smoke HMG T

-

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG LCMG-10 37/75 19/25

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-/23

HE

HE Size

7/13

S/M

Medium tank m3 Grant No Penetration

20 17

16 10

9

1

2

11

3

18 12

4

19

13

5

14

6

15 8

7

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. Gunner -1 Action 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Gunner KIA /MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 17

18

12 7

No Penetration

19

13

14

15

16

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

4

3

7 6

5 9

8 12

16

13

10

1 17

14

20 18

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

1

11

Rear

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. Gunner -1 Action / MC 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 8. Driver -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Loader -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. Gunner -1 Action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Gunner KIA / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 8. Driver KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Loader KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

m3 honey 20 No Penetration

17

18

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

1

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Honey was an American light tank used by the British forces in North Africa. It was very reliable and had thicker armor than most early war British tanks.

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. High Ground Pressure The Honey receives a +1 on all Bog Checks. Unarmored Ammo Racks Early British tanks were equipped with unarmored ammo racks. This slight oversight resulted in several catastrophic kills that could have been avoided by armored ammo racks. Later British tanks would be equipped with these valuable armored ammo racks resulting in fewer casualties when a round penetrated the armor of the tank. As a result of the ammo rack being unarmored, the tank receives a -1 on the Penetration Effects Chart. AAMG The .30 Cal LMG that the Honey used as an AAMG was mounted on the right side of the turret. The commander can only use the AAMG to the right of the tank - from directly ahead to directly behind. The AAMG follows all normal restrictions through this arc. No Hull Machine Gun The British rearranged the crew making the hull machine gunner the loader for the main gun.

Introduced: 1941 Crew: 4 Weight: 28,499 lbs. Length: 14’10” Width: 7’4” Height: 8’3” Ground Clearance: 1’4” Track Width: 11.5” Main Gun: 37mm gun Max Elevation: +20 Ammunition: 103 37mm rounds/8,720 .30 Cal MG rounds Speed: 35 Range: 70 miles Trench Crossing: 6’ Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Front

Commander

Gunner Driver VEHICLE STATISTICS Stuart Honey

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

12.5

S

7

7

5

7

2

2

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 9

1

TR S

Type Smoke HMG T

10

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG MMG-15 37XL

19

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

7

Sm.

m3 honey No Penetration

20 16

1

17

18

19

9

10

11

12

2

3

4

5

13

14

6

7

15

8

Side hit location

No Penetration

18

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6

Rear hit location

top No Penetration

2

3 7

4

5 9

8

10

1 11

12

16

13 17

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Immobilized / MC 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Rear hit location

R

6

Rear

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exhaust Hit /Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

1

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9R. Normal Damage 9L. Driver KIA / MC 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader Damage 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

20 17

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized/ MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

20

14 18

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. No Effect 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Comet 20 17

12 7

No Penetration

18

19

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

2

11 6

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Driver KIA / MC 14. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 15. No Effect 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Driver -1 Action 14. Hull Gunner -1 Action 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

16

1

Front

Front hit location

Specifications

Special Rules

The Comet was equipped with a 77mm gun which was only slightly smaller then the 17-Pdr. The tank was reliable and its gun allowed it to even take on the dreaded Tiger tank.

77mm gun This gun was developed specifically for the Comet. It was a smaller version of the 17-Pdr. Its performance was only slightly reduced and could fire the same ammunition as the 17-Pdr.

Introduced: 1944 Crew: 5 Weight: 78,883 lbs. Length: 20’10” Width: 10’ Height: 8’9” Ground Clearance: 1’5.5” Track Width: 1’6” Main Gun: 77mm gun Max Elevation: +20 Ammunition: 61 77mm rounds/5,175 7.92mm MG rounds Speed: 29 mph Range: 123 miles Trench Crossing: 8’ Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Driver

Loader

Hull Gunner Commander

Gunner VEHICLE STATISTICS Comet

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

36

M

15

14

HS/R TS/R 7

crusade for empire©

9

HT

TT

3

3

Speed Load 8

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

10

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

77L

33

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

13

Med

Comet No Penetration

20 16 9 1

17

10

18

11

2

19

12

3

4

13

14

5

15 7

6

8

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized / MC 9. No Effect 10R Driver -1 Action 10L Hull Gunner -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 Action 17L. Gunner -1 Action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Driver KIA / MC 10L. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

19

14

16 8

9

10

7

11 3

4

2

5 6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

4

3

2 6

8

7

5 9

10

1 11

13

12 17

16

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

15

12

Rear

20

14 18

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Hull Gunner -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Rolls Royce armoured car 20 No Penetration

18

17

14

15

12

8

9

10

16

7

3

4

5

11

1

2

6

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Immobilized /MC 12. Normal Damage 13. Driver KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1.Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. Imobilization / MC 8. No Effect 9. 1/2 Move /Smoke 10. No Effect 11. Imobilization / MC 12. No Effect 13. Driver -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Spare Tire Destroyed 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

19

13

Front

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Rolls Royce Armoured Car was very common during the early battles of World War II. It would often be employed in reconnaissance or security roles.

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D column of the Effects Chart. MCs and suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round.

Introduced: 1941 Crew: 3 Weight: 25,248 lbs. Length: 17’8” Width: 8’10” Height: 7’8.5” Ground Clearance:1’2” Track Width: N/A Main Gun: Boys ATR or Vickers HMG Max Elevation: Variable Ammunition: Variable Speed: 45 mph Range: 180 miles Trench Crossing: N/A Fording Depth: 2’

Tank Crew Positions Gunner

Driver

Commander VEHICLE STATISTICS Rolls Royce Armoured Car

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

4

S

0

1

0

0

0

0

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 12

-

TR S

Type Smoke HMG AC

-

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

-

-

HMG

-

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

Rolls Royce armoured car No Penetration

20 17 9 1

10

11

2

3

18

12

13

4

5

19 14

15

6

16 8

7

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized / MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12R Driver -1 Action 12 L No Effect 13. Spare Destryoed 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Main Gun Hit / MC 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 10 Immobilized / MC / Smoke 11. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 12. Normal Damage 13R. Driver KIA / MC 13L. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Main Gun Hit / MC 18. Gunner KIA / MC 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 17

18

No Penetration

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

3

4

1 12

L

10

20

13 17

16

5 9

8

7

11

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Normal Damage 4. Normal Damage 5. Normal Damage 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Immobilized / MC 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Gunner KIA / MC 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

1

6

Rear

14 18

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Half Move / Smoke 7. Half Move / Smoke 8. Driver -1 Action 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. Half Move / Smoke 12. Half Move / Smoke 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Normal Damage 4. Normal Damage 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 7. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 8. Driver KIA / MC 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 12. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Normal Damage 18. Normal Damage 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

armored car t17e1 staghound 20 No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

12

8

9

10

16

7

3

4

5

11

2

1

Front

6

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. DrivervKIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Hull Gunner -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications This American armored car was only used by the British. It was well armored for an armored car and very dependable. Easy to maintain and operate, this vehicle was popular with its crews.

Turret speed Compared to its German rivals, who generally had a slow turret, the Staghound’s turret speed gave a substantial advantage. The Staghound’s turret is treated as a Fast Turret.

Introduced: 1942 Crew: 5 Weight: 28,260 lbs. Length: 18’ Width: 8’10” Height: 7’9” Ground Clearance: 1’2” Track Width: N/A Main Gun: 37mm gun Max Elevation: +20 Ammunition: 109 37mm rounds/ 8,000 7.62mm MG rounds Speed: 50 mph Range: 450 miles Trench Crossing: N/A Fording Depth: 2’8”

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Hull Gunner

Commander Driver

Gunner

VEHICLE STATISTICS Staghound I

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

12

L

7

8

4

5

1

1

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 16

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG AC

10

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

37XL

19

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

7

Sm.

armored car t17e1 staghound No Penetration

20 16 10

9 1

17

2

18

19

11

12

13

14

15

4

5

6

7

8

3

side

1. No Effect 2. Immobilized/ MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilized / MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 Action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

6

4

3

2 7

8

5 9

10

20 1 11

12

16

13 17

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Hull Gunner -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Normal Damage 4. Normal Damage 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Normal Damage 18. Normal Damage 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

M4 sherman firefly Front

20 No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

16

12

11

7 2

6

1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Firefly Sherman was one of the most powerful tanks employed by the British during World War II. It was capable of destroying some of the larger German tanks and one was assigned to each British late-war Sherman platoon.

No Bow MG The Firefly lacked a Bow MG because extra space was needed to stow the larger 17-Pounder ammo. No WP The Firefly may not fire White Phosphorus as the British did not develop this type of round for the 17-Pounder.

Introduced: 1943 Crew: 4 Weight: 72,000 lbs. Length: 24’3” Width: 8’9.5” Height: 9’9” Ground Clearance: 1’5” Track Width: 1’4.5” Main Gun: 17-Pdr. gun Max Elevation: 25 Ammunition: 73 17-Pdr. rounds Speed: 29 mph Range: 100 miles Trench Crossing: 7’6” Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Commander

Loader

Driver

Gunner

VEHICLE STATISTICS Sherman VC Firefly

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

33

L

14

14

7

9

5

5

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 7

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

10

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG LCMG-10 76XL

40

Penetration APCR HEAT 44

-

HE

HE Size

12

Med

M4 sherman firefly No Penetration

20 17

16 10

9

11

18 12

19 13

14

1

15 8

2

3

4

5

6

7

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. No Effect 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Normal Damage 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

3 7

4

8

20

5 9

10

1 11

12

16

13 17

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

14 18

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Normal Damage 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Crusader IIi 20 17

No Penetration

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

2

6 1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a nonpenetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Unarmored Ammo Racks Early British tanks were equipped with unarmored ammo racks. This slight oversight resulted in several catastrophic kills that could have been avoided by armored ammo racks. Later British tanks would be equipped with these valuable armored ammo racks resulting in fewer casualties when a round penetrated the armor of the tank. As a result of the ammo rack being unarmored, the tank receives a -1 on the Penetration Effects Chart. Commander/Gunner The gunner in the Crusader III also served as the commander. This individual was very overworked and at no time could be Commander Exposed when firing the main gun as he is acting as a gunner, not a commander. Therefore all main gun shots will suffer No Commander penalty as well as the Button-Up penalty. Variants Despite being lightly armored and outgunned the Crusader series saw extensive service in North Africa. By 1943 the Crusader were obsolete and were only used in special purpose roles such as anti-aircraft tanks and artillery tractors. Crusader I This version was the first in the Crusader series. It mounted a 2-Pdr. and had unarmored ammo racks. It was already obsolete when it saw combat for the first time in 1941. 2-Pdr HE The 2-Pounder was never supplied with a High Explosive round. The round did exist but the British never felt it was neccessary to issue the round. This greatly handicapped British tank efforts in France and in the desert, especially when engaging emplacments and infantry. Crusader I CS This was identical to the Crusader I except it mounted a 94mm howitzer which could only fire smoke rounds. Crusader II This variant was also identical to the Crusader I and suffers from all the rules that affect the Crusader I, the only difference is that this version was more heavily armored. Crusader IICS This was a Crusader II with a 94mm Howitzer which could only fire smoke.

Introduced: 1939 Crew: 4 Weight: 33,040 Length: 19’9” Width: 8’4” Height: 8’6” Ground Clearance: 1’2” Track Width: 10” Main Gun: 6-Pdr. Max Elevation: +20˚ Ammunition: 50 6-Pdr. rounds/3,750 .303 cal. rounds Speed: 30 mph Range: 90 miles Trench Crossing: 7’6” Fording Depth: 3’

Tank Crew Positions Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Normal Damage 15. DrivervKIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Driver -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Front

Gunner

Commander VEHICLE STATISTICS Crusader III

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

20

M

7

8

5

6

1

1

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 8

1

TR S

Type Smoke HMG T

10

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

57L

26

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

9

Med

Crusader IIi No Penetration

20 16

18

10

9 1

17

2

11 3

19 12

13

5

6

4

14

15 8

7

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized / MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. No Effect 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Normal Damage 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Normal Damage 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

6

4

3

2 7

8

12

16

9

13 17

L

5 10

20

1 11

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Gunner -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Gunne KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

sdkfz 232 8-rad No Penetration

20

12

17

18

19

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

11

2

1

6

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Driver KIA / MC 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Driver -1 Action 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

16

7

Front

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The unique design of the 8-Rad gave it a high road speed and superb cross-country mobility. It was very reliable and was one of the most common German armored cars in World War II.

Introduced: 1937 Crew: 4 Weight: 16,700 lbs. Length: 19’1” Width: 7’3” Height: 7’10” Ground Clearance: 1’ Track Width: N/A Main Gun: 20mm cannon Max Elevation: +26˚ Ammunition: 180 20mm rounds/2,100 7.92mm MG rounds Speed: 53 mph Range: 170 miles Trench Crossing: 5’ Fording Depth: 2’

Reverse Drive The 8-Rad is capable of full reverse speed. It includes a rear driver position as well as rear transmission and steering. The rear driver may take over the vehicle at the beginning of any subsequent action. If one driver is killed or disabled, the other driver may only move at half speed in the disabled driver’s direction. It is never possible for both drivers to control the vehicle in the same action, or to ever move both forward and reverse in the same action. Cross Country Performance Because of the 8-Rad’s eight wheel suspension, it has much better cross country performance than other armored cars. 8-Rads are not penalized with half movement on Rough Ground, Fields, Shell Holes, Foxholes, Mud or Deep Snow but instead move at full speed. The 8-Rad can move through any other terrain types just as any other armored car.

Tank Crew Positions Driver

Rear Driver

Gunner

Commander VEHICLE STATISTICS SdKfz 232 (8 Rad)

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

9

M

4

3

HS/R TS/R 2

crusade for empire©

2

HT

TT

2

2

Speed Load 15

-

TR N

Type Smoke HMG AC

12

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

20L AC

11

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

sdkfz 232 8-rad No Penetration

20 16 9

18

17

19

10

11

12

13

14

2

3

4

5

6

15 7 8

1

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Tank Immobilized / MC 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. No Effect 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Rear Driver KIA / MC 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Normal Damage 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

No Penetration

20 17 12 7

18

19

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

2

Side hit location

16 11

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

3

4

8

6 7 11

20

1

17

L

5 9

10

14

15

12

13 16

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Rear Driver KIA / MC 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. Rear Driver -1 Action 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

6

1

Rear

18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. No Effect 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Rear Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Normal Dammage 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Rear Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Pz. kpfw Ivf2 20 17

No Penetration

18

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

16 11

7 2

6

1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Hull Gunner -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Front

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Panzer IVF2 was the first in its series to mount a long 75mm gun. This greatly increased the range and the killing power of the Mk. IV.

Introduced: 1940 Crew: 5 Weight: 69,560 lbs. Length: 18’8.5” Width: 9’4” Height: 8’7” Ground Clearance: 1’3.5” Track Width: 1’3.5” Main Gun: 75mm gun Max Elevation: +20˚ Ammunition: 87 75mm rounds/2700 7.92 MG rounds Speed: 23 mph Range: 93 miles Trench Crossing: 7’6” Fording Depth: 2’9”

Panzer Kpfw IVF2 The Panzer IVF2 was one of the best tanks to be deployed in the desert. It was the first German tank to mount the long 75mm gun which was capable of knocking out the most heavily armored British tanks at long range. It was fast and could easily out manuever the inferior British tanks in battle. In addition to its large gun it also had thick armor making it almost impervious to the British 2-Pdr. The only draw back to this tank was that there was never enough of them.

Tank Crew Positions

Hull Gunner

Commander

Loader

Driver Gunner

VEHICLE STATISTICS PzKpfw IVF2

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

23

M

11

11

5

7

2

2

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 9

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

15

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

75L

30

Penetration APCR HEAT 35

-

HE

HE Size

13

Med

Pz. kpfw Ivf2 No Penetration

20 17

16 10

9 2

1

18

11 3

12 4

19 13

5

14

15

7

8

6

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. Hull Gunner -1 Action 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

12 7

17

18

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

16 11 6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

3 7

4

13 17

L

10

20

12

16

5 9

8

1 11

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

2

Rear

14 18

15

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Hull Gunner -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Panzerjager iB 20 No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

11

7 2

6

1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

16

12

Front

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications By 1940 the Panzer I was obsolete. Yet, the Germans decided to replace the turret of the Mk. I with a 47mm gun mounted in an armored superstructure to make the tank more powerful.

Open Top The open top of the Panzerjager Ib had several disadvantages. It exposed the crew to grenade and rifle fire, and to overhead artillery bursts. Any figure who is elevated high enough above a Panzerjager Ib to make a top attack, may fire small arms at the tank’s crew who receive partial tank cover. Grenades may be thrown in using normal grenade rules. If the Panzerjager Ib is underneath an artillery burst in Woods, the crew is effected just as in any other open-topped vehicles. The open top allows the vehicle to use Indirect Fire following all normal rules.

Introduced: 1940 Crew: 3 Weight: 13,228 lbs. Length: 13’7” Width: 6’7.25” Height: 6’10.7” Ground Clearance: 11.5” Track Width: 11” Main Gun: 47mm gun Max Elevation: +10˚ Ammunition: 74 47mm rounds Speed: 24 mph Range: 87 miles Trench Crossing: 4’7” Fording Depth: 2’

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Driver Gunner / Commander VEHICLE STATISTICS PzJg 1B

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

7

S

2

2

2

2/auto

1

auto

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 10

1

TR -

Type Smoke HMG SP

-

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

-

-

47L

19

Penetration APCR HEAT 23

-

HE

HE Size

7

Sm.

Panzerjager iB 20 17

16

10

9 2

1

18

11 3

19

12 4

No Penetration

13 5

6

14

15

7

8

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. No Effect 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Normal Damage 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15 16

8

9

10

3

4

5

7

11

2

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

3 7

4 8

1 11

9

13 17

L

5

10

20

12

16

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Hit / MC 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Hit / MC 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIa / MC

19

12

Rear

14 18

15

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Hull Gunner -1 Action 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander KIA / MC

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

pz. kpfw iii h 20

No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

11

7 2

6

1

Front hit location

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Hull Gunner -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

16

12

Front

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Panzer IIIH was the first model to be equipped with a 5cm main gun. Also its thicker armor and reliability would make the Panzer IIIH one of the best German medium tanks.

Panzer Kpfw IIIH The Panzer IIIH was one of the most powerful tanks to fight in the desert. It’s 50mm gun could easily penetrate the thinly armored cruiser tanks of the British army. It had 30mm of extra armor bolted onto its chassis which gave 60mm of armor in some places. In addition to this, its powerful engine allowed it to move faster then the British Cruiser tank. This deadly combination of armor, speed and armament formed the backbone of the German panzer divisions in the desert.

Introduced: 1942 Crew: 5 Weight: 44000 lbs. Length: 17’6.5” Width: 9’6.7” Height: 8’2” Ground Clearance: 1’2.6” Track Width: 1’2” Main Gun: 5 cm gun Max Elevation: +20˚ Ammunition: 99 5cm rounds/3750 7.92mm MG rounds Speed: 23 mph Range: 84 miles Trench Crossing: 8’7”

Tank Crew Positions

Hull Gunner

Commander

Loader

Driver

Gunner

VEHICLE STATISTICS PzKpfw IIIH

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

22

M

11

7

5

6

2

2

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 9

1

TR N

Type Smoke HMG T

15

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG

-

50

20

Penetration APCR HEAT 25

-

HE

HE Size

10

Sm.

pz. kpfw iii h No Penetration

20 17

16 10

9 2

1

18

11 3

12 4

19 13

5

14

15

7

8

6

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. Hull Gunner -1 Action 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 action 17L. Gunner -1 action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

12 7

17

18

13

14

15

8

9

10

3

4

5

16 11 6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

3 7

4

8

20

5 9

10

1 11

12

16

13

17

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

2

Rear

14 18

15

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Hull Gunner -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Semovente m40 da 75/18 20 17

18

19

13

14

15

12

8

9

10

7

3

4

5

2

Front

No Penetration

16 11 6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Semovente was one of the best Italian armored vehicles made during World War II. This assault gun had thicker armor then most Italian armored vehicles and mounted a 75mm main gun.

Introduced: 1941 Crew: 3 Weight: 25,780 lbs. Length: 16’2” Width: 7’3” Height: 6’ Ground Clearance: 1’4” Track Width: 1’ Main Gun: 75mm gun Max Elevation: +22˚ Ammunition: 44 75mm rounds/1,104 8mm MG rounds Speed: 20 mph Range: 124 miles Trench Crossing: 6’6.75” Fording Depth: 3’3.5”

Tank Crew Positions Loader Commander

Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Loader KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Loader -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a non-penetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Commander/Gunner The commander in the Semovente also served as the Gunner. This individual was very overworked and at no time could be Commander Exposed; when firing the main gun he is acting as a gunner, not a commander. Therefore all main gun shots will suffer the No Commander penalty as well as the Button-Up penalty. Hit location effects that indicate a hit on the Gunner or Commander only apply if the Commander is in that position. Sandbags Many Italian crews would use sandbags on their vehicles to give them additional protection from HE and HEAT rounds. Front Hull sand bags cover locations 8-10 & 12-16 Avaliability-15 Side Hull/Turret sandbags cover locations 9-10 Avaliability-15 Variants When war broke out the Italians soon found their tanks obsolete and unable to stand up to superior British armor. The Semovente M40da 75/18 was originally designed as a self-propelled gun, but served well as an assault gun. Later versions were used by the Germans after Italy’s surrender in 1943. Semovente M41 da 75/18 This version had a larger engine which slightly increased it’s speed. Semovente M42 da 75/18 This version again had its engine upgraded giving it a higher speed. Semovente M42 da 75/32 This version mounted a longer 75mm gun but was otherwise similar to the Semovente M42 da 75/18. Semovente M43 da 105/25 This was the last version to be produced by the Italians before they surrendered in 1943. It mounted a 105mm main gun and its armor was drastically increased. A larger engine was also installed. Italian MG Jamming The Semovente’s AAMG will Jam on on a d20 roll of 18 or higher.

Gunner Position

VEHICLE STATISTICS Semovente M40 da 75/18

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

14

S

6

7

6

6

3

3

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 6

1

TR -

Type Smoke HMG AG

16

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

-

LMG-10

75s

17

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

12

Med

Semovente m40 da 75/18 No Penetration

20 16

18

17

10

9

11

19 13

12

14

15

1 2

3

4

5

6

8

7

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. Hull Gunner-1 Action 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 Action 17L. Gunner -1 Action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

20 17

18

Side hit location

No Penetration

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

4

3 7

6

8

1 11

12

L

5 9

10

20 13

17

16

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Loader KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Normal Damage 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Autoblinda 41 20 17

18

19

13

14

15

12

8

9

10

16

7

3

4

5

11

2

Front

No Penetration

6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The Autoblinda armored car had an advanced design for the period. It had problems with its steering but otherwise had excellent performance.

Introduced: 1940 Crew: 4 Weight: 15,000 lbs. Length: 17’2” Width: 6’4” Height: 8’ Ground Clearance: 1’3” Track Width: N/A Main Gun: 20mm Cannon Max Elevation: +22˚ Ammunition: 1000 20mm rounds Speed: 49 mph Range: 248 miles Trench Crossing: N/A Fording Depth: 2’4”

Tank Crew Positions Loader

Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Driver KIA / MC 15. Normal Damage 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. Driver -1 Action 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

Rear Driver / Gunner

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a non-penetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Reverse Drive The Autoblinda is capable of full reverse speed. It includes a rear driver position as well as rear transmission and steering. The rear driver may take over the vehicle at the beginning of any action after the vehicle has stopped. If one driver is killed or disabled, the other driver may move at half speed in the disabled driver’s direction (reverse of the drivers direction). It is never possible for both drivers to control the vehicle in the same action, or to ever move both forward and reverse at the same time. Rear MG The Autoblinda had a LMG mounted in the rear of the hull. The rear LMG follows all rules and arcs of fire for a Co-ax MG. In addition the rear LMG may be used against any figure in base contact with the engine deck, unless the figure is prone. Note: The rear driver compartment and the rear LMG are next to one another but are independent. The rear driver may take 1 action to switch positions but may not be in control of the rear driver location and fire the rear LMG in the same action. Italian MG Jamming The Autoblinda’s LMG(s) will Jam on on a d20 roll of 18 or higher. Variants The Autoblinda was one of the most advanced armored cars early in the war. It had a driver in the rear in addition to the one in the front. This allowed the vehicle to get out of trouble just as fast as it got into it. Autoblinda 40 This was identical to the Autoblinda 41 except it had two Breda 8-mm LMGs mounted in the turret. These MGs fire using the same mechanism, but each gun (barrel) fires like a normal LMG making a total ROF of 8 each action. Any Jam result on either gun will Jam the entire weapons mount as per normal Jamming rules.

Commander / Gunner VEHICLE STATISTICS Autoblinda 41

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

7.5

M

11

2

3

2

1

1

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 15

-

TR S

Type Smoke HMG AC

-

CMG

LMG(r) LMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

-

20LAC

10

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

-

-

Autoblinda 41 No Penetration

20 16

17

9

10

11

12

2

3

4

5

1

19

18

13

14

15

6

8 7

side

1. Immobilized/ MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Immobilized / MC 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 Action 17L. Gunner -1 Action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader -1 KIA / MC 17L. Gunner -1 KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

1

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2 6

3 7

12

L

4

9

18

14

10

20 13 17

16

5

8 1

11

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Driver KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. Driver -1 Action 18. No Effect 19. Hull Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

19

12

Rear

15 19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. Rear Driver -1 Action 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Driver -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Rear Hull Gunner -1 Action 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Rear Driver KIA / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Driver KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Rear Hull Gunner KIA / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Carro armato m13/40 Front

20 No Penetration

17

18

19

13

14

15

12

8

9

10

16

7

3

4

5

11

2

6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The M-13/40 was one of the most common tanks used by the Italians during World War II. It proved to be unreliable and was prone to catch fire when hit.

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a non-penetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Sandbags Many Italian crews would use sandbags on their vehicles to give them additional protection from HE and HEAT rounds. Front Hull sand bags cover locations 8-10 & 12-16 Avaliability-15 Side Hull/Turret sandbags cover locations 9-10 Avaliability-15 Hull MGs The M-13 series had two Breda 8-mm LMGs mounted in the hull. These MGs fire using the same mechanism, but each gun (barrel) fires like a normal LMG making a total ROF of 8 each action. Any Jam result on either gun will Jam the entire weapons mount as per normal Jamming rules. Italian MG Jamming All LMGs on the M-13 series of tanks will Jam on on a d20 roll of 18 or higher. Variants The M13/40 and its variants were some of the best tanks produced by the Italians during World War II. It was built using the lessons learned from the M11/39. It mounted the 47mm cannon which could penetrate most of the early British vehicles and a more reliable engine. M14/41 This was a vast improvement over the M13/40. It was slower but had thicker armor. M15/42 This version was the best medium tank produced by the Italians during World War II. It had more armor and was faster than it’s predecessors.

Introduced: 1940 Crew: 4 Weight: 30,865 lbs. Length: 16’2” Width: 7’3” Height: 7’10” Ground Clearance: 2’8” Track Width: 1’ Main Gun: 47mm gun Max Elevation: +20˚ Ammunition: 104 47mm rounds/3,084 8mm MG rounds Speed: 20 mph Range: 125 miles Trench Crossing:6’11” Fording Depth: 3’3”

Tank Crew Positions Hull Gunner Loader

Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Loader KIA / MC 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner KIA / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Hull Gunner -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. Loader -1 Action 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Gunner -1 Action 20. Commander -1 Action

Commander

Gunner Position

VEHICLE STATISTICS M13/40

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

14

M

6

6

6

6

3

3

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 6

1

TR S

Type Smoke HMG T

-

LMG

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

LMG LMG-10

47L

19

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

9

Sm.

Carro armato m14/41 No Penetration

20 16

17

18

10

9

11

19 12 13

1

2

3

4

5

14

15 8

7

6

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. No Effect 10R. Hull Gunner-1 Action 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Main Gun Hit/ MC 17R. Loader -1 Action 17L. Gunner -1 Action 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Normal Damage 10R. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Main Gun Hit / MC 17R. Loader KIA / MC 17L. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 17

18

No Penetration

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

4

3 7

6

8

1 11

12

L

5 9

10

20 13 17

16

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Gunner KIA / MC 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

1

2

Rear

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Hull Gunner -1 Action 8. Loader -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 8. Loader KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

Carro armato m11/39 20

Front

No Penetration

17

18

13

14

15

12

8

9

10

16

7

3

4

5

11

2

6

1

Front hit location

Front hit location Special Rules

Specifications The M-11/39 was the first medium tank produced by the Italians. It was mechanically unreliable and by 1940 it’s 37mm gun was almost obsolete. Introduced: 1940 Crew: 3 Weight: 22,000 lbs. Length: 15’6” Width: 7’2” Height: 7’7” Ground Clearance: 1’2” Track Width: 6’7” Main Gun: 37mm gun Max Elevation: +12˚ Ammunition: 84 37mm rounds/2808 8mm MG rounds Speed: 20 mph Range: 125 miles Trench Crossing: 6’7” Fording Depth: 3’3”

Tank Crew Positions Gunner

Driver

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Normal Damage 9. Normal Damage 10. Normal Damage 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Gunner KIA / MC 14. Normal Damage 15. Driver KIA / MC 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2.Imobilization / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Imobilization / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. No Effect 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. Gunner -1 Action 14. No Effect 15. Driver -1 Action 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

19

Riveted Construction The use of rivets in a tank has several substantial drawbacks, one of which is that the rivets will sometimes break off and ricochet within the tank because of the force of a non-penetrating round. Any non-penetrating hit to a location indicating rivets will force a crew member in that location to take a roll on the D Column of the Effects Chart. MCs and Suppressions will be counted as -1 action, just as for any other non-penetrating round. Sandbags Many Italian crews would use sandbags on their vehicles to give them additional protection from HE and HEAT rounds. Front Hull sand bags cover locations 8-10 & 12-16 Avaliability-15 Side Hull/Turret sandbags cover locations 9-10 Avaliability-15 Hull Gun The M11/39 featured a hull gun that was operated by a single man that operated as a gunner and a loader. It takes 2 actions to load because of this arrangement. The Gunner may never gain an Acquired target because he always has to leave the gun sight to load the gun. Driver as Loader If the tank has not moved for at least 2 actions the driver may act as the loader for the hull gun. All normal rules apply. It will take 1 action for the driver to drive again after acting as the loader. Turret MGs The M-11/39 had two Breda 8-mm LMGs mounted in the turret. These MGs fire using the same mechanism, but each gun (barrel) fires like a normal LMG making a total ROF of 8 each action. Any Jam result on either gun will Jam the entire weapons mount as per normal Jamming rules. Italian MG Jamming All LMGs on the M-11/39 will Jam on on a d20 roll of 18 or higher.

Commander

VEHICLE STATISTICS M11/39

Wt.

Size

HF

TF

HS/R

TS/R

HT

TT

11

S

6

5

2

2

1

1

crusade for empire©

Speed Load 6

1

TR S

Type Smoke HMG T

-

-

CMG

AAMG

Gun

AP

2xLMG

-

37

14

Penetration APCR HEAT -

-

HE

HE Size

7

Sm.

Carro armato m11/39 No Penetration

20 16

17

10

9

18

11

19 12 13

1

2

3

4

5

14

15 8

7

6

side

1. Immobilization / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. No Effect 8. Immobilization / MC 9. Main Gun Hit / MC 10R.Gunner-1 Action 10L. Driver -1 Action 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. Gun Hit/ MC 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Immobilized / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Immobilized / MC 8. Immobilized / MC 9. Main Gun Hit / MC 10R.Gunner KIA / MC 10L. Driver KIA / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Normal Damage 14. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 15. Immobilized / MC / Smoke 16. Gun Hit / MC 17. Normal Damage 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Side hit location

20 No Penetration

17

18

19

12

13

14

15

16

7

8

9

10

11

2

3

4

5

6

Rear hit location

Rear hit location

top

R No Penetration

2

4

3 8

1

6

5 9

10

7 12

13 17

16

L

Penetration 1. Normal Damage 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 4. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 5. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 6. Immobilized / MC 7. Normal Damage 8. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 9. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 10. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 11. Normal Damage 12. Normal Damage 13. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 14. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 15. Immobilized /MC /Smoke 16. Normal Damage 17. Normal Damage 18. Normal Damage 19. Normal Damage 20. Commander KIA / MC

1. Automatic Penetration 2. Immobilized / MC 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. Immobilized / MC 7. No Effect 8. No Effect 9. Exaust Hit / Smoke 10. No Effect 11. No Effect 12. No Effect 13. No Effect 14. No Effect 15. No Effect 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 Action

1

11

Rear

20

15

14 18

19

top hit location

1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. No Effect 3. No Effect 4. No Effect 5. No Effect 6. No Effect 7. Hull Gunner -1 Action 8. Gunner -1 Action 9. Half Move / Smoke 10. Half Move / Smoke 11. No Effect 12. Driver -1 Action 13. Gun Destroyed / MC 14. Half Move / Smoke 15. Half Move / Smoke 16. No Effect 17. No Effect 18. No Effect 19. No Effect 20. Commander -1 action

Penetration 1. Main Gun Destroyed / MC 2. Immobilized / MC 3. Immobilized / MC 4. Immobilized / MC 5. Immobilized / MC 6. Normal Damage 7. Hull Gunner KIA / MC 8. Gunner KIA / MC 9. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 10. Immobilized / Smoke / MC 11. Normal Damage 12. Driver KIA / MC 13. Gun Destroyed / MC 14. Immobilized Smoke / MC 15. Immobilized Smoke / MC 16. Immobilized / MC 17. Immobilized / MC 18. Immobilized / MC 19. Immobilized / MC 20. Commander KIA / MC

Side hit location

Crusade for Empire©

the terrain

the terrain types) during seasonal rains. On scenario maps, Open Ground is the default terrain; that is, when a specific terrain type is not denoted on the map, that area is Open Ground. Special Rules Open Ground in North Africa is exactly the same as Open Ground in Easy Eight’s Battleground World War II and follows the same rules. Modeling We suggest using felt or other material of a dark brown color to represent the coastal plain area on the game table

North africa The North African desert is much more than just sand. Throw in the hot sun, mirages, rocky soil, sand dunes and you’ve got yourself one miserable place to fight a war! The terrain covered in this section reflects the terrain of North Africa stretching from Tripoli in the west to Egypt in the east. The overall terrain in this particular part of North Africa is best described as an upside-down saucer. The base of the saucer is the coast with flat coastal plain. This leads sharply up to a rocky escarpment, which is then topped off, by desert that essentially is situated on a plateau. The desert terrain challenged not only those involved in combat but also those who simply just wanted to live. We hope you find the terrain below as difficult as that actually encountered by the British, Germans, and Italians during WWII!

Coastal Plain/Open Ground This particular type of terrain represents the barren, flatlands along the North African coastline that is generally devoid of sand and rocks. These arid coastal plains are known to kick up Dust quite easily and can also become Mud (all

Hammadi This terrain type stretches from the coasts of North Africa into the interior where the Hammadi meets the Saharan Desert. Hammadi is best described as Open Ground densely strewn with small to medium sized rocks. This rough terrain type is a nightmare for wheeled vehicles and tough on even fully-tracked AFVs. The presence of the rocks also makes things more deadly for infantry or exposed vehicles crews when High Explosive and Fragmentation rounds explode, sending not only metal but razor-sharp rock shards into the air. Sighting No effect; models and figures on Hammadi are Open. Movement All infantry figures receive no penalty in Hammadi. Fully wheeled vehicles move at 1/4 their movement allowance and must roll for Bog at the end of each action that any movement is taken. Tracked vehicles are subject to the same rules for wheeled vehicles, but only suffer 1/2 of their movement allowance per action spent moving in Hammadi. Cover No effect; models and figures on Hammadi receive no special cover. Modeling Hammadi can be represented by simply placing a large number of pebbles or stones in a random order around the area on the game table declared as Hammadi.

crusade for empireª 1

the terrain now Jam on a 18 or higher. In addition, a Jammed weapon will take two actions to clear during a Sandstorm instead of the one action it normally takes. Buttoned Up The sheer brute force of Sandstorms forced those who had cover to seek it quickly. Armor crews had an advantage over the poor infantry in the desert when sandstorms occurred and therefore will be inclined to Button Up. All armor crew must Button Up during a Sandstorm but may Unbutton if a normal Skill Check is passed. All Buttoned Up and Unbuttoned rules are in effect during a Sandstorm.

Sandstorms (Ghibli, Khamseen) The Saharan Desert of North Africa is home to fierce sandstorms known locally as “ghibli” in Libya or “khamseen” in Egypt. These massive storms, with winds capable of 100 mph and sweltering heat, whip across the desert sweeping stinging sand and dust in all directions. Sandstorms reach their greatest intensity in the Spring months but are fairly common year round. Such sandstorms are of course dangerous to humans and vehicles alike, blowing sand into exposed body and vehicle parts. Sandstorms can be so intense that humans can be blinded (making navigation impossible) and vehicles be completely buried by the blowing sands. These sandstorms are unpredictable and can suddenly appear in a very short period of time, making it a harsh enemy for all in the North African desert. Sighting Sandstorm sighting rules are like the Night rules found in Red Devils In The Night in that all sighting ranges are tripled (determining range as normal) with Buttoned Up penalty applied if applicable (see Buttoned Up below). All sighting rules remain the same, just as in normal conditions. Sandstorms will make sighting natural obstacles very difficult, particularly wadis, depressions, and higher elevations such as Sand Dunes and Hills. The Gamemaster should take these natural obstacles into effect when determining what a particular unit can actually see in a sandstorm. For example, it is possible for a unit to not see and subsequently fall into a depression until it is too late! Movement Movement is per whatever terrain type is present for the unit in question, i.e. if a unit caught in a Sandstorm is currently in Hammadi, then Hammadi movement rules are in effect. No other special rules apply. Cover Sandstorms provide no cover and only effect sighting as explained above. Jamming Because of the enormous amount of sand blown about during a Sandstorm, there is a possibility that weapons can malfunction or get jammed by sand accumulating in a weapon’s firing mechanism. All firing weapons, including small arms, have their Jam Rate decreased by two numbers any action that weapon is fired during a Sandstorm. Example: A 2-Pounder with a normal Jam Rate of 20 will

crusade for empireª 2

Sangars Sangars are basically walls created by piling rocks together. In terrain devoid of cover, Sangars give some cover to defending troops. However, Sangars can also be deadly to troops when fired upon by large caliber weapons. Large rounds such as LCMG, AT Rifles, and HE tend to splinter the rock walls of a Sangar into flying razor sharp shards potentially deadly to Soft Targets. Sangars are mostly used by infantry but vehicles located in defensive positions for long periods of time can also be protected in this fashion by a large Sangar where the tracks and underbelly are protected (vehicle locations 1, 2, & 6). A one-man sangar requires 4 man actions to build; a vehicle sangar will take twenty man actions (or per GM’s discretion). Sangars can easily be found in rocky terrain types such as Hammadi, Wadis and particular Desert Hills. Sighting Units behind Sangars are considered Concealed. Movement Infantry move through Sangars at normal rate. Vehicles may also move at normal rate through a Sangar, though the Sangar is considered destroyed. Note that movement by both infantry and vehicles are still subject to whatever terrain rules the Sangar is situated on. Cover Sangars generally provide +4 cover to any effects on the Effects Chart. The exceptions are LCMG, AT Rifle, and HE rounds which lose the cover bonus and instead give a -2 on the Effects Chart (for HE this is applicable for

the terrain any unit that is within a Beaten Zone that also includes a Sangar). Modeling Sangars can easily be made by using a hot glue gun to glue small rocks together. When put on a metal base, the Sangar can be made to the size desired whereby a figure or vehicle can easily stand behind it.

Sand

Desert Rise This terrain type represents a landmark with a slightly higher elevation than the desert floor. This can include small rises of only a few feet in elevation (known to the British as “pimples”) or larger terrain not quite the size of hills. A Desert Rise does not have a crest but can offer protection and the Hull Down bonus for vehicles. Sighting A Desert Rise may block LOS but not always. If the sighting figure or unit is above the rise or at its top, it may sight and be sighted per the normal Sighting rules. Because a Desert Rise does not have a crest, a figure or unit cannot be on the “backside” of the Desert Rise like a Hill (because a crest does not exist). Movement Movement is per whatever terrain type is present for the unit in question, i.e. if a unit is currently in Hammadi, then Hammadi movement rules are in effect. No other special rules apply. Cover All figures (infantry) partially behind a Desert Rise (shooting and thus can be shot at by the enemy) receive a +4 on the Small Arms Effects Chart. All HE or fragmentation effects are as normal with no modifiers. Hull Down A Hull Down bonus may be given to a defender where applicable to both the Desert Rise on the gametable and the vehicle. Vehicle Protection If a location on an vehicle is covered by a Desert Rise, that vehicle is undamaged by the round and instead strikes the earth of the Desert Rise.

Further inland from the coast and past the rocky hammadi plains, stretches seemingly infinite desert sands. These deep sands (made famous by Hollywood) have made travel difficult for eons, even for modern vehicles. Sand can cause vehicles to get stuck. Sand also can get into anything and can ruin a working engine. Only the most resolute and daring will try their luck in crossing the desert sands. Sighting No effect; models and figures on Sand are Open. Movement All infantry figures suffer -1” to their movement allowance in Sand. Fully wheeled vehicles move at 1/4 their movement allowance and must roll for Bog at the end of each action that any movement is taken. An exception to this rule are vehicles with tires with low ground pressure, like the Italian Sahariana wheeled truck; vehicles such as these ignore all Sand rules and may move as normal .Tracked vehicles are subject to the same rules for wheeled vehicles, but only suffer 1/2 of their movement allowance per action spent moving in Sand. Cover No effect; models and figures on Sand receive no special cover. Modeling We suggest using felt or other material of dark to medium tan to represent sand on the game table. Of course real sand works great too, if you don’t mind the mess. Some use kitty litter but if you have a cat this may not be the right option for you - the downside is too harsh to deal with.

crusade for empireª 3

the terrain Concealed. Movement All units must spend one action to enter and to leave a Wadi. All infantry and vehicle actions that begin in a Wadi are treated per the movement rules for Hammadi; this represents restricted movement in the Wadi where medium to large size rocks are normally present. Cover Like the cover rules for Gully, infantry receive +3 cover while in a Wadi. Infantry prone within a Wadi are out of Line Of Sight to enemy outside of the Wadi just as being prone in a foxhole. Wadis may be used by vehicles to gain Hull Down advantage where and if applicable, see Vehicle Hit Locations in Easy Eight’s Battleground World War II. Sand Dunes Throughout the desert, sand has been whipped by the wind to form Sand Dunes. These Sand Dunes vary in height with some being very tall and actually resembling hills. Sand Dunes make travel not only difficult, they can also block Line of Sight. Care should always be taken when crossing a Sand Dune. Guns of 57mm size or larger cannot be placed on a Sand Dune due to the unstable and soft surfaces of Sand Dunes. Sighting Sand Dunes block Line of sight like Hills. Sand Dunes are considered to have a crest and therefore also follow the rules for Hills when determining Line of Sight. Movement All Sand rules are in effect. Cover Sand Dunes provide no additional cover. Figures may go prone as normal. Any cover provided by other terrain types apply as normal. Sand Dunes may be used by vehicles to gain Hull Down advantage, see Vehicle Hit Locations in Easy Eight’s Battleground World War II.

Wadis Wadis are essentially gullies carved out of rough ground by sudden flood waters. These Wadis can impede movement but can also provide good defensive cover. Wadis are mostly found in non-sand (total desert) areas and are common along the coastal plains and in Hammadi. Sighting Infantry or vehicles in a Wadi are

crusade for empireª 4

Mirage/Haze Naturally, the desert is home to incredible heat ñ temperatures of 120 degrees or higher are common in the summer months. This made life unbearable in the desert but also caused other problems as well. The heat at times can throw off a haze or a mirage effect that distorts a person’s vision. This made seeing and identifying objects at longer ranges very difficult. Also, the heat was miserable for armor crews. Most crews rarely "buttoned"-up" and if they did so, it was only due to an extremely dangerous combat situation. Heat was surely the most common and one of the most deadly of the elements encountered in the North African desert. Heat effects game play in Crusade For Empire by causing a mirage or haze effect. The desert’s extremely hot temperatures and open expanses combine to cause what is most commonly known as a "mirage", though the term haze can also apply. In these conditions, individuals in the desert have a difficult time gauging distances and identifying objects in the distance. In addition, the presence of allusions can distort one’s vision, and when combined with the heat, can cause the mind to actually "see" things that don’t really exist. Seeing things clearly and knowing what really and what really doesn’t exist in the desert can make the difference between life and death. Sighting When in play this rule will cause a negative

the terrain two column shift to the left on the Recognition Chart and on all Spotting checks; all other sighting rules are in effect. In addition, the Gamemaster is encouraged to engage in a little "license" by possibly placing "images" on the game table for the effected sighting units. In such a case a Gamemaster may put out more or less of the enemy, bigger or smaller vehicles, a camel, etc. The possibilities of actual desert realism can be added with the Mirage/Haze rule. Movement No effect; Mirage/Haze does not effect movement. Infantry cannot however ride on tanks when Mirage/Haze is in play due to the hot metal of tanks in these conditions. Cover No effect; models and figures in Mirage/Haze receive no special cover.

the desert floor which in turn spewed large plumes of dust clouds high in the air. Dust kicked up by large armored formations could be seen for miles in the open stretches of the North African desert and did not help conceal the location of units from the enemy. The problem of Dust was so extreme that some commanders in the desert (namely Rommel) would mount giant fans in the back of trucks to blow dust and confuse the enemy into believing a large formation of vehicles was present when in fact it was a decoy. Dust certainly was an enemy of both the Axis and the Allies in the desert warfare of North Africa. Sighting When Dust is in play, all sighting checks at vehicles receive a positive shift to the right of two columns on the Sighting Chart. This represents the dust plumes vehicles kicked up in the desert which were easily seen by opposing forces. Once a vehicle has been spotted or placed on the game table, Dust should be placed behind the vehicles(s). Movement No effect; Dust does not effect movement. Cover No effect; Dust does not effect cover. Modeling Dust can be represented by spraying cotton balls with tan or brown spray paint. We suggest placing one puffî of dust behind a vehicle for every full game turn spent moving in Dust or while the Dust rule is in play.

Sun Glare The bright desert sun played havoc on sighting due to the sun’s intense glare. Sun Glare literally blinds a person and makes sighting much more difficult and time consuming. Tinted goggles and lenses often helped to reduce Sun Glare and were thus popular and sometimes necessary items found in the field. Special Rules Sun Glare will cause a negative one column shift on both the Sighting and Recognition Charts; all other Sighting and Recognition rules remain in effect.

Oasis

Dust The dry and arid conditions of North Africa presented a unique problem for vehicles in the desert: Dust. Tanks and other vehicles easily kicked up the fine sediment along

No discussion of desert terrain can be complete without mentioning the infamous oasis. Hollywood portrayals show the typical oasis as having lush vegetation and abundant water: a virtual “Garden of Eden.” In the reality of the North African desert, an oasis was really nothing more than an ancient watering hole with sparse vegetation. The importance of these vital water sources were marked on maps and occupation of them played a key part in the logistics of desert warfare. Battles raged for these sites and the water they contained; the most famous being the water hole defended by Humphrey Bogart and friends in the 1940s desert war classic,

crusade for empireª 5

the terrain “Sahara.” Special Rules An Oasis in North Africa is exactly the same as Open Ground in Easy Eight’s Battleground World War II and follows the same rules.

Recognition Chart One of the great problems in combat is recognizing one’s target. In the heat of battle, troops must make split second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. Knowing if a target is friend or foe is crucial for success on the battlefield. Perhaps no where else during WWII was this more of an issue than in the desert. Fratricide, the accidental elimination of one’s own friendly units, was frequent in the desert and this can further be illustrated by similar problems encountered by Coalition forces during Desert Storm. Even modern technology can be ineffective in determining friend from foe. Heat and varying terrain rule on the desert battlefield and these can play havoc with one’s eyes. The Recognition Chart found in Crusade For Empire can be used to create more of a “Fog of War” and to simulate this unique problem on the battlefield. The Recognition Chart looks exactly like the Sighting Chart and works in the same fashion. The difference between the two is that a Sighting determines if a unit has been spotted; the Recognition Chart helps a player determine if the unit successfully sighting can determine or not whether the unit sighted is friend or foe. Recognition Chart How To To use the Recognition Chart simply roll to spot as normal. If a unit has been sighted, roll again on the Recognition Chart applying any applicable modifiers. If the Recognition is successful, then the unit spotted in question is known to the original unit conducting the sighting/recognition. This knowledge is inherent to only the unit conducting the spotting/recognition; other friendly units will not know this information ñ those units must conduct their own sighting and recognition rolls to know this information. The only exception is units in radio contact or in physical closeness; these units may share this information freely.

crusade for empireª 6

Recognition Chart and the GM The GM should use the Recognition Chart as a tool in creating the “Fog of War.” Final arbitration or interpretation should be up to the GM. The GM should be fair yet creative in distributing any new recognition information to the players. For example, one player may know if a target is an enemy but the others may not. In this case the GM can simply tell the player the unit in question is an enemy without putting an enemy unit on the board and thus tipping off the other players. Another option is to distort perception. A GM may wish to place a Tiger, for example, instead of a Mk. IV. This can cause pandemonium and fun but the GM must be fair and careful in executing such a tactic - some passionate gamers may get upset! Remember fun and realism is what is gaming is all about. GMs may also elect to force units to take a Gut Check (or a 1/2 Gut Check) in order to fire on a sighted unit that has not yet been recognized. GMs can also use the Recognition Chart to not reveal or tell damage on a unit until recognition is made. Essentially, the Recognition Chart should be used as a tool and an aid to play. Try not to abuse the overall concept of the Recognition Chart: that is to create the “Fog of War,” not to tip the scales to one side or another! Have fun and good luck - or should we say good eyes! Many gamers love to throw a battle together or to vary a battlefield for that favorite scenario. We at Easy Eight love to fight old battles on new terrain. We also love having a situation where the terrain is a big question mark! Thus, we created the Desert Battlefield Builder. This unique design tool allows players and GMs to randomly create a battlefield in a very simple and fun manner. Give it a try - we think you’ll like it.

12

14 16 AR AR AR AR AR AR

INCHES

Concealed

Concealed Moving

Concealed Firing

Concealed Moving/Firing

Open

Open Moving

Open Firing

Open Moving/Firing

INFANTRY

16 18 AR

Open

Open Moving

Open Firing

18

16

14

12

16

14

12

10

8

6

10

AR

AR

AR

AR

18

16

12

10

15

14

12

10

8

6

4

15

AR

AR

AR

AR

16

14

10

8

23

12

10

8

6

4

-

20

AR

AR

AR

18

14

12

8

6

30

10

8

6

4

-

-

25

AR

18

18

16

12

10

6

-

45

8

6

4

-

-

-

30

18

16

16

14

10

8

-

-

53

6

4

-

-

-

-

38

16

14

14

12

8

6

-

-

60

4

-

-

-

-

-

45

14

12

12

10

6

4

-

-

68

-

-

-

-

-

-

53

12

10

10

8

4

-

-

-

75

-

-

-

-

-

-

60

10

8

8

6

-

-

-

-

83

-

-

-

-

-

-

68

8

6

6

4

-

-

-

-

90

-

-

-

-

-

-

75

6

4

4

-

-

-

-

-

105

-

-

-

-

-

-

83

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

120

-

-

-

-

-

-

90

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

135

-

-

-

-

-

-

105

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

150

-

-

-

-

-

-

120

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

165

-

-

-

-

-

-

135

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

180

Note: Modifiers are NOT applied to the die roll, instead Sighting Modifiers indicate the number of columns to shift. Negative Modifiers shift to the left and positive Modifiers shift to the right.

-2 Mirage / Haze -1 Sun Glare

Modifiers

14

12

Concealed Moving

Concealed Firing

8 10

5

3 10

Concealed

AR

AR

AR

AR

AR

18

14

8

INCHES 4

VEHICLES

Recognition Chart

-

-

-

-

-

-

150

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

195

-

-

-

-

-

-

165

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

210

Recognition Chart

crusade for empireª

7

the terrain Desert Battlefield Builder Included in Crusade For Empire are sheets containing “blocks” of terrain. These may be photocopied with our permission and then cut out. Once the terrain blocks (cut-outs) are cut out, players or a GM may randomly draw terrain pieces and assign that terrain type on a table or map grid. We do this by placing the cut-outs into a hat and then randomly drawing them out for one square on the map grid at a time. The terrain type selected is the dominant terrain type for that entire grid. The cut-out terrain block is then either placed on the map or on the game table to “label” that particular section as having a specific terrain type. It is up to the players’/GM’s imagination to determine whether the grid is wholly covered by the terrain type selected or not, and to what degree. For example, if Sand Dune is selected that particular grid on the map may contain one Sand Dune or several Sand Dunes - this is up to those in charge of setting up the game table and the scenario. Players or a GM may select any, some, or all of the terrain types (cut-outs) to be randomly selected. Also, scenarios may specifically state which terrain types are eligible to be randomly drawn. For example, a scenario may state that the following should be randomly selected from: 4 X Sand (four Sand terrain blocks), 3 X Hammadi (three Hammadi terrain blocks), etc. These should then be randomly drawn and one

type assigned to each square on a grid. Players/GM may also wish to assign more than one terrain type if desired.

Crusade For Empire scenarios The scenarios in CFE all contain a map. Many scenarios also contain recommended terrain types for the Desert Battlefield Builder. The maps included are designed for each scenario and may be played as normal. Please note that the maps presented are not to a particular size or scale. The maps are generic and it is up to the GM or players to make the map “match up’ with the scale and table size specifically in use by the GM or players. Also note that players or a GM may elect to use the Desert Battlefield Builder at their discretion. This will allow fun and variety and enable many scenarios to be played time and time again with different challenges and results. We hope you have a lot of fun with the Desert Battlefield Builder!

nd

Sa

s

ne

nd

Du

Sa

ise

di

rt R

se

a mm

De

Ha

es

un

dD

n Sa

dis

Wa

i

ad

mm

Ha

nd

Sa

crusade for empireª 8

Owner of this sheet may photocopy by permission of Easy Eight Enterprises

Desert Terrain builder blocks

Hammadi

Hammadi

Hammadi

Open Ground

Open Ground

Open Ground

Desert Rise

Desert Rise

Desert Rise

Sand

Sand

Sand

Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes

Hammadi

Open Ground Open Ground Open Ground

Oasis Oasis Oasis

Sand Sand Sand

Wadis

Wadis

Wadis

Owner of this sheet may photocopy by permission of Easy Eight Enterprises

Hammadi

Desert Terrain builder blocks

Hammadi

swanning about Orders Date: June 16, 1940 Time: 1230 hrs. Location: Nezuet Ghirba, Libya Background: At the onset of war with Italy, the 11th Hussars made many forays deep behind the Italian lines. This practice, called by these dashing armoured car troops “swanning about,” caused havoc and confusion for the unprepared Italians. One such foray found a Hussar troop encounter an advancing Italian column in the distance. Determined to give the approaching Italians a fight, the Hussars under Lt. Gape’s command readied for action. Orders: Destroy 50% of the Italian column. Game Length: 14 Turns

forces available Desert Rats of C Squadron, 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own), 4th Armoured Brigade Lt. Gape with Webley Mk 4 Pistol and binoculars

ML 15-1

3 Rolls Royce Armoured Cars with .303 Vickers HMG and Veteran crews of three

ML 13

1 Rolls Royce Armoured Cars with Boys AT Rifle and Veteran crew of three

ML 13

Enter Turn 3 - Desert Rats of 7th Queen’s Own Hussars, Reserve Squadron, 4th Armoured Brigade 1 Morris Car with Regular crew of four

ML 11

2 Mk VI Light Tanks with Regular crews of three

ML 11

1 Cruiser Mk I (A9) with Regular crew of six

ML 11

special rules 1. The 11th Hussars must begin as indicated on the map. 2. Second Lt. Gape may begin in any Rolls Royce of his choosing. 3. Dust and Sun Glare terrain rules are in effect.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

British Start

swanning about Orders Date: June 16, 1940 Time: 1230 hrs. Location: Nezuet Ghirba, Libya Background: In the first days of war in the desert between italy and Great Britian, the British certainly held the upper hand. British armoured cars roamed at will behind the Italian lines, destroying fortifications and capturing men and equipment. Unfortunate for the Italians, many units were not informed of war with Britain and thus had no idea of the British attacks. As the British began to make their presence known, the Italians were determined to show their new enemy they could fight. Orders: Destroy 50% of British forces encountered. Game Length: 14 Turns

forces available Truppe of 1st Libyan Divisione, X Army Colonello D’Avanso with Beretta Model 34 Pistol

ML 15-1

6 L3 Tankettes with Regular crews of two 1 AB 41 Armored Car with Regular crew of four

ML 11 ML 11

One Green Platone (Platoon) with the following, 1 2nd Lieutenant /Sotto Tenente (Platoon Leader) with Model 38A Beretta SMG Two Sections each with, 1 Section Leader/Brigadieri (Squad Leader) with Model 38A Beretta SMG Sub-section A 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore with Model 38A Beretta SMG 1 Gunner with Model 30 Breda LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with Model 1891 Rifle 6 Riflemen with Model 1891 Rifle Sub-Section B 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore with Model 38A Beretta SMG 8 Riflemen with Model 1891 Rifle All Italian infantry carry two SRCM M35 hand grenades Eight Fiat 38R 4x2 Trucks Two Cannone da 75/32 modello 37 field guns (towed) each with Regular crews of four

ML 11-1 ML 10-1 ML 9-0 ML 8 ML 8 ML 8 ML 9-0 ML 8

ML 10

special rules 1. Colonello D’Avanso enters the scenario riding in the AB 41 which he uses as a command vehicle. 2. The two Cannone da 75/32 field guns are each towed by its own Fiat truck carrying only each gun’s crew. Both guns must be unlimbered in order to fire. 3. Sandstorm rules are in effect.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

Italian Start

swanning about GamemasterÕs Special Rules British 1. The 11th Hussars must begin as indicated on the map. Lt. Gape and the Rolls Royce armoured cars under his command spotted the Italians in the distance and essentially waited in ambush for the approaching Italian column. 2. Second Lt. Gape may begin in any Rolls Royce of his choosing. All rules for Gape are also in effect (see Heroes The Men). 3. Dust and Sun Glare terrain rules are in effect. The British Hussars will more than likely see the Italian approach due to the dust the column kicks up in the dry desert. Italian 1. Colonello D’Avanso enters the scenario riding in the AB 41 which he uses as a command vehicle. D’Avanso is under direct and explicit orders to engage the enemy; he will do anthing in his power to see that the British are defeated. 2. The two Cannone da 75/32 field guns are each towed by its own Fiat truck carrying only each gun’s crew. Both guns must be unlimbered in order to fire. Historically, the Italians used these guns as their “ace card.” GMs may want to encourage the Italian players to hold off a bit before whipping the guns out and opening fire. The desert lacks cover and the guns can be easy prey for fast armored cars. Otherwise, the scenario could be over pretty darn soon..... 3. Dust and Sun Glare terrain rules are in effect. Gamemaster 1. Map / Double Blind play recommended. Because of the nature of the scenario, we recommend that the British use a map and keep their forces off of the board. Ideally, the double blind method would work best if space and quantity of vehicles is available.

Historical Outcome The British under Lt. Gape knew pretty quickly that the Italian column encountered was large - perhaps too large for Gape and his small number of armoured cars. Gape nevertheless radioed in the location of the column and in true British hussar fashion charged into the Italians. Gape himself knocked out two L-3s when another group of armoured cars commanded by a Lt. Dier arrived to help out. By now the Italians revealed the presence of one field gun which opened up and caused the outmatched Hussars to fall back. Meanwhile, a mixed force of light and cruiser tanks showed up to assist the armoured cars. By this time the Italians (much to the amazement of the British) formed a Napoleonic-style “square” with a field gun on each corner (though the British did not know this until much later). Even more surprising were many L-3 tankettes on the outside driving about in some sort of a crazy defense mode.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

Licking their chops, the mixed British force attacked the Italian “square.” The L-3s bravely scurried about in a vain attempt to defend the square but were quickly put out of action. As the British tanks “circled the wagons” the Italian field guns gave up their concealment and opened fire. These were also knocked despite the bravery of the Italian gunners. With virtually nothing left to defend themselves, the Italian square folded. Some 200 Italian soldiers were killed, 12 L-3s destroyed, and numerous trucks captured or destroyed. Even worse for the Italians, Colonello D’Avanso was killed and his orders captured. These orders, in a weird twist of fate, read to the effect that “the British must be shown that the Italians are determined to fight back.” Sadly, this would not be the day for this....... Game Options This fun scenario can (like most scenarios) be tweaked in favor of either the attacker or the defender. A fun but not quite historical way to fight this particular battle is to give the Italians a “real” tank. At this time all the Italians had were the L3 tankettes, but it could be fun to play with a M-11/39 or a M13/40 added to the mix. Again, we stress this is not historical but can make this scenario interesting! also, feel free to add in some specific terrain rules other than those presented. A sandstorm can also make things interesting!

DesignerÕs Notes This scenario really captures the first days of war in North Africa. It is important to stress that this stage of the conflict was entirely different to the desert battle fought a year hence. Armored (or armoured in the best British terminology) cars are great fun to play with and can be the basis for many fun scenarios. “Tally-Ho” for you Hussars and a sincere “Good Luck!” for you Italians. Where is a good anti-tank gun when you need one the most?! Desert Battlefield Builder Random Terrain Blocks Available: 5x Open Ground / Coastal Plain 4x Sand 3x Hammadi 2x Sand Dune

crusade for empire

Italian Start

British Start

Closing the Trap orders Date: February 5, 1941 Time: 1228 hrs. Location: South of Beda Fomm, Libya Background: The British offensive against the Italians, known as Operation Compass, has been an outstanding success. British forces, outnumbered and undersupplied, have captured most of Italian-held Libya. The British have literally driven the Italian X Army into a mass retreat down the coastal highway. Now is the chance for the British to “close the trap” by cutting the Italian retreat off near a locale known as Beda Fomm. Orders: Maintain control of the road and prevent the Italians from breaking through to freedom. Game Length: 15 Turns

Desert Rats of 11th Hussars, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, Combe Force One Regular Platoon Command Section with, 1 Platoon Leader with Thompson SMG and Webley Mk 4 Pistol ML 13-1 1 Asst. Platoon Leader with Thompson SMG ML 12-0 1 Radio Operator with No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield ML 10 2 Runners with No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield ML 10 Three Regular Squads each with, 1 Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Asst. Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Gunner with Bren LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield 6 Riflemen with No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield

ML 12-1 ML 11-0 ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

Two Regular Boys Anti-Tank Rifle teams each with, 1 Gunner with Boys ATR 1 Loader with No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield

ML 10 ML 10

One Regular HMG Section with, 1 Gunner with .303 Vickers HMG 1 Loader with No. 4 Mk 1 Enfield 1 Spotter with Thompson SMG and binoculars All British infantry have two No. 36M “Mills” hand grenades

ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

1 Rolls Royce Armoured Car with Regular Crew and .303 Vickers HMG

ML 10

special rules

2. British may start Dug-In.

1. British may receive artillery support. Contact: 15 Avalability: 5

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crusade for empire

British Start

Closing the Trap orders Date: February 5, 1941 Time: 1228 hrs. Location: South of Beda Fomm, Libya Background: The Italians are beaten. The only hope to salvage some pride from this mess is for the Italians to retreat and escape the pursuing enemy. The British have been hot on the Italian heels for sometime, but as yet have not found a way to cut-off the main Italian mass retreating down the coastal highway. The ragged and tired Italians are desperate to escape the British and reach the safety of Tripoli far in the distance. Orders: Seize control of the road and breakthrough to freedom. Game Length: 15 Turns

Truppe of the Italian X Army One Green Platone (Platoon) with the following, 1 2nd Lieutenant/Sotto Tenente (Platoon Leader) with Model 38A Beretta SMG Two Sections each with, 1 Section Leader/Brigadieri (Squad Leader) with Model 38A Beretta SMG Sub-section A 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore with Model 38A Beretta SMG 1 Gunner with Model 30 Breda LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with Model 1891 Rifle 6 Riflemen with Model 1891 Rifle Sub-Section B 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore with Model 38A Beretta SMG 8 Riflemen with Model 1891 Rifle One Regular MMG Section with, 1 Gunner with Breda M1937 and Model 34 Beretta Pistol 1 Loader with Model 38 Carbine 1 Spotter with Model 38 Carbine

ML 11-1 ML 10-1 ML 9-0 ML 8 ML 8 ML 8 ML 9-0 ML 8

ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

One Regular Mortar Section 1 Gunner with 45/5 M35 Brixia and Model 34 Beretta Pistol 1 Loader with Model 38 Carbine 1 Spotter with Model 38 Carbine All Italian infantry carry two SRCM M35 hand grenades and are in trucks

ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

2 L3 Tankettes with Regular crews of two 1 AB 40 Armored Car with Regular crew of four

ML 11 ML 11

special rules

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

Italian Start

Closing the Trap GamemasterÕs special rules British 1. British may receive artillery support. Contact: 15 Avalability: 5. The blocking force under the command of Colonel Combe was well equipped for its task but still had to be conservative with the use of their artillery which had limited ammunition. 2. British may start Dug-In.

historical outcome In a brilliant attack, which lasted from December 9, 1940 to February 7, 1941, the British captured all of Libya and destroyed the Italian X Army. General O’Connor designed his attack around the Matilda infantry tank as its heavy armor made it invincible to most (if not all) of the Italian anti-tank equipment of the day. O’Conner’s plan was straight forward. He would simply give the Matildas infantry support and let the tanks crush any resistance they found. Since the Italians could not stop the Matildas, they were forced to retreat and this soon turned into a rout. To complicate matters the Italian chain of command fell apart and the entire Italian army soon was in a headlong flight back to Tripoli. Most of the Italian X Army was retreating along the Via Balbia which was the only major highway in North Africa. Beda Fomm was one of the many towns which the road ran through. It was at Beda Fomm that O’Conner decided to cut off the Italian escape route. O’Conner selected Colonel Combe of the 11th Hussars, 7th Armoured Division to put the “cork in the bottle” and to close the trap. While the rest of the 7th Armoured Division (along with the Australian 6th Infantry Division) continued to advance along the Via Balbia, Colonel Combe was to lead his force across the desert and seize Beda Fomm. This daring maneuver would thus effectively cut off the Italian escape route. Combe Force consisted of many lightly armored vehicles, motorized infantry and a battery of 28Pounders from the 4th Royal Horse Artillery. This small force was tasked with stopping an entire army! Using back roads and trails, Combe Force cut across the desert and arrived at their blocking positions south of Beda Fomm shortly before the Italians arrived. The Italians instantly attacked the minute they knew that they were cut off from escape. Throughout February 5th the Italians mounted several uncoordinated attacks which were repulsed by the well trained and equipped British. As night fell the Italians became increasingly demoralized as a result of their inability to escape. The morning of February 6 brought more futile and increasingly desperate attempts to breakthrough Combe Force. Again the Italian attacks were poorly planed and uncoordinated. The British threw their assailants back each time

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causing heavy casualties. Despite the failure of the Italian attacks, the British began showing signs of wear. The repeated attacks and the sheer desperation of them caused ever increasing casualties among the British, but they continued to hold. On February 7th the Italians tried once more. This time they were being lead by General Tellera who was one Italy’s more notable generals. The Italian attack was better organized then the ones before and it resulted in some success. During the morning four tanks and about thirty trucks carrying a handful of men broke through Combe Force and escaped to Tripoli. Despite this rather minute victory, the spirit of the Italians was broken and the entire X Army surrendered to British forces. The battle was over by 0900 February 7, 1941. The British offensive resulted in the capture or destruction of over 100,000 Italian prisoners, almost 400 light and medium tanks and nearly 1200 artillery pieces. game options Italians 1. Give the Italians an L3 flamethrower tankette. 2. Replace the Green platoon with a Regular platoon. 3. Add one or two M13/40. 4. Add another Brixia mortar section. British 1. Give the British a few 4”x4” hasty minefields. 2. Add another Vickers HMG section. 3. Another Boys ATR section wouldn’t hurt! 4. Add A Rolls Royce Armoured Car with a Boys ATR and Regular crew. 5. Make the British Veterans.

designerÕs notes Don’t you just feel sorry for the Italians? Poor leadership and bad equipment can make things tough on themselves. And in this particular battle, the British won’t cut them a break. Though the forces are about equal, the Italians have to attack a better armed British blocking force. Sad for the Italians but then again life sometimes just isn’t fair!

crusade for empire

Italian Start

British Start

Once more unto the breach orders Date: April 1, 1941 Time: 0500 hrs. Location: Marsa El Brega, Libya Background: The new German commander, Rommel, struck early at the British by attacking their positions around the town of Marsa El Brega. The British were forced to either hold the town or buy time to retreat back to the main defensive line at Benghazi and Mechili. Not to be upstaged by the newly arrived Germans, the British were determined to hold the town for as long as possible. Orders: Maintain control of three buildings at the end of Turn 15. Game Length: 15 Turns

forces available Tommies of 3rd Batt., Kings Own Royal Hussars, 3rd Armoured Brig., 2nd Armoured Div. One Regular Platoon Command Section with, 1 Platoon Leader with Thompson SMG and Webley Mk. IV ML 13-1 1 Asst. Platoon leader with Tompson ML 12-0 1 Radio Operator with No. 4 Mk I Enfield ML 10 2 Runners with No. 4 Mk I Enfield ML 10 1 Medic with Webley Mk. IV ML 10 Two Regular Squads each with, 1 Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Asst. Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Gunner with Bren LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with No. 4 Mk I Enfield 6 Riflemen with No. 4 Mk I Enfield Two Regular HMG Sections each with, 1 Gunner with Vickers HMG and Webley Mk. IV 1 Loader with No. 4 Mk I Enfield 1 Spotter with Thompson SMG All British infantry have two No. 36M “Mills” hand grenades 2-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun with Regular crew of three: 1 Gunner with Webley Mk. IV 1 Loader with No. 4 Mk I Enfield 1 Spotter with Thompson SMG and binoculars

ML 12-1 ML 11-0 ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

special rules 1. British may be Dug-In. 2. Night rules are in effect.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

British Deployment Zone

Once more unto the breach orders Date: April 1, 1941 Time: 0500 hrs. Location: Marsa El Brega, Libya Background: One of Rommel first forays against the British was at Mersa El Brega where the British held the town. German possession of town was necessary to ensure control of the vital supply lines to Tripoli and its port. Also, a German victory against the British would turn the tables in the desert. The Italians would be encouraged by their new Allies and the British would be taught how to properly wage war. Orders: Gain control of Mersa El Brega by the end of Turn 15. Game Length: 15 Turns

forces available Afrika Soldaten of 6th Kompanie, 5th PanzerRegiment, 5th Leichte Division Regular Platoon Command Section with, 1 Platoon Leader with MP-40 and binoculars 1 Asst. Platoon Leader with MP-40 1 Radio Operator with Kar 98k 1 Asst. Radio Operator with Kar 98k 2 Runners with Kar 98k 2 Kubelwagons

ML 13-1 ML 12-0 ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

Four Regular Squads each with, 1 Squad Leader with MP-40 1 Asst. Squad Leader with MP-40 1 Gunner with MG-34 LMG 1 Loader with Kar 98k 6 Riflemen with Kar 98k All German infantry carry 2 stick grenades

ML 12-1 ML 11-0 ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

Two MMG sections each with, 1 Gunner with MG-34 MMG and P-08 Pistol 1 Loader with Kar 98k 1 Spotter with MP-40 SMG

ML 10 ML 10 ML 10

5 Sd.Kfz.251 Halftracks 2 Panzerjager I with Regular crews of three

ML 11

special rules 1. Night rules are in effect.

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crusade for empire

German Start

Once more unto the breach GamemasterÕs Special Rules British 1. British may be Dug-In. The British knew the geographical value of this area and despite the desicion to make the main defensive line farther east they were not going to give up Marsa El Brega without a fight. 2. Night rules are in effect. German 1. Night rules are in effect. Gamemaster 1. Most of the buildings in the small villages that dotted the North African terrain were and still are made of adobe. While adobe was well suited for the desert it did not provide much protection for troops trying to take cover in such buildings. Special Rules Adobe buildings give troops inside a +3 cover modifier. This modifier does not apply to HE. Troops hit by an HE round or grenade receive no cover modifiers. Adobe just did not stand up to that kind of punishment. Troops may spend two actions to dig a hole through the wall so they may shoot out of the building. Historical Outcome As a result of the devestating defeats inflicted on the Italians by the British, the German High Command decided to send a relief force to help their beleaguered allies. Initially the Germans only planned to deploy a single company of 30 panzers to the region but on February 5, 1941 the force was expanded to two divisions. The 5th Leichte (Light) Division and the 15th Panzer Division formed the Deutsches Afrikakorps. On February 19 the Korps headquarters was established and General Erwin Rommel was selected to be its commander. By March 10, 1941 the 5th Leichte Division was fully deployed in Tripoli. The 15th Panzer Division would not become operational in North Africa until May. Meanwhile on March 12, the 5th Leichte Division began its advance. The division occupied El Agheila on March 24. The assault on the important town of Marsa El Brega was scheduled to take place on March 31. This town was a natural choke point along the only paved highway in North Africa the Via Balbia. To the south of Marsa El Brega was a salt marsh known as Sebcha es Seghira which was impassible to vehicles. Only a strip of land a few kilometers wide ran between the coast and Sebcha es Seghira. Whoever controlled Marsa El Brega controlled this narrow but vital pass. At 0600 the 6th Kompanie along with the elements from the 8th Kompanie and the Panzer-Jager-Abteilung left their assembly areas near El Aghelia and began the advance toward Marsa El Brega. The column was under the command of a Major Rau. As the Germans advanced, they were attacked twice by small British armored formations. It was not known whether these British attacks were intentional attacks or just reconnaissance probes. Regardless, the Germans were able to repulse both attacks easily. The Germans ran into the main British line about two kilometers east of Marsa El Brega. While the bulk of the German force attacked the British fortifications, M.G. Battalion 8 (supported by armor) assaulted Marsa

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El Brega. At 1700 hours German artillery shelled the small town prior to the assault. The attack failed to get into the town although the Germans closed to within one and half kilometers of Marsa El Brega. On April 1 the 6th Kompanie was ordered to assault the town. The attack started off at 0500 and met little resistance. The bulk of the British had already withdrawn to better defensive positions farther to the east. Only rearguard British forces occupied the town. By 0700 hrs. the Germans had completely overrun Marsa El Brega. Elements of the 5th Leichte Division, particularly M.G. Batallion 8 and Panzer-Jager-Abteilung 39, would maintain contact with the British while strong reconnaissance elements probed the defenses of El Gtafia and Agedabia throughout April 2. Game Options German 1. Add another squad of Regular infantry. 2. Throw in a MMG. 3. Add a 5cm mortar. 4. Replace the Panzerjager I’s with a Panzer IB or a Panzer IIF 5. To add a challenge remove either the Pzjg. I’s or a squad of infantry. British 1. Add a squad of engineers with demo packs and satchel charges. 2. Give them a Vickers HMG. 3. Add a Boys Anti-Tank Rifle or a 40mm Bofors AA gun. 4. Simply add another squad of Regular infantry. 5. Add a Cruiser Mk.1 or a Valentine Mk. III. How To Adobe buildings were a common sight throughout North Africa. These were mostly built by the local population where adobe was well suited for the desert. During the day the house would remain remarkably cool even if the temperature would become unbearable. Adobe homes were commonly very simple in only having two or three rooms and no upper level or basement. There were few windows and an open doorway. DesignerÕs Notes Most of the battle was fought in the sand dunes around Marsa El Brega. We though it would be interesting to do a city fight in the desert. It should provide you with a vicious little fight!

crusade for empire

British Deployment Zone

German Start

meeting of stefan orders Date: November 18, 1941 Time: 1500 hrs. Location: 1 km. south of Gabr Saleh Background: The British 4th Armored Brigade found themselves having trouble forcing the Recce units of the D.A.K back from thier initial assaults. Once the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment arrived, the attack would begin once again. Orders: Engage any and all German units and destroy or immobilize at least 70% of those forces. Game Length: 16 Turns

forces available Desert Rats of the 4th Armoured Brigade and 3rd R.T.R., 7th Armoured Division 1st/4th Armoured Brigade A Squadron: HQ Troop with, 2 Crusader I (A9) with Regular crews of five 2 Crusader I (A9) Close Support (CS) with Regular crews of five 12 Stuart I Honey with Regular crews of four

ML 11 ML 11 ML 11

B Squadron HQ Troop with, 2 Crusader I (A9) with Regular crews of five 2 Crusader I (A9) Close Support (CS) with Regular crews of five 12 Stuart I Honey with Regular crews of four

ML 11 ML 11 ML 11

C Squadron HQ Troop with, 2 Crusader I (A9) with Regular crews of five 2 Crusader I (A9) Close Support (CS) with Regular crews of five 12 Stuart I Honey with Regular crews of four

ML 11 ML 11 ML 11

3rd Royal Tank Regiment A Squadron: HQ Troop with, 2 Crusader I (A9) with Regular crews of five 2 Crusader I (A9) Close Support (CS) with Regular crews of five 12 Stuart I Honey with Regular crews of four

ML 11 ML 11 ML 11

B Squadron HQ Troop with, 2 Crusader I (A9) with Regular crews of five 2 Crusader I (A9) Close Support (CS) with Regular crews of five 12 Stuart I Honey with Regular crews of four

ML 11 ML 11 ML 11

C Squadron HQ Troop with, 2 Crusader I (A9) with Regular crews of five 2 Crusader I (A9) Close Support (CS) with Regular crews of five 12 Stuart I Honey with Regular crews of four

ML 11 ML 11 ML 11

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

Crusade for empire

British Start

meeting of stefan orders Date: November 18, 1941 Time: 1500 hrs. Location: 4 km. north of Gabr Saleh Background: By 1430 hrs., Rommel found himself facing the 4th Armoured Brigade with support of the newly arrived 3rd Royal Tank Regiment. Not wanting to release the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions early, Rommel formed Kampfgruppe Stefan from both divisions and ordered them to strike out toward Gabr Saleh and engage the British. Orders: Engage the British armor and destroy or immoblize 70% of the force. Game Length: 16 Turns

forces available Afrika Soldaten of Kampfgruppe Stefan, Afrika Korps Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel with Leica camera 1 Captured British Mammoth w/ General Rommel and Support Staff 3 PzKpfw III ausf. H with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

1st Panzer Kompanie of the 15th Panzer Division with, HQ unit of 2 PzKpfw III ausf. H with Veteran crews of five 3 Platoons each with 5 PzKpfw III ausf. G and Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13

3rd Panzer Kompanie of the 15th Panzer Division with, HQ unit of 2 PzKpfw III ausf. H with Veteran crews of five 3 Platoons each with 5 PzKpfw III ausf. G and Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13

2nd Panzer Kompanie of the 21st Panzer Division with, HQ unit of 2 PzKpfw III ausf. H with Veteran crews of five 1 Platoons of 5 PzKpfw III ausf. G with Veteran crews of five 2 Platoons each with 5 PzKpfw IV ausf. D and Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13 ML 13

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

ML 19-3

crusade for empire

German Start

meeting of Stefan Notes and Record Keeping For 1/285th Historical outcome The 4th Armored Brigade with support of the 3rd R.T.R attempted to push past the Recce forces of the15th Panzer Division. When Rommel decided to form the Kampfgruppe comprising the 15th and 21st Panzers and strike south to engage the oncoming British armor, he attempted to blunt this paticular attack. General Erwin Rommel accompanied the Kampfgruppe and directed the battle from either his captured British Mammoth or one of his other vehicles. In the ensuing action the British lost at least thirty “Honeys” of the 4th Armored Brigade; the 3rd R.T.R. lost almost all of its tanks. The Germans only reported a loss of three tanks and four more damaged. The battle itself would last just over two hours.

designerÕs notes This scenario is not only an excellent example of a large armor battle that took place during the opening rounds of Operation Crusader, it is also a great 1/285th battle. The scenario itself is well balanced with the British “Honeys” having a high rate of speed and and excellent range with their 37XL guns. On the other hand, the Germans have the advantage of having General Erwin Rommel on the battlefield and being able to change orders in an instant! Desert Battlefield Builder Random Terrain Blocks Available: 6x Sand 3x Hammadi 2x Sand Dune 4x Open Ground / Coastal Plain

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crusade for empire

British Start

German Start

British Start

Italian Deployment Zone

Stop the Crusade GamemasterÕs special rules British 1. British advance onto the east edge of the board on Turn 1. 2. The British may use column movement on the first turn only. The British actually advanced in a semi-circle. This special rule is here to ease play. On Turn 1 the British may move any of its units in any order the British player chooses when a British card/chit is pulled. 3. On Turn 6 another Crusader Mk.II squadron will show up. This squadron has the same make up as A Squadron and the same moral. However, this squadron was engaged on another part of the front and has already suffered casualties. Roll a moral check for each tank before it comes on. If it fails then it was knocked out earlier in the fight and will not come onto the board. The British began to draw forces from the flanks of the 22nd Armoured Brigade to reinforce the faltering center. As a result of this sudden movement, the British tanks had to pass right in front of the Italian strongpoints and received heavy fire. Italian 1. Italians are Dug-In.The Italians had just made it to this position before the British attacked. They only had time to dig some foxholes and lay some hasty minefields which were poorly concealed. Gamemaster 1. The British win if they can exit eight tanks off of the west edge of the board. One of those eight must be from the command section. historical outcome On November 18, 1941, the British began the opening phases of Operation Crusader. Developed by General Sir Claude Auchinleck, the plan had two main objectives. The first was the relief of the Commonwealth forces holding Tobruk with the second being the destruction of the Axis armies in Africa. The British XIII Corps was charged with the destruction of the Axis outposts along the Egyptian-Libyan border. Meanwhile, XXX Corps was to draw Rommel’s Afrika Korps into battle. Here the British hoped to destroy the Germans with superior numbers and equipment. After The Germans were destroyed, the XXX Corps would link up with the Tobruk defenders and XIII Corps. This combined force would then turn on the Italian XXI Corps and destroy it. Of course it didn’t work that way....... One of the keys to the British plan involved the seizure of the Axis’ southern positions. These were held by the Italian “Ariete” (Ram) Armored Division. This unit had never seen combat and was not considered a major threat. The British 7th Armored Division (The Desert Rats) under General Gott was ordered to seize this Axis southern flank from the Italians. The 7th Armored Division, especially the 22nd Armored Brigade, would find out that this was easier said then done. The Italian defenses were centered around three strong points. The main British attack fell on the southern and center strongpoints which were held by units of the 5th Bersaglieri Battaglione. The Italian northern strongpoint was able to provide artillery support to their comrades throughout the fight. As a company of Italian armor sallied out to meet the British onslaught, the 5th Bersaglieri Battaglione and supporting artillery took up their respective positions in the strongpoints. The British forced the company of Italian armor back to the strongpoints. After the Italian commander rallied his remaining tanks, his company took up positions north of the three strongpoints and was sup-

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

ported by truck mounted 102mm naval guns of the Italian Milmart (costal defense). The Italian center strongpoint rained death and destruction down upon the British who were caught in the open with no place to go. The Bersaglieri in the southern strongpoint had barely taken up positions before the British hit them. Artillery and antitank guns helped the Bersaglieri hold onto their positions, yet eventually despite the best efforts of the defenders, the British managed to seize the southern strongpoint. In the center the British were not so lucky. The attack on the central strongpoint began to flounder, so the British commander began pulling units from his flanks to reinforce the center. This gave the British though another problem. As the British tanks moved to aid the center, they had to pass in front of the Italian positions. The Italian anti-tank guns were able to hit the British at close range in the sides. The British reinforcements to the center thus had little effect on the battle. An Italian counterattack with tanks supported by the truck mounted 102mm guns threw the British out of the southern strongpoint. This final blow convinced the British to give up and try an easier way to flank the Axis forces. The Italian “Ariete” had not only held - they gained respect from their British enemy! game options Italians 1. Give the Italians a MMG section. This may not do much to the British, but they are only Crusaders and just maybe the MMG can penetrate the rear. 2. Make the Morale of the Italians Regular. 3. Give them a few rounds of Off-Board Artillery. 4. Give them additional grenades 5. To give the Italians a real challenge, remove half of their tanks. British 1. Replace one troop of tanks with a platoon of infantry. 2. Add one troop of Crusaders to the order of battle. 3. Increase the length of the game to 15 turns. designerÕs notes This should give a face paced game for either 15mm or 20mm. The Italians may have poor morale but they are dug in and have plenty of anti-tank equipment. The British have the short end of the stick in this scenario. They have to breakthrough a well defended position without infantry or artillery support and they have to keep half their tanks alive. Historically, they not only lost this fight but they lost it bad! If you can change history give us a call and tell me how you did it!

crusade for empire

Italian Deployment Zone

Stop the Crusade orders Date: November 19, 1941 Time: 0800 hrs. Location: Bir El Gobi, south of Tobruk, Libya Background: At the onset of the British offensive known as “Crusader,” the Italian “Ariete” Armored Division was positioned on the southern flank of Panzergruppe Afrika. A strong enemy tank force approaching from the east was sighted by Italian reconnaissance and orders dictated that it be stopped. Though Rommel believed this was only a probe, this Italian divison new to the desert was determined to stop the British forces entering their sector. Orders: Prevent the British from exiting the West edge of the board. Game Length: 12 Turns

forces available Bersaglieri of 5th Bersaglieri Battaglione, 8th Bersaglieri Reggimento, 132nd Divisione Corazatta “Ariete”

One Regular Platone (Platoon) Bersaglieri with the following, 1 2nd Lieutenant /Sotto Tenente (Platoon Leader) with Model 38A Beretta SMG Two Sections each with, 1 Section Leader/Brigadieri (Squad Leader) with Model 38A Beretta SMG Sub-section A 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore with Model 38A Beretta SMG 1 Gunner with Model 30 Breda LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with Model 1891 Rifle 6 Riflemen with Model 1891 Rifle Sub-Section B 1 Sub-section Leader/ Corporale Maggiore with Model 38A Beretta SMG 8 Riflemen with Model 1891 Rifle All Italian infantry carry two SRCM M35 hand grenades

ML 13-1 ML 12-1 ML 11-0 ML 10 ML 10 ML 10 ML 11-0 ML 10

2 Cannone da 47/32 AT-Guns each with Green crews of three, 1 Gunner with Beretta M1934 Pistol 1 Loader with Model1938 Carbine 1 Spotter with Model1938 Carbine and binoculars

ML 8 ML 8 ML 8

3 “Solothurn” Green Anti-Tank Rifle teams each with, 1 Gunner with Solothurn ATR 1 Loader with Model1938 Carbine

ML 8 ML 8

6 M13/40 with Green Crews of four

ML 9

special rules 1. Italians are Dug-In.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

British Start

Stop the Crusade orders Date: November 19, 1941 Time: 0800 hrs. Location: Bir El Gobi, south of Tobruk, Libya Background: This is it: Operation Crusader, the offensive that will destroy the Axis forces in North Africa. The mission of the British 22nd Armoured Brigade is to simply crush the Italians holding the Axis’ southern flank around Bir El Gobi. Intelligence reports indicate that a new Italian armored division is holding the current position. Determined to test the metal of this new Italian unit, the 22nd Armoured Brigade set off into the sunrise. Orders: Exit eight tanks off of the West end of the board by Turn 12; one of those tanks must be from the command section. Game Length: 12 Turns

forces available Desert Rats of A Squadron, 22nd Armoured Brigade, 8th Army One Regular Squadron Command Section with, 1 Squadron Commander (ML 13-1) in Crusader Mk. II with total Veteran crew of five 1 Asst. Squadron (ML 12-0) Command in Crusader Mk. II with total Veteran crew of five

ML 13 ML 13

Four Regular Troops of Crusader Mk. II’s each with, 3 Crusader Mk. II with Regular crews of five 2 Close Support (CS) Crusader Mk.II with Regular crews of five

ML 11 ML 11

special rules 1. British advance onto the east edge of the board on Turn 1. 2. The British may use column movement on the first turn only. 3. On Turn 6 another Crusader Mk.II squadron will show up. This squadron has the same make up as A Squadron and the same moral. However, this squadron was engaged on another part of the

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

front and has already suffered casualties. Roll a moral check for each tank before it comes on. If it fails then it was knocked out earlier in the fight and will not come onto the board.

crusade for Empire

the lions teeth orders Date: November 19, 1941 Time: 1330 hrs. Location: Somewhere southeast of Bir el Gubi. Background: The British 22nd Armored Brigade had the honor of attacking the Italian “Ariete” Division. Believing that they were facing an understrength company, the British felt highly confident of breaking their defenses and continuing the advance toward Tobruk. They were wrong. Orders: Get off the Western edge with at least 66% of the Armored force. Game Length: 15 Turns.

forces available Tommies of the 22nd Armored Brigade 3rd County of London Yeomanry Regiment with, HQ Troop with, 4 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five 4 Crusader I (A15) Close Support (CS) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13

A Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

B Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

C Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

4th County of London Yeomanry Regiment with, HQ Troop with, 4 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five 4 Crusader I (A15) Close Support (CS) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13

A Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

B Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

C Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Regiment with, HQ Troop with, 4 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five 4 Crusader I (A15) Close Support (CS) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13

A Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

B Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

ML 13

C Squadron with, 16 Crusader I (A15) with Veteran crews of five

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

ML 13

crusade for empire

British Start

the lions teeth orders Date: November 19,1941 Time: 1330 hrs. Location: Somewhere southeast of Bir el Gubi. Background: Elements of the Italian Ariete Division have setup blocking positions in front of Bir el Gubi. With the British units of XXX Army Corps driving hard toward Tobruk, the Italians must stop this threat into their lines of communication or face capitulation of the entire Italian Army. Orders: Force the British advance to stop or retreat. Game Length: 15 Turns.

forces available Truppe of the 132nd Divisione Corazatta “Ariete” Captain Priore (ML 15-2) with, 6 Cannone-AA da 90/53 w/ Veteran Crews

M 12

Major Pasquali (ML 15-1) with, 6 105/28 (105mm) guns w/ Veteran Crews

M 12

12 47/32 Contra Carro Cannone (Anti-Tank Guns) w/ Veteran Crews

M 12

Off-Board Artillery Support Four HE Fire Missions of 6 tubes 75/27 (75mm) Field Guns 12 Contact 10 Availability Three HE Fire Missions of 4 tubes 105/28 (105mm) Field Guns 12 Contact 12 Availability

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crusade for empire

Italian Deployment Zone

the lions teeth GamemasterÕs special rules Italians 1. All AT and AA guns may setup hidden and behind Sangars. 2. The Cannone-AA da 90/53 have D6 rounds of AP. 3. Cpatain Priore may direct fire one of the 90/53’s until that gun is ineffective or the crew is dead. If this happens then he may move to another 90/53 if still alive. 4. Major Pasquali may direct fire one of the 105/28’s or may call in Artillery Support but not both in the same turn. 5. The 75/27 Field Guns have an Availibilty rating of a 12 and contact rating of a 10. Four Fire missions of HE. 6. The 105/28 Field Guns have an availibilty rating of a 12 and contact rating of a 12. Three Fire missions of HE. British 1. The British Armor Regiments begin offboard. The Regiments come on one at a time for the first two turns in any order.

Notes and Record Keeping For 1/285th

Historical outcome The 22nd Armored Brigade attacked the positions in and around Bir el Gubi. They found three heavily defended postions of the Ariete Division dug in with AT, AA guns and infantry of the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment. The 22nd would find themselves hit hard and begin to suffer tank losses that they did not expect. Eventually the tide would turn for the 22nd and they would finally begin to push past the dug-in Italians. The Italians after surprising the British with their AT gun postions and the artillery would begin to surrender en masse to the oncoming armor. Yet the Italians would realize that the 22nd had no supporting infantry and they would return to their guns and begin once again to shoot into the sides of the British Crusaders. designerÕs notes This scenario was concieved for Crusade for Empire after receiving many requests for 1/285th scenarios. The problem with scenarios of this scale is to find actual battles where there were large amounts of armor and little amounts of infantry involved. Luckily this one was found after countless hours of searching. Good luck in playing this scenario. The British will have it tough since they will only be able to engage the Italians with MG fire from their vehicles and use the Close Support (CS) vehicles to drop Smoke on the gun positions. Desert Battlefield Builder Random Terrain Blocks Available: 3x Sand 1x Hammadi 4x Sand Dune 8x Open Ground / Coastal Plain

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crusade for empire

British Start Italian Deployment Zone

Into the Storm Orders Date: May 27, 1942 Time: 1700 hrs. Location: South of “Knightsbridge,” Libya Background: We’ve got the Jerries running scared, mates! Only a thin line stands between us and routing the 15th Panzer Division. However the thin line blocking our advance has teeth. Several of those bloody “88” guns are holding this line. I don’t need to tell you what these monsters can do to our tanks. I’ll try to arrange some artillery support for you. Take out that line and continue the advance and do be careful out there lads! Orders: Crush the German line by destroying all the “88” guns and exiting at least ten tanks off of the East edge of the Board. One of those must be from the command section. Game Length: 15 Turns

forces available

Desert Rats of the A Squadron, 8th Hussars, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division One Regular Squadron Command Section with, 1 Squadron Commander (ML 13-1) in M3 Grant with total Regular crew of six 1 Asst. Squadron Command in M3 Grant (ML 12-0) with total Regular crew of six

ML 11 ML 11

Four Regular Troops each with, 3 M3 Grant with Regular crew of six

ML 11

One Regular Troop with, 3 M3 Honey

ML 10

One Regular Troop with, 3 Mk. II Matilda

ML 10

special rules

3. The British lose the artillery when the Sandstorm strikes.

1. Sandstorm rules are in effect starting Turn 10. See Terrain Section. 2. The British may have a battery of 25-Pounder guns for off-board artillery support. Contact:10 Avalibility:10

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crusade for empire

British Start

Into the storm Orders Date: May 27, 1942 Time: 1700 hrs. Location: South of “Knightsbridge,” Libya Background: Komraden, our drive towards the British strongpoint known as Knightsbridge has taken a turn for the worse. A mixed force of over forty British tanks including Matildas, Honeys, and the new M3 Grant has hit our rear! This attack has thrown our forces into chaos. Because the 5cm guns on the Mk. IIIs are too weak to penetrate the thick armor of the British tanks. It is up to the 88’s. If the line is not held we will be hard pressed to stop the British; iIf this happens then we may lose the Battle of Gazala! Orders: Destroy a significant amount of British tanks so that they are no longer a fighting force. Game Length: 15 Turns

forces available Afrika Soldaten of the 135th Flak Regiment, 15th Panzer Division German Command Section Colonel Alwin Wolz with P-08 Luger and binoculars FlaK 18 “88” Battery 4 FlaK 18 8.8cm guns each with Veteran crews: 1 Gun Commander with Walther P-38 Pistol 1 Gunner with Walther P-38 Pistol 3 Loaders with Kar 98k Rifles 1 Primemover manned by gun crew One Immobilized Panzer Mk. III J “Special” with Veteran crew of five

ML 16-2

ML 13-0 ML 12 ML 12

ML 12

special rules 1. Sandstorm rules are in effect starting Turn 10. See Terrain Section. 2. The Gamemaster must deploy the immobilized Panzer Mk. III J anywhere in the German deployment zone. 3. Wolz may be with any gun of player’s choice.

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crusade for empire

German Deployment Zone

Into the Storm GamemasterÕs special rules British 1. Sandstorm rules are in effect starting Turn 10. See Terrain Section. 2. The British may have a battery of 25-Pounder guns for offboard artillery support. Contact:10 Avalibility:10 Artillery may not always be available to the British because it may have to provide support to other parts of the Gazala Line. 3. The British lose the artillery when the Sandstorm strikes. German 1. Sandstorm rules are in effect starting Turn 10. See Terrain Section. The sandstorms in Libya were fearsome acts of nature that could strike without warning. These could obscure all vision and cause weapons and machines to malfunction. 2. The Gamemaster must deploy the immobilized Panzer Mk. III J anywhere in the German deployment zone. 3. Wolz may be with any gun of player’s choice. Gamemaster The Gamemaster must deploy the immobilized Panzer Mk. IIIJ anywhere in the German deployment zone. This tank was immobilized as it was retreating from the onslaught of British armor. Historical Outcome As the 15th Panzer Division approached the British strongpoint called Knightsbridge, they were attacked by a powerful British armored force from the 4th Armoured Brigade. In this tank force was over forty M3 Grant tanks which England had just acquired from the Americans. These proved to be very successful early in the war. Mixed in with the potent new M3 Grants were some Mk II Matildas and some of the lighter M3 Honeys which were also acquired from the United States. Almost 180 M3 Grant tanks took part in the fighting that day but it was against the 15th Panzer Division that they achieved their greatest success. The 15th Panzer Division was in a state of extreme confusion after the initial British thrust into their rear. The short 5cm barrel on the early Mark IIIs’ proved to be too weak to penetrate the thick hide of the new M3 Grant. Rommel only had two weapons at his disposal that could penetrate the thick skin of the Matilida and the Grant. The first of these was the Mk. IIIJ with the new long 5cm gun - the only version of the Mk. III that could penetrate the monstrous M3 Grants at long range. Rommel had a very limited number of these tanks. Only19 Mk. IIIJs were deployed with the Afrika Korps in North Africa. The second weapon in Rommels arsenal was the FlaK 18 8.8cm cannon. This brutal weapon had already proven itself at Halfiya Pass and at The Cauldron. In both engagements the “88” hammered the British forces with deadly effectiveness. It would take both these weapons to stop the British 4th Armoured Brigade’s attack.

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As the British tanks continued to push aside any resistances offered by the outgunned Germans, Colonel Alwin Wolz, who commanded FlaK Regiment 135, managed to set up a gun line with his FlaK 88’s. These were sufficient to stop the initial British thrust. Wolz quickly began to rally his regiment and managed to extend his thinly stretched line, eventually ralling sixteen 88’s to cover a two mile front. When the British resumed their attack they came under a hail of deadly fire from the Wolz’s gun line. British artillery began to rain down on top of the beleaguered Germans desperately trying to save their division. Some of the British tanks managed to get into point blank range and take out a few of the 88’s. This confused engagement carried on for most of the day. Despite their best efforts, Wolz’s gun line began to crumble under the immense weight of the British armor and artillery. Just when it looked like the German line was going to cave in, a miraculous sandstorm blew in and obscured Wolz’s line from view. The British tanks, too badly mauled to continue on and without the support of the now blinded artillery, retired from the field. Game Options German 1. Give the Germans a Mk. IIIJ Special that can move in addition the one they already have. 2. Make the Mk. IIIJ mobile. 3. Remove one of the FlaK 18 8.8cm guns. 4. Take away the Mk. IIIJ and leave the 88’s to fend for themselves. British 1. Take away the troop of M3 Honeys. 2. Increase the chance of receiving Off-Board Artillery by increasing the Avalibility to 15. 3. Take out the Matildas. 4. Add another troop of M3 Grant tanks. DesignerÕs Notes This engagement was very close and extremely brutal. Both sides took horrible losses but it hurt the British more than the Germans who did most of the fighting with their 88s. At the end of the fight the 8th Hussars, 4th Armored Brigade only had five M3 Grants and eight light tanks left! Desert Battlefield Builder Random Terrain Blocks Available: 4x Sand 5x Hammadi 3x Sand Dune 1x Wadi 5x Open Ground / Coastal Plain

crusade for empire

German Deployment Zone

British Start

Crossing the line orders Date: May 27, 1942 Time: 1600 hrs. Location: 8km west of Bir Beuid, Libya Background: Early in the morning of May 26th, reconnaissance from the 4th South African Armoured Car Regt., reported large German columns moving south around Retna. Believing this was a German feint to draw British units from the vital Trigh Capuzzo roadway to the north, the British 4th Armored Brigade immediately began to deploy for battle. On the 27th the British moved forward towards the southwest only to run smack into a German armored formation a few miles in the distance. Orders: Destroy 2/3 of the German tank force. Game Length: 16 Turns

forces available Desert Rats of “B” and “C” Squadrons, 3rd Royal Tank Regt., 4th Armoured Brig.

3 Grant I Medium Tanks with Veteran crews of six

ML 13

3 Grant I Medium Tanks with American Elite crews of six

ML 15

Desert Rats of “Recce” Squadron, 3rd Royal Tank Regt., 4th Armoured Brig.

3 Stuart I “Honey” Light Tanks with Veteran crews of four

ML 13

special rules 1. Dust rules are in effect.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

British Start

crossing the line orders Date: May 26, 1942 Time: 1600 hrs. Location: 8km west of Bir Beuid, Libya Background: Rommel’s plan to crack the British defended Gazala Line, codenamed “Case Venezia,” focused on a wide sweep of his crack armored units south of Bir Hacheim. Spearheading this assault was the now veteran 15th Panzer Division, which quickly penetrated deep into the British rear. Miles of territory were quickly gobbled up unopposed until hastily deployed units of British tanks appeared in the distance. Orders: Destroy 2/3 of the British tank force. Game Length: 16 Turns

Afrika Soldaten of Panzer Abteilung I, 8th Panzer Regt., 15th Panzer Division 10 Pz.Kfw. IV ausf. E with Elite crews of five

ML 15

6 Pz.Kfw. III ausf. G with Elite crews of four

ML 15

5 Pz.Kfw. II ausf. F with Elite crews of four

ML 15

special rules 1. Dust rules are in effect.

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crusade for empire

German Start

crossing the line GamemasterÕs Special Rules British 1. Dust rules are in effect. German 1. Dust rules are in effect.

12 Stuart I Light Tanks with Regular crews of four

Historical Outcome Recently arrived in Africa just in time for the Gazala battles, the Grants finally gave the British the edge in the tank department. However, theses tanks were spread throughout the entire 8th Army with the hopes of raising morale and were not massed into larger units. The Germans still held the better hand in tactics and morale amongst its tank crews and this was the key factor in this particular battle. Unknowingly, the 3rd RTR charged headlong into the tanks of the 8th Panzer Regt., 15th Panzer Division. Though the Grant posessed a better gun and had better armor than the tanks used against them by the Germans, the British were helpless by the tactics and sheer numbers of the Germans. Swarms of German IIs and IIIs raced into combat with the Grants, giving the outclassed German IVs the opportunity to close the range. The British essentially pulled into line with their Honeys and Grants and began banging away at the Germans but they soon either were destroyed or ran out of ammo. Though giving the 8th Panzer Regt. a bloody nose, the British ultimately fled the field and lost the engagement. Out of nineteen Grants engaged in the battle only seven survived. An interesting sidenote is that the Grants were accompanied from America with three tank crews led by Major Henry Cabot Lodge. This group not only trained the British on their new tanks, they also participated in the Gazala Line battles. It was this group of Americans that was the inspiration for the movie "Sahara" - the original balck-and-white starring Humphrey Bogart and the modern version with James Belushi. Maj. Lodge's group was with the 4th Armoured Brigade at this time so we thought it would be fun to throw them into the mix a la "Sahara".....water, WATER!

3. Give the British and/or German player a tank hero as found in the Heroes section.

ML 11

German Double the forces.

DesignerÕs Notes This scenario highlights the classic tank battles fought in the desert in WWII. It also has fun with the notion of Americans in the desert! An interesting sidenote to this scenario is that the first Grants to arrive in the desert from America were accompanied with three tank crews led by Major Henry Cabot Lodge. This group not only trained the British on their new tanks, they also participated in the Gazala Line battles. It was this group of Americans that was the inspiration for the movie "Sahara" - the original black-andwhite starring Humphrey Bogart and the modern version with James Belushi. Maj. Lodge's group was with the 4th Armoured Brigade at this time so we thought it would be fun to throw them into the mix a la "Sahara".....water, WATER! This scenario is a fun one that can be played again and again. Try this one with the Random desert Battlefield Builder!

Desert Battlefield Builder Random Terrain Blocks Available: 8x Sand 3x Hammadi 4x Sand Dune 2x Wadi

Game Options 1. If desired the three American Elite tank crews may be replaced by Regular British tank crews. 2.This scenario is designed (obviously) for 15mm. However, it can be played using micro tanks in 1/285th with the following suggested forces:

British 16 Grant I Medium Tanks with Regular crews of six 3 Grant I Medium Tanks with American Elite crews of six

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

ML 11 ML 15

crusade for empire

British Start

German Start

Ladies From Hell orders Date: Oct. 24, 1942 Time: 0100 hrs. Location: 5 km., NW of Bir el Atash Background: The British offensive known as the famous 2nd Battle of El Alamein, began with a terrific 5 hour British bombardment on dug-in German positions. General Montgomery’s plan hinged on the massive bombardment of the known German minefields and defensive positions; if his men and tanks could quickly get through and defeat the Germans this far north, the Afrika Korps’ main body of tanks would be forced to come to the rescue and fall right into Monty’s trap. The famed Scots of the 51st Highland Division, nicknamed by the Germans the “Ladies From Hell” because of their kilts, were ordered to lead the path to British victory.

Orders: See GM Game Length: 16 Turns

forces available Scots of the 151st Infantry Brigade, 51st Highland Division “Pipes” MacLeod with Scottish Bagpipes Three Squads Veteran infantry, each with: 1 Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Asst. Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Gunner with Bren LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with Rifle No. 4 Mk I Enfield 6 Riflemen with Rifle No. 4 Mk I Enfield Two Squads Veteran engineers, each with: 1 Squad Leader with Thompson SMG 1 Asst. Squad Leader with Thompson SMG and Demo Pack 1 Gunner with Bren LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with Rifle No. 4 Mk I Enfield 1 Mine Detector Engineer with Webley Mk 4 Pistol 5 Engineers with Rifle No. 4 Mk I Enfield All British infantry carry 2 No. 36M “Mills” hand grenades Six Universal Carriers

ML 16

ML 14-1 ML 13-0 ML 12 ML 12 ML 12 ML 14-1 ML 13-0 ML 12 ML 12 ML 12 ML 12

Tommies of the 50th Royal Tanks, 23rd Armoured Brigade 4 Valentines each with Veteran crews of three

ML 15

Special Rules 1. British infantry and engineers may not ride on tanks at any time during the scenario. 2. Squad Bren LMGs may be mounted on Universal Carriers at player’s discretion. 3. Night rules are in effect. 4. See Heroes for rules on “Pipes” Mac Leod.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

Crusade For Empire

British Start

Ladies From Hell orders Date: Oct. 24, 1942 Time: 0100 hrs. Location: 5 km., NW of Bir el Atash Background: In the north and central sectors of the El Alamein line, Rommel ordered dense minefields and emplacements dug to stop any British advance. Called “Devil’s Gardens” these nasty defenses were full of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, as well as booby traps. Behind “Devil’s Gardens J and L” waited the dug-in men of the 382nd Panzer Regiment. A massive bombardment marked the start of the Battle of 2nd Alamein and the end of the Devil’s Gardens. British tanks and infantry poured through the chewed up minefields and assaulted the German line.

Orders: Prevent the British from penetrating the German line. Game Length: 16 Turns

forces available Afrika Soldaten of the 382nd Pz. Gren. Regt., 164th Leicht (Light) Div. Capt. Krupfganz with MP-40, binoculars, flare pistol and 2 stick grenades

ML 16-2

Two Veteran Squads each with, 1 Squad Leader with MP-40 1 Asst. Squad Leader with MP-40 and Demo Pack 1 Gunner with MG-34 LMG 1 Asst. Gunner with Kar 98k and extra ammo 6 Rifleman with Kar 98k All German infantry carry two stick grenades

ML 14-1 ML 13-0 ML 12 ML 12 ML 12

One 5cm PaK 38 AT-Gun with Veteran crew of four, 1 Gunner with Kar 98k 2 Loaders with Kar 98k 1 Spotter with P-08 Luger and Binoculars

ML 12 ML 12 ML 12

One Hasty Minefield (see Special Rules below)

Special Rules 1. The German Hasty Minefield is a belt extending the width of the game table and 10” in depth. See map and GM for more details. 2. The Germans may begin Dug-in foxholes anywhere within the German area, or in trenches indicated on the map. 3. Night rules are in effect.

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

4. The PaK 38 does not have APCR. 5. See Heroes for rules on Capt. Krupfganz.

Crusade For Empire

Hasty Minefield

German Deployment Zone

Ladies From Hell GamemasterÕs Special Rules British 1. British infantry and engineers may not ride on tanks at any time during the scenario. The British were not very keen on riding tanks into battle like their Russian allies - hitching a ride behind the lines however was a totally different matter! 2. Squad Bren LMGs may be mounted on Universal Carriers at playerÕs discretion. 3. Night rules are in effect. Attacking at night can be both a curse and a blessing! 4. See Heroes for rules on ÒPipesÓ Mac Leod. German 1. The German Hasty Minefield is a belt extending the width of the game table and 10Ó in depth. See map and GM for more details. This minefield represents the remnants of the ÒDevilÕs GardensÓ that were blasted away during the British bombardment the opening night of 2nd El Alamein. Because the minefields were churned up / blown up, the DevilÕs Gardens were not nearly as effective as anticipated. Some of its deadliness was still intact however and is thus represented by the Hasty Minefield in this scenario. 2. The Germans may begin Dug-in foxholes anywhere within the German area, or in trenches indicated on the map. The German player may elect to utilize trenches and/or foxholes at his discretion; the Germans spent a good amount of time in this location and built up a good defensive line. 3. Night rules are in effect. This is certainly to the Germans benefit! 4. The PaK 38 does not have APCR. 5. See Heroes for rules on Capt. Krupfganz. Gamemaster 1. The German minefield contains both anti-tank and antipersonnel mines. This corresponds with which ever unit is making a Chance To Hit roll while moving in the minefield. In other words, if a tank rolls unsuccessfully on the chart, the tank hits an anti-tank mine. Infantry will thus only trip antipersonnel mines. The only exception is when an engineer attempts to remove a mine. If a mine (either type) is successfully removed, there is a 50% chance that there is another anti-personnel mine directly beneath it. Roll a d20. If the result is 10 or less, this second mine will detonate. This was a particularly nasty trick of the Germans in the desert. All other rules for Mines are as found in Easy EightÕs Battleground WWII. 2. The British win by sufficiently causing a breach in the German line or by wiping out the German force. In this scenario it should be easy to determine who is the winner and who is the loser!

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

Historical Outcome The British hit the German sector defended by the German 382nd Pz. Gren. Regt. with two divisions, the 51st Highland Division and the 9th Australian Division. Good foresight, planning, and reconaissance paid off for the British and Montgomery. The pre-attack bombardment really did wonders to the GermansÕ ÒDevilÕs Gardens.Ó Though the British artillery did not completely destroy the German minefields and booby traps, it did make the British attack go much more smoother and faster. The 51st Highland Division quickly made its way through the minefields and assaulted the German line. Hand-to-hand fighting broke out between Germans and Scots. The fighting was bloody and fierce but the German 382nd Panzer Gren. Regt. could not stand up to an entire division supported by tanks. The German line soon crumpled and the Scottish troops poured through the gap. This engagement caused serious problems for Rommel and his forces and basically spelled the beginning of the end for the Axis forces along the El Alamein line.

DesignerÕs Notes Many old-time Battleground gamers might think this particular scenario seems familiar. And in a way it should. This scenario is very similar to the scenario, ÒRing of Desperation,Ó found in the original rule set. In ÒRingÓ a group of Germans were dug-in and holding out against Soviet T-34s with one AT-Gun and some hand-held AT devices. The plight in this scenario is fairly similar in that the Germans must hold the line with very little. A big plus for the Germans in this scenario, however, is the presence of the minefield. It is brutal and well, historically, it really was (sorry). A big key for the German defense is to be patient and to let the minefield take its toll. Firing early will only give the German positions away and make life miserable if not short. The key for the British, ironically, is also patience. One does not want to rush through a deadly minefield and at the same time, one does not want to be a sitting duck. The most important aspect the British players must come to grips with is that some of your men WILL die, and probably horribly. Players who squirm when losing one guy will probably agonize during this scenario. But, hey folks, this is El Alamein for crying out loud! As the old saying goes, ÒNo effort, no result.Ó Just watch out for those mines!

Crusade For Empire

British Start

Hasty Minefield

German Deployment Zone

fortress cairo orders Date: July 21, 1942 Time: 0900 hrs. Location: 20 km. west of Cairo, Egypt Background: Feldmarshall Rommel has won at El Alamein and has just taken Alexandria; now he and the vaunted Afrika Korps is now driving hard for Cairo. The German Army must be stopped at all cost! Orders: Destroy 50% of German forces. Game Length: 15 Turns.

forces available Tommies of XXX Corps 22nd Armoured Brigade with, Two Platoons each with 4 Stuart I Honey and Veteran crews of four One Platoon with 4 Grant and Veteran crews of six

ML 13 ML 13

4th Armored Brigade with, Three Platoons each with 4 Crusader III and Elite crews of three

ML 15

5th Royal Tank Regiment HQ Unit with, 2 Mk. IVA CS with Elite crews of four 2 Crusader III with Elite crews of three One Squadron with 12 Crusader III and Elite crews of three

ML 15 ML 15 ML 15

148th Anti-Tank Battalion with, 4 6-Pounders (57mmL) each with Veteran crews 3 2-Pounders (40mmL) each with Veteran crews

ML 12 ML 12

Off-Board Artillery Support Four HE Fire Missions of 6 tubes 25-Pounder (87.6mm) Field Guns 8 Contact 10 Availability

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

British Deployment Zone

fortress cairo orders Date: July 21, 1942 Time: 0900 hrs. Location: 20 km. west of Cairo, Egypt Background: The British island of Malta has fallen; the DAK has won at El Alamein and are now driving toward Cairo. Feldmarshall Erwin Rommel has now received orders from Hitler to take Cairo at all costs. It is imperative to take the last stronghold of the British Empire before the Americans can intervene. Orders: Destroy 50% of the British forces. Game Length: 15 Turns

forces available Afrika Soldaten of the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisons, Panzerarmee Afrika 23rd Panzer Kompanie with, HQ Unit with, 2 PzKpfw IVF2 with Elite crews of five 2 PzKpfw IV ausf. D with Elite crews of five Three Platoons each with 5 PzKpfw IVF2 and Elite crews of five

ML 15 ML 15 ML 15

25th Panzer Kompanie with, HQ Unit with, 2 PzKpfw IVF2 with Elite crews of five 2 PzKpfw IV ausf. D with Elite crews of five Three Platoons each with 5 PzKpfw IVF2 and Elite crews of five

ML 15 ML 15 ML 15

14th Panzer Kompanie with, HQ Unit with, 2 PzKpfw III ausf. L with Veteran crews of five 2 PzKpfw IV ausf. D with Veteran crews of five Three Platoons each with 5 PzKpfw III ausf. J and Veteran crews of five

ML 13 ML 13 ML 13

118th Flak Battalion with, 4 FlaK 18 “88s” with SdKfz. 7 and Veteran crews

ML 12

Off-Board Artillery Support Four HE Fire Missions of 6 tubes 10cm K 18 (105mmL) Field Guns 12 Contact 14 Availability Three HE Fire Missions of 4 tubes 15cm sFH 18 (150 mm) Field Guns 12 Contact 14 Availability Four Smoke Fire Missions of 4 tubes 15cm sFH 18 (150 mm) Field Guns 12 Contact 14 Availability

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

Germans Enter

fortress cairo GamemasterÕs special rules

Notes and Record Keeping For 1/285th

Germans 1. The FlaK 18s will take four actions to bring into action. British 1. If their are any Sand Dunes (due to Random Battlefield Builder) in the British deployment zone, armor may set up Hull Down. 2. If any British units start in a Hamadi section they may automaticly build Sangars. AT guns may setup behind the Sangars as well.

designerÕs notes This is the third scenario for 1/285th scale in Crusade For Empire. This particular scenario is totally fictional. It was devised as an idea that the Germans had captured the island of Malta, had won at El Alamein and had shortened their lines of communication and supply. The British will have it tough since they are the last of any operational forces in the theatre. The Germans on the other hand are ready and well rested for the assault. Enjoy this hypothetical tank battle for Cairo!

©Easy Eight Enterprises, 1999

crusade for empire

British Deployment Zone

Germans Enter

Bibliography Bishop, Chris

The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. (ISBN 0-7607-1022-8) A noteworthy compendium of the majority of the weapons (including planes) used in World War II. For old-timers out there, this work is a collection of all the old War Machine WWII articles! A treasure indeed!

Carell, Paul.

Foxes of the Desert. (ISBN 0-8740-659-9) Translated from its original German, this interesting work tells the history of the DAK through the stories of the men who fought in it. Recommended reading.

Chamberlain, Peter And Ellis, Chris

British and American Tanks of World War II. (ISBN 0-668-04304-0) Perhaps the best source for overall history and technical detail on all British and American tanks used during the war.

Ellis, Chris.

Tanks of World War II. (ISBN 0-7064-12885) A fairly good source, though broad, on the most popular tanks of WWII; we particularly liked the color pictures!

Green, Jack And Massignanio, Alessandro

Great Campaigns – Rommel’s North African Campaign. (ISBN 0-938289-34-9) A very good look at the war in the desert from a German, and an even more interesting, Italian perspective.

Jentz, Thomas

Tank Combat In North Africa – The Opening Rounds, Operations Sonnenblume, Brevity, Skorpion and Battleaxe, February 1941-June 1941. (ISBN 0-7643-0226-4) In an unending source of material about the Afrika Korps, this first in a series takes the cake. Interesting detail and depth on the DAK, including an enormous amount of technical detail. It even chronicles the first tank lost by the DAK – including the serial number!

Pitt, Barrie

The Crucible of War – Western Desert 1941. (ISBN 1-55778-232-6) The best source on early desert war, both in detail and description. Includes great info on British, Italians, and the first DAK units in N. Africa.

Trye, Rex

Mussolini’s Soldiers. (ISBN 1-85310-401-9) A very in depth look at the Italian armed forces. Color and never before published photographs make this a must for anyone interested in the Italians during WWII.

Verney, G.L.

The Desert Rats. (ISBN 1-85367-063-4) A good read for information pertaining to the British 7th Armoured Division; recommended reading for Anglophiles.

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