Author	triangular_cube
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany, Italy
Play Date	2022-12-22
Language	English
Scenario	DeRa017

The dice really liked the Germans and it made an interesting play through here. Germans are dug in on a ridgeline with an infantry force with some 37s, with a recon force coming on the board at some point. The recon force has an 88 which is key. They also have an obscene amount of OBA.

Brits have a large mechanized force that must drive them off, and sit on the road at the end of the game. The VC step losses are probably going to be met by both sides unless one side denies an engagement. The first main decision they must make is whether to approach mounted or unmounted. I used the 3rd edition open topped rule, which isnt strictly correct for 2nd ed Desert Rats and may have broken the balance towards the Germans... Brits approach mounted, hoping the Germans dont get too many Xs on approach, as each would elimintate 3 steps. The tanks sweep up the right side of the ridge, hoping to call for surrenders and then swing back up the road to knockout the lightly armored recon force.

The Germans are basically the fun police in this run. They roll an amazing amount of 2,3,4s on the max bombardment table, and the 30,22 DF table (massed MGs with a 2 combat mod captain on the ridge) and just shred the Brit infantry in their APCs. Making matters worse, their 37s snipe off the APCs with the Col and Maj locking the brits from cat/dec rules in place. So they just keep getting pounded and pounded until nothing is left. The tanks do make it to the ridge, and get some surrenders, but ultimately get bogged down for 2 turns while the German INF throw themeselves into assaults to tie them up as the 88s get into position and start dispatching the tanks.

Really though, 3rd vs 2nd edition open topped rules broke this one from a strong Brit favorite to the Germans just obliterating them. So major asterisk next to this one. Interesting play though, and an example of how different rule sets affect balance.