Date sent: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 17:26:50 +0200
From: Markus Stumptner
OK, time again for one of those questions guaranteed to inflame:
Is there anyone on the list who has seen a game of Gazala (Command #34) won by the British, and if so, how did they do it?
I'd like to try it once more with a friend, but since all our previous attempts pretty much ended in British disasters, I have a hard time convincing him (even if I volunteer to play the British). The fact that the setup positions the strongest British armored unit so as to guarantee its pinning on turn 1 (and destruction on turn 2 at the latest), plus the unlimited supply that can be drawn via the Green Hexrow (when historically Bir Hacheim was a major thorn in Rommel's side) appear to make this a foregone conclusion unless the German engages in some first-rate blundering. I liked the concept of the Green Hexrow, but it appears to lack some realistic limit.
I think Carl Gruber reviewed this one for BROG, is he still here?
Date sent: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 11:05:06 -0500
From: Patrick Collins
Is there anyone on the list who has seen a game of Gazala (Command #34) won by the British, and if so, how did they do it?
Yes, I've won that game as the Brits.
I'd like to try it once more with a friend, but since all our previous attempts pretty much ended in British disasters, I have a hard time convincing him (even if I volunteer to play the British).
I think is has reply value, but it's not for those that like to pound their opponent. (Unless you always get to be the DAK.)
If you like being the Russians in XTR's Port Arthur, you'll like being the Brits here. It's sort of like being a Botvinnik vs a Tal in chess.
The fact that the setup positions the strongest British armored unit so as to guarantee its pinning on turn 1 (and destruction on turn 2
True. If the Brit tries to counter pound the DAK while this unit dies, it will be over rather quickly.
at the latest), plus the unlimited supply that can be drawn via the Green Hexrow (when historically Bir Hacheim was a major thorn in Rommel's
Well, that's not entirely true. You need to control some dumps and hexes in awkward locations to assault Tobruk. And it's hard to win unless you do that.
Taking Gazala is hell due to the terrain. I'd be interested to know how your games went. I just can't see the situation you describe.
side) appear to make this a foregone conclusion unless the German engages in some first-rate blundering. I liked the concept of the Green Hexrow, but it appears to lack some realistic limit.
First, the DAK needs to open holes in the minefield for supply purposes. Too few and you can block them - the DAK dies easily when OOS. This takes time, or lets you kill Italians. You must aggressively kill the IT when you get a chance -they're double value.
You also need to always try to keep the DAK from calling a time out. Try not to let him have a too easy pause period. If you can catch him in a forced one, THEN you whomp him. True, it's not easy, but the DAK has a lot of things it needed to do, and the clock is ticking.
Keep in your boxes - you can bleed off steps that way. You have to be an agressive defender. Try to hang on long enough to reduce the value of tobruk to a minimal value. I won, but it was close to the end. I can hardly believe that your games are one sided romps.
I think Carl Gruber reviewed this one for BROG, is he still here?
I did the same for Paper Wars. If Rich doesn't mind, I'll email it to you.
Date sent: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 19:30:58 +0200
From: Markus Stumptner
I didn't mind playing the Russians in Budapest '45 either, so I can live with this. :-)
Anyway, great. I'll take your comments to heart, and I hope they will be convincing enough to gain another attempt with the game from him.