Mersa Matruh Road
After the failure of Operation Battleaxe (June 1942) in North Africa General Wavell was removed from command and replaced by General Auchinleck. Churchill pressed Auchinleck to mount an immediate offensive despite the short supplies. In preperation for this straffing attacks occurred on a regular basis prior to the Crusader Battles in November 1942. One of these attacks took place over the Mersa Matruh road on November 1st 1942. Kittyhawks of the No. 250 Squadron of the Royal Air Force set out to straff targets along the Mersa Matruh road when they were jumped by MC 202’s of 18 Gruppo. Capitano Franco Bordoni-Bisleri added two of his twelve victories over North Africa that day by shooting down two of the Kittyhawks.
Arena
SEA
Country Percentages
Allied – 60%
Axis – 40%
Allies:
Units:
P-40E – 100%
Orders:
Allied units are to roll from A6 and attack the Port 8.
Restrictions:
Must cary 1-500lb bomb. Ships at the port are “not” a target.
Axis:
Units:
C202- 100%
Orders:
Units are to roll from A16 and CAP Port 8. Don’t delay flight to Port 8. Axis units are only a sector closer to the Port.
Restrictions:
Must carry 100% fuel.18 Gruppo should not cross East of the 11 line until dots are spotted. May rearm at A10.
Victory Conditions:
P-40 - 10 points
C 202 - 10 points
Objects on field:
Docks - 3 points
Vehicle Hangers - 20 points
Fuel tanks - 4 points
Radar - 8 points
Ammo Bunkers - 4 points
Barracks - 4 points
Ack - 2 points
Arena Settings
1. Terrain - Tunisia
2. Icon Range - Short
3. Radar - Off
4. Fighter and Bomber Warning Range – 52,800 about 10 miles
5. Tower Range – 52,800 (for display to aid players, set to match the above setting)
6. Visibility - 17 miles
7. Wind –None
8. External view for bombers (F3) - On
9. Friendly Collisions - Off
10. Enemy Collisions - On
11. Kill Shooter - Off
12. Fuel 1.2
13. Ack .5
14.Time – 1400 X2
Designer Notes
The actual Mersa Matruh road is East of Tunisia 150 miles West of Tobruk. When the 250th squadron was attacked they had a flight of 12 vs a flight of 4 with the 18 Gruppo. For playability the percents will be 60/40.
CM Notes
Suggest P28, A9, A29, A6, P22, A34, A15, and P23 set as Allied. Warn players of enemy ack in friendly area due to strat targets. If over 40 players hosting CM may add A10 to the Allied list of targets. If time for a second frame adjust side percents if needed. Suggest P-38G vs C202.
Design By
James 'daddog' Glazier
