Operation Brevity*
*
Date: 15th May 1941*
Battle Location: Sollum/Halfaya Pass*
Battle Type: UK Assault vs Axis Defend*
Units: 450: Turns: 50 : Map: 200x160
**
Description:*
Operation Brevity was a limited offensive designed to retake the key border town of Sollum from the Axis in order to set the stage for the relief of the besieged Tobruk garrison. *
*
Orders:*  
Sollum controls a pinch point in the Coastal Escarpment where the main coast road (retitled the Via Balba when it enters Libya) climbs a switchback. However the more rugged Halfaya Pass is the real key to the Sollum position. Whoever controls Halfaya effectively controls the Sollum position. Halfaya Pass would be re-titled 'Hellfire Pass' by the troops.
**
Brigadier Gott, You have the following 3 groups of forces at your disposal:*
-Coastal Force-*
2 Companies of the 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade*
Mortar and Pioneer Platoons of 3rd Bn, Coldstream Gds (3/CSG)*
5th Australian A/T Bty, 2/2 Australian Anti Tank Regt*
8th Field Regt, Royal Artillery*
Supporting armour(various)**
Coastal Force should act to secure the northern end of Halfaya Pass, and also probe towards Sollum as circumstances allow.*
*
-22 Guards Brigade Group-*
1st Bn, Durham Light Infantry (1/DLI)*
2nd Bn, Scots Guards (2/SG)*
3rd Bn, Coldstream Guards (3/CSG)*
4th Royal Tank Regiment (4/RTR)*
A Tp, 12th Anti-Tank Battery, 2/3rd Australian Anti-tank Regiment**
22 Brigade is intended to be the main force to take the Halfaya Pass from the South. It should also take Galala and on towards point 206. One battalion is held in reserve with transport allocated for this task.*
*
-7th Armoured Brigade Group-*
A Coy, 2nd Bn, Rifle brigade*
2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2/RTR)*
6th Australian Division Cavalry (elements) (6/ADC)*
7th Support Group (elements) including an arty troop and some 'B' vehicles to taxi your reserve*
1 Sqn, 11th Hussars (A/11 Hussars)*
B Tp, 12th Anti-Tank Battery, 2/3rd Australian Anti-tank Regiment**
7 Brigade is intended to take the Sidi Suleiman area, and then exploit the enemy flank up towards Point 206 if circumstances allow.*
*
Enemy forces appear to consist of Italians garrisoning the pass and Sollum. However the Germans are reorganising near Forte Capuzzo just over the border into Libya so you may well be subject to some counter-attack from them. Don't forget to bring up your A/T guns!. Your mortar platoons have short range but have trucks to move them up as required. You have some support from the Desert Air Force.**
Unfortunately the 2 regiments of the RTR are not fully up to strength as yet and 2 RTR had to be partially made up with the old A10 Heavy Cruiser model. Unfortunately the newer Crusader Cruisers are still on the convoy. *
*
Design Notes:*
5th Australian A/T Bty, 2/2 Australian Anti Tank Regt fought as infantry in Sollum, so are deployed as a rifle platoon.
**
If played against the AI, the human player should take the UK side.*
Not designed for play with the UK as AI. May be suitable for PBEM.*
*
Designer: Andy Gailey*
*
Referneces:*
http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.paterson/battles1941.htm#Brevity*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Brevity*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Brevity_order_of_battle*



