Operation Brevity and Battleaxe Situation Map
Looking ahead to 2012, we have some nice projects in store that we are excited about. Now that Beda Fomm has officially sold out, it's time for a new chapter for this popular game and game design. After more than 32 years since it's original release, a new game release is planned using the Beda Fomm game system. Frank Chadwick has submitted his design on Operation Battleaxe, and this game introduces some welcome refinements and enhancements to the Beda Fomm game system.
Once The Hunters ships, we should be able to get working on this project. At the moment, our bandwidth is taken up while we work on Avalanche 2 and The Hunters. To whet your appetites, here is the [unedited] intro for this new game, with the working title, Hellfire Pass.
In March and April of 1941, the German Africa Corps made its debut in North Africa, driving from El Agheila to Tobruk and the Egyptian frontier. When the Tobruk fortress, held by 9th Australian Division, refused to fall, the Axis forces settled down to a siege, surrounding Toibruk but also guarding their eqastern flank along the Libyan-Egyptian frontier.
In May the British attempted a small offensive (Operation Brevity) which alerted the Axis to the potential danger on this front. While the British build up for a larger offensive, the Germans and Italians reinforced and fortified the frontier defenses.
The British offensive, code-named Operation Battleaxe, began on June 15th, 1941. It aimed at overrunning the Axis frontier positions, defeating the Axis armored reserves, and then driving west to relieve Tobruk. The attack came to grief in large part because of the deadly fire of German 88s well-empaced in several key positions, but most famously at the key defile of Halfaya Pass, forever after know as Hellfire Pass.
Hellfire Pass is a World War II simulation of the British Battleaxe offensive which took place from 15-17 June, 1941. There are two players; one commanding the British and the other the Axis forces.
We look forward to sharing more details about this game project once we are able to get to it in our pipeline.