Cassandra's Curse (First Problem)
Decision-Forcing Case
This post forms the fourth part of a decision-forcing case study. If you haven’t done so already, you will want to read the first three parts of the series. (These provide information about the protagonist of the case, the situation in which he finds himself, and the order-of-battle of the formation he commands.)
The First Problem
It is now 26 October 1941. Earlier today, General Rommel ordered you to prepare to take part in an attack the British fortress of Tobruk. To this end, he deprived you of one of your armored divisions (21st Armored Division), replacing it with the Africa Division.
Once you implement this order, the German mechanized force operating between the belt of frontier forts and British-held enclave at Tobruk will be cut in half. At the same time, the number of reconnaissance battalions operating in the open desert will drop from two to one.
In addition to serving as the “eyes and ears” of the aforementioned mechanized force, the reconnaissance battalions also engage in “counter-reconnaissance” operations. That is, they prevent the British armored car units that operate in the desert from locating German forces in that area.
How do you react to this situation? What, General Crüwell, are your orders?
The game continues with:
3rd Reconnaissance Battalion guards the left (southern) flank of DAK, coordinating closely with Italian XXI Corps to provide early warning of any enemy attacks and to defeat enemy reconnaissance efforts. 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion will move to the west with DAK and continue to guard the DAK’s left flank as it and XXI Italian Corps move towards Tobruk. In order, Commander 15th Panzer Division will counterattack enemy forces attacking into DAK area if responsibility that are beyond 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion’s capabilities to defeat.
I would also request additional artillery support for DAK, especially the Africa Division, as it has insufficient indirect fire support for an assault against an enemy in a deliberate defense in prepared positions. If this can come from Italian forces, all the better.
I order the 33rd Aufklarungs Abt. to screen the left (southern) flank of the DAK while it is forming up for the assault on Tobruch, as it will not be needed (or useful) in the assault on the fortress. I advise General Rommell as well as the Commander of the Italian XXI Corps and of 21 Pz Div of my intentions.