A bit of a diversion from my usual focus but last weekend, I
gamed Operation Combat Series' "Reluctant
Enemies" with a friend, Uncle Napoleon.
The game covers the Allied invasion of Lebanon and Syria in
1941 - Operation Exporter. The Allies
core aim was to take out the Vichy French airbase at Rayak being used by the
Germans to supply a rebellion in Iraq and thus pressing Britain’s oil supplies,
and use of the Suez Canal. The campaign took place as Rommel was upping the
ante in the Sahara, as well as Greece and Yugoslavia falling to the Axis too. For an excellent chronology of the
campaign see pp 7-14 of "Reluctant
Enemies" rules.
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| General Henri Dentz Commander Of Vichy Troops In Syria |
After just about getting my head around the rules and unit
markers, we launched into two days of campaigning. I took the Allies - a mix of
British, Colonial forces and Free French, Uncle Napoleon the Vichy French
defenders with a great array of local levies and some effective heavy artillery,
cavalry and even air power. As per the real events, stiff Vichy resistance, using
the difficult terrain including plenty of narrow valley routes effectively
seriously hampered the Allied advance – as did some unlucky dice.
After two days, the Allies suffered a crushing
defeat – my advance had been far too slow and piecemeal.
Still a good way to waste a weekend in good company.
