Hello all,
I'm running a particiaption game of Crossfire at an upcoming convention, involving the delaying actions fought by British and Commonwealth forces while Tobruk was fortified during Rommel's first offensive. I've found a moderate amount of material about Mechili, which seems mostly a siege, but precious little about the clash that occurred near Derna around the same time.
8th MG Battalion is attacking, under Oberst Ponath. The defenders I am pretty sure are 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who were assigned to screen the retreat of the 9th Australian Division to Tobruk. The 5th Royal Tank Regiment's literal handful of remaining Cruisers also play a part.
This seems like a great demo game; German blitzkrieg headed for the rear with only a few plucky Brits in the way. Desperate defense, cavalry riding to the rescue, gallant last stand and all that. Also a primarily infantry fight in the rougher ground near the coast, so better for Crossfire.
I've pieced together the OOB for 8th MG Bn., and 1st Bn., KRRC should just be a stock British battalion. All I can find about the actual fight though is that the British hold off two assaults, and then 5 RTR's counterattack delays the Germans long enough that the remaining British can evacuate before the last Cruisers are knocked out.
That's enough to run a game, of course, but if anyone knows where to find a good map of the location or a more thorough report of the battle, it would be much appreciated.
