once more behind the sand dunes
...
The field of 20 players was down sharply from last year's
record total, owing in part to competition with other classics
that have gone to a Free Form Swiss Elim system. Next year's
format will feature a change in tournament format to a similar
system to increase ease of scheduling matches and opportunities
for players to simply play as many games as they want, with their
best three games used to qualify for the single elimination semifinals.
Even
with a reduced field, however, there were plenty of surprises,
with new players and returning veterans making their presence
known. Play balance shifted in favor of the Germans, with 14
German wins to the British 11. The first round mulligan format
would prove to be the salvation of some players, and the bane
of others. The first round (mulligan matches included) featured
13 matches, with six German victories. Those surviving the gauntlet
to the second round included newcomer Bert Schoose, John Popiden,
prior champions Bruno Sinigaglio, Randy Heller, GM Jonathan Lockwood,
Greg Smith, and Vince Meconi, Russian Campaign veteran Gary Dickson,
Paul McCarthy, Victor F Hogen Jr, Joe Collinson, and PBEeM champion
Ed Menzel.
The second round revealed the first of a series of shockers,
as "newcomer" (actually a returning veteran) Bert Schoose
dispatched GM Lockwood in three moves as the Germans, using a
variation on the down and out that caught the British by surprise
and took Tobruch. Gary Dickson advanced on a bye after having
won his mulligan first round to advance. Other matches had John
Popiden (Ge) def Joe Collinson (Br), Vince Meconi (Ge) def Victor
F Hogen Jr (Br), Randy Heller (Br) def Ed Menzel (Ge), Bruno
Sinigaglio (Ge) def Greg Smith (Br), and Paul McCarthy (Br) def
Robert Hahn (Ge).
The third round featured Bert Schoose playing the role of
"giant killer", as his Germans defeated defending champion
Randy Heller's British in a match in which Randy said he "was
simply outplayed" by Bert. Other matches had Gary Dickson
continue his advance with a strong defense as the British to
grind down and outlast McCarthy's Germans, while perennial opponents
Vince Meconi and Bruno Sinigaglio met once again, with Vince's
Germans getting the better of Bruno's British this time.
The semifinals had yet another Schoose shocker in store, this
time for Vince Meconi, as he was defeated as the British by Schoose's
Germans in three moves ONCE AGAIN, as Bert used precisely the
same opening that he used to defeat Lockwood in similar fashion
back in Round 2. Meanwhile, John Popiden, deciding to rely on
his defensive skills in the later rounds, halted Gary Dickson's
advance by defeating his Germans, leaving Gary to finish in third
place, a superb showing for his first appearance in this tournament.
The championship match was indeed a classic, with Bert Schoose
attempting to make a perfect run as the Germans all the way to
the championship against Popiden's British. But Popiden spotted
Schoose's initial "down and out" trap and refused to
fall for it, instead falling back slowly towards Alexandria against
Schoose's relentless assault, one that had the Germans at the
gates of Alexandria on October II, 1941, but with only one supply
remaining on board. Gambling that he could get one supply in
the next two turns (75% chance overall) and hold off the British
Crusader counteroffensive by crowding the British attack space,
Schoose continued his assault. But Popiden saw what Bert did
not; namely that his British could get a 3-1 on one of Bert's
7-7-10 units. On November I, Popiden unleashed his counterattack
against 21/5, destroying it and effectively kneecapping the German
offensive. This would be practically anticlimactic, however,
as the Germans failed to get supplies on the next turn. Popiden
continued his counteroffensive against Ariete, driving the Germans
back once again. The Germans then failed to get supplies for
a second consecutive turn, forcing a German surrender, and giving
John Popiden a well earned wood against a truly formidable German
opponent.
2003 PBeM Tournament
The First Afrika Korps BPA Play by email Tournament
has ended. Veteran wargamer, Ed Menzel, defeated a very tough
opponent, Doug Burke, for the championship. The Single Elimination
Tournament started with 26 entrants and lasted 20 months. Ed
finished 5-0, while Doug went 4-1. There were no easy games for
either of these gentlemen. Ed defeated Richard Van Vugt, Dan
Tierney, Greg Smith, Jonathan Lockwood and finally, Doug. Smith
and Lockwood have a total of three WBC Afrika Korps plaques.
Doug defeated Bruno Sinigaglio, Mark Gutfreund, Vince Meconi
and Randy Heller - dudes who collectively own four WBC Afrika
Korps plaques.
The Championship - Ed Menzel (Axis) versus Doug Burke (Allies)
The Axis made the standard opening drive toward Tobruch. The
arrival of the 15th Panzer Division forced the Allies off the
escarpment blocking access to the Tobruch heights. On II May
41 the Axis attacked the Tobruch perimeter driving the Allies
back. The two recce units were diverted to the south to block
two Allied brigades attempting to reach the Axis rear supply
lines. On I June, the Axis AV'ed the brigade occupying the last
hex outside Tobruch plus another blocking brigade in the pass
east of Salum.
The Axis drove toward Alexandria leaving Italians to guard
the Tobruch garrison. Over the next two months, several Allied
brigades that were harassing the German rear areas and blocking
the coast road were eliminated through isolation. A 1-1-6 astride
the coast road was isolated rather than attacked, because the
Axis did not want to use a Supply unit to eliminate one factor.
On the other hand, the Allies didn't want the Axis nailing two
units with one supply. The 1-1-6 was positioned so that, while
it blocked the road, it didn't prevent units from going around
it.
While the Axis were busy isolating this unit, the Allies decided
to get in a first strike before the Axis could hit their main
line. Thus an Axis 3-3-10 was attacked at 3-1. The result of
the attack was a DB2. Though at the time, it didn't appear to
be that critical, in hindsight this attack pretty much dictated
the crucial events of the next couple of turns. It turned out
that it was essential for the Allies that the 3-3-10 be eliminated.
Had it died in the attack, even via an exchange, subsequent moves
would have been altered quite a bit. Four 1-1-6's that were eliminated
on the next turn, might not have been attacked and coupled with
the exchange of Ariete, it would have been impossible for the
Axis to get a 3-1 versus Tobruch.
On I Aug, the Axis attacked the Allied defense line around
Fuka. The Allies were aggressive and counterattacked Ariete getting
an exchange. But in doing so, they weakened the Tobruch garrison
so that the Axis could scoot west and get a 3-1 on the fortress.
The Axis had a choice of continuing the assault toward Alexandria
or taking Tobruch. It is a difficult choice, as the Allies are
weak enough that there were good prospects of taking Alexandria
before the horde of Nov reinforcements arrived.
Rommel finally decides to go for Tobruch. But the Allies fight
hard taking out 10 Axis factors in exchange before Tobruch falls.
In addition, the Allies exchange out an Italian blocking the
coast road. The Axis is now down to six units. They are able
to muster one more attack on II Oct and then fall back to a north-south
defensive line around Matruh to await their own November reinforcements.
On I Dec, the Axis again attack the Allied defensive position
around El Alamein eliminating four brigades with AVs. Because
the Axis can concentrate their forces better, they have excellent
prospects of being able to grind down the Allies in a war of
attrition even though the two armies are essentially even in
strength. Realizing this, the Allies launch a desperate counter-attack
including two 1-1s on the 7-7-10s. Both result in AE, and the
Allies graciously surrender their now hopeless position.
It was a tough exciting game, well played by both sides. Lady
luck was fairly even-handed. Supplies were not a problem for
the Axis, although they attacked sparingly and used isolation
to starve out a number of Allied units. The Allies had some poor
luck, as they could not get any DEs with their attacks on Ariete
and a couple other units. But the Axis got hurt rolling two exchanges
on two 3-1 attacks on Tobruch. All in all, an exciting game befitting
the end of an enjoyable tournament.
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