"Freyberg's Left Hook"
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New Zealand Campaign
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March 21st 1943 - March 27th 1943
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Design by Ts4EVER
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After their defeat at El Alamein, German and Italian forces pulled back to the French colony of Tunisia, hoping to use the French "Mareth Line" 
to stop the allied advance. With American forces landing to their west and the British advancing from the east, their position had become desperate. 
Still, there was some fight left in Rommel's soldiers and the position was strong. A plan was devised to assault the Mareth Line frontally, a risky prospect.
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However, Montgomery had an ace up his sleeve:
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In addition to the frontal attack, he had planned an outflanking maveuvre through the "Tegaba Gap" south of the Mareth Line. This gap between two mountain ranges 
would allow the British to get behind the defenses and potentially cut off the whole axis force by seizing the coastal town of Gabes 
astride the main highway. This would trap the Germans and Italians in a cauldron that would be difficult to escape.
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The task for this outflanking movement was given to Lt.Gen. Freyberg and his 2nd New Zealand Division, reinforced by the tanks of 8th Armored Brigade 
and a regiment of armoured cars from 1st King's Dragoon Guards. Redesignated the "New Zealand Corps", this force had to make the complicated outflanking maneuvre 
and reach the Tegaba Gap in time to coincide with the main attack on the 20th of March. However, on the 19th of March the Axis spotted the New Zealand column...
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In this campaign you will command the 6th New Zealand motorized infantry battailon, supported by artillery, mortars, pioneers and antitank guns. 
Outside of your core force you will receive support from British armor, consisting of Sherman, Grant and Crusader tanks. It is possible to be more 
successful than the actual operation, unlocking a final "what-if" type mission. 
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"Hill 201"*
21st/22nd March, 1943*
6th Battailon, 2nd NZ Division*
Tebaga Gap, Tunisia*
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We moved all night on March 19th, intending
to make a surprise march by night on 20th to coincide with a frontal assault
on the Mareth Line. When however it seemed likely that the enemy was
aware of our assembly we decided to waste no further effort on deception but
to rely entirely on speed. We therefore moved in daylight on 20th in desert
formation and raced north to break through to El Hamma and Gabes. - Lt.Gen. Freyberg
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Despite our reliance on speed, the going through the rough terrain of the desert proved tough. We only reached the Tebaga Gap on the afternoon 
of the 21st. 
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Intelligence: Probes by the British armor supporting us have identified the main defensive line of the Italian "Saharan Group" along an old 
Roman wall. In front of this obstacle lies Hill 201, from which the Italians have a commanding view of the gap. The defenders consist of dug-in Italian 
infantry, supported by an assortment of artillery.
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Your task is to seize Hill 201 in a night attack. The tanks of 8th Armoured Brigade will then use our penetration to fan out into the enemy rear at first light. 
Our sappers used the cover of darkness to clear two lanes through the minefields protecting the axis position.*
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Objectives: Capture the Hill 201 and eject the Italians from the Roman wall behind it.





