Phillip invited me for a game of BKCIV at Leighton Buzzard Wargames Group. His mighty Kampgroup Thomaz vs the 139th Light Heavy Infantry under Lt Col Antrobus. Timeframe: Late 1941. 2000 points each. Only thing not allowed was prepared bombardments. I forgot that bit, and bought one anyway, but did not use it!Phil is a great chap, and has beautiful forces and great terrain, what is not to like?
My list, this time, Antrobus has aquired the help of a squadron of Lend Lease tanks, his newly added Valentines, and the three Crusaders that he was used to. One infantry company with the veterans and the mortars had the Valentines, the other was led by Antrobus had the HMGs, the Bofurs and the four lend-lease tanks.Both had two trucks and a carrier platoon. The third command the Humber and the three Crusader tanks. No 2lbers, portee or dismounted will be used. 139th Light Heavy Infantry, in their prime, so far down the Army Order of Precidence that the retired lighthouse keepers bin emptiers from Trinity House march before them. 
Phillip had laid out his wonderful terrain as I had got there. On the left, a sea of dunes encroach towards two wooded thickets. On this flank, Antrobus led his forces. The armoured squadron of Crusaders deploy behind the woodland in the centre. One of my observers lurks in the rocky ground nearby, Thomaz deployed his recon and an AOP towards the dunes, with his air observer the other side of the woods; while he masses armour in the centre.
On the right, in the setting sun, the Valentines escort the trucks on a right hook as they try to take the village. More German armour lurks out there, while Thomaz's infantry transports and other transports lurk behind an area of rough ground. Another artillery observer waits to advance. 
Antrobus snatched the initiative. Antrobus, the sort of man who is so certain of his future, he already
own his robes bought for when he takes his future seat in the House of Lords, and the dress for his future wife (who he hasn't met yet) to wear.
At long range, the Grant/Lees spat out destruction and finished off the recon element of Kampgroup Thomaz (Phil had been wanting to try out the recon rules, kind of stopped that, but at least my Humber would spend the game showing how it was done). During his turn, Phil tried to call in his heavy gun battery, but with his first roll of the game, managed to blunder his roll, and called in the artillery on his own batteries position, causing five hits which he did not save and wiping it out! 
On the right, the veterans debus and take on one of Kampgroup Thomaz's observers, killing him. The infantry pushed on through the village, while one of the Valentines takes on and helps kill a panzer, which was also targetted by British 25lbers, which also damaged some of the other panzers. Thomaz's infantry advanced into the rough, and were joined by two 88s! Eeek!
On the left, Antrobus, despite taking a nasty wound from the artillery and airstrikes, which he would dine out on for years. It also kills the carrier platoon and a transport truck, but his section of the force crosses the sandfield and makes good progress towards Kampgroup Thomaz. The infantry debuses and almost catches the other German artillery observer. His Bofurs sits on a dune, helping the reduce the threat of Stuka air cover. The Lend-Lease Stuart sneaks through the German wood to try and flank the Panzers, which were being damaged by the Grant/Lees.
In the central wood, the Crusaders took a battering from the German panzers. However, the wood had provided significant cover from the twin 88s or the Stukas. Unfortunately, it did not save them. The Humber reconnassance troop was feeding back information to the artillery observer, leading to shots being ranged in across the the field with increaded accuracy. 
My infantry was starting to make waves through the German counterparts from the flank, the Valentine's were holding his own. Now my one blunder of the night struck! Forcing the right hand flank to break cover and advance a full move towards the enemy. This parked the two remaining Valentines (one had been taken out by Panzers already) directly in front of the panzers, a really bad plan. One was surpressed, one destroyed. Nope, seconds later, two destroyed. Humph!
A really blurry shot, but it shows the damage Phil's central panzers had suffered, being wiped out.
British artillery had taken it's toll in the middle, eliminating both 88s and two infantry stands, then had 'accidently' wandered onto Kamphgroup Thomaz's transport park at the rear. The right hand British infantry units were targetting the Germans in the rough with small arms too.
The mess in the woods. Lybian scrap dealers are going to make killing! 
Two Grant/Lees and the Honey had survived, while Antrobus's infantry troops were closing in on Thomaz's infantry from the left side.
This forced Thomaz's hand to retire, and despite his three remaining Panzers outfighting the British armour, the armour was still around and would cause trouble for the two remaining Grant/Lee troops. He had lost five out of eight tanks, two infantry platoons, an entire battery of artillery, an observer, two 88s and his recon, he was feeling brittle. His support assets were badly dented and his infantry were under threat. Antrobus had not lost any infantry, but the loss of eight tanks, a truck and a carrier was painful. A close, minor victory for the British. A great game, lots of laughs and great fun all round.
I was impressed with the new Lend Lease tanks. I also realised that I do not actually have enough infantry for my forces. I had to use one of my new engineers as infantry. Maybe some ANZACs or Indians to bolster their strength?
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