Never Seen Before*
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Date: January 28, 1941*
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Battle Type: British vs Italian Meeting Engagement*
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Design: Ed Mortimer*
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Updated for v6*
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The decline of the Italian Empire may have begun with the Battle of Agordat in Italian East Africa.  The Battle of Agordat lasted 3 days, but the opening gambit by the British set the tone -- and foretold the eventual outcome.  This scenario depicts the initial armour engagement that started the battle.*
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The British used HMG Carriers from the Cameron Highlanders Infantry Battalion as bait to draw the Italian L3-35 and M11-39 tanks out in the open.  The Italian tankers must have seen a glorious victory coming their way, and swept across the desert to engage the attacking force.  Once the Italian tanks were out in the open, the British sprang their surprise: 4 Matildas.  It was the beginning of the end for the Italians.*
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In the after battle report the Italians sent the message to Rome that they had been engaged by "tanks of never before seen size."  The Matilda II had arrived.  The Italians were caught off-guard and were unable to counter the new Matilda II tank.  With only 25 M11-39's in all of Italian East Africa, and far from enough anti-tank guns, the fate of Italian East Africa could be seen in the outcome of this battle.*
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Note that one of the Matildas had a jammed gun and could not fire.  This is simulated in the scenario by a lack of ammo for that Matilda's main gun.*
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This is a very quick 16 turn engagement.  The scenario is playable from either side, but can be a tough nut to crack from the Italian side.*
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Note that this was not the first time the Italian Army had faced the Matilda II, but it was the first time for these specific units.*