World at War #64: Rats of Tobruk – North Africa 1941 recreates one of the most iconic battles of the Western Desert campaign during World War II — Rommel’s Easter Day attack on Tobruk in April 1941. Using a refined version of the Famous Divisions game system first introduced in World at War #20: Grossdeutschland and #34: Guards Armoured, this two-player operational/tactical wargame captures the intense fighting between German and Allied forces for control of the vital Libyan port city.

• Historical Setting: The game focuses on the fierce German assault led by Rommel’s 5th Light Division against the Australian 9th Infantry Division and supporting British artillery batteries, who were tasked with defending Tobruk Harbour — a critical Allied supply point along the North African coast.
• Refined Famous Divisions System: Building upon the innovative command activation mechanics of the series, Rats of Tobruk offers fluid, alternating play through HQ activations. Instead of traditional turns, players activate command groups one at a time, ensuring dynamic and unpredictable engagements.
• Operational and Tactical Depth: Each hex represents approximately 500 metres, allowing for detailed tactical manoeuvres across the western half of the Tobruk fortifications. Commanders must balance offensive momentum, defensive coordination, and limited resources to achieve victory.
• Authentic Desert Warfare Experience: The system models command friction, combat chaos, and the challenges of armoured assaults in harsh desert terrain, offering an accurate and immersive representation of Rommel’s early North African operations.

Each game turn represents around six hours of real time, reflecting the pace of action during the siege. The alternating HQ activations simulate the shifting initiative of desert warfare — with no fixed “player turns,” every decision and activation matters.

Game Components & Features:

• 1 x 22x34” full-colour map depicting the western Tobruk defences (1941)
• 280 die-cut counters representing Allied and Axis units, HQs, and support assets
• HQ activation-based sequence for fluid, non-linear play
• Detailed representation of desert terrain and fortifications
• Playable in one to two sessions for two players

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Battalion / Company
Hex: 500 Metres
Turn: 6 Hours

World at War #64: Rats of Tobruk – North Africa 1941 delivers a compelling blend of tactical precision and operational decision-making, putting players in command of elite units in one of the desert war’s defining moments. Whether you lead the stalwart Australian defenders or Rommel’s aggressive Panzer formations, every activation will test your command ability and nerve.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s home for wargames, strategy titles, and historical simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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