Line of Defence

Hello and welcome back to another update of Forgotten Hope. Today we're showing the second map that will be featured in the upcoming patch. This map, made by Bizness, is about the battle for the Tunisian Mareth Line, in March 1943.

"After the German defeat at El Alamein, Rommel's plan was no doubt to retreat back into Libya and set up another defensive line, closer to his supply ports. However, when the allies landed in Morocco and Algeria during Operation Torch, these plans were cut short and Rommel was forced to retreat into Tunisia and attempt to defeat the two allied armies seperately."

"The first clash between armies in Tunisia was at the Kasserine Pass, where the experienced German-Italian forces managed to inflict great casualties upon the unexperienced American soldiers. However, the allied army remained intact and was even advancing in the north. This forced the axis on the defensive, leaving them no choice but to dig in along the Mareth Line, awaiting the arrival of the British 8th Army."

"As the British were preparing their assault of the Mareth Line, Rommel made one last attack, aimed at disrupting British preperations and delaying their assault. The attack was a large failure however, as the German tanks rode straight into a position of well-concealed British anti-tank guns. The order to retreat was given the same day and it marks the last battle of Rommel in Africa. On March 10th he returned to Germany, never to see Africa again."

"On March 19th the attack on the Mareth Line began with Operation Pugilist. The 50th Infantry Division managed to penetrate the line near Zarat, but on the 22nd a German counterattack took back most of the bridgehead. At the same time the allies attacked the Tebaga Gap. Here, the fighting raged on for four days, but the allies were unable to make much progress against the stubborn German defenders. Operation Pugilist failed in that it did not break the German defence of the Mareth line, but it did provide a good start for the next attack."

"Operation Supercharge II was launched on March 26th. After a large bombardment the allied tanks went in. This time they did make significant progress and by nightfall they had created a gap in the axis line of defence. The next morning the German 15th Panzer Division counterattacked, but failed to stop the allied advance. By the evening of March 27th the axis forces had withdrawn from the Mareth Line."

That's all for this week, but be sure to come back next time for another update. Until then, feel free to visit our IRC channel and our public forums to discuss this update and other news.