Hellfire Pass

2 miles inland, on the Egyptian-Libyan border, Halfaya Pass carves a natural route through the 600 foot high escarpment that extends southeast toward Sollum. In World War II, whoever controlled the pass held the main westward access into Libya and …

1941-06-15

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2 miles inland, on the Egyptian-Libyan border, Halfaya Pass carves a natural route through the 600 foot high escarpment that extends southeast toward Sollum. In World War II, whoever controlled the pass held the main westward access into Libya and the key to any relief of the besieged garrison at Tobruk. Unfortunately for the British, since April 14, 1941, that key was firmly in the hands of Lieutenant-General Erwin Rommel's Afrikakorps. On May 15, the Desert Rats of 7th Armoured Division briefly capture the Pass, during Operation Brevity. But a mere 11 days later, Rommel strikes back. Operation Skorpion puts his three assault groups firmly back in control of the pass. With the Germans now also controlling the Airfields in Crete, time is running out on the British. Under pressure from Churchill himself, General Wavell launches Operation Battleaxe. At dawn on June 15th, the 11th Indian Brigade, with support of the Matildas from the 4th Royal Tank Regiment, advances on what will soon be known as "Hellfire Pass"...

Halfaya Pass, Egypt

Hellfire Pass is the name of a railway cutting on the former Burma Railway in Thailand which was built with forced labour during the Second World War, in part by Allied prisoners of war. The pass is noted for the harsh conditions and heavy loss of life suffered by its laborer's during construction. Hellfire Pass is so called because the sight of emaciated prisoners laboring at night by torchlight was said to resemble a scene from Hell.

Wikipedia: Hellfire Pass

German/Italian

British

Game Type: Standard

Board Type: Desert

Website Access: Available