Special: Africa – the Fall of Tripoli

Commanders,

Those of you interested in WWII history will recognise January 1943 as a momentous month in the North African Campaign. It was when Rommel’s forces were pushed out of the capital of Italian Libya, Tripoli – a very important victory over the Axis forces because it marked the beginning of the end for Axis aspirations in North Africa.

We would like to celebrate this special anniversary with you, so we have prepared a lot for you to enjoy, including some very rewarding missions! Expect the following:

50% Credit Income Bonus on the following standard vehicles:

II  Pz.Kpfw. II	IV  Pz.Kpfw. III
V Pz.Kpfw. IV	V StuG III
IV Valentine	IV Matilda
V Crusader	V Churchill I
III M3 Stuart	IV M5 Stuart
IV M3 Lee	V M4 Sherman
V M10 Wolverine	III  M7 Priest
V Bishop

 

20% Credit Income Bonus on the following standard vehicle:

VII Tiger I

These bonuses will be available from 24th January 06:10 until 27th January 06:00 CET (GMT+1).  

 

Missions

Special events require appropriate missions! Make sure you prepare yourself for the following tasks:

Axis & Allies
Goal	Win 15 battles.
Reward	15 Large Repair Kits
Conditions	Random Battles only. Vehicles of Tier IV and above only. Only experience from battles where you are in the top 10 by basic experience counts (i.e., experience bonuses for the first victory, premium account, etc., are not taken into account to determine the top 10). You can receive the reward each time you complete the goal.

It’s Too Hot Here!
Goal	On any Summer Map, be in the top 10 players by basic experience earned in the battle.
Reward	5 Automatic Fire Extinguishers
Conditions	Random Battles only. Vehicles of Tier IV and above only. Once per day*. Only experience from battles where you are in the top 10 by basic experience counts (i.e., experience bonuses for the first victory, premium account, etc., are not taken into account to determine the top 10). *A day is from 06:10 to 06:00 CET (GMT +1)  (i.e. when the daily double experience amount resets).

The Extra Mile
Goal	Fight 50 battles during the special.
Reward	1 Binocular Telescope
Conditions	Random Battles and Team Battles*. Vehicles of Tier IV and above only. Once per account. Only experience from battles where you are in the top 10 by basic experience counts (i.e., experience bonuses for the first victory, premium account, etc., are not taken into account to determine the top 10).

*Please note that the battles fought will be counted together. This means that you don’t have to concentrate on one particular battle mode – as long as the total battle number is achieved, it’s up to you to decide to go for just one mode or to hop between them.

 

These missions will be available from 24th January 06:10 until 27th January 06:00 CET (GMT+1).

 

Special Missions

Besides the missions listed above, there will be two additional tasks which, if completed, will provide some very desirable rewards. Don’t miss out on them!

Victory Counts!*
Goal	Complete the mission Axis & Allies four (4) times.
Reward	T-15, German Tier III Premium Light Tank** Garage Slot
Conditions	Once per account.

* This mission will be available from 24th January 06:10 until 27th January 06:00 CET (GMT+1). 

**If you already have the vehicle in your garage, then upon the mission’s completion you will be rewarded with the tank’s worth in gold

 

For Victory We Fight!*
Goal	After achieving a vehicle’s first victory of the day, win a battle with that vehicle!
Reward	Double Experience for the Battle
Conditions	Any battle mode Only experience from battles where you are in the top 10 by basic experience counts (i.e., experience bonuses for the first victory, premium account, etc., are not taken into account to determine the top 10). You can receive the reward each time you complete the goal.

*This mission’s bonus will apply to any vehicle once it has achieved its First Victory of the Day, and the mission will be available from 26^thJanuary 06:10 until 27^th January 06:00 CET (GMT+1).

 

History

Libya was an Italian colony from 1911 until 1943. The region witnessed extensive military operations during the Second World War. The opposing sides took turns at dominating the region.  At the end of 1942, the British finally managed to take the upper hand, and slowly started to push the Italian and German troops out of Libya. However, the advance was hampered by long supply lines (the main Allied supply port at this time was Tobruk) and supplies had to travel almost 1,000 kilometres to reach the frontline. Capturing the next major port – Tripoli, the capital of Libya – became crucial.

On 15th January 1943, General Montgomery launched the 51st (Highland) Division against Rommel's defences near Buerat, while sending the 2nd New Zealand Division and 7th Armoured Division around the inland flank of the Axis line. While the German defenders were relatively strong, they had been weakened by the withdrawal of the 21st Panzer Division to Tunisia, and by a lack of fuel and ammunition. Under strong Allied pressure, Rommel was once again forced to conduct a fighting retreat towards the Tunisian border and the French-built fortifications called the Mareth Line.

The advance was hastened with a flanking attack by the 2nd and 7th Divisions, moving almost 400km by road towards Tripoli within a week. Tripoli, with its major port facilities, was taken on 23rd January and it was quickly restored to operations, receiving the first ships by mid-February. Capture of this port city and the Axis retreat from Libya marked the beginning of the end for Axis forces in North Africa.

However, even while in retreat the Axis forces in North Africa were still dangerous.  At the beginning of December, the first Tiger heavy tanks were deployed to Tunisia to help hold the northern flank of the Axis holdings in Africa, but it wasn’t until January when the last of the sPzAbt. 501 Tigers arrived. While they made an impact both tactically and psychologically, the Desert Campaign was slowly drawing to an end.

 

Celebrate with us, Commanders!