Thermopylae 1941

**Thermopylae 1941** is a scenario in *Panzer Corps 2*.

## Briefings

Mein General, our enemies are on the run!

The devastating effect of our advance has caused even more of an impact than we originally assumed. The negotiations for the surrender of all Greek forces are nearly complete, and radio intercepts indicate the British are preparing to once again evacuate from the European mainland.

As it stands, the situation presents a total collapse of Allied efforts across the Balkans, but we have been ordered to maintain pursuit to fully capitalize on the situation.

**Primary Objective: Control the pass at Thermopylae.**

**Bonus Objective: Raid Bralos.**

**Bonus Objective: Destroy 22 British Units.**

Our vanguard is close on the heels of the battered and retreating British forces, and we should be able to inflict considerable damage on them as they continue to flee.

But while the British are in full retreat, air recon has spotted several Australian and New Zealand formations taking up rear guard positions.

While such forces would normally pose little threat to us, they have entrenched in the historic pass of Thermopylae. I feel compelled to point out that the natural defenses of these narrow passes should not be underestimated.

Encircling their positions will be near impossible, and any weight of numbers will be ineffective in such confining terrain. I recommend we spearhead our advance with the strongest units in our roster, supported by ample close air support.

Speaking of air support, there is good news to report in this regard. The British evacuation has stripped Greece of all Allied aircraft, so the only resistance our bombers will face is from enemy air defense forces. So we can comfortably place our fighters into reserve, at least for now.

Once we break through the defenders, there might be some time left to continue the pursuit of the British forces.

To victory, for Germany!

### Debriefing

Mein General, I have several reports for your immediate attention.

For starters, congratulations are in order. Our campaign through the Balkans has been a spectacular success. Once again we have ejected the British from the European mainland, and we finally have broken the Italian deadlock in the region that has plagued us since late last year.

You may have noted the absense of Greek forces defending the historic pass, and it seems this is largely to do with just how successful we have been in the campaign. I have received a request from the Greek Commander addressed to you personally: it seems they wish to surrender directly to a German delegation and not an Italian one.

But while I arrange for a parade for our forces in Athens, High Command is already planning our next deployment.

There is a high risk operation aimed to complete the conquest of the Balkans by securing Crete, but it looks to be an especially challenging mission. And one that we will most likely need to undertake without any of our panzer forces.

Should I tell them our forces are flexible enough to participate in the operation, or shall we await a more traditional assignment?

**Historically, the Allied defense of the pass of Thermopylae could only delay the inevitable fall of Greece. While the valiant Austalian and New Zealand rearguard bought precious time for the British to organize an evacuation, there were no Greek reserves to speak of. All of their forces had been committed in Albania and on the Metaxas Line.**

**Athens would fall before the end of the month.**

## Walkthrough

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## Locations

* Lamia

* Thermopylae

* Bralos

* Elateia

* Kamena Vourla

* Amfikleia

* Kouvela

* Anthili

* Lamia

* Thermopylae

* Bralos

* Elateia

* Kamena Vourla

* Amfikleia

* Kouvela

* Anthili

## Messages

* Bonus Objective to Raid Bralos completed.
Earned Commendation Points: 1
Total Commendation Points: %d.

* Bonus Objective to destroy 22 British units completed.
Earned Commendation Points: 1
Total Commendation Points: %d.

* ***Hauptmann Wagner:*** Mein General, in their haste to retreat, it looks like the British failed to sabotage one of their weapon depots. Some of the artillery tanks there are of a design I do not recognize and could be worth equipping for ourselves. We've commandeered the contents and you can access them as captured equipment.

* ***Hauptmann Wagner:*** Mein General, we have received an offer to field test an experimental prototype. If you ask me, it looks like someone welded two 109s together to create a monstrosity, but I have been informed that the aircraft boasts impressive range and firepower. The current offer will barely give us enough parts to keep a single squadron equipped, but if the design is successful perhaps in the future we can acquire more.

You have %d Commendation Points.

Would you like to use 4 Commendation Points acquire a collection of prototype Bf109z aircraft?

* You choose to accept the offer. You now have %d Commendation Points.

* You choose to reject the offer. You still have %d Commendation Points

* Bonus Objective to Raid Bralos completed.
Earned Commendation Points: 1
Total Commendation Points: %d.

* Bonus Objective to destroy 22 British units completed.
Earned Commendation Points: 1
Total Commendation Points: %d.

* ***Hauptmann Wagner:*** Mein General, in their haste to retreat, it looks like the British failed to sabotage one of their weapon depots. Some of the artillery tanks there are of a design I do not recognize and could be worth equipping for ourselves. We've commandeered the contents and you can access them as captured equipment.

* ***Hauptmann Wagner:*** Mein General, we have received an offer to field test an experimental prototype. If you ask me, it looks like someone welded two 109s together to create a monstrosity, but I have been informed that the aircraft boasts impressive range and firepower. The current offer will barely give us enough parts to keep a single squadron equipped, but if the design is successful perhaps in the future we can acquire more.

You have %d Commendation Points.

Would you like to use 4 Commendation Points acquire a collection of prototype Bf109z aircraft?

* You choose to accept the offer. You now have %d Commendation Points.

* You choose to reject the offer. You still have %d Commendation Points

## Notes

* If players have 4+ Commendation Points at the start of the scenario, they will be given the option of exchanging 4 Commendation Points for 19 Strength Points worth of Prototype Bf 109Z Tactical bombers.
* Capturing Kouvela will grant players 29 Strength points worth of Captured Cruiser Mk.II CS Artillery.
* Notable enemy units include the following:
	+ 4th AU Infantry, which has 30 Strength points.
	+ 13th Cruiser Mk.IV, which has 15 Strength points and a hero with the Tenacious Defender, Tank Killer, and Precision Weapon traits.
	+ 17th QF 2 pounder, which has 15 Strength points and a hero with the Tenacious Defender and Double Support traits.
	+ 23rd QF 25 pdr, which has 15 Strength points and a hero with the Tenacious Defender and Double Support traits.
	+ 24th 20 mm Oerlikon, which has 12 Strength points and a hero with the Ferocious Defense and Lethal Attack traits.
	+ Brigadier Barrowclough, a Matilda II unit with 15 Strength points and a hero with the Ferocious Defense, Provocator, and Ambusher traits.
	+ Brigadier Vasey, an AU HW Inf unit with 18 Strength points and a hero with the Overwhelming Attack, Provocator, Evasive, and Tenacious Defender traits.