Oran

**Oran** is a scenario in *Panzer Corps*.

## Briefings

Excellent choice, Sir. You are about to embark on an operation to capture the Vichy held territories in northwestern Africa. The ultimate goal is to clear the Axis powers from North Africa and prepare for an invasion of Southern Europe. It is also the start of a second front against the Germans, to reduce the pressure of German forces on the Soviet troops.

Your orders are to land at two points in the vicinity of Oran: near Bouisseville, west of Oran and near Arzew, east of Oran. Arzew has a coastal battery that needs to be destroyed. Once this is accomplished this will free up your troops to get into the fight around Oran.

The 509th Airborne's task is to secure the airfield of Tafraoui and if possible the airfield of El Senia as well. Both airfields are located south of Oran. We don't expect trouble from Vichy French fighters, but if you do, don't underestimate their pilots. They have gained quite some combat experience during Cases Yellow and Red back in 1940.

Our British allies have assigned several sturdy battleships to your landing forces. Without question, any Vichy French naval vessel that forms a potential threat can be fired upon. Also, the battleships received orders to shell Oran's defenders at will. Good luck, Sir.

### Decisive victory

Unfortunately, as a result, Berlin has ordered the occupation of Vichy France and began sending troops to Tunisia. This will undoubtedly turn the battle for North Africa into something more complicated and dearly-won.

As soon as Morocco and Algeria are consolidated, your forces must rapidly drive for Tunisia. The earlier we can strike into Tunisia the better, before the Germans get the chance to plan countermeasures.

### Victory

Unfortunately, as a result, Berlin has ordered the occupation of Vichy France and began sending troops to Tunisia. This will undoubtedly turn the battle for North Africa into something more complicated and dearly-won.

As soon as Morocco and Algeria are consolidated, your forces must rapidly drive for Tunisia. The earlier we can strike into Tunisia the better, before the Germans get the chance to plan countermeasures.

## Walkthrough

This is your first real campaign after the training exercises. This makes this a pretty easy scenario, if you know what to expect and what is awaiting you. You may deploy your force in two groups, one to the north-east where a single objective awaits capture and one to the north, right ahead of Oran - your main objective.

Since your main objective is Oran since most of your other objectives are nearby, you should place your main force in that area. To the north east, you are expecting an AAA at the nearby airfield along with a fortress and a bunker. Sending one of the smaller tanks such as the M3 or scout and a squad of Engineers should be more than sufficient to handle the situation. After a while, there will be some trucks incoming. Like two or three, which are defenceless and should be easily destroyed.

The more difficult part is the area around Oran. Near the cost, you will notice three convoy ships. Two probably near your taskforce, with another one just landing to the west of Oran. They should be easily detected and destroyed. A more serious thread pose the two coastal artilleries along with two battleships and a cruise. They can take out your landing force quickly and are all located in Oran or in the nearby waters.

First of all, get a first line of convoy ships to the coast west of Oran. Leave several hexes between Oran and the landing site. This should allow for a calm and uninterrupted landing. Just make sure that you do not expose your convoy to the fire of the artillery or the enemy ships. You can use your destroyers to spot them and your own cruisers and battleship to destroy them. All in all this should not be too difficult.

In the southern area of the map, there are two paratroopers in their transport planes. These should be used to land at or near the smaller city. There should be nobody in there. Be aware though, that the airport east of it houses one two two French fighters as well as a AAA battery. So you should not get too close to it.

Now it is probably time to end the turn. You will notice that the enemy is attacking mainly with artillery and ships. An issue at the beginning are the French fighter. One appears right away, the other one in turn two or three. They are quite powerful and the two auxiliary fighters will most likely have a hard time taking them out. For that reason you should use them combined with your own special forces fighter that you got just for that mission.

With the enemy ships and fighters down the mission becomes quite easy to finish. Attack Oran from the west, marching eastwards. The first coastal battery should be easily taken out. The artillery in the south of Oran is somewhat a threat but can be shelled with your own artillery. There also is a small tank, which you can take with your own. Then, all that is left are two or three infantry units in and near the Oran port hexes as well as the second coastal battery. While your artillery shells the infantry in Oran, you can use your ships to shell the coastal battery.

Your paratroopers along with a (small) tank or a heavy infantry unit can then take care of the objective to the south. There should be nothing there but an enemy infantry unit, possibly an anti tank gun (if it did not move to Oran or back to the last objective, after your advance into Oran. That's about it. Compared to the first two scenarios this one is more difficult, but it is nothing compared to what is to follow.

So, keep in mind of the following, and you should be fine:

* Take out enemy convoys
* Take out enemy fighters
* Take care of enemy ships
* Take objective to the east with small landing force (1x bunker, 1x coastal artillery
* Take care of reinforcements in trucks, closing in to the objective at the east
* Land your main force east of Oran and approach towards its eastern flank
* Land your paratroopers in the south, near the unoccupied city, near the airfield
* Be aware of AAA and fighters at the southern airfield.

## Locations

* Oran

* El Senia

* El Senia airfield

* Tafraoui airfield

* Misserghin

* Bouisseville

* Sebkha of Oran

* El Kherma

* Hassi Ben Okba

* Gdyel

* Arzew

* Oued Tlelat

* Oggaz

* Telamine Lake

* Lac des Gharabas

* Salines d'Arzew

* Daiat Morsley

* Oran

* El Senia

* El Senia airfield

* Tafraoui airfield

* Misserghin

* Bouisseville

* Sebkha of Oran

* El Kherma

* Hassi Ben Okba

* Gdyel

* Arzew

* Oued Tlelat

* Oggaz

* Telamine Lake

* Lac des Gharabas

* Salines d'Arzew

* Daiat Morsley

## Messages

* A B-25B Mitchell has joined your forces, Sir.

* From this mission onward, special forces may be awarded.

* Sir, we found French artillery in rather good condition.

* A B-25B Mitchell has joined your forces, Sir.

* From this mission onward, special forces may be awarded.

* Sir, we found French artillery in rather good condition.