Commonwealth and Free French forces continue their drive to Damascus. Vichy French forces stand in their path. This engagement was generated from a campaign included in the Panzer Korps Campaign System. Our group used the Rapid Fire 2nd Edition rule set to fight the battle with 20mm miniatures at an undisclosed location in Lafayette, California. Click here to download a PDF containing the Allied and Vichy Orders of Battle.

The battlefield of El Arsouf. Allied (Free French) forces entered from the bottom right. Note the wadi (red rocks) in the center and patches of cover.	Consulting with the referee before the start of hostilities.	First moves: Free French infantry contact the beginning of a line of Vichy trenches.	A close-up of the initial firefight.	The Allies are surprised to see Vichy armor waiting adjacent to their entry point. Two companies, one of armored cars, the other of H39 tanks.
No worries, mes amis! We have our own tanks to take on the Vichy. (I think these were the H39 model.)	Free French storm the trenches, the defenders reeling from heavy small arms fire.	Suddenly a flank attack appears beside the farm. French Foreign Legion, plus cavalry. The reception is hot; the horsemen are wiped out.	Foreign Legion 75mm field guns are unlimbered near the Vichy armor.	Allied initial infantry attacks are clearing trenches. More defensive positions are spotted.
A close-up of the defenders.	Artillery--both off- and on-board--take their toll of the Vichy armor.	The farm is now being infiltrated by Allied infantry, many of the defenders having been killed or wounded. A single Vichy armored car platoon belonging to the Divisional HQ tries to slow the enemy.	Allied infantry sweep the trenchlines, mopping up the front Vichy positions.	French patriots dare the Free French forces to advance further. Note red, white, and blue lamp in background.
A couple of Free French officers practice the art of war.	Why do we fight? Well, for one thing we have a really nice venue that's crying out for tabletop gaming. And anyway, why not?!	The Vichy H39's are done in by artillery, but not before the enemy 75's have been stripped of their crews by a hail of fire from all sources.	A steady Allied advance through the farm. The Vichy division commander made his last stand beside his command car (top right). He was mown down righteously.	No, no, not another flank attack. This time Commonwealth Indian troops march into the Vichy right flank.
Two unscathed Vichy tank companies move toward the center of the board, away from the new threat to the right flank. They are following the last orders from the dead divisional CO.	A Commonwealth Warhawk brings death from the air.	One patch of cover becomes a hive of Indian activity, as the Allies spread their hold on the Vichy right.	Various Vichy units scramble to hold the center of the map.	The forlorn divisional HQ armored car races past a Vichy artillery position bristling with 75mm field guns.
Vichy move to the center of the map.	A flight of Blenheim light bombers roars in with bombs ready.	Dogfight! Tired infantrymen on both sides watch as a Vichy D-520 fighter is driven off by the Warhawk. No reprieve for the defenders today.	A Vichy Glen Martin-167F bombs the Indian troops with little effect. Allied medics patch up the wounded and see them back into the battle.	An overview of the action. The Allies are beginning to bottle the Vichy up in the center.
A close-up of the Indian Brigade Group advancing. Note the special India-pattern armored vehicle.	The first Free French infantry gains the wadi.	Free French colonial troops sweep forward through the remnants of the first defensive line.	The wadi becomes the scene of the Vichy last stand. Note the tanks counter-attacking the Indians.	The now-very-forlorn armored car from the destroyed Vichy divisional HQ flees in front of the advancing Indians. Not many escape the pincer movement. It's a clear Allied victory, and the pursuit of the enemy continues to the gates of Damascus.