Crusader help

[carrotboy]

Hello laddies. I'm playing on classic the new desert Rats dlc and most of the missions so far have been fairly easy. Very puzzle like this dlc is, but I am now on crusader and it's giving me quite a bit of trouble. My new Zealanders are all regular three strength after having died in Greece. I have one veteran tank and one other very close to veteran. Specialists prices are hurting me as well. Got three attempts in so far and was able to get the turn 4 objective, but it was taken from me the axis on their next turn every time. I can't really counterattack the German tanks, I'll end up losing that attrition battle but it seems my units just aren't strong enough at the moment. Any help appreciated, won't be able to jump back into it until Saturday so figured I would ask if anyone else is having trouble here. Also, how is everyone liking the dlc

[EgoVermin]

Hello! I beat Crusader just now, managed to perfect it on the second attempt on Classic difficulty (first attempt I let 'Trieste' take all my supply hubs derp). It is definitely a major spike in difficulty compared to previous scenarios but here's my own two cents on how I beat it (although I definitely played far from perfect):

1. This is definitely the scenario to splurge on prestige - you shouldn't have spent any on Exporter, and should have spent the barest minimum (if that) on Amba Alagi and Battleaxe. Battleaxe is a prestige farm, and your forces in Amba Alagi should be strong enough from previous scenarios. Losing your New Zealanders in Greece is definitely an issue but shouldn't be game-changing.
2. For the first three turns, the main focus shouldn't be the 'Sidi Rezegh' objective, it should be the two panzer divisions (and to a lesser extent the 'Ariete' division). Focus on cutting them off and destroying them with your own armour although this will certainly entail casualties (I lost two of my NZ brigades here ;_;) but it leaves nothing capable of challenging your own forces. From there its a battle against time and supply.
3. You'll want to open a corridor into Tobruk from Sidi Rezegh - use the forces in Tobruk to help with this, especially the brigade with arty/engineers as you can use 'Set Piece Attack' to force the Italians away. Once this corridor is secure then you can get your XXX Corps HQ up there without it going out of supply. Speaking of Tobruk, don't put a supply hub in there until after your forces are on their way to Gazala/Bir Hakeim - only two units will be out of supply each turn and you can use the Tobruk HQ to resupply them.
4. I didn't do this but I'm sure it would help; move your Indian divisions on from Bardia, don't bother taking it with them. While you will want to support them with at least one armoured unit against 'Sidi Azeiz', you should leave Sollum and Bardia to the incoming South Africans.
5. A personal thing I did that worked out well was sending the one non-permanent armoured brigade with recon up and behind 'Bir Hacheim'. With the 'recon in force' ability to help get through ZoC, I was able to cut off Gazala on turn 6.
6. Finally, for Gazala itself use either the Tobruk brigade with the arty/engi to clear it, or else get another equally good division up there with motor pool.

It's definitely a challenge, and I already had the advantage of owning Halfaya Pass from 'Battleaxe'. I only used a single Bedford card but I can assure you if you've saved at least one Blenheim, then this is definitely a great place to use it. On my second playthrough I'll try and see how tough it is to gold medal without owning Halfaya Pass at the start (this has nothing to do with the fact its part of another terrible "fail this objective" milestone *grumble grumble*).