Sicily 1943 the Americans Attack

Looking for an easy setup for our game this weekend I went for Sicily in a non-historical scenario although many similar actions took place. Really a chance to get the Italians back out and give the Americans a good challenge attacking rather than defending.

Some details for the scenario, three objectives as shown on the photo above. the Italians have a hidden unit in the church as well as a sniper in the Tower. The bulk of the Italians will come on turn one with a small German reserve group will arrive only if/when the Americans claim one of the three objectives. The US will arrive over the first two turns with a reserve arriving more randomly from turn 3 onwards. Neither side would have quite enough command dice for all their units.

The Italians push their support artillery towards the small road cutting. (I’ve noticed I forgot to put any grass on the artillery base which I will try and fix 🙂)

Italian infantry dig in on the rocky ground overlooking the road

US infantry push forward towards the high ground through the walled fields

The US move a Heavy machine gun up towards the village

Turn two and both sides bring their armour into the battle

The Americans are now digging in on the high ground

Supported by their armour

The US also advance on their right towards the road

The Italians currently have the numbers in the village but come under heavy fire

On the high ground with the Americans driving the Italians away the German reserves arrive determined to take the objective back, infantry supported by a Tiger !

The Tiger moves beyond the windmill, the smoke just beyond marks where the last Italian unit was wiped out by heavy artillery fire

Italian armour joust with the US Sherman

The Americans are now pushing into the village and holding the road as well

The Semoventte is now in flames, but the Germans are now starting to take back the high ground

The Sherman moves to the road cutting and somehow survives the Italian artillery fire

The M7 (priest) is now in flames, but so is the small Italian tank which has pushed up the hill

As the battle draws to a close the Americans have now convincingly taken the village having driven the Italians out of the church and surrounding buildings. The high ground is contested although the Germans have the advantage, the road cutting objective is also contested, so the Americans have done enough to claim the win.

Another fun game and great to get the Sicily collection on the table. The Italians are a fun force to play with, we reduce their leadership which seems appropriate but inevitably they lack a bit of punch. It is also fun to bring the Tiger out but it rarely lives up to expectations.

The weather has been mixed but I managed a walk out in the hills. This shot looking west towards the central fells.

Another game planned for Tuesday and some more ECW figures on the way.

Thanks as always for checking in on the blog 

Matt ❤️