This scenario required 3 sessions to complete, with me playing the Italians and the colorful and daring, Tambu, commending the Ethiopian side. An interesting set of victory conditions in which either side has the option to attack or defend - and with lots of room for maneuver around forts and Ethiopian encampments. Their are reinforcements for either side, including lots of Italian air-support. As in many other PG scenarios, there is a premium on maintaining an effective, mobile reserve for both sides.

The Ethiopians chose a split strategic approach with a large force of infantry going after the Italian forts, and a much smaller portion remaining to defend their scattered encampments. Oddly, all reinforcing groups entered on time, the Ethiopians from the south, and the limited Italian armored contingent from the east. As others have reported, the Italian Air Force and the tiny armored force made all the difference in this play-through. The Italian Dubat infantry proved themselves very tough on defense throughout as waves of brave Ethiopian formations crested, broke an collapsed again and again. At the end, the Italians still controlled 3 of the 4 fort hexes. They also overwhelmed one Ethiopian encampment to secure a major victory. The Italians lost 6 steps while the Ethiopians lost 11 steps and suffered a great many demoralizations, mostly due to air attack.

Indeed, this was a wide open scenario, with many decision points and lots of movement. It was clearly designed to favor the Italian side, was a good historic simulation and fun to play in face-to-face mode. I give this unbalanced scenario a solid 3.