Author	treadasaurusrex (Italy)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Ethiopia
Participants	Tambu
Play Date	2022-08-01
Language	English
Scenario	COOE003

This was a 3-session battle with Tambu playing the stout, Ethiopian side in what should have been an Italian victory at the start of the Duce's invasion of Ethiopia. Not even close to what transpired in this mighty slugfest! As is frequently the case, the quality of relative leadership on both sides and the intervention of the Fates, were the most important contributors to a straight forward Ethiopian triumph. The majority if the fierce fighting in this play-through was in the south board, in and around, the Ethiopians settlements. As others have tried, an Italian double envelopment from the north was attempted and was soundly defeated. The Ethiopians had great die rolls, the Italians did not, though they did have a pet hamster named Guido as their inspiring mascot.

Even a near-flawless movement-to-contact will miscarry, if one's leaders are inept and the enemy is ready to jump out of his defensive positions to counter attack with vigor. In this case, the Ethiopian defenders ran downhill to overcome the Italian's right flank, and many disruptions and demoraliozations ensued by way of a series of close assaults that completely unhinged the Italian advance. When a limited amount of Italian armor finally arrived, it was too late to make a difference in this short scenario. High leader morale and very successful morale and combat die rolls buttressed the determined Ethiopian counter attacks, and caused the premature collapse of the Italian colonial troops.

Fun to play this one online, but it should probably be relegated to solo play only, since it effectively highlights the impact that good leadership quality has in this fiddly game. I give this decently-balanced scenario a 3, as it is a good, quick introductory scenerio.