Author	NBGB (Germany, Italy)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Germany, Italy
Participants	treadasaurusrex (AAR)
Play Date	2023-01-06
Language	English
Scenario	AAAD035

Due to my laziness and lack of any significant short term memory these days, I am trying a new thing for me. A scenario rating and AAR which are both actually DAR's. (During Action Reports). This may, or may not work, be a good idea, whatever. Just another stream of semi-consciousness spewing forth. That said.

Tread and I are having our usual many session game due to our wandering conversations and general fun side-tracks. We are playing with these official and unofficial rules: No FOW, using strategic movement. extended assault, 1 hex track movement in open terrain, dug in AT getting efficient fire and Italians retreating when they see a tank. (Just seeing if you're paying attention on the last one!)

We are six turns in after (3) two hour sessions. I am having a great time! Fortunes are swinging wildly in this one. First off, don't be gamey and run your German units off the board for victory points right off the bat and you too can have fun in this one. Tread is the US and does have big artillery but keeps calling for air support to no avail. He has been menacing me again with the menagerie of halftracks the US has and his written battle plan and contingencies. My troops must wonder what it's like to be organized.

I started off massing the strong German armor and Italian assault guns on the southern edge of the map to advance on the high ground and use it for cover. The Italians delayed starting in the north to draw the US up to the ridge and forward enough to perhaps expose their behind to the Germans swooping in from the south. The large German infantry force is the hammer up the middle and the motorcycle units will follow on as things clear up a little.

My armor sputtered and faltered as a measly truck thingy- (M6?) could not be taken out by my PziVH with like a plus 5 AT advantage. After 4 shots I had to bring in extra help! The dug in Lee's held up well and forced me to slow way down and be more methodical. Tread brought up his forces in the north and took the high ground as anticipated and committed his reserves pretty far forward. My Italians moved in for close assaults and were mauled by the halftracks and strong US infantry. I used smoke but that didn't help too much. The Italians have been trying to un-engage from assaults and are licking their voluminous wounds and re-grouping right now. A maeanding Stuart in my rear up there in the north tried to decapitate the Major in charge and darn near got him. That Stuart is now battling in a close assault so we'll see.

Meanwhile, there were major assaults in the south on the high ground as the dreaded halftracks started to kill me. This time I was aggressive though as I moved armor in to firing positions to take them out and formed a massive 45+ fire team and turned the tide for the time being down there.

Tread started out ahead of me in step losses, but I have turned it around some now as I am ahead 28-25 in this bloodbath.

I am now moving armor forward in the south again as I try and root out the Shermans dug in there and swing around behind. Easier said than done. Too be continued...

Another two turns and the Fascists are exerting their authority a little. The victory points are now 44-35 in favor of the Fascists. The armor thrust to the South has finally turned in to a rout as the panzers swarmed the dug in Shermans and created many crossfires and brought home the bacon. One PzIII halfy exited the map. The armor is now firmly in the rear and took out the 90mm AT gun being transported by truck with a long range shot. They can either create more havoc or exit at this point. The Italians are still getting kicked around, but somewhat holding their ground. The wayward Stuart left an assault and jumped in another one with mortars. The Italians are chasing him down and trying to engage again. The southern high ground is still a struggle as the American dug in Lee's put a hurt on the Italian assault guns forcing them back. The US still has plenty of firepower left, but their infantry is wearing down. The Germans are still holding their 88 and the cycle troops off board.