Played solo in three sessions

Deciding to go straight towards the major objectives, the Aussies marched up to the 2 western entrenchments (2003 & 2004). One hour and a devastating artillery barrage later both 2003 and 2004 surrendered to the Australians (high surrender rolls) who could use some cover (although the Italian artillery would perform dismally throughout the battle). Without respite the Australians, who by then only lost 2 steps, cut straight through the Italian lines and lay a siege on entrenchment 2204. The ensuing assault took about an hour and a half to be decided because of the valiant defense by the crew of an 81mm mortar pltn.

What could the Italians do? Stay in their protective entrenchments and shoot, or counterattack and leave their entrenchments unprotected? The dilemma resulted in utter indeciseveness. Some counterattacked (2401) out of their trenches to be decimated by Australian fire. The others, mainly on the northern flank, had to stay there, because the Australians detached some troops up north as a binding force. The northern approach however, became not more than that: an approach. One Australian Inf was demoralised outright and never recovered. The only British leader in the OB which accompanied the Brit HMG on that northern diversion was constantly disrupted. So much for that stiff upper lip..

To be short, a couple of hours later the Italians ceased to exist as a coherent fighting force. The counterattacks were to weak and uncoordinated through the lack of leaders. Besides, too many surrendered. At 9.30 it was all over. The Aussies had captured 5 entrenchments for a loss of 3 steps and a leader. The Italians lost about three-quarters of their force (mainly to surrender).

Conclusions:

Nice and tight scenario, get to the objectives and hold them, that's it. Apart from the sensible binding action up north, there is not much tactics involved. The surrender rule had an important impact on the flow of the scenario and the Australians were very lucky in their first four turns. That made their day. Is there anybody who needed the full 54 turns to accomplish a decision? I can't see how that could be done apart from waiting about 8 hours..