The Italians established a type of "hedghog", placing shorter ranged units in the exterior positions while keeping their longer ranging assets to the rear. This defense proved to be a tough nut to crack. The Australians came on in column leading with the A13s followed by the Matilda, loaded Brens and then the remaining infantry. On turn two the Italians failed to gain control of the British Armor (this variable made for some excitement and could very well spell doom for the Australians fairly early... The A13s proceed west and assumed a fire support position up on the ridge overlooking the Italian position. The remainder of the Australian force swung north and then approached the Italian position from due east. It took approximately an hour to establish the jump off positions for all Australian units. The wind storm played havoc with the Italian long-range assets and limited their effectiveness until the Australians had closed within 500 meters. The Australians deployed in line and "went in" with the Matilda in support. The Australians attempted to soften up the Italian front line and were moderately successful. The Italian artillery was not very effective until the attacking forces were within 500 meters of the frontline. The Brens were the first to go and then, most curiously, Australian leadership began to melt away. The Matilda was impervious to all Italian fires. After braving Italian Bombardment and direct fires for about thirty minutes a combined assualt consisting of the Matilda an infantry platoon and two leaders closed with a dug-in reduced Italian platoon and overwhelmed them. That is as far as the Australians got. Opportunity fire and Bombardment played havoc with the exposed infantry and leaders and forced a withdrawal. It was a failure of Australian small unit leadership that caused the collapse. Leaders were demoralized and disrupted. By the time of the withdrawal the Australians only had one good-ordered Leader.

I picked this scenario for two reasons. Both had to do with my opponent who is new to the system and interested in playing the Italians. We both felt that giving him a defensive mission would keep it simple for him to get used to the sequence of play, capabilities of the various weapon systems and the rythm of the game.

Some of the scenario rules (the windstorm and potential Italian use of British Armor) add a lot of spice/fun/excitement to the game.

I gave this scenario a 2 because, in the end, the defensive mission of this scenario is so passive in nature that the Italian really doesn't do anything but sit there and watch. For a beginning player, I don't think it showed off the system like I wanted to. I will revisit this scenario again after we have played a few other situations where we both have fire and movement options.