This is the last of the 15 scenarios for the Nisei in Italy in 1944. They have been in almost constant combat and motion since they started. Suddenly they hit the end of their rope. It seems funny that even the dice can seem exhausted at times. In this one the Nisei have to force a river crossing against a German paratrooper detachment, heavily supported by armor and artillery.

I was excited as I was able to get two crossing points working well to the west of the town but then I ran into the paratroopers. Seems they didn't want to move. 3 1/2 hours later I finally had cleared the woods of the three platoons of defenders.

Meanwhile my third crossing point remained uneffective as the engineers had become demoralized and fled. So fully 1/3 of my force was reduced to direct fire attacks on the town which had little effect.

The troops that had cleared the woods gathered for an attack on the town but were savaged by opportunity fire and artillery as they approached the town. With only an hour remaining in the scenario and no coherent force available to assault the town the Americans conceded having already lost 11 steps to 6 German.

A key to this result was the high quality of the German leaders (most of whom had morale modifiers) and the poor draw for the Americans (most of whom did not have morale modifiers), combined with the abysmal rolling for recovery from the Nisei. A very enjoyable ride but one that clearly does not have to end this way. I give it a "4".