The game was played solitaire, so all 40 mines were placed randomly, on average 2 counters per hex, concentrating on likely crossing hexes.

Rule interpretation: The Rapido, though a major river, runs along a hexside like a minor one. Therefore it was treated as a hybrid hex-- units need engineers to cross, but do NOT need to stop before entering. So, it takes 2 turns to cross, not three, as the standard rule dictate. I asked this question on CSW, and there seemed to be areement that this interpretation was correct.

Strongpoints were treated as intrinsically dug-in.

The game: To limit German concentration against the bridgehead, the US decided to cross at 2 points, hexes 3130 and 2929. The game only lasted 12 turns, so the US was very aggressive in forcing a landing. He split his forces more or less equally against both crossing points.

The engineer in 3130 did not fare well. He blundered into 3 points of mines and was demoralized by the 1 remainining mine point. Hexe 2929 did better, finding a dummy and only 2 points of mines. The 3130 engineer never recovered from his misfortune. Between direct and artillery fire, he never regained cohesion and for game purposes was useless. This allowed the German player to concentrate against the southern threat.

The US player managed to cross a few units, but these never achieved any momentum. Continuous German pressure sealed the landing. With more mine attacks disrupting potential reinforcements, the US units dangled on a string. A successful assault agains an infantry and HMG stack decided the US fate. After 4 turns, the attack was aborted, with the US suffering 6 steps of losses and the Germans only 1. A decisive German victory.

Conclusion: An interesting scenario, but one favoring the Germans overwhelmingly (thank the mines and the 2 hex spotting range of units in the Gustav line). This scenario is worthy of a replay if the original, unpublished boat crossing rules are used. In that situation, the US receives 4 boat points and may cross one unit per turn per remaining boat point. Boat points are lost per step lost on the east bank of the Rapido. Will revisit this scenario at some point.