Battle Report: Units from the 1st Armored Division CCD, returned to Sened Station on the afternoon of February 1st, 1943, but the town was still defended by the Italian 50th Special Brigade. The town was well garrisoned with an M14/41, 47mm, and INF and HMG platoons commanded by Maggiore Rizziti. INF and Bersaglieri platoons were on the hills south of town with a mortar and 75mm platoon lurking behind the south hill. INF were also in the wadi north of town, so the Americans had their hands full and met with stiff resistance, particularly in the hills south of Sened Station. Minefields that arced east of the town compounded the situation. By 1500 hours, American units were assaulting the east end of the town and both hills south of town, which were all heavily contested by the Italians, and the Americans were pushed out of town by 1530. But not for long. About that same time, a strong attack by an American M3/75 platoon scored several critical hits on the M14/41 platoon in SW Sened, and they retreated north to the wadi to recover with the Americans occupying the sector. By 1615, the entire western end of the town was in American control, and Maggiore Rizziti’s remaining troops were basically surrounded. They battled bravely until 1700 hours when surrender was in order, giving the Americans a major victory. Rizziti’s AAR to the hierarchy identified the lack of air support from the Regia Aeronautica; although they had three separate flyover attacks, they failed to hit a single target.

Analysis: The objectives of this brief 15-turn scenario are to control Sened Station and eliminate enemy units. Morale for both sides is low (7/6) except for the more seasoned Bersaglieri units, which tends to favor the Italians as defenders. The Bersaglieri were used to man key real estate in town and on one of the south hills. The scenario was very well balanced with victory possible for either side up until the last turn, and the American advance was really driven by how quickly units were taken from good order and how quickly they could recover. Fewer than half the US officers had a morale bonus, so some units that were hit early and demoralized never did get back in the fray. When the Americans took out the single Italian tank, life got easier for them in their advance to the station. By turn 12, they had two of the three town hexes, but the Italians had a chance to wrest control; however, slow recovery now became their downfall. The tide of battle also shifted with swings of initiative; the Italians had it 6 of the first 8 turns, but the Americans took it for each of the last 7 turns, many of which allowed critical first hits. The US ended up with 25 VP’s, 19 from lost Italian steps and 6 from town hex occupation, while the Italians had 15 VPs. That 10-VP differential was enough for a major American victory. This was a very well-balanced and enjoyable scenario that gave the feel of the battle as described in the monograph.