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This was an intense & exciting 3-session play-through with the undaunted and determined Grognard Gunny leading elements of the attacking US 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One). I had the Italian elements of the 131st Centauro Armored Division, in a 1-map, battle for critical terrain. Both sides drew decent sets of leaders, with the Germans having slightly better luck.
We used the Fog of War, smoke/illum, consolidation, extended assault, tank riders and excess initiative optional rules. We also used these 3 house rules: 1) Road Movement for Mechanized & Foot Units – All FOOT & MECHANIZED units may move on roads at the rate of 1/2 a Movement Point (MP) per road hex, just like MOTORIZED units, and 2) Standardized Movement for Mechanized Units - All mechanized units may move through clear hexes at a movement cost of only 1 movement point (MP) per hex, instead of 1 1/2. Add one to this cost if moving up, across, or down slopes hexes, and 3) Dug In Units are Automatically in Limiting Terrain in Desert Games – Unless prohibited by special scenario rules, ALL units that are dug-in on slope hexes are considered to be in limiting terrain and are spotted if enemy units approach to within 3 hexes, or 4 hexes for reconnaissance units – unless they are marked with a spotted marker, see 8.22.
Our first session (game turns 1-3) featured an aggressive 3-prong US movement to contact across the trail & narrow valley west of Djebel Berda. There was a substantial amount of Italian opfire, and US artillery support for the 3 separate columns of advancing GIs, that paid a relatively heavy price of 4 steps lost and the reduction of their initiative level by the end of game turn 3. Nevertheless their approach drew into decisive range and opened a fierce assault on the northernmost 40-meter hilltop hex, while other units closed in on both flanks. The Italians threw an amazing SEVEN combat 7-die rolls this session, nearly all at critical moments!
The second session (game turns 4-7) featured a reduction in American initiative due to casualties sustained in adjacent-hex firefights & close assaults. The Italians lost all their on-board artillery to accurate American OBA and mortar fire. The updated step loss tally was now: 5 and a pair of leaders for the scrambling GIs, and 3 steps for the Il Duce’s boys. GIs maintained their solid grip on the northern & western margins of Djebel Berda’s upper, 40-meter summit. The US attack on the southern slopes of the Djebel collapsed. The Italians managed THREE combat 7-die rolls.
Our slightly-delayed, but bloody, third session (game turns 8-12) was an excellent one for the hard-fighting GIs who were able to achieve a minor victory by the beginning of the 12th game turn. We recommend this well-balanced scenario for both SHARED & SOLO play.
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BR01002 
