Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Blackshirt Division #9

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Renewed Attack Blackshirt Division #9
(Attacker) Italy	vs	United States (Defender)

Formations Involved
Italy		1ª Divisione Corazzata "Mussolino"
United States		1st "Old Ironsides" Armored Division

	Total
Side 1	1
Draw	0
Side 2	1

Overall Rating, 2 votes
5 4 3 2 1 4
Scenario Rank: --- of 965

Parent Game	Blackshirt Division
Historicity	Alt-History
Date	1943-04-05
Start Time	06:00
Turn Count	36
Visibility	Day
Counters	101
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	1
Maps	2: 77, 78
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	176
AAR Bounty	223
Total Plays	2
Total AARs	0

Battle Types
Hill Control
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control

Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Randomly-drawn Aircraft

Scenario Requirements & Playability
An Army at Dawn	Maps + Counters
Blackshirt Division	Base Game

Introduction
The reinforced Americans had made major gains, and Panzer Army Afrika ordered the Blackshirts to take them back. While many German and Italian soldiers in the Tunisian bridgehead questioned the purpose of their deployment and despaired of any better outcome than an Allied prisoner of war camp, Mussolini’s hand-picked Fascist fanatics continued to show high morale, the result of either delusion or dedication.

Introduction

The reinforced Americans had made major gains, and Panzer Army Afrika ordered the Blackshirts to take them back. While many German and Italian soldiers in the Tunisian bridgehead questioned the purpose of their deployment and despaired of any better outcome than an Allied prisoner of war camp, Mussolini’s hand-picked Fascist fanatics continued to show high morale, the result of either delusion or dedication.

Conclusion
While the Blackshirt M Armored Division would have been a favored unit among the Italian forces, that attitude wouldn’t have necessarily held true for the Axis as a whole. This scenario set is predicated on the idea that not only was the M Division ready for action some months earlier than it was in reality, but that the Germans continued to supply it with spare parts and replacement vehicles, even at the expense of their own formations’ needs. That runs counter to the arrogance shown toward the needs of Germany’s allies in every other instance, but the top German political leadership strongly wished to support Mussolini.

Conclusion

While the Blackshirt M Armored Division would have been a favored unit among the Italian forces, that attitude wouldn’t have necessarily held true for the Axis as a whole. This scenario set is predicated on the idea that not only was the M Division ready for action some months earlier than it was in reality, but that the Germans continued to supply it with spare parts and replacement vehicles, even at the expense of their own formations’ needs. That runs counter to the arrogance shown toward the needs of Germany’s allies in every other instance, but the top German political leadership strongly wished to support Mussolini.

Display Relevant AFV Rules

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle
Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0). AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement. AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1). Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2). Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3) Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0). Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3). Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3). AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42). AFV's may Dig In (16.2). Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present. Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC) Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable Assault Gun: if closed-top, provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable Anti-Tank Gun Carrier: half-track with anti-tank gun, NOT a Tank Destroyer APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle

Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0).
AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement.
AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1).
Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2).
Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3)
Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0).
Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3).
Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3).
AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42).
AFV's may Dig In (16.2).
Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present.
Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT).
Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC)
Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable
Assault Gun: if closed-top, provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable
Anti-Tank Gun Carrier: half-track with anti-tank gun, NOT a Tank Destroyer
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).