dips his toe into the Russo-Japanese War.
Battle of Monte Lungo, Italy, 1943
One of the often-ignored allies of the war effort is the newly re-organized Italian Co-Beligerant forces under Emmanuel and their new Prime Minister Badoglio. Those elements of the Royal Italian army that were loyal, Emmanuel remained and fought with their former enemies.
…This is one such scenario.
Believing that the Germans were not deployed to offer any serious defense of Monte Lungo or the San Pietro valley area, Allied intelligence felt a swift thrust from Ceppagna westward across the southern face of Monte Sammucro would sweep through San Pietro and if the area was carried, could continue up Highway 6 and completely bypass the crest of Monte Sammucro and make San Vittore untenable.
Initial Allied probes to this effect showed that the Germans had indeed decided to occupy and defend this mountainous area, but to what extent, the Allies were not sure. Deciding to make a serious attack and take this vital area, Allied HQ gave the task to the U.S. 36th Infantry Division. To this unit was attached the 3rd Ranger Battalion, as well as an Italian regimental-sized unit known as the 1st Raggruppamento Motorizzato.
It was hoped that these forces would be sufficient to take the area. The Italians, looking to prove their worth and allegiance to the Allied cause, got the job of assaulting Monte Lungo. One December 8th, after a 30-minute artillery bombardment, the Italian troops moved out with high expectations.
The morning mist reduced visibility, and as these new allies moved forward together, their old allies prepared a reception.
Although designed for the divisional-level WWII system Panzer Korps, the scenario may be used by other systems. You may download the scenario from our PANZERKORPHQ Yahoo! Group. Visit our site at panzerkorps.com.