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PER SALVARE I NOSTRI COMPAGNI!
DONETS BASIN, SOUTH OF NIKITOVKA
NOVEMBER 12TH, 1941The Italian Expeditionary Force to Russia (CSIR) was operating in the Donets Basin region in support of German forces, and had just helped in capturing the towns of Orlovka and Rykovo.
Looking to take advantage of this success, as well as protect an open flank, Colonna Chiaramonti - an Italian reinforced regimental group - pushed some 40 miles north of the main Italian forces and, after fierce fighting, took the strategic rail terminus of Nikitovka. Soviet forces had realized the importance of Nikitovka as well, and new formations, including the fresh 74th Rifle Division, soon arrived and quickly had the Italians cut off and surrounded. The Italians in Nikitovka were holding their positions and defeating determined assaults, but time was running out. Several earlier attempts to reach the beleaguered Italians had been beaten back by stiff Soviet resistance.
General Messe, determined not to let Colonna Chiaramonti be annihilated, scrapped together a much stronger force based around the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment from the 3d Celere Division. With these forces in place and promised air support, the Italians pushed off across the snow-dusted fields in a last, desperate attempt to save their trapped comrades.
A tough cork to pop for the Italians, but they had to try! Visit panzerkorps.com and download the free scenario from their free scenarios section, or visit the PANZERKORPHQ Yahoo! Group.
Although the scenario is designed for our divisional-level WWII system Panzer Korps, players can still enjoy the game with their own set.