Lugo, Italy, April 10th 1945 Story : In Spring 1945, the 3rd Reich is ending. The allies begin their last offensives and invade Germany itself. The final fight has also started in Italy although having been forgotten since June 6th 1944. On April 9th, the troops of the 15th Army Group attack to avoid an ennemy retreat to an alpine redoubt. The Germans and the fascist Italians have fortified their positions during the winter. The 8th Indian Infantry Division must break through the obstacle formed by the Senio, Sillaro rivers and several other canals south-east of the Comacchio. Despite the support of a strong artillery and a lot of tanks from all types, the progress is difficult. So, the 1/5th Mahrattas of the 21th Indian Brigade suffer so many casualties that it has to melt the C and Y companies in one only unit. On the defenders’ side, morale is still good and they don’t hesitate to make several local counter attacks. But the Indians are also determined to set foot on the northern bank of the Senio. In the end of the afternoon, they are well installed. A Indian NCO earns the Victoria Cross for his bravery. On the sunrise of April 10, the Mahrattas attack again and win some ground against an opponent whose will seems to diminish. The Indians move with the support of the 48th Royal Tank Regiment, partly reequiped with new Churchills. Near 11.00 AM, the 2 troop receives the order to attack a house to help its take by the infantry. Therefore the lieutenant Fox orders the two other tanks to cover him. One antitank gun is destroyed. Then, at a few yards from the house, the Lt Fox encounters a self-propeller gun hidden under a haystack. The Englishmen are quicker and the StuG is destroyed. But the Churchill is immediately hit by two antitank guns and three crewmen including Fox are killed. Despite this lost, the attack continues and the Mahrattas takes the objective as predicted. The following days, the Allies push relentlessly the Germans back towards the North.
English units : 2 Troop, 48th Royal Tank Regiment
1 Churchill IV 1 Churchill VI 1 Churchill VII YC company, 1/5th Mahrattas 9 Rifle + 2 Platoon leader 1 51mm Mortar + 2 Piat
German units :
First part of the 362. Infanterie Division 5 Rifle +1 Platoon leader + 1 MG Crew 1 Fortified building 1 PaK 38 AT Gun + 1 PaK 40 AT Gun 1 StuG III Second part of the 362. Infanterie Division 3 Veteran +1 Platoon leader + 1 Panzerfaust
Scenario rules : Use the tactical rules. The English player sets up first and start first. The battlefield consists of CL (Clear), VI (Village). German Headquarters CL1 CL2 CL3 CL4 VI5 CL6 CL7 CL8 CL9 English Headquarters 1.
Turns 6 Turns
2.
Supply
Each player receives 20 points at start. The English player receives 3 supply dices and the German player 2 supply dice. Supply points remain hidden during the game. 3.
Special cards Use the tactical rules (Beachhead to Berlin p77 to p86) for choosing the special cards. Special cards : Each player has a 24 special cards deck (2 identical cards max.) of his own choice. Each player draws 1 free card each turn with the possibility of buying only one other card at the cost of 6 supply points). Each player takes randomly 3 special cards in this deck before the game begins.
4.
Dug in All units from the first part of the 362. Infanterie Division are dug in.
5.
Others No refits are allowed.
Set up and reinforcements : English player: The 2 Troop deploys in CL7, CL8, CL9 and the English headquarters. German player: The first part of the 362. Infanterie Division starts in the German Headquarters and CL1, CL2, CL3, CL4, VI5, CL6. The StuG III must be outside the village. Turn 1:
The YC company arrives in the English headquarters.
Turn 3:
The second part of the 362. Infanterie Division arrives in the German headquarters.
Victory The English player must control VI5 at the end of the game. Any other result is an German victory.
Credits Scenario by Philippe Naud adapted for The Last Crusade by Florent Coupeau Originally published in Vae Victis 12
