A Trip to the Italian Coast

15’S ON THE RISE 

In August I will be running a 15mm WWII miniatures battle at the local miniatures convention – Recon. The last couple of weeks I have been feverishly painting away to have the forces for that battle ready in time. Well they are almost done (at least respectable enough to play with) so this past weekend I play tested the scenario I will be using with the Combat Cards. 

The setting is the Anzio perimeter in Italy, 1944. The Americans are preparing to breakout from the beachhead, and are conducting a series of probing attacks to determine the best location to concentrate their efforts. The Germans, consisting of elite parachute troops from the 1^st Airborne Division, are holding this section of the front and are tasked with stopping the Americans. 

LOOKING FROM THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

We ran the scenario twice – once with a new fellow who had stop by the shop (welcome John) and one of the historical regulars (Chris L.); the second time between Chris and I. Both times the scenario proved balanced and very exciting. 

THE GERMAN LEFT FLANK

The Americans have a depleted company supported by a pair of Sherman tanks and a battery of M7 Priests (howitzers). The Germans had a battle worn platoon with four tank-hunter teams (panzerschrecks and fausts) attached, no armor and no artillery support. They were able to dig into optimal defensive positions though. 

A GERMAN PARACHUTE TEAM HOLDING THE LINE

The first game the Germans were able to repulse the American assault relatively easy (time just ran out on the Americans), but in the second game the Americans steamrolled over the German positions (although towards the end the Germans were able to inflict some serious losses on the Americans). 

THE AMERICAN RIGHT FLANK

Both games were tense, fasted paced and exciting – even the first game which I was essentially watching. The best tactics proved to be the ones really used by the combatants (using firepower to pin your enemy in place, and maneuver to flank and isolate them). 

THE GERMANS MOUNT A LOCALIZED COUNTER ATTACK

 In my game, even though I was getting the worst cards at the least opportune times, I had a blast. It was a real challenge to my command abilities to hold things together and try to slow the Americans. In the end I couldn’t prevail, but I had fun which is what it is all about! I can’t wait until we can play another game of the 15’s – I think I sense more painting projects on the horizon… 

Until next time… 

Happy Gaming! 

Dan