Hitler planned to attack both Yugoslavia and Greece, to secure the Axis southern flank prior to the invasion of the Soviet Union. This would also bail out the Italian armies in Albania that had been forced to retreat by a determined Greek winter offensive. Hitler urged Mussolini to take particular care of the Albanian front to prevent any link up between the Yugoslav and Greek armies. The Italian 9th Army was stationed opposite the Yugoslav frontier in expectation of just such a move, since the Italian commanders speculated the Yugoslav 3rd Army might decide on a Morire in Belleza (Death or Glory) strategy against them. The Cuneense Division was tasked with capturing the border towns to preempt any Yugoslav counter-invasion. Early on 9th, a company pushed into the northern outskirts of the town of Dibra. In the afternoon, Major Annoni personally led the assault company to seize the remaining high ground within Dibra.
Attacker: Italian (Elements of Mondovi Battal Cuneense Division)
Defender: Yugoslavian (Elements of Dibra Garrison, Yugoslavia 3rd Army)
7 turns
Players: 2 OBA: None Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:11.0 D:8.0
AFVs: A:0 D:0
Guns: A:1
Mortaio da 81/14
D:2
Canon de 75 M mle 28 x 2
Misc Rules:
Buildings on Bd 15 are Wooden. A: Assault Engineers
Map Board(s):
15
41
Overlays:
NONE
Errata (source)
There should be 2x 8-0 SMC, not three, in the Yugoslavian OB. In the Balance (ABS) Y1 should be "Delete 5x ? counters'"(not eight).
CH
Players wanting to play this game/Request a match:
Great scenario, though if the Italians lose their mortar early and are not able to suppress/destroy the Yugoslavian guns they could have a tough road. I was also lucky enough to still have both FTs functioning at game end (a rare feat), and they were key to paving the way. As it was I still had to sweat the Yugoslavians getting last move, and there was a fierce firefight on the hill. I could easily see this one slipping from the Italian's grasp early.
2016-08-27
(A) Alberto Griffa
vs
Blake Ball
Italian win
2015-12-08
(D) Alberto Griffa
vs
Mario Aceto
Italian win
2015-11-18
(A) Andy Beaton
vs
John Bock
Yugoslavian win
Italians were diced out by turn 3
2015-05-09
(A) Paolo Cariolato
vs
Luca Martini
Italian win
I diced heavily Luca on the first fire phase, my mortar placed SMOKE, CH his HMG, destoyed an HIP GUN and KIAed 1 squad. He stayed in the game because I activeted the sniper that killed the italian 8-1 and broke all the units on the attacking left flank. He conceded on turn 3 after one of the FT put two more units out of action.
2014-12-06
(D) Michael Rodgers
vs
Kedge Johnson
Yugoslavian win
Italian player diced himself mercilessly on morale checks with real dice.
2014-11-15
(A) Michael Rodgers
vs
Luc Dallaire
Italian win
How often can you play with an Italian 10-2? Worth it just for that.
2014-04-10
(A) X von Marwitz
vs
David Wallace
Yugoslavian win
This interesting looking scenario was scheduled as my intro for playing the Italians. Nice units on both sides, interesting terrain.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very short game. My opponent set up a good defence. After setup, I saw most of the wire exactly where I did need it least so I knew my turn 1 plans for movement were screwed. This left some of my guys not in the best of positions to start with. Luckily I was able to get down one SMOKE with the MTR looking forward for it to drift. A significant portion of my troops dared the rather open western flank that seemed suspiciously empty. It turned out that the area was not only covered by one of the Yugoslav guns right where I suspected it, but as well by a deftly placed HIP MMG+228 that promptly managed to break two AE squads which both ELR'ed losing their AE status and one of them was reduced by fate as well. To boot this MMG in combination with the gun pretty much sealed off the west and messed up my approaches before even reaching the Wire. Unfortunately, his gun managed to break and ELR another AE HS with a FT. With bad choices to rout, this FT was effectively out of the game. Well, so I stepped into sh** big time, but there was more to come. In Yugoslav turn 1, my only unit close enough to threaten his gun was broken by his pesky MMG and forced to rout back. Trying to resume the attack would be pointless, as the approach had meanwhile been blocked by another squad+LMG with room to lay the perfect FL. The second Yugoslav gun had appeared to cover the area as well. In my DFPh, I malfed my MTR, which of course failed its repair DR at the start of Italian turn 2. Did I mention that the wind changed at start of Italian turn 2 to an unfavorable direction and sweeping away the drifting SMOKE for my upcoming movement? Bottomline: I got whacked as I have not been in maybe 2 or 3 years and conceded end of the RPh Italian turn 2. Gotta replay this one another day with an idea for a different approach...
2014-02-15
(D) Chuck Dye
vs
BrianS
Yugoslavian win
2009-12-21
(A) David Ramsey
vs
Martin Barker
Yugoslavian win
Good stuff - even when I lose this one!
2008-03-07
(D) David Ramsey
vs
Dominic McGrath
Italian win
A cracking scenario. Italians with nice toys, too!
2008-02-09
(A) Dan Best
vs
Don Holland
Italian win
Winter War ASL Tournament 2008.
2007-05-22
(A) Benjamin Drieu
vs
Guillaume
Italian win
You have to play it! A solid puzzle for both attacker and defender.
