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 In the Summer of 1943, as the Soviet Union began to really get its war machine rolling, the Western Allies wanted to make some progress against a weakening Axis. With the Germans forced out of North Africa and the increasing ability of the Allies to launch air raids into the Mediterranean, the Axis was looking particularly vulnerable in Southern Europe. The plan (especially favored by Churchill) was to strike at Italy, which was on the verge of exiting the war. Husky was the codename given to this operation. As the Italian army was never equal to the Wehrmacht, and their government was on the brink of collapse, the Germans moved to take military control of the region, at least in Italy. The German tanks were still far superior to the Allied models, but the Allies had the advantage of controlling the air. Theoretically they had the advantage of supply and numbers, but to get to that point, they would need to expand from their landing points. The invasion began in Sicily, which would give the Allies a point to ship in those units, and give them the forward airbases they would need to conquer Italy. Husky July 10, 1943 21 Turns  Objectives (defensive scenario): Bizerta, Tunis, (Pachwo), (Agrigento), (Alcamo), (Petralia), (Catania), (Messina), (Reggio), (Catanzaro), (Cosenza), (Taranto), (Totenza), (Naples), (Foggia) Major victory requires holding at least 5 objectives, Minor requires 2.  What's interesting about this map is that it represents such a large area, giving both sides a lot of area to cover. It is mostly water, though, which means that naval power (which we have none of) and air power (again something we're lacking) are of prime importance. The land objectives are largely along the coast, and so will mostly be vulnerable to naval bombardment. Although most objectives do provide rugged terrain that will make them slightly easier to defend, assuming we can dig in before the bombers arrive. OOB pre:Unit Name Unit Type [Transport] Exp Land Units 2 Pioniere [SPW 251] ** 1 Pioniere [SPW 250] ** 1 43 Wehr Inf - 6 43 Wehr Inf [SPW 251] ** +1 43 Wehr Inf [SPW 250] - 1 43 Wehr HW [SPW 251] ** 1 43 Wehr HW [SPW 250] ** 3 43 LuftW FJ [SPW 250] ** 9 IT Inf ** 1 IT Inf [Fiat] ** 9 IT Inf - 1 IT Inf [Fiat] - 1 IT Bersglri - 3 Pz IVg *** 1 Pz IVh ** 1 Panther D ** Starting Prestige: 1532 (1232 with modifications) As a slight challenge, I've modified my starting units for a weaker German presence in Sicily. Two of the best armored units have been eliminated and replaced with alternatives (which incidentally makes the German units in Sicily roughly equivalent to what we had left at the end of Torch). This is also being run as a campaign start, which means any new units do not get experience. We still have some of the best armored units available, and they totally outclass what the Americans and British can throw at us. The force is relatively mobile, which isn't all that necessary, but is good in that with their harder armor they are generally better at withstanding bombardments. The Italians are now defending their homeland, and while they are running low on quality troops, they'll provide an auxiliary which is at least adequate.  There isn't much of a need to formulate a plan of movement at this point. We'll be gathering most of our forces in Italy into the middle, where they can be ready to hit back if the Allies make a landing. Sicily is expected to hold out for at least two months, and we want to make a fighting retreat the whole way. Some units currently in Italy may be available to be sent down there, if they are not otherwise occupied. Axis Turn 1 : July 10, 1943 Clear (Dry)  Anticipating an onslaught of Allied air power, we throw the front-line troops in Sicily at whatever they can hit.  Back in Italy, the German forces are mustered for defense. Allied Turn 1 : July 10, 1943  Allied air attacks mainly go after our anti-air assets. They have enough bombers to hit our tanks too. Somehow the Italian fighters survive a dogfight with the Americans.  Enemy ships bombard the Italian coast. They may be preparing a landing here as well.  American and British forces make a quick capture of some targets in Sicily. Axis Turn 2 : July 14, 1943 Clear (Dry)  A number of the Allied units are advancing so quickly that they leave themselves vulnerable to our tanks.  In Italy, heavy armor is sent to the shore to stop the amphibious invasion before it can start.  In the air, our fighters take on the Allied fighters one at a time. But there seem to be so many more behind them. Allied Turn 2 : July 14, 1943  Allied bombers nearly empty out Naples, but the main landing appears to be to the south.  A combination of air raids and land assaults begins to put pressure on Catania and Petralia. Axis Turn 3 : July 18, 1943 Clear (Dry)  It appears that the Americans are planning to take Naples, while the British are landing farther down the coast, perhaps as a diversion or to cut off support from the south. The Italians are likely to lose Naples.  We did seem to be in exactly the right position to blow up the landings near our troops. We knock out a unit of tanks and artillery.  The Allied attack seems very disorganized. They may have made a quick advance through the southern part of the island, but now their lack of armor is hurting them. Allied Turn 3 : July 18, 1943  Enemy forces make some progress around Catania, thanks to the help from their bombers and ships. But they still lack armor.  More troops land at Salerno, and they capture the airfield. This is a big problem for us, as at least one squadron of Italian planes being rebased from Sicily will now be lost. Axis Turn 4 : July 22, 1943 Clear (Dry)  The Focke-Wulfs encounter the first enemy fighter that is roughly a match with it - the American P-51 Mustang. In the hands of good pilots, they nearly knock out our whole squadron.  We've all but eliminated the amphibious attack on the Calabrian coastline.  Salerno is lost (along with the BA65 bombers), but the Italians put up a good defense around Naples.  In Sicily the gaps in the line are filled. We should hold the line here at least until the end of the month. Allied Turn 4 : July 22, 1943  The Italians fight the best they can, but after intense combat, Naples is lost.  With their attack stalled at Catania, the attacks in Sicily focus on the west side of the island. Axis Turn 5 : July 26, 1943 Clear (Dry)  The Americans were attempting to flank Petralia, but we blast back their halftracks with our tanks.  A defensive line is set up as German forces stifle the invasion at Salerno and link up with the Italians. Allied Turn 5 : July 26, 1943  We will need to get air defenses back near the front lines in Sicily if we hope to hold out for another month.  The Italians in Sicily focused their defense on holding the Belice River, but the Americans manage to capture Alcamo by going around and taking it from the northeast. Axis Turn 6 : July 30, 1943 Clear (Dry)  Just about the same time we have anti-air units rolling in to deal with Allied air power, we encounter another headache: British ships are steaming toward the Straits of Messina, and will start bombarding the anti-air units before they can move into position on the island.  The Italians manage to regain control of Naples. We'd rather not commit too much of our force here, since we know the Allied fleet can blast us if we try to dig in. Allied Turn 6 : July 30, 1943  Naples falls, but the American attack is blunted as soon as they try to push beyond the city.  The Allies seem determined to cut our supply lines to Sicily and then starve us out on the island.  Western Sicily is further reduced by enemy ships. We're off to an okay start. Sicily will be lost, but the landings on the Tyrrhenian coast are not going so well for the Allies. 
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