Hi folks, I'm glad to report that I have scrounged up another Blast from the Past! this month. This time, I've managed to pull from the archives the only ASL scenario that I designed back in the day from Between Two Trenches.
It's been a busy fall here in Germany and a few personal hiccups and priorities have forced me to focus on things beyond the scope of AAR Central, but fear not, in time, I will return. (Sensing hints of MacArthur in how I phrased that).
I had desperately wanted to publish something here on the 11th of the month to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the end of the First World War, but it just wasn't possible. Still, may the armistice hold and our memories of them remain, lest we forget.
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First Published: March 27, 2017
On the Moro - A Reconnaissance Probe in Italy, Late 1943
Inspired by my fascination in the Battle of Ortona, I've designed my own ASL Scenario taking place in Italy during 1943.
The battle of Ortona itself was considered the "Little Stalingrad" of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, especially for the units that fought there. For the 1-2 weeks that the battle raged, the 1st Fallschirmjäger Division desperately tried to hold onto the town of Ortona as the Canadian 1st Infantry Division was in the process of taking it from them. Out of supply, with no reinforcements to help them, and with the threat of being encircled by the 3rd Infantry Brigade attacking north of the city, the Germans were eventually forced to abandon the town, costing both sides a total of 3000+ casualties.
Now, about the actual scenario. I've created a system for designing ASL scenarios that produces a, roughly, randomized engagement while allowing for playing preferences. After going through that process, I devised a sort of pre-Battle of Ortona reconnaissance scenario. Supposed to be a few days before the Battle of Ortona, both sides send recce patrols to find out just where the enemy is and what the other side is fielding.
It should be noted that this scenario is playable with the first three ASLSKs. Ownership of full ASL is not required.
That said, here's ASL Scenario DCS 1 "On the Moro". (The name is explained in a youtube video on my channel found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbo3xLevDag)
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On the Moro
South of Ortona, Italy, Mid December 1943:
As a part of the offensive to take the Moro River, the Canadian 1st Infantry Division has to secure the town of Ortona. With German grenadiers and paratroopers within the vicinity, however, the 2nd and 3rd Brigades won't be able to launch their assaults until intelligence has been gathered. With that in mind, reconnaissance probes from both sides meet in a small town south of Ortona, vying to outdo the other, and gain the upper hand for the coming engagement.
Board Configuration: Board W is set up so that the "w" is in the north-west corner. Row "A" should be to the north and row "GG" should be to the south.
Victory Conditions: The first player to either: A) effectively prevent any enemy unit from routing during the RtPh and thus suffering from "failure to route" or B) to eliminate the other player's only lieutenant, immediately wins upon doing so. If neither condition is met at the end of the game, then the side with the most victory points at the end wins. Each -2 SMC,-1 SMC, or squad is valued at 2VPs. Each -0 SMC, +1 SMC, or HS is valued at 1VP. (If both sides have the same number of VPs at the end of the scenario, then the game is a draw).
Turn Length:
6 full turns
Canadian Player Enters First
German Player Enters Second
Order of Battle:
Elements of the 1st Fallschirmjäger Division and the 362nd Infantry Division [ELR: 3] enter on the north edge of board W 9-1 Lt (1), 8-1 Sgt (1), 8-0 Sgt (2), 5-4-8 (6), 4-6-7 (2), 3-8 LMG (2), 12-4 PSK (1)
Elements of the 1st Brigade, Canadian 1st Infantry Division [ELR: 3] enter on the south edge of board W 9-2 Lt (1), 8-1 Sgt (1), 8-0 Sgt (1), 7-0 Cpl (1), 4-5-8 (2), 4-5-7 (6), 2-4-7 (3), 2-7 LMG (3), 8-3 PIAT (2)
Special Rules: None
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I didn't include an aftermath of the scenario because while this theoretically could have happened, this particular scenario is not based on an actual engagement so I haven't included an aftermath. To balance the game out, or make it a bit longer in terms of play, the scenario could be easily increased to a turn length of 7 rather than 6. Also, feel free to change the German ELR to 4 rather than 3. If anyone reading this has any suggestions or changes you think I should make then let me know.