Monday 21 October 2013

The Megablitz Archive - Messina part 2

Moving on, we have the Brirtish and US briefings.  Note the constraints on the numbers of formations which can be committed to action at any given time.  The game requires a minimum of 4 players (1 US, 1 Brit and 2 Axis) and an umpire but the ideal is at least 3 Americans, 3 Brits and 4 Axis players, together with an umpire and possibly even an air umpire.

British Briefing    July 23rd 1943
Indian and South African divisions advance.
Following our successful landings nearly two weeks ago, significant progress has been made in pushing back Axis forces on Sicily. However, enemy forces remain strong and there is a chance of their being reinforced by troops from the mainland. It is therefor imperative that a decisive defeat be inflicted on the enemy before additional troops arrive. It is also likely that the enemy will shortly begin to evacuate his forces from the island. It need hardly be pointed out that the more we can destroy or capture here and now, the less we will have to face when the invasion of the Italian mainland is finally undertaken.
             Due to constraints of supply and terrain, it is only possible to commit two divisions to action in any given day, although sufficient fuel should be available for other units to conduct road marches.
             Finally, there is talk among the troops that we are engaged in a ‘Race to Messina’ with our American Allies. This is (officially) emphatically NOT the case!

Game duration – up to eight days
  
8th Army Order of Battle
 5 Indian Division
2 South African Division
15 (Scottish) Division
50 Division
2x Armoured Brigades
3x Medium Art Rgts

RAF assets 
1 Fighter (Spitfire) - Based at close airfield.
2 Fighter/Bombers (Kittyhawk/Hurricane) - Based at close airfield.
 1 Medium Bomber (Marauder) - Based at distant airfield.
  
US 7th Army 
3 Infantry Divisions
1 Armoured Division
  
Intelligence Report on Axis Forces
 3½ Italian Divisions
2 Panzer Divisions
various Flak and artillery units

US Briefing     July 23rd 1943
A US Infantry division preparing to attack.
Following our successful landings nearly two weeks ago, we have kicked some ass among the Axis forces on Sicily. However, enemy forces remain strong and there is a chance of their being reinforced by troops from the mainland. It is therefor crucial that we cripple the enemy before additional troops arrive. It is also likely that the enemy will shortly begin to evacuate his forces from the island. It need hardly be pointed out that the more we can destroy or capture here and now, the less we will have to face when the invasion of the Italian mainland is finally undertaken.
             Due to constraints of supply and terrain, it is only possible to commit two divisions to action in any given day, although sufficient fuel should be available for other units to conduct road marches.
             Finally, there is talk among the troops that we are engaged in a ‘Race to Messina’ with our British Allies. This is (officially) emphatically NOT the case!
(But hey, what the hell…..)
  
Game duration – up to eight days
  
US 7th Army 
36 Infantry Division
75 Infantry Division
85 Infantry Division
9 Armoured Division ‘Crap on Tracks’
17 Field Art Btl (155mm)
77 Field Art Btl (155mm)

Air Assets 
Fighter - P-51B – close airfield
Recce – Spitfire – close airfield
Fighter – P-38 – distant airfield
Fighter – P-38 – distant airfield
Bomber – B-24 – distant airfield
  
8th Army Order of Battle 
4 Divisions
2 Armoured Brigades
  
Intelligence Report on Axis Forces 
3½ Italian Divisions
2 Panzer Divisions
various Flak and artillery units

4 comments:

Paul Foster said...

Brilliant briefing Tim.

Its not a race of course...Officially.

Tim Gow said...

Paul Foster
Ideally (if space allows) the tables should be laid out lengthways with Messina in the middle - sending the 'Allies' into a frenzy of competition!

Al said...

Nice collection Tim. What make are the American figures please?

Tim Gow said...

Al
Sorry - I bought the US infantry figures already painted so no idea what make they are. They're are very nice and there will be more photos of them soon!