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 23^rd 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

  

8^th 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 7^th 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 23^rd 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 7^th 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

  

8^th 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