Matrix Games Forums

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

Rangers, attached to the 1st Division, fought off several attacks by the Italians in their effort to take the city of Gela.

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

3rd Division’s landings around Licata were much easier compared to 1st Division.

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

The sea and poor execution caused the main casualties in the landing of the 45th Division.

Thoroughly enjoying this especailly as I wrote a dissertaion on Husky as part of a MA in Military History last year

Recommended (free) reading from the CMH:

https://history.army.mil/html/books/006 ... index.html

and more specific:

https://history.army.mil/html/books/072 ... index.html

Klink, Oberst

ORIGINAL: cantona2

Thoroughly enjoying this especailly as I wrote a dissertaion on Husky as part of a MA in Military History last year

Glad you are enjoying. It’s been fun to produce.

ORIGINAL: Oberst_Klink

Recommended (free) reading from the CMH:

https://history.army.mil/html/books/006 ... index.html

and more specific:

https://history.army.mil/html/books/072 ... index.html

Klink, Oberst

Thanks. Took quick look at both of the docs. Notice some very similar pictures which isn't to surprising.

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

8th Army

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

1st Airlanding Bde suffered high casualties … but most were lost to poor execution.

Note: In this scenario, the strength of this brigade is overstated.

Fascinating AAR.

It seems that Operation Labroke was indeed a practice for Market Garden with all the screw ups !

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Fascinating AAR.

It seems that Operation Labroke was indeed a practice for Market Garden with all the screw ups !

It is indeed gripping!

Klink, Oberst

ORIGINAL: devoncop

Fascinating AAR.

It seems that Operation Labroke was indeed a practice for Market Garden with all the screw ups !

It does seem to be a consistent theme with air drops.
But most of the issues are not the fault of the paratroopers but of planners, poor equipment, poor training,
lack of navigation (equipment and training) by pilots, aggressive plans (bridges to far [:D]), etc.

+1 I am really enjoying this [:)]

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

Landings have been completed.

US 7th Army Plan:

3rd Div. – Expand beachhead and connect up with 1st Div.
1st Div. – Expand beachhead and connect up with 3rd and 45th divisions.
82nd Arb. – Support 1st Div. push to connect with 45th Div.
45th Div. – Expand beachhead, connect with 1st Div., and push eastward to connect with 1st Cdn Div.

Note: Several German armored infantry regiments in the area. (red arrow)

AM – July10, 1943 (T2) – Round 2

Landings have been completed.

CW 8th Army Plan:

1st Arb & Spec. Serv. Bde – Secure port at Siracusa.
5th Div. – Expand beachhead and connect up with 1st Arb at Siracusa.
50th Div. – Expand beachhead and protect west flank of 5th Div.
51st Div. – Expand beachhead
1st Cdn Div. & 1st Cdn Tk Bde – Expand beachhead, and push westward to connect with US 45th Div.

PM – July10, 1943 (T3)

Start of turn 3 – Afternoon of the first day.

US 7th Army - Expanding beachheads and connecting up the front lines.

Note: Massing of enemy troops north and northwest of Gela.

PM – July10, 1943 (T3)

Start of turn 3 – afternoon of first day.

CW 8th Army Plan - Expanding beachheads; also secured Siracusa.

1st Cdn Div. & 1st Cdn Tk Bde – pushing westward to connect with US 45th Div.

Arrival of aircraft carriers to naval fleet

PM – July10, 1943 (T3)

Start of turn 3 – afternoon of first day.

Axis Bombardment

Italian shore battery fires on RN Force H – Return fire can be deadly! (red arrow)

US 45th Division receives sustained bombardment from Axis Air Units.

Air Support

I have the Air Assistant ”On” which in a way simulates the lack of cooperation between Air Support and Ground/Naval Forces during the initial days of the operation.

You can see I have lost 8 destroyers (some may have been from coastal guns).

Initial Axis reaction