crossing Messina straits

[Marc_Mitscher]

Playing the 43-45 campaign game. I have cleared Sicily and want to move troops on to the "Toe" of the Italian boot. As discussed in the manual, I use my Amphibious HQs as ferries to allow my troops to cross the Messina straits. However, if the Axis player deploys even just moderate forces on the other side, it is impossible for the Allied player to force his way across even with a 4 division attack supported by multiple support units.

The only way I see to bypass the problem is to mount an amphibious landing, which takes 5-6 weeks, but if you go to that much trouble, it makes more sense to land much farther up the "Boot" to try to cut off Axis troops. I landed most of U.S. 5th/7th Army at Salerno and have just cut the peninsula in two, but the AI is still keeping divisions at the straits facing the British 8th Army.

Am I missing something?

[RedLancer]

I think you're spot on as you are thinking historically. (Of course I would say that, as the game is forcing you to historical conclusions and I have a small hand in development)

I remember reading that Salerno was at the max range for Spitfires based in Sicily.

Finally the AI is the best possible but it's not perfect and still a machine. If it's making your life difficult that's a bonus as this is a wargame.[;)] If you've cut the peninsula it has nowhere to retreat to so it will hold the strongest position.

[Dobey455]

Run some good recon and identify the opposing units.
There are 3 or 4 possible hexes that you can attack and the Germans shouldn't have enough forces to put divisions in all of those hexes.
Find an Italian Unit, or a German regiment sized force and you have a good chance of dislodging it.

The attacking units don't usually have enough movement points left to then complete the crossing so I usually keep an armoured unit or a motorised infantry unit in Messina to complete the crossing into the vacated hex.

Its a bit of a juggling act, but it usually works.

[Marc_Mitscher]

good advice. thanks.