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DISCLAIMER: This has only been used against the AI. How a human player would react is unknown.

Instead of landing at the historical invasion beaches and "pushing" the Axis forces out of Sicily I decided, instead, to trap them and eliminate as many as I could to reduce the Axis forces I'd have to face when invading Italy.

Force Composition:

========== Task Group A ==========
- Objective: Isolate Messina and prevent evacuation of Axis forces in Sicily. Secondary objective Messina if possible.

XXX BR Corps
(153,285) AF Barcelolona, Sicily
- 1st CA Infantry Division
- 51st BR Infantry Division
- 1st CA Armoured Brigade (contained in XXX BR Corps HQ)
- 23rd BR Armoured Brigade Group (contained in XXX BR Corps HQ)

========== Task Group B ==========
- Objective: Capture port of Catania and link up with XXX BR Corps as quickly as possible

XIII BR Corps
(152,291) SW of Catania, Sicily
- 50th BR Infantry Division
- 231st BR Infantry Brigade (XXX Corps)
- 4th BR Armoured Brigade Group (contained in XIII BR Corps HQ)

(153,290) Catania, Sicily
- 5th BR Infantry Division

(151,291) SSW of Catania, Sicily
-3/1st BR Airborne Division

========== Task Group C ==========
- Objective: Capture ports of Palermo and Trapani. Secondary objective assist 8th BR Army after ports captured.

II US Corps
(146,298) Licata, Sicily
- 3rd US Infantry Division

(149,293) SE of Gela, Sicily
- 45th US Infantry Division

(148,293) Gela, Sicily
- 1st US Infantry Division

(149,293) E of Gela, Sicily
- 3/82nd US Airborne Division (7th US Army)

Initial Invasion - Turn 2 (July 10, 1943) The initial invasion went well. Task Group A has successfully cut off the upper tip of Sicily. Just under 50% of the times I've used this strategy I also ave been able to capture Messina on the initial invasion. Task Group B has successfully captured the port of Catania and sent initial forces north to link up with Task Group A forces. Task Group C has landed and sent out forces towards Palermo and Trapani. In addition, forces landing belonging to 7th US Army are heading towards the Axis forces at Syracuse.

Turn 3 (July 17, 1943) Task Group A is still holding and preventing the escape of Axis forces from Sicily. Task Group B forces have reached the Axis line and are attempting to break through to relieve Task Group A forces. Task Group C forces have reached and are engaging Axis forces at Palermo and Trapani. Additional US forces have also captured Syracuse.

Turn 4 (July 24, 1943) Task Group A and Task Group B forces have linked up. In addition US forces are assisting in surrounding Axis forces. Task Group C forces have captured Palermo and Trapani.

Turn 5 (July 31, 1943)

Interesting thought of attacking so close to Messina.

How did you provide air cover for the Task Force? I would think the naval losses might prove substantial, and might have consequences for the 'real' invasion when you hit the beaches somewhere on the mainland.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

(1) German deployments on the three islands, but didn't bother with the Italians since they will be out of the war in a few months, so little point in going after them:
(a) SICILY -- 2 and 1/3 divisions
(b) SARDINIA -- 1 and 1/3 divisions
(c) CORSICA -- 1/3 division

(2) Sicily as staging area
(a) Rapid FB deployment to support Sicilian operations
(b) Air cover for southern Sardinia, none for Corsica
(C) Major stretch to cover Taranto area

WHAT COMES NEXT

(1) Where do you intend to land on the mainland?

Is storming the Straits practical? I hate the idea of taking ports surrounded by mountains, am reluctant to land on beaches without adequate air cover, and am aching to use those four Allied armored divisions and all those tank brigades.

Regards,

Rick

rickwarintheeast wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:45 pm Interesting thought of attacking so close to Messina.

How did you provide air cover for the Task Force? I would think the naval losses might prove substantial, and might have consequences for the 'real' invasion when you hit the beaches somewhere on the mainland.

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

(1) German deployments on the three islands, but didn't bother with the Italians since they will be out of the war in a few months, so little point in going after them:
(a) SICILY -- 2 and 1/3 divisions
(b) SARDINIA -- 1 and 1/3 divisions
(c) CORSICA -- 1/3 division

(2) Sicily as staging area
(a) Rapid FB deployment to support Sicilian operations
(b) Air cover for southern Sardinia, none for Corsica
(C) Major stretch to cover Taranto area

WHAT COMES NEXT

(1) Where do you intend to land on the mainland?

Is storming the Straits practical? I hate the idea of taking ports surrounded by mountains, am reluctant to land on beaches without adequate air cover, and am aching to use those four Allied armored divisions and all those tank brigades.

Regards,

Rick

I'm using a modded scenario for myself where my air forces are not structured like the default. I can still give you a screen shot of the air directives I had active for this game if interested and you think it will give you any ideas. I will also give you a screen shot of my alternate Operation Avalanche. I basically have the US 5th Army land at Salerno where they historically did but the BR 8th Army lands in the area between Barletta and Bari. Usually I can link the forces up pretty quickly and the Axis AI usually tries to retreat instead of getting trapped.

I have all my operations pre-planned. I know what units I will use and what staging ports and when they have to get there to be able to launch my invasions. So while I'm invading Sicily I already have forces planning for Italy and =use the US II Corps as follow-up forces after Sicily.

I've not ventured into the world of the editor...seems a bit daunting, to be honest.

I wasn't looking for more screen shot, but rather a quick summary of air activity and resulting naval damage.

As to my strategic goal, I aim to trap the German army in the Apennines south of Florence.

After that, send British XIII and XXX Corps through Gibraltar to be the British third wave, while the US and French divisions cross over into southern France and push up the Rhone Valley. Alas, they never reach the Belfort Gap in time.

Regards,

Rick