ITALY 43 Fifth Armys Advance to the Gustav Line

Italy 43 is a two-player game depicting the U.S. Fifth Armys advance from Naples to the Gustav Line in 1943. The game (picking up where Salerno 43 left off) covers the time period from October 2 to December 31st, 1943.

Initially, the Allied advance moved quickly with the Fifth Army crossing the Volturno River on October 13th. But from then on, the Germans began to fight a stubborn delay action as they slowly withdrew to their prepared defense linesThe Barbara Line and then The Gustav Line. For the next two and a half months, the Allies advanced slowly north, fighting for practically every village and mountain top to even reach the Gustav Line. It was a grueling campaign known for the battles of San Pietro Infine, Monte Lungo, and Monte Camino.

Italy 43 uses the exact same map and unit scale as Salerno 43 and Normandy 44. Italy 43 uses the same game system used in Salerno 43 with some modifications and rule improvements.

Italy 43 includes four scenarios: Across the Volturno, The Barabara Line, The Mignano Gap, and the full Campaign Game.

As in other 19XX games, the rules include ZOC Bonds, Determined Defense, Extended Movement, and a straightforward CRT. New rules include: Construction of Defense Lines, Mountain units, and two new attack options: Prepared Offensives and Sustained Attacks.

Players will find the game and order of battle extremely useful in understanding what happened in this campaign. It allows players to experience and understand how a depleted German army was able to slow and then stop the Fifth Army at the Gustav Line.

Components:

• One PAPER Map: 25.5" x 22"
• One Countersheet
• One Rules Booklet
• One Allied Setup/Reinforcement Card
• One German Setup/Reinforcement Card
• Two Scenario Cards
• Two (identical) Player Aid Cards
• Two 6-sided Dice

Time scale: 2-3 days per turn

Map scale: 3.8 km per hex

Unit Scale: Battalion, Regiment, and Brigade

Players: 1-2