[Italy] The tobacco factory - Action 2 - September 13, 1943

Operation Avalanche - Black Monday.
Mediterranean Theater By: jdrommel - Last update: 07/31/2022
Axis Player: Allied Player:
x6 x7 x6 x7
first You play first    


Historical Background:
Convinced of drive back the Allies to the sea, General Vietinghoff ordered an attack with all forces available in the area of Eboli against US troops. So, on the 13th of September, about 20 German tanks with infantry and artillery attacked the 1st Battalion 157th RCT entrenched in the tobacco factory captured the day before. In spite of the fire of US artillery and anti-tank guns, the Germans recaptured the factory and the bridge on the Sele river, the 1st Battalion was routed and the 2nd Battalion 143rd RCT lost 500 soldiers as prisoners of war. Then, the Germans were under heavy fire of the US artillery and Navy so they stopped their offensive and withdrew to Persano at nightfall. But for US troops, this day was known as the "Black Monday".
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis player [Germany] : 6 command cards, you move first.
Allied player [United States] : 6 command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
7 medals.
The three hexes of the tobacco factory form a Temporary Majority Medal Objective worth 1 medal for whoever controls the factory. So the Allied player begins the game with one medal in his victory path.
The capture of the bridge on the Sele river is a temporary medal objective for the Axis player.

Special Rules:
- Special Weapon Asset rules (SWAs 4) are in effect for units with anti-tank weapons (SWAs 5).

Scenario Bibliography:
- Hyperwar : US Army in WWII - Salerno to Cassino.
- "Crushing counter-attack at Salerno" - Warfare History Network.

Remember, the buildings of the factory are still existing today (5 buildings in round shape like a ring near the Sele river).

Warning:
Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.

Set-up Order
3
4
4
6
13
1
1
1
2