Historical Background:
The Allied landing on Salerno appeared to be more difficult than planned and the Allies risked to be repulse on the sea by the German armored counter-attacks. The Allied command decided to reinforce the beach head with the paratroopers of the 82nd US Airborne and to drop on the rear of the enemy the 2/509th Parachute Infantry Battalion under the command of Ltc Yardley to delay the enemy reinforcement coming from Rome. So the 638 paratroopers of the 2/509th were dropped during the night 14 to 15 of September in the Avellino valley. But the paratroopers were scattered in the whole valley and they could not gather to be a threat for the Germans. And three hours only after been dropped, Ltc Yardley was wounded and then prisoner by the Germans. During the following days, small groups of paratroopers made some ambushes and coups de main before to disappear in the country. On the 30th of September, the paratroopers joined the infantrymen of the 34th Infantry Division who arrived at Avellino. For the survivors of the 2/509th, the drop on Avellino was considered as a suicide mission.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Allied player [United States] : 5 command cards, you move first.
Axis player [Germany] : 5 command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
6 medals.
The Avellino station is a temporary medal objective for the Allied player.

Special Rules:
- Use "Specialized Units" rules (Troops 2) to all Allied units, these are Paratroopers. Badges are not required.
- Use "Night Attacks" rules (Action 19).
- Use "Paradrop" rules (Action 20). On the 1st turn, before playing his turn, the Allied player must drop ten infantry units (drop in first hand five units, then in a second hand five more units).

Scenario Bibliography:
- The darkest valley : American paratroopers in Italy.
- Forlorn Hope: Avellino (Italy) and 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.

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.