Historical Background: During the British advance towards Catane, as well as the Malati bridge captured by n°3 Commando, Primosole bridge was captured by a "coup de main" party of the 1st Airborne Brigade. Unfortunately, only less than 300 paratroopers on 1900 which composed the brigade landed near the bridge because of the dispersal due to the enemy Flak and ...the Allied Air Defense. In the night 13th to 14th of July 1943, the 1st Battalion under the command of colonel Pearson captured easily the bridge while 2nd Battalion of lieutenant-colonel Frost (famous from the raid at Bruneval and moreover in the future with his strong resistance in Arnhem bridge) took up position on two hills in the south of the bridge and called "Johnny I" and "Johnny III". In the early morning, Kampfgruppe Schmidt (1.FallschirmDivision) attacked the hills and captured "Johnny III". At that time, it was the first battle between two airborne units of the same value. On the north of the bridge, German captain Stangenberg formed another kampfgruppe with cooks, drivers and mechanics requisitioned at Catane and counter-attacked Pearson's battalion. the battle lasted the whole day, finally out of ammunition, British paratroopers left the defensive position north of the bridge and withdrew to "Johnny I" still in the hands of Frost battalion. In the evening, the vanguard of 4th Armored Division joined the British paratroopers. The battle for Primosole bridge could be resumed. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Allied player [United Kingdom] : 5 command cards. Axis player [Germany] : 6 command cards, you move first.
Conditions of Victory: 5 medals. Primosole bridge is a temporary medal objective for the Axis player.
Special Rules: - Use "BCF Command" rules (Nation 5) to all Allied units. - Use "Specialized Units" rules (Troop 2) to all units. Badges are not required. - Simeto river is impassable (Terrain 8) except by the bridge and fords. - Bunkers are field bunkers (Terrains 22).
Scenario Bibliography: - Militaria Magazine hors-série n°36 - Objectif Messine. - "La Sicile, débarquement surprise" - M.Blumenson - Ed. Marabout. - "Opération Sicile" - W. B. Brever. - "Histoire des opérations aéroportées" - Ed. Elsevier.
Remember, see the Commonwealth war graves at Catane and several memorials (151st DLI Brigade, "ai caduti di tutti le nazionalità", 10th Berkshire Rgt) in the vicinity of Primosole bridge.
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.
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