Last Saturday, we returned to the sun-drenched hills of Sicily for our second game of Big Chain of Command. The setup: Stefan (leading a platoon of Italian Fucilieri) and Max (with a Bersaglieri platoon) squared off against me and my platoon of US Armoured Infantry.
After their previous defeat, the US troops had retreated to a strategic ridgeline.
They fortified their position with barbed wire and minefields, determined to delay the advancing Italians long enough for the American main force to organize a defense and prepare a counter-strike.
However, the previous battles had taken their toll: While the Italian platoons were highly motivated to continue their offensive (both at Force Morale 10), the US Armoured were exhausted and simply hoping to survive the coming storm (Force Morale 9).
Morning breaks over a small town. The surrounding area, with its rolling hills covered in vineyards, fields, and plantations, still appears quiet and peaceful.
A view from the church down toward the outskirts of the town.
The local farm woman had sold fresh fruit, vegetables, and dates at the market and is now making her way home with her teenage son...
...while her father has driven the cows onto the fresh, lush meadows.
The peaceful silence is abruptly shattered as Italian and American patrols clash, scrambling to secure the best possible outposts (Jump Off Points after the Patrol Phase).
The US Company HQ takes up a position between a date palm plantation and a wooded hill...
...while the Italian HQ shelters behind a church situated on a small ridge near the edge of town.
The entire Bersaglieri platoon takes advantage of the fact that the Americans haven't yet advanced to the edge of the ridgeline. They double-time forward under the cover of the terrain—only a lone American sniper occasionally forces them to duck and weave!
Simultaneously, a squad of Italian Fucilieri emerges from the town and begins a slow, cautious advance. As of yet, no Americans are visible behind the wire and minefields.
But appearances are deceiving! Several squads of US Armoured are working their way forward through the plantations to give the Italians a proper "welcome."
Two Bersaglieri squads form up to assault the ridgeline...
...while the second Fucilieri squad moves into position by the church, using the stone walls for cover as they open fire on the Americans.
One of the Bersaglieri squads takes heavy casualties during their assault, especially as the Armoured Infantry receive support from an M20 Armored Utility Car. However, the Italians manage to pin down both the M20 and two full US squads.
A second Bersaglieri squad exploits this opening, using a Reposition move to crawl toward one of the US Jump Off Points and capture it!
The Fucilieri continue their slow advance toward the ridgeline to relieve the pressured Bersaglieri, though they still face the daunting problem of how to breach the obstacles.
Fighting on the left flank, the US Armoured attempt to save the situation with a daring counter-assault. They manage to decimate an infantry squad and the Bersaglieri Solothurn team, forcing them to retreat.
At the same time, the Bersaglieri who captured the outpost suffer devastating losses from a pre-registered mortar strike (SOS Fire) and flee in total disorder toward their comrades in the Fucilieri.
Ultimately, it was time to go. The US Armoured had to withdraw to avoid encirclement. Nevertheless, my boys successfully carried out their orders to delay the enemy for as long as possible. Strategic victory! Furthermore, while maintaining very low casualties ourselves, the Bersaglieri platoon was nearly wiped out, ending the game on the verge of breaking (Force Morale 2!).
The main force has now had enough time to prepare defensive positions for the Axis main assault—and my Armoured platoon will surely get their chance for revenge!
Lessons Learned:
As is often the case: reading the rules helps! Max’s clever trick—using "Reposition" five times in a row with the same squad to seize my JOP—wouldn't actually have been possible.
As is often the case: reading the rules helps! Max’s clever trick—using "Reposition" five times in a row with the same squad to seize my JOP—wouldn't actually have been possible.
According to the CoC rulebook (page 33): "No unit can use Chain of Command points more than once in any phase."
That aside, Big Chain of Command is incredible fun thanks to the expanded options provided by the Company HQ. It feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface!
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