Click for the last page of this account.
go to 
page 3		 Italian/French Meeting Engagement
WWII Games June 1940, French Alps (1/3) Crossfire Pages
Click for next page
go to 
page 2
The scenario is a hypothetical meeting engagement between elements of the invading Italians and units of a French Fortress division which has sent out patrols.  The table is supposed to represent a moutainous region, the pass of Sollières, in the French Alps, bordering Italy.  Both sides have moved forward under cover of darkness to occupy opposite sides of the river on the night of 21June 1940.  Shortly before daybreak, the fighting begins.
Scenario table
To begin the Crossfire scenario, a die is rolled.  Low roller goes first.  Sides take turns placing a single squad or AFV in one unoccupied woods feaure at a time.  AFVs can't actually occupy the feature, but placing adjacent means the wood feature is occupied.  The French occupy the west side of the river, the Italians, the East.  Once all woods features are occupied, remaining squads/AFVs may be placed one at a time in woods features until all forces are placed.  Once set up is complete, both sides roll, the high roller begining the game with the initiative. There is no hidden deployment.  The objective for both sides in the game is to occupy both large green hills in the centre of the table.
Played at Tim's House, 4 Jan 2004 Italians: Joe, John French: ChrisE, Tim Marshall
French Company CommanderFrench Forces:  Elements of 65th French infantry Division (a reserve B fortress unit)
1st Infantry Company: +0 CC, 1 MG Stand, 1 60mm Mortar stand (2 smoke missions), 4 platoons (each with+1 PC, 3 rifle Squads)
2nd Infantry Company: +0 CC, 1 MG Stand, 1 60mm Mortar stand (2 smoke missions), 1 25mm AT gun, 3 platoons (each with +1 PC, 3 rifle Squads)
Tank Platoon: 4 Reneault FT-17 (1 with MG, 3 with 37mm)  

  • All French forces are considered green and have Soviet style C&C.  Tanks are not radio equipped.
  • French figures are mostly ESCI, with a smattering of Matchbox hard plastic.
  • The picture shows a French company commander in a reserve position with the mortar squad in the south, near the river, at the start of the game.
An Italian company commanderItalian Forces:  Elements of 1st Army, 5th Alpini Division & 3rd Tank Regiment
1st Infantry Company: +0 CC, 1 MG Stand, 3 platoons (each with+1 PC, 3 rifle Squads, 1 squad with ATR)
2nd Infantry Company: +0 CC, 2 MG Stand, 2 platoons (each with +1 PC, 3 rifle Squads, 1 squad with ATR)
1st Tank Platoon: 3 L-3
1st Tank Platoon: 3 L-3
 
  • All Italian forces are considered "regular" and have Soviet style C&C.  L-3s are not radio equipped.
  • One Italian company commander can serve as an observer for a battery of 75mm mountain guns.  His position is considered to be linked via land line and he cannot move out of the woods in which he starts.  6 indirect fire missions, including one smoke mission, are available (note I use house rules for Crossfire artillery).
  • Italian troops are from the ESCI Alpini pack, painted with desert colours.  Historical purists should close their browser windows now!
  • The picture shows an Italian company commander stand at the start of the game.
L-3 commander surveys the road aheadAn L-3 platoon commander eases his vehicle up the road to survey the French positions.  All L-3 models shown are scratch built from plastic card.
French strong pointFrench gun and troops survey the Italian armoured movement.  This position was to suffer heavily from Italian artillery fire.
Click for the last page of this account.
go to 
page 3		 Return to WWII Game Reports
Or, Return to Crossfire Pages		 Click for next page
go to 
page 2