It's a Long Way to Tipperary Tournament - Round 3 - S43 DIME Beach

[Steel God]

Situation at the end of Turn 7 – 1400 July 10th 1943

The Italians made short work of the Paras at Ponte Olivo, and the 15th PzGren and their Italian cohorts likewise eliminated a Para detachment blocking the bridge at Vittoria.  The HG division, at least the infantry components, seem to be driving south and east of the Acale River hunting Paras, which I consider a win, as if all goes as I’d like it to, I can pull back west of the Acale and let them stay pretty much out of the main fight.  The German infantry is by far the most fearsome units he has and the less they have to shoot at the better.

Beach consolidation is going well, the 1st ID is just about completely assembled into full battalions, at least the parts that have landed.  Some support arms have also started landing and assuming positions.  Two of the late Sherman companies arrived this turn, giving me 3/4s of a battalion, albeit disrupted and without a higher HQ yet.  The 45th division is moving west of the Acale River and Engineers heading towards Ponte Drillo to destroy the bridge there.  The Coastal Detachments east of Ponte Drillio I would love to capture if it’s easy to do but given their low value I will not put too much effort into chasing them.  If they head to Biscari I may have to try and evacuate those few elements of the 82nd via Engineers across the river north of Ponte Drillio.  Visibility is bad enough and the objective north of Biscari never captured so that he may not head that way, that I could conceivably manage it.  If they stay in place and wait for the 15th PzGren to push down Route 115 it may actually be the worst thing for the 82nd’s survivors, but honestly, I think he’ll use the Coastal Detachments as bait to try and lure me east or assume I want to go that way.   Artillery and Air power whittled his PzII detachment down to 2 from 6.  Free VPs and maybe it will give his armor some healthy respect for the beach zones.   Score stands at 775, but still over 100 VPs I don’t expect to hold, so still a Draw in my mind.