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

[Dog Soldier]

Turn 9 6:00 PM 10 July 1943 Day Normal Conditions Visibility 2km

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Infantry from the Italian 4th Livorno Division engages an American 1st ID battalion(?) as they probe south towards the southern airfield. All other Italian units east of the Gela River are either digging in at the north airfield or forming a line to the south to protect each other's flanks and connect with the German units pushing towards Piano Lupo's, pillbox location. That being on the highest ground in the area, its recapture is worth far more than just the VP. It will hopefully give me a better view of the Allied force concentrations and force Steel God to divert troops there to take it back possibly weakening the southern airfield defense. Just the threat should be able to draw some Allied units east. I am now wondering how I can / should bring the main force of KG Links west across the Acale River.
The dilemma is the poor visibility. I cannot determine where the strength of the American 45th ID will be or how many additional 82 AB units are still out there. I keep finding more every turn. Tracking them is impossible due to vineyards and low visibility making the high ground in a line from Biscari to Vittoria less useful for spotting. I am sure I will be in control of that line by morning of the next day.

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West of the Gela River, I deployed additional units to insure the Italian Commando unit safely retreats across the bridges to the northeast and all will link up with the main Axis forces. Maybe it will take Steel God a few turns to determine I have left the west side of the Gela River. The temptation to pounce on the 1XX Ranger unit along the river bank is strong.  However, this scenario is too short to play around with a dilution of force by the Axis. I need to use my mobility to concentrate for a strike before all the Allied units have landed on the beaches or the 82 AB has organized.
In the east, PzGr are pursuing 82 AB units to Biscari. Probing towards Botteghello from the south as Mobile Group H moves south to either trap Paratroops or determine the area is clear. PzGr from the 104th regiment , 15th PD pursue paratroops west of Vittoria, take one 82 AB unit prisoner and will move to take the other trapped east of the ford.
The Coastal Defense units trapped northeast of Route 115 will be lost. They are delaying the American 45th ID units which helps my cause.

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In the Allied turn Steel God picked up 13 VP from 740 to 753. I was able to take back 26 VP inflicting more casualties on the Allies than I took this turn.
With 50 VP at Biscari in easy reach and a possible 100 VP at the southern airfield now only two km away, I am in a good position. If I can keep up the pressure and gain a few more hexes before morning, Steel God might be in a desperate position. Or he will have pulled together the Allied forces and will begin to push me back between the Gela and Acale rivers. That is a tough assignment against the excellent player l know Steel God to be. His force will only grow stronger. I need to to get him off balance to have any chance of better than a draw.
Dog Soldier