Rangers at Gela - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Gela (Sicily). Historical scn. (H2H opponents). Following the Allied victory in Tunisia, the next step at hitting Axis-held Europe was the capture of Sicily. Mussolini boasted that the island fortress of Sicily coul never be successfully invaded because of its highly developed defenses. The entire invasion coast was heavily prepared to repel invasion; 13 divisions, 3 of which were Panzer units, were ocuppying the island. The plan of allied attack named Husky operation must for the Americans take the south central coast, the most highly defended and most strategic spot on the island was Gela, with its key rail and road network, airport, landing facilities. The mission of occupying this critical spot became the job of a special task force of Darby´s Americans Rangers. The fisrt battalion supported by the 1st Batt of 39th Engineer Combat Regiment and naval gunfire had to open a beachhead in Gela defences meanwhile the Gavin´s 82nd US Airbone Division (505th Rgt.) took strategic areas some kilometers inland to delay every German or italian attempt to counterattack and get off the Rangers to sea. The initial success for the Americans was dangerously scared by elements of the Hermann Goering Panzer Div. (KG Schmalz) and the 1st Batt. of italian Livorno Division.Tigers and German fallchirmtruppen against Gavin´s light armored paratroopers was not a balanced fight until the arrived of Rangers supported by tanks. The Rangers were leading the way again...