Courage and Initiative - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Agira, 40km SW of Mount Etna, Sicily: [Best played as Allied] In the early stages of the Sicily Campaign, Canadian success was often the result of courage and initiative taken by battalion and company commanders. In the opening phase of the battle for Agira, the higher HQs had opted for tighter control over the advancing infantry units; they were to follow a timed, creeping artillery barrage. An evening attack up Route 121 by the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), supported by tanks, was repulsed when the leading elements were ambushed by elements of the 15th Panzergrenadier Division. The creeping artillery barrage moved on without the units it was meant to support. The remaining three companies were urged forward by their HQ as they regrouped in some low ground. The company commanders quickly made a plan and pushed around to the right and found themselves in the enemy rear when radio communication was lost. Under prior orders not to proceed on to Agira without authorization, a strong force of the RCRs spent the night deep behind the Axis lines with what they believed was a clear path to Agira. Dawn found them poised, ready to press on to their objectives. Much to their surprise, however, word came forward by an officer that they were to withdraw. This hypothetical scenario explores what might have occurred had Capt. Dillion not arrived with the order to withdraw. Capt. Hodson of the RCRs is on record as saying "I believe to this day, we could have, and should have, made a go for it." If only they had used their "courage and initiative"!