Gela, The Attack of Mobile Group E

So, now as you come over the crest of the ridge and see the waters of the mediterranean glistening below it is your duty to capture the town of Gela and hold it until elements of the Division Livorno can break through from the west to relieve you. Its early in the morning and you have had your morning cup of ersatz cappacino. Orders from Comando Supremo have your forces of Mobile Group E attacking the village of Gela from the North. You will be supported from the West by the Division Livorno and from the east by the Hermann Goering Division. You have taken a bold gamble and split your forces into two groups. One has been despatched to the east to take hold of the ground known as Piano Lupo and continue south to drive the Americans into the sea and then swing west to hit Gela from the flank.  The second group you now command is comprised of around 20 tanks, some supporting infantry and possible support from the airforce and will attempt to take Gela with a headlong attack down Highway 117. As you saddle up you note the expressions of grim determination on the faces of your men and realize that this is the last great battle for your beloved Il Duce. If you lose here, you know that Il Duce's promise of a second Roman Empire for Italy will be as empty as the complaining stomach's of your hungry warriors....... 


The American assault on Sicily in July of 1943 produced an intense battle for the village of Gela on the south coast of the island. American Rangers under the command of Col Darby spearheaded an assault to capture the village and with the help of the 39th Combat Engineers this objective was acheived early on the morning of July 11. This assault is included in the scenarios that came with Steel Panthers. The Americans had secured the town but were still in the process of unloading supporting  troops and armour when the Italian counterattack came down the road from the direction of Ponte Olivo Airfield. Actually the Italian counter attack came from two directions.  Down the Highway 117 came the tanks of the Mobile Group E. This force was set up to be swiftly moved in place to counter attack when the invasion came. Mobile Group E was composed of a mixed force of infantry, tanks and anti-tank guns but when the assault came, the tankers came crashing into Gela without any of their supporting units. 

The second assault on the town came from the Northwest from the Infantry Divsion Livorno. This unit was a veteran unit but accounts of the battle indicate that the threat from Livorno was repelled with light American losses. 

Mobile Group E's attack would not be blunted so easily. The Rangers in Gela observed the Italian column coming down the road and hastily deployed to meet the theat. The Ranger force had only Bazooka's and a few scattered 37mm AT guns to deal with the tanks, but received unexpected close supporting fire from the guns of the U.S. Navy Destroyer Shubrick. Salvos from the Shubrick hit the Italians as they advanced south toward Gela. While this caused some casualties, the Italians continued the advance on Gela and actually made it into the village. Now the streets and alleyways of the village became a killing ground. Without infantry support, the Italian tankers dueled  the Rangers and Engineers of the 39th  and  played a "deadly game of hide and seek." (this description was taken from the reference cited below).  This went on for some minutes, but finally without infantry support to protect their exposed tanks,  the Italians came to a wise decision and pulled out of the town  With the Italian withdrawal and the defeat of the Livrono Divison the beachead village was secure. 

Please note that for purposes of this scenario you are in command of the Italian Mobile Group E. Be sure to change the computer player to the American forces and put yourself in command of the Italians. I used the map included  with Steel Panthers and used for the Gela Beachead scenario for this scenario (adding some bomb damage to the city) and have not included the assault of the Livorno Division. If you are interested in this I highly recommend the book Sicily and the Surrender of Italy by Albert N. Garland and Howard McGaw Smyth.  Further note that the accounts of the battle report that the Italians used R-35 type French tanks that were captured in 1940 not M-13/40's. Due to limitations of the program I have substitued M-13/40's for the R-35's, but I have modified their ratings to be those of type R-35 tanks. The disadvantage of these captured tanks was their lack of speed and smaller gun. So, while the tanks look like M-13/40's they will have the characteristics of R-35's.  Finally, the 8 inch battery used by the American forces here simulates the firing of the Destroyer Shubrick that intially took the Italians by surprise.
Please note that I highly recommend playing the scenario to completion as you may find that just as the Italians did it is easier to get into the city than it is to stay there. I would welcome any comments and hope you enjoy the scenario.

Joe Sherfy

Many thanks to Andy Ralls for his help in playtesting the scenario and his suggestions. I had initally included the Italian tanks without modification to R-35's, not realizing the program had this capability. Andy suggested I edit the ratings of the M-13/40's so that they would fight like the historical R-35. Thanks Andy!

