Avanti

Avanti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Breda MG Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Special Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Assault Mortar Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
War in the Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 81mm Mortar Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Battle of Gazala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Support Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Second Battle of El Alamein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Assault Engineer Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Battle of Kasserine Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 AB41 Armoured Car Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Know Your Carri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 L6/40 Light Tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
90mm on Lancia Anti-tank Battery . . . . . . . . . . 34
20th Armoured Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
88mm Anti-tank Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Avanti Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 100mm Howitzer Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
132nd ‘Ariete’ Armoured Division . . . . . . . . . 18 AB41 OP Observation Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
131st ‘Centauro’ Armoured Division . . . . . . . 20 CR.42 Falco Assault Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
M14/41 Tank Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Autocannone 20mm AA Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
M14/41 Tank Company HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 German Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
M14/41 Tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Kasserine Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Semovente SP Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Panzer IV Tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8th Bersaglieri Regiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Panzer III Tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Bersaglieri Weapons Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Africa Rifle Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Bersaglieri Weapons Company HQ . . . . . . . . . 26 5cm Tank-Hunter Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Weapons Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Painting Italians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
47mm Anti-tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Italian Armour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5th Bersaglieri Regiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Italian Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Bersaglieri Rifle Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Italian Infantry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Bersaglieri Rifle Company HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 CR.42 Falco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Rifle Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Basing Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
1
The German soldier has impressed the world, however the
Italian Bersagliere soldier has impressed the German soldier.
— Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel
The Regio Esercito Italiano (Italian Royal Army) has sent Unlike the desert veterans, the troops sent to Tunisia retain
its best troops to fight in North Africa, including its only the conventional rifle company organisation, as this is better
armoured corps, Corpo d'Armata Motocorazzato, (the suited to the mountainous terrain found there. These crack
Motorised-Armoured Corps). Overcoming the rough infantry excel in both attack and defence, backed up by a
handling it received in 1940, the Italian Army has become full range of heavy weapons, including Brixia assault mortars
an effective fighting force, confident in its capabilities and and deadly flame-thrower-armed assault engineers.
determined to show the world the valour of the Italian soldier. The Italian artillery is the elite of the army, courageous and
The Italians have two main types of tanks, the M14/41 skilful. Their equipment is tried and tested, and packs a solid
medium tank and the Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun. punch. The standard artillery piece is the 100/17 howitzer,
Although their tanks are lighter than those of their opponents, a more powerful weapon than the equivalent British 25 pdr
the carristi (tankers) refuse to back down, knowing that they field gun, while the Allies have nothing to match either the
must fight harder to compensate for this handicap. 88mm dual-purpose anti-aircraft/anti-tank guns purchased
The elite bersaglieri sharpshooters who support the tanks from the Germans or the truck-mounted self-propelled
have learned all about fighting in the wide-open spaces of 90mm guns that are the Italian equivalent. No Allied tank
the desert. As a result, the battalions have been reorganised can stand up to their lethal anti-tank capabilities.
so that each infantry platoon forms an all-arms group with If hot-blooded bravery and dogged determination appeal
anti-tank guns and machine-guns to defeat both tanks more than steel-hearted technology, or if you like the idea
and infantry. These are backed up by even more light of closing fast with the foe and overcoming them at close
dual-purpose infantry-support/anti-tank guns quarters more than long-range gunnery duels, then the
for maximum firepower with Italian Army is your first choice. Avanti!
minimum manpower. Advance! Victory lies in front of you!
2
The following special rules are characteristic of Italian forces,
reflecting their own style of equipment, tactics, and approach to battle.
8 MILLION BAYONETS
Mussolini demanded an army eight million strong to create his new Roman Empire. The rapid expansion needed for this led
to reservist officers being recalled to the colours with little extra training. When combined with an emphasis on indoctrination
over tactical training, it was a recipe for patchy performance. All units learned fast in the harsh school of war, but some shone.
Italian Unit Cards have two columns for their Motivation and Skill
ratings: Standard and Elite (Elite marked ).
After deployment, but before the first turn, roll an M14/41
TANK PLATOON
8 Million Bayonets die for each Unit to determine
which column to use. Platoons held in Reserve do not MOTIVATION
• Tank UniT •
IS H
CONFIDENT 4+ 4+ CAREF
roll until they arrive. Avanti
Follow Me 3+ 2+ ARM
If the die shows , the Unit uses the Elite column Determined & Protected
Remount 2+ 2+ FRONT
for their ratings. Place the die on the Unit Card or with the Unit SKILL SIDE &
Leader to remind you and your opponent of the Unit's ratings (most TRAINED 4+ 3+ REAR
Italian boxes come with an 8 Million Bayonets dice). Focused
Tactics 5+ 4+ TOP
If you do not have an 8 Million Bayonets die available, roll a normal TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH C
die: on a roll of 5 or 6, the Unit is Elite ( ). 10”/25CM 12”/30CM 16”/40CM 18”/45CM
WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
AVANTI SAVOIA! TANKSM14/41 (47mm) 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT
The Italians are determined to live up to their dreams of glory. Italian carriM14/41
(tanks)
( MGs)were small andCMlight.6 Although
16”/40 6 2quite
6 Self-defence AA
modern at the start of the war, with some advanced features,

AVANTI they did not progress much as the war progressed.
Italian doctrine called for rapid movement into contact, then a
careful assault to break the enemy position. FOCUSED
Teams with the Avanti rule have an improved Motivation Like many early tanks, Italian designs combined the role of
rating when testing to use the Follow Me movement order. commander and gunner. This made the tanks smaller and light-
er, but made it difficult for the commander to be aware of the
DETERMINED tactical situation while focussed on their role as the gunner.
Italian soldiers have known both victory and defeat in this Tanks where the commander is Focused on gunnery have a
war, but throughout it all, they have been determined to fight reduced Tactics rating.
and die well.
Determined troops have a better Rally or Remount rating. PROTECTED AMMO
Italian tanks stored their ammunition in armoured bins
ASSAULT ENGINEERS accessed by doors in the back of the turret, significantly reducing
Italian assault engineers, the elite Guastatori, are specialists ammunition explosions when tanks were knocked out.
in breaking into and destroying fortified positions. Protected Ammo combines with Determined to give Italian
tanks an excellent Remount rating.
FLAME-THROWER
Flame-throwers spew a stream of burning fuel, making them ANTI-TANK
terrifying and lethal weapons. Italian weapons are light and mobile, designed to fight on
Infantry, Gun, and Unarmoured Tank Teams re-roll success- the mountainous borders of Italy. The latest technology gives
ful Saves when hit by a Flame-thrower and the Unit is auto- them the punch to defeat tanks in the wide-open desert.
matically Pinned Down. Armoured Tank Teams use their
Top armour for Armour Saves when hit by a Flame-thrower. HEAT
The Royal Army has developed new Effetto Pronto (Rapid Effect)
PIONEERS ammunition for their guns. This ammunition is called High-
Assault engineers are trained in attacking through and clearing Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) in English. When it explodes, it
the minefields protecting their target. forms a jet of metal that can punch through a tank’s armour.
Pioneer Teams cross Minefields safely on a roll of 2+. If they Since it doesn’t rely on velocity, it is equally effective at any range.
remain in the Minefield and are not Pinned Down, they may A Team’s Armour rating is not increased by +1 if it is more
clear the Minefield automatically in their next turn. than 16”/40cm away when hit by HEAT weapons.
3
S OV I E T
NORWAY
UN I O N
ESTONIA
SWEDEN
LATVIA Moscow
LITHUANIA
North Sea
DENMARK
Minsk
Kursk
G R E AT
POLAND Kharkov
B R I TA I N Berlin Warsaw
NETHERLANDS
London Kiev
Dunkirk
G E R M A N Y
BELGIUM
Paris SLOVAKIA
CRIMEA
F R A N C E HUNGARY Sevastopol
SWITZERLAND ROMANIA
Black Sea
YUGOSLAVIA
VICHY FRANCE
BULGARIA
I TA LY
SPAIN CORSICA Rome ALBANIA
TURKEY
SARDINIA GREECE
SICILY
Algiers Tunis CRETE

Oran
TUNISIA Mediterranean Sea
ALGERIA Kasserine
Pass
MOROCCO
Tripoli Gazala Mersa Alexandria
Tobruk Matruh
0 500 Benghazi El Alamein
Km
500 Beda Fomm
M L I BYA EG Y P T
El Agheila
Western Front Eastern Front North African Theatre Pacific Theatre
1939 1 9 4 0
1 September 6 October 9 April - 10 June 10 May 9 December
Germany Poland Germany invades Germany invades the Operation Compass: British
invades Poland surrenders Denmark and Norway Netherlands, Belgium and France push Italians back into Libya
3 September 13 March 27 May - 5 June 13 September

France and Britain Winter War ends. British and French evacuate Italy invades Egypt
declare war on Germany Finland cedes territory over 300,000 troops at Dunkirk
10 July - 31 October
17 September 30 November 28 May The Battle of Britain
Soviet Union Winter War begins. Belgium surrenders
invades Poland Soviet Union invades Finland,
10 June 22 June
but is stopped cold France surrenders
Italy declares war
4
On 10 June 1940, the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, Commonwealth forces back out of Libya, apart from the
known as Il Duce, joined the war on the side of the Axis 9th Australian Division and assorted other troops left behind
forces, declaring war on Great Britain and France. He had in the port of Tobruk. By holding Tobruk, they denied the
dreams of a new Roman Empire, which he would start by Axis a vital Mediterranean supply port. The besieged ‘Rats
kicking the British out of North Africa. Maresciallo Rodolfo of Tobruk’ steadfastly resisted everything the Italians and
Graziani protested that his Tenth Army was unprepared Germans threw at them. While they could not break out
for war against a modern, mechanised army. Nonetheless, and escape, the need to keep them contained made it much
Mussolini insisted on an attack. harder for Rommel to press his advantage.
On 9 September, after three months’ preparation, Graziani The British made two attempts to relieve Tobruk. In May,
marched a force of four infantry divisions as far as Sidi Operation Brevity recaptured the Halfaya Pass against reso-
Rostov Barrani, a quarter of the way to Alexandria, Britain’s main lute resistance by the 8° Reggimento Bersaglieri. The Germans
base in Egypt. There he dug fortified camps and spent three described them as fighting ‘...with lion-like courage until
more months preparing for the next stage of the offensive. the last man against stronger enemy forces. The greatest
The British and Commonwealth defenders, the heavily part of them died faithful to the flag.’ A German armoured
outnumbered but much more mobile Western Desert Force counterattack recaptured the Pass later that month. In June,
under General Archibald Wavell, conducted a fighting Operation Battleaxe aimed to encircle the Germans, but was
retreat, then prepared a counteroffensive of their own. On repelled with heavy losses to the British forces. Having failed
9 December 1940, Wavell launched Operation Compass. Its to lift the siege of Tobruk, Wavell was replaced by General
success surprised both the Italians and the British. Wavell’s Sir Claude Auchinleck.
more mobile forces picked off the dispersed Italian positions Thanks to information received from the Ultra programme,
one by one. What was planned as a five-day raid turned into Auchinleck knew Rommel planned to launch a massive
a general advance, pushing the Italians right back into Libya attack on Tobruk in November 1941, and made plans to pre-
and destroying the Tenth Army. empt him with his own attack. Reinforced and re-supplied,
The British advance halted at El Agheila, unable to continue the newly designated Eighth Army now had over 400 tanks,
further due to vehicle breakdowns, exhaustion and the long including the speedy new Crusader and the American-built
supply line from their base in Egypt. Thinking the Italians M3 Stuart (which the British nicknamed the ‘Honey’).
beaten, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill rede- Auchinleck launched Operation Crusader on 18 November,
ployed several of the best divisions from Africa to Greece, to taking the Axis forces by surprise.
help defend against the expected German attack there. The plan was for the 7th Armoured Division to destroy the
Unfortunately for his plans, a new factor was about to enter Axis panzer force while the infantry pushed through and
the desert war. The Italians sent six infantry divisions and linked up with the Tobruk defenders. The plan started to
a new armoured division, the 132ª Divisione corazzata unravel when a British armoured brigade was mauled by
‘Ariete’, equipped with the new M13/40 medium tank, to Ariete at Bir El Gubi. Joining the German Afrika Korps,
face the British. At the same time, Hitler felt compelled to Ariete overran South African, New Zealand, Indian, and
send help rather than risk facing British domination of the British infantry formations across the battlefield. But the
Mediterranean. So, in February 1941, a brilliant command- British fought grimly on and eventually, after days of chaotic
er, Generalmajor Erwin Rommel, was sent to Africa at the fighting, Rommel was forced to withdraw. The Tobruk garri-
head of two more armoured divisions, forming the Deutsches son was finally able to break out, joining up with advancing
Afrika Korps. New Zealand troops.
Rommel immediately launched a daring offensive, catching Once again, the Axis front line was pushed back to El
the weakened British off guard. They were driven back from Agheila. While Operation Crusader was a defeat for the
El Agheila in disarray. The Axis forces swept onward, with the Italian-German forces, it showed just how far the Italians
Italians recapturing Benghazi. In just twelve days, Rommel had improved in a year.
reversed the tide of the campaign and drove the British and
1 9 4 1
7 February 6 - 30 April 19 November - 30 December 2 December
Operation Compass ends Axis invasion of Operation Crusader: British push German troops come within
with the destruction of the Yugoslavia and Greece Germans and Italians back to sight of the Kremlin in Moscow
Italian Army at Beda Fomm El Agheila in Libya.
30 April - 1 May 5 December
12 February Rommel assaults Tobruk 8 Sept German offensive halted.
Rommel arrives Siege of Leningrad Soviet counter-offensive
in Libya 4 March begins begins
British and Commonwealth
22 January forces diverted to Greece 22 June 7 December
Australians Operation Barbarossa: Japanese bomb US fleet
take Tobruk 24 March German invasion of
Soviet Union begins
in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Rommel attacks in Libya
5
0 5 10 15 20
15 Infantry Brigade Km
5 10 15 20
M
Sabratha
DIVISION
GAZALA
3 South African Brigade
Trento S o l a
DIVISION
r o E s c a
r p m
e n t
TOBRUK
Acroma
Brescia
DIVISION
151 Brigade To b
ruk
Pavia
32 Army Tank Brigade
Def
DIVISION 69 Brigade enc
es
21ST PANZER 201 Guards Motor Brigade

DIVISION
Knightsbridge
The Cauldron El Adem
Ariete 10 Indian Brigade
DIVISION El Duda
150 Brigade
Trieste 15th PANZER
DIVISION 22 Armoured Brigade
DIVISION
90 LIGHT
th
Ariete DIVISION
DIVISION
Trieste
DIVISION
22 Armoured Brigade
21ST PANZER
DIVISION
15th PANZER
DIVISION
Bir Hakeim
4 Armoured Brigade
1 Free French Brigade
90th LIGHT
DIVISION Bir el Gubi
3 Indian Motor Brigade
7 Motor Brigade
Retma
KEY
GERMAN German
UNIT Movement Roads
ITALIAN Italian British
L I B Y A
UNIT Movement Defences
BRITISH British
UNIT Movement
North African Theatre

1 9 4 2
4 February 26 May 29 May 10 June
German advance The Battle of Italians clear path through 1st Free French Brigade forced
halted at Gazala Gazala begins minefields to supply Afrika Korps to retreat from Bir Hakeim box
21 January 27 May 30 May 11 June

Operation Theseus: Germans Italian Ariete Division Rommel pulls the Afrika Korps Axis forces begin offensive
advance from El Agheila besieges 1st Free French into a defensive position from the ‘Cauldron’
Brigade at Bir Hakeim in ‘the Cauldron’
29 January 5 June
Axis forces Operation Aberdeen: Ariete defeats British
recapture Benghazi counterattack on the ‘Cauldron’
6
After quickly rebuilding his force at El Agheila, Rommel Four days after the loss of the 150th Brigade Box, the British
struck eastwards again, pushing the overextended British finally managed to organise a response with Operation
forces back to Gazala, west of Tobruk. There, both sides Aberdeen, a two-corps attack intended to destroy the
paused to build up their forces for the next offensive. The Italian-German force in the Cauldron. The plan was for
British constructed a line of fortifications extending from the 10th Indian Brigade to break into the Cauldron from
the coast to Bir Hakeim 50 km (30 miles) inland, protected the east, allowing 22nd Armoured Brigade and 9th Indian
by minefields and ‘boxes’ held by infantry brigades. Brigade into the defensive positions to defeat the German
On 26 May 1942, Rommel struck first, attacking the tanks. Meanwhile, the tanks of 32nd Army Tank Brigade
Gazala Line frontally with four Italian infantry divisions, would attack from the north, while the remaining British
while taking all of his motorised and armoured troops tanks made sure that the Germans did not break out. It
south around the end of the defensive line. While the was an ambitious plan, and it went wrong in almost every
Afrika Korps swung wide, encountering and defeating the way possible.
scattered brigades of the British 7th Armoured Division, the The Indians attacked in the early hours of the morn-
Italian Corpo d’Armata Motocorazzato, (Motorised-Armour ing of 5 June, initially reporting considerable success.
ed Corps), composed of the Divisione corazzata ‘Ariete’ Unfortunately for them, poor reconnaissance had put the
armoured division and the Divisione motorizzata ‘Trieste’ defences of the Ariete Armoured Division well forward of
motorised division, was to cover their inner flank. their actual position. So when they hit the main line of
The Ariete Armoured Division quickly overran the 3rd Indian defence, their artillery bombardment had long since ceased
Motor Brigade, then cut north intending to swing behind and the advancing infantry found themselves facing an
the Gazala Line. Instead, it ran into the Free French Brigade undamaged Italian defensive line as the sun started to rise.
at Bir Hakeim. The determined French defence knocked Having received reports that the defences were broken open,
out scores of tanks before Ariete broke off and continued the British tanks attacked, straight into the waiting guns of
its northwards advance. Meanwhile, the Trieste Motorised Ariete. The uncoordinated British attacks were badly mauled,
Division got lost in a dust storm, running into the British leaving the Ariete Armoured Division and the Afrika Korps
150th Brigade box well north of where it was supposed largely unharmed.
to be. Despite these setbacks, by the end of the first day With the British counterattack defeated, Rommel struck
Rommel’s plan was unfolding according to schedule, with south with the strike force he had used to open the Cauldron,
his strike force positioned to cut off the British forces in the Trieste Motorised Division and 90th Light Division. Now sup-
Gazala Line. ported by 15th Panzer Division, they captured the fortress at
For the next two days, the Italian and German armoured Bir Hakeim on 10 June. Then swinging back north, Rommel
divisions duelled with the British tanks while the motor- attacked El Adem on 12 June, then overran Knightsbridge
ised divisions attempted to cut a route through the British Box and smashed the remaining British armour on 13 June.
minefields. However, despite the Ariete Armoured Division The next day, the British forces withdrew behind the Tobruk
escorting supply convoys around Bir Hakeim, by the end defences and towards the Egyptian border.
of 29 May, Rommel’s forces were desperately short of fuel Meanwhile, the Corpo d’Armata Motocorazzato moved
and ammunition, while the British were showing no signs north and began the investment of Tobruk. It took another
of panicking and abandoning the Gazala Line as Rommel three days to clear the remaining defences east of Tobruk,
had hoped. and by 17 June the British forces were in retreat to Mersa
With his forces trapped in ‘The Cauldron’, Rommel halted Matruh, 160 km (100 miles) east of the border. On 20 June,
all offensive operations to the east and focussed on clearing Rommel attacked Tobruk. Two Italian infantry divisions
the British 150th Brigade Box to reopen his supply lines. The launched diversionary attacks from the west, while the
Trieste Motorised Division (which included a battalion of armoured units massed in the east with more Italian infantry
tanks) and German 90th Light Division launched attacks on ready to follow up the breakthrough. As the two German
30 May, but were unable to break through the tough British panzer divisions struck deep, the Trieste Motorised Division
defences. The next day, 31 May, a renewed attack, now widened the breach with the Ariete Armoured Division in
joined by Divisione fanteria ‘Pavia’ infantry division, overran support. By nightfall the British position was hopeless, and
the box. With his supply lines opened, Rommel repaired the next morning the fortress surrendered. The British defeat
damaged tanks and prepared for a renewed offensive. was complete.
12 June 14 June 20 June 26 June

The 29 Indian Infantry Brigade
th
Auchinleck authorise Ritchie to German assault on Tobruk begins German assault on Mersa
repels first attack on El Adem box withdraw from the Gazala Line Matruh begins
21 June
13 June 16 June Tobruk garrison surrenders 27 June
‘Black Saturday’: British suffer Germans attack Acroma Mersa Matruh garrison ordered
major losses. Germans capture and El Adem 22 June to break out
Knightsbridge Rommel promoted to
17 June Generalfeldmarschall. 28-29 June
Germans surround Tobruk. Auchinleck offers to resign Mersa Matruh garrison
British retreat to Mersa Matruh break out with heavy losses
7
The fall of the Gazala Line was followed by the ‘Gazala fuel reserves to bring the Ariete Armoured Division and
Gallop’ as British troops retreated eastward as fast as they 21st Panzer Division back south if Montgomery switched
could, trying to beat the pursuing Axis forces to the next flanks. This kept the 21st Panzer Division out of the battle
line of defence. Initially this was supposed to be at Mersa for four days, and Ariete, left as a final reserve, spent ten days
Matruh, but this was quickly bypassed by the Afrika Korps waiting to fight.
and surrounded by the Italian Motorised-Armoured Corps, Meanwhile, both of the other battlegroups were being
now joined by Divisione corazzata ‘Littorio’ armoured divi- ground down by the British attacks. The Trieste Motorised
sion, and 90th Light Division. The garrison attempted to Division was thrown into the line to fill the hole torn by
break out, with some units fighting their way through the the British Operation Lightfoot on the night of 23 October,
cordon. However, 6000 soldiers were captured. while the 90th Light Division was being slowly destroyed by
The British fell back to the defences of El Alamein, just incessant Australian attacks along the coast. The armoured
100km (60 miles) from the main British headquarters in divisions, Littorio and 15th Panzer, were taking heavy losses
Alexandria. By this time, battle casualties and mechanical counterattacking British armoured brigades to keep them
losses during the 600km (375 mile) advance had reduced the from breaking through the Axis defensive lines.
Ariete Armoured Division to just eight operational tanks. The On the night of 26 October, the British 1st Armoured
Germans were little better off with just 30 to 50 tanks still Division captured a depression (oddly named Kidney
running. Despite this, the Italian-German forces attacked Ridge due to the misreading of a map!). The Littorio and
their equally depleted foes on 1 July. The First Battle of El 15th Panzer Divisions counterattacked, keeping the British
Alamein raged back and forth for most of the rest of the from reinforcing the position with their own tanks. The
month, with little result. next day they overran an infantry battalion sent to relieve
The battle wound down at the end of July, with both sides the position, but the cost had been high. By the end of the
reeling like punch-drunk boxers. Retiring to their corners, month, Littorio and Trieste had just 65 tanks between them,
they prepared for the next round. The Ariete Armoured while the German divisions had 100 tanks in total. By com-
Division was still recovering its strength when Rommel parison, plentiful replacement tanks meant the British were
launched his final attempt at breaking through the El still near full strength.
Alamein Line on 30 August with the Battle of Alam El Halfa. Operation Supercharge on the night of 2 November broke
General Bernard Montgomery, the new British commander, through the depleted Axis defensive line. A counterattack
fought a solid defensive battle that halted Rommel’s advance. by the available forces cost Rommel most of his remain-
With the British forces getting stronger by the day and his ing tanks, but, even with the commitment of the Ariete
own offensive failed, Rommel’s only remaining option was Armoured Division, failed to close the breech.
to prepare for the British counter stroke. British deception On 4 November, the situation reached a critical phase.
operations made it appear that the main attack would occur Littorio and Trieste were destroyed attempting to stop the
along the edge of the Qattara Depression that formed the British armoured divisions, while the German divisions
southern edge of the battlefield. As a result, Rommel sta- retreated to the coast road. Fighting to the bitter end, Ariete
tioned his best troops to cover that sector, with both German was destroyed south of Tel El Aqqaqir attempting to stop
and Italian paratroopers in the front line, and a battlegroup their old foes, the British 7th Armoured Division (the ‘Desert
made up of the Ariete Armoured Division and the German Rats’). As evening fell, the division’s tanks were surrounded,
21st Panzer Division in reserve. In case the British did attack in but still fighting.
the north, near the sea, Rommel placed a second battlegroup The destruction of the Italian force brought Rommel time
made up of the Littorio Armoured Division and 15th Panzer to withdraw his German troops and begin the long retreat
Division behind this sector. The reserve in the coastal sector back to El Agheila where they had started the year. Lacking
was the Trieste Motorised Division and 90th Light Division. motorised transport, the Italian infantry divisions were aban-
The attack in the south turned out to be a diversion, easily doned to their fate. Only a small group of paratroopers and
handled by the infantry (including that of Ariete) without the a few battalions of infantry remained of the Italian mecha-
need for the armoured battlegroup to intervene. However, nised corps. These were grouped into Tactical Group Ariete,
the Axis fuel situation was so tight that a march northward joining the Afrika Korps to cover the long retreat westwards.
to where the main battle was raging would leave insufficient

1 9 4 2
1 July 14 - 17 July 30-31 August 1 September
First Battle of El Alamein begins Battle for Ruweisat Ridge: Battle of Alam El Halfa begins. Second German attack
British attack defeated Germans heavily bombed by RAF on Alam El Halfa fails
3 July as they pass through minefields
Italian and German attack Ruweisat 21 - 26 July 2 September
Ridge. Ariete loses artillery to NZ Battle for Ruin Ridge. 31 August Rommel orders withdrawal
counterattack from exposed flank First Battle of El Italian and German attack from Alam El Halfa salient
Alamein ends on Ruweisat Ridge fails
10 - 12 July 5 September
Battle for Tel el Eisa: Italian and 13 August 31 August Battle of Alam El Halfa ends:
German counterattacks unable to Montgomery takes First German attack Axis forces return to start line
recover Tel el Eisa from Australians over the Eighth Army on Alam El Halfa fails
8
0 5 10 15 20
Km
5 10 15 20
M
El Daba
21ST PANZER
DIVISION
15th PANZER
DIVISION
Sidi Abd el
Rahman
TRIESTE
DIVISION
10th Armoured
Division
164TH LIGHT 21ST PANZER
DIVISION DIVISION
90th Light
DIVISION
Tel el Aqqaqir
Tel el Eisa
15th PANZER 9th AUSTRALIAN
D DIVISION DIVISION
ei Ariete
r DIVISION
51st (Highland)
el Division
M Kidney Ridge 2nd NEW ZEALAND
ur DIVISION
ra 1st Armoured
Division Littorio
DIVISION 4th INDIAN
EL ALAMEIN
7th Armoured DIVISION
Division M
7th Armoured TRENTO
DIVISION
it
Division ei 1st Armoured
TRIESTE
ry 1st SOUTH AFRICAN Division
DIVISION 164TH LIGHT
a DIVISION
7th Armoured
DIVISION R Division
D id
ei ge 10th Armoured
r Division
el
D Ab
ei 2nd NEW ZEALAND ya
r DIVISION d
el
H Deir el Shein
ar Bologna
ra DIVISION
Ruweisat Ridge
El Mreir
KEY
GERMAN German 50th
UNIT Movement DIVISION
Brescia
DIVISION
ITALIAN Italian
UNIT Movement
Greek Brigade
BRITISH British
Movement
E G Y P T
UNIT Bab el Qattara
Ariete
ayil
Minefields DIVISION Ramke Brigade
Alam N
Railway
Roads
44th
Folgore DIVISION
DIVISION Deir el Munassib
23 October 26 October 1 November 4 November

Operation Lightfoot: Second German and Italian Axis are almost out of fuel, and have Italian rearguard destroyed,
Battle of El Alamein begins counterattack defeated been reduced to 90 operational tanks buying a day for the German
Afrika Korps to escape
24 October 28-31 October 2 November
British begin to ‘crumble’ 9 Australian Division attacks on
th
Operation Supercharge: 5 November
defences, clearing paths the coast, suffers heavy casualties British break through Axis defences German and Italian forces
through the minefields from an Axis counter-attack retreat from Egypt
3 November
25 October Hitler orders Rommel to hold to the
Major tank battle at Kidney Ridge last. Rommel establishes final defensive
position on Tel el Aqqaqir ridge
9
ERIA
ISIA
ALG
TUN
See page 38 for more detail
6th Armoured
Kairouan
1st Infantry
Division DIVISION
(PART) (PART)
501ST
TIGER TANK
BATTALION
6th Armoured
Division
(PART) Fondouk
1 Armored
st 1OTH PANZER Sabibah
Division DIVISION
(PART)
1OTH PANZER
Tébessa 21ST PANZER
DIVISION
15th PANZER DIVISION
DIVISION 1st Infantry
Centauro DIVISION
DIVISION (PART)
1st Armored
Division
(PART)
1st Ranger
Battalion Sbeitla
1OTH PANZER
Kasserine DIVISION
1st Armored 501ST
Division TIGER TANK
(PART) BATTALION
Centauro 15th PANZER Sidi Bou Zid Faid 1OTH PANZER
DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION
Thélepte 21ST PANZER

Fériana DIVISION
Maknassy
15th PANZER
DIVISION
Centauro
DIVISION
Gafsa
KEY
El Guettar GERMAN German
UNIT Movement
ITALIAN Italian
UNIT Movement
US Allied
UNIT Defences
BRITISH Roads
UNIT
0 20 40 60
M
Km Wadi Akarit
20 40 60

1 9 4 2 1 9 4 3
8 November 26 November 12 December 23 January 14-16 February
Operation Torch: Allied Allied advance in Tunisia Battle of El Agheila: British capture Tripoli Operation Spring Wind:
First Army lands in is halted at Djedeida Axis forces are pushed 5th Panzer Army captures Sidi
Morocco and Algeria out of Cyrenaica 30th January Bou Zid and Sbeitla
29 November 5 Panzer Army captures Faïd Pass,
13 November German 5 Panzer
th
26 December opening the way to western Tunisia 15-17 February
British recapture Army counterattacks Axis counterattack pushes Operation Morning Air: Afrika
Tobruk in Tunisia Allies back to Medjez 4 February Korps (including Centauro)
Eighth Army reaches Tunisian takes Gafsa and Feriana
border
10
Any hope that Rommel might have had of reversing the Meanwhile, the first hasty attack on Kasserine Pass on
defeat at El Alamein, as he had the two previous Axis 19 February by 15th Panzer Division failed, so the next
defeats, died on 8 November when three Anglo-American day the 5o Reggimento Bersaglieri from Centauro, recalled
amphibious forces landed in Morocco and Algeria far to the from Dernaia, attacked Djebel Semmama on the northern
west. Italian and German forces were rushed to Tunisia just flank of the pass while the Germans tackled the centre and
in time to stop the advancing Allied forces. By Christmas, south. When the bersaglieri captured Djebel Semmama, they
Rommel had been pushed back to Tripoli, 1800km (1100 opened the way for the newly arrived 10th Panzer Division
miles) west of El Alamein, and the Axis forces in Tunisia held to launch an attack down the centre of the valley, breaking
only the narrow coastal strip east of the mountains. the defences.
Operations in January 1943 gave the Axis control of the That success was immediately followed up by the remaining
main mountain passes, making their position in northern tanks of the Centauro Armoured Division. Advancing
Tunisia secure. Meanwhile, the US II Corps arrived in westward with a German reconnaissance group, the Italians
southern Tunisia, threatening to split the Axis forces by a led the way towards Tébessa, the main Allied supply centre
drive along the southern route to Sfax on the coast. With for the southern front. Halted overnight by an American
the British approaching the Mareth Line defences on the reconnaissance company, they pushed on in the morning of
Tunisian border, the situation was critical. 21 February to Djebel Hamra, the last defensive position
To Rommel there was only one option — attack! Since the short of Tébessa. The remainder of the Afrika Korps force
British would take months to reopen Tripoli as a port and joined them towards evening, but their attack was halted by
bring in enough supplies for a major offensive, Rommel Combat Command B of the US 1st Armoured Division,
decided to strike west against the American forces, then backed by massive artillery support.
swing back to attack the British to the east. The plan was That night the German infantry attempted to redeploy, but
ambitious, but if it worked, the situation in Tunisia could got lost, ending up on the wrong hill. Scattered, the Italian-
be stabilised. German forces were unable to withstand the American
For his attack, Rommel grouped the German 10th and counterattacks. The US 1st Infantry Division counterattacked
21st Panzer Divisions under the German Fifth Panzer Army the German infantry, pushing them off the hill they had
for the northern thrust from Faïd Pass. The Italian Divisione occupied in the night. Tanks of Combat Command B
corazzata ‘Centauro’ armoured division and the German counterattacked the 5o Reggimento Bersaglieri on a low hill on
15th Panzer Division formed the Afrika Korps were grouped the other side of the valley, overrunning them and pushing
under the Italian-German Panzer Army for the southern them back as well. Exhausted and with only a handful of
thrust from Gafsa. tanks remaining, the Afrika Korps had shot its bolt. It could
advance no further.
The northern thrust attacked at Sidi Bou Zid on 14 February,
destroying Combat Command C of the US 1st Armoured While the Afrika Korps went westward, the 10th Panzer
Division. This opened the way to Sbeitla, which was occupied Division pushed north, trying to reach Thala and outflank
the next day. The southern thrust found Gafsa abandoned on the defences at Sbiba. Their advance was strongly contested
15 February, then Feriana and the airfield at Thelepte also by the British 6th Armoured Division, and by the morning of
abandoned (along with 50 tonnes of fuel and lubricants ) by 22 February, it too had halted short of its objective.
the time they reached it on 17 February. With the failure of all three thrusts, Rommel called off the
With the initial objectives attained so easily, the Axis armies offensive. The Afrika Korps battlegroup returned to Gafsa.
paused, trying to decide what to do next. The plan that Leaving the Centauro Armoured Division to hold off the
arose called for a three-pronged attack, one against each of inevitable American attack, the German troops rushed
the passes into Algeria at Dernaia, Kasserine, and Sbiba. eastward to the Mareth Line. The German panzer divisions
These were assigned to the Centauro Armoured Division, attacked at Medenine supported by the rebuilt Trieste
15th Panzer Division, and 21st Panzer Division respectively. Motorised Division, only to be rebuffed almost immediately.
10th Panzer Division, which meanwhile had been sent north With all offensive options gone, there was little to do other
to Kairouan, was still on its way back. than try to hold back the coming Allied offensives. Centauro
The 21st Panzer Division’s attack on Sbiba ran into a strong fought gallantly at El Guettar, holding the line there until
defence by American infantry supported by British tanks the British broke through the Mareth Line then Wadi Akarit,
on 19 February. With the supporting attack by Fifth Panzer outflanking the defences. The remainder, barely more than
Army delayed until 22 February, they settled down to wait. a battalion, retreated northward. Sent to the far north of
the line, they faced the US II Corps again in their advance
towards Bizerte as the defences in Tunisia collapsed.
19-22 February 17st March 23 March 30 March - 7 April 7 April

Operation Storm Flood: 1 Infantry Division Centauro and Battle of El Guettar: British and US Armies link up
Axis offensive halted in occupies Gafsa 10th Panzer unsuccessfully Centauro and 10th Panzer
Battle of Kasserine Pass: counterattack at El Guettar hold off US Army 22 April - 6 May
19-22 March Operation Strike: Allied forces
6 March First British assault 26-27 March 6-7 April capture Bizerte and Tunis
Axis counterattack at on the Mareth Line fails NZ Corps outflanks British break through
Medenine defeated by British Mareth Line Axis defences at Wadi Akarit 13 May
Axis forces surrender
in Tunisia
11
The carri, or tanks, of the Italian carristi, as the tankers called themselves, fought in a variety of tanks and other fighting
vehicles ranging from the tiny L6/40 light tank to the massive 90mm mounted on a Lancia truck.
M14/41
The reliable M14/41 medium tank was the core of the Italian armoured corps Crew (4): Commander/gunner, loader,
for the Battles of Gazala, Alam El Halfa, and El Alamein in 1942. For the driver, MG gunner
fighting in Tunisia in 1943, it was also supplemented by the Semovente 75/18. Weight: 14.50 tonnes
Length: 4.92m (16’ 2")
Width: 2.28m (7' 6")
Height: 2.37m (7' 9")
Weapons: 47/32 gun
4x 8mm Breda modello 38 MG
Armour: 25 - 30mm
Speed: 33 km/h (21 mph)
Engine: SPA 15 T V8 diesel
107 kW (145 hp)
SEMOVENTE 75/18
The Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun was available in small numbers for Crew (3): Commander/gunner,
the battles in Libya and Egypt as a support tank. The divisions sent to Tunisia loader, driver
included a far greater proportion of Semovente 75/18, to the point where, in Weight: 13.10 tonnes
some cases, they outnumbered the accompanying M14/41 tanks. Length: 4.92m (16’ 2")
Width: 2.28m (7' 6")
Height: 1.85m (6' 1")
Weapons: 75/18 gun
Armour: 25 - 50mm
Engine: SPA 15 T V8 diesel
107 kW (145 hp)
90MM ON LANCIA
The Royal Army was an early adopter of truck-mounted guns, so they fitted Crew (6): Ccommander, gunner,
their new 90mm gun to a heavy Lancia truck before they developed a ground 3x loaders, driver
mount for it. These powerful guns served throughout 1942 and 1943. Weight: 8.95 tonnes
Length: 7.25m (23' 10")
Width: 2.35m (7' 9")
Height: 3.00m (9' 11")
Weapons: 90/53 gun
Armour: Gun shield
Engine: Lancia Type 102 diesel
72 kW (96 hp)
12
L6/40
The L6/40 light tank served with reconnaissance groups throughout the Crew (2): Commander/gunner,
war in North Africa. This diminutive tank was more of a tracked armoured driver
car than a battle tank, although it retained the relatively thick armour of its Weight: 6.80 tonnes
infantry-support origins. Length: 3.78m (12’ 5")
Width: 1.92m (6' 4")
Height: 2.03m (6' 8")
Weapons: 20/65 gun
Armour: 15 - 40mm
Engine: SPA 180 petrol
52 kW (70 hp)
AB41
The AB41 armoured car operated with cavalry reconnaissance groups, Crew (3): Commander/gunner,
scouting ahead of advances and keeping enemy armoured cars at bay. driver, radio op
Weight: 7.52 tonnes
Length: 5.21m (17’ 1")
Width: 1.93m (6' 4")
Height: 2.48m (8' 2")
Weapons: 20/65 gun
Armour: 9 - 18mm
Engine: SPA I6 petrol
90 kW (120 hp)
The Italian-German Panzer Army combined both Italian and German tanks operating in close coordination. The two most
common German tanks were the Panzer III and the Panzer IV.
PANZER III
Rommel often organised his army to group Italian and German tanks for Crew (5): Commander, gunner,
mutual support. The Panzer III was the standard German tank. loader, driver, radio op
Weight: 22.70 tonnes
Length: 6.28m (20' 7")
Width: 2.95m (9' 8")
Height: 2.50m (8' 2")
Weapons: 5cm KwK39 L/60 gun
2x MG34 7.92mm MG
Armour: 30 - 50+20mm
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM
220 kW (300 hp)
PANZER IV
The Panzer IV played the same role as the Semovente — a heavier and Crew (5): Ccommander, gunner,
better-armed tank to support the Panzer III. loader, driver, radio op
Weight: 23.00 tonnes
Length: 6.62m (21' 9")
Width: 2.84m (9' 4")
Height: 2.68m (8' 10")
Weapons: 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 gun
2x MG34 7.92mm MG
Armour: 30 - 50mm
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM
220 kW (300 hp)
13
14
15
It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a
people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do.
— Il Duce Benito Mussolini, Fascist Leader
Corpo d'Armata Motocorazzato, the 20th Armoured Corps, The Second Battle of El Alamein shattered the Italian-German
took a leading part in nearly every battle in the North Army, and the 20th Armoured Corps along with it. After a
African Campaign from Gazala to Enfidaville. The core of gallant stand that held up the British pursuit long enough
the formation was the 132nd ‘Ariete’ Armoured Division, the for the German forces to escape, the corps was reduced to a
133rd ‘Littorio’ Armoured Division, and the 101st ‘Trieste’ small battlegroup under the command of Ariete. This group
Motorised Division. then covered the retreat to the El Agheila position.
Having fought in and won every major battle since their With the destruction of 20th Armour ed Corps, a third
arrival, Ariete and Trieste were confident of their abilities, armoured division, 131st ‘Centauro’ Armoured Division was
despite any weakness in their equipment. The arrival of new quickly transferred to Tunisia. There it combined with the
weapons, like the Semovente 75 and truck-mounted 90mm Ariete battlegroup to fight the American and British forces,
self-propelled guns, gave them a much-improved anti-tank taking part in the victories at Kasserine Pass and holding El
capability that quickly showed its value in defeating British Guettar until outflanked by the British at Wadi Akarit.
attacks against the Cauldron during the Battle of Gazala. After these gallant battles, the remnants of the Italian
The newly-arrived Littorio Division had fought as infantry armoured force fought on as a battlegroup in the ad hoc
in the Spanish Civil War, then as an armoured division in German Manteuffel Division until the eventual defeat of
Yugoslavia, and quickly learned the tricks of desert fighting Axis forces in North Africa. Fighting bravely and strongly
under the tutelage of Ariete. By the time it entered combat to the very end, the Italian forces expunged the calamity of
at Gazala, it was as capable as its more experienced brethren. defeat in 1940.
132ª DIVISIONE CORAZZATA 'ARIETE'

132ND ‘ARIETE’ ARMOURED DIVISION
20TH ARMOURED CORPS, MAY 1942
General Giuseppe De Stefanis (up to First Alamein)
General Adolfo Infante (from Second El Alamein)
132° REGGIMENTO 8° REGGIMENTO 132° REGGIMENTO

CORAZZATO BERSAGLIERI ARTIGLIERIA
VIII BATTAGLIONE CARRI III BATTAGLIONE BERSAGLIERI I GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

8th Tank Battalion (p. 22) 3rd Sharpshooter Battalion (p. 24) 1st Artillery Group
IX BATTAGLIONE CARRI V BATTAGLIONE BERSAGLIERI II GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

9th Tank Battalion 5th Sharpshooter Battalion 2nd Artillery Group
X BATTAGLIONE CARRI XII BATTAGLIONE BERSAGLIERI III GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

10th Tank Battalion 12th Sharpshooter Battalion 3rd Artillery Group
DIVISIONAL TROOPS
V GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA
SEMOVENTE
5th SP Artillery Group (p. 23)
XXXI GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA DI GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA VI GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

CONTRAEREA E CONTROCARRI CONTRAEREA E CONTROCARRI SEMOVENTE
31 Anti-Aircraft & Anti-tank Artillery Group
st
51 Anti-Aircraft & Anti-tank Artillery Group
st
6th SP Artillery Group
III GRUPPO SQUADRONI III GRUPPO SQUADRONI

CORAZZATO ‘NIZZA CAVALLERIA’ CORAZZATO ‘LANCIERI DI NOVARA’
3 Armoured Squadron Group
rd
3rd Armoured Squadron Group
1st ‘Nice’ Cavalry Regiment 5th ‘Lancers of Novara’ Cavalry Regiment
16
AVANTI FORCE
Your Force must contain at least one Formation, and
may contain as many Formations as you like.
TANK WEAPONS INFANTRY

FORMATIONS FORMATIONS FORMATIONS
TANK COMPANY BERSAGLIERI BERSAGLIERI

MI101 WEAPONS COMPANY RIFLE COMPANY
MI104 MI107
AVANTI SUPPORT UNITS

You may field one Support Unit from each box.
ASSAULT PIONEERS ANTI-AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE RECONNAISSANCE
ASSAULT ENGINEER AUTOCANNONE 20MM AB41 ARMOURED CAR AB41 ARMOURED CAR
PLATOON AA PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MI112 MI119 MI113 MI113
L6/40 L6/40
LIGHT TANK PLATOON LIGHT TANK PLATOON
MI114 MI114
ARTILLERY ARTILLERY ANTI-TANK ANTI-TANK
100MM HOWITZER 100MM HOWITZER

BATTERY BATTERY 90MM ON LANCIA 90MM ON LANCIA
MI115 MI115 ANTI-TANK BATTERY ANTI-TANK BATTERY
MI117 MI117
OBSERVER 88MM 88MM

ANTI-TANK BATTERY ANTI-TANK BATTERY
MI118 MI118
AIRCRAFT
AB41 OP
OBSERVATION POST
MI116
CR.42 FALCO
ASSAULT SECTION
MI120
FORMATION SUPPORT ALLIED SUPPORT WILDCARD
?
You may field compulsory You may field two
Combat Units (with a compulsory Units from
black box) from the a German Formation as
above Formations as Support and one German
Support Units. Formation as an Allied
Formation.
See page 39
17
132nd ‘Ariete’ Armoured Division was sent to North Africa charged their position. Ariete then took position guarding
in early 1941 to reinforce the surviving Italian the southern flank of ‘The Cauldron’ where it
forces in Libya after their disastrous defeat defeated several British attacks. After taking
at the hands of the British. When General Sidi Barrani in the pursuit to El Alamein, the
Rommel's German Afrika Korps chased battered remnants of the division attacked
the British back to the Egyptian border the New Zealand position, but were too
in April 1941, Ariete fought the British weak to take it.
at El Mechilli, scoring its first victory. The division was rebuilt for the Second
This success was repeated at the end of Battle of El Alamein, but found itself in
the year when Ariete gave the British the south with the German 21st Panzer
a bloody nose in the opening phase of Division facing only diversionary attacks.
Operation Crusader and assisted in the By the time the division returned north and
destruction of the 1st South African Division. entered combat, the battle was largely decided,
The Battle of Gazala in May 1942 opened well leaving Ariete, as the only combat capable armoured
for Ariete, when they overran the 3rd Indian Motor force, to fight a suicidal rearguard action to allow the
Brigade, although the Free French at Bir Hakeim proved German forces to escape.
a tougher nut, knocking out half of the Italian tanks that
132A DIVISIONE CORAZZATA ‘ARIETE’

132 ‘ARIETE’ ARMOURED DIVISION, MAY 1942
ND
VIII BATTAGLIONE CARRI M

8 MEDIUM TANK BATTALION
TH
BATTALION HQ
(2 M14/41 tanks)
COMPANY HQ COMPANY HQ
1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON 1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON
I COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks) II COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks)
18
‘Halt!‘ Caporale Valdreti called down to his driver. Through his sights he saw several British Crusader tanks
rolling over the slight rise ahead. Adjusting his aim as the tank abruptly stopped, he fired, noting the almost
flash of a direct hit on the front of the tank’s hull. Smoke and crew poured out the open hatch, then moments
later the ammunition exploded, lifting the turret off the hull.
A blossom of fire and smoke erupted as the other Crusader fired back, yet the shot went wide. Valdreti changed
his aim and fired again, breaking the right track. The Crusader ground to a halt. Almost immediately, a second
shot from further along the Italian line streaked into view, penetrated the turret, and finished it off.
With a deafening clang, sparks exploded all around Valdreti. A glancing shot, hard enough to gouge the armour
but not enough to penetrate. Sticking his head out the hatch, Valdreti looked around frantically to see where
the shot had come from. Off to the right another Crusader burned, and one of the company’s M14/41 tanks was
smoking, but nothing. Not a living British tank to be seen. Somehow the rest of them had vanished as quickly as
they appeared.
One M14/41 had continued to advance through the fight. ‘Avanti! Stay in line!’ crackled the radio, Capitano
Piccolo’s rough voice cutting through the sounds of battle and static alike.
In their cramped iron coffins, the crews raced to catch up, forming a straggling line. The Italian advance
continued…
VI GRUPPO SEMOVENTI
6 SELF-PROPELLED GUN GROUP
TH
COMPANY HQ GROUP HQ
1. BATTERY 2. BATTERY
1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON VI GRUPPO

(1 M14/41 tank & 8 Semovente assault guns)
III COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks)
19
Italy formed its first armoured division, 131st ‘Centauro’ The division’s first major battle was as part of the southern
Armoured Division, in 1939. After a year of prong in the Battle of Kasserine Pass alongside the
training on light tanks, the division took German 15th Panzer Division. Their advance
part in the ill-fated invasion of Greece in was finally halted by the US Combat
October 1940. While recovering from Command B just short of the major supply
that, it re-equipped with new M13/40 centre of Tébessa.
medium tanks before returning to the Centauro retreated to Gafsa and El
front for the successful invasion of Guettar where it held its ground for two
Yugoslavia in early 1941. weeks against heavy American attacks
In late 1942, Centauro prepared for until finally forced to retreat when its
deployment to North Africa, receiving position was outflanked by the British
large numbers of Semovente self-propelled at Wadi Akarit. By this time, Centauro had
guns to strengthen its artillery and replace been reduced to a shadow of its former self. The
some of its tanks. Unfortunately, by the time remainder of the division fought as a battlegroup
enough shipping was ready, the Axis forces had lost the of the German Division Manteuffel during the retreat to
Second Battle of El Alamein and faced a new threat Enfidaville before facing the American forces once more in
in Tunisia. the hills in front of Bizerte.
131A DIVISIONE CORAZZATA ‘CENTAURO’

131 ‘CENTAURO’ ARMOURED DIVISION, FEBRUARY 1943
ST
XVII BATTAGLIONE CARRI M BATTALION HQ

(2 M14/41 tanks)
COMPANY HQ COMPANY HQ
1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON 1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON
I COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks) II COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks)
20
TANK COMPANY TANK FORMATION
You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.
HEADQUARTERS
TANK COMPANY HQ
MI101
ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR
M14/41 M14/41 PANZER

M14/41 III
TANK PLATOON TANK PLATOON TANK PLATOON
MI102 MI102 MG104, MG105,
MI102 OR MG107
SEMOVENTE SEMOVENTE SEMOVENTE

SP BATTERY SP BATTERY SP BATTERY
MI103 MI103 MI103
You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for another Formation.
DLVII557GRUPPO SEMOVENTI
SELF-PROPELLED GUN GROUP
TH
COMPANY HQ GROUP HQ
1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON
III COMPAGNIA (1 M14/41 tank & 12 Semovente assault guns) 1 1. BATTERY 2 2. BATTERY 3 3. BATTERY
DLVII GRUPPO
(1 M14/41 tank & 18 Semovente assault guns)
21
TANK COMPANY M14/41
HQ
TANK COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION • Tank FORMaTiOn • IS HIT ON
CONFIDENT 4+ 4+ CAREFUL 4+
Avanti
Follow Me 3+ 2+
2 POINTS
ARMOUR
1x M14/41 (47mm) Determined & Protected
2+ 2+
Remount FRONT 3
The 14-tonne M14/41 tank of 1941 was an TRAINED
SKILL
4+ 3+
SIDE &
REAR 2
upgrade of the older M13/40, featuring a more Focused
Tactics 5+ 4+ TOP 1
powerful engine fitted with sand filters. Despite
its armour and armament remaining somewhat TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
10”/25CM 12”/30CM 16”/40CM 18”/45CM 4+

inadequate, the carristi manning these tanks did
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
their duty and fought bravely against any odds. WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
M14/41 (47mm) 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT
M14/41 ( MGs) 16”/40CM 6 6 2 6 Self-defence AA
M14/41 TANK PLATOON

M14/41 TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION IS HIT ON
• Tank UniT •
Avanti
Follow Me 3+ 2+
12 POINTS
ARMOUR
5x M14/41 (47mm) Determined & Protected
2+ 2+
4x M14/41 (47mm) 9 POINTS
Remount FRONT 3
3x M14/41 (47mm) 6 POINTS TRAINED
SKILL
4+ 3+
SIDE &
REAR 2
Focused
Tactics 5+ 4+ TOP 1
While the M14/41 is outclassed in tank-versus-
tank fighting, it is an excellent weapon against TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
10”/25CM 12”/30CM 16”/40CM 18”/45CM 4+

enemy infantry. It has plenty of machine-gun
firepower to keep the enemy pinned down while WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
it moves into position, and an effective high- M14/41 (47mm) 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT
explosive round for engaging anti-tank guns. M14/41 ( MGs) 16”/40CM 6 6 2 6 Self-defence AA
M14/41 MEDIUM TANK

FEATURES
FAST MOVING: Although their tanks aren’t particularly PROTECTED AMMO: Despite their reputation as ‘Iron
speedy, Italian tankers make good use of what they have. Coffins’, the M14/41 is well designed with its ammuni-
Their focus is on closing with the enemy and getting into tion stored in the back of the turret protected by sliding
a position to fight as quickly as possible. Brave and daring armoured doors. The knowledge that ammunition fires are
leadership draws the unit forward to the cry of ‘Avanti!’. unlikely, combined with the bravery of the Italian soldier,
FOCUSSED: In order to keep their tanks small and easily means that they have to be destroyed to stop them fighting.
produced, Italian tanks combine the roles of commander
and gunner. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to plan SPECIAL RULES
clever tactics or help the driver avoid obstacles while the HEAT: The Italian Effecto Pronto ammunition allows
commander’s head is down in 'the office', focussed on the diminutive 47mm gun to punch above its weight in
shooting the enemy. long-range engagements. This HEAT (High-Explosive
TWIN MACHINE-GUNS: The M14/41 mounts no less Anti-Tank) round uses explosive energy rather than
than four machine-guns, thanks to the twin machine-guns brute force to penetrate armour, so its effectiveness is not
mounted in the hull. This gives them unrivalled firepower reduced by range.
against infantry targets.
22
SEMOVENTE SP BATTERY
SEMOVENTE SP BATTERY
MOTIVATION • Tank UniT • IS HIT ON
FEARLESS 3+ 3+ CAREFUL 4+
SP Gun
Counterattack 5+ 5+ ARMOUR
6x Semovente (75mm) 24 POINTS 2+ 2+ 4
Determined & Protected
Remount FRONT
5x Semovente (75mm) 20 POINTS
4x Semovente (75mm) 16 POINTS
SKILL SIDE &
REAR 2
TRAINED 4+ 3+
3x Semovente (75mm) 12 POINTS SP Gun
Assault 5+ 5+
TOP 1
2x Semovente (75mm) 8 POINTS Focused
Tactics 5+ 4+
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
Italy was quick to follow Germany’s lead in 10”/25CM 12”/30CM 16”/40CM 18”/45CM 4+
creating assault guns mounting large guns in WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
turretless self-propelled mountings. The first of Semovente (75mm) 60”/150CM ARTILLERY 2 4+ Forward Firing
these, the Semovente (semovente meaning self- or Direct Fire 20”/50CM 2 1 8 3+ Forward Firing, HEAT
propelled), mounted the 75/18 short (L/18) Semovente (MG) 16”/40CM 3 3 2 6 Self-defence AA
75mm howitzer on the chassis of the M14/41
tank. Not only did the Semovente mount a carried a bigger gun than the tanks it supported quickly led to its use as a
bigger gun, it was also more heavily armoured, tank-destroyer, and then as a tank in its own right.
thanks to no longer needing a turret. By the time of the Tunisian fighting, the Semovente made up approximately
Although initially intended as a close-support half of the Italian armoured force in theatre, giving them significantly
artillery piece, the fact that the Semovente greater punch than in earlier battles in the desert.
SEMOVENTE SP GUN
FEATURES
ARTILLERY: Fighting with the artillery arm, the SP GUN: As a self-propelled gun, the Semovente is
Semovente is equally capable of firing a long-range bom- vulnerable to infantry if they get too close, making them
bardment or closing to short range for direct fire. reluctant to hang around if assaulted.
FORWARD-FIRING: Like all assault guns, the PROTECTED AMMO: Armoured ammunition bins give
Semovente has a limited field of fire for its main gun. It the crews confidence that their tanks will not burn quickly
can only engage targets to the front, needing to turn to if hit. So if the tank can still fight, they’ll keep fighting.
engage targets to the flank.
FOCUSSED: The Semovente is a rather small assault SPECIAL RULES
gun, and rather cramped for its three-man crew. As the HEAT: The 75/18 gun fires Effecto Pronto ammunition.
commander is also the gunner, focussed on engaging the This HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) round uses explo-
enemy, it is tricky to manage complicated tactical manoeu- sive energy rather than brute force to penetrate armour, so
vres at the same time. its effectiveness is not reduced by range.
CARRI: ON THE TABLE

The Italians fielded two vehicles based on the M14/41 chassis.
The key differences are highlighted below to help you pick the right tank for the job.
M14/41 SEMOVENTE
Front Armour: 3 Front Armour: 4
Weapon Range: 24"/60cm Weapon Range: 20"/50cm
Anti-tank: 6 Anti-tank: 8
Firepower: 4+ Firepower: 3+
Other: HEAT (Target’s armour is Other: Artillery
not increased for Bombardment
range over 16”/40cm)
HEAT
23
The 8º Reggimento Bersaglieri (8th Sharpshooter Regiment) On 3 July, Rommel ordered the German Afrika Korps
dates back to 1871. It fought in colonial and European wars, to attack Ruweisat Ridge, with Ariete on the southern
including the conquest of Libya and the First World War. flank. When the attack stalled, the New Zealand Division
When the Second World War began in 1939, the regiment counterattacked from the south, overrunning the artillery of
formed the infantry component of the 132nd ‘Ariete’ Ariete and forcing the Bersaglieri to fight their way out of the
Armoured Division. Soon after arriving in North Africa, trap. The division had its revenge ten days later when they
the division joined General Rommel’s advance to the and the German 90th Light Division prevented the British
Egyptian border, fighting at El Mechilli and Acroma, taking 22nd Armoured Brigade from rescuing a New Zealand
2000 prisoners. brigade trapped on Ruweisat Ridge.
The Bersaglieri were then heavily engaged throughout Ariete rebuilt its strength, ready to take part in the Battle of
November and December 1941 against the British offensive, Alam El Halfa at the end of August. The division covered
Operation Crusader, and then as part of Rommel’s second the bypassed British defensive line, but was forced to retreat
offensive to regain Cyrenaica in January 1942. Having suffered when the German attack faltered. Having failed to defeat
heavy casualties, the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment reorganised the British, Rommel went on the defensive. Ariete and the
on the new AS42 (Africa Settentrionale 1942) structure German 21st Panzer Division were positioned as the reserve
(using the few men, many weapons concept) for the coming behind the southern sector, where the main attack was
campaign. This amalgamated the remaining infantry and expected. When the British attacked in the north instead,
heavy weapons into company-sized all-arms strongpoints. Ariete found itself sitting out most of the Second Battle of
When the Battle of Gazala began, the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment El Alamein.
followed the division’s tanks into ‘The Cauldron’. There they Rushed north on 2 November, Ariete was the only division
held out against British counterattacks until 101st ‘Trieste’ still capable of delaying the British attack. On 4 November,
Motorised Division and the German 90th Light Division cut Ariete faced the final British attack. While the British
their way through the British minefields to relieve the Axis 7th Armoured Division (the famous ‘Desert Rats’) pounded
armoured forces. They then went on the offensive, with the their tanks to the north, the New Zealand Division attacked
Bersaglieri overrunning British positions defending Tobruk. the 12th Bersaglieri Battalion on the southern flank, cutting
Using fuel stocks captured at Tobruk, Ariete advanced to the off and surrounding the division. The division’s last message
Egyptian border, capturing Sidi Barrani and liberating large was ‘Ariete is surrounded. The tanks are still fighting.’
numbers of Italian prisoners of war being held there, then After their brave last stand, the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment was
continued the pursuit of the British forces to the El Alamein reformed and fought again on the Mareth Line and then
position. The battle and pursuit had cost the division heavily, at Enfidaville in Tunisia with the newly-formed Young
reducing its regiments to the strength of battalions, Fascists Division.
and yet they continued to attack.
8º REGGIMENTO BERSAGLIERI
8 SHARPSHOOTER BATTALION
TH
132ND ‘ARIETE’ ARMOURED DIVISION, MAY 1942

REGIMENT HQ
III BATTAGLIONE V BATTAGLIONE XII BATTAGLIONE

BATTALION HQ BATTALION HQ BATTALION HQ
6x Breda 30 Machine-guns 6x Breda 30 Machine-guns 6x Breda 30 Machine-guns

3x Breda 37 Machine-guns 3x Breda 37 Machine-guns 3x Breda 37 Machine-guns
3x 20mm AT Rifles 3x 20mm AT Rifles 3x 20mm AT Rifles
3x 47/32 Guns 3x 47/32 Guns 3x 47/32 Guns
1. COMPAGNIA 4. COMPAGNIA 7. COMPAGNIA
3. COMPAGNIA 6. COMPAGNIA 9 COMPAGNIA
12x 47/32 Guns 12x 47/32 Guns

132. A COMPAGNIA 142. A COMPAGNIA
CONTROCARRI CONTROCARRI
24
BERSAGLIERI WEAPONS COMPANY WEAPONS FORMATION
HEADQUARTERS
BERSAGLIERI WEAPONS
COMPANY HQ
MI104
INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY
WEAPONS WEAPONS WEAPONS

PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MI105 MI105 MI105
ANTI-TANK ANTI-TANK
47mm ANTI-TANK 47mm ANTI-TANK

PLATOON PLATOON
MI106 MI106
25
BERSAGLIERI WEAPONS COMPANY
BERSAGLIERI
WEAPONS COMPANY HQ
HQ
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY FORMaTiOn • IS HIT ON
2x Carcano rifle teams 1 POINT
Avanti
Follow Me 3+ 2+ SAVE
3+ 3+
Determined
Rally
Infantry
3+
After taking heavy casualties in the siege of SKILL
Tobruk, infantry units in Africa were reorganised TRAINED 4+ 3+

to have 'fewer men, more weapons'. The heavy
weapons companies were disbanded and their 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
weapons split up amongst the infantry compa-
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
nies to create all-arms strongpoints capable of WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
tackling both tanks and infantry. Carcano rifle team 16”/40CM 1 1 2 6 Slow Firing
WEAPONS PLATOON
WEAPONS PLATOON
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY UniT • IS HIT ON
3x Breda MG team
Avanti
1x Breda HMG team Determined

3+ 3+
6 POINTS
Rally
3+
1x 20mm anti-tank rifle SKILL
Infantry
TRAINED 4+ 3+
2x Breda MG team
1x Breda HMG team
1x 20mm anti-tank rifle 5 POINTS
8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
OPTIONS WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
• Add one 47mm gun for +2 points. Breda MG team 16”/40CM 3 2 2 6

The Unit Leader is one of the Breda MG teams, Breda HMG team 24”/60CM 6 2 2 6 Assault 5+, Heavy Weapon
and is mounted on a small base (see page 48). 20mm anti-tank rifle 20”/50CM 2 1 5 5+ Assault 5+, Heavy Weapon
Optional 47mm gun 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ Assault 5+, HEAT, Heavy Weapon
The heat was the worst of it. The enemy bullets, the shrapnel from artillery, the trenches would stop them. But
not the heat. There was no getting away from it. It clung like a second skin, sucked the air from the lungs and
filled the mind with a need to escape.
‘Three more hours,’ Sergente Filippo told them as he walked amongst the men. They each gave a nod in answer,
as weapons were checked. ‘Three more hours we hold this thrice-damned bump and then we are—’
A burst of machine-gun fire interrupted the sergente. Movement on the left. Figures dropping into a shadowed
hollow, they were getting closer. Filippo encouraged the gunner with a slap on the shoulder, ‘— just three more
hours, Marco.’
Marco acknowledged his sergente by opening fire again, traversing the machine-gun along the line where the
British had disappeared. Just keeping their heads down for the main, stalling their advance, but the occasional
scream lifted across the dusty expanse between the two forces as an unlucky soldier caught a stray round.
Filippo moved away and paused. On the air, a sound, a dull rumble had suddenly ceased. ‘Find cover!’ he cried,
flinging himself to the sand.
Behind him, the machine-gun position disintegrated with a thunderous blast, throwing the machine-gunner
across the desert floor to lie twisted and still. Up went the cry, ‘Carri! Carri!‘—‘Tank, Tank!’.
Slowly they appeared through the haze, two big British tanks.
As the men scrambled for cover, pulling the wounded to safety, Filippo dashed over to the gun pit as the crew of
the 47mm cannon slapped a round in the breech. Throwing himself down on the hard desert rocks, he waited as
Caporale Salvatore adjusted the aim. He wanted to tell the man to hurry, to shoot before the tanks shot them.
He wanted to push him aside and shoot the tank himself. Instead, he waited, unaware of holding his breath.
Fire erupted, punching through the lead tank. Slewing to a halt, crew spilling out, the tank was done. There was
no time to cheer. Just more enemy to kill.
26
47mm ANTI-TANK PLATOON
47MM ANTI-TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY UniT • HEaVY WEaPOn • IS HIT ON
4x 47mm gun 8 POINTS
Avanti
3+ 3+
Determined
3x 47mm gun 6 POINTS Rally
Infantry
3+
2x 47mm gun 4 POINTS SKILL
TRAINED 4+ 3+
The light 47/32 gun is a small and mobile 47mm Heavy Weapon
Assault 5+ 5+
gun, allowing it to accompany infantry in the TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
attack or be easily hidden in the defence. It is 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
effective against enemy machine-guns and light ROF ANTI- FIRE-
WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
tanks, knocking out these threats to the infantry
47mm gun 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT
it protects.
WEAPONS COMPANY WEAPONS

CARCANO RIFLE: The Carcano M1891 rifle is reliable At 53kg (120 lb), it is a big, heavy weapon, but quite
and effective, despite its relatively low rate of fire. capable of penetrating light tanks and armoured cars.
BREDA MG: Italy's standard squad machine-gun is the Interestingly, it shares the same round as the standard
Breda M30. This handy, lightweight weapon provides 20mm anti-aircraft gun. As a crew-served heavy weapon, it
much of the squad's effective firepower. is too cumbersome to be used in assaults.
BREDA HMG: The Breda M37 is a tripod-mounted 47mm GUN: The Austrian-designed 47/32 M35 gun is
air-cooled heavy machine-gun. It has good long-range relatively light for its calibre at 315kg (695 lb), making it
accuracy and with plenty of ammunition, it is an excellent quite mobile for a heavy crew-served weapon. Its 2.37kg
defensive weapon. (5.23 lb) explosive shells are quite effective at knocking
out enemy machine-gun nests, while its armour-piercing
20mm ANTI-TANK RIFLE: The Solothurn 20mm
and HEAT rounds are deadly against light tanks.
anti-tank rifle is known as the Fucile anticarro 'S' in
Italian service.
27
The 131st ‘Centauro’ Armoured Division was Italy’s first but lacked the strength to overcome determined American
armoured division, and the first one to fight, entering resistance. Continuing northward, the Italian-German
combat against Greece in October 1940. Unable to break battlegroup reached the foothills of Kasserine Pass on the
through the Greek defences in the mountains along the morning of 20 February. German troops had been attacking
border, the division covered the retreat back into Albania the Kasserine defences since the previous day, but had been
before returning to Italy. There, the division replaced its light repulsed each time.
two-man tankettes with the latest M13/40 medium tanks. It was the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment that cracked the defences
In March 1941, Centauro returned to the Balkans for at Kasserine, scaling the steep-sided Djebel Semmana on
the successful invasion of Yugoslavia. The division’s the northern flank of the pass. With their success, General
22nd Bersaglieri Battalion led the advance, capturing the naval Rommel sent the German troops back into the pass, finishing
base at Kotor (in Montenegro) and reaching Dubrovnik (in the breakthrough. Centauro advanced towards Tébessa, but
Croatia) before the Allied forces surrendered. Meanwhile, was unable to overcome the defences at Djebel el Hamra.
the rest of the regiment gained revenge against the Greeks, The Bersaglieri attacked bravely, but massed Allied artillery
recapturing the lost parts of Albania and reaching the main broke every attack, finally forcing the end of the offensive.
east-west road in Northern Greece. The division fell back to El Guettar. Centauro held its ground
The 131st ‘Centauro’ Armoured Division spent the next year from 20 March until their withdrawal on 7 April, despite
rebuilding and training. British attacks on Mediterranean heavy artillery fire, repeated tank and infantry assaults, and a
convoys meant that the division arrived in North Africa in bits total lack of fighter cover to keep the fighter-bombers of the
and pieces. The 5º Reggimento Bersaglieri (5th Sharpshooter US Army Air Force at bay. By the time the division withdrew,
Regiment), still with the standard rifle company organisation it was down to ten tanks and two companies of infantry.
rather than the desert ‘weapons company’ organisation, was These joined the German Manteuffel Division, fighting
one of the last to arrive in January 1943. Initially, the 14th and rearguard actions in the retreat to the Enfidaville position.
22nd battalions defended Gafsa, while the 24th Battalion Their odyssey was not at an end though. When the US
assisted with the defence of the Mareth Line. II Corps moved to northern Tunisia for the attack on Bizerte,
For the German offensive towards the Kasserine Pass, they faced their old foes, the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment once
Centauro was joined by what was left of the German more. When the army in Tunisia capitulated, the Bersaglieri
15th Panzer Division. Moving north from Gafsa, Centauro were amongst the last to surrender, marching out of their
attempted to force the pass at Djebel Dernaia on 18 February, positions and into captivity with their heads held high.
5º REGGIMENTO BERSAGLIERI
5TH SHARPSHOOTER BATTALION,
131ST ‘CENTAURO’ ARMOURED DIVISION, FEBRUARY 1943
REGIMENT HQ
XIV BATTAGLIONE XXII BATTAGLIONE XXIV BATTAGLIONE
9x Brixia M35 Mortars 9x Brixia 35 Mortars 9x Brixia 35 Mortars

BATTALION HQ BATTALION HQ BATTALION HQ
9x Breda M30 Machine-guns 9x Breda M30 Machine-guns 9x Breda M30 Machine-guns

3x Breda M37 Machine-guns 3x Breda M37 Machine-guns 3x Breda M37 Machine-guns

3. COMPAGNIA 6. COMPAGNIA 9 COMPAGNIA
8-12x 47/32 Guns 9x 81/14 Mortars

5A COMPAGNIA 81. COMPAGNIA
CONTROCARRI MORTAI
28
BERSAGLIERI RIFLE COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION
HEADQUARTERS
BERSAGLIERI RIFLE
COMPANY HQ
MI107
INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY
RIFLE RIFLE RIFLE

PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
MI108 MI108 MI108
INFANTRY INFANTRY ARTILLERY
BREDA MG ASSAULT 81mm MORTAR

PLATOON MORTAR PLATOON PLATOON
MI109 MI110 MI111
INFANTRY INFANTRY
47mm ANTI-TANK 47mm ANTI-TANK

PLATOON PLATOON
MI106 MI106
29
BERSAGLIERI RIFLERIFLE
COMPANY
BERSAGLIERI HQ
COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY FORMaTiOn • IS HIT ON
2x Carcano rifle team 1 POINT
Avanti
3+ 3+
Determined
Rally
Infantry
3+
The rifle companies sent to Tunisia retained the SKILL
standard organisation of three platoons armed TRAINED 4+ 3+

with bolt-action Carcano rifles and Breda M30
light machine-guns. This suited the mountain- 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
ous terrain where tanks were less of a threat, and
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
the light-weight Italian support weapons came WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
into their own. Carcano rifle team 16”/40CM 1 1 2 6 Slow Firing
RIFLE PLATOON
RIFLE PLATOON
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY UniT • IS HIT ON
9x Breda MG & Avanti
Carcano rifle team 9 POINTS Determined

3+ 3+
Rally
Infantry
3+
5x Breda MG & SKILL
Carcano rifle team 5 POINTS TRAINED 4+ 3+
The Unit Leader is one of the Breda MG & TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
Carcano rifle teams, and is mounted on a small 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
base (see page 48). ROF ANTI- FIRE-
Breda MG & 16”/40CM 2 1 2 6

Carcano rifle team
Tenente Alfero jumped down from the truck unconcerned by the incoming fire from the ridge far above. The
assault companies of the 24th Battalion dismounted from their trucks and took their positions at a run. No
walking for the bersaglieri. The terrain was rough, broken rocks in all directions, and the hillside steep. The
assault would be brutal on his men, but they were ready.
‘Fire!’
Alfero’s single-word command became a thunderstorm of noise and fire, a ceaseless bombardment of mortar
rounds that fell in scattered patterns, shattering rock and man alike. Machine-gun fire blasted along the Allied
lines, ripping into the dug in formations with ferocious teeth of steel. Alfero’s heart quickened as the moment
to seize victory had finally come.
‘Avanzare!’
Under cover of this blanket of bomb and bullet, the Bersaglieri infantry charged forward.
30
BREDA MG PLATOON
BREDA MG PLATOON
3x Breda HMG team 3 POINTS
Determined
Rally 3+ 3+ SAVE
SKILL
3+
The Breda M37 heavy machine-gun was the TRAINED 4+ 3+
Infantry
standard Italian tripod-mounted machine-gun.

Heavy Weapon
Assault 5+ 5+
It gave the infantry the firepower it needed to
break up enemy attacks or to keep the enemy TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
pinned down while they launched their 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
own assaults. WEAPON RANGE ROF

HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
Breda HMG team 24”/60CM 6 2 2 6
ASSAULT MORTAR PLATOON

ASSAULT MORTAR PLATOON
Avanti
Follow Me 3+ 2+
5 POINTS
SAVE
3x Assault Mortar team
3+ 3+
Determined
Rally
Infantry
3+
Each Assault Mortar team from this unit has three SKILL
weapons mounted on a large base (see page 48). TRAINED 4+ 3+

Heavy Weapon
Assault 5+ 5+
The light 45mm Brixia M35 assault mortar TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
is an unusual weapon. It was a rapid-firing, 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

breech-loading grenade launcher used to lay WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
down a quick and intense bombardment to Assault Mortar team 16”/40CM 6 3 1 5+ Overhead Fire, Smoke
cover close-quarters assaults.
81mm MORTAR PLATOON

81MM MORTAR PLATOON
Determined
3+ 3+
3x 81mm mortar 5 POINTS Rally SAVE
2x 81mm mortar 3 POINTS SKILL

3+
TRAINED 4+ 3+
Infantry
Heavy Weapon
Assault 5+ 5+
The 81/14 is an excellent 81mm mortar, being
relatively long-ranged and effective against a
wide variety of targets. Their bombardments
4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM AUTO
silence enemy mortars and pin down their
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
machine-guns, allowing the infantry attacks to WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
close and destroy the enemy. 81mm mortar 48”/120CM ARTILLERY 1 4+ Smoke Bombardment
RIFLE COMPANY WEAPONS

With more men available, Bersaglieri rifle companies field ASSAULT MORTAR: The little 45mm Brixia M35
full rifle platoons with a platoon of each type of weapon was designed to give assaulting infantry immediate fire
for fire support. They use the same basic weapons as the support. Operating in sections of three mortars, they are
weapons company (shown on page 27), with the notable excellent for knocking out enemy machine-gun positions
addition of the Brixia and 81mm mortars. as the infantry rush the enemy position.
The Breda MG Platoon, Assault Mortar Platoon, and 81mm MORTAR: The 81/14 M35 is an excellent mortar
81mm Mortar Platoon are packaged in a single blister that considerably out-ranged its British counterpart. This
(coded IT764), making it easy to collect your infantry- 81mm mortar gives the company an artillery weapon for
support weapons. bombarding enemy infantry trying to hide behind cover
and for knocking out enemy guns.
31
As the little Brixia mortars smothered the nearest machine-gun nest in smoke, the flame-
throwers rushed forward silencing it permanently. With that problem solved, Tenente
Barudo was ready to lead his men on the final push. 'Grenades! Ready…throw!' Tumbling
red cylinders arced through the air. As they exploded among the British defenders, Barudo
leapt up and ran hard, certain his men were following close behind.
'Avanti! Take them!' was the battle cry on his lips.
A foxhole appeared ahead and he fired his Beretta submachine-gun into it before jumping
over. A surprised face under a flat helmet fell back. Breda MG's began to fire to his right,
keeping that flank secure.
A bayonet on the end of an Enfield rifle thrust at him, but was knocked aside by one of his
men. And suddenly they were through. The British were running, surrendering, falling…the
Cauldron was broken!
ASSAULT ENGINEER PLATOON

ASSAULT ENGINEER PLATOON
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY UniT • PiOnEERS • IS HIT ON
5x Breda MG & Avanti
Carcano rifle team
2x Brixia mortar team
SKILL
3+
TRAINED 4+ 3+
Infantry
2x Flame-thrower team 15 POINTS Deadly

3+ 3+
Assault
3x Breda MG &
Carcano rifle team TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
1x Brixia mortar team 8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO

1x Flame-thrower team 8 POINTS WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
Breda MG & 16”/40CM 2 1 2 6
Carcano rifle team
The Unit Leader is one of the Breda MG &
Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon,
Carcano rifle teams, and is mounted on a small Brixia mortar team 16”/40CM 2 1 1 5+ Overhead Fire, Smoke.
base (see page 48). Flame-thrower team 4”/10CM 2 2 2 1+ Assault 4+, Flame-thrower,
Heavy Weapon
The assault engineers led the attack wherever the Royal Army charges, machine-guns to rapid-fire light mortars, the engi-
needed to break through a fortified position. Equipped with neers were almost unstoppable in a close assault on an enemy
everything they needed, from flame-throwers to demolition defensive position.
ASSAULT ENGINEERS
FEATURES SPECIAL RULES
DEADLY: Following in the footsteps of the fearless and FLAME-THROWERS: Faced with a stream of burning
deadly Arditi, the assault engineers never back down from fuel, most troops will run. Even those brave enough to
a fight, and will fight on until victory or death. stand and fight need to muster their courage to attack
BRIXIA MORTAR: The Brixia assault mortar gives the again. Flame-throwers are especially lethal against infan-
engineers their own artillery. Firing over the heads of the try, guns, and trucks.
assaulting troops, they silence machine-gun nests to let the PIONEERS: The assault engineers know minefields inside
riflemen and flame-throwers close with the enemy. out, whether avoiding them or clearing them.
32
AB41 ARMOURED CAR PLATOON
AB41 ARMOURED CAR PLATOON
MOTIVATION • Tank UniT • SCOUT • SPEaRHEaD • IS HIT ON
Counterattack 6 6
Scout
3 POINTS
ARMOUR
4x AB41 (20mm)
5+ 5+ 1
Scout
Last Stand FRONT
3x AB41 (20mm) 2 POINTS
SKILL SIDE &
REAR 1
TRAINED 4+ 3+
As a wheeled armoured car, the AB41 is very fast Focussed
Tactics 5+ 4+
TOP 0
on hard surfaces, although less mobile in diffi-
5+ 5+
Scout
Assault
cult terrain. Its 20mm gun is effective against
enemy armoured cars, allowing it to drive off TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
enemy reconnaissance to protect their own 8”/20CM 10”/25CM 14”/35CM 36”/90CM 5+
force's advance. WEAPON RANGE ROF

HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
AB41 (20mm) 20”/50CM 2 1 5 5+

AB41 (MGs) 16”/40CM 4 4 2 6
AB41 ARMOURED CAR SPECIAL RULES

SCOUT: The brave armoured car crews will tackle enemy SPEARHEAD: The armoured cars help push back enemy
armoured cars without hesitation. However, they are smart reconnaissance to allow the combat troops to work their
enough not to assault infantry with a wheeled vehicle. way around the flanks of the enemy.
L6/40 LIGHT TANK PLATOON

L6/40 LIGHT TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION • Tank UniT • IS HIT ON

• SCOUT • SPEaRHEaD •
Counterattack 5+ 5+
Scout
ARMOUR
5x L6/40 (20mm) 5 POINTS 5+ 5+ 3

Scout
Last Stand FRONT
4x L6/40 (20mm) 4 POINTS
3x L6/40 (20mm) 3 POINTS
SKILL SIDE &
REAR 1
TRAINED 4+ 3+
Focussed
Tactics 5+ 4+
TOP 1
The L6/40 was designed as an infantry-support Scout
Assault 5+ 5+
tank, so is well armoured for such a tiny vehicle, TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
giving it a distinct advantage over the lighter 10”/25CM 12”/30CM 18”/45CM 20”/50CM 4+
Allied armoured cars. While its 20mm gun is an ROF ANTI- FIRE-
effective weapon, having the commander act as
L6/40 (20mm) 20”/50CM 2 1 5 5+
gunner and loader limits how well it can be used.
L6/40 (MG) 16”/40CM 3 3 2 6
L6/40 LIGHT TANK FEATURES

Like the AB41, the L6/40 is a reconnaissance vehicle. FOCUSSED: A one-man turret mounted on both the
It differs in being better armoured and tracked rather AB41 and the L6/40 limits the ability of the commander
than wheeled. to lead his unit or avoid obstacles.
WELL-ARMOURED: The L6/40 is only a light tank, so TRACKED: Wheeled armoured cars may be faster in
can't mix it with real tanks, but its relatively thick armour theory, but a tracked vehicle like the L6/40 is quicker
gives it an advantage over enemy armoured cars. across rough terrain.
33
The turret of a nearby M14/41 tank was flung off as the hull detonated,
the crew lost with the tank. Sergente Canoldi's gun crew threw themselves
away from the blast—one more death in the cauldron boiling away the
remnants of Ariete.
'Get up! Up!' Canoldi yelled at his gun crew. British tanks were closing in.
Their giant 90mm gun mounted on the bed of a Lancia truck had already
claimed three kills today, but they kept coming. Canoldi grabbed one of the
loaders and shoved him towards the ammunition crates. 'Get another round!'
The gunner, Caporale Quinto, leaned into the gun mount, slowly rotating the
elevation wheels. He stopped, adjusted, then fired.
90mm ON LANCIA ANTI-TANK BATTERY

MOTIVATION • UnaRMOURED Tank UniT • IS HIT ON
• GiGanTiC • GUn SHiELD •
SKILL SAVE
TRAINED 4+ 3+
4x Lancia (90mm) 24 POINTS Tank
4+
3x Lancia (90mm) 18 POINTS
- 8”/20CM 10”/25CM 24”/60CM 6

The Royal Army developed truck-mounted guns
in the First World War to make moving heavy WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
artillery easier. They continued this trend with Lancia (90mm) 40”/100CM 2 1 14 3+ Self-defence AA
the new 90/53 long-barrelled 90mm heavy anti-

aircraft gun, mounting it on a Lancia Ro truck Although large, the resulting vehicle provides the artillery arm with a
(along with numerous outriggers to stabilise it mobile, high-velocity, dual-purpose anti-aircraft/anti-tank weapon.
when firing!).
LANCIA 90MM ANTI-TANK/ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN
SELF-PROPELLED: Truck-mounted guns like the GIGANTIC: The result of mounting a rather large 90mm
90mm have the advantage of being able to reposition gun on a truck was quite gigantic, making it difficult to hide
quickly when needed. This makes them less vulnerable to in the open desert. Fortunately, its long range means that
artillery, and much harder to avoid. short-range ambushes are unnecessary.
EXCELLENT ANTI-TANK: With a long range and GUN SHIELD: The crew of the 90m gun are protected by
excellent penetration, the 90mm is a deadly anti-tank gun a large gun shield, giving them excellent protection from
against any Allied tank. enemy rifles and machine-guns.
34
The long barrel slammed back before smoothly returning. Canoldi knew they needed to move—the enemy
were closing in. But just one more kill, make the British pay for all their comrades lost this day…
A shell detonated amongst the crew opening the next ammo crate. Canoldi was flung back, ears ringing,
stunned. The loaders were dead. Quinto was slumped in the gunnery seat, another casualty from the same
shot, and he would be joining them soon unless he acted fast.
Canoldi heaved a shell on to the gun platform, then hauled himself up and shoved Quinto's body out of the way.
Fight now—grieve later. He slammed the round into the breech. Roughly wiping a bloody smear away from
the gun sight, he searched for a target. A silhouette formed out of the smoke and dust sweeping across the
battlefield. The target filled the sight as he fired. Let them come - Ariete still had teeth!
88mm ANTI-TANK BATTERY

88MM ANTI-TANK BATTERY
MOTIVATION • GUn UniT • LaRGE GUn • IS HIT ON
SKILL SAVE
4x 88mm gun 24 POINTS TRAINED 4+ 3+
3x 88mm gun 18 POINTS 4+
Gun
Assault 5+ 5+ Gun

When production of their own 90m heavy - 2”/5CM 4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6

anti-aircraft gun failed to keep pace with WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
demand, the Italians purchased German 88mm 88mm AT gun 40”/100CM 2 1 14 3+ Self-defence AA
anti-aircraft guns to make up the numbers.
Like the Germans, the Italians used the deadly range and punch to knock out any Allied tank, even the Sherman, at
'88' as a heavy anti-tank gun, giving them the ranges where the tanks could not strike back.
88mm ANTI-TANK/ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN

LONG RANGE: The 88mm anti-aircraft gun is accurate LARGE GUN: The 88mm is designed for anti-aircraft
out to a range of several kilometres, giving it the ability to work, making it as tall as a tank and much harder to
knock out tanks beyond the range at which they can reply. manoeuvre. As a result it is not suitable for short-range
EXCELLENT PENETRATION: High-velocity 88mm ambushes and cannot be manoeuvred into buildings.
armour piercing rounds can penetrate any tank in service, SELF-DEFENCE AA: As an anti-aircraft gun, the 88mm
and have no difficulty knocking out just about any tank gun can shoot at aircraft. However, it is designed to shoot
at any range. down high-altitude bombers, not fast, low-flying ground-
attack aircraft, so has only has ROF 1 against aircraft.
35
100mm HOWITZER BATTERY
100MM HOWITZER BATTERY
MOTIVATION • GUn UniT • IS HIT ON
• GUn SHiELD • LaRGE GUn •
4x 100mm howitzer 12 POINTS SKILL SAVE
TRAINED 4+ 3+
2x 100mm howitzer 6 POINTS 4+
Gun
Assault 5+ 5+ Gun
The 100/17 howitzer is an Austrian design

for a short (L/17) 100mm howitzer
dating back to the First World War.
- 2”/5CM 4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6
However, it's still an effective
ROF ANTI- FIRE-
weapon in skilled hands. Firing WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
Forward Firing,
a modernised 13.8kg (30.4 lb) 100mm howitzer 72”/180CM ARTILLERY 3 3+ Smoke Bombardment
Brutal, Forward Firing,
shell, it had a greater punch or Direct Fire 16”/40CM 1 1 9 2+ Slow Firing, Smoke
than the British 25 pdr gun.
100mm HOWITZER
LONG-RANGE ARTILLERY: The 100mm howitzer BRUTAL: At point blank range, the big 100mm shell is
has the range to drop an artillery bombardment wherev- brutal, forcing infantry and guns to re-roll their saves.
er needed on the battlefield. It has the calibre to deliver SLOW FIRING: While the 100mm howitzer is too big
enough explosive to dig infantry and guns out of their and heavy to fire on the move, it still uses its Moving ROF
fortifications. if it is Pinned Down, gaining a +1 penalty To Hit.
EMERGENCY ANTI-TANK: Although designed SMOKE: The modernised ammunition includes a smoke
before the first tank, the 100mm was still deadly shell which it mainly uses to fire a smoke bombardment,
against any tanks that strayed too close. screening friendly troops from enemy fire as they advance.
AB41 OP OBSERVATION
AB41POST
OP OBSERVATION POST
MOTIVATION • inDEPEnDEnT Tank UniT • IS HIT ON

• OBSERVER SCOUT •
Scout
Last Stand 5+ 5+
1 POINT
ARMOUR
1x AB41 OP (20mm)
3+ 3+ 1
Determined
Remount FRONT
You must field a 100mm Howitzer Battery (MI115) before
you can field an AB41 OP.
SKILL SIDE &
REAR 1
TRAINED 4+ 3+
TOP 0
In the wide-open desert, an artillery observer TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
needs a good mount to move quickly to wherever 8”/20CM 10”/25CM 14”/35CM 36”/90CM 4+
they are needed most. WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
AB41 (20mm) 20”/50CM 1 1 5 5+

AB41 (MGs) 16”/40CM 4 4 2 6
36
CR.42 FALCO ASSAULT SECTION
MOTIVATION • aiRCRaFT UniT • IS HIT ON
CONFIDENT 4+ 4+ AIRCRAFT 5+
SKILL SAVE
5 POINTS TRAINED 4+ 3+
2x CR.42 Falco
Aircraft
3+
When the CR.42 Falco ('Falcon') biplane
finished its days as a fighter, it found a new role
as a ground-attack 'assault' aircraft. This rugged
and reliable aircraft was easy to maintain and fly,
UNLIMITED UNLIMITED UNLIMITED UNLIMITED AUTO
allowing it to perform well in its new job.
100kg bombs 6”/15CM ARTILLERY 3 3+ Bombs
12.7mm MGs 6”/15CM - 2 4 5+
AUTOCANNONE 20mm AA PLATOON

AUTOCANNONE 20MM AA PLATOON
MOTIVATION • UnaRMOURED Tank UniT • IS HIT ON
SKILL SAVE
6 POINTS TRAINED 4+ 3+
4x Autocannone (20mm)
Tank
5+
2x Autocannone (20mm) 3 POINTS
The Breda 20/65 M35 20mm anti-aircraft

gun gave the Royal Army an effective light
anti-aircraft weapon. In North Africa, they were TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
mounted on trucks as Autocannoni, giving them 8”/20CM 10”/25CM 12”/30CM 24”/60CM 4+

the mobility to accompany motorised troops WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
in fast-moving battles. The weapon was popu- Autocannone (20mm) 20”/50CM 3 2 5 5+ Dedicated AA
lar, but relatively scarce with only a handful in
each division.
37
As they had at El Alamein, the German Afrika Korps operat- blundered into the Bou Chebka Pass rather than the Djebel
ed in close cooperation with the Italian Centauro Armoured Hamra Pass in the dark. With the Italians facing the weight
Division during the Battle of Kasserine Pass. After the of the American defences alone, the remaining German
Bersaglieri captured the Djebel Semmama mountain, a tanks and Italian Semovente assault guns were grouped
mixed group of German reconnaissance troops and Italian together and sent to their aid.
tanks advanced up the road toward Thala. As night fell, with the Italian-German thrusts being blocked
When they were halted at the Djebel Hamra, the Bersaglieri in every direction and casualties mounting, Rommel called
took the lead again, attacking alone as the German infan- off the offensive, retiring back through Kasserine Pass before
try (supported by the Italian Semovente assault guns) had the Allied forces realised that the offensive was over.
KEY
TO
GERMAN German
UNIT Movement
TH
AL
ITALIAN Italian
A
UNIT Movement
H AIDR A
6th Armoured
Division US Allied
UNIT Defences
BRITISH Roads
UNIT
Djebel
Adjered 1OTH PANZER
DIVISION
Djebel
Bireno
TO TEBE
SSA
Centauro
<
DIVISION
1st Armored
DIVISION
H
Djebel
at
ab
Hamra
Djebel
Ri
ve
Semmama
r
15th PANZER DIVISION

with Italian SP Guns
1 Infantry
st
DIVISION
1st Infantry
DIVISION
Bou Chebka
Pass
Djebel
Nogueza 1OTH PANZER
DIVISION
Djebel
Chambri
BO U CH E B K A K A SSE RI NE
1st Ranger
Battalion
15TH PANZER Centauro
DIVISION DIVISION
38
While Italian soldiers are undeniably This section covers the German Units
brave, their tanks and anti-tank guns are from the Afrika Korps book that you can
comparatively light, so they often fought in take with an Italian force.
mixed battlegroups alongside the Germans These Allied Units follow the German
with their heavier equipment. You can do special rules rather than the Italian ones,
the same to add some extra punch to your so they use the Stormtroopers rule (see
Italian force. page 42) rather than Avanti and tend to be
ALLIED UNITS & FORMATIONS more stubborn (Last Stand), but less brave
Your force may include two compulsory (Rally and Remount) than Italian troops.
Units from German Formations as In addition, Allied Units and Formations,
Allied Units (as well as a whole German being Support, do not help keep your force
Formation as an Allied Formation) as In Good Spirits for Formation Last Stand.
part of its Support (see page 99 of the Don't forget, you can field Italians as allies
rulebook). for your German force as well!
PANZER IV TANK PLATOON

PANZER IV TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION • Tank UniT • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON
CONFIDENT 4+ CAREFUL 4+
Third Reich
Last Stand 3+ ARMOUR
4x Panzer IV (short 7.5cm) 24 POINTS Protected Ammo

Remount 3+ FRONT 5
3x Panzer IV (short 7.5cm) 18 POINTS
VETERAN
SKILL
3+
SIDE &
REAR 3
2x Panzer IV (short 7.5cm) 12 POINTS
TOP 1
OPTIONS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
• Replace any or all Panzer IV 10”/25CM 14”/35CM 18”/45CM 20”/50CM 3+
(short 7.5cm) with Panzer IV WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
(long 7.5cm) for +4 points each.
Panzer IV (short 7.5cm) 48”/120CM ARTILLERY 2 4+
or Direct Fire 24”/60CM 2 1 7 3+ Smoke
<x:xmpmeta xmlns:x=”adobe:ns:meta/”
The Panzer IV was a German x:xmptk=”Adobe
support tank. XMP
Like Core 5.6-c128 79.159124, 2016/03/18-14:01:55 “>
Panzer IV (long 7.5cm) 32”/80CM 2 1 10 3+
the Italian Semovente, it has a powerful 75mm
<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf=”http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#”> Panzer IV (MGs) 16”/40CM 4 4 2 6
gun, and in some models, can fire as artillery.
<rdf:Description rdf:about=””
xmlns:tiff=”http://ns.adobe.com/tiff/1.0/”
xmlns:exif=”http://ns.adobe.com/exif/1.0/” PANZER IVs: ON THE TABLE
xmlns:xmp=”http://ns.adobe.com/xap/1.0/” There are two different models of Panzer IV tanks.
The key
xmlns:aux=”http://ns.adobe.com/exif/1.0/aux/”differences are highlighted below to help you pick the right tank for the job.
xmlns:photoshop=”http://ns.adobe.com/photoshop/1.0/”
PANZER IV (SHORT 7.5cm) PANZER IV (LONG 7.5cm)
xmlns:xmpMM=”http://ns.adobe.com/xap/1.0/mm/”
xmlns:stEvt=”http://ns.adobe.com/xap/1.0/sType/ResourceEvent#”
Anti-tank: 7
xmlns:dc=”http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/”
Anti-tank: 10
Firepower: 3+
xmlns:crs=”http://ns.adobe.com/camera-raw-settings/1.0/” Firepower: 3+
Other: Artillery
tiff:Make=”NIKON CORPORATION”
Bombardment
tiff:Model=”NIKON D2X” Smoke
tiff:Orientation=”1”
exif:ExifVersion=”0221”
exif:ExposureTime=”1/200”
exif:ShutterSpeedValue=”7643856/1000000”
exif:FNumber=”32/1”
exif:ApertureValue=”10/1”
exif:ExposureProgram=”1”
exif:ExposureBiasValue=”0/6”
exif:MaxApertureValue=”34/10”
exif:MeteringMode=”5” 39
exif:LightSource=”0”
PANZER III TANKPANZER
PLATOON
III (MIXED) TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION • Tank UniT • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON
Third Reich
Last Stand 3+ ARMOUR
5x Panzer III (short 5cm) 25 POINTS Protected Ammo

Remount 3+ FRONT 5
4x Panzer III (short 5cm) 20 POINTS SKILL
UPARMOURED 6
3x Panzer III (short 5cm) 15 POINTS VETERAN 3+ SIDE 3
Panzer III (short 5cm)
TOP 1
LONG 5CM OPTION TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
• Replace any or all Panzer III (short 5cm) 10”/25CM 12”/30CM 18”/45CM 20”/50CM 3+
with Panzer III (long 5cm) for +2 points WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
each. Panzer III (short 5cm) 24”/60CM 2 1 8 4+
ARMOUR OPTION Panzer III (long 5cm) 28”/70CM 2 1 9 4+
• Uparmour any or all Panzer III Panzer III (7.5cm) 24”/60CM 2 1 9 3+ HEAT
(long 5cm) to Front 6 for +1 point each. Panzer III (MGs) 16”/40CM 4 4 2 6
7.5CM OPTION
• Replace any or all short 5cm with 7.5cm The Panzer III was the workhorse of the Afrika Korps. At nearly twice the
for +3 points each. weight of an Italian tank, it has thicker armour and a bigger gun (which
got even bigger as newer models came into service).
PANZER IIIs: ON THE TABLE

There are four different models of Panzer III tanks.
The key differences are highlighted below to help you pick the right tank for the job.
PANZER III (SHORT 5cm) PANZER III (LONG 5cm)

40
A line of dust marked the passage of the American shot passing beside Tenente Lorento's tank. He dropped
down into the hull of his Semovente and yelled at driver, 'Get us behind the farm! Move Stefano—or we're dead!'
Dropping into the hull, Lorento slid into his seat, leaning into the gun sight, seeing just the blank wall surrounding
the farm. 'Forward to the edge of the wall, Stefano,' he commanded. 'Slowly, slowly… halt.' He could just see
the big American tank.
A quick adjustment of the aim, and he fired. As the dust cleared, Lorento could see the enemy crew bailing out of
their smoking tank. Standing up through the hatch to look around, he scanned the battlefield. Three hard-worn
German Panzers came up on his left, a laconic wave from the lead tank commander acknowledging his presence.
Sergente Capaldi came trundling up last, his Semovente rattling loudly from the hanging mudguard banging
against the track. Given how far these tanks had travelled, it was nothing less than a God-given miracle they
still worked—Italian or German.
The Panzer commander was just starting to climb down from his turret when a massive detonation ripped the
furthest Panzer apart, flinging the turret into the air. One of the big American tank destroyers must have come
out to play! The two remaining Panzers were already on the move towards a low rise further to the flank.
Lorento waved at Capaldi to follow him, then directed Stefano further around the walled farm, instinctively
covering the other flank. Years of fighting together had built a trust in battle, so Lorento was not surprised to
find the Germans had the Americans' attention focussed on them as they came into view. Dropping back into
the gunners' seat, he took careful aim, firing moments before Capaldi's tank fired as well. One of the Americans
halted, smoke curling up from the engine decking. Its companion backed up, disappearing over the ridge.
'Let's help our friends get that big gun. Stefano—follow the panzers.'
PANZER III (UPARMOURED) PANZER III (7.5cm)

Other: HEAT
(Target's armour is not
increased for range
over 16”/40cm)
41
'Avanti!' Capitano Pagani urged his men onwards—they had to close on the Americans before the barrage
ended, or endure the fusillade of automatic weapons that the enemy always seemed to have. It wasn't just
the enemy he wanted to beat though. On his left, German soldiers were clawing their way up another face of
the Semmama ridge.
'Faster boys—lets beat those Tedeschi to the top! We beat them 3-2 in Milan, we'll beat them here!' That got
a couple of laughs.
Enemy grenades started to burst on the slope above them. 'Sergente! Agostini! Get the Bredas firing! Keep
their heads down!'
Sergente Agostini shoved his machine-gun teams into position. Soon bursts of fire began to stutter into the
enemy, allowing the bersaglieri to continue their climb.
AFRICA RIFLEAFRICA
PLATOON
RIFLE PLATOON
MOTIVATION • inFanTRY UniT • STORMTROOPERS • IS HIT ON
Third Reich
4x MG34 team Last Stand 3+ SAVE
1x 2.8cm anti-tank rifle 7 POINTS SKILL

3+
VETERAN 3+ Infantry
3x MG34 team
1x 2.8cm anti-tank rifle 6 POINTS
OPTIONS
8”/20CM 8”/20CM 12”/30CM 12”/30CM AUTO
• Add one sMG34 HMG for +1 point.
TANK POWER
• Add one 8cm mortar for +2 points. HALTED MOVING
MG 34 team 16”/40CM 3 2 2 6
The Unit Leader is one of the MG34 teams, and is 2.8cm anti-tank rifle 20”/50CM 2 1 7 5+ Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon, No HE
mounted on a small base (see page 48). Optional sMG34 HMG 24”/60CM 6 2 2 6 Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon
Optional 8cm mortar 40”/100CM ARTILLERY 1 4+ Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon

Like the Italians, the Germans reorganised their
infantry on the principle of 'few men, many STORMTROOPERS
weapons'. Platoons shrunk to small machine- German stormtrooper tactics learned during the First World War
gun platoons incorporating powerful anti-tank emphasised the importance of initiative and decisive action. This emphasis
rifles, heavy machine-guns, and mortars to carried over to training and combat in the Second World War.
create defensive strongpoints capable of taking
on all comers. The company mixed rifle platoons A Stormtroopers Unit may attempt a second Movement Order after
and anti-tank platoons together to make them succeeding in its first Movement Order. The second Movement Order
almost impervious to tank attacks. must be different from the first.
42
Soon, the distinctive sound of German machine-guns began off to the left. Pagani could see their German
allies scrambling up the ridge.
'Up! Up! Go!' Pagani shouted, leading the way. He scrambled to the summit, crouching down as enemy fire
sliced over head. Shouts and cries sounding across the slope told of casualties. Then Agostini was beside him
with a Breda MG and began returning fire.
'They're breaking!' he yelled. American troops were fleeing! Pagani stood up and urged his men forward.
'Chase them back! Keep going!' he waved his soldiers on.
Pagani watched as the lead German troops began to appear, and smiled grimly. 'Nice of them to join us, now
that we've opened the Kasserine Pass,' he remarked to Agostini.
5CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON

5CM TANK-HUNTER PLATOON
MOTIVATION • GUn UniT • GUn SHiELD • IS HIT ON
Third Reich
3+
3x 5cm guns 12 POINTS Last Stand SAVE
2x 5cm guns 8 POINTS

VETERAN
SKILL
3+ Gun
3+
4+
Gun
Assault
The 5cm PaK38 anti-tank gun is found both in
the rifle companies of the Afrika Korps and in
divisional anti-tank battalions. The deadly effect TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
of this small but powerful weapon often led 4”/10CM 4”/10CM 6”/15CM 8”/20CM 3+
British tankers to believe that they were under WEAPON RANGE ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE-
TANK POWER NOTES
fire from the famous '88'. 5cm gun 28”/70CM 2 1 9 4+ Forward Firing
AFRICA RIFLE COMPANY WEAPONS

MG34: The belt-fed MG34 machine-gun has a high rate sMG34 HMG: The sMG34 is the schwere or heavy
of fire, sounding like canvas ripping when it fires. Its crew version of the MG34. Mounted on a tripod for long-range
of three soldiers keep up a good rate of fire, even when accuracy and with plenty of ammunition, it is an excellent
incoming fire has them pinned down. defensive weapon.
2.8cm ANTI-TANK RIFLE: The 2.8cm sPzB41 is a 8cm MORTAR: The 8cm GW34 mortar gives the platoon
heavy squeeze-bore anti-tank rifle. Its 2.8cm rounds are an artillery weapon for bombarding enemy infantry trying
squeezed down to 2cm at the muzzle, giving them a high to hide behind cover and for knocking out enemy guns.
velocity and excellent short-range penetration. However, 5cm GUNS: The 5cm PaK38 anti-tank gun has
this prevents them from firing high explosive (HE) rounds outstanding penetration for such a light gun, making it
against soft targets. the mainstay of Axis anti-tank defences.
43
Armour colours
M14/41
Semovente
From February 1941 Italian tanks sent to the desert were In North Africa and Tunisia the dark olive green was
factory painted a sandy colour, Sicily Yellow (362). Prior to sometimes painted over the Sicily Yellow in a disruptive
this they were painted in a dark olive colour, Grenadier Green pattern for camouflage.
(349), and vehicles serving in the Balkans or Russia would still In the Balkans a terracotta colour, Oxide Red (382), was used
be painted in this colour. as a camouflage colour painted over the dark olive green.
Italian Armour
Colour Palette Sicily Yellow Bradley shade
Large Brush Large Brush
Sicily Yellow
(362)
Bradley shade
(490)
Dry Dust Basecoat your tank with Sicily Yellow. Two thin coats Wash the tank with Bradley Shade. Try to achieve an
(364)
are better than one thick coat. even coverage over the whole tank, letting the wash pool
in the recesses without building up too much on flat
Sicily Yellow is available surfaces.
as a spray can which is
a quick and easy way to Sicily Yellow Dry Dust
Medium Brush Small Drybrush
basecoat your tanks.
Tidy up the wash with Sicily Yellow using a combination Drybrush the tank with Dry Dust, concentrating on
of drybrushing and layering. edges, raised details, and upper surfaces to add highlights.
44
Tank Tracks
Colour Palette Oxide Red Bradley Shade Dark Gunmetal
Medium Brush Medium Brush Small Drybrush
Oxide Red
(382)
Bradley Shade
(490)
Dark Gunmetal Basecoat the tracks with Oxide Wash the tracks with Bradley Shade. Drybrush the tracks Dark Gunmetal.
(480)
Red or Battlefield Brown. You could substitute Manstein Shade
for a darker result.
Camouflage & Weathered Paint

Colour Palette Sicily Yellow Grenadier Green
Large Brush Large Brush
Sicily Yellow
(362)
Grenadier Green
(349)
Bradley shade
(490) Basecoat your tank with Sicily Yellow. Paint patches of Grenadier Green over the Sicily Yellow, aim
for approximately 50% coverage over the Sicily Yellow.
Bradley shade Sicily Yellow

Dry Dust Large Brush Grenadier Green
(364) Medium Brush
Panzer Grey
(303)
While most of the Italian

vehicles in the desert were
painted Sicily Yellow,
there are plenty of photos
of Italian tanks sporting
camouflage, either hand- Wash the tank with Bradley Shade. Try to achieve an Tidy up the wash with Sicily Yellow and Grenadier Green
applied in large hard-edged even coverage over the whole tank, letting the wash pool in using a combination of drybrushing and layering.
patches as shown here, or as the recesses without building up too much on flat surfaces.
small spots applied with an
airbrush. Dry Dust Panzer Grey
Small Drybrush Small Brush
The final step in painting
any vehicle is weathering.
Some painters like their
vehicles to look brand new
and ‘factory fresh’, while
others prefer models that
show the weathering effects
of the environment.
A few simple techniques
can help your models look
as though they have seen
Drybrush the tank with Dry Dust, concentrating on Fill in the centre of the chips and scratches with Panzer
tough service in the baking
edges, raised details, and upper surfaces to add highlights. Grey, leaving the lighter edges showing. Try to keep chips
sun and stinging wind of
Add small spots and scratches of Dry Dust, concentrating small for a realistic effect.
the North African desert.
on areas of high wear and heavy use.
45
Italian Markings
Tactical markings are an excellent way of adding visual and historical interest to your TANK NUMBERS
models. Most Italian tanks feature an identifying number on the side of the hull or turret,
license plates and divisional symbols. You can find more detailed information on Italian
markings on the Flames Of War website.
Company Platoon Tank
Colour Number Number
The Italian army had a simple method of numbering
their tanks. The colour denotes the company (Red for
1st Company, Blue for 2nd Company, and Yellow for
3rd Company), the platoon within the company is shown
by the number of stripes inside the bar. The number above
the stripe shows the number of the vehicle in the platoon.
See pages 18-21 for more examples.
Italian vehicles often had a white cross

painted on the rear of the turret or
hull for recognition by Italian forces.
Registration Plates
Division
Semovente
Semovente self-propelled guns in an Assault gun battery had a unique yellow
and black marking. When part of a tank battalion they used the coloured bar
numbering system described above.
Most unit boxes come with the decal sheet shown here. More decal options can be found on IT940 Italian Decal Sheet.
Italian Infantry
Helmets & Painted Metal In the desert the Bersaglieri were issued
with a light cotton tropical uniform. It
Sicily Yellow was a yellowy tan colour in hue and is
(362)
often described as Light Khaki. Trousers
Metal Parts of Weapons and Tunics were the same colour, though
Dark Gunmetal most troops retained their original
(480) Green-Grey puttees.
Helmets were painted the same sand
Flesh colour as the tanks and vehicles, and
European Skin were adorned with their traditional
(385)
Cockerel feathers.
Webbing Some soldiers continued to wear green
helmets, so you could paint some of the
Afrika Green helmets Grenadier Green (349) for a bit
(346)
of variety.
Wooden Stocks & Boots Often British shirts and Trousers were
Battlefield Brown worn from captured stocks. These were in
(324) the lighter British Khaki Drill, Dry Dust
(364), which make a good contrast on
Uniform
your desert uniforms.
Sicily Yellow
(362)
Puttees & Alternate Metal

Heer Green
(340)
46
Uniforms and webbing
Colour Palette Sicily Yellow Afrika Green Heer Green
Medium Brush Small Brush Small Brush
Sicily Yellow
(362)
Afrika Green
(346)
Heer Green Basecoat the uniform with Sicily Paint the canvas webbing gear Afrika Paint the Puttees and Feathers Heer
(340)
Yellow, using two thin coats if Green. Green.
necessary for an even coverage.
Bradley Shade Sicily Yellow Dry Dust

Bradley shade Medium Brush Afrika Green Large Brush
(490)
Heer Green
Small Brush
Dry Dust
(364)
Actual Size
If you want to paint

your Italians for the
Eastern Front or the
Balkans, simply change
the basecoat to Grenadier
Green and leave the Wash the figure with Bradley Shade Highlight raised areas of the Drybrush the model lightly with
webbing Black. to add depth to the model. uniform, webbing and Puttees with Dry Dust. Apply a heavier drybrush
their same base colour. around the bottom of the model
Flesh
European Skin Skin Shade European Skin
Medium Brush Medium Brush Small Brush
European Skin
(385)
Actual Size
Skin Shade
(491)
You can find more

advanced methods for
painting flesh on page 26
of Colours Of War. Basecoat the face and other exposed Wash liberally with Skin Shade to Highlight prominent details such
skin areas with European Skin, in create shading and definition. as fingers, cheeks and nose with
two thin coats. European Skin.
Weapons
Dark Gunmetal Battlefield Brown Skin Shade
Medium Brush Medium Brush Medium Brush
Dark Gunmetal
(480)
Actual Size
Battlefield Brown
(324)
Skin Shade
(491)
Paint barrels and other metal parts Basecoat stocks and other wooden Wash with Skin Shade to add
sparingly with Dark Gunmetal. areas with Battlefield Brown. shading and deepen the wood colour.
47
CR.42 Falco
Fuselage Camouflage
Sicily Yellow Firefly Green
(366) (348)
Under Fuselage
Greatcoat Grey
(305)
Basing Guide
All Flames Of War infantry and guns are supplied with appro- Commanders and
priate bases. There are usually several figures with each type of Unit Leaders
Base Company HQ teams and
weapon, so you can create variety in your teams. It doesn’t matter
Platoon Unit Leaders on a small
which mix of figures you put in each team, as long as the mix of base with an NCO and rifleman.
weapons is right. Visit the product spotlight on the Flames Of The team faces the long edge.
War website: www.FlamesOfWar.com for more detail.
Breda MG team and Breda MG & Carcano rifle team 20mm anti-tank rifle Breda HMG 81mm mortar
Breda MG teams and Breda MG & Carcano rifle teams have four Base these heavy weapons on a medium base facing the long edge. These teams
figures on a medium base facing the long edge. have the gunner and his weapon along with two assistant gunners or loaders.
Each Breda MG team from a Weapons Platoon has a Breda
machine-gunner. Breda MG & Carcano rifle teams from a Rifle
Platoon have a machine-gunner on every second base.
The remaining figures are NCOs or riflemen.
Brixia mortar Flame-thrower Assault Mortars

Base Brixia mortar teams and Flame-thrower teams on a Base Assault Mortar teams on a large base with three gunners and their
small base facing the long edge. Each team has a gunner weapons with loaders. The team faces the long edge.
with his weapon and a loader or escort.
47mm gun 88mm gun 100mm howitzer

Base the 47mm gun on a medium base facing the short edge. Each gun Base these guns on a large base facing the short edge. Each gun has
has a gunner along with an NCO and two ammunition numbers. a gunner along with an NCO and three ammunition numbers.
48
Lorenzo's Rams is the best starting point for any Italian army. Expand ITAB02 Lorenzo's Rams
your force by adding other units from the Italian range. Each Flames Of (x8 M14/41 tanks or Semovente assault guns,
War unit box contains a complete unit and their Unit Cards. x4 100mm Howitzers) (Plastic)
FW244C Avanti Command Cards
IBX14 M14/41 or Semovente Platoon (x5) (Plastic)
IBX12 100mm Howitzer Battery (x4) (Plastic)
IBX13 88mm Anti-tank Battery (x2) (Plastic)
IBX18 47mm Anti-tank Platoon (x4) (Plastic)
IBX15 90mm on Lancia Battery (x2)
IBX16 AB41 Armoured Car Platoon (x4)
IBX17 L6/40 Light Tank Platoon (x5)
IBX19 CR.42 Falco Assault Section (x2)
IBX20 Autocannone 20mm AA Platoon (x4)
IT762 Bersaglieri Weapons Platoon (x23 figures)
IT763 Bersaglieri Rifle Platoon (x22 figures)
IT764 Bersaglieri MG and Mortar Platoons (x36 figures)
IT765 Assault Engineer Platoon (x27 figures)
IT900 Avanti Dice (x20)
IT900 Avanti Tokens (x20)
CWP150 Avanti Paint Set (x5 paints)
CWP250 Avanti Spray (Sicily Yellow)
Most boxes in the Italian range comes with an
8 Million Bayonets dice.
B OOK
L RULE
S FUL
INC LUDE
For more information

visit our website: www.flames of war.com
Written by: Phil Yates
Editors: Peter Simunovich, John-Paul Brisigotti
Graphic Design: Casey Davies
Assistant Writers: Andrew Haught, Jonathan Peace, Nigel Slater, Chris Townley
Assistant Graphic Design: Sean Goodison, Morgan Cannon
Miniatures Design: Evan Allen, Tim Adcock, Matt Bickley, Will Jayne, Bob Naismith, Charles Woods
Miniatures Painting: Aaron Te Hira-Mathie, Adrian Walters
Cover Art: Vincent Wai
Internal Art: Warren Mahy
Proof Readers: David Adlam, Alexander Constantino, Tom Culpepper, Mark Goddard, Alan Graham, Ryan Jeffares,
Mitchell Landrum, Michael McSwiney, Luke Parsonage, Stephen Smith, Duncan Stradling, Livio Tonazzo
Playtest Groups: Battleground Club Rostov-on-Don (Alexander Ilyn), Cavalieri dell’Esagono (Eis Annavini),
Dad’s Army (Gavin Van Rossum), Maus Haus (Daniel Wilson), Northern Battle Gamers (Nigel Slater),
Octopus & Friends (Michal Jozwiak), Regina Rifles (Lance Matthew), Wargames Association of Reading (Ian Brook)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means
without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is
published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
© Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Ltd., 2018. ISBN: 9780994147493
Forward into Battle
Rommel’s famed Germans were retreating, beaten in the Battle of El Alamein. Only the Italian
Ariete Division stood between the British and the total destruction of the Italian-German Panzer
Army. They would not fail.
The Bersaglieri, feather plumes rustling in the breeze, crouched in their
foxholes, manning guns and machine-guns as they watched the big British
tanks crawl into sight, preceded by several lines of infantry. It would be a
hard fight, no doubt at close quarters. Plenty of medals would be won by
Italian valour and determination today. The big anti-aircraft guns behind
them opened fire on the tanks, their hits marked by black plumes as the
tanks burned.
As the British artillery responded with salvo after salvo, the brave Carristi in
their M14/41 tanks advanced. Individually they were no match for the big
British tanks, but closing with the enemy and operating together, they
could knock out the bigger British tanks. They would do their
duty, holding back the tide until the rest of the
army got away. Today would be a glorious day.
The Italians learned about modern warfare the hard INSIDE YOU WILL FIND:
way in 1940. Now they are back, showing the world • Background on the Italian 132nd Ariete
what the Italian soldier can do. Fighting under the
Armoured Division in the Gazala and
famous ‘Desert Fox’, General Rommel, they form
El Alamein battles in the Western Desert and the
a crucial part of the Italian-German Panzer Army.
Tough, determined, skilled, and aggressive veterans, 131st Centauro Armored Division in Tunisian
the Italians broke through the British Gazala Line to battles for Kasserine Pass and El Guettar.
save the trapped German Afrika Korps, held the line • Instructions on how to build an M14/41 and
at El Alamein, and opened the way at Kasserine Pass, Semovente Tank Company, Bersaglieri Weapons
before holding up the American offensive at El Guettar. Company, or Bersaglieri Rifle Company.
Fight or die for the new Roman Empire! • A detailed painting guide.
A copy of the Flames Of War rulebook is necessary to use the contents of this book.
DESIGNED IN NEW ZEALAND ISBN 9780994147493
PRINTED IN EUROPE
Product Code FW244
© Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Limited, 2018.
All rights reserved.
www.flames of war.com

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WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES

AVANTI SAVOIA! TANKSM14/41 (47mm) 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT

modern at the start of the war, with some advanced features,

Algiers Tunis CRETE

3 September 13 March 27 May - 5 June 13 September

21ST PANZER 201 Guards Motor Brigade

ITALIAN Italian British

North African Theatre

21 January 27 May 30 May 11 June

12 June 14 June 20 June 26 June

North African Theatre

23 October 26 October 1 November 4 November

See page 38 for more detail

Thélepte 21ST PANZER

North African Theatre

19-22 February 17st March 23 March 30 March - 7 April 7 April

132ª DIVISIONE CORAZZATA 'ARIETE'

132° REGGIMENTO 8° REGGIMENTO 132° REGGIMENTO

VIII BATTAGLIONE CARRI III BATTAGLIONE BERSAGLIERI I GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

IX BATTAGLIONE CARRI V BATTAGLIONE BERSAGLIERI II GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

X BATTAGLIONE CARRI XII BATTAGLIONE BERSAGLIERI III GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

XXXI GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA DI GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA VI GRUPPO ARTIGLIERIA

III GRUPPO SQUADRONI III GRUPPO SQUADRONI

TANK WEAPONS INFANTRY

TANK COMPANY BERSAGLIERI BERSAGLIERI

AVANTI SUPPORT UNITS

ASSAULT PIONEERS ANTI-AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE RECONNAISSANCE

ARTILLERY ARTILLERY ANTI-TANK ANTI-TANK

100MM HOWITZER 100MM HOWITZER

OBSERVER 88MM 88MM

FORMATION SUPPORT ALLIED SUPPORT WILDCARD

132A DIVISIONE CORAZZATA ‘ARIETE’

VIII BATTAGLIONE CARRI M

1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON 1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON

I COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks) II COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks)

1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON VI GRUPPO

131A DIVISIONE CORAZZATA ‘CENTAURO’

XVII BATTAGLIONE CARRI M BATTALION HQ

1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON 1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON

I COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks) II COMPAGNIA (16 M14/41 tanks)

ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR

M14/41 M14/41 PANZER

SEMOVENTE SEMOVENTE SEMOVENTE

1. PLATOON 2. PLATOON 3. PLATOON

MOTIVATION • Tank FORMaTiOn • IS HIT ON

10”/25CM 12”/30CM 16”/40CM 18”/45CM 4+

M14/41 (47mm) 24”/60CM 2 1 6 4+ HEAT

M14/41 ( MGs) 16”/40CM 6 6 2 6 Self-defence AA

M14/41 TANK PLATOON

10”/25CM 12”/30CM 16”/40CM 18”/45CM 4+

M14/41 MEDIUM TANK

MOTIVATION • Tank UniT • IS HIT ON

CARRI: ON THE TABLE

132ND ‘ARIETE’ ARMOURED DIVISION, MAY 1942

III BATTAGLIONE V BATTAGLIONE XII BATTAGLIONE

6x Breda 30 Machine-guns 6x Breda 30 Machine-guns 6x Breda 30 Machine-guns

12x 47/32 Guns 12x 47/32 Guns

INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY

WEAPONS WEAPONS WEAPONS

47mm ANTI-TANK 47mm ANTI-TANK

Tobruk, infantry units in Africa were reorganised TRAINED 4+ 3+

1x Breda HMG team Determined

• Add one 47mm gun for +2 points. Breda MG team 16”/40CM 3 2 2 6