Bolt Action Armies of Italy v2 [PDF]

Zitiervorschau

armies of Italy v. 2 AUTHOR LORENZO DE FLORIO EDITING AND GRAPHICS KASPAR OLESEN

UNOFFICAL SUPPLEMENT FOR BOLT ACTION

CONTACTS: [email protected] (author)

VER 1.2 1

foreWorD A little work I made addressing all the historical errors in the profiles of the Italian faction in Bolt Action, all the changes are backed up by historical sources referenced in the profiles.

Lorenzo De Florio

sourCes Sources for revised vehicle profiles and where they have been employed taken from: Volume 1 and 2 of N.Pignato and F.Cappellano, Gli Autoveicoli da combattimento dell’esercito italiano (The Figthing Vehicles of the Italian Army) published by The Italian Army General Staff, historical office 2002, ISBN: 978-8887940282, ISBN: 978-8887940299.

Sources for the revised Blackshirts taken from: P.Crociani, P.Battistelli Camicie nere. La milizia volontaria per la sicurezza nazionale 1935-45 (Blackshirts. The Voluntary Militia for National security 193545), LEG Edizioni 2016, ISBN: 978-8861022539.

Sources for other Italian infantry and in which theaters of war they fought: L.Caeddu, A.Castagnotto, A.Ceccotto, U.Correale, P.Maccagano, L.Malatesta, A.Nardin,D.Rossi Storia della fanteria italiana(History of Italian Infantry) Editoriale Programma 2018, ISBN: 978-8866435471.

Sources for revised artillery profiles from:

Sources for revised artillery profiles from:

Filippo Cappellano, Le artiglierie del Regio Esercito nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale(The Artillery of Royal Italian Army in WW2), Albertelli Edizioni Speciali 1998, ISBN: 9788887372038.

F.Cappellano N.Pignato, Andare contro i carri armati(Fighting Against Tanks), Gaspari editore 2007, ISBN: 88-7541059-3.

Sources for revised infantry from: N.Pignato, Armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale (Weapons of italian infantry during WW2),1971 Parma, Ermanno Albertelli Editore

2

national rules avanti savoia!

At the beginning of each turn, subtract the number of units lost by the Italian Army from the number of units lost by the enemy (keep track of the order dice lost during the fight) if the number is 3+ all friendly Italian units gain +1 morale. Revising the penalizing rule for the Italians, I removed the penalty leaving only the bonus but reducing it in intensity. Now the rule does not indirectly force the player to play primarily with veterans etc. to avoid the old penalty.

FERREA MOLE FERREO CUORE(iron hull, iron hearts)

All Italian vehicles under the tanks category can re-roll all failed Advance and Run order tests as long these orders bring them closer to the enemy (this rule does not apply to Self-propelled guns and vehicles with armor value of 7). This includes coming in from reserve and outflanking if the tank comes closer to the enemy. Note: the L6/40 is the only tank of recce vehicles that can use this rule. The rule appeared in the Western Desert book and in my opinion describes well the behavior of the Italian tank crews especially the Ariete armored division. After the introduction of the Sherman and Grant tanks the Italian tanks were forced to shorten the distances with the opposing vehicle in order to be able to assign some critical hits in weak spot as they were inferior to the armor of the new allied tanks.

ARTIGLIERI ALZO 0!(ARTILLERYMEN FIRE POINT BLANK!)

Italian artillery, anti-tank guns and anti-tank-rifles, if purchased as veterans, gain the Stubborn special rule. Rule to represent the various times in which the Italian artillerymen found themselves firing at infantry or approaching enemy tanks at very close distance. Since the standard 47mm Elefantino at-gun by the end of 1942 had become outdated, Italian light artillery were armed with AT shells and HEAT shells against tanks due to their better performance. The Italian at-rifle teams were similarly forced to wait before shooting until very close distance in order to assign some critical shot in the weak points of the armor of the tanks. Famous examples of this behaviors are the artillerymen on the Don River or in North Africa.

TATTICHE D’ASSALTO CARRI(TANK ASSAULT TACTICS)

All Italian units equipped with anti-tank grenades will after a successful assault on a stationary vehicle hit with a 3+. If the vehicle is otherwise advancing is hit by rolls of 5+ instead of rolls of only 6. As the war continued the Italian infantry found themselves unprovided with effective portable anti-tank weapons to face the new more armored allied tanks. For this reason they had to give their best with what they had, anti-tank grenades, incendiary grenades and adhesive charges. Notable examples are the behavior of Pavia and Folgore division aganist the assaul by British armored division during the second battle of El Alamein.

TATTICHE DIFENSIVE(defensive tactics) Same as in the Italy Army book.

A rule that in my opinion represents well the outdated way of thinking of the Italian HQ of the time. This rule is used only in the 50% of scenarios, since it needs an attaker and a defender, moreover only in the 50% of cases were the italian player is the defender the rule is applied. For the random nature of this rule I kept this rule as fifth Italian rule, where other nations have four, since is applied only in a small amount of matches and is very luck dependant. .

3

INFANTRY HEADQUARTERS UNITS OFFICER

Okay

MEDIC

Okay

FORWARD OBSERVER

Okay

CAPPELLANO MILITARE (CHAPLAIN)

New proposal INFANTRY SECTIONS

INFANTRY

New proposal

BERSAGLIERI

Okay

ALPINI

Okay

MVSN (BLACKSHIRTS)

Errors, new profile proposal

PARACADUTISTI(PARATROOPERS)

Okay

SAN MARCO MARINES

Errors, new profile proposal

COLONIAL INFANTRY

Okay

CAVALRY

Okay

CARABINIERI (MILITARY POLICE)

New proposal

GENIERI (ENGINEERS)

New proposal

LATE WAR PARACADUTISTI

Should be removed, as they represent Italian Social Republic paratroopers not Royal Italian Army ones. Panzerfausts were never issued until after the armistice and only to soldiers of the Italian Social Republic. INFANTRY TEAMS

LIGTH MORTAR

Okay

MEDIUM MORTAR

Okay

FLAMETHROWER

New profile

SOLOTHURN AT-RIFLE

Errors, new profile proposal

MARKSMAN

New proposal

MEDIUM MACHINEGUN

Okay

4

headquarter units CAPPELLANO MILITARE (chaplain) Cost: 20pts (Inexperienced), 25pts (Regular), 30pts (Veteran) Composition: 1 Chaplain Weapon: None Options: • The chaplain can have a pistol for +1pt Special Rules: • Self-defence only: Clergymen are not soldiers and will not take part in hostile actions – they cannot fire any weapon, nor assault enemy units. However, there is anecdotal evidence of several examples of chaplains who broke regulations to carry a pistol for self-defence only; German chaplains were even issued with a pistol. If your chaplain is equipped with a pistol, it can only be used in close quarters if the enemy assaults him (including firing it at the assaulting enemies as a reaction, if applicable). • Non-combatant: The chaplain is there to support the soldiers, not win battles. A chaplain unit cannot be used to claim or con•

test objectives. Inspiring presence: Upon receiving his order dice (except for Down), a chaplain may select one friendly unit within 6” and roll a D6, applying the following modifiers: Inexperienced -1, Veteran +1. On a 4+, the chaplain may remove 1 pin from the selected unit.

Father Luciano Usai, military chaplain, golden medal to valor. Photo taken during the Libyan campaign 1942.

Comment: Military chaplains accompanied armies from all over the world, guaranteeing soldiers their spiritual services. He was usually granted the rank of officer. Chaplains follow Battle of the Bulge book rules regarding deployment in the selectors If you wish to add a chaplain to an Italian force you must have your opponent’s approval: this may require some research as not all selector could fit a chaplain.

5

infantry sections and teams INFANTRY Cost: 35pts (Inexperienced), 50pts (Regular), 65pts (Veteran) Composition: 1 NCO and 4 men Weapon: Rifles Options: • Add another 6 men with rifles for: +7pts (Inexperienced), +10pts (Regular), + 13pts (Veterans) • The NCO can replace the rifle with a smg for +3pts • 1 man can replace the rifle with a light machine gun for +20pts another man becomes the loader • The squad can have anti-tank grenades for +2pts per man Special Rules: • Tank Hunters (if the anti-tank grenade option is taken) • Inexperienced infantry can be Green for free. • Inexperienced infantry can be Shirkers for -3pts per man

Italian infantry marching in Donetsk

Comment: I just combined the inexperienced infantry and regular infantry profile from the Italian Army Book, also i added the option to represent veteran infantry section. Various infantry division earned the rank of veteran like the ones who survived the invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia or those who survived long enougth in the African and Russian Campaigns and learned from their experiences. Source: L.Caeddu, A.Castagnotto, A.Ceccotto, U.Correale, P.Maccagano, L.Malatesta, A.Nardin,D.Rossi Storia della fanteria italiana(History of Italian Infantry) page 81, Editoriale Programma 2018.

MVSN (BLACKSHIRTS) Cost: 35pts (Inexperienced), 50pts (Regular), 65pts (Veteran) Composition: 1 NCO and 4 men Weapon: Rifles Options: • Add another 6 men with rifles for: +7pts (Inexperienced), +10pts (Regular), + 13pts (Veterans) • “M” Battalions: if purchased as veterans up to 3 men can replace their rifles for smgs for + 3pts per model • The NCO can replace the rifle with a smg for +3pts • 1 man can replace the rifle with a light machine gun for +20pts another man becomes the loader • The squad can have anti-tank grenades for +2pts per man • The squad can be fanatics for +3pts per model Special Rules: • Tank Hunters (if the anti-tank grenade option is taken) • Fanatics (if the option is taken)

Blackshirt members of the elite “M” Battalions. Note the higher number of mab38 smg than regular infantry formations.

6

Comment: The Blackshirt received the same training as standard infantry therefore the “Non Testati” rule is a rule without historical foundaments. The rule would only be correct if the Blackshirt units were the earlier armed bands of the fascist party, but since 1928 they were elevated as fourth branch of the armed force and recruited for military duty under the supervision of the Italian army and received the exact same training of normal infantrymen. Another important thing is the lack of representation for Blackshirt “M Battalion”, the elite formations of Blackshirts who received special training in Rome’s training camps or were promoted from Blackshirt regiments that had distinguished themselves in battle. For the reason stated above it is more correct to delete the “Non Testati” rule and treat the Blackshirts similar to the profile for the Waffen SS. Giving the option to the Blackshirts to be promoted to fanatics and to be fielded as veterans or inexperienced. Source: P.Crociani, P.Battistelli Camicie nere. La milizia volontaria per la sicurezza nazionale 1935-45,(Blackshirts. The Voluntary Militia for National security 1935-45) page 67 and onward, ISBN-13: 978-8861022539, 2016.

SAN MARCO MARINES Cost: Veteran Infantry 70pts Composition: 1 NCO and 4 men Weapon: Rifles Options: • Add another 4 men with rifles for +14pts each • The NCO can replace the rifle with a smg for +3pts • Up to 3 men can replace their rifles for smgs for + 3pts per model • 1 man can replace the rifle with a light machine gun for +20pts, another man becomes the loader • The squad can have anti-tank grenades for +2pts per man Special Rules: • Tank Hunters (if the anti-tank grenade option is taken) • Behind Enemy Lines

San Marco Marines in North Africa in 1942, notice the mab38 smg ammo pouches nicknamed samurai.

Comment: The profile is correct, with only one option missing, to be able to equip them with additional mab38 submachine guns. In 1941 the Italian Navy purchased several thousand mab38 submachine guns to equip its special naval landing forces including the San Marco. Source: N.Pignato, Armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale (Weapons of italian infantry during WW2), page 26, 1971 Parma, Ermanno Albertelli Editore.

7

GENIERI (ENGINEERS) Cost: 50pts (Regular), 65pts (Veteran) Composition: 1 NCO and 4 men Weapon: Rifles Options: • Add another 6 men with rifles for +10pts each (Regular), +13pts (Veterans) • The NCO can replace the rifle with a smg for +3pts • Guastatori (assault engineers): if purchased as veterans 2 men can replace their rifles with smgs for + 3pt per model • Guastatori (assault engineers): if purchased as veterans 2 men can have a one shot flamethrower in addition to other weapons for +5pts each (if this option is taken you can’t add also the normal infantry flamethrower). • 1 man can replace the rifle with a light machine gun for +20pts another man becomes the loader • A man can have a flamethrower for +20pts, another man becomes the assistant • The squad can have anti-tank grenades for +2pt per man Special Rules: • Tank Hunters (if the anti-tank grenade option is taken)

Engineer with mod.35 flamethrower in North Africa.

Italian Guastatore with a Lanciafiamme mod.41 assalto(flamethrower model.41 assault) Comment: Their peculiarity would be to be able to carry the flamethrower inside the unit like the other nations. The Italian engineer are mentioned in the description of the flamethrower in the Italian Army book but there isn’t a profile for the unit. The Genio Guastatori was special in the Italian engineers corp that was tasked to support the troops in direct combat by removing obstacles and assault fortified position. For their elite status they were one of the unit in the italian army to be issued more mab38 smg than regular infantry formation. Source: N.Pignato, Armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale (Weapons of Italian infantry during WW2), page 66, 1971 Parma, Ermanno Albertelli Editore.

8

CaraBinieri (military PoliCe) Cost: 32pts (Inexperienced) Composition: 1 NCO and 3 men Weapon: Rifles Options: • If the squad size is not increased beyond its initial 4 men, it can be equipped with motorcycles and carbines (count as rifles) for +5pts per man • The squad can have pistols for +1pt per man Special Rules: • Motorbikes • Get back in the fight!: If any Italian unit fails an attempt to rally it can immediately roll a second attempt if within 6” of a Carabinieri squad. • Traffice direction: Italian forces do not suffer the -1 penalty for attempting to bring vehicles onto the table. In addition, if an Italian force includes a Carabinieri unit in reserve, it gains a +1 modifier to bring vehicles on the table.

Italian Carabinieri with their characteristic hat, the Lucerna.

Comment: Italian Carabinieri are the second oldest corp in the Italian military dating back to the Kingdom of Sardinia era. They were present in all fronts accompaning the Italian army in all theatres, they were tasked of military police duties. Carabinieri were amed with short Carcano carbines and Beretta M.34 pistols. The Carabinieri follow Battle of the bulge book rules regarding deployment in the selectors. Military police accompanied the armies in all theatres on all fronts; if an Italian army includes Inexperienced or Regular infantry as an option, one of these squads or sections can be replaced with a Carabinieri unit. Source: N.Pignato, Armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale (Weapons of Italian infantry during WW2), page 15, 1971 Parma, Ermanno Albertelli Editore .

solothurn s-1000 20mm anti-tanK rifle Cost: 25pts (Inexperienced), 35pts (Regular), 45pts (Veteran) Composition: 2 men Weapon: 1 anti-tank rifle Special Rules: • Team weapon • Long shooting range 48”: for it’s special design the solothurn is much more similar to an automatic cannon for this reason it have the same shooting range of 48”

Comment: The Solothurn anti-tank rifle is treated like the other anti-tank rifles, but is in reality more powerful than the British Boys, the German PzB 39 and Soviet PTRD-41 and PTRS-41 since it fires 20mm armor piercing ammunition(the exactly same ammunition of the German Flakvierling). It had a muzzle velocity of 832m/s, a semi-automatic action, was magazine fed and was provided with an optic. For this reason it is much more similar to an automatic cannon and in my opinion it should have an advantage over the other anti-tank rifles. The advantage should be an equality in it’s shooting distace to the one that of the automatic cannons. Since it didn’t have the ability to fire fully automatic it does not have the rate of fire of an automatic cannon. This change should also be applied to all 20mm at rifles in my opinion, like the Japanese Type 97and Finnish L 39. The Solothurn at-rifle now cost +5pts since it gained the long range rule. Source: F.Cappellano N.Pignato, Andare contro i carri armati, Gaspari editore, Udine 2007, ISBN 88-7541-059-3 page 144-145

9

FLAMETHROWER TEAM Cost: 50pts (Regular), 65pts (Veteran) Composition: 2 men Weapon: 1 infantry flamethrower or 2 one-shot flamethrowers Special Rules: • Flamethrower • Team weapon (mod.35 and mod.40 flamethrowers) • One-shot weapon (mod.41 flamethrower)

Italian engineer with model.40 flamethrower.

Model.41 assault flamethrower Comment: The Royal Italian Army engineer corp was issued before the war with model 35 flamethrowers. In 1940 they were re-equipped with model 40 flamethrowers, that differed from the previous model for the ignition system and for being ligther. The elite Guastatori engineers were also issued with a special assault flamethrower wich was very mobile but had a limited ammount of fuel. Source: N.Pignato, Armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale (Weapons of Italian infantry during WW2), page 66, 1971 Parma, Ermanno Albertelli Editore.

MARKSMAN Cost: 40pts (Regular), 50pts (Veteran) Composition: 1 marksman Weapon: Rifle and a pistol Special Rules: • Sniper

WW1 Italian sniper in the trenches near the river Piave.

10

Comment: The Royal Italian Army didn’t include specially equipped snipers as such, but the best shooters in a regiment would be designated as tiratore scelto(marksman). Usualy they were granted a carcano 91 rifle with a Filotecnica Milano scope. The 6.5 cartrige of the carcano combined with the long barreled rifle would grant the shooter virtualy no muzzle flare and very few smoke, this helped the Italian marksmans to not reveal their positions. Source: N.Pignato, Armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale (Weapons of Italian infantry during WW2), page 19, 1971 Parma, Ermanno Albertelli Editore.

11

artillery ARTILLERY LIGHT ARTILLERY

Errors, new profile proposal

MEDIUM ARTILLERY

Okay

HEAVY ARTILLERY

Okay

CANNONE 47/32

Okay

CANNONE 75/32

New profile proposal

CANNONE 75/39

Okay

CANNONE 75/46 AA/AT

Okay

CANNONE 90/53 AA/AT

Errors, new profile proposal

BREDA 35 20mm AA

Okay

LIGHT ARTILLERY Cost: 55pts (Regular), 66pts (Veteran) Composition: 3 men Weapon: 1 light howitzer Options: • May add a spotter for +10pts Special Rules: • Gun shield • Team Weapon • Fixed • Howitzer • HE2” •

65/17 infantry gun

Armor piercing shell: Italian light artillery can shoot an anti-tank shell with +3 penetration when shooting directly

75/18 light howitzer

75/27 field gun

12

Comment: The profile of Italian light artillery is good, the only thing missing is the ability to fire an anti-tank shell. All Italian field guns and light howitzers such as the 75/17, the 75/18 and the 65/17 were equipped with armor piercing shells and from the end of 1941 they were also equipped with 75mm and 65mm EPS(HEAT) shells for anti-tank use. Italian artillerymen often faced allied tanks at close range in all theaters where they fought and EPS shells were their best weapon against armored vehicles. The armor piercing shell rule would be similar to the British light artillery rule of firing anti-tank shells but less powerful given the lower caliber of Italian ligth artillery compared to the 88mm of the British 25 pounder. Italian ligth artillery now cost the same amount of points as British ligth artillery. Source: F.Cappellano N.Pignato, Andare contro i carri armati, Gaspari editore, Udine 2007, ISBN 88-7541-059-3 pages 150-151

CANNONE 75/32 Cost: 64pts (Inexperienced), 80pts (Regular), 96pts (Veteran) Composition: 4 men Weapon: 1 medium anti-tank gun Special Rules: • Gun shield • Team Weapon • Fixed • Versatile: The 75/32 gun can also fire as a light howitzer. 75/32 field gun

75/32 field gun on the Eastern Front Comment: The medium at gun for the Italians listed in the Italian Army Book is the 75/39, a French produced gun that was gifted by Germany to Italy after the fall of Poland and France. This gun only saw action on the Eastern front with the Italian Royal Army. The Cannone 75/32 instead is much more common since it fought with the Italians on the Eastern Front, in the Balkans and in Italy. It was made by Italian company Ansaldo and it was produced in more quantities than the 75/39. Like the Soviet zis-3 gun the Cannone 75/32 was initialy designed as a field gun but since it had a 75mm caliber and decent 620m/s muzzle velocity it was also used as a anti-tank gun, expecialy with it’s EPS (HEAT shell). Source: F.Cappellano N.Pignato, Andare contro i carri armati, Gaspari editore, Udine 2007, ISBN 88-7541-059-3 page 152

13

CANNONE 90/53 AA/AT Cost: 124pts (Inexperienced), 155pts (Regular), 186pts (Veteran) Composition: 7 men Weapon: 1 super heavy dual purpose at-gun on rotating platform Options: • May add a spotter for +20pts Special Rules: • Team Weapon • Fixed • Flak • Versatile: The 90/53 can be fired as a medium howitzer Comment: The 90/53 was very similar to the German 88 counterpart, in Bolt Action it lacks the ability to be fired as a medium howitzer like the German one but this indeed happened historically. Some of the 90/53 were put on batteries, due to the lack of much electronic fire-control system and the effectiveness of their 90mm HE shell. Now with the new ability it cost the same points as the 88mm flak 36, -5pts for the lack of the gunshield. Source: Filippo Cappellano, Le artiglierie del Regio Esercito nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Parma 1998, ISBN-13: 978-8887372038, page 223

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vehicles ARMOURED CARS AB40/AB41

Okay

L3/33 L3/35

Errors, new profile proposal

L6/40

Okay

AS42 SAHARIANA

Okay, AT-rifle cost 10pts, gain long range rule

LINCE

Should be removed, never used in Royal italian Army was used only in the Italian Social Republic

LANCIA ANSALDO IZ AND IZM

Okay

FIAT TERNI TRIPOLI

New proposal

AB 611

New proposal TANKS

FIAT 3000

Okay

M11/39

Okay

M13/40

Okay

M14/41

Okay

M15/42

Errors, new profile proposal

P26/40

New proposal SELF-PROPELLED GUNS

SEMOVENTE 47/32

Errors, new profile proposal

SEMOVENTE 75/18

Okay

SEMOVENTE 75/34

Errors, new profile proposal

SEMOVENTE 90/53

Errors, new profile proposal

SEMOVENTE 105/25

Errors, new profile proposal

CARRO COMANDO M40/M41/M42

In western desert there is the profile but there are some errors SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY

SELF-PROPELLED TRUCKED ARTILLERY

New profile proposal (it combine the 105 on lancia Ro with Western Desert profile for ligth trucked artillery)

S37 SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY

New profile proposal ANTI-AIRCRAFT VEHICLES

AA TRUCK

New profile proposal (it combines Western Desert and Army book) TRANSPORTS AND TOW

FIAT 508 CM

Okay

TRUCK

Okay

AUTOPROTETTO S37

Okay

WHELLED TOW

Okay

BREDA 61

Okay

FIAT 665NM PROTETTO

New profile proposal

Sources: All the documentation for the revised vehicle profiles has been taken from volume 1 and 2 of N.Pignato and F.Cappellano book Gli Autoveicoli da combattimento dell’esercito italiano (The figthing vehicles of the Italian army) published by The Italian Army General Staff, historical office, 2002 Rome. ISBN-13: 978-8887940282, ISBN-13: 978-8887940299. All points value for the profiles of the new vehicles have been made with Vehicle Design System by Richard Humble.

GENERAL CONSIDERATION: THE VULNERABLE RULE

The rule in my opinion correct but not equally applied in the game, the only ones to be massively affected are the Italians. The Japanese produced all their tanks from the first to the last riveted and are not affected by this rule in any of their vehicles. Other errors of application of this rule are the first British Cruisers tanks (A9, A10, A13, Crusader etc ..) that were riveted and do not have this rule. There are also the Panzers 38t and 35t used by the Germans, who are riveted and do not have this rule. The conclusion is logical, the rule should be eliminated to the Italians or should be applied equally to all. 15

ARMOURED CARS L3/33 AND L3/35 Cost: 56pts (Inexperienced), 70pts (Regular), 84pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 mmg with frontal arc of fire Armor: 7+ (tankette) Options: • Variants: swap the mmg with one of the following: • Solothurn anti-tank rifle +10pts • 2 mmg +10pts • HMG +10pts • Flamethrower and co-ax mmg +35pts Special Rules: • Slow (when the flamethrower option is taken) • Recce (loses Recce rule if equipped with a flamethrower) • Long shooting range 48” (if Solothurn anti-tank rifle option is taken)

Comment: The Solothurn anti-tank rifle version of the L3 should be revised as it mounts a Solothurn as armament. The L3 tankette should also be placed in the armored car and reconnaissance vehicles section since after 1941 the tankettes were repurposed as light vehicles for reconnaissance and infantry support after the bad results against allied tanks. The fact that in the early war it was used as main battle tank was due to the fact that in the early stages of the war it was the most common tank. It was immediately replaced when M13/40 became available. Inserting the tankette in the armored car section would be in line with the Japanese tankettes who also are in the armored car section and have recce rule. Furthermore the L3 tankette features in the armoured cars section for the Greek Army, which captured the vehicles from the Italians. Now the tankette cost +10pts more since gained recce rule, also the at-rifle upgrade is +5 pt more expensive since it gained the long range rule.

FIAT TERNI TRIPOLI Cost: 68pts (Inexperienced), 85pts (Regular), 102pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 HMG on turret Armor: 7+ (armoured car) Special Rules: • Recce • Flack • Open-topped

Comment: A pre-war armored car model who also fougth in WW2 this time during the early days of war in North Africa. Essencialy they were refitted on the chassis of the Fiat-SPA 38R truck with some changes to the turret, making it open topped for giving AA support. The old Fiat-Revelli MMG was replaced with a 12mm Breda-Safat HMG scrapped from the broken aircraft of Royal Italian Airforce.

16

AB611 Cost: 60pts (Inexperienced), 75pts (Regular), 90pts (Veteran) Weapon: 2 lmg on turret, 1 rear facing turret lmg Armor:7+ (armoured car) Options: • Variants: Swap the 3 lmg with the following: Light at-gun on turret and 2 rear facing lmg (one in the back of the hull and one on the back of the turret) for +45pts Special Rules: • Recce Comment: Another pre-war armored car model which also fougth in WW2 in East Africa. There were two models: one armed with 3 Breda 5C lmg (the predecessor of the Breda 30 lmg) and one armed with a 37mm gun (the same mounted on the M11/39 and the Fiat 3000).

TANKS M15/42 Cost: 148pts (Inexperienced), 185pts (Regular), 222pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 medium at-gun, 1 co-ax mmg, 2 hull mounted mmgs Armor: 9+ (medium tank) Options: • Add a turret mounted pintle medium machine gun for +15pts Special Rules: • Vulnerable: Because of the reveted construction, all shots to the side and rear of the vehicle get an additional +1 penetration modifier Comment: In the books the last tank of the M series is considered just a light tank with a light at-gun and no further penalties. In reality the tank has been upgraded in all aspects: the 47mm gun was lengthened to 40 calibres increasing it’s muzzle velocity to 820m/s. Because of the new breech it could also fit the new larger 47mm ammunition with 2/3 more propellant. It was equipped also with HEAT shells. It had a more powerful 190 hp gasoline engine and the frontal armor was increased to 50mm. Comparison of armor in mm: Pz III J(50,30,30,30), Chi-He(50,20,20,20), Semovente 75/18(50,25,25,25),M15/42(50 ,25,25,25). The tanks listed above are considered medium tanks in Bolt Action, that being said, the M15/42 should be considered also a medium tank (with the Vulnerable rule). It should have also a medium at gun since the revised 47mm gun had a similar penetration power to the Chi-He 47mm gun. In addition, the army book says it had 5 machine guns, 2 of which are coaxial. In reality it had the same amount of mmgs as the previous M models.

17

P26/40 Cost: 156pts (Inexperienced), 195pts (Regular) Weapon: 1 medium at-gun, 1 co-ax mmg Armor: 9+ (medium tank) Options: • Add a turret mounted pintle medium machine gun for +15pts Special Rules: • High explosive 75mm shell (HE2”)

Comment: The P26/40 never fought with the Royal Italian Army because after the armistice it was requisitioned by the Germans and used it for their goals. In the Armies of Imperial Japan book it is allowed for the Japanese to deploy their Chi-Nu medium tank (with comparable performance to P26/40) in the reinforced generic platoon, but this tank never fought and remained in Japan to await the allied invasion that never took place. In my opinion the P26/40 should also be open to selection in a reinforced generic platoon for a equal treatment and for allowing hypothetical scenarios like for instance the Dad’s Army theater selector. The P26/40 doesn’t have the Vulnerable rule since is the one of the first Italian tank that combined rivets with welding.

SELF-PROPELLED GUNS SEMOVENTE 47/32 Cost: 81pts (Inexperienced), 95pts (Regular), 114pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 hull mounted light anti-tank gun Armor: 8+ (light tank) Options: • Add a forward facing pintle-mounted medium machine gun for +15pts • Upgrade to command tank for -15pts, replace the light at-gun with a mmg Special Rules: • Open-topped • Command vehicle, if option is taken • Vulnerable: Because of the reveted construction, all shots to the side and rear of the vehicle get an additional +1 penetration modifier Comment: The semovente 47/32 is classified in the Army Book as a tankette with armour value of 7+, in reality this small self-propelled gun is based on the chassis of the L6/40 who is instead classified as light tank. They share the same armour on all sides: 30mm on the front, 15mm on the sides and rear. I think it is more correct to also classify this tank as a ligth tank since they both share the same chassis. The Semovente 47/32 now cost +10pts.

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SEMOVENTE 75/34 Cost: 160pts (Inexperienced), 200pts (Regular), 240pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 heavy forward facing at-gun Armor: 9+ (medium tank) Options: • Add a forward facing pintle-mounted medium machine gun for +15pts Special Rules: • Vulnerable: Because of the reveted construction, all shots to the side and rear of the vehicle get an additional +1 penetration modifier • High explosive 75mm shell (HE2”) Comment: The profile is fine, the only mistake is that the machine gun was pintled-mounted on the hull and was not co-ax with the main gun. The main mistake of this tank lies in the incorrect description of where it was employed. In the book “Duel in the Sun”, it is stated that the vehicle fought at Anzio with the Italian Social Republic, but it already took part in the defense of Rome in 1943 with the Royal Italian army. Furthermore there is no specific selector to deploy it (I have provided a theater selector to include it at the end of this pdf).

SEMOVENTE 90/53 Cost: 188pts (Inexperienced), 235pts (Regular), 282pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 hull mounted forward facing super heavy at-gun Armor: 8+ (light tank) Special Rules: • Vulnerable:Because of the reveted construction, all shots to the side and rear of the vehicle get an additional +1 penetration modifier • High explosive 90mm shell (HE3”) • Open-topped Comment: The Italian army book gives it an armored car value of 7, but the Semovente in reality had 30mm angled armor on the frontal shield (same frontal armor as M13/40). Furthermore the Semovente was built on the hull of an M14/41 which is considered a light tank in the game. In my opinion it is more correct to consider it as an open-topped light tank and the rivets so it can be damaged by heavy machine guns from the sides and rear but not from the front. The Semovente 90/53 now cost +10pts.

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SEMOVENTE 105/25 Cost: 184pts (Inexperienced), 230pts (Regular) Weapon: 1 forward facing heavy at gun Armor: 9+ (medium tank) Options: • Add a forward facing pintle-mounted medium machine gun for +15pts Special Rules: • High explosive 105mm shell (HE3”) Comment: The Italian army book gives to the Semovente 105/25 a hull mounted super heavy anti tank. This gun was indeed good against armored target but its penetration power was because of it’s high caliber (105mm) HEAT shell, infact the gun derives from the 105/28 field gun and its not a dedicated high velocity anti-tank gun. For this reason the penetration value of the Semovente 105/25 should be lowered by 1, but due to the big caliber of its gun should mantain its effective HE3” rounds. Like for the P26/40 also the Semovente 105/25 doesn’t have Vulnerable rule since it combined rivets with welding.

COMMAND TANK M40/M41/M42 Cost: 155pts (Regular), 186pts (Veteran) Weapon: 2 hull mounted frontal mmg Armor: 9+ (medium tank) Options: • Replace the 2 mmg with a hmg for free • Downgrade for -50pts to represent the command tank M40, the tank becomes a light tank and Slow. • Downgrade for -40pts to represent the command tank M41, the tank is the same as model M40 except it loses the Slow rule • Add a forward facing pintle-mounted medium machine gun for +15pts Special Rules: • Vulnerable: Because of the reveted construction, all shots to the side and rear of the vehicle get an additional +1 penetration modifier • Command tank • Tank Hunter command: The unit may use forward deployment where the mission permits.

M40 with twin Breda 38 mmg in the hull

M42 model with reinforced frontal armor(50mm) and Breda 31 hmg in the hull and pintle mounted Breda38 mg Comment: The profile for this command tank can be found in the Western Desert book unfotunately there are some inaccuracies. The real tank had 2 mmgs on the front of the hull (since derives from the M13/40). The profile also lack the varius subsequent improved models of the command tank. Finaly the real tank also carried a pintle mounted Breda 38 mg which has been added to the options.

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SELF-PROPELLED TRUCKED ARTILLERY SELF-PROPELLED TRUCKED ARTILLERY Cost: 65pts (Regular), 78pts (Veteran) Weapon: Forward or rear facing light howitzer Armor: 6+ (truck) Options: • Swap the light howitzer with a medium howitzer +20pts • Add a forward facing pintle medium machine gun for +15pts

100/17 medium howitzer on lancia Ro heavy truck

SPA TL37 with 75/27 light howitzer Comment: The Italian Royal Army didn’t have any armored self propelled artillery. What it had was howitzers mounted on variuos heavy truck like the Lancia Ro, the Breda 52, or the SPA TL37. The gun mounted varied, the most common was: the 65/17, the 75/27, or the 100/17. In the Western Desert book there is a profile but it lacks the medium howitzer variant. In the army book there is a profile for the medium howitzer but lacks the light variant. I have just combined the two profiles.

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S37 SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY Cost: 72pt (Inexperienced), 90pts (Regular), 108pts (Veteran) Weapon: Forward facing light anti-tank gun or forward facing flamerthrower Armor: 7+ (armored carrier) Special Rules: • Open topped • Small vehicle flamethrower: the S37 flamethrower is less powerfull than those mounted on larger vehicles, the range is limited to 12” and the number of shots are always reduced by one(i.e 2D6-1),(if flamethrower option is taken) • Flammable: flame-throwing vehicles are more likely to be destroyed by damage(if flamethrower option is taken).

S37 with 47mm elefantino at-gun, captured by Germans in the Balkans after the Italian armistice.

S37 with flamethrower Comment: The S37 armoured transport was also used as a ligth armored self-propelled artillery, mounting a 47mm elefantino at-gun, also there were some that mounted a flamethrower. The S37 was only employed in the Balkans by Royal Italian Army.

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ANTI-AIRCRAFT VEHICLES AA TRUCK Cost: 40pts (Inexperienced), 50pts (Regular), 60pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 mmg on rotating platform with 360° arc of fire Armor: 6+ (truck) Options: • Replace the mmg with one of the following options: • Breda 20mm light automatic cannon on a rotating platform, 360° arc of fire for free (Flak) • 90/53 super-heavy gun on a rotating platform 360°arc +150pts (Flak, Stabilizer Jacks) Special Rules: • Flak • Stabilizer jacks (if option is taken): The vehicle may not fire if given an Advance order.

Fiat-Revelli mod.35 mmg on 360° rotating platform

90/53 gun on Breda 52 heavy truck Comment: The Italians mounted various guns on the back of various trucks. Some guns were also used as anti-tank guns due to the great efficency of their shells. With this profile I have combined the AA Truck from the Western Desert book and the AA Truck from the Italian Army book.

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TRANSPORTS AND TOW FIAT 665NM PROTETTO Cost: 71pts (Inexperienced), 89pts (Regular), 107pts (Veteran) Weapon: 1 pintle mounted frontal faing mmg Armor: 7+ (armoured carrier) Transport: Up to 12 men Tow: Light/medium howitzers; light/medium/heavy anti-tank guns; light/heavy AA guns Special Rules: • Open topped Fiat 665NR in the Balkans Comment: The vehicle is based on the heavy truck Fiat 665 diesel, a four-wheel drive version of the Fiat 666. The driver seat is completely armored while the passenger seats is open topped and is accessed via a rear ladder, the armor consist of 7.5 mm steel plates, which guaranteed protection against small arms fire. The truck was employed by Royal Italian Army in the Balkans and after the armistice by Italian Social Republic forces in Northen Italy.

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theateR selectors 1940 WESTERN ALPS (new proposal) MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Inexperienced Infantry squads

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Regular Infantry, Inexperienced Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts(no M battalions),Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: Fiat 3000, AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: Brand new selector built from scratch representing early war on the Western Alps against French Army. This selector is similar to the invasion of Greece selector, the most notable difference is the absence of M13/40 tanks, that at the time were still in production. Compared to the selector described in the Battle of France book, the Warlord selector lacked the Fiat 3000 tanks and cannoni 75/46 thet were employed in the battle for the Western Alps.

Italian troops at Menton

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1940-41 INVASION OF GREECE MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Inexperienced Infantry squads

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Regular Infantry, Inexperienced Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts(no M battalions),Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: Fiat 3000, M13/40 (no M14/41), AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: The Italian Army book selector combined both the invasion of Greece and the subsequent anti-partisan war in Yugoslavia and Greece. Now they have been separated into three separate ones for greater clarity by eliminating the appropriate units like the AB41 and L6/40 that were only employed after the capitulation of Greece.

Italian tank crewmen heading towards the Albanian/Greek front

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1941 INVASION OF yUGOSLAVIA (new proposal) MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalion)

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalions),Cavalry, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M13/40 (no M14/41), AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: New selector representing the April war against the Kingdom of Yugoslavia by the axis. This selector is similar to the invasion of Greece since the forces that invaded Yugoslavia were taken from divisions stationed in Albania and from the Italian-Yugoslavian border.

Blackshirts invade Yugoslavia in 1941

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1941-43 war in the balkans MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts, Cavalry, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/32, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L6/40, L3/35 all variants, AB41, Lancia IZ/IZM

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M14/41, M40/41 Command Tank, Semovente 47/32, Semovente 75/18, AA Truck (no 90/53), S37 Self-propelled artillery

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck, Autoprotetto S37, Fiat 665NM Protetto 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: New selector representing the anti-partisan fighting in the Balkans and Greece. The forces that occupied Yugoslavia employed various fast vehicles like the L6/40 and AB41, also some old lancia IZM were employed in anti-partisan duties. Among the infantry were also present the elite Battaglioni M blackshirt also near the Croatian city of Poloj the Italian Alessandria ligth cavalry regiment performed the last cavalry charge in the history of Italian armed forces.

Italian Troops occuping Dubrovnik in 1941

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1940-41 eastern afriCa (neW ProPosal) MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Colonial Infantry

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Regular Infantry, Inexperienced Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalion), Colonial infantry, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L3/35 all variants, Lancia IZ/IZM, AB 611

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M11/39, Fiat 3000, AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: New proposal representing the fighting in the colonies of East Africa against the British. The player is forced to take colonial infantry as mandatory units since the 70% of Italian forces in East Africa were composed of Ethiopian, Somalian and Erirean Askaris. This selector was present in the Duel in the Sun book but lacked an in depth list for Italian vehicle employed in Eastern Africa.

Italian artillerymen in Kassala 1940

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1940-41 Invasion of EGYPT (new proposal) MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Inexperienced Infantry, Blackshirts (must be inexperienced), Colonial Infantry

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Inexperienced Infantry, Regular Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalion), Colonial Infantry, San Marco Marines, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Breda 35 20mm, Cannone 75/46, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L3/35 all variants, IZ/IZM, Fiat Terni-Tripoli

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M11/39, M13/40(no M14/41), AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: The Italian Army book combined all the North African campaign in one selector. I have split the selector into 3 like the other factions who fougth in North Africa for more historical accuracy. The invasion force was composed of 3 infantry divisions, 1 Blackshirt division and 1 Libyan infantry division, this composition is reflected in the mandatory units.

Italian Troops advances to the Egyptian border

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1942 SECOND BATTLE OF EL-ALAMEIN (new proposal) MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalion), Paracadutisti, San Marco Marines

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalion), Paracadutisti, San Marco Marines, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Breda 35 20mm, Cannone 75/46, Cannone 90/53, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: AS42, AB41, L6/40, L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M13/40, M14/41, M40/41 Command Tank, Semovente 47/32, Semovente 75/18, AA Truck, Self-propelled trucked artillery

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: The Italian Army book combined all the North African campaign in one selector. I have split the selector into 3 like the other factions who fougth in North Africa for more historical accuracy. All 3 Lybian infantry division were destroyed or taken prisoner after the end of Operation Compass. For this reason colonial infantry is not present in this selector.

Italian Folgore paratroopers at post durig the second battle of El Alamein

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1942-43 TUNISIA MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squad from: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts, San Marco Marines

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts, San Marco Marines, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Breda 35 20mm, Cannone 75/46, Cannone 90/53, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: AS42, AB41, L6/40, L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M13/40, M14/41, M40/41 Command Tank, Semovente 47/32, Semovente 75/18, AA Truck, Self-propelled trucked artillery

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: The Italian Army book combined all the North African campaign in one selector. I have split the selector into 3 like the other factions who fougth in North Africa for more historical accuracy. The most notable difference for an Italian Tunisia force is the absence of the Paracadutisti, infact they were almost annihilated in the second battle of El-Alamein in exchange the Battaglioni M elite Blackshirts were present.

Italian and German prisoners after the end of the Tunisia Campaign

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1941-42 CSIR Eastern Front MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Inexperienced Infantry, Regular Infantry

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Regular Infantry, Inexperienced Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalions), Cavalry, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: I splitted the Eastern Front in two, this one representig the first Italian forces that was sent to aid the germans in the invasion of Soviet union, grouped under the designation CSIR( Italian expeditionary force in Russia) under the command of general Giovanni Messe.

Commander of the CSIR General Giovanni Messe, inspect his troops.

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1942-43 ARMIR Eastern Front MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Infantry, Alpini

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Alpini, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts, Cavalry, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Cannone 75/32, Cannone 75/39, Cannone 75/46, Breda 35 20mm, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: L6/40, AB41, L3/35 all variants

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: Semovente 47/32, AA Truck(no 90/53)

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: Starting from 1942 Italian troops on the Eastern Front received major reinforcements in the form of more infantry and Alpini divisions, more artillery pieces and tanks. Also Giovanni Messe, the commander of the previous Italian expedition was substituted by general Italo Gariboldi.

The retreat of ARMIR after Soviet breakthrough during operation little Saturn.

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1943 DEFENCE OF SICILY MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalions)

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Blackshirts (no M battalions), Paracadutisti (Nembo), Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Breda 35 20mm, Cannone 75/46, Cannone 90/53, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: AS42, AB41

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M41 Command Tank, Semovente 47/32, Semovente 75/18, Semovente 90/53, Renault R35, Fiat 3000, AA Truck

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow

Comment: This selector had several inaccuracies, I assume it is because it combined the defense of Sicily itself and the defense of Rome, the two operations have been split now. All M series tanks and Semovente 105/25 were not present during the invasion of Sicily.

Mortaio Mod.35 and crew on the costal line of Sicily

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1943 DEFENCE OF rome (new proposal) MANDATORY

1 Lieutenant - First or Second 2 Infantry squads from: Infantry, Bersaglieri

HQ

0-1 Captain or Major 0-1 Forward observer(air or artillery) 0-1 Medic team

INFANTRY

0-4 Infantry sections: Infantry, Bersaglieri, Genieri (max 1) 0-1 MMG team 0-1 Mortar team (ligth or medium) 0-1 Anti-tank rifle team 0-1 Marksman 0-1 Flamethrower team

ARTILLERY

0-1 gun from: Cannone 47/32, Breda 35 20mm, Cannone 75/32, Cannone 75/46, Cannone 90/53, All variants of artillery

ARMORED CARS AND RECCE VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: AS42, AB41, L3/35 all variants, L6/40

TANKS, SELF-PROPELLED GUNS AND AA VEHICLES

0-1 vehicle from: M15/42, M42 Command Tank, Semovente 47/32, Semovente 75/18, Semovente 75/34, Semovente 105/25, AA Truck

TRANSPORTS AND TOWS

0-1 per infantry team: Fiat 508, Truck 0-1 Whelled tow, Breda 61

Comment: New selector representing the last military operation of the Royal Italian Army, the defense of the capital from the Germans. This selector is very important because it allow Italian players to field the most modern Italian vehicles like the M15/42, Semovente 75/34 and Semovente 105/25 that otherwise would not have any historical selectors to be fielded. This selector does not allow to field blackshirt since the vast majority of them refused to figth the old ally and later joined the Italian Social Republic.

Italian troops and a Semovente M.42 in a defensive position near Porta San Paolo in Rome 1943

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