Some random thoughts on Mount Pissadori, ASLUG 15. I was playing the Italians. My opponant, Phil Pomerantz, said that the scenario is unbalanced in favor of the Italians, so we gave the Greeks their first level of balance, a 9-1 leader. The Italians defend a Level 4 hilltop against a mob of lightly armed Greeks. The Greeks have only Infantry; their heaviest weapons are an ATR and a HMG. The Italians get light armor support, an L3/35 Tankette and an AB 40 AC. They also have a 65 mm INF Gun.
The short length of the game, 6 turns, means that the Greeks have to come up the hill in the open. I set the Italians up mostly on the 9O5 hill, in the area of the 9R4 crags and the 9S2 woods. Two squads, the MMG and the 8-1 leader went into the foxholes in 9O5. I wouldn't do this again: 9O5 is too vulnerable to Prep fire on the first turn. Instead I would put the MMG in 9T2, behind the woods, but able to put down a Fire Lane across the length of the hill. I would put a squad in 9O5 instead, with no SW so that if the Greeks do get into the hex they won't be given a free weapon to help them. The 8-1 leader would probably go behind the hill to rally troops, because the 6 ML Italians break so easily.
I put the 65 INF on the other Level 4 hill in 9Y6. It has a LOS to nearly every part of the 9O5 hill front from here. From where the Greeks start it is very difficult for them to move to the 65 INF, so no Infantry are needed to screen the Gun.
The 45 MTRs were in 9W2 (manned by a HS) and 9M4. The one in 9M4 broke almost instantly and never was used. On reflection I would put it in 9M5 to give it shots down the front slope, but I wouldn't expect it to last long anyway. The second MTR fired frequently but had hardly any results from fire. Its presence did indirectly cause some serious hurt to the Greeks: the Greek HMG moved forward to support the attack in the 4th or 5th Turn. In order to avoid a 2.5 down one attack in the woods 2S1 from the MTR, the Greek HMG moved into 2R1. The Italian AC, parked in 9T2, spotted the opportunity and ran forward (using an indirect route to avoid the ATR) to OVR the Greek heavy weapons section with an 8 down one attack. After the attack, the AC remained in motion in the hex (not by my design, but because it had run out of MP), which was exactly the right move because the HMG was kept out of the rest of the battle.
In addition to this attack, the armor had several other key OVRs. The Location behind the woods in 9T2 makes an excellent place to put armor because it can fire or OVR units using the road across the front of the hill. I had only one squad on the west side, and it turned tail on the first turn. The Greeks almost flanked my position through the 9L4 pass, but the armor was able to turn back this force with substantial casualties.
On the Greek side, Phil put the HMG in 2S3 with the 9-1 leader. Given my setup, this is a good position because it avoids the LOS of the 65 INF and the MTRs while giving a clear view of the hill. I was much vexed by this weapon for many turns: kill it if you can. The Greek ATR should be put up on the hill; 2T3 is a good spot. This gives the Greeks good shots without Height Advantage TEM at the Italian armor if they run across the 9M2 road to OVR assaulting Greek Infantry. The Greeks should avoid stacking in the open if they can: 8 down 1 OVRs are effective (break or better) 60% of the time against 7ML, and adding Pins and a 1PAATC, the Greeks won't get many reaction fire kills as consolation.
Finally, I had an opportunity to try the infamous truck OVR, but Phil shot my truck to pieces. I shouldn't have tried it because the wreck ended up in 9O3, providing the Greeks with much needed cover. If it had been a flaming wreck, I might have been much more unhappy. As it was, I'm glad Phil didn't fire on the wreck to ignite it.
Overall, a fun scenario with tin tanks and uninspired Infantry for the Italians, much bravery and a hint of desparation from Greeks counter-attacking armor supported invaders without heavy weapons. Phil's wily, determined assault and my great dice rolling brought this one down to the last turn.
JR