Scenario 1 '43:
Gela
Despite re-doing the last scenario nearly perfectly and getting the Panzer IV capturable with no core losses, I found myself completely overwhelmed at the beachhead here in Sicily, in both the air and ground. The really difficult part is being able to move inland and across a river to get the final objective needed for victory, with only seven turns total, two of which are for the landings.
Another huge problem is the massive enemy air force, about six or seven over-strengthened aircraft.
Going to have to disband my Panzer IV in order to over-strengthen for the next try. It's roughly on par already with my Shermans and is a dead-end expensive upgrade, pretty much can never afford upgrades at full retail price for this mode.
Plan C is acquisition two airborne units to take the inland objective.
Result:
Not yet
Scenario 1 '43:
Gela (Second try)
The only major change was buying a Hellcat to help clear out the western beachhead , which will be the final push to the airfield. Also tweaked the deployment so an AA unit comes a shore on the second landing to block one of the two powerful Stukas on this map.
Landings went pretty well, destroyed the strongpoint facing the west beachhead which massively cut down on the enemies visibility of that landing zone, also allowed my experienced Rangers to slip into the city hex it was on.
Also used my B-17F to induce the single enemy fighter in the first wave into an extremely costly defensive attack from the hidden P-47D, which allowed more of these Thunderbolt resources to completely destroy the other plane in the first wave, a powerful Stuka.
From there on it was a matter of holding the line and clearing out the enemy as much as possible. All but two objectives were taken within the first few turns, those remaining being Gela in the city and the pesky inland air field that will be the major pain point of this mission. The Rangers were pretty confident they could take Gela but the airfield will be fateful.
Turn five begins in motion the plan of taking the airfield, I send a Sherman thru the broken lines of the enemy enroute. Turn six it then crosses the river over a bridge and engages with the AA unit defending the airfield, and thanks to the special Cruisers with +7 range providing fire support I was able to retreat the AA unit off this final victory hex. Fortunately next turn the enemy's strong Tiger and top-end Italian tank unit wasn't within striking range and it was left unmolested to take the hex on the final turn, 7.
Result:
Turn 7 MV
No core losses but plenty of replacements needed.
Evacuated the battleships for a massive windfall of prestige, I'd be flat broke otherwise after replacements. The Carrier being the crown jewel at 4000 prestige