Playing as Italian side
AI running the Greek side
Standard supply
Standard reinforcements
This scenario simulates a portion of the Italian invasion of Greece, via Albania. Many may have bypassed this scenario, as it was in a back water area, no tanks, not much glamor. Even w/o some of the fancy war equipment, this battle is really quite interesting. Speed is a relative thing-slow isn't that slow if everyone is slow. If units venture off into the high country off trail, then those units will be at a snails pace compared to the units in the valley.
Playing as the Italians, I had the mission of both wrecking the Greek Army in the area, and exiting some units off of the south east corner of the AO. Most of the Italian Alpine troops enter from the north west area of the AO. The map is about 40 km by 30 km, so this a good distance to travel through some very rugged terrain with no real roads, only trails and bridges. To have the Greek forces constantly harassing the peaceful occupation by the Italian Army makes it even more difficult.
My initial plan was to push the Greek forces back out of the way of the northern valley trails (with the initial starting forces) so when reinforcements arrived on day 4, they could just march right on down to the southern exit. It almost worked like that, but Greek reinforcements are piling in too. I only got 1 BN from the late arrivals down to the exit point, everything else had to be committed to stopping Greek counter attacks. As it was, I exited enough. As you will see, my engagement methods were a little too much for the Greek forces that were available at the start, but it was getting a little close in a couple of areas. The Greek infantry apparently get around the hills pretty good.
This first screen shot is the final situation on day 9, 2200 hours. Until the game ended, I had no idea that there were so many Greeks left in the hills. It look like they were planning something. I suspect that my counter attacks in the north eastern sector with my day 4 reinforcements blocked some important supply units-I know I destroy at least one. Although the AI maintained heavy attacks in 3 areas, it looks like it could have done more with the additional units. A lack of supply is most likely the cause. Next time, I'll give the AI a supply bonus.
