Battle for Malati Bridge 1943 - 'O' Group

The Background

By July 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily was underway, and British forces were pushing north along the island’s east coast towards Catania. Their route crossed the Plain of Catania, a largely flat area criss-crossed by rivers. To maintain their advance, the British needed to secure the bridges before the Germans could destroy them or establish a firm defensive line.

Two important crossings were at Malati and Primosole. While the fighting at Primosole Bridge is relatively well documented, the action at Malati is less well known. James Holland’s Sicily '43 provided the starting point for this scenario.

Malati Bridge was held by an Italian garrison, with demolition charges ready to destroy the crossing. Around 400 men of No. 3 Commando were landed on the coast and, after a gruelling seven-mile march, seized the bridge. German Fallschirmjäger were also moving into the area, however, and soon drove the Commandos out. Fortunately for the advancing British, the Germans had not managed to replace the demolition charges, leaving the bridge intact for the main force to capture.

But what if events had unfolded a little differently? For our scenario, we have imagined that the British column arrived earlier, and the German defenders did not know that the bridge had been captured.

The layout of our game table

British Order of Battle

British Battalion Regulars · 1st Rate Classed

COMPANY	UNIT	SECTION	TROOP RATING
Battalion HQ	HQ	OT
	3” Mortars	OT
	FOO+ Transport	1	Regular
1st Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	3x Infantry Plt	2	Regular
2nd Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	3x Infantry Plt	2	Regular
3rd Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	3x Infantry Plt	2	Regular
Support Coy	MMG section + carrier	1	Regular
	PIAT A/T Section	1	Regular
Tanks	Sherman 75mm Troop	2	Regular
	Sherman 75mm Troop	2	Regular
Recce Scout Platoon	Carriers	2	Regular
Commando Coy (at Bridge)
1st Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	2x Infantry Plt	2	Confident

British Infantry Training Characteristic

Smoke – Under a Fire and Move Action, may lay smoke, two move dice, take highest if move & firing or add both if move only. If targeted lose 1D6 and use spotting dice.

German Order of Battle

Fallschirmjäger Btn Confident · 1st Rate Classed as PanzerGrenadiers

COMPANY	UNIT	SECTION	TROOP RATING
Battalion HQ	HQ	OT
	80mm Mortars	OT
	FOO+ Transport	1	Confident
1st Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	3x Fallschirmjäger Plt	3	Confident
2nd Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	3x Fallschirmjäger Plt	3	Confident
Tank Hunters	A/T Rifles	2	Confident
A/T Gun	50mm PK38	2	Confident
Reserves (arrive randomly)
Flak Platoon	88mm gun + tow	1	Regular
Assault Gun(x2)	StuG III	1	Regular
Heavy Panzer	Tiger 88mm L56	1	Regular
Italian Allies
1st Coy	Coy Commander	1	Commander
	3 x Inf Platoon	3	Confident

German Infantry Training Characteristic

Rate of Fire – MMG, Attached MMG and all platoons gain +1 hit for each double 6. 

Panzer Grenadiers – re-roll 1 miss if target us spotted or in open. 

1st Rate -Germans win initiative draws but don't receive extra order.

German Briefing

Mission Objective

Prevent the British from getting a tank across the bridge by the end of the game. Give the enemy a bloody nose, then withdraw under cover of darkness.

Orders & Intelligence

• The Italian garrison is believed to be holding the bridge. German forces should deploy on this assumption.
• The river can be crossed by infantry, but not by vehicles.
• The Fallschirmjäger have only recently arrived in the area.
• German heavy weapons will arrive along the road at random intervals during the game.
• No artillery support is available; the Germans have only their mortars.

Unknown to the Germans, the Italian garrison has already been dispersed, and British Commandos are holding the bridge.

British Briefing

Mission Objective

Get at least one tank across the bridge by the end of the game.

Orders & Intelligence

• British Commandos captured the bridge overnight, dispersing the Italian garrison.
• The German defenders are Fallschirmjäger who have only recently arrived in the area.
• German heavy weapons will arrive along the road at random intervals during the game.
• The river is passable by infantry, but vehicles must use the bridge to cross.

The Game

Three players took part in this game, with Steve L commanding the German Fallschirmjäger and Steve M and Matthew taking charge of the British. Both Steves were experienced O Group players, which made my life as umpire considerably easier – always a welcome bonus!

Unaware that the Commandos had already captured the bridge, Steve L deployed his forces on either side of the road, ready to defend the crossing. The British, meanwhile, came on in force, deploying from their Combat Patrols early and using their considerable firepower to push back the German CPs.

Things were looking promising for the attackers, however German mortars and well-placed ambushes began inflicting heavy casualties on the advancing British. As umpire, I was starting to wonder whether this game might be over rather sooner than expected...

Then the dice gods intervened.

For two turns, Steve L’s right flank became Hesitant, and Steve M and Matthew wasted no time exploiting the opportunity. The British brought their tank into action, while the German FUBAR count began to mount. Things could have been considerably worse for the defenders, had it not been for Steve L’s inspiring rolling for his defensive saving throws. 

Things took another turn for the worse when the first German reserve, an 88mm anti-tank gun, arrived, only to be captured at the bridge! It was at this point that Steve L realised his forces had been cut off from the crossing. 

Fortunately for the Germans, the dice gods have notoriously short attention spans, and their favour soon shifted back. The reserves began arriving, starting with an Italian infantry company, followed by the much-feared Tiger.

The arrival of the reinforcements forced the Commandos to pull back from the bridge, but not before they had earned their keep, helping to smash up the German right flank. With the game entering its final turns, everything came down to a dramatic showdown.

The Tiger took up position on the bridge, seemingly barring the way forward. Meanwhile, four British Shermans lurked behind the woodland, out of sight and presumably contemplating their options. Against all advice, the British commander decided to throw caution to the wind. The Shermans burst out from cover and opened fire.

A hit!

Steve L rolled his defensive dice.

Double one.

And with that, the Tiger's luck had run out.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable game, with plenty of tactical decisions, unexpected reversals and good humour throughout. My thanks to Steve L, Steve M and Matthew for making it such a pleasure to umpire. 

Chas