SGS – Avalanche - The Strategy Game Studio

The Italian campaign of World War II, also called the Liberation of Italy or even the italian civil war following the German occupation in September 1943, consisted of Allied and Axis military operations in and around Italy, from july 10, 1943 (Sicily Landing or operation “Husky”), to may 2,1945 (surrender of all the Army Group C in italy). SGS Avalanche – from the name of the pivotal amphibious landing in mainland Italy, around Salerno, september 9, 1943 – covers this whole of almost two years campaign, one of the most important but still less known of the world war 2 in Europe, at the scale of one turn by week, with more or less regimental sized units (more than 1200 counters).

As the Axis commander in chief – i.e german Marshall Albert Kesselring fort the most part of the game -, your main goal is to gain time. With various german forces sent by Berlin over time and the royal italian army (initially) then northern fascist forces from the Italian Social Republic, you must hold as long as possible onto every part of Italia, an arduous task which is rendered even more difficult after (and if) the Italian surrender. During the whole campaign, the more you delay the enemy, the more the “liberation mark” stay low and the higher your chances to keep the upper hand, and win. If the liberation count drop under zero, you win. If it reach 100, you lose. As simple as that.

As the commander of Allied Armies in Italy – british general Harold Alexander then american general Mark Clark – you must make best use of the American, British, French and numerous other allied forces (among wich co-belligerant and resistance italians) and to conquer Sicily first, then the Italian mainland all the way up to the north and as fast as you can, as the more and the earlier you conquer – especially Rome – the higher your chances of victory.

The SGS Avalanche game contains various scenarios (some will be implemented after the initial release and for free, as usual with SGS games), covering different periods of the campaign in Italy, from July 1943 till May 1945. Small ones (lasting a few turns) cover the famous battles of Cassino, the Sicily (operation Husky), Anzio and Salerno landings, or the liberation of french Corsica. Medium size campaigns cover various phases of the war, as the battle for the “winter line” (Fall 1943 – winter 1944), the Race for Rome (spring 1944) or the final offensive along the gothic line (april 1945). Finally, the true heart of the game is the 96 1-week turns Grand Campaign scenario that will allow you to lead Axis and Allies forces all along the path from the Husky landings in 1943 to the fall of Milano in 1945, with many possible turns of events and difficult decisions to make.

The Axis have very few good quality troops (mostly German) and almost no air superiority during most of the game, but bad weather, rugged terrain and a few reinforcements will permit them to mount a fighting retreat and defend key lines barring progression in the peninsula. During short periods of time, numbers, tactical and qualitative superiority will be present to create the basis of a safe stronghold, until overwhelming Allies superiority in the air or on land takes over. Time is your friend, responsiveness your best weapon.

The Allied troops must hold and seize key strategic points early on (e.g. Sicily), and be in a position to threaten Rome as early as they can, either by driving all the way up to the Italian capital and further north, while at the same time anticipating Italian surrender, German resistance and a difficult fight all along the way. Be careful of the potential exhaustion of your units when fighting against entrenched defenders in rough terrain. Watch your supply lines, but, above all, take control of key strategic cities (Messina, Naples, Rome) or locations. Every step forward does count but time plays against you as much as the german player. Remember that you’re the stronger but have a motley force and are not by far the allied high command top priority. Note that could be changed if you’d obtained fast spectacular results…

Also remember that Italian weather, in Fall, Winter and Spring is harsh, with lots of rain and very poor movement capacities: this is not the dashing Desert war here, and it may sometimes resemble more the position warfare of the great war in the rugged hills and mountains of Italy.

The game’s events and cards system allow full replay ability thanks to the numerous various situations that they create on the diplomatic, military, political or economical fields. For example, it is harsh but not impossible for the Axis player to keep Italy by his side, as it is possible to the Allied player to chose alternate plans of invasion and/or to obtain much more attention and support from allied higher command. Therefore, “your” Italian campaign could be very different from what it has been historically. It all depends on your choices…

Estimated Playtime: from 1h to many hours…
Favored Side: none.
Hardest to Play: Allies.