Setup: The strict setup conditions limited the area which the Poles could setup, but left quite a few attacks routes for the Germans. The objective: Take or hold Point 593. The Poles put a HMG and two INF's on the point, and another three INF, one of them reduced, one hex below the Point, but still at level 6 in the mountains, and the lone 81mm mortar looking over the German units. The Germans setup a HMG and two PARA's at the Farm, and decide on a flank attack from the East, with the mortars to just to the West of the Farm, up on the level 6 mountain hex, in order to self spot the Polish units.

Battle: With only one turn, the Luftwaffe troops fired DF only for one turn, and the returned Polish fire missed, with the Germans making their morale checks easily. On turn two, the Germans suffer through the OPP fire of the Poles, which fails to score any kills on the 22 and 30 columns. The German artillery does well, though, and score a lucky kill on the forces at Point 593, reducing the Poles by one step and disrupting the others. The next two turns resulted in deadly assaults on the Point, but the Germans gained the second turn in the assault, while the second force tied up the rest of the Polish forces, when they rolled a six on the 18 column, completely destroying the Polish HMG. In the third attack by the Germans, the last resistance and the Polish LT. is captured by the Paratroops and by turn 9, the Poles are nothing but two reduced INF, both of which were demoralized.

Result: German Victory-Looks as if the Last Throw paid off!

The Germans start this scenario with a superior force with superior firepower and superior morale and all they have to do is take one lousy hex from the Poles. The hex is, unfortunately one of the "point" hexes on the Cassino map which benefit from automatic "dug in" status, etc. This makes the defense of the site substantially more effective

The Germans were able to chase away the outlying defenses of the Poles with ease but were unable to stand up to the first fire of the Poles in assaulting Point 593. While the Germans didn't run away they were also unable to pry the Poles out of their positions and the scenario ended with the point contested.

This is a great way to get used to the Massif terrain rules. They substantially affect the play of the game and with small numbers of troops and a close in scenario you can get oriented to the vagaries of the game specific rules. In addition, the situation itself is competitive so while you are battling the terrain you get to battle your opponent as well. I give it a "4" for both instructional value and play.