AAR: The Niscemi-Biscari Highway (178)

SITREP

During the initial invasion of Sicily, many American parachute units were given the task of blocking German movement towards the landing beaches. One such, the 3^rd Battalion of the 504^th PIR, landed two miles northwest of Biscari. After gathering as many of the scattered troopers as possible, the understrength battalion moved out towards the town of Niscemi. As they approached the Niscemi-Biscari highway, they encountered and captured two Italian anti-tank guns. With the newly acquired guns to bolster their defenses, the paratroopers dug in on positions covering the main highway. Not long after the Americans had finished laying mines, a German column approached, composed of mixed units of the Hermann Goering Division. Caught by surprise initially, the Germans soon recovered and pressed the attack. . .

The Players

Americans/Defenders (Neal):
3^rd Battalion, 504^th PIR

Germans/Attackers (Scott):
Aufklärungs Bataillon, Hermann Göring Division

After Action Report

Location:
Northwest of Biscari, Sicily, Italy

Date:
10 July 1943

Neal (Americans)

Advantages:

• Robust paratrooper infantry (7-4-7 squads with assault fire)
• Hidden 12-firepower minefields for ambush
• Concealed bazooka teams for anti-armor
• Initial concealment and hidden defensive positions

Disadvantages:

• Unreliable captured Italian anti-tank guns
• Limited fallback options once defensive positions breached

Ah, the legendary Niscemi-Biscari Highway, originally scenario T9 from The General magazine—famous for olives, sunshine, and frantic firefights. Taking command of the stalwart American defenders, I was cautiously optimistic, because I generally suck at playing the Americans. Armed with reliable paratrooper squads (those beautiful 7-4-7s), complete with assault fire capabilities, I felt ready—until I remembered I was actually on defense. At least I had hidden minefields (a spicy 12-firepower surprise), some concealed bazooka teams, and, to my chagrin, two captured Italian anti-tank guns, which might as well have been labeled “Fragile: it must be Italian.”

My strategy was crafted around a (semi) confident prediction: Scott would come barreling down the safer left flank (spoiler alert: he did—thank you, Scott). Anticipating his AC’s (armored car) attempt at a sneaky flank, I placed one of my sketchy Italian guns cleverly on the right side to catch it unawares. My infantry setup formed a robust defensive line around the key buildings, hoping to delay Scott’s inevitable push.

As the battle commenced, the first turns unfolded slowly. Scott predictably chose the covered left flank for his main assault. His AC initially moved as expected, before swinging wide to my right flank—right into my carefully laid ambush, and bored-sighting. A moment of tactical triumph unfolded when my “crap-gun” (as I affectionately dubbed the Italian anti-tank gun) not only hit but eventually knocked out Scott’s pesky AC. Cheers erupted in the American ranks—mostly out of relief that the gun hadn’t immediately exploded in their faces.

Turns three through five devolved into a brutal battle for building X1. The German infantry surged aggressively, and my paratroopers stubbornly resisted. However, the dice gods cruelly abandoned my men, who appeared allergic to morale checks (per usual!), frequently breaking under pressure. Losing leaders like “Smith” and “Ulen” hurt badly, weakening morale and command.

One key tactical decision during these turns was slowly rolling my second captured gun down the road by hand (imagine the sweat and swearing). Surprisingly, this relocation allowed me to reinforce my faltering left flank effectively, creating a critical crossfire. Another clutch maneuver came when I deliberately left a broken squad in a central building. This sneaky move forced Scott’s advancing troops directly into my hidden minefields, severely disrupting his final assault.

The finale turned chaotic. Reduced to a few battered half-squads, crews, and a hero (who seemed more surprised than anyone else to be there), my troops prepared for Scott’s desperate final charge. Amazingly, luck swung dramatically back in my favor. Scott’s men found themselves pinned or broken just short of victory. A hail of American fire—some incredibly lucky—sealed the win. The Niscemi-Biscari Highway remained firmly under Stars and Stripes!

Scott (Germans)

Advantages:

• Strong infantry units with solid firepower
• Armored car offering tactical mobility and firepower
• Adequate time allocation for the objectives

Disadvantages:

• Predictable attack routes due to limited covered terrain
• Entry restrictions

The Sicilian countryside was picturesque and peaceful—until the Americans showed up. My mission was straightforward: seize key buildings quickly with my German infantry, supported by a promising AC (with a regrettably short life expectancy).

My battle plan initially seemed solid. Selecting the left flank provided safe approaches with plenty of cover, enabling rapid advancement. My troops moved cautiously yet steadily, and early on, it seemed my AC could provide critical overwatch—until I chose a bold (perhaps overly enthusiastic) maneuver around Neal’s right flank. This boldness became its downfall as Neal’s hidden Italian gun performed unexpectedly well. A few shots later, my armored support was reduced to smoldering wreckage.

The show must go on, and my infantry pressed forward. Through aggressive maneuvers, I methodically advanced toward key buildings, leveraging firepower and attempting to envelop Neal’s flanks. By mid-game, I had successfully captured building X1 after intense close-quarters fighting. American morale repeatedly collapsed, giving me hope—briefly.

However, Neal adapted annoyingly well, rolling a second anti-tank gun improbably down the main road, reinforcing his defenses. He also cleverly chose not to rout a broken HS, forcing my squads directly into hidden minefields trying to get to the final building target. My advancing troops, expecting easy access through the central building, instead triggered the mines, suffering severe disruptions and forcing other units to run through residual FP! Argh!

Late-game frustration increased dramatically. My dice rolls, previously reliable, abruptly betrayed me–the dicebot is a cruel mistress. A final desperate charge into open terrain was disastrous. Key squads and leaders broke or became pinned under heavy American fire. The tactical mistake of focusing solely on one objective instead of diversifying my attacks proved costly. My remaining troops watched helplessly as their comrades fell short mere yards from victory.

In hindsight, a split approach—targeting multiple buildings simultaneously—might have served me better. My singular focus, combined with Neal’s positioning and fortunate dice rolls, ultimately spelled disaster.

Debriefing

The battle along the Niscemi-Biscari Highway proved a tactically illuminating encounter. It’s a classic scenario, in our opinion. Neal’s Americans emerged battered but victorious, buoyed by timely luck, crafty placement of minefields, and clever repositioning of assets. Scott’s Germans fought valiantly but were undone by late-game misfortune and tactical rigidity.

GET TO THE CHOPPA…!!!

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