CASTLE HILL 1650 15/3/1944

The NZ troops are down to about 25 men. The FJs have only about 20. It's fairly even, but the Germans do have that killer stack with 4 heroes. A lucky hit could devastate them though. It could still go either way, but both sides will be nearly wiped out! Such is the way with determined troops.

CASTLE HILL 1606 15/3/1944

It is looking very close. Both sides have suffered heavy casualties and the 'winner' will only have a few survivors. Statistically, this is what is expected to happen. The advantage in FP and TEM gives the Germans about a 2:1 advantage, and the NZ have a 2:1 numerical superiority.

CASTLE HILL 1550 15/3/1944

The gutsy New Zealand attack is cresting the hill and running into devastating fire.  The Kiwis have created no less than 5 heroes and the Germans have one (which more than offsets the loss of their sniper). Plenty of Kiwis left, and it looks like they'll make it. We'll see!

CASTLE HILL NEW FJ COUNTERS

CASTLE HILL 1532 15th March 1944

After a few quick trials I've embarked on the first proper test of this scenario - which depicts D/24NZ Bn as they captured Castle Hill on 15th March 1944. It is quite a struggle to climb up the hill sides with all the rocks and 25m contours. Also, the Germans have good FP and resonable cover to fight from. 2" mortars are useful for HE and smoke to keep heads down or screen the attackers. But it's looking tough for the NZ troops.

CASSINO MAP - finished?

4 CASSINO TILES

CASTLE HILL - Monte Cassino

 

I've been working on this for a while, but only just managed to settle to it and tackle the rubble and rocks graphics which inevitably dominate. The exact positioning of the castle is still in question - depending how I solve the 'in the castle' or 'on the battlements' issue.

Though often not mentioned, small bushes covered the slopes, but were blasted and burned away. I am adding 'scrub' as a way to break up the swathes of open ground and because it is a big feature of Cassino today, and must have been present in 1944 albeit perhaps less prevalent. I've drawn a reduced size rock graphic to show the stony ground that must have been a hazard to the troops footing and added to the HE effects. 

Baraque de Fraiture 1638 and 1644 23/12/1944 - Sunset