Viva Firenza!

(A tribute to 70's Vauxhall motoring?)

Introduction

A fictitious scenario set somewhere in Spain, sometime in 1936. Statistics and OOB's were originally given for 'Command Decision' but the table format doesn't seem to suit Blogger. (They were taken from Command Post Quarterly, No.7. Back issues are available from GDW. Anyone who games the SCW must get No.'s 7 and 8, they're the bee’s knees). The game works with just two people but one of them, (you?) will have to take the role of Umpire/Game Master. The other player should read no further.

Background

A body of rag-tag Rebublican Militia are preparing to defend their village against an advancing Nationalist column containing troops from the Army of Africa. Deploying on the Southern outskirts of the village the Militia watch the Nationalists advance in seemingly overwhelming numbers but then there is an unexpected arrival...
A motorised battalion of Regular Army types have arrived just in time. The Colonel in command insists that the Militia allow his men to deploy in the Fortified Villa cum Mansion, otherwise he'll be on his way again. Colonel Gros Punto has a secret agenda. As soon as the last Militia troops are out of the Villa his men will start to empty it of the many art treasures within. It will take 5 turns to load the wagons and then he will be on his way, leaving Dorado and his Militia to their fate.

Republican Briefing and Forces

You are Fernando Dorado, son of the former Mayor of what is now the Collective of Firenza. Over the last month you have organised the formation of a column of local Militia (the Dorado Column) and you were about ready to march to lend a hand in the Battle of Madrid. However, events have overtaken you and now you and your Militia will gain their first experience of war defending their own village.

You command the following forces;

Headquarters, with;
1 command infantry stand
6 Centuries, each with;
3 infantry stands
1 MG company, with;
1 MMG stand

Republican Reinforcements - Umpire controlled

Colonel Frederigo Gros Punto commands the following forces;

Headquarters Company, with;
1 command infantry stand
1 truck
3 wagons (empty) (M)
1 support stand
4 Infantry Companies, each with;
2 infantry stands
1 truck
1 MG company, with;
2 MMG stands

When the Republican reinforcements arrive the Militia player should be handed a card on which is written;
"A motorised Regular Army battalion under the command of a Colonel has arrived to support you. He has no jurisdiction over your Militia so you will fight as two separate commands. He insists that if he is to stay then his men alone should defend the Villa; you must redeploy your Militia or he will leave."

Nationalist Briefing and Forces - Umpire controlled

You are Brigadier General Juan San Martin, commander of the El Gato column of the Army of Africa. Your objectives are simple - roll North as fast as you can, destroy all resistance. More immediately, you are to capture the village of Firenza.

You command the following forces;

Column Headquarters, with;
1 command stand
1 car

Foreign Legion Bandera, with;
Headquarters Company, with;
1 command stand
1 recon infantry stand
3 Infantry Companies, each with;
1 command infantry stand
2 infantry stands
1 MG Company, with;
3 MMG stands.

Moroccan Tabor, with;
Headquarters Company, with;
1 command infantry stand
1 MMG stand
2 Infantry Companies, each with;
1 command infantry stand
1 recon infantry stand
1 infantry stand

Game Play and Map

1. The Militia deploy first (N of C-D), then the Nationalists (S of A-B). The Villa counts as 3 stone buildings for deployment purposes.
2. Game commences.
3. On Turn 1 the Republican reinforcements arrive. The Militia player should be handed a card as detailed above.
4. 5 turns after entering the Villa, the reinforcements pull out again as fast as they can.
5. The Militia take what's coming...

Victory

Obviously the Umpire can't win or lose in the traditional sense. The Militia could be massacred and still be said to have done well.
After the game there should be a form of debriefing where the Umpire comments on the other player's performance. Particular attention should be given to how well the player handled having to redeploy twice in the face of the enemy.