NEW SOUTH END ENTRY RULES
Rule C.8.D. governing entry is changed as follows, to more correctly represent the geography of southern Italy and more accurately simulate the campaign.
SEA ATTACK RULES
RULES FOR RE-ROLLS
Because of the major effects that die rolls of "1" and "6" can have at certain key junctures in the game, this rule provides a way to flatten or smooth out the role of luck as a determining factor.
A. RE-ROLL CHIT
Anzio remains a balanced game with the new tournament rules. Terracina is probably the most dangerous invasion site for the Germans because if they do not crush an invasion there (a distinct possibility with air superiority), the Allies are nearly certain to win big. Another advantage for the Allies is delaying arrival of Germans ersatz units down South, where they are badly needed. Advanced Anzio mandates retreat through friendly hexes, but in the much simpler Basic Game, there is no prohibition on retreating "forward". The standard move for a Terracina invasion is to "bounce-off" 15pg with a several divisions and brigades making a voluntary 1-4 attack, cutting the road South at J50. For that reason, placement of 16pz at K49 is probably still the safest bet.
A few years ago Larry Kratz proved that a Pescara invasion could work, but probably no chance of that with German air superiority. In compensation, the Germans can no longer defend Pescara against a second invasion with two ersatz units, because of the chance of a Sea Attack.
Termoli remains a viable invasion site. Germans have a chance to crush or contain it, but because it is not so constricted as Terracina, Allies have a better chance to hang on. It is probably still a good idea for the Germans to place 1Para at Y48, to prevent the Allies from crossing the Fortore River Sept II, tho this placement prevents 1Para from reaching vulnerable positions near Napoli or Salerno, should the Allies instead invade there.
If the Germans want to tempt the Allies to risk it all on a Terracina invasion, an interesting initial placement of 16pz is X47 (note, I did just that, & Bruno invaded at Termoli anyway. It was a mighty wild game). The reason Termoli poses less of an all-or-nothing threat to the Germans is that even if they do not crush the invasion, particularly if they hold the line of the Sangro River (easier with air superiority), they can still form a game-winning line curving south towards Napoli, protecting Cassino. In previous years, Allies would tend to invade at either Terracina or Termoli, depending on which one 16pz reinforced. Still possible, but less likely, because now Napoli or Salerno look equally attractive.
It is highly unlikely that the Germans would repel a Salerno invasion. O58 is vulnerable for the Allies, because it can be surrounded on Sept II, but protected by units at M59 and O59, a surrounded attack against it could cost the Germans 12 steps. An interesting ploy is to put the weak British 1Para division at O58 so that even if the Germans did attack it surrounded, with the two soak-offs necessary, they would probably lose too many steps to make it worthwhile.
A long way North from Salerno? True, but if by Oct IV the Allies have Salerno, Napoli, Foggia, and are not too far from Termoli, they only need that and one more victory point city, with the Germans defending very long flanks. In play-testing this version it was common for the Germans to leave the Roma invasion beaches undefended on Nov I. An early invasion there leads to a slug-fest because of the German invasion reaction, but probably the Allies have the better of it.
In the voluntary 1-4 "bounce-off" or "forward retreat" attack, units which ordinarily could achieve better odds are certain to retreat to advantageous positions. Depending on where HG and NW/71 are in the Napoli area, this tactic can work there. One variant permits the Allies to open Napoli on Sept II, tempting the Germans to counter-attack which, if it fails, leaves them vulnerable. Another variant makes Napoli friendly, but does not open the port, relying instead on the units coming up from the South. If the Germans are at Vesuvio, the Allies can "bounce off" it. If at Caserta, that is also a possibility, or an invasion which makes Napoli friendly, but leave it unoccupied so that Germans can not immediately recover air superiority by recapturing it. The several alternatives at Napoli are risky for both sides, but if it works for the Allies, they start out a bit further North than they would at Salerno, with the chance to gain and retain air superiority (by capturing Napoli) far sooner than would be possible at Terracina or Termoli.
(Note to Paul: frankly, I would rate all four sites equal (Terr/Term/Nap/Salerno), always presuming 16 pz is not at the site. Each has its unique advantages/disadvantages. I am even fooling around now with Mondragone! )
As for the Sea Attack, it means that ersatz units will now usually be used as intended: to take replacements. Defending is NOT harder for the Germans, it is just different. For example, instead of makling Terracina invulnerable to a second invasion by placing ersatz units at G52 and H52, the Germans can put a fairly weak unit on the hill at H51, making an Allied second invasion there possible, but risky.
Germans blocking the South End with zocs was a solution to the problem of the End of the Earth which worked for a long time. It never was easy for the Germans to seal off the South. Nonetheless, odd and unsatisfactory things did happen. The new rules are much more realistic, but do not prevent the Germans from delaying tactics down South. The Allies are sure to enter, but the Germans no longer have to worry about the Y46-53 flank which is now on the Adriatic, as it should be, Each side gains something, and loses something. With these changes, Basic Anzio has become much more exciting and unpredictable.