Infantry Aces Battle Report: Part Three The Battle Concludes. In this Cassino themed battle report, we present an Infantry Aces game with a twist. Rather than using a pair of Infantry Aces that have been created from scratch, we decided to field Hauptmann Siegfried Jamrowski leading 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision against the 442nd Regimental Combat Team that included Lieutenant Daniel Inouye. In part three, the battle concludes.

These Infantry Aces featured in the article Heroes of Cassino: Infantry Aces of the Italian Campaign by Mike Haught in Wargames Illustrated issue 284. Learn more about Wargames Illustrated issue 284 here... Read part one of the Infantry Aces Battle Report here... Read part two of the Infantry Aces Battle Report here...

Turn Three Continued 100th Infantry Battalion / 442nd Regimental Combat Team

	Lieutenant Inouye Says... “Upon see the Germans hunkered down in the crater, the men and I sprayed their position with automatic and semi-automatic fire. But depite the volume of rounds put out, it didn't have the desired effect of pinning them down. Not even Private Nakamora, the best shot in the platoon could hit them."
Rules Recap "The platoon lead by Lieutenant Inouye has a designated Sharpshooter in the form of Private Nakamora." Sharpshooter Every infantry platoon designated thier sharpshooters whose job it was to place effective direct fire on an enemy platoon or firing position to keep the enemy's head down or remove a specific target. Any Nisei Rifle Platoon with a Sharpshooter may re-roll any one failed roll To Hit and any one failed Firepower Test by a Rifle team in each Shooting Step.
"The men knew what had to be done; they had done it many times before. Leading from the front, the men and I threw ourselves at the Germans trying to dodge the hail of bullets coming towards us in an attempt discourage us from clearing them out of the crater.”

Below: Lieutenant Inouye and his men charge into contact with the enemy.

“As I approached the Germans, I glanced quickly back at the men. Five had been hit, but I wouldn't let that stop us. I yelled words of encouragement to the men and those that could pick themselves up and continued forward despite the wounds that they had suffered.”

Below: The Nisei Rifle Platoon close on the German position.

Rules Recap "Despite having taken five hits in the Defensive Fire from the Fallschirmjäger Platoon, the Nisei Rifle Platoon led by Lieutenant Inouye is able to continue the assault due to one of Lieutenant Inouye’s special rules." Hit ‘Em Hard Inouye’s bold attack on the machine-gun nests inspired his men forward. The platoon successfully pressed home the assault in spite of Inouye being severely wounded. When Inouye joins one of your Combat or Weapons platoons that launches an Assault, the first hit on the platoon does not count towards Pinning Down the platoon.

“Both sides didn’t want to give an inch and both were fiercely determined to come out on top." Right: The Fallschirmjäger Platoon counterattack.

Rules Recap "In the heavy fighting the ensued during the assault, each chance to hit the enemy was vital. Lieutenant Inouye ability to re-roll any failed skill checks to hit made the difference in determining the outcome of this assault." Heavy Assault Lieutenant Inouye grabbed a handful of grenades and his Thompson submachine-gun and with cold determination destroyed several German machine-gun pillboxes. Inouye may re-roll his failed skill checks to Hit in Assault Combat.

“Once the adrenalin had worn off, I looked around. No matter how many times I see it, I never get used to it; the carnage of battle. I gathered the men around me to see how many were left. It wasn’t pretty but we still had a job to do. If this action had weakened us, I could only imagine what it has done to the enemy. The men, as always were keen to push on despite our loses” ~ Lieutenant Inouye.

Rules Recap "Having suffered heavy casualties in assaulting the German position, Lieutenant Inouye's platoon easily passes their morale check for being below half strength." Fighting for Dear Old Uncle Sam Despite the fact that many of their families were being held in internment camps in the western United States, the Nisei still fought with uncommon valour for the Stars and Stripes. Nisei platoons pass Platoon Morale Checks on a roll of 2+ instead of their normal roll. A Nisei Company Command team passes Company Morale Checks on a roll of 2+ instead of its normal roll.

Below: The handful of survivors set their sights on the next objective.

1. Fallschirmjägerdivision

Hauptmann Jamrowski says... "The platoon I ordered to go on the offensive did its job in severely weakening the advancing enemy units. However, losing the entire platoon was not part of my plan. Time for Plan B; I barked orders to the gunners of the Machine-gun platoon to get ready."

Below: The gunners of the Fallschirmjäger Machine-gun platoon stand by.

"The anti-tank guns were able to act on their own initiative and hastily pushed their guns forward to get a bead on the enemy tanks.” Below: The PaK40 platoon with the enemy in their sights.

"Hazah! The threat of the enemy armour on the left flank has been neutralised. How it’s up to dug-in infantry to hold the objective.” ~ Hauptmann Jamrowski. Left: The Light Tank Platoon is eliminated.

Turn Four 100th Infantry Battalion / 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Lieutenant Inouye Says... "The moment of truth has arrived; time to show those Fallschirmjäger what we are made of and push them all the way back to Germany or die trying!"
Below Left & Right: The infantry advance continues.

"I called for smoke from the mortar platoon to help cover our attack. But the mortars were unable to range in on a well concealed position of the Fallschirmjäger Machine-gun platoon." Left: The mortar platoon try to lend some assistance by providing a smoke screen.

Rules Recap Effect of a Smoke Screen "The thick blanket of smoke generated by a smoke bombardment is difficult to see through." Smoke screens Conceal any team at least partially under or seen through them. Smoke screens are so thick that teams Concealed by team can only see or be seen at ranges up to 6"/15cm. Line of Sight to any team further away is blocked. In ordering the smoke screen on the enemy position, Lieutenant Inouye was hoping to lessen the effect of defensive fire by reducing the number of shots the enemy had and making his men harder to hit.

"The lack of a smoke screen didn't seem to faze the remnants of my shattered platoon as we charged forward." Right: Lieutenant Inouye and his charge towards the enemy.

"As soon as we started to move forward we were met by a storm of bullets. I did my best to marshal the men forward, but the remainder of the platoon were cut down before getting close to the enemy position. It was now left up to me; time to go for broke!" Left: The remnants of Lieutenant Inouye's platoon are quickly pinned down.

Rules Recap "The remnants of Lieutenant Inouye's platoon took more than five hits from the Defensive Fire and are considered to be pinned down even with Lieutenant Inouye Hit ‘Em Hard special rule being taken into consideration. However, the Nisei platoon have the Go for Broke special rule." The 442nd Regimental Combat Team adopted the gambling term ‘Go For Broke’ as their motto. They lived up to it with every mission and objective. Though their casualties were high their honour, spirit, and brotherhood were unsurpassed. Whenever an assaulting Nisei platoon is Pinned Down by Defensive Fire and would normally fall back to their starting positions, immediately roll a Motivation Test. If the platoon passes, it is no longer Pinned Down and attempts to carry on with the Assault. The enemy immediately shoots again in Defensive Fire as if this was a new Assault. If the Nisei platoon is not Pinned Down this time it carries on the Assault as normal. If it is Pinned Down a second time by the enemy’s Defensive Fire, it remains Pinned Down and falls back as normal. Otherwise, the platoon remains Pinned Down and falls back as normal. Lieutenant Inouye passes the Motivation test and is able to push on with the attack.

"After hitting the deck, I took a deep breath and quickly picked myself up and continued forward; but was hit several times by automatic fire from a Schmeisser and collapse. Before losing consciousness, I grabbed the Handie Talkie and informed the company 2iC of the situation and that he was in command." ~ Lieutenant Inouye. Right: Lieutenant Inouye comes face to face with his nemeisis, Hauptmann Jamrowski.

Rules Recap "Lieutenant Inouye is a Warrior and therefore receives a Warrior save." If you destroy an enemy Warrior that is an Infantry team, roll a die. On a roll of 4+ you kill or seriously wounded the warrior and the team is Destroyed. Otherwise, remove any other friendly Infantry teams that is within Command Distance of the Warrior team instead as the warrior calls them over to form a new team.  This this example, the hits from Hauptmann Jamrowski MP40 seriously wound Lieutenant Inouye putting him out of action.

1. Fallschirmjägerdivision

Hauptmann Jamrowski says... "With my flank now secure, I quickly send word to the platoon protecting our left flank to ready themselves and they quickly begin to send rounds down range at any target that presents itself. The machine-gun platoon are ordered to turn and face the direction of the new threat." ~ Hauptmann Jamrowski.

Below: The left flank readies itself.	Below: The Machine-gun platoon turns to face the enemy.

Turn Five 100th Infantry Battalion / 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Lieutenant Takahashi says... "With the demise of Captain Ito and Lieutenant Inouye I found myself now in command of the company. After a quick assessment of the current battlefield situation I ordered the remaining Rifle Platoon to wheel left, eliminate the anti-tank gun position and then roll up the German flank to take advance of the sacrifice made by Captain Ito and Lieutenant Inouye and the rest of the men."

Below: The remaining Nisei Rifle Platoon move into position to eliminate the German PaK40 platoon.

"The men were quick to rush the enemy position and were able to take out the anti-tank guns while suffering minor casualties." Below: The Rifle platoon assault the German anti-tank gun position.

"The enemy offered only token resistance and quickly succumb to our superior numbers." Left: The Nisei Rifle Platoon swarm the German position who offer little resistance.

"The men knowing only half the job was done briefly paused only to reload their weapons before moving into position for the final push towards the objective." ~ Lieutenant Takahashi.   Right: The Rifle platoon catch their breath as they consolidate behind the burning wrecks of the Marder II platoon.

1. Fallschirmjägerdivision

Hauptmann Jamrowski says... "The Americans have changed tacted; our position of the left flank seems far too strong to attack without any armoured support. They've taken out own PaK40 with relative ease and are now heading this way."

Rules Recap "With the loss of the PaK40 platoon, the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision are now below half strength and must make a Company Morale check at the Starting Step of each of their turns for the rest of the game." Never Surrender The 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision earned a legendary reputation during the fighting at Cassino. There were precious few Allied units that could match their ferocity and tenacity in battle. Combat and Weapons platoons of a Fallschirmjägerkompanie pass Platoon Morale Checks on a roll of 2+ instead of their normal roll. A Fallschirmjäger Company Command team passes Company Morale Checks on a roll of 2+ instead of its normal roll. With the loss of the Company Commander earlier in the action, Hauptmann Jamrowski is able to take the check as he is a Higher Command team and is able to re-roll the Company Morale check due to his Unshakeable special rule. Unshakeable Jamrowski and many other veteran officers of the 1.Fallschirmjägerdivision inspired their men with heroic actions in combat, compelling them to do the same for their brothers in arms. Your Combat and Weapons Platoons fight to the last and may re-roll any failed Platoon Morale Checks. Jamrowski may re-roll Company Morale Checks. With all of these factors taken into account, the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision simply refuse to leave their positions.

"I ordered the MG42 to suppress the advancing enemy infantry but their skilled use of the terrain and cover available to them meant our fire had only limited effect." ~ Hauptmann Jamrowski. Left: The Fallschirmjäger machine gun platoon tries to stop the relentless advance of the Nisei juggernaut.

Turn Six 100th Infantry Battalion / 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Lieutenant Takahashi says... "The men moved to their next objective as once more the order is given to help conceal the advance with the aid of a smoke screen."

Below: The Nisei Rifle Platoon moves in on the German machine-gun position.

"The mortars were able to place smoke successfully on the target. The men advanced under the cover provided by the smoke as the defensive fire from the enemy proved ineffective." Left: The mortars; having not had much success with high explosive rounds, try once more with the smoke rounds.

Rules Recap A Successful Smoke Screen With the successful smoke screen laid on the enemy position, this time it has the desired effect. The defensive fire is reduced and the second machine-gun was outside of 6"/15cm and therefore unable to see the Nisei Rifle Platoon. While the smoke provided concealment from the first machine-gun, making the Nisei harder to hit reducing the chances of becoming pin down.

Below: The smoke screen is successfully laid...	Below: ...and the assault goes in.

"After mopping up the German machine-guns, the men were now within reach of the objective." ~ Lieutenant Takahashi. Left: The Nisei Rifle Platoon in reach of victory.

1. Fallschirmjägerdivision

Hauptmann Jamrowski says... "The order was sent to the platoon on the left flank to reinforce the right flank."

Rules Recap "Despite being an Independent team, Hauptmann Jamrowski is able to contest the objective due to his Infantry Ace skill I'm Already Here!" I’m Already Here! Hauptman Jamrowski would never ask his men to do something he wasn’t prepared to do himself. As such he was always in the thick of the battle and made sure that he was where his objective was. Unlike normal Independent teams, Jamrowski may take and contest an objective. The game will contine for now. But how much longer can the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision hang on?

"The men made good time but I feared they would arrive too late." ~ Hauptmann Jamrowski. Right: The Fallschirmjäger platoon begins to move to reinforce the right flank.

Turn Seven 100th Infantry Battalion / 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Lieutenant Takahashi says... "The men moved in to mop up the last of the German resistance and capture the objective." ~ Lieutenant Takahashi.

Below: The Nisei Rifle Platoon moves in to eliminate the last of the German resistance...	Below: ...and capture the objective.

Rules Recap "Like Lieutenant Inouye, Hauptmann Jamrowski is a Warrior and therefore receives a Warrior save." If you destroy an enemy Warrior that is an Infantry team, roll a die. On a roll of 4+ you kill or seriously wounded the warrior and the team is Destroyed. Otherwise, remove any other friendly Infantry teams that is within Command Distance of the Warrior team instead as the warrior calls them over to form a new team. However, like Lieutenant Inouye he also falls in action during the assault by the Nisei Rifle Platoon.

1. Fallschirmjägerdivision

Hauptmann Jamrowski says... "Having suffered heavy losses, I order the withdrawal to the next defensive position" ~ Hauptmann Jamrowski.

Rules Recap "With both the Company Command team and now Hauptmann Jamrowski out of action there is no one to take the Company Morale Check and the 1. Fallschirmjägerdivision withdraws." If you are required to make a Company Morale Check and the Company Command team has already been Destroyed, the game ends immediately.

Victory! 100th Infantry Battalion / 442nd Regimental Combat Team wins 4 - 3.

Lieutenant Inouye Says... "The men told me that they found me at the bottom of a shell crater floating in and out of consciousness."

"Later one of them told me upon finding me I told them to get back up the hill! Nobody called off the war!" ~ Lieutenant Inouye. Right: The victorious Nisei with the badly wounded Lieutenant Inouye.