Wayne Converts His Early-war Italians For Avanti with Wayne Turner  A couple of Panzerschreck tournaments ago I painted 900 points of Early-war Italians to partner up with my friend Victors German Panzers. In this doubles tournament these two force complimented each other quite well. With the release of Avanti for Mid-war I thought I’d take the opportunity to update this force from 1940 to 1942. My M13/40 tanks would become M14/41 tanks, losing their slow speed in the process.

My original Early-war army contained:

Compagina Carri (Tank Company) Compagnia Carri HQ M13/40 tank (x 1) Carri Platoon 1 M13/40 tanks (x 5) Carri Platoon 2 M13/40 tanks (x 4)   Support Units Self-propelled Coastal Gun Platoon Autocannone da 102/35 (x 2) Light Anti-aircraft Platoon Command Rifle team and 2 x 20/65 guns on 3-ton trucks

In Mid-war from Avanti this converts to:

M14/41 Tank Company   M14/41 Tank Company HQ 2 Points M14/41 tank (x 1)   M14/41 Tank Platoon 1  12 Points M14/41 tank (x 5)   M14/41 Tank Platoon 2 9 Points M14/41 tank (x 4)       Support Units   Autocannone 20mm AA Platoon   3 Points Autocannone (20mm) (x 2)   90mm on Lancia Anti-tank Battery 12 Points Lancia (90mm) (x 2)  (but using my Autocannone da 102/35 as a proxies)   Total: 38 Points

Now to add some things to bring it up to 100 points. More tanks would be good, plus I get to build and paint the new plastic ones. So a third M14/41 Tank Platoon to the first Tank Company

M14/41 Tank Platoon 3 12 Points M14/41 tank (x 5)

I'll add a second company of tanks but I'll make my third unit a Semovente SP Battery. Right: the Semovente Tank

M14/41 Tank Company   M14/41 Tank Company HQ 2 Points M14/41 tank (x 1)   M14/41 Tank Platoon 3 9 Points M14/41 tank (x 4)   M14/41 Tank Platoon 4 9 Points M14/41 tank (x 4)   Semovente SP Battery 16 Points Semovente tank (75mm) (x 4)

I’ll add some extra support with the 100mm Howitzer for splatting pesky infantry and an  AB41 Amoured Car Platoon for Spearhead. Left: The 100mm Howitzer

Support Unit   100mm Howitzer Battery  12 Points Howitzer (100mm) (x 4)   AB41 Armoured Car Platoon 2 Points AB41 (20mm) (x 3)    Grand Total: 100 Points

So that my initially idea for Avanti Italians. No doubt, that plan will change. ~Wayne