Invasion: Malta

[jwsleser]

I recently learned about a new war-game being developed by Legion Wargames. Titled Invasion: Malta, it covers the planned Operazione «C3» in 1942 and will offer both a 1940 and 1941 variant. The 1941 variant is a 'Malta instead of Crete' scenario. Also included is Leros 1943 as a separate game.

You can read about it here:
https://www.legionwargames.com/legion_MAL.html

I have been exchanging e-mails with the developer and I feel that he has a pretty good understanding of the topic. I do have a few concerns, but as I became tangentially involved very late in the project, some things are beyond a simple change if required. I haven't see the counters or read the rules, so I can't offer much on how the game will play.

 

[Wargames]

I looked at the game but never bought it. The main obstacle to me is the 600 yard hex size (549 meter) which appears to have been arrived at by the range of the Italian 45mm mortar and the Lee-Enfield rifle. One does need to reduce hex sizes for Malta due to terrain changes, number of roads and limited landing sites not found in other games.

It makes for a very large map board and requires, in turn, precision down to very small details in order to be accurate and which places that part of the game in question. The designer probably should provide some comment on how he arrived at his unit values versus simply by his imagination. However, the game includes most all the combat variables. Just how accurately is the question. Other key factors would be Axis supply and British naval bombardment (Which would likely target Axis supply.). This invites air drops of supplies, the accuracy of which is inconsistent with a 600 yard hex. The designers correctly states one must win "in a few days" as, otherwise, the Axis won't win at all.

I designed a similar game for 1940 with 1,000 yard hexes on a battalion level. While the map became more manageable that way (versus 600 yard hexes or nearly four times as many) there were still very few landing sites for the Italians. Meanwhile, the British player has a map board with nothing on it. Here's a 1 km hex (1,094 yards) map game:

There are only six British infantry battalion game units on the entire board.

 

[David Wormell]

Great map!

 

[jwsleser]

Invasion: Malta hasn't been release (hopefully soon). I have it on preorder given my interest in Italian paratroops. I have exchanged emails with Vance, so have some sort of idea what the is doing.

RE: Unit strengths. While strength are initially determined by quantifiable factors (strength, weapons, etc.), subjective factors are introduced at the end (training, morale, etc.). Playetesting often is the final determinate for unit values.

I have many of the Malta games (including Island of Death) and larger hexes just don't do the situation justice. I am a bit concerned by the 8 hour turns as that might too granular for the level of action needed to reflect the fighting. How much is player decision and how much is the luck of the die? 8 hours feels like the designer attempting to reduce the number of turns. of course, I haven't seen the combat system, so I don't know if there are any 'mini turns' within the turn.

The real key is what the designer believes was possible. For example:

- Given the plan and the forces, I believe the invasion would be successful. Bad luck is the greatest threat to success.

- I feel that any intervention by the R.N. wouldn't be decisive and there would be a great possibility that a sortie wouldn't be attempted. Crete is a good example reflecting this issue.

- Much depends on the success of the initial airdrops (bad luck).

Just some thoughts.

Pista! Jeff

 

[hammurabi70]

I am a bit concerned by the 8 hour turns as that might too granular for the level of action needed to reflect the fighting.

TOO granular? I should've thought four hour turns would reflect the ability for command to influence the fighting in terms of Command Decision. Are you thinking in terms of daily reinforcements to different areas as a top level command input?

 

[jwsleser]

There are many decisions that are made at the tactical level that are executed within a period of 8 hours. The fact that Wargames' design is based on a battalion and below scale and the combat resolution is at that level means that there are many decisions that happen within that time span. Commitment of local reserves, initial maneuver plan, shifting of forces, air and artillery support, resupply, etc. Within 8 hours regimental and possibly divisional reserves could be committed if part of the plan. Or not depending on success/lack of.

With a 1km hex, you are looking at company/battalion level maneuver (IMHO) and the need to make appropriate decisions within the normal timeframe (1-2 hours). If using an 8 hour turn, all you are doing is making regimental/brigade size stacks with any combat modifiers and the combat is seen as encompassing a wide range of tactical decisions. Nothing wrong with that approach, but what mess with all those mirco-tactical decisions when they don't matter.

The reason to use smaller-size units and a larger map scale is to enable maneuver to be an important tactical decision. How you move your battalions to gain a tactical advantage is as important as the number of combat factors arrayed against the objective. If maneuver isn't important, use a small map scale and a larger time scale.

If one feels that an 8 hour turn is correct, then the better choice would be regimental-size units and larger hexes.

Just my opinion.

Pista! Jeff

 

[jwsleser]

Invasion Malta will start shipping on 27 May. If you CPO'ed the game, you should have received an email asking for payment at the CPO price.

Pista! Jeff

 

[jwsleser]

My copy of the game arrived last Friday. but I didn't return home until Tuesday night. I finally have some time to take a closer look at Invasion: Malta.

First impression is this is beautiful game. All the components are top-notch and the maps are both functional and attractive.

The box actually contains two games: Malta and Leros. Both maps are the same scale, ~ 665 meters across the hex.

Malta Map.

Leros Map.

 

[jwsleser]

As I stated, the components are well made on quality paper for the rules and heavy card stock for the players aids/scenario cards.

Rules.

Player Aids.

 

[jwsleser]

There are four scenarios: Malta 1940, Malta 1941, Malta 1942, and Leros 1943. Each scenario has an Axis and Allied OB Scenario Card.

1940:

1941:

1942:

And 1943. Note the card is mislabeled Malta instead of Leros.

 

[jwsleser]

A copy of the rules can be found HERE.

The rules appears fairly straight forward. There are several unique rules to reflect the issue of the para drop and the amphibious landings. These read well. In all, the rules look like they will provide an enjoyable game.

That being said, it is the research that mars this game. It was reading the rules that initiated my queries about CAS and other aspects of the game. The game doesn't allow any Italian CAS and the R.M. can only be used once during the game. There are some serious (IMO) OB issues.

Given my work on the paracadutisti, my issues immediately jumped out. The regimental gun companies and the divisional mortar company are missing. The game only has the 1º e 2º rgt. para. This was likely correct for a May invasion, but the August plan had all three regiments. The 1ª e 2ª cp. Loreto have the same values as the 3ª e 4ª cp., but the first companies were for airfield management while the other two companies were manned/equipped for airfield defense. «La Spezia» is completely missing. The R.M. only has one naval counter (Andrea Doria) that can only be used once. Even though the rules forbid Italian CAS, the ground attack squadrons are not included for use during bombardment. The designer stated that these were to be used against the R.N. (again based on the limited research). The glider attacks against the forts covering Marsa Scirocco are missing.

I have yet to take a deep dive into the other Italian divisions represented in the game that were to be used in the amphibious assault.

In all, this appears to be an interesting and challenging game to play, but its historical basis is badly compromised.

Pista! Jeff

 

[hammurabi70]

So, a year on, what do think of the product when used? Is it evenly balanced or do you think one side has an advantage?
The regimental gun companies and the divisional mortar company are missing.
Would they have been factored into the combat capabilities of the main units?

What did you think of John Burtt's:
Operation C3, Hitler's Plan to Invade Malta 1942
He thinks the Axis get a close win.

 

[jwsleser]

I will first state that I haven't played the game. No local gamers willing to give it a try.

The regimental gun companies and the divisional mortar company are missing.
Would they have been factored into the combat capabilities of the main units?

It doesn't appear to be so. The Germans units have their regimental heavy weapons as separate counters, so why aren't the Italians treated the same? We aren't talking about two infantry support guns and some heavy MGs like the Germans, but six 47/32 guns (with HE capability) and twelve 81mm mortars.

What did you think of John Burtt's:
Operation C3, Hitler's Plan to Invade Malta 1942
He thinks the Axis get a close win.

I offered my thoughts on «C3» in Infantrymen of the Air pp.238–239. If the airborne operation is successful in landing the bulk of the paratroops, I feel «C3» is an Axis win. Too many of the challenges facing the British are ignored in most discussions of the operation.

Pista! Jeff

 

[Wargames]

I am now playing the Invasion of Malta 1940, a game of my own design. It took years to gather the info (for example, is it Operation C3 or Plan DG10/42? And as Jeff stated, "While strength are initially determined by quantifiable factors (strength, weapons, etc.), subjective factors are introduced at the end (training, morale, etc.). Play testing often is the final determinate for unit values." Play testing is a challenge when Italy never invaded Malta. I used instead the June 10, 1940- January, 1941 combats of the British/Italian conflict in North Africa for play testing to determine combat results. Those results had a margin of error of 1-10%, with an average of 2-3%. That's very good. However, accurate games tend to reproduce historical problems. This game exposes them.

Some details. There is no paper/cardboard/hex mapboard or game pieces. The game uses a monitor screen of a Google map of Malta, giving distance down to a foot and elevations to within 5 meters. The game master is Microsoft's copilot which calculates movement, LOS, bomb and shell damage, turn about time on aircraft (reloading, refueling, safety checks, pilot briefing/debriefng, time to target, time over target, and time to return.). You can get troop unloading times, supply unloading times, drinking water unloading times, water consumption, parachute supply, including amount to drop, expected breakeage, and number and type of aircraft needed to drop. This is all calculated in one second. Turns are accurate to within 15 minutes, meaning turns can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as your next planned move. Copilot also plays the British, and understands it well, so you can play the game by yourself. You can even ask copilot how to use the terrain to conceal your troop movement, including lighting conditions, and have the answer in one second. You do need to read the manual or co-pilot will assume your Italian troops are as well trained as the British when they have no infiltraton training at all or that 1st KOMR is a crack battalion.


I declined to attack Fort Campbell. Too many bombs and no guarantees of hits. I also declined to land at Buggiba as it's covered by Fort Campbell and the bay is too shallow on the west end.
Other bays had underwater concrete blocks with spikes spaced 20 feet apart. Moto braggozis can fit between them, but likely need some light to see them by.

I made changes to the Italian paratroopers. Instead of one 600 man batalion, I used 6 companies of 96 men, each with an 8mm HMG, 4-45mm mortars and one 81mm mortar (one half section with only 25-50 mortar rounds). An RF 3M radio with a miserable 3-5 km range was added (Not a strong point for Italy). I added 4 five man teams with 45mm mortars for observation drops (two with radios). I also used the two Libyan parachute battalions, organizing them into 400 man units with each battalion equipped with three 8mm HMG, 12-45mm mortars, and three 81mm mortars and 30 days training in their use. Lybian troops didn't speak Italian, read maps or able to use a compass. They must be landed within sight of their objective and, once they take it, cannot be moved. I had two months to make these changes and parachute dropping HMG's and 81mm mortars had been possible since 1938.

Invasion date was set for August 30, 1940. That date was selected to allow Vittorio Venetto to lay in its guns, Giulio Cesare to complete repairs, and train paratroopers with their new weapons. It could not be delayed any longer due to weather. New codebooks were issued for the invasion to keep British codebreakers from interferring. 40 (not 80) moto bragozzis were assembled at Punto d'embarco Scilla in Barco, Italy as it was not being watched. 5 Sesia class landing ships were at Augusta, Sicily. Unfortunately, the date chosen corresponds closely to the HATS convoy, but I have no way of knowing that. Still, I do expect Admiral Cunningham to arrive within 48 hours (6:00 AM, September 1). He actually arrived at 12 noon.

Prelanding, I looked for camouflaged guns (There were supposedly four towed 6" guns). Found none. Not that I would have, but there none (A site provided misinnformation of a battery of 6" mobile guns.). I did find an unprotected inland OP post that would direct their fire but every manned pillbox could so.

The night before, I had 12 Ba.65's strafe Mellieha Bay's anchorages, their 12.7mm MG's able to sink small boats. I didn't want 1st KOMR to have their use.

Next post: The Bomber Phase.

 

[Wargames]

THE BOMBARDMENT PHASE:

There was no preliminary naval bombardment. The 6" guns at Fort Campbell could not be hit, Italy knew it, and it meant unnecessary barrel wear on the guns.

Instead, bombardment was conducted by bombers. Again, the target was not Fort Campbell. The Regia Aeronautica estimated 500 bombers were needed for that and didn't have that many. Even if they did, the fort's guns might have survived. Considered trying paratroops but there is a gun mounting on top of the fort that could be dangerous. Considered using German gliders but once inside the fort, there's no way out. So I decided to simply land behind the fort as the guns did not have 360 degree fire.

Malta's radar AMES No. 241 at Dingli Cliffs would detect a large force of incoming bombers at 5:24 AM on August 28 and scramble four Hurricanes (the number of pilots on shift then) to protect their airfields. Italy tested several times in August if the British would send fighters north to engage enemy aircraft over the Marfa Ridge area and each time they refused to do so. The Hurricanes were to defend their airfields.

Luqa was bombed at 5: 34 AM with 9 Br.20A and 12 Cr.42 for 30 minutes or ended at 6:04 AM.
6:19-6:23 AM: Luqa hit with 9 Br.20's and 15 Cr.42. Hal Far hit with 9 Br.20 and 12 Cr.42's. Both hit for 30 minutes. Later, Luqa hit with 9 Br.20's and 15 Cr.42. Hal Far hit with 9 Br.20 and 12 Cr.42's. Both hit for 30 minutes.This should catch four Hurricane's landing. Game master estimated four Hurricanes destroyed and five damaged of 11. Two Gladiators destroyed, three damaged. 1-3 Cr.42's lost.

Luga airfield airfield inoperable until 10:30 AM.
Hal Far inoperable until 12:30 PM.


Second wave (first wave returns):

11:30 AM: 9 Br.20A and 12 Cr.42 bomb Luqa for 30 minutes or which ended at 12:04 noon.
12:19-23 PM Luqa hit with 9 Br.20's and 15 Cr.42. Hal Far hit with 9 Br.20 and 12 Cr.42's. Both hit for 30 minutes. This should catch remaining two Hurricane's and one Gladiator landing. Later, both Luqa and Hal Far hit with 9 Br.20's and 15 Cr.42 each. Game master estimated another three Hurricanes destroyed and five damaged. Two Gladiators destroyed, three damaged. No Italian losses. Hurricanes have 7-8 lost and none flyable for 48 hours.
Two Blenheim bombers also destroyed.

I have achieved air superiority.

Total aircraft used:

36 Br.20A plus 8 spares.
54 Cr.42's's plus 33 spares.

The trick was to hit them landing to refuel and use accurate Br.20A's to hit revetments.

FORT MADLIENA is next.

 

[Dili]

Br.20 are employed in North Italy not South due to climate since S.79 are for South
I doubt you could land in Malta, are you sure the landing sites are viable?

were assembled at Punto d'embarco Scilla in Barco

what do you mean by this? where is this "Barco".

 

[Wargames]

"Br.20 are employed in North Italy not South due to climate"

They were employed there because they were the only bombers that could cross the Alps versus France. France surrendered June 25. I can use them for a few days before they transfer to Belgium.

"S.79 are for South"

True. But they're not nearly as accurate as Br.20's with vertical bomb bays. 11 Br.20's can, in theory, hit the same target as 16 Sm.79's. Br.20's also have self sealing tanks. It didn't work for them against French D.520 fighters with 20mm guns, but it does against Hurricanes such as in Greece,

I also avoided using Sm.79's because the British executed Operation Squawk on August 31, in which two destroyers were sent towards Genoa as if to bombard it, creating false radio traffic suggesting they were a fleet. I can now move Sm.79's to Genoa to counter, and not have it interfere with my air assault against Malta. Likewise, G.50's are available but not very useful.

"I doubt you could land in Malta, are you sure the landing sites are viable?"

Planes are "one way". Room for six. I had to have 10 riflemen clear the way for the 7th. I needed those two mortars and the tank crews (Didn't think they'd know how to parachute.).

Problems are in pillbox accuracy. Which ones are there on August 30? Some were added in October. Jeff has had the same problem. I obtained the firing arcs of 6-25 pounders and then worked the arc backwards to estimate their locations, but its dated to include artillery not landed until October. I also thought I had 4 missing 150mm guns to account for that are part of the northern defense but south of Mellieha. Again, I calculated their position by using LOS and elevations. Then found out they didn't exist in 1940. Fort Madliena did exist though and included my landing site in its range. Claimed to be inaccurate, the guns are not inaccurate enough. They hit. This fort has to be taken out. I found no way to do it. Gun pits are only 30 feet across and guns are covered for bombing. Thought I could take it with German gliders but closer examination showed the landing area might not be wide enough. So game over. Co-pilot ruled Br.20's accurate enough to hit the gun pits using carpet bombing but I have serious doubts based on Italy's own calculation of 500 bombers needed, mostly against Fort Campbell.

I did succeed in landing 5,000 men with six days supplies and took 1,400 prisoners in 24 hours- if anyone can figure out how to take Fort Madliena.

 

[Wargames]

Fort Madliena

On August 29, 1940, I bombed Fort Madliena's guns which could reach my landing site and with good accuracy. Although the guns are covered, I assumed a 550 pound (500 kg) HE bomb would penetratre. I used six attacks and assumed no British fighters (Though I provided escort.). The first was by 15 Ju.87's on one gun. Co-pilot calculated an 80-95% chance of a direct hit on the 30 foot diameter gunpit. I used the 80%. This was followed by two attacks of 25 Br.20A's at 8,000 feet on the same gun. Co-pilot calculated a 55%-90% chance of a diect hit. I used the 55%. A second identical attack increased the odds to 80-99%. I used 80%.

Combined with the earlier Ju-87 attack, Co-pilot concluded 96% odds the one gun was destroyed,

All three flights returned to Sicily, rearmed, refueled, and returned to take out the second gun by the same means.

Fort Bingemma

The 9.2" gun here was taken out using German DFS 230 gliders which Hitler had offered to invade Malta.

The Br.20's were reduced from 36 on August 28 to 25 today to account for aircraft damaged the previous day (2 were shot down).

Next: The AIR LANDING

 

[Wargames]

THE AIR LANDING: August 30, 1940

5:34 AM: 5 Sm.82's drop 96 parachutitists and two L3 tanks behind the Wied Musa Battery on Marfa Ridge. Jeff politely called B.S. on parachuting the tanks and Dili agreed. So forget them.

Referred to as Company A, they are to take pillbox numbers 1-3 from behind. Another 4 Sm.82's wait three minutes for an SM.81 to drop flares over the east end of Mellieha Bay as a distraction, then drop 96 parachutists (Company B) behind the "R" pillbox line at Mellieha and take them (They're empty.). Four men of this company follow the communication wire from R-7 back to it's junction located an estimated 300-500 meters east on the south side of Highway 1. Estimated time to find and cut the wires and all pillbox communications: 40 minutes.

Simultaneously, south of Gmarr, four SM.82’s, using six SM.81’s bombing Nadur Hill to mask their engines, drop Company C of 96 parachutists at coordinates 35.902800, 14.400900. This is a remote area difficult to observe. They have two objectives. Take the observation post at 35.906666, 14.404514 (easily spotted by aerial recon). It has an operational phone to artillery and an English speaking Italian was included to phone in “cease fire” orders. The majority of the parachutists move on to 35.910131, 14.397717, their movement outside LOS of Mgarr. At 9:40 AM they will move to the top of the hill to their left and take up hidden firing positions over the road of Triq il Mosta.

Company D of 96 parachutists was dropped on Limbordin, Bajda Ridge (35.94338, 14.37320). It will cut the 118 intersection below.

Also simultaneously, 400 Libyan parachutists landed with three 8mm machineguns, one 81mm mortar, 12-45mm mortars, and supply and water for four days at 35.90941, 14.42453 to take the nearby key intersection of Triq il‑Kbira and Constitution Street. Poor troops, they're only expected to hold the position for four hours. They were also to check for a gun 500 yards NW but none was found.

An identical Libyan battalion was dropped on Triq il Palma Road, 2,000 feet south of Road 118 (35.932223, 14.368780). It will infiltrate south on il Palma, staying out of sight of Gmarr. It's purpose is to cut off the British company defending Triq il Palma from retreat. It's landing was covered by four Br.20's bombing the pillbox at the intersection of 118 and Triq il Palma and 6 Br.20's bombing the woods to east, the suspected position of a seam platoon.

A total of 46 Sm.81’s were used in four passes to drop both Libyan battalions with an added 6 Sm.81’s to drop their weapons and supplies.

Uneventful landings:

A special landing of three five man teams was made at 35:91133, 14.36720. Using olive green parachutes, they infiltrated north under cover of terraces and rubble walls to this position: 35.91720, 14.33400. They were to spot any camouflaged artillery on Ta Hagrat Ridge, and mark them with colored mortar smoke for five Ju-87 and 10 Br.20A's to hit at 6:00 AM. No guns found. The bombers bombed Nadur Hill instead. Nothing there either. Had there there been guns at either location, co-pilot estimated 92%+ odds they were destroyed.

5:50 AM: Five Ju-87 dive bombers follow highway 118 to where it ends, then bomb the olive grove on the north side of the road with five 550-pound bombs at coordinates 35.931138, 14.345782. Co-pilot rules this hit Company D, 8th Battalion''s bivauac area, just after reveille with 60-80 men killed or wounded. Another five Ju-87's bomb Wardija Ridge pillbox at 35°56'33.0"N, 14°23'50.0"E.

6:00 AM: Company A forms up and begins its attack, one pillbox at a time, from the rear on Marfa Ridge. The pillboxes have only two rifle ports facing the rear. These were blinded by 45mm smoke and grenades thrown in. 18 Ba.65 aircraft strafe the remaining boats on Mellieha Bay to prevent KOMR from using them to reach Marfa Ridge by water. If no targets, they strafe Mellieha Bajja where 1st KOMR should be forming up.

Six Sm.81 transports landed “one way” with ninety-five mountain troops and ten heavy machineguns at Ta’ Msid Flats. They take the pillbox at the “Red Tower” and then deploy at 6:30 AM to the tree area known today as “The Nature Preserve” and face south with four flanking machineguns. Ten riflemen clear the area for a 7th Sm.81 before joining the blocking force now referred to as Ghadiera Force.

Nine Cr.32 quatar bomb and strafe KOMR forming up at Mellieha Bajja. KOMR is delayed by 30+ minutes.

6:30 AM: Wardiya Ridge hit by 10 Br.20A at low altitude. These bombings are in case there's a gun in Wardija Battery (There isn't) and to convince the British an attack is coming via highway 1 or 118 and cause them to maintain their defense.

7th SM.81 lands on Marfa Ridge with two 81mm mortars, and their crews.

1st KOMR attempts to move up highway 1 to Marfa Ridge but beaten back by Ghadiera Force. They took up position between Poppey Village and Mellieha Bajja. Nine Cr.32 quatars leave but another nine arrive.

First pillbox falls on Marfa Ridge.

6:45 AM: Field telephones to Mellieha cut. Ghadiera Force goes on the offensive with two-81mm mortars against KOMR which is still being strafed.

7:00 AM: Second pillbox falls on Marfa Ridge.

KOMR decides to retreat to the "R" pillboxes. Italian Company B inside them opens fire on KOMR.

7:15 AM: KOMR surrounded. Ghadiera Force redirects HMG fire to highway 1 as does Company B at pillbox R7. Copilot estimates 40% casualties if KOMR attempts to break out.

7;30 AM: 1st KOMR surrenders with 180+ casualties. Third pillbox falls. Company A fires white flare to signal Italian ships landings are safe to begin at Cirkewwa Ferry,

BRITISH RESPONSE:

6:00 AM: A British Sunderland reports two small ships, two large transports, two fishing boats, and eight destroyers west of Gozo Island.
Second Battalion HQ at Gmarr sends 55 men to reinforce pillboxes J1-4 between Golden Bay and Qaraaba Bay.

Decision made not to reinforce 1st KOMR (Co-pilot did not and there is no evidence there was ever any such plan at the time or the British Army would have manned the "R" pillboxes versus the "118" line.).

7:00 AM: No news from Mellieha.

8:00 AM British order company in Pembroke to Mosta. Yet Italian Ba.65 ground attack aircraft have been spotted patrolling highway 1 for that very purpose. Two companies in Attard ordered to Mosta.

AUTHOR NOTE:

There are still two companies of Italian paratroopers in reserve. The plan is to use them to capture Hal Far if the British move north from there.

NEXT: THE ITALIAN LANDING

 

[Wargames]

ITALIAN LANDING:

8:00 AM Two moto broggozi with engineers tie up at the third inside slip of Cirkewwa Ferry and begin construction of a landing pier. Two Sesia class landing ships unload one Bersaglieri bicycle battalion, 4-75mm guns, and 50 mules from one ship, one infantry battalion, 8-75mm guns, 50 mules on the other two slips.

8:00 AM: Ba.65 aircraft strafe Pembroke Company on highway 1. Delayed 45 minutes. 15 casualties.

9:10 AM: Bicycle battalion and 4-75mm guns heads south from Mellieha for junction of 118 and Triq tal Wilga.

9:45 AM: British Pembroke company arrives Mosta. Engages my paratroops, British 30 casualties, Italians 15.
Both Sesia ships unloaded. Leave.

10:00 AM Italian 1st infantry battalion landed with 8-75mm guns knocks down pillbox #4. Leaves on foot from Mellieha for Triq il Palma/118 intesection.

10:12 AM: Bicycle battalion takes the junction of 118 and Triq tal Wilga. Guns open fire on J-3. MG company takes Gjahn Tffieha Tower with 45mm mortars. Riflemen take heights overlooking J-4.

10:20 AM: J-3 falls. Fire shifted to J-2.
Second British company enroute to Mosta redirected by truck to Triq il Palma/118 intesection. Interdicted at 35.91253, 14.39464 by parachute company C.

10:30 AM: Wooden truck landing pier on inner jetty completed at Cirkewwa ferry.

10:35 AM first company from Attard arrives Mosta. Second company ambushed with paratroop Company at 35.91253, 14.39464 on Mosta Road. 25 casualities. HQ at Attard alerted — Company C (reserve) ordered forward by truck to relieve.

10:40 J-2 falls. Fire shifted to J-4. J-1 attacked with smoke and grenades.

10:50 British second company arrives at Mosta Road ambush.

11:00 J-4 falls.

11:20 Parachute roadblock cleared. Italians 35 casualties. British 40. Movement toward Triq il‑Palma/118 junction resumes, but arrival pushed to ~11:45–12:00.

11:30 AM: Third Sesia ship arrves. Unloads ten trucks plus gasoline on the new pier.

11:45 British Company D surrenders at J1-4.

11:45: 1st Italian infantry battalion arrives at Triq il Palma/118 intesection.

12:00 1st infantry battalion fires on Triq il Palma/118 intesection pillbox.

12:15 Italian bicycle battalion fires on Gmarr HQ.

12:30 Triq il Palma/118 intesection pillbox surrenders.

12;45: Gmarr HQ surrenders. 1st infantry battalion moves down Triq il Palma. Remainder of British company (two platoons) retreats toward Gmarr, abandoning pillbox at 35.93742, 14.37946.

British call off assault in Mosta. Switch to contain the bridgehead. Order Buggiba to leave one platoon (~30 men) to delay Italians advancing from St. Paul’s Bay and retreat to Naxxar heights as new defensive line.

1:00 PM: First company platoon destroyed in retreat by paratroopers at 35.929065, 14.369939 on Triq il Palma. Second company platoon destroyed in retreat by paratroopers at 35.929578, 14.375839 on Triq il Wardija.

British new defensive line:

35.9225, 14.4430: Company B + Company C (~160–170 effectives combined). Arrived 1:30 PM
35.9145, 14.4255: Pembroke + Company A (~160–170 effectives combined after losses)
Attard: HQ

1:30 PM: 1st infantry battalion arrives Bingemma Gap.

1:40 PM: Bicycle battalion, 4-75mm guns, two L3's arrive Bingemma Ridge. Both battalions water up. Rest.

9:30 PM: 1st infantry battalion plus 8 guns at Bimmegina Gap marches to Rabat.

11:00 PM: Ist infantry arrives Rabat, sends one company to Dingli Cliffs for water (no water at Rabat).

12:00 AM: Dingli Cliffs taken. Radar stations AMES No. 241 and AMES No. 242 as well as an acoustic tracking system for aircraft. Malta is now without an air warning system.

Parachutists still holding iMosta ntersection against Pembroke + Company A.

Co-Pilot (Game Master) Assessment:

Assessment​

By midnight, the Italians have achieved decisive operational superiority:

• Golden Bay secured.
• Inland corridor opened.
• HQ destroyed.
• Radar stations captured.
• British inland defense fragmented and blind.

The British still hold Mosta intersection and Naxxar Heights, but without radar or artillery, they are fighting blind and risk encirclement by dawn.

Here is co-pilot's plan to reinforce the north from the southern brigade after day one:

1. Naxxar Heights (35.9225, 14.4430):
   • Reinforce Companies B + C + Wardija survivors (~200 men).
   • Send 3 companies (~300 men) to stiffen ridge defense against Bingemma/Rabat thrust.
   • Objective: hold northern approaches, prevent Italian envelopment.
2. Mosta Intersection (35.9145, 14.4255):
   • Pembroke + Company A (~160 men) still engaged against parachutists.
   • Send 2 companies (~200 men) to reinforce intersection.
   • Objective: stabilize fight, prevent breakthrough south toward Valletta.
3. Attard–Birkirkara Line (35.8890, 14.4420):
   • Establish reserve with 2 companies (~200 men).
   • Positioned to counterattack toward Rabat or plug gaps if Naxxar/Mosta collapse.
   • Also secures emergency HQ at Attard.
4. Mdina–Rabat (35.8850, 14.4030):
   • Hold with 1 company (~100 men) as flank guard.
   • Objective: delay Italian 1st Infantry Battalion advancing from Bingemma Gap.
   • Protect approaches to Dingli sector.

Operational Consequence​

• British inland strength after reinforcement:
  • Naxxar Heights: ~500 men (B + C + Wardija + 3 reinforcement companies).
  • Mosta Intersection: ~360 men (Pembroke + A + 2 reinforcement companies).
  • Attard–Birkirkara reserve: ~200 men.
  • Mdina–Rabat flank guard: ~100 men.
  • Total: ~1,160 men north of Valletta.
• Italians:
  • Golden Bay lodgment secure.
  • Mellieħa battalion at Triq il‑Palma/118 with 8 × 75 mm guns.
  • 1st Infantry + Bicycle battalions converging from Bingemma Ridge/Rabat.
  • Parachutists pinning Mosta.
  • Total: ~2,000+ men with 12 × 75 mm guns + 2 L3 tankettes.

This is the response I've ben waiting for and the reason I withheld two parachute companies. I asked copilot:

"If I land 200 parachutists with 2 HMG and 2-81mm mortars here?: 35.818375, 14.482233"

That's the Zurrieq Heights overlooking Hal Far.

Co-pilot responded that both Luqa and Hal Far would send their infantry companies to contain the landing with success. But while they did that, I landed Sm.81's at Hal Far with mountain troops. It's reply:

• SM.81 transport capability:
  • Each aircraft can carry ~20–25 troops with light kit.
  • A wave of 8–10 transports could deliver ~200–250 mountain troops.
  • Night landing is risky but feasible on Hal Far’s long, flat strip.
• Timing:
  • If parachutists dropped at 35.818375, 14.482233 around midnight, British response pulls 2 companies south.
  • Your SM.81s could arrive within 30–45 minutes, landing mountain troops before British realize Hal Far is exposed.

Immediate Effect​

• Capture of Hal Far:
  • Mountain troops seize hangars, fuel dumps, and dispersal pens.
  • RAF aircraft on the ground are destroyed or captured.
  • Airfield becomes unusable for British fighters.
• Operational impact:
  • Malta loses its primary fighter base.
  • With Dingli radar already gone, RAF is now blind and grounded.
  • Italian air superiority becomes overwhelming — no early warning, no fighter sorties.
• British reaction:
  • Marsaxlokk battalions will attempt counterattack at dawn, but they are split:
    • 2 companies chasing parachutists near Żurrieq.
    • Remaining companies stretched between Marsaxlokk and Luqa.
  • Counterattack delayed, giving Italians time to entrench Hal Far with HMGs and mortars.

Strategic Consequence​

• For Italians:
  • By dawn, you hold Golden Bay, Bingemma Ridge, Rabat, Dingli Cliffs, and Hal Far airfield.
  • Malta’s radar and fighter defense are neutralized.
  • Inland British defense (Naxxar–Mosta) is isolated, blind, and unsupported from the air.
• For British:
  • ~1,160 men north of Valletta still holding Naxxar–Mosta line.
  • But southern sector collapses: Hal Far lost, Luqa threatened, radar gone.
  • Reinforcement flow north is cut.
  • RAF effectively neutralized.

Assessment​

Landing SM.81 transports with mountain troops at Hal Far while British are distracted south is a decisive coup de main. It cripples Malta’s air defense network, denies the RAF its main base, and locks in Italian air superiority. The British inland line may still fight, but without radar or fighters, they are fighting blind and doomed to attrition.

Back to me.

NEXT:

My commentary on the game and the supply and troop landings that took place on this turn.