Salute '26 - Battlegroup demo game, 'Via Faenza', Italy 1944

The combined efforts of Piers and myself (and some extra borrowed med buildings) to create out demo table for BG: Italy, for Salute. On a 6 x 10' table, we had a bombed out coastal village, through which ran the coastal road, with its own industrial area and waterfront 'fish canning factory'. The Germans were holding this as they moved to retreat up the coast from the Gothic Line. Trying to cut the road were the British/Commonwealth forces, led by Churchill tanks, as they moved through the rural hills, farms, fields and vineyards that made up the rest of the tabletop.

We never get to play much on these demo-days, its about showcasing the game at its best (well, we try), and talking to BG players and those interested in trying it out, in a recruitment drive... actually rolling dice doesn't get to happened much, plus, we want to wander off and see some of the show too (and shop).

It was worth the effort, a good day talking to gamers (and we won an award too).

 

Brits will enter on this table corner. 

The fish canning factory

On the seafront cliffs, a old watchtower overlooks the little harbour.

The harbour, sea plane about to make an escape.

Germans rush to block the Brits with their StuGs.

StuG platoon roll out of town.

Just arriving in town, past the cemetery, the retreating convoy of trucks, etc.

Germans secure the large walled cemetery.

Arriving British armour, Churchills fan-out from the side road as enemy armour is reported ahead.

Recce in place, awaiting support to move up.

At the rearward farm, the Sexton battery are ready to add to the town's rubble.

Forward Aid Post and ambulance receive the first casualties.

Bren Section rumble up.

On the hillside, an Archer lurks.

The foxholed infantry on the hillside watch on.

The full tabletop from the British end.

Bombed out fishing village.

StuG guards the road.

A win, that's two in a row, for me.

Three in a row for Piers.