This invasion takes place almost in the middle of a very interesting mapboard. The Italian mainland is wrapped around three sides of the board, enclosing the Gulf of Salerno and the allied landing areas. German reinforcements enter from all three sides, while the Allies must land in the thick of things and fight their way out. The game opens with the Allied invasion against ten Axis starting units thinly spread over a section of the Italian coastline. The German player usually delays for the first few moves and, as his reinforcements arrive around midgame, attempts to smash through to an Allied beachhead. The U. S. and British forces try to open roadways off the board while holding landing areas and key towns.

The one-piece mapboard is printed in black and white with a good assortment of terrain features. Clear, nasty, and bad ground, towns, roads, rivers and beaches affect both movement and combat. Time record and combat results tables are also printed on the board.

German and Allied units are represented by die-cut, red and yellow counters of good quality. Battalion sized units are numbered and organized into the historical divisions in a way that gives each dividion its respective infantry, armor, artillery, anti-aircraft and engineers. Four allied divisions, two British, two American, backed up by commando and ranger battalions, try to break through five German panzer and panzer-grenadier divisions. Naval gunfire and Luftwaffe units highlight an interesting and easy to use artillery support system.

The eight page rule book was easy to read, well organized and fairly complete, making it possible to sit down and play a challenging game right away. Victory conditions were well thought out, reflecting both casualties and territorial objectives gaged by the familiar point system. Play balance seems good, the initiative being with the Allies at the outset but gradually shifting as Axis reinforcements arrive. The combat results table and artillery rules favor the attacker, so the slugfest is on from turn one.

Designed by Vernon I. Stribling, one time editor of BATTLE FLAG MAGAZINE, SALERNO incorporates play balance with some novel play characteristics. The basically sound original version has recently undergone a supplemental correction and updating that improves the initial good design. All in all a sound, balanced, and action filled game that contains elements a wide variety of gamers will enjoy.

Anzio's Heirs Three New WarGames

Introduction
Anzio Beachhead
The Invasion of Sicily
Salerno
Unique Features
Conclusions
Unit Organizations and CRTs