Now then, just so the Axis players out there won't feel slighted, here are some suggested Axis orders and set-ups. None of these is historical, except for the names of the unit commanders. However, you will note that this makes a convenient division of units for two or more Axis players. After Hube's arrival, the Axis command structure will probably require some additional rearrangement.

Top Secret Defense of Sicily

From: General Vittorio Ambrosio, Comando Supremo

To: General d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni, Italian 6th Army & Armed Forces Command Sicily

July, 1943

Feld Marschal Albert Kesselring, Commander-in-Chief for all Axis Armed Forces in the Meditterenean Area, acting on behalf of the direct orders of Il Duce and Der Fuhrer, hereby directs you to take command of all Axis forces on Sicily, including the Italian 12th Corps, the Italian 16th Corps, all attached units, and any German forces which may he placed at your disposal, including 15th PanzerGrenadier Division (Maj. Gen. Rodt) and Hermann Goering Panzer Division (Lt. Gen. Conrath). Your 6th Army Reserve (at Mazzarino) is Livorno Division (Gen. Chirieleison) and elements of the Fascist Militia.

The locations and identities of your forces for Coastal Deployment Zones 8, 9, 10 and 11 are as follows; all remaining forces shall be deployed as per the existing manual of operations [i.e. the game-specific rules!].

Axis intelligence has advised Comando Supremo that imminent Allied operations are expected against Sardinia and Corsica, and possibly Greece. Our intelligence experts discount the possibility of Allied operations directed against Sicily, given its proximity to our Italian mainland. However, in the unlikely event of any Allied landings on Sicily, your orders, General Guzzoni, are quite clear and explicit: You are hereby directed to hold Sicily at all costs, and to throw any enemy invaders back into the sea. You are authorized to attack with all forces under your command. The King and Il Duce expect nothing less than your maximum effort to defeat the enemy, and to secure our home- land.

s/ General Roatta
Chief of Staff, Italian Army

From: General d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni, Italian 6th Army & Armed Forces Command Sicily

To: General Arisio, Italian 12th Corps, Corleone

July, 1943

You are hereby ordered to defend Marsala, Trapani, and Palermo. Your area of operations include the area west of the "Licata line." Under your command are: Aosta Division (Gen. Romano), Assietta Division (Gen. Papini), and 202, 207 and 208 Coastal Divisions, plus a few miscellaneous formations.

From: General d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni, Italian 6th Army & Armed Forces Command Sicily

To: General Rossi, Italian 16th Corps, Piazza Armerina

July, 1943

You are hereby ordered to defend Gela, Syracuse, Catania, and Messina. Your area of operations include the area east of the "Licata line." Under your command are: Napoli Division (Gen. Gotti-Porcinari), 206 and 213 Coastal Divisions, and 18th and 19th Coastal Brigades, plus a few miscellaneous formations.

Zone 8
Grp E Arty-38.29
121 C Reg.-42.32
2 SPs-42.33

Zone 11
207 Coastal Division
HQ,B-12 ArLy-A45.28
139-A45.27
138-A44.28
109MG-B47.03

Zone 9
206 Coastal Division
B-44-B55.22
A-44,123-B48.30
12 MG-B46.31
C-44-B55.29
122-B56.31
146-B55.26
230AG-B52.22
HQ-B52.27

Zone 10
134, Garty-B48.10
178-B51.15
177 Brs, A-12-B48.03

Extra Supply
2 Trucks, 2 SPs A41.34
2 Trucks, 2 SPs B35.10
2 Wagons, 2 SPs B44.24
2 Wagons, 2 SPs B41.08
2 SPs A36.09
1 (F) Mule each at B41.08, B37.11, A33.20, A29.19 A33.11 (German)

On Sicily: Regia Aeronautica:
(all active)
Me109g B47.03
Me109g B46.11
Me109g B50.18
MC.205 B50.22
MC.202 A36.10-inactive
MC.202 A20.20-inactive
FW190a, MellOf B32.22-inactive

Regia Aeronautica: (all inactive)
Rome 2: 2xSM.82
Sardinia: SM.79, 2xMC.205, MC.200
Puglia: MC.200, G.50, D.520, 2xCR.42

Luftwaffe: (all active)
Me109g B54.30
Me109g B44.32
Me109g B37.30
FW190a B41.15

Luftwaffe: (all inactive)
Naples: 2xMe110ff, Ju87d
Rome 1: 2xJu88a, 2xHe111h

On the July 17 turn, try issuing this:

From: Feld Marschal Albert Kesselring, Commander-in-Chief for all Axis Armed Forces, Mediterranean Area

To: Lt. General Hans Valenti Hube, XIV Panzer Corps

July 17, 1943

Acting on behalf of the direct orders of Der Fuhrer, you are hereby directed to take direct command of all German forces on the island of Sicily. You are ordered that your forces shall not be subject to the orders of Italian 6th Army. You are directed to defend the island of Sicily, and to destroy the Allied forces which have landed there. The Fatherland depends upon you.

Sicily Invasion Plans

Allied Invasion Plans
Top Secret Operation Husky
Axis Defense of Sicily