Unraveling the Tale of Inexperienced Partisans Facing Italian Forces

Today I played a Combat Commander: Resistance scenario S68 Tito's trick with Steve via VASSAL & Discord. We decided to play this scenario to train for the Ladder game in January as Resistance will be the module of focus.

The game was a good one with plenty of exciting spots. It included some mistakes on both parties' part as we returned to the Resistance mode. I played the Partisans and Steve played the Italians. Steve set up first. The Partisans are fun to set up in this scenario as they have to climb up the mountain and try to take over the victory objectives. Getting weapons from the draw pile is huge for these scenarios. I only got a couple of Molotov cocktails, but did get an Infantry gun that is a beast to move around and in this scenario, it was even more challenging due to the terrain.

I have more questions about the gun. Maybe I am missing something. The Partisans that have circled the movement, cease to have the bonus, so they can't even move the darn gun except in advance. Well when you check out the scenario set up, it would take forever to get the gun into action. Check it out below. Where would you set up the gun?

The Partisans had a plan to rush up and engage the Italians on the left as quickly as possible. This plan worked well, but I goofed up on the right side. Those cliffs are horrible to get over and guess what? You can't advance over them with a weapon.. doh!

I did work the plan pretty well, and things were looking pretty good in the middle of the game. He did get a Pillbox in H4 and that would prove to be a game-winner. My opponent seems to get a wire card when he needed it as well as some timely cards, like that darn Bunker. However, the big Partisan killer was their inexperience. Three times in the game, that event took all of the steam from any serious push the Partisans were planning.

The example above is the first one that stalled the Partisans. We had multiple recovery cards in our hands along with 2 advance cards. But the Inexperience Event reared its ugly head making me discard my current hand. Yep, that is right the entire hand! Below we had the same event a few turns later taking away more recover cards and Advance cards.

The killer however was late in the game. Turn 8 the Partisans were closing in with multiple Ambush and Advance cards, looking to take the lead late. But you guessed it! Another Inexperience event! That was the game as time finally ran out for the Partisans.

It was a fun game and I learned a bunch about playing the Partisans. I think we are scheduling another game to play Resistance next week. So I hope to take what I learned today, so I can get a little better playing with the Partisans. A couple of questions, How would you have set up for the Partisans? How about the Germans? After the game we discussed the Germans setting up on the cliff line so they have Hill advantage and just have the Partisans come to them. Let me know your thoughts.

I would be remiss if I did not mention how Steve made the game a great experience. I look forward to playing with him many more times in the future.

Until next time everyone Be kind and have a great holiday season.