The Last Day of the Cuneense

While the Tridentina led the vanguard of the Alpini Corps’ attempts to break out of the Russian encirclement, the Cuneense Division served as the rear guard, repeatedly fighting off Soviet pursuers so that the main body could press on to the west and possible safety. The front of the …

1943-01-27

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While the Tridentina led the vanguard of the Alpini Corps’ attempts to break out of the Russian encirclement, the Cuneense Division served as the rear guard, repeatedly fighting off Soviet pursuers so that the main body could press on to the west and possible safety. The front of the column, realizing the town ahead was occupied by the enemy, diverted to Nikolajewka. Unfortunately, the Italians had no working long range radios left, and the only way for the Alpinis’ chief of staff to get in touch with the following divisions was through messenger or personal contact. These efforts failed. The result was that on January 20, 1943, major elements of the Julia and Cuneense Divisions ran head on into strong elements of the encircling Soviet forces.

Valuiki, Russia

The Battle of Nikolayevka was the breakout of Italian forces in January 1943, as a small part of the larger Battle of Stalingrad. The breakout involved the Mountain Corps of the Italian 8th Army near the village of Nikolayevka (now Livenka, Belgorod Oblast, in Russia). The Alpini positions on the river Don before the Soviet advances during operations Uranus, Mars and Saturn and their line of retreat in red. On December 16, 1942, Soviet forces launched Operation Little Saturn aimed at the Italian 8th Army. The Soviet plan was to force the River Don, encircle and destroy the Italian 8th Army along the Don, then push towards Rostov-on-Don and thus cut off Army Group A fighting in the Caucasus. On December 16 General Vasily Kuznetsov's 1st Guards Army and General Dmitri Lelyushenko's 3rd Guards Army attacked the units of the Italian 8th Army, which were quickly destroyed, in three days the Red Army had opened a gap in the Axis front 45 km (28 mi) deep and 150 km (93 mi) wide and destroyed two of the Italian Army's Corps (2nd and 35th). The Soviet armored columns now rapidly advanced south towards the Black Sea.

Italian

Russian

Scenario Type = Standard