Soft Underbelly: The War in Southern Italy 1943

An intermediate-complexity, two-player wargame covering the Allied campaign in southern Italy during World War II, with rules for exploring an alternative German response focused on defeating the landings. Players maneuver division-sized ground units across an extra-large-hex map, manage reinforcements and withdrawals, and spend command points to direct operations. The system models weather, attrition, morale, force readiness, German tactical superiority, air and naval support, paratroop drops, seaport raids, and possible additional Allied invasions. Each turn represents two to 15 days, and games typically take four to five hours. Solitaire play is supported.

Players: 1–2 best 2
Playing time: 240 min
Age: 10+
Complexity: 3.2 / 5