Overview

Anzio: The Struggle for Italy 1943-1945 is a strategic-level hex-and-counter wargame published by Avalon Hill, first released in 1969 with revised editions in 1971, 1974, and 1978. Despite its title suggesting the Battle of Anzio, the game actually covers the entire Italian theater of operations in World War II from autumn 1943 to the end of the war. One player controls the Allied forces, the other controls the Axis (German/Italian) forces.

Components

• 2 mounted map boards (placed end-to-end, covering the Italian peninsula)
• Die-cut unit counters (Allied and Axis forces)
• Combat Results Table
• Terrain Effects Chart
• Scenario setup cards (4 scenarios)
• Dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Place both map boards end-to-end to form the Italian theater.
2. Select one of four included scenarios, each with different starting conditions and time periods.
3. Deploy units on their designated hexes as specified by the chosen scenario.
4. Place terrain markers and fortification markers as required.
5. One player takes the Allied forces, the other takes the Axis forces.

Turn Structure

Each turn follows the standard wargame sequence:

1. Allied player phase:
   • Movement: Move Allied units according to their movement allowances and terrain costs.
   • Combat: Resolve attacks against adjacent Axis units.
   • Exploitation: Certain units may make additional moves after successful combat.
2. Axis player phase:
   • Movement: Move Axis units.
   • Combat: Resolve Axis attacks.
   • Exploitation: Post-combat movement for qualified units.
3. Administrative phase: Reinforcements, supply checks, weather effects.

Actions

Movement

• Units move hex-by-hex, expending movement points based on terrain.
• Mountains, rivers, and other features from the Italian landscape impede movement.
• The mountainous Italian terrain is a central gameplay element.

Combat

• Combat occurs between adjacent units.
• Odds-based Combat Results Table: compare total attacker strength to total defender strength as a ratio.
• Terrain modifiers affect combat odds.
• Results include eliminations, retreats, exchanges, and no effect.

Supply

• Units must trace a supply line to friendly supply sources.
• Out-of-supply units fight at reduced strength and may be eliminated.

Reinforcements

• New units arrive on scheduled turns according to the scenario.
• Historical order of battle for both sides.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions vary by scenario but generally involve:

• Allied player: Advancing up the Italian peninsula and capturing key cities (Rome, northern Italian cities).
• Axis player: Delaying the Allied advance and inflicting maximum casualties.
• Specific hex or city control at the end of the scenario determines the winner.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Four scenarios: The game includes four scenarios of varying length and complexity, from short introductory scenarios to the full campaign.
• Terrain dominance: Italy’s mountainous terrain heavily favors the defender, making the Allied advance slow and costly — as it was historically.
• Amphibious operations: The Allied player can conduct amphibious landings (including at Anzio).
• Air and naval support: Abstract rules for air and naval support modify combat odds.
• Weather: Weather effects change movement and combat capabilities.
• Complexity: Avalon Hill rated this game as moderately complex; games can last 3-9 hours depending on scenario.
• Multiple editions: Rules evolved across four editions (1969-1978), with significant revisions.

Player Reference

Scenario	Duration	Focus
1	Short	Introductory
2	Medium	Mid-campaign
3	Long	Extended campaign
4	Full	Entire Italian theater 1943-1945

Turn sequence: Allied Move → Allied Combat → Axis Move → Axis Combat → Admin