Fort La Turra': Italy at War - The Matrix Games version of West Front

June 21st 1940 M. Reynaud was telephoned by the Ambassador from Rome (M.Francois-Poncet), informing him that Italy had declared war on France and Great Britain. Italian assault launched in the Alps. At dawn, 19 of the 32 Italian divisions massed in the area launched attacks on the French positions. The Alpine Army had been heavily drawn upon to bolster the crumbling forces in the north. They now consisted of the fortified sectors of Savoy (north), Dauphine (centre) and Alpes-Maritimes (south), manned by fortress units and the 64th, 65th & 65th Reserve "B" Infantry Divisions. Also, as the Italians pushed from the east, the Germans were moving down the Rhone valley and endangering the Alpine Army's rear. General Olry responded by splitting his forces into two groups: one facing north-west against the Germans, the other south-east against the Italians. The Italians were attacking the French all along the line. In the north, 12 battalions advanced on Bourg-Saint-Maurice, via the Seigne, Petit Saint-Bernard and Mont passes. Despite facing only 4 battalions and 44 guns in this area, they only succeeded in surrounding a small fortified post near the Petit Saint-Bernard pass, but could not take it. In Maurienne the Italians made a strong advance on Modane, seeking to force the Mont-Cenis pass. At 5:30 a.m. they shelled the La Turra fort with a heavy bombardment, but it continued to resist. The Mont Cenis french sector with their 8 Fortress had to stop the italian divisions four time stronger.