** Big Bully!! - The Matrix Games version of West Front

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(Durres (Durazzo) Albania) (H2H) (HISB) (Install Italian truck value increase, included in download).

Mussolini's invasion of this most inward-looking of European countries was largely based on it's being a part of the Roman empire, and hence a prime candidate for membership in the new Italian Empire. And its position flanking the Adriatic Sea was strategically important...indeed, southern Albania had been occupied by Italy for a time after WW I. After some threats, Mussolini's forces attacked on 7 April. The invasion force was divided into three groups, which were to land successively. The most important was the first group, which was divided in four columns, each assigned to a landing area at a harbor and an inland target on which to advance. The Durres/Tirana group was the most important and hence the strongest. Despite some stubborn resistance especially at Durrës, the Italians made short work of the Albanians. Durrës was captured on April 7, the capital Tirana the following day, and the entire country by April 10. In later years, Albanian partisans caused significant problems for the Italian and German occupiers. (The Italian ORBAT is essentially accurate, that for Albania based on some sketchy references, noting that much of the resistance was due to the fiercely martial warrior clans, who later provided the basis of the partisan movement. The Durres fighting was based on the gendarmerie, under an inspiring leader-Abaz Kupi- and also included elements of the small army.) Playing Notes : NEA.....EA on makes it vey tough for the Italians. Some of the Albanian units are disrupted, signifying surprise and the jollity of the night before.