Old School Tactical Vol. 4: Italian Theater 1943–45

Old School Tactical Vol. 4: Italian Theater 1943–45 is a tactical World War II wargame published by Flying Pig Games. It covers the Italian Campaign from the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 through the surrender of Axis forces in May 1945, featuring British, German, and Italian forces.

Players command historical formations involved in Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Monte Cassino, and the advance toward Rome. British forces field Commandos, Vickers machine guns, PIAT launchers, Sherman and Churchill tanks, while German and Italian troops deploy Panzer IVs, StuG IIIs, Marder IIIs, Elefants, and numerous support units.

Game system

The game uses the Old School Tactical impulse-based tactical system.

Units represent:

• infantry squads;
• leaders;
• support weapons;
• armored vehicles;
• transports.

The system emphasizes:

• alternating activations;
• command leadership;
• fog of war;
• infantry combat;
• armored warfare;
• close assaults;
• terrain effects.

Separate combat tables are used for infantry and vehicles, while morale, leaders, and Luck Cards create constantly changing battlefield conditions.

Included scenarios

The game includes 14 historical scenarios spanning the Italian Campaign.

Featured scenarios include:

Find Those Guns

British SAS commandos search for the Italian Lamda Dori artillery battery supporting the Sicilian landings.

Guards Brigade

Following the Salerno landings, the British Coldstream Guards hold off a counterattack by the German 16th Panzer Division.

Fallen Allies

Following Italy's surrender, German forces move to disarm Italian troops unwilling to join the Axis.

Additional scenarios cover:

• the invasion of Sicily;
• Salerno;
• Anzio;
• mountain operations;
• British offensives against German defenses.

Objective

The Allied player must combine infantry, armor, and fire support to break through the German defensive lines.

The Axis player must exploit mountainous terrain, prepared positions, and armored counterattacks to delay the Allied advance.

Players

2 players

Playing time

Approximately 60–180 minutes depending on the scenario.

Complexity

Medium

The impulse system provides an excellent balance between accessibility and tactical depth.

Game scale

Period: 1943–1945

Level: Tactical

Units: Squads, leaders, support weapons, armored vehicles, and transports

Replayability

14 historical scenarios

British, German, and Italian forces

Luck Cards for high replay value

Wide variety of terrain

Fully compatible with other Old School Tactical modules

Components (indicative)

3 die-cut counter sheets

30" × 41" mounted game map

27 Luck Cards

40+ unit data cards

Full-color playbook with 14 scenarios

2 player aid cards

Color rulebook

Dice.