Description

From the introduction:

"Kesselring is a simulation for 2 players of the Allied invasion of Southern Italy in late 1943. One player controls the Axis forces led by Field Marshal Albert Kesselring and the other assumes the role of his historical opponent Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery".

The components consist of the following: a 20" by 30" 4-COLOR paper mapsheet; a 4-pages thick paper RULES booklet; a set of 182 cardboard counters; and players will have to provide their own 6-sided DIE prior to play.

The Mapsheet covers an area from just past Rome, south to the 'tip' & 'heel' of the Italian peninsula. Also on the Mapsheet are lettered boxes (A-F), directional boxes (NW, NE), a 'Sicily' box, Combat Results Table A & B, Bombardment Results Table, Terrain Defense Value Chart, Allied & German Replacement Points Tracks, German, U.S., British, & Allied Battlegroups boxes, Terrain Effects Chart, Turn Record Track (from Sept.8-'43~Dec.22-'43~each a week long) with Reinforcements/Replacements indicated, German & Allied (?) boxes, & a circular 'Phase Indicator' for use. The COLORS used are BLUE- (Water features), Light BROWN- (Mountain), BROWN- (Roads), & BLACK- (Town/City, Marsh, High Peak, Beaches, Minor/Major Airbases, Intrinsic Supply Source, and the lettering)-there are also places to indicate at Airbases where units on 'On Ground' or 'In Air'.

The game counters are Light GRAY- (Germans, Italians), YELLOW- (British), BROWN-Allied (NZ, Canadians, Indians, French, Italians), GREEN- (U.S.), all with BLACK print on them. There are also some 'silhouette' counters for Artillery, Anti-Aircraft, Fighters, Bombers, Naval, Bridge, Ambush, Demolition, Advanced Airfield, Forts, and other informational markers in various COLORS. There are also 'Break-down’ (from larger to many smaller units), and 'Battle-group’ (Remnants) counters included.

The Game Turn consists of the following phases with the Allied Player moving first: 1.Headquarters Phase-BOTH Players determine the disposition of these; 2.Weather Determination Phase; 3.Allied Movement Phase; 4.German Strategic Movement Phase; 5. Allied Tactical Movement Phase; 6.BOTH Players Conduct Bombardments; 7.Allied Combat Phase; 8.Allied Replacements & Reinforcements Phase; 9.German Movement Phase; 10.Allied Strategic Movement Phase; 11.German Tactical Movement Phase; 12.BOTH Players Conduct Bombardments; 13.German Combat Phase; 14.German Replacements & Reinforcements Phase.

Some of the 'Special' Rules cover: Weather; 'Hidden' movement (the lettered boxes-A-F & the [?] counters); Movement from the 'Off-Board' areas Sicily- (Allies), & N.W., N.E.~boxes- (Germans only); Sea Movement/Transfer/Invasions; Naval Guns Support; Ports & Beachheads; Destruction of Ports & Beachhead Supply; Demolitions & Ambushes; Para-drops (Allied only); Forts Construction (Germans only); Commandoes; and the Air Module. OPTIONAL Rules include: Invasion Shore Battery Rule, Optional German Order of Battle, and German Security Units & Engineer's Constructions. An Alternative Scenario is: EAST Coast Invasion. There are also some Clarifications, Errata, and Design & Player's Notes included on the inside last page.