Reluctant Friends, Bitter Enemies: The Battle for Sicily 1943

Reluctant Friends, Bitter Enemies: The Battle for Sicily 1943
After more than 3 years of war, the western Allies had staved off defeat and finally begun to push back against the Axis forces. With the desert conflict resolved and the initiative now in hand, a new target was selected. Not yet prepared to directly tackle France, the ‘soft underbelly’ of Europe beckoned, starting with Sicily. But could the Commonwealth and American Allies overcome their petty, internal squabbles to bring the Axis to heel? Can the Allied generals (Alexander, Patton, Bradley, and Montgomery) align their ambitions and overcome their prejudices to defeat the Axis commanders including Kesselring, Hube, and Guzzoni?

In Reluctant Friends, Bitter Enemies: The Battle for Sicily 1943, three players take on the roles of the Axis commander, the American commander, and the Commonwealth commander. The objective is to either reach the port city of Messina first (as one of the Allies) or to preserve your forces to fight another day by escaping the island (as the Axis). Can you, as the Commonwealth player beat the Americans to Messina? Or can you as the Axis player prevent the loss of territory and troops long enough to claim victory?

The game uses cards drawn each turn to provide the impetus to move or attack or play events. The three players are presented with a wide range of choices detailing the actual events surrounding the Battle for Sicily. Only one of the three players—American, Commonwealth, or Axis (or Allies versus Axis in the two-player version)—will be declared the victor. It’s up to each player to determine how best to stop the other two, either through maneuver, outright combat, or play of events that either help one side or hurt another. While no combat is allowed between the Allies, there are alternative means of hindering the other side’s forward progress.

Contents:
1 map
2 countersheets
1 full color rulebook
3 player aid charts
3 decks of cards
3 dice

Note: The game can be played with 3 players or 2 players.

Designer: Ken Dunn