This is an after action report from our one-day Firestorm Sicily event.
First, I would like to thank the authors – Tom Richards, Scott Grasse, and Christian Sorensen – for their great work. Their research and writing gave us an excellent framework and a fun campaign experience.
The battles took place in a rented venue in the small village where I live. My wife and I handled all the food, serving Sicilian-style pasta for lunch and ”Freedom Burgers” for dinner. The modest player count and the fact that we all spent the entire day together – playing, eating, and socialising – made it a truly friendly and familiar event.
Setting the stage
The Firestorm Sicily campaign is meant to be played over five rounds, but since we only had time for three battles during our single day of gaming, Petter (my co-organiser) and I opted to simulate rounds one and four. We didn’t want to miss out on the intrigue and confusion of the historical night landings in round one, so I created a special scenario to be played Friday night, for those who arrived the evening before.
Pre-Event Landings
The scenario, called “Hard Landing,” was a kind of mini-mega game. Seven players participated, each commanding a very small force and a personal character card. The rules, adapted from Stalingrad sniper missions, recreated the chaos of the airborne drops – players never knew exactly where their own troops or enemies were. The fog-of-war was real.
Allied paratroopers had to identify landing zones and find the correct exit direction by interacting with civilians or interrogating prisoners, while I acted as the NPCs. The whole table was lit in blue “moonlight,” with sound effects and smoke to set the tone. Everyone leaned into the roleplay, and the result was suitably chaotic – only three of six squads made it to their objective.
We ended the night with good laughs, setup for the main event, and a few ales.
Round 1 – The Invasion
Simulated to save time. Allied landings at Syracuse and Gela succeeded, while Catania held.
Result: Allies 5 VP, Axis 0 VP. Sicily was now firmly invaded.
Round 2 – The Push Inland
Eight players clashed across five tables. The Allies kept advancing inland with solid wins at Gela, Catania, and Enna, while Axis forces semingly taken by suprise, scored one small victory.
Result: Allies 5 VP, Axis 1 VP.
Several Axis divisions were destroyed, and their defensive line began to crumble.
On the Tables
The battles themselves were glorious to behold. As organiser, I drifted between the tables, camera in hand, capturing the action and the laughter. Players huddled over boards filled with vineyards, hills, and Mediterranean villages. Flames of War veterans and newer recruits alike played hard but with good humour — laughter, mock threats, tactical advice, and historical side notes flew across the room like artillery rounds.
Italian troops with their tricolour flag held bravely under fire. Sherman tanks prowled city streets. Fallschirmjäger ambushed from ruined buildings. One table saw a church bell tower turned into a desperate last stand; another featured a dramatic charge across wheat fields under withering fire.
Everywhere you looked, the spirit of the campaign was alive.
Round 3 – Breaking the Back
Fighting raged around Catania and Gela with heavy losses but little movement.
Result: 1 VP each side. Both fronts bled, but neither broke.
Round 4 – Simulated Strategic Push
Map-resolved round. Axis counterattacks failed, and the Allies captured Agrigento.
Result: Allies +3 VP, Axis 0 VP.
Round 5 – The Final Turn
map battles saw desperate Axis moves collapse. The Allies surged north but ran out of time.
Result: Allies +2 VP, Axis 0 VP.
Final Result – Minor Axis Tactical Victory
When the dust settled and VP totals were counted, the final score was:
Axis: 126 VP | Allies: 89 VP
Despite Allied dominance on the ground, the Axis retained key northern strongholds – Palermo, Capo d’Orlando, and Messina – granting them a Minor Tactical Victory. The Allies had momentum, but time ran out.
Final Thoughts
This one-day Firestorm Sicily event delivered everything we hoped for — fun, strategy, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos.
Thanks to all players who joined us for the campaign. You brought your armies, your energy, and your appetite. Special thanks to Petter for co-organising and everyone who played along with the special roles in Hard Landing.
We’ll see you next time — maybe for Firestorm: Salerno?
Martin