Danger Forward: The Battle of Gela, July 1943

About this board game

Danger Forward: The Battle of Gela, July 1943 is a historical battle game for 1–2 players covering the fighting at Gela in Sicily from 10–12 July 1943. Its three-turn design, single map, and handful of formations make it suitable for completing in one game session.

Following the Allied landings of Operation Husky, Italian and German forces launched a determined attack to drive the Americans back into the sea. Tank fire shelled the beaches as American ground forces fought to avoid defeat with support from the Royal Navy and US Navy offshore.

The struggle does not end at the shoreline. Allied forces must also push inland to secure ports and airfields, objectives that were essential to taking Sicily. The outcome of the battle helped set the course for the invasion of Italy and the eventual downfall of Mussolini.

The game features the distinctive forces that fought at Gela, including the Hermann Göring Panzer Division, the US 1st Infantry Division—“Big Red One”—US Rangers, and the Italian Livorno Division. Its map portrays Sicily’s invasion beaches, rough inland mountains, and widespread olive orchards.

• The Battle of Gela: Campaign scenario
• Cent Beach: Introductory scenario
• Dime Beach: Small scenario
• American Husky: Historical ground entries
• Bitter Victory: All-historical setup

Although Danger Forward is compact, its situation and game variables create replayable battles. Experienced players face changing tactical challenges, while newcomers can learn how to develop effective strategy and tactics. The maps and counters use the larger format seen in Arracourt.