Description
This brand - new GMT boxed wargame, 1918 - 1919: A Massive Storm in the Western Front, is a thrilling two - player system that also shines in solo play. The units, mainly corps (with US navisions almost as large as Allied corps), feature infantry, tanks, cavalry, and air support. At the start of the 1918 campaign, the Germans have a large number of Stosstruppen, trained to break the three - year trench stalemate. This gives the German player a powerful offensive edge in the first half. However, these 'shock troops' are a limited resource. If the Allies withstand the initial attacks, the growing US troops and Allied tanks will force the Germans into a desperate defense in the second half. In the Plan 1919 campaign, the Germans are assumed to have stabilized the Balkan and Italian fronts using Russia's collapse, skipping the historical 1918 Kaiser's Battles in the West. The Allies face a strong German defense but have a fully mobilized American army, backed by masses of tanks and planes. This hypothetical campaign challenges the Allies to launch the world's first blitzkrieg, while the Germans fight for a stalemate to dominate Europe. The large - hex map, with a scale of 8 miles per hex, covers the Western Front from Epinal in the south to Antwerp and the Channel Coast in the north. It features various terrains like forts, trenches, forests, marshes, and the Devastated Zone. The map has separate back - printed versions for the 1918 and 1919 campaigns. Simple yet strategic, this game can be played in one session and offers a wide range of choices in dynamic campaigns to decide the outcome of WWI. With updated artwork by Mark Simonitch and Charlie Kibler, it's a must - have for classic wargame lovers.
To play this wargame, first, choose whether you want to play the 1918 or 1919 campaign. Set up the game board according to the campaign you've chosen using the appropriate side of the map. Then, distribute the units to the players based on the starting conditions of the campaign. In the 1918 campaign, the German player should use the Stosstruppen effectively in the first half for a strong offense. The Allied player needs to survive the initial attacks and then use the growing US troops and tanks in the second half. In the 1919 campaign, the Allied player should try to leverage the American army, tanks, and planes for a blitzkrieg, while the German player aims for a stalemate. When moving units, make sure to follow the rules regarding different terrains on the map. After playing, store the game in a cool, dry place to keep the components in good condition. Avoid bending the map or losing any of the small unit pieces. If the pieces get dirty, you can gently wipe them with a soft, dry cloth.
