Battle for North Africa Board Game: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Battle for North Africa is a historical board game that simulates the conflict between the Allies and Axis powers in North Africa during World War II. The game was first published in 1988 by GMT Games and has since become a classic among wargamers.

Gameplay

Battle for North Africa is a two-player game that is played on a hex map of North Africa. One player takes the role of the Allies, while the other player takes the role of the Axis powers.

Each turn, players take turns issuing orders to their units. Units can move, attack, or defend. Combat is resolved using a dice-rolling system.

The game can be won by either player achieving one of the following victory conditions:

• Capturing all of the enemy's victory cities
• Controlling more victory cities than the enemy at the end of the game
• Destroying the enemy's entire army

Historical Context

The Battle for North Africa was a pivotal campaign of World War II. The Axis powers, led by Germany and Italy, sought to control North Africa in order to gain access to the Suez Canal and the Middle East. The Allies, led by Great Britain and the United States, fought to prevent the Axis from achieving their goals.

The Battle for North Africa was fought from 1940 to 1943. The fighting was intense and both sides suffered heavy losses. In the end, the Allies emerged victorious and the Axis powers were driven out of North Africa.

Game Components

The Battle for North Africa board game comes with the following components:

• A hex map of North Africa
• 180 unit counters
• 24 scenario cards
• 2 player aids
• 1 rulebook

Critical Reception

Battle for North Africa has received critical acclaim from wargamers. The game has been praised for its historical accuracy, strategic depth, and replayability.

In a review for The Wargamer, John Curry wrote: "Battle for North Africa is a classic wargame that stands the test of time. The game is well-designed, challenging, and fun to play."

Awards

Battle for North Africa has won numerous awards, including:

• The Charles S. Roberts Award for Best Wargame (1989)
• The Origins Award for Best Historical Board Game (1989)
• The Golden Geek Award for Best Wargame (2012)

Expansions

There have been several expansions released for Battle for North Africa, including:

• Operation Torch (1992)
• El Alamein (1993)
• Tobruk (1995)
• Sicily (1996)
• Italy (1998)

Variants

There are also several fan-made variants of Battle for North Africa, including:

• Blitzkrieg in North Africa
• Desert Storm
• Afrika Korps vs. 8th Army

Tips for Playing

Here are a few tips for playing Battle for North Africa:

• Control the ports. Ports are essential for bringing in reinforcements and supplies.
• Use armor to your advantage. Armor is powerful in Battle for North Africa, but it is also expensive. Use it wisely.
• Be aware of the weather. The weather can have a significant impact on gameplay. For example, rain can slow down movement and snow can make it difficult to see.
• Don't overextend yourself. It is important to advance cautiously and not overextend your supply lines.
• Be flexible. The situation on the battlefield can change quickly. Be prepared to adapt your strategy as needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when playing Battle for North Africa:

• Ignoring the flanks. It is important to protect your flanks, especially against enemy armor.
• Attacking too early. Wait until your forces are in position and you have a clear advantage before attacking.
• Overcommitting to a single objective. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket. Be prepared to change your plans if necessary.
• Underestimating the enemy. The enemy is not to be underestimated. Play cautiously and don't make any rash decisions.
• Giving up too easily. Battle for North Africa can be a challenging game, but don't give up too easily. Keep fighting and you may just pull out a victory.

Conclusion

Battle for North Africa is a classic wargame that stands the test of time. The game is well-designed, challenging, and fun to play. If you are a fan of wargames, then I highly recommend checking out Battle for North Africa.

Additional Resources

• Battle for North Africa on BoardGameGeek
• Battle for North Africa on Wikipedia
• GMT Games official website