The game can be played with any sets of miniatures rules. We used GuruAction – my version of Bolt Action designed for the game. The objective is to be the first Australian group of soldiers across the table, cleaning out the Italian trenches as you go.
The difficulty is you do not know what the next trench piece is. Could be straight, tee, a bend or even a dead end! You draw a card for this and then another card to see if it is empty or not!
The Australian players Drew and Rob, were playing against each other as well as Guru’s Italians. These was even occasions where the Aussies tried to join up with the other Aussie’s trench, or even to try the dastardly and unthinkable act of blocking the other Aussie trench!
Rob Force was lucky enough to draw a straight section on turn 1 There was an Italian sniper there which was quickly dealt with.
Drew Force was not, drawing a right angle, with his second draw heading in the direction of the other Aussies. Drew was also unlucky enough to draw an enemy sniper which gets to fire first. He missed but Drew Force didn’t.
A “T section” had Rob Force still moving straight ahead, again unhindered.
Drew force encountered a full Italian section, but charged and immediately routed them.
Rob Force also encountered more Italians and who withstood the Aussie fire, but went to ground.
At the rear of Drew Force an Italian command group was hiding in a dead end, and were promptly dealt with by the Drew Force Lieutenant’s command group.
As the two trenches draw closer together the Italians facing Rob Force went into ambush.
After inflicting a few casualties the Italians retreated to the next trench section.
Drew Force on the right and an ever increasing amount of Italians block Rob Force’s advance.
The trench systems so far.
More Italians Face Drew force. The game ended with both Aussie forces being wiped out. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE!
Rob force was the first to go, unable to get through the Italian build up in the trench they were attacking. Drew force was gradually being dwindled man by man and only just failed the objective of reaching the other side of the table.
This is a “Wine and nibbles” game which is a lot of fun to play.
Su, compagni in forti schiere,
Marciam verso l’avvenire,
Siam falangi audaci e fiere,
Pronte a osare, pronte a ardire.
Trionfi alfine l’ideale,
Per cui tanto combattemmo:
Fratellanza nazionale
D’italiana civiltà
Now that looks like a very fun game indeed!
Thanks Eric, it is a lot of fun. I will post a full set of rules (one page) after our Stalingrad game.
That’s pretty interesting, kind of like a dungeon crawler!
It really is a dungeon crawler in another setting with different combat mechanisms. More Raiders of the Lost Ark than WW2 in feel!
Brilliant idea, Dave! 🙂 Is it possible for the trenches to meet up? That’d no doubt make it more messy!
Thanks John. This is an old game of mine that I developed the idea from a gaming colleague, the infamous M! It is great fun and has the element of uncertainty that goes with it as well. The trenches can join up and trenches can be blocked by your opponent which adds to the theatre.