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A Desperate Defense

The initial onslaught of the Germans’ Ardennes offensive, in December 1944, overran many US positions along the front line, and simply bypassed more stubbornly defended locations to maintain momentum. The small town of Bastogne, however, with its strategically critical road junctions, became the lynchpin of the entire campaign. The Germans soon realized Bastogne had to be captured; so attacked to assault the outnumbered and surrounded American units there. The desperate defense of Bastogne would typify the entire Battle of the Bulge.

Bastogne utilizes the Fire & Movement combat system that allows players to augment their units with “support fire” during the course of the battle. From anti-tank units to mortars, units can receive support assets to engage enemy positions and formations, allowing combat to develop at all levels. A single recon battalion, with fire support, could be tasked to assault a lone enemy battalion of paratroopers defending a hamlet. As that attack gets underway, the recon battalion may find itself under the guns of enemy artillery. So more support fire will be necessary to take the hamlet, but assets are limited.

The attritional design of the Combat Results Table simulates the true nature of battles in Europe. Units are typically two-sided counters that can incur casualties, accurately replicating the realities of combat and the high losses sustained by both sides during the actual fighting for Bastogne. Winning the battle is thus a matter of maneuver, firepower and asset management.

Game Contents:

• 17×22 inch map sheet

• 100 die-cut 1/2-inch counters

• 8-page system rules booklet

• 4-page scenario rules booklet