La campagne de l'armée du Nord 1870-1871

This is a historical simulation of the last fights of the Franco-Prussian war from November 1870 to January 1871. One player takes the role of the French Republican forces lead by general Faidherbe trying to reduce the pressure on the siege of Paris and threatening the Prussian line of supply running from Germany to Paris. The other player is in command of three strong German corps who must prevent this threat and destroy the French Army. This is an operational game, with hidden corps, division, columns or dummies evoluting on the map featuring the northern part of France, from Rouen to Lille and Amiens, one turn for one week. The map represents all major cities, fortresses, main roads and railroads, based on point to point movements. Infantry, cavalry, artillery and siege artillery units are placed on boards for each nominative combat force on the map. Their status is follow-up on this board ; full or reduced strength, supplied or unsupplied, their tired level – rested – tired – exhausted -. Normal and railroad movements are done through activation shits. Initiative may switch from one side to the other, depending on the number of combat forces moved on the previous turn. There are three combat resolution tables ; pitched battles and skirmish, depending of the sizes involved in the fight, and a specific siege table. Reconnaissance and retreat are possible before fights which are never mandatory. A dozen of random events bring chrome and allow uncertainty. La campagne de l’Armée du Nord (The North Army Campaign) contains two independant scenarios The opening fights for Amiens (2 turns, 1 hour) and the Campaign (10 turns, 5 hours). Victory points are earned by controlling objective cities or winning pitched battles. —description from the designer