Bastogne: The Desperate Defense, December 1944 (1976)

Overview

"The Siege of Bastogne is a battalion level simulation of the battles that took place in December 1944 near the town of Bastogne in southern Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge (the German Ardennes Offensive). The battle was divided into two distinct phases, and a scenario is provided that covers each phase as a self-contained game. Also included is a Campaign Game that allows the Players to refight the series of engagements as a single, continuous game. The first Scenario, "Spearhead", involves the period from December 18-21, 1944. It presents the phase of the battle when the spearhead of the German 5th Panzer Army first approached the vital road and communication center at Bastogne. The second Scenario, "the Relief of Bastogne", depicts the situation from December 21-26, the period of Patton's drive up from the south to relieve the siege of Bastogne and open a supply line to the defenders. Each Game-Turn represents one-half day of actual time, and the scale of the map is approximately 850 meters per hex." (from the Bastogne rules folder.)

Bastogne is one of four games included in the Westwall: Four Battles to Germany set. The game includes a 17" x 22" three-color map, 100 counters and and Exclusive rules folder. A Standard rules folder, containing rules common to all four games included in the Westwall: Four Battles to Germany Quadrigame is also included.

Game mechanics are a simple movement-combat system with hard zones of control that promote "surround and destroy" tactics.