Tolling of the Bell (2022)

Overview

Tolling of the Bell is a wargame simulation that depicts the last German offensive during World War II, ‘Operation Spring Awakening’ and its sub-operations ‘Icebreaker’ and ‘Forrest Devil’. It also includes the start of the Soviet Vienna offensive (from the perspective of the 3rd Ukrainian Front). This game starts with a German thrust against the depleted Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front which was holding the Soviet absolute left flank. The German main goals were the Donau crossings and to the incircle of the 57th Soviet and 1st Bulgarian Armies. A secondary target was to create a starting ground for a new Budapest offensive. An even wider stretch was the oilfields at Ploești, Romania. Tolling of the Bell is a game recreating this campaign in Hungary from 6th - 25th March, 1945.

Tolling of the Bell is taught in 30 minutes and easy to digest yet a challenge even for the more experienced players.

It is built around the same system of wargaming rules that shaped Plan West™, Königsberg'45™, Army Group Narwa™ and Stargard Solstice™ making it the 5th game in the WWII Battle Series. It utilizes a Command chit-pull system to activate HQ, which in turn allow their controlled combat units to move and attack.

Game Scale: Game Turn: 2 days Hex: about 3 to about 4 km Units: Battalion to Division

Solitaire Playability: High Complexity Level: Medium Players: 2+ Playing Time: 3-10 hours