Paul Koenig's D-Day: Sword and Gold – The British Beaches (2009)

Overview

Sword and Gold: The British Beaches are the fourth and fifth games in Paul Koenig’s D-Day series of five titles covering the first three nail-biting days (June 6 - 8, 1944) of Allied landings in France to liberate Europe during World War 2. Using fluid and dynamic systems for integrating the fierce combat and rapid movements of the companies and battalions contesting the beaches, cliffs, swamps and bocage bordering the rough North Sea coast, players will find the easy rules to offer rich puzzles and surprising opportunities on the cross-map march to victory.

Bernard Law Montgomery led the Allied landings on the beaches closest to Germany, with the ambitious goal of moving inland and reaching the vital city of Caen within a day or two (dubbed "Operation Neptune"). But the German 716th Division, support by elements of the 21st Panzer Division, slowed the British advance down during these critical first few days and ultimately kept ‘Monty’ out of Caen until, after Allied offensives in June, July, and August, they cleared the area once and for all.

Game Components: - Two complete games! - One 4-page, color Standard Rules booklet - 80 color, 2-sided die-cut 1/2" mounted pieces - 28 round 5/8" counters - Two 11" x 17" color game maps with tables - Illustrated Examples of Play, Exclusive and Optional Game Rules - Part of a 5 game series!

Complexity: 4 on a 9 scale Solitaire Suitability: 8 on a 9 scale Scale: Each unit is 1 company to regiment; each hex is 1 kilometer, and each turn is about 4.5 hours.