Trenches of Valor: Raids Across No Man's Land 1918 (2009)

Overview

Where did the great commanders of World War 2 get their start? Fighting in the trenches of World War 1, of course! Many recall the stalemated trench lines opposing each other for years of futile mass-assaults, but there were daring and heroic action to be found in the small unit trench raids led by rising young officers such as Erwin Rommel. Crossing "No Man’s Land," cutting the barbed wire, and sneaking in under the cover of darkness while a box barrage guarded the raider’s flanks, small parties of soldiers would risk all in an effort to keep the enemy off-balance and prepare the way for future actions.

These quick raids of maneuver and destruction caused panic and pulse-pounding excitement for their brief durations, serving as the stuff of heroic legend for a generation whose nations fought so tragically. Can you lead or defend against a surprise raid among the trenches? Can you keep steady as troops arrive and nerve-wracking bombs go off seemingly from nowhere? Will you triumph among confusion amid the Trenches of Valor?

Complexity: 2.5 on a 9 scale

Solitaire Suitability: 6.5 on a 9 scale

Scale: Each unit is 2 to 10 soldiers, each hex ≈ 50 meters across, and each turn is about 30 to 60 seconds of real time.

Game Components: > One 4-page, color Rules booklet > 42 color, die-cut 3/4" mounted pieces > One 11" x 17" color game map with tables > 1 BATTLESSON(TM) sheet > Part of an introductory wargame series!

Expansions

Trenches of Valor: Expansion Kit 1