Falling Crescent

Falling Crescent is an operational wargame designed by Roger Nord and published by Compass Games, depicting the British offensive in Palestine during September–October 1918, commonly known as the Battle of Megiddo Campaign. The game recreates one of the most decisive Allied victories of the First World War, where General Allenby's forces shattered the Ottoman armies through a combination of infantry assaults, cavalry exploitation, air superiority, and Arab guerrilla operations.

Players command two highly asymmetric sides. The Allied player leads British, French and Arab forces, attempting to break through the Ottoman front and exploit the resulting collapse with fast-moving mounted formations. The Ottoman player commands Turkish, German and Bedouin forces, striving to delay the offensive and preserve the army long enough to avoid total defeat.

The game emphasizes operational maneuver, careful planning and event-driven decision making through separate British and Turkish card decks. These cards introduce historical events, special abilities and operational opportunities, ensuring that no two games unfold the same way.

The campaign is portrayed at the operational level using maps where one hex represents approximately 2.3 miles, each turn covers two days, and combat units are primarily brigades and divisions.

Highlights

• Detailed simulation of the 1918 Palestine Campaign.
• Strong focus on operational breakthroughs and cavalry exploitation.
• Separate British and Turkish card decks provide asymmetric gameplay.
• Excellent balance between strategic planning and tactical flexibility.
• Covers a rarely explored First World War theater.

Box Contents

According to Compass Games, the game includes:

• 2 paper maps
• 2 countersheets
• British card deck
• Turkish card deck
• 4 player aid cards
• Scenario setup cards
• Rulebook
• Dice

Game Information

• Publisher: Compass Games
• Designer: Roger Nord
• Series: —
• Period: World War I
• Setting: Palestine Campaign, 1918
• Players: 2
• Playing Time: 2–6 hours
• Complexity: Medium
• Solitaire Suitability: Medium (no dedicated solitaire system)
• Scale:
  • 1 hex = approximately 2.3 miles
  • 1 turn = 2 days
  • Units = brigades and divisions