North Africa '40 (ziplock)

Publisher: GMT Games

Designer: Mark Simonitch

Short Description

North Africa '40 is the highly anticipated prequel expansion to the acclaimed wargame North Africa '41. Covering operations in North Africa from September 1940 to December 1941, this game allows you to experience or rewrite the desert's first major clashes—from the Italian invasion of Egypt to the devastating arrival of Rommel and the Afrika Korps!

 Detailed Overview

The desert legend continues! North Africa '40 is an expansion (prequel) focusing on the crucial period from September 1940 to December 1941. The game utilizes Mark Simonitch’s proven, acclaimed system—featuring movement/combat, strict supply management, and armor breakthroughs—adapted to the unique characteristics of the early stages of the war in the Western Desert.

Included scenarios:

Operazione E (Italian invasion of Egypt): 12 turns of intense operations.

Operation Compass (Allied counter-offensive): 6 turns covering the devastating attack on the Italian 10th Army.

Extended Campaigns: Both scenarios can be extended through December 1941 (32 turns for Operazione E and 26 turns for Operation Compass).

Strategic challenges:

Allied side: As commander of Commonwealth forces, can you annihilate the Italian 10th Army? Will you be ready for the Middle East Command's operational shift toward Greece in February 1941? And above all, how will you handle the sudden arrival of Rommel and his Panzer divisions?

Axis side: As the Italian commander, can you counter the power of the Allied heavy Matilda tanks? Can you rectify your high command's historical errors and keep the coastal road open until DAK reinforcements arrive to surge toward the Suez Canal?

Note: Requires the *North Africa '41* game components/map to play.

 Box contents:

 1 Rulebook (including historical notes, gameplay tips, bibliography, and a detailed game example)

1 Counter sheet

1 1940 Turn Record Track

1 Player aid / Player board for the Allied REM reserve, Victory Point track, and resources (allows play without deploying the eastern map panels)

1 Double-sided Order of Battle / Deployment sheet

Specifications:

Language: English (Rules and components in original language)

Number of players: 1 to 2 (Excellent solo playability)

Recommended age: 14+

Game duration: 2 to 8+ hours (depending on the chosen scenario or campaign)

Scale: Regiment / Brigade / Division

Game type: Wargame / Hex & Counter / World War II / Desert War

Complexity level: Medium (5/9 on the GMT scale)

Suitability for solo play: High (8/9)