1777 - YEAR OF THE HANGMAN

Publisher : Clash of Arms Games
Designer : Ed Wimble
Artist : Terry Leeds
Publication year : 2002
Players : 1–2
Playing time : environ 300 minutes
Age : 12 ans et +
Scale : opérationnelle
Theme : Guerre d'Indépendance américaine – campagne de Philadelphie, 1777
Complexity : 3,40 / 5 sur BoardGameGeek
Language : anglais

1777: The Year of the Hangman is an operational wargame covering the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777, when British forces under General William Howe attempted to capture Philadelphia, the political capital of the American rebellion.

The game covers the campaign from September 1 to December 19, 1777, across Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Players can recreate the operations around Cooch's Bridge, Brandywine, the Battle of the Clouds, Germantown, Paoli, Red Bank, Fort Mercer, Fort Mifflin, and ultimately Valley Forge.

The game also includes a study of the Ten Crucial Days of 1776, covering the campaigns of Trenton and Princeton, together with several hypothetical “what-if” scenarios.

Game System

The game operates at an operational scale, with each hex representing approximately two miles. Units are primarily represented by brigades and divisions, with one strength point representing roughly 200 men, or one regiment.

Each game turn represents one day, divided into several movement pulses, allowing players to reproduce the tempo of the historical campaign and the reaction possibilities of the opposing armies.

The system emphasizes operational movement, uncertainty and the management of forces positioned off the main map. BoardGameGeek images also show the game's Off Board Army Displays, which are used to represent forces away from the main map.

The Philadelphia Campaign

The British player must attempt to advance toward Philadelphia, while defeating or forcing back George Washington's army.

The American player must use the terrain effectively, preserve the Continental Army and prevent the British from achieving their campaign objectives.

The historical situation creates an interesting operational challenge: the British possess substantial military strength, but must contend with distances, communications and the difficulties of campaigning in hostile territory.

Scenarios

The game contains approximately twelve scenarios, ranging from the complete Philadelphia Campaign to shorter operational or battle situations that can be played in around 30 minutes.

In addition to the 1777 campaign, the game includes the Ten Crucial Days of 1776, covering Trenton and Princeton, together with several “what-if” scenarios.

Box Contents

• 1 34 × 22-inch map
• 1 counter sheet containing 280 counters
• 2 Off Board Army Displays
• 1 six-sided die
• 1 rulebook
• Extensive Historical Commentary
• Approximately twelve scenarios
• Scenarios covering the Ten Crucial Days, Trenton and Princeton

Specifications

1777: The Year of the Hangman is an operational wargame focusing on a relatively specialized campaign of the American Revolutionary War. Its operational scale allows players to follow the Philadelphia Campaign as a whole while also providing shorter scenarios for individual situations.