Suez 1916: The Ottomans Strike
Suez 1916: The Ottomans Strike Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Part I: Suez 1916: Ottoman Strike Exclusive Rules
- 10.0 Introduction
- 11.0 Set Up
- 12.0 Victory Conditions
- 13.0 Special Units
- 14.0 Terrain
- 15.0 Surprise
- 16.0 Rail Movement
- 17.0 Stacking
- 18.0 Fire Support
- 19.0 Night
- 20.0 Orders of Battle
- 21.0 Game Notes
- Terrain Effects Chart
- Suez 1916 CRT
- Part II: Fire & Movement System Rules (Version 8, 2023)
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Game Equipment
- 3.0 Setting Up the Game
- 4.0 Sequence of Play
- 5.0 Movement
- 6.0 Zones of Control
- 7.0 Support Fire Markers
- 8.0 Bombardment & Ground Combat
- 9.0 Supply
- Combat Results Table (System)
Part I: Suez 1916: Ottoman Strike Exclusive Rules
10.0 Introduction
10.1 Historical Background
The historical background is printed in the Table of Contents block above.
10.2 Scope of the Game
There are two players in the game. The Central Powers player controls Ottoman Turk and German units and is the first player in each game turn. The British player controls British units. The game begins with the Central Powers movement phase of the Zero Hour turn.
10.3 System Rules Changes
All standard rules apply except as modified below. Rules 13.0 through 19.0 are new rules for this scenario.
- 4.1 Mobile Movement & Combat is not used; skip those phases in the turn sequence.
- 5.3 Stacking is modified to allow certain friendly units to end a phase in the same hex. See 17.0.
- 7.6 A3 & D3 Results inflict a loss in addition to the retreat. The owning player selected a one-step unit for elimination, or a two-step unit for depletion. Only one step is lost regardless of the number of units involved.
- 7.9 Advance After Combat. Mobile units (those with circled movement factors) may advance after combat per rule 7.9. All other unit advances are limited to a maximum length of one hex (the one originally occupied by the retreated/eliminated defender).
- 8.0 Fire Support is modified extensively; see 18.0.
Editorial note: obvious typographic errors in the printed source are corrected here: "layer" (10.3) reads "player", "f the owning side" (14.2) reads "of the owning side", "to enter the, then" (11.5) reads "to enter the map, then", "stepto" (21.2) reads "step to", and ordinal superscripts such as "8 th" are set as "8th". No rule content is changed.
10.4 Game Scale
Each hex represents about one kilometer (0.6 mile). Each turn represents one third of a day. Central Powers units represent battalions or groupings of companies (500 - 1000 men). British half-brigades represent two battalions (about 1,500 men), and mounted brigades represent 800-1000 troopers.
11.0 Set Up
11.1 Set Up Sequence
Place the Turn marker in the Zero Hour box of the TRT. The British player deploys first (11.2) followed by the Central Powers player (11.4).
11.2 British Deployment
In hexes adjacent to any British trench: 52nd Division, 160+161/R [8 counters]
On or adjacent to Kantara (0239): Armored Train, 42nd Division [8 counters]
Hill 40 (0637): Yeo/R [1 counter]
Pelusium Station (1532): ICC/R, MobC/R [2 counters]
Ballybunion (0644): 3 LH/ANZ [1 counter]
Hill 70 (0937): NZMR/ANZ [1 counter]
Dueidar (1336): 5 LH/ANZ [1 counter]
On or adjacent to Romani (2031): 1 LH/ANZ, 2 LH/ANZ, 53rd Division [4 counters]
Fire Support Pool: two +4, two +3, one +2 markers [5 counters]
Set Aside: Remaining FS markers [6 counters], reduction counters [see 13.2; 14 counters]
11.3 British Activation
British units set up on and west of Pelusium Station may not move until activated. At the start of each British turn starting with 4 August Morning, roll one die for each unit. On a "1-2" it activates; on a "3-6" it remains inactive.
Automatic Activation. The instant that a Central Powers unit moves within four hexes (three intervening hexes) of an un-activated unit, or a Central Powers fire support marker is used to bombard it, the unit immediately activates.
Additional Fire Support. Each time a unit of the British 42nd Division activates, add one of the set aside fire support markers (drawn randomly) to the pool. Continue until all markers have been added.
Player Note. Indicate an un-activated unit by rotating it 90 degrees or placing a blank marker on it, or some other mutually agreed method.
11.4 Central Powers Initial Deployment
On or east of the 26xx hex column: 3rd Division; 1 Ex, German AK-1 and AK-2 [19 counters]
Central Powers Air box: German air unit
Fire Support Pool: three Ottoman, two Austro-Hungarian, two German +6, and four German +4 markers [11 counters]
Central Powers Reinforcements box: 27th Division [9 counters], two German +5 and one German +4 fire support markers [3 counters]
Set Aside: Kress (see 13.1): See below.
11.5 Central Powers Reinforcements
At the start of each Central Powers turn, if a Central Power unit occupies a railroad hex containing a town or village on or west of the 20xx column of hexes, roll one die (regardless of the number of eligible hexes occupied). If the result is "1-3", then the three battalions of one regiment of the 27th Division arrive on the east map edge. Each unit pays the normal movement cost to enter the map, then operates normally thereafter. For each regiment selected, randomly pick two of the fire support markers in the Reinforcement box and add them to the pool.
12.0 Victory Conditions
12.1 Central Powers Instant Victory
Play stops and the Central Powers player wins if at the end of any British turn there is a Central Powers engineer unit occupying a hex adjacent to the Suez Canal.
12.2 British Instant Victory
Play stops and the British player wins the instant there are no Central Powers units on the map.
12.3 Victory on Points
If neither player wins an instant victory, the victor is determined at the end of the Afternoon 6 August turn. The Central Powers player gains victory points (VP) by having his units on any or all of the hexes listed in 12.4. Count the total VP score and compare to the following.
| Total VP | Result |
|---|---|
| 16+ | Central Powers decisive victory |
| 13-15 | Central Powers operational victory |
| 10-12 | Central Powers tactical victory |
| 7-9 | Draw |
| 4-6 | British tactical victory |
| 1-3 | British operational victory |
| 0 | British decisive victory |
12.4 Victory Hexes
At the start of the game, all towns and villages west of Katia (exclusive) are British controlled, while all towns and villages east of Katia (inclusive) are Central Powers controlled. A player gains control of a hex by moving a unit into or through the hex, and retains control until an enemy unit enters or moves through the hex. At the end of the game, the Central Powers player is awarded points for the control of towns as follows.
| Hex | Location | VP |
|---|---|---|
| 0234 | El Kab | 2 |
| 0239 | Kantara | 4 |
| 0644 | Ballybunion | 2 |
| 0936 | Gilban Station | 1 |
| 1532 | Pelusium Station | 2 |
| 2031 | Romani | 6 |
| 2633 | Katia | 2 |
| 3331 | To Bir el Abd | 1 |
13.0 Special Units
13.1 Kress von Kressenstein
The Kress counter represents the command attention of Kress von Kressenstein and the staff of the Ottoman 8th (1st Expeditionary) Corps. This counter is held off the map. Kress can be used to assist one attack per Central Powers combat phase. Shift that attack one column to the right. Kress may not be used on the defensive. The counter is never affected by combat outcomes, and may be reused each turn.
13.2 British Reduction Counters
British infantry brigade groups are three-step units. The full strength side of the brigade group counter represents the three-step strength; the reverse side represents the two step strength. If the unit takes another step loss, remove it and replace it with a reduction counter of the same designation.
13.3 British Armored Train
The armored train unit may move only via contiguous railroad hexes. It may enter and exit enemy ZOCs freely.
14.0 Terrain
14.1 Suez Canal
A British unit may cross the canal between hexes 0139 and 0239 by expending its entire movement allowance; it must start in one of the hexes and end its move in the other. No unit may cross the canal at any other point. ZOC do not extend across canal hexsides. Combat may not take place across a canal hexside.
14.2 Trenches
Movement Effects. It costs one additional movement point to cross a trench hexside, regardless of direction or if the hex is friendly or enemy. This does not affect retreat or advance after combat.
Combat Effects. If all attacking units are attacking across trench hexsides, the defender uses the trench defense line. If units are attacking a defender across a combination of trench and non-trench hexsides, use the line for the other terrain in the hex. Trenches benefit only units of the owning side.
15.0 Surprise
15.1 Effects on Central Powers Units
All Central Powers units have their movement factors doubled during the zero hour turn. All Central Powers ground units during the zero hour combat phase are shifted one differential column to the right; this can be cumulative with the Kress bonus (13.1).
15.2 Effects on British Units
No British units may move during the British movement phase of the zero hour turn. Retreat and advance after combat are conducted normally. British units adjacent to Central Powers units during that British combat phase may attack normally. No British support fire may be used during the zero hour turn.
16.0 Rail Movement
The British player may move one unit per movement phase via railroad in addition to moving the armored train unit. The unit must start on a railroad hex. It may move an unlimited number of contiguous rail hexes. It may not conduct any non-rail movement in the same phase. It may not start in or enter an EZOC.
17.0 Stacking
17.1 Stacking Limits
Friendly units may end a phase stacked in the same hex subject to the limits listed below. If a retreat causes a hex to be overstacked, the owning player must displace units to restore the limit. No stacking is allowed in marsh hexes.
Central Powers Stacking Limit. Up to three units from any formation.
British Stacking Limit. Up to two units may stack in one hex. The units must be from the same division or the Reserve.
17.2 Moving Stacks
Stacked units do not move together; each unit is moved individually.
17.3 Stacks in Combat
Stacked units must defend and attack together in a single combat.
18.0 Fire Support
18.1 Fire Support Procedure
Bombardment (8.4) is the only form of fire support allowed. Only observed hexes (18.2) may be bombarded. At the beginning of a combat phase, the active player must place all fire support markers (18.3) to be used in that combat phase, and must announce which if any adjacent units will attack that target hex. After all attacking markers are placed, the defending player places any markers desired.
Central Powers Limits. The Central Powers player may use one or two support fire markers per hex bombarded.
British Limits. The British player may use only one support fire marker per hex bombarded.
18.2 Observation
A unit observes all hexes adjacent to it and all hexes within the observation range listed below. When counting the range, do not count the observing unit's hex, do count the target hex. Range is the only limitation on observation; it is not blocked by any terrain. See also 18.5.
Central Powers Observation Range: four hexes, six hexes if the observing unit is in a hill hex.
British Observation Range: five hexes, seven hexes if the observing unit is in a hill hex.
18.3 Fire Support Markers
Each side receives fire support markers as indicated in the set up (11.0). Each player's markers (except air; see 18.5) are placed into a pool (a bowl or pile) and drawn for use. Each marker may be drawn once per three-turn day; once used, set it aside until the morning turn of the following day. When a marker is drawn, keep it face down so neither player knows the actual fire strength. The markers are revealed once all have been placed (18.1).
18.4 Bombardment Resolution
The bombardment resolution process is altered as follows.
CRT Column. To resolve a bombardment, find the strength of the artillery marker(s) on the appropriate terrain line of the CRT. Do not consider the strength of the target unit.
Results. Ignore "Ex," "No Effect," and all "A" results. Retreat is not allowed. After a D2, D3, or De result, the target unit must take a one-step loss (but see 18.5). If a defender's hex is emptied by bombardment and an attack was declared against the hex, the attacking units may advance.
Ground Attack. If the bombardment is being made in conjunction with a ground attack, resolve both the attacker's and defender's bombardments prior to resolving the combat.
Bombarding Stacks. If stacked units are being bombarded, resolve the bombardment against each unit separately (but it still counts as a single bombardment).
18.5 Air Unit
The air unit is a support fire marker with the following special abilities.
Utilization. It is available for use every turn and the strength is known to both players. It does count toward the Central Powers' fire support limit (18.1).
Range. It may be placed anywhere on the map, regardless of the proximity of friendly units.
Observation. Rather than bombarding, it may be flipped to its observation side. The placement hex and all six adjacent hexes are now considered observed (18.2) for bombardments.
19.0 Night
The three night turns affect play as follows.
- Disengagement: Central Powers units (only) may exit enemy ZOC without paying the movement point cost (5.1.1).
- British attacks shift one column left.
- No bombardments may be conducted.
- The air unit may not be used.
20.0 Orders of Battle
20.1 Central Powers
- Ottoman 3rd Division: 31st, 32nd, 39th, Composite (Comp) Regiments
- Ottoman 27th Division: 79th, 80th, 81st Regiments
- Ottoman 1st Expeditionary Corps
- Troops: Pioneers, Composite Engineers; Composite Cavalry Battalion, Arab Cavalry; Syrian Camel Corps (SCC)
- German Asia Corps (Asienkorps; AK): two machinegun groups
20.2 British
- 42nd Division: 125th, 126th, 127th Brigades.
- 52nd Division: 155th, 156th, 157th Brigades.
- 53rd Division: 158th Brigade only.
- Australia & New Zealand Mounted Division (ANZ): 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, NZMR Brigades.
- Reserve: 160th & 161st Machinegun companies (combined), Imperial Camel Corps (ICC), Mobile Column (MobC), Yeomanry Cavalry Brigade, Dismounted (Yeo)
21.0 Game Notes
21.1 Designer's Notes
The Turkish army of the Great War is often depicted as the "sick man" of European forces, but it did have some strengths. The recently concluded Balkan Wars (1912-13) cleared out a lot of leadership deadwood, initiated reforms, and provided some combined-arms experience. The German-Austro-Hungarian contingent, called Pasha I or the Asienkorps (Asia Corps) provided critical expertise and morale.
The Turks as a result had an advantage in the open field against the British. While the latter's troops were highly motivated, and often well trained as individuals, but coordinating higher level formations was a difficulty during the early war years (reflected in the activation rules).
Both sides were affected by logistical problems, specifically a lack of water. For the British, it made it difficult to bring up artillery, as most of the guns were horse drawn and the teams could not be properly supplied (they were building a pipeline into the Sinai simply to enable operations). The Turks suffered under the same disadvantage; the restrictions on bringing in the 27th Division reflect the need to capture water sources. Water is also why oases and villages give a benefit to the defense; the presence of water made life easier, as well as giving the troops more motivation to fight harder.
The Kress and Surprise rules put some non-material factors into the game. The human dimension counted for a lot in this theater. Kressenstein's objective in the campaign was to take Romani and establish a forward base to interdict the canal. Even if this were not feasible, there was considerable opportunity for the Central Powers to delay the expected British offensive by seizing their railheads and disrupting their forward logistics. Hence, Romani is worth more VP than Kantara, even though the latter is on the canal. On the other hand, getting an engineer to the canal is an instant win because it would have led to a crisis back in the Home Office.
Researching the game was something of an adventure. There were some good sources for the British, notably the official history. The Central Powers were a little more difficult to pin down. I came across a map (in Turkish!) with what looked to be a fairly complete order of battle. I added in the 27th Division as it was further east in support, and had the first wave succeeded, could have been brought up.
21.2 F&M System Notes
I modified several of the basic system rules to model the conditions of the Great War. The starting point was elimination of the mobile movement and combat phases, and restricting advance after combat, to show the lack of exploitation after combat. The amount of artillery each side can use is limited, again reflecting coordination and logistics issues.
I increased the A3 and D3 results to include both retreat and loss of a step to reflect the greater attrition of mass infantry armies, as well as the panic which sometimes hit units.
21.3 Player Notes
Central Powers: you are fighting with a handicap in numbers, starting with essentially a reinforced division against the equivalent of three British divisions. But you have several advantages: the first turn surprise rule, considerable artillery support, and Kress von Kressenstein. As you can keep the initiative you have a shot at winning.
You also have a slight advantage in mobility in the desert, so there you have a little more room to maneuver. If you can push a couple of units, especially an engineer, deep into the British rear you keep open the possibility of getting to the canal and grabbing a quick victory. At the least it will force the British to pull back units to defend the canal.
British: you have to hold on until you can get sufficient reserves moved forward. You have to decide how hard you will fight for the Romani position. Giving it up too soon means that the enemy will get the 27th Division, while hanging on too long slows the release of your reserves.
If/when you repulse the Turks and get reinforced, you have to make the decision as to how far you want to counterattack. To gain a decisive victory, you'll need to get as far as Katia, and given the enemy defenses, this can be a difficult thing.
Terrain Effects Chart
| In-Hex Terrain | Effects |
|---|---|
| Open | 1 |
| Sand | 2 |
| Hill or Ridge | 2; see 18.2 |
| Oasis | 1 |
| Marsh | 3; no stacking allowed |
| Village | 1 |
| Town | 1 |
| Track | 1/2; 1/3 for British infantry and machinegun |
| Railroad | 1/2; see also 13.3 and 16.0 |
| All-Sea/-Lake | P |
| Hexside Terrain | Effects |
|---|---|
| Trench | +1 |
| Water (Suez Canal, All-Sea, All-Lake) | P (but see 14.1); ZOCs blocked, combat P |
# = MP cost to enter or cross. P = Prohibited.
Suez 1916 CRT
Terrain Type Combat Differential (attacking strength minus defending strength). Each terrain row below lists its differential columns from the left; the die-roll rows (1-6) are read against the same column positions.
| Terrain Type | Col 1 | Col 2 | Col 3 | Col 4 | Col 5 | Col 6 | Col 7 | Col 8 | Col 9 | Col 10 | Col 11 | Col 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town, Trench | -3 | -2 | -1 | 0 | +1 | +2,+3 | +4,+5 | +6,+7 | +8,+9 | +10 | ||
| Hill, Village, Oasis | -4 | -3 | -2 | -1 |
Key:
- De = All defending units are eliminated.
- D3 = All defending units must retreat three hexes; at the end of the retreat, deplete one defending unit.
- D2 = All defending units must retreat two hexes (or deplete one unit of the defending player's choice, instead; see 7.8).
- Ex = One attacking and one defending unit are depleted.
- A1 = All attacking units must retreat one hex (or deplete one unit of the attacking player's choice, instead; see 7.8).
- A2 = All attacking units must retreat two hexes (or deplete one unit of the attacking player's choice, instead; see 7.8).
- A3 = All attacking units must retreat three hexes; at the end of the retreat, deplete one attacking unit.
- (A) = One attacking unit must be depleted.
- Ae = All attacking units are eliminated.
- • = No effect.
Note: a unit which is depleted and then is depleted again is eliminated. One step units are also eliminated if depleted. See scenario units for three step units. The owning player always chooses which units will be depleted.
Part II: Fire & Movement System Rules (Version 8, 2023)
The following are the Decision Games Fire & Movement System Rules, which apply to every game in the series, including Suez 1916: Ottoman Strike, except where the Part I exclusive rules modify them. Credits are omitted. Diagrams and example illustrations are described by their captions only.
1.0 Introduction
Each game represents an actual or hypothetical battle, as included in the Exclusive Rules. The map included with the game represents each different battle's terrain. The pieces represent the actual (or hypothetical) units that participated or might have participated in the battle. The System Rules are rules that fit all games using the F&M system, and the exclusive rules are specific to each represented battle.
2.0 Game Equipment
See exclusive (scenario) rules.
2.1 The Game Map
The map sheet portrays the battle area. Printed over the terrain features is a hexagonal grid to regulate the movement and positioning of the game pieces throughout the game.
2.2 Charts & Tables
Various visual aids provide the players to collate, simplify and illustrate certain game functions. They are the Combat Results Table (CRT), the Terrain Key, and the Game Turn Record Track (GTRT). Exclusive rules may contain additional charts.
2.3 The Playing Pieces
The cardboard playing pieces (counters) represent the actual military units that took part in the battle. The different colored units (combat units) represent forces of opposing sides. The numbers and symbols on the counters represent the attack and defense strength, movement capability, and type of unit represented by each counter.
Counter diagram key (leg combat unit, front and back; mobile combat unit, front; support fire marker, front and back): the front of a leg combat unit shows the unit type symbol, unit size symbol, unit ID, attack strength, defense strength, movement allowance and parent formation. A black box marks a leg unit and a red box marks a mobile unit. The mobile unit front carries a mobile unit designator. A support fire marker shows a type symbol and a support strength.
Important: In the system rule diagrams and examples, the exact units may not appear in the current game; however, all designations and terms used are consistent with the units in the current game unless the exclusive rules dictate otherwise. See exclusive rules for unit type symbols.
Important: The exclusive rules will list the specific types of units available in each game.
Note: The front side of a combat unit is the full-strength side and the back of the unit is normally its reduced side. For most games in the series, the reduced side shows the unit type symbol having the same background color as the counter. Not all combat units have a reduced side and thus are one-step units.
2.3.1 How to Read Units
Most units contain identifiers (or names) and sizes. The identifier or name of a unit has no bearing on play, except as part of set-up and reinforcement rules. An identifier that lists two numbers separated by a slash represents the battalion number and then the regiment number from which that battalion derives (though that parent regiment may or may not be in the game).
Example: A unit printed with 4/47 is referring to the 4th Battalion of the 47th Regiment. A single number identifier typically refers to a single formation of its type (9 could refer to the 9th Division).
Unit Sizes:
- Platoon: dot-dot-dot symbol
- I: Company
- II: Battalion
- III: Regiment
- X: Brigade
- XX: Division
- XXX: Corps
Note: Games may include additional unit sizes. See exclusive rules.
2.3.2 Definition of Terms
Attack Strength: The relative strength of a unit when attacking other units, expressed in terms of attack strength points.
Bombardment Attack: An attack conducted by the active player using support fire markers only. Bombardment attacks take place during each player's Bombardment Phase (8.1).
Defense Strength: The relative strength of a unit when defending against the attacks of enemy units, expressed in terms of defense strength points. See attack strength.
Combat Modifier (Support Strength): The strength of support fire markers. They represent everything from corps artillery, naval support, aerial bombardment and organic mortars used to attack enemy units. The combat modifier (expressed in terms of a "+") value that players may add to the strength of a friendly unit during combat or as an attack strength when conducting bombardment.
Movement Allowance (MA): The number of movement points (MP) a unit may expend in a single Movement Phase. Each hex a unit moves into and/or each hexside crossed forces the unit to expend a given number of MP.
Leg Unit: A unit that is not a mobile unit. It represents any type of unit that lacks inherent conveyance or transport.
Mobile Unit: A unit that is not a leg unit. It represents any type of unit that moves by a means other than by foot. A mobile unit can be anything from tanks to wagons. Only mobile units may move during the Mobile Movement Phase and/or conduct attacks during the Mobile Combat Phase (4.1).
Support Fire Markers: Represent naval gunfire from ships offshore, bombers/fighters providing ground support or interdiction support, or artillery units of all types and sizes not represented as units in the game.
2.4 Game Scale
The exclusive rules will indicate the scale of the map and the time that each game turn (GT) represents.
3.0 Setting Up the Game
Players should determine the side each will play. Players then consult their respective setup instructions in the exclusive rules. The instructions will list the strength and position of each unit in play on the map during the first GT.
The exclusive rules:
a) Will indicate the player who is the first (starting) player and the player who will set up first.
b) May assign units specific set-up hexes, general areas near a specific location/hex number, or instruct the players to choose the set-up hexes for their units.
c) Will specify the number and GT of arrival for any reinforcements scheduled for that battle. Players should place reinforcements to the side of the map or place them on the GTRT in the GT box for the GT they will arrive.
- Consult the exclusive rules to determine the placement of support fire markers. The support fire number may be on the GTRT. The number signifies the number of support fire markers (not points) available each GT.
Important: There has been a major update to the bombardment rules. Players may use these bombardment rules in previous games in the series, however, they have not been subject to play test with all games.
- The GTRT may contain other information pertinent to game play. See the exclusive rules for details.
4.0 Sequence of Play
Players conduct each game in successive GTs, each turn is composed of alternate player turns. During the GT players maneuver their units and resolve combat according to the sequence outline and within the limitations provided by the rules.
4.1 Sequence Outline
Each GT consists of a First Player Turn followed by a Second Player Turn. One player takes the First Player Turn while the other player plays the Second Player Turn. The GTRT on the map and/or exclusive rules will indicate which player is the first player. Complete each player turn in the order given below. Complete each phase before beginning the following phase.
Support Fire Marker Phase: Both players organize their support fire markers as outlined in 7.0 or as dictated by the exclusive rules.
First Player Turn
-
Movement Phase: The current (active) player may move any number of his eligible units, as he desires within the limits and restrictions of the rules of movement (5.0), zones of control (ZOC) (6.0) and the exclusive rules. The active player may bring reinforcements onto the map as allowed by his reinforcement schedule and the reinforcement rules.
Important: Mobile units that move during this phase cannot move during the upcoming Mobile Movement Phase.
-
Bombardment Phase: The active player may conduct bombardment attacks against enemy units (8.1).
-
Combat Phase: The active player may use his units to attack enemy units (8.2).
Important: Mobile units that participate in combat during this phase cannot conduct combat during the Mobile Combat Phase.
-
Mobile Movement Phase: Only mobile units can move during this phase. Mobile units that moved during the preceding Movement Phase cannot move this phase. Movement in this phase is otherwise identical to the Movement Phase.
-
Mobile Combat Phase: Only mobile units can attack this phase. Mobile units that participated in an attack during the preceding Combat Phase cannot conduct attacks this phase. Combat in this phase is otherwise identical to the Combat Phase.
Second Player Turn
After the first player has completed his turn, the second player then conducts his turn using the same procedures and order given for the first player.
Game Turn End Phase
After the second player completes his player turn, the GT ends. If it is the last turn of the game, players determine victory. If there are turns remaining, advance the turn marker one space along the GTRT and conduct that turn using the above procedures.
5.0 Movement
5.1 Procedure
During the Movement Phase, the active player may move any number of his eligible units as he desires.
- Units may move in any direction or combination of directions, up to the limits of each unit's printed MA.
- Always move units one at a time, tracing a path of contiguous hexes through the hex grid.
- As each unit enters a hex, it pays one or more MP from its movement allowance.
5.2 Movement Restrictions
Movement cannot take place out of sequence. Neither player can conduct movement during the opposing player's Movement or Mobile Movement Phase. A player can only move units during his own Movement or Mobile Movement Phase.
A unit:
a) Cannot expend more MPs than its total printed MA during any one turn.
b) Cannot accumulate unused MPs from phase to phase or from turn to turn, nor can players transfer MP from one unit to another unit.
c) Cannot enter a hex if the unit does not possess enough remaining MPs to pay for the cost to enter, as well as the cost of any hexside terrain the unit crossed.
Important: There is no minimum number of hexes a unit may move; a unit may not have enough MA to move to any adjacent hex, in which case it may not move at all.
d) Cannot enter a hex containing an enemy unit.
e) Cannot enter a prohibited terrain hex or cross a prohibited hexside.
f) Cannot exit the map unless specifically allowed by the exclusive rules.
- Units may have their movement affected by enemy zones of control (EZOC) (6.0).
- Players may not move a unit that has completed its movement during that same turn except as a retreat or an advance after combat.
Important: Advance and retreat may take place during a Bombardment Phase, Combat Phase or Mobile Combat Phase. Advance after combat and retreat after combat are not movement and do not require the expenditure of MP.
5.3 Stacking Restrictions
Units cannot stack.
- Only one unit can occupy a hex at the end of any phase.
- A unit may move through hexes occupied by other friendly units at no extra MP cost.
- A unit cannot end its movement stacked with any other unit.
Editorial note: The Part I exclusive rules modify stacking for this game (see 17.0).
5.4 Effects of Terrain
A unit must expend one MP to enter a clear terrain hex.
Important: Hexes may depict more than one type of terrain. In this case, use the MP expenditure of the terrain with the highest cost in MP.
- To enter other types of hexes, a unit must expend more than one MP.
- The Terrain Key or TEC (normally printed on the map) list each type of hex and hexside terrain with the corresponding MP cost for each type of terrain.
Important: The following examples may not reflect the actual terrain types or movement costs for a particular game. Consult each game's terrain effects for specific MP costs.
Example: A jungle terrain hex costs 3 MPs to enter.
- Hexsides may display other types of hexside terrain features (such as a river) that require additional movement points to cross. This cost is in addition to the cost of the terrain in the hex.
Example: A unit crosses a river (+1 MP) and enters a clear terrain hex (1 MP). The cost to enter that hex would be 2 MP.
- In hex terrain may have a "+" and a number. If that is the case, add that number to the cost of other terrain in the hex.
- All units not marked with a black hexagon in either the upper right or the left side of the counter exert a zone of control. ZOC are always in effect, regardless of the phase or the player turn.
Example: A unit enters a clear hex (1 MP) that contains a village (+1 MP) and that unit crossed a river hexside (+1 MP). The cost to enter the hex is 3 MP.
5.4.1 Road Movement
A unit that moves from one road hex directly into an adjacent road hex through a road hexside normally expends one-half (1/2) of a MP, regardless of other terrain in the hex or hexside terrain. See exclusive rules for exceptions.
5.4.2 Trail Movement
A unit that moves from one trail hex directly into an adjacent trail hex through a trail hexside expends only one MP, regardless of other terrain in the hex or hexside terrain.
5.5 Mobile Movement Phase
During the Mobile Movement Phase, the active player may move any number of his eligible units as he desires, subject to the following restrictions:
- Mobile units that moved in the Movement Phase of a player turn cannot move during the Mobile Movement Phase of the same player turn.
- Leg units cannot move during the Mobile Movement Phase.
- Units moving during the Mobile Movement Phase follow the same procedures as used during the Movement Phase (5.1 through 5.4).
6.0 Zones of Control
The six hexagons surrounding each hex constitute the zone of control (ZOC) of any unit in that hex. (A diagram in the source shows a unit that does not exert a ZOC.)
- Zones of control extend into all types of terrain and across all types of terrain hexsides. Exception: Games may have fortifications or other restrictions that will negate the projection of ZOC into specific hexes.
- Enemy and/or friendly units never affect the presence of ZOC.
- If an enemy and friendly ZOC extend into a hex, they have no effect upon each other, i.e., both co-exist. The ZOCs mutually affect the hex.
- If a unit is in an enemy zone of control (EZOC), the enemy unit is also in that unit's ZOC.
6.1 Effects on Movement
ZOCs inhibit the movement of enemy units.
- A leg unit that begins its movement in a hex not in an EZOC that then enters a hex in an EZOC must immediately stop its movement, regardless of the number of MP it has remaining.
- A leg unit that begins its movement in an EZOC can move directly into another hex in an EZOC by expending all its printed MA as long as the terrain is not prohibited and the unit has sufficient MA to expend for the hexside/in-hex terrain.
- Any unit that begins its movement in an EZOC can move into a hex not in an EZOC. The unit would expend the normal MP costs for that hex. It may continue movement normally.
- A leg unit must halt its movement if it later enters another EZOC.
- A mobile unit must expend half (round down) of its printed MA (plus the normal cost of terrain) when it moves into an EZOC (i.e., a unit with MA of "7" would expend three movement points to enter an EZOC).
Example 1 (diagram, next page of source): The 51st Infantry Regiment can move into the hexes connected by black arrows. It can move from its starting hex directly into hex 2311 or 2413.
Example 2 (diagram, next page of source): The 1st Cav can move into the hexes connected by black arrows.
Exception: A unit may not move from EZOC to EZOC across a minefield hexside or to enter a fortification hex; however, this restriction does not apply to commandos. Commandos never pay additional movement costs to enter or exit an EZOC.
6.2 Effects on Retreat & Advance After Combat
Units retreating after combat cannot retreat into hexes in an EZOC (8.3). Units advancing after combat ignore EZOCs (8.5).
7.0 Support Fire Markers
Support fire markers represent indirect fire assets not represented in the game by actual counters. Support fire markers do not exist on the map as units; they represent the incoming fire from supporting assets.
7.1 Allocation of Support Fire Markers
Important: The exclusive rules may modify the availability and allocation of support fire markers. Players should check the exclusive rules before proceeding further.
Each side has its own pool of support fire markers, allotted by the support fire allotment number printed on each turn box of the GTRT.
- The support fire number equals the total number of support fire markers the players will receive at the beginning of that GT.
- If the allotment of support fire markers indicated on the GTRT is less than the total quantity of markers in the pool for that player's side, that player must select from the lowest-valued markers before selecting higher-valued markers. Players must select support fire markers in order from lowest to highest.
- If a box has two numbers, the first number is the support fire marker allotment for the first player, the second number is the support fire marker allotment for the second player.
Example: "8/9" printed in the first GT box indicates the first player has 8 support fire markers, and the second player 9 support fire markers.
7.2 Support Fire Application
All support fire markers function the same, though markers may have different printed "+" values (the combat modifier) and different icons. Exception: Bombardment range (8.1.1).
- See the scenario instructions for allocation of support fire markers.
- Support fire markers used during the Bombardment Phase or any Combat Phase are not available again during the same GT. Once used, return support fire markers to the player's pool. They are not available for the remainder of the current GT but may be available in subsequent GTs.
- Players may not accumulate support fire markers from GT to GT. If not used during the GT allotted, players must return them to their respective pools.
- Players randomly pick support fire markers from the pool (unless scenario rules instruct otherwise) when allocated to bombardment and/or combat. Players must place them face down, meaning the "+" value is not showing.
- Players can only use a support fire marker once during each GT.
- The value represents the combat strength that players may apply to bombardments or combats that occur during the turn. Whether as the attacker or the defender, the applying player places his support fire marker(s) and then adds the support fire markers "+" number to his total attack or defense value.
- A player may not divide or split the "+" value of a support fire marker among different targets. A player may only apply each support fire marker to one target hex only.
- Combat results (bombardment and ground combat) have no effect on the allotment of support fire markers during the current or any future GT, except when stipulated differently by the exclusive rules.
Example: If two 4-4-10 units are attacking a 2-3-8 unit; the total attack value is "8". If the attacking player has added two "+2" support fire markers, the final attack value becomes "12". If the defending player has added one "+6" support fire marker to that same combat, the final defensive value would then become "9".
8.0 Bombardment & Ground Combat
There are two types of combat: bombardment which takes place during the Bombardment Phase, and ground combat which takes place in the Combat or Mobile Combat Phases. The rules below apply to both bombardment and ground combat.
- The active player is the attacker and the inactive player is the defender, regardless of the strategic or tactical situation.
- Combat is not mandatory. There is no requirement for unit to attack, although a defending unit cannot avoid combat.
- A single defending unit can be the subject of an attack in each of the Bombardment, Combat and the Mobile Combat Phases; however, it can only suffer one attack in each of the above phases.
- A single attack may only attack one defending hex (i.e., attackers may not attack more than one hex during a single attack).
- There is no requirement for an attacker to declare all his intended attacks at the outset of the Bombardment or Combat Phase. He can declare each eligible attack as he reviews the map and conducts each individual attack.
- Players must resolve each attack prior to conducting any other attacks.
- The attacker can resolve attacks in any order the attacker wishes, provided he resolves each combat before declaring the next combat.
8.1 Bombardment
During the Bombardment Phase, the active player may conduct attacks using support fire markers only.
- Bombardment attacks do not require a friendly unit to be adjacent to the enemy units attacked.
- Friendly ground units do not participate in a bombardment in any way, including advance after combat. Bombardment does not affect friendly units except as outlined in 8.1.3.
- Each support fire marker may only target one enemy occupied hex.
- A maximum of two markers may bombard the same hex during the same player turn.
- Markers may be of any value from among the markers drawn from the player's pool.
- Once a player uses a marker, follow the procedures outlined in the exclusive rules to determine the marker's eligibility for reuse in a later game turn.
8.1.1 Range
A player may use support fire markers to bombard targets anywhere on the map. The exclusive rules may assign specific ranges for certain types of support fire markers.
8.1.2 Procedure
To conduct a bombardment, the active player may select any enemy unit that is in range of the support fire markers used (8.1.1). Follow the procedures below, in the given order, for each bombardment.
- The attacker identifies the enemy unit he will bombard.
- He may select a maximum of two support fire markers, stating the number he has selected and their total strength.
- Calculate the combat differential by totaling the support strength value minus the total defending unit's strength value. Locate the line on the CRT that matches the terrain in the defender's hex (8.2.2). Exception: Do not apply hexside terrain (8.2.2).
- Next, on that line locate the column on the CRT that corresponds to the final combat differential. Roll one six-sided die and cross-reference the result within the combat differential column on the CRT. Apply the results immediately.
8.1.3 Results
Apply the results the same as ground combat with the following exceptions:
- Ae, A1, A2, A3 & Ex: Treat as no result.
- (A): Apply this result only if there is at least one unit friendly to the bombarding player adjacent to the hex bombarded (friendly fire).
8.1.4 Terrain Effects
Players may use bombardment regardless of intervening terrain or units (enemy or friendly). It is not subject to line of sight restrictions, except when stipulated differently by the exclusive rules. In all cases, the defending units benefit fully from the terrain in the hex they occupy (not hexside terrain) per the CRT.
8.1.5 Bombardment Retreat
Conduct retreat after bombardment using the procedures outlined in 8.3.
- The retreating unit must, if possible, retreat farther away from the closest enemy unit.
- If there are no enemy units on the map, the unit must retreat towards the closest friendly unit.
8.2 Ground Combat
Ground combat can only take place when friendly units are adjacent to enemy units.
- The active player may declare any number of attacks by eligible units as he wishes.
- The attacking player may decide which of his units will be participating in an attack against which defending units.
- A mobile unit cannot attack in both the Combat Phase and again in the Mobile Combat Phase of the same player turn.
- There is no requirement for all adjacent units to attack.
- Units that do not participate in one attack may participate in a later attack against another hex if the unit meets all other requirements.
- A player may attack a unit from all adjacent friendly occupied hexes.
- A unit cannot attack across a prohibited/restricted hexside or into a hex prohibited to the attacking unit.
- The type of terrain the attacking unit(s) occupy has no effect on their eligibility to attack.
- All attack and defense strengths are unitary. A player cannot divide a unit's strength among different combats, whether as the attacker or the defender. A unit may not combine its attack and defense strengths for any reason.
8.2.1 Combat Procedure
Follow the procedures below, in the given order, for each attack.
a) The attacker states the quantity and the strength of his attacking units, and the enemy unit that is the subject of the attack. Once declared, the attacking player cannot call off an attack.
b) Both players may select available support fire markers in support of the current combat. This is a five-step process:
- The attacking player may select one support fire marker placing it value-side down near the battling units to indicate it will support that combat.
- The defending player may then select one support fire marker placing it value-side down near the battling units to indicate it will support that combat. The defender may do this whether the attacker did or did not place a support fire marker.
- The attacker may then select a second (one additional) support fire marker. He may do this whether either player did or did not already apply a support fire marker.
- Finally, the defender may select a second (one additional) support fire marker. He may do this whether either player did or did not already apply any support fire markers.
- Both players reveal their support fire marker values (flip the markers over).
Important: After each step, neither player can change his mind about having placed, or not placed, a support fire marker in a previous step.
c) Each player adds the combat strengths of his ground units and support fire markers into one total.
d) Calculate the combat differential by subtracting the defender's total from the attacker's total. Locate the line on the CRT that matches the terrain in the defender's hex, including hexside terrain. Then on that line locate the column on the CRT that corresponds to the final combat differential. Roll one six-sided die and cross-reference the result within the combat differential column on the CRT. Apply the results immediately.
8.2.2 Effects of Terrain
Only defending units benefit from the terrain in the hex they occupy and/or that hex's hexside terrain feature. The terrain within the hexes occupied by attacking units has no effect upon combat.
- Defending units do not benefit from river or ditch hexsides unless all the attacking units are attacking that defending unit across a non-bridged river or ditch hexside into that hex. If all units are attacking across a river and at least one of the units is attacking across a bridged hexside, use the bridged line on the CRT.
- The effect of terrain on combat is an integral part of the CRT. Refer to the terrain in the defending unit's hex and/or hexside and cross-reference that terrain type with the combat differential (8.2.1).
Important: Hexes may depict more than one type of terrain and may have hexsides that impact combat. In this case, use the terrain most beneficial to the defender.
Important: River hexsides contain a bridge wherever a road crosses a river. If at least one attacking unit is attacking across a bridged river hexside, that attack is an attack across a bridge (not across a river) when resolving an attack on the Combat Results Table (CRT).
8.2.3 Fortifications
If a game includes fortifications (whether printed, or as counters), the following applies to any unit occupying a hex containing a fortification:
- Double the printed defense strength of a unit.
- Halve (round down) the combat modifier (the "+" value) of an attacker's support fire marker when applied to a fortification hex.
- This rule does not apply to support fire markers applied by the defending player.
8.2.4 Combat Resolution
The combat results listed on the CRT are as follows:
- De: Eliminate the defending unit(s).
- D3: The defending unit(s) must retreat three hexes.
- D2: The defending unit(s) must retreat two hexes.
- Ex: Flip one attacking unit and the defending unit to their depleted side (or eliminate if already depleted or a one-step unit). Among multiple attacking units, the attacker chooses the unit to deplete.
- A1: The attacking unit(s) must retreat one hex.
- A2: The attacking unit(s) must retreat two hexes.
- A3: The attacking unit(s) must retreat three hexes.
- (A): Deplete one adjacent unit (or eliminate it if already depleted or a one-step unit). If conducting bombardment, this result applies if friendly unit is adjacent to enemy unit being bombarded.
- Ae: Eliminate all attacking units.
- •: No Effect.
Notes: A retreat result marked with an asterisk may be ignored by the retreating player by declaring stiff resistance and depleting his unit instead (8.4). On a De or Ae result, eliminate all units. Do not deplete two-step units, eliminate them.
Important: If the combat result is a retreat, the retreating player retreats his own units in accordance with the retreat rules (8.3).
8.3 Retreat
When a combat result requires a unit to retreat, the owning player must immediately attempt to move that unit the indicated number of hexes away from its current hex. A retreat is not movement and does not require the expenditure of movement points.
Important: If a rule states that a unit is to deplete, eliminate the unit if already depleted or is a one-step unit.
- If a unit cannot retreat at least one hex (for any reason), eliminate the retreating unit (this does not nullify the retreat).
- A unit should (if possible) end its retreat closer (in hexes) to a friendly map edge (or a friendly source of supply).
- If possible, a retreating unit must retreat along a path of vacant hexes (not occupied by other friendly units). A unit may retreat through friendly occupied hexes if no other retreat route of vacant hexes is possible. See 8.3.1 for effects.
- Under no circumstances may a unit retreat into or through a hex occupied by an enemy unit or a hex in an EZOC.
Important: Friendly units and friendly units with a ZOC into a hex do not negate any EZOC into that same hex for the purposes of retreat.
- A unit may not retreat into or through prohibited terrain (an all-sea hex).
- Seaborne units required to retreat to a sea hex must deplete (scenario rules will identify units that may be seaborne and may supersede this rule).
- A unit that must retreat must stop its retreat the number of hexes away required by the combat result retreat number (from its original combat hex). If the unit can retreat at least one hex but cannot retreat the required number of hexes for any reason, deplete the unit in the last hex to which it can legally retreat. If depleted, then eliminate the unit.
- Unless specifically stated in exclusive scenario rules, units may not retreat off the map.
8.3.1 Displacement
If a retreating unit's only available final hex in a retreat path is occupied by another friendly unit, the retreating player may choose to displace (move) that other friendly unit from its hex to one adjacent hex as if that other friendly unit was also retreating because of combat.
- Displacement is voluntary; a retreating unit unable to retreat because of the presence of other friendly units may deplete instead of displacing a friendly unit.
- A retreating unit may not displace a friendly unit if any eligible vacant hex is available.
- Displacements cannot be into a prohibited hex, into an EZOC, or into a hex in which the displaced unit would stack with another unit.
- After the displaced unit has moved, the retreating unit may retreat into the displaced unit's formerly occupied hex.
- A displaced unit can displace another friendly unit using the same procedure.
- The displacement of units may continue until all units are in a hex that does not contain a friendly unit.
- A given unit may displace more than once in a phase.
- An attacker's displaced unit is ineligible to conduct an attack during the remainder of the attacker's turn.
- A retreating unit does not displace a friendly unit when moving through that other unit's hex during a retreat, but only if ending a retreat in the other unit's hex.
8.4 Stiff Resistance
Instead of obeying a retreat combat result, a player may declare stiff resistance. The player makes this decision after the combat die roll. A player may use stiff resistance when defending against bombardment and ground combat.
- When declaring stiff resistance, there is no requirement to retreat.
- The unit conducting stiff resistance is immediately depleted. If the attacker declares stiff resistance, any unit that does not retreat must suffer depletion.
- A player may opt to declare a depleted or one-step unit to offer stiff resistance to avoid the retreat combat result. The player must eliminate the depleted or one-step unit and still fulfill the requirements of the stiff resistance. This prevents any advance after combat into that combat hex (8.5).
8.5 Advance After Combat
A player can only advance after combat following a retreat combat result on an attacked (defending) enemy unit (i.e., D2 or D3). Advance after combat does not take place after an Ex or De result.
- A defending unit may never advance after combat.
- There is no advance after combat when conducting a bombardment.
- When an enemy unit retreats due to combat, it will leave a path of vacant hexes behind it, called the path of retreat. If a unit was unable to retreat the required number of hexes, the retreat path is the last hex into which the retreating unit could legally retreat. This includes units when unable to complete the entire retreat (8.3).
- Any or all units that participated in the combat that caused the retreat are then eligible to advance along the path of retreat.
- The decision to advance after combat must come immediately after the retreat is complete.
- Advance after combat is voluntary and the owning player always determines which units and how far they advance.
- Advancing units ignore all EZOC along the entire path of retreat.
- Unit(s) advancing after combat may end their movement in any of the hex(s) along the path of retreat, but they may not stray from the path of retreat while moving.
- If multiple units advance after combat, no more than one unit may end its movement in any one hex of the path of retreat.
- After an advance after combat, an advancing unit is not eligible to attack or perform any other activity during that player turn (unless specified otherwise by an exclusive rule).
- An advanced unit is subject to attack by any eligible enemy units in the immediately following enemy Combat Phase, just like any other unit.
9.0 Supply
There are no supply rules (unless otherwise noted in a specific game's exclusive rules). All units are always in supply. Isolated or surrounded units suffer no penalties.
Combat Results Table (System)
Defender terrain; combat differential is attack strength minus defense strength.
| Terrain | Col 1 | Col 2 | Col 3 | Col 4 | Col 5 | Col 6 | Col 7 | Col 8 | Col 9 | Col 10 | Col 11 | Col 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain | 0 | +1 | +2,+3 | +4,+5 | +6,+7 | +8,+9 | +10 | |||||
| City, Rough, River | -2 | -1 | 0 | +1 |
Notes to the Combat Results Table:
- Attacks at less than the lowest differential are resolved at the lowest differential.
- Attacks at greater than +10 are resolved as +10 attacks.
- When conducting bombardment treat the results in bold as No Effect.
- De: The defending unit is eliminated.
- D3: The defending unit must retreat three hexes.
- D2: The defending unit must retreat two hexes.
- Ex: One attacking unit and one defending unit must be flipped to their reduced side. If already reduced or is a one-step unit the unit is eliminated. Among multiple attacking units, the attacker chooses the unit to deplete/eliminate.
- A1: All attacking units must retreat one hex.
- A2: All attacking units must retreat two hexes.
- A3: All attacking units must retreat three hexes.
- (A): One attacking unit must be reduced. If unit is already reduced or a one-step unit it is eliminated. Among multiple attacking units, the attacker chooses the unit to reduce/eliminate. If conducting bombardment, this result only applies if a friendly unit is adjacent to the enemy unit being bombarded.
- Ae: All attacking units eliminated.
- •: No effect.