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Author Topic: 'Poland 39' from Trafalgar Editions  (Read 522 times)

bob48

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on: October 14, 2024, 11:29:58 AM
Watch this space - detailed reviews coming soon!
« Last Edit: October 14, 2024, 11:43:11 AM by bob48 »

“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


bob48

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Reply #1 on: October 14, 2024, 12:02:54 PM
About The Game.

Again, many thanks to Trafalgar Editions for providing us with a pre-release copy of the game.

As the title suggests, the game covers the German invasion of Poland in 1939, an event which triggered the start of World War 2. In addition, the later invasion by the Soviet Union is also included in the game as a variant. In all, and apart from the main campaign scenario, we have a choice of 2 variants and 2 'what if' scenarios, providing players with a lot of re playability.

The very attractive 25.5" x 28.5" mounted map board is easy to 'read' and includes Poland and its surrounding area's, plus a turn record track and some other player aids.

Each hexagon represent 40 Km and each game turn is 5 days.

Also in the box is an illustrated 20 page rule book with some examples of play, plus all the scenario information. and a couple of charts and tables, some which information is also included on the single player aid card.

Units in the game are generally corps and divisions, with some smaller formations such as Polish Border Battalions. The game comes with 288 5/8” counters, printed on one side. The die cutting on the review copy is extremely good, with no ‘nibs’ and most of the counters simply fell out of the sheets with just a little gentle pressure. Only in a very few instances did I need to resort to a  sharp craft knife in order to prevent ‘tearing’ of the reverse side on the counter.

All the components are very well made, and you get 3 x D6 in the box!

I'll be looking at the units and general game play in greater depth in later posts, plus my thoughts on how well the game simulates the campaign.

“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


Trafalgar Editions

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Reply #2 on: October 14, 2024, 02:07:34 PM
 :) :bigthumb:



bob48

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Reply #3 on: October 16, 2024, 06:42:53 AM
The 28.5" x 25.5" mounted map, which is nicely done and a pleasure to play on.

“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


bob48

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Reply #4 on: October 16, 2024, 06:44:49 AM
Player Aid Card, illustrated rule book, which included example of play and all the scenario instruction.

Oh, and 3 x D6  :)


“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


bob48

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Reply #5 on: October 16, 2024, 06:51:24 AM
Three sheets of single sided 5/8" counters.

Excellently die-cut (laser cut?), absolutely no 'nibs' and most counters just fall out with gentle pressure.

The counters are quite clear, easily readable, and use silhouettes for infantry and cavalry, but nicely illustrated pictures of armour and aircraft.

“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


bob48

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Reply #6 on: October 27, 2024, 06:10:08 PM
HQ's play a significant role in the game as not only do they channel supply, but also provide a base for air operations. Bombers can operate up to 20 hexes from their assigned HQ, and interdiction missions up to 10 hexes. In addition, HQ's can provide defensive benefits to units within the HQ's command radius.

Air units are either bombers, which can be used to attempt to disrupt enemy units, or fighters which can attempt to interdict a hex in order to restrict enemy movement.
from turn 3, the German player may also assign up to 3 bombers to aid a given combat, although using more than 1 may result in damage to friendly units. This is to reflect the fact that the Germans had not yet perfected the coordination between air and ground units that we see later in the war.

Interestingly, the Polish player also has 2 armoured trains which can give defensive benefits to units within a small radius.

Players are able to choose a historical scenario whereby the Soviets only launch an invasion once Warsaw has been captured by the Germans. Alternatively, there are options to play with no Soviet involvement, or with a Soviet invasion from the beginning of the game. This is a great option for 3 players.

“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


bob48

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Reply #7 on: November 10, 2024, 07:01:29 AM
The games includes some interesting rules which allow units to attempt to infiltrate through enemy ZOC's. Combat units have a infiltration value, and a counter infiltration value.  When attempting to infiltrate, the unit subtracts the counter infiltration value of the unit exerting the ZOC from the infiltration value of moving unit. This produces a number which must be rolled against in order to move through the ZOC. Obviously, mobile units have a greater chance of infiltrating the ZOC of a foot unit while the reverse is not the case.

This is quite a significant rule as it allows mechanised and cavalry units a greater chance of making enveloping attacks against enemy units. What makes such attacks particularly important is that units destroyed in this way are not eligible to return as a replacement and are removed from the game.

Cavalry units also play a significant part in the game, especially for the Poles who have a number of cavalry divisions. A single such unit has a combat value of '0', but if 2 such units are stacked, then they assume a combined combat value of 2.

Another interesting feature is that of Polish infantry corps having a combat bonus against armoured formations. The reason being that Polish infantry units were well provided with anti tank guns of a calibre that was more than able to deal with most German tanks of the period - mainly Pz I and Pz II.

So, the Poles are no easy force to overcome, and the German player need to use a combination of air power to disrupt Polish units and to interdict hexes that may be used to move reinforcements through, and to infiltrate ZOC's to gain combat advantages.


“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'


bbmike

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Reply #8 on: November 10, 2024, 08:33:10 AM
That is interesting. I can't think of a game that I've played where there is a mechanic to try to avoid a unit's ZOC/ZOI.

"My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplace of existence."
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bob48

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Reply #9 on: November 10, 2024, 10:06:57 AM
Yes, it is unusual, and very effective.

“O Lord God, let me not be disgraced in my old days.”

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'