US WW1 Games

Started by ArizonaTank, June 17, 2018, 09:51:05 PM

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ArizonaTank

We are right in the middle of the 100th anniversary of the US participating in ground combat in WWI.  I have an itch to play some US WW1 games...but sadly I can't seem to come up with many.

I guess that one reason for lack of games is that the US ground forces didn't really start fighting battles until April 1918. So because of the relatively short period between April and November 1918, I can understand the lack of game coverage somewhat... 

And of course, for years WWI has suffered from the idea that it is all about trench warfare...  After you have gone over the top two or three times in games...who wants to play trench warfare again – right?

But the "WWI" the US fought in was much more mobile than the static battlefields of 1915-1917.  The Western Front of 1918 was the most fluid period of the war since 1914. 

The Germans, flush with seasoned troops from the Eastern Front launched several major offensives...Strosstruppen regularly broke trench lines...and there was plenty of open field running. The Germans almost got to Paris...again!!  Then for the US there was the Meuse Argonne Offensive...with plenty of movement...the largest US battle ever (in terms of soldiers participating).  Hardly "boring" trench warfare at all...

Still, the fact remains that there just aren't that many games that cover the US involvement as a major theme (there are plenty of games where the US shows up, for a cameo: Marne 1918: Friedensturm has the US Marines and US 3rd Divisions on board for example).

Below is the list games I have come up with so far...are there others?

Strategic
Over There – I have this...huge monster with no vassal module...so I will probably never play.  Interesting that it has a hypothetical war with Mexico mini-game.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/7752/over-there

Operational
Rock of the Marne – The US 3rd Division helps hold the Germans from taking Paris in July 1918.  The game is MMP SCS with all of its good and bad aspects (fast playing, but some head scratching rules – at least for me -  for Strosstruppen for example)
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/29382/rock-marne

Belleau Wood – an old game from the early 80s that really is a delight to play.  There is a vassal module...  Would love to see more games like this one.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13522/belleau-wood

Meuse Argonne: The Final Offensive Decision Games folio game....game could definitely use some more WW1 flavor and chrome...kind of cookie cutter-ish.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/144959/meuse-argonne-final-offensive

The Lost Battalion – Meuse Argonne – S&T game from 2003, hmmm...I might have to pick this one up.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/11674/lost-battalion-meuse-argonne-offensive-1918

Devil Dogs: Belleau Wood 1918 – upcoming game from Worthington, looks good...but the BGG page is sparse and lonely.
https://worthingtonpublishing.com/product/devil-dogs-belleau-wood-1918/

Tactical
Great War Commander Combat Commander goes to WWI: includes French, German and US forces.
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/165967/great-war-commander

In the Trenches: Devil Dogs  and In the Trenches: Doughboys mix of scenarios including US. 
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/188455/trenches-devil-dogs
https://tinybattlepublishing.com/products/in-the-trenches-doughboys

Any others?








Johannes "Honus" Wagner
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bayonetbrant

are you just looking for current in-print stuff, or anything?
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ArizonaTank

Johannes "Honus" Wagner
"The Flying Dutchman"
Shortstop: Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-1917
Rated as the 2nd most valuable player of all time by Bill James.

mirth

This is currently on P500
https://www.gmtgames.com/p-670-19181919-storm-in-the-west.aspx

It includes a variant that continues the war into 1919. Could be interesting and undoubtedly would give you lots of US units.

QuoteIn the Plan 1919 campaign, the Germans are assumed to have used the collapse of Russia to stabilize the Balkan and Italian fronts, forgoing the historical 1918 Kaiser's Battles in the West. The Allies are thus faced with a strong German defense, but with a fully mobilized American army and backed by masses of tanks and planes.  This hypothetical campaign challenges the Allies to leverage these arms into the world's first blitzkrieg, while the Germans fight to force a stalemate that will leave them dominant in Europe.
"45 minutes of pooping Tribbles being juggled by a drunken Horta would be better than Season 1 of TNG." - SirAndrewD

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bob48

The 'In the Trenches' games are good, small scenarios, but still fun.
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'Clip those corners'

Recombobulate the discombobulators!

ArizonaTank

Quote from: mirth on June 18, 2018, 08:19:55 AM
This is currently on P500
https://www.gmtgames.com/p-670-19181919-storm-in-the-west.aspx

It includes a variant that continues the war into 1919. Could be interesting and undoubtedly would give you lots of US units.

QuoteIn the Plan 1919 campaign, the Germans are assumed to have used the collapse of Russia to stabilize the Balkan and Italian fronts, forgoing the historical 1918 Kaiser's Battles in the West. The Allies are thus faced with a strong German defense, but with a fully mobilized American army and backed by masses of tanks and planes.  This hypothetical campaign challenges the Allies to leverage these arms into the world's first blitzkrieg, while the Germans fight to force a stalemate that will leave them dominant in Europe.

Sounds like just the ticket!  Thanks!
Johannes "Honus" Wagner
"The Flying Dutchman"
Shortstop: Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-1917
Rated as the 2nd most valuable player of all time by Bill James.

OJsDad

Bob, I cannot believe you didn't recommend Der Weltkrieg for both Operational and Strategic.

http://spwgame.com/
'Here at NASA we all pee the same color.'  Al Harrison from the movie Hidden Figures.

bob48

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

'Clip those corners'

Recombobulate the discombobulators!

bbmike

Quote from: mirth on June 18, 2018, 08:19:55 AM
This is currently on P500
https://www.gmtgames.com/p-670-19181919-storm-in-the-west.aspx

It includes a variant that continues the war into 1919. Could be interesting and undoubtedly would give you lots of US units.

QuoteIn the Plan 1919 campaign, the Germans are assumed to have used the collapse of Russia to stabilize the Balkan and Italian fronts, forgoing the historical 1918 Kaiser's Battles in the West. The Allies are thus faced with a strong German defense, but with a fully mobilized American army and backed by masses of tanks and planes.  This hypothetical campaign challenges the Allies to leverage these arms into the world's first blitzkrieg, while the Germans fight to force a stalemate that will leave them dominant in Europe.

I really need to look into automatic payroll deductions to GMT. It would make my life easier.
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mirth

Quote from: bbmike on June 20, 2018, 04:24:35 PM
Quote from: mirth on June 18, 2018, 08:19:55 AM
This is currently on P500
https://www.gmtgames.com/p-670-19181919-storm-in-the-west.aspx

It includes a variant that continues the war into 1919. Could be interesting and undoubtedly would give you lots of US units.

QuoteIn the Plan 1919 campaign, the Germans are assumed to have used the collapse of Russia to stabilize the Balkan and Italian fronts, forgoing the historical 1918 Kaiser's Battles in the West. The Allies are thus faced with a strong German defense, but with a fully mobilized American army and backed by masses of tanks and planes.  This hypothetical campaign challenges the Allies to leverage these arms into the world's first blitzkrieg, while the Germans fight to force a stalemate that will leave them dominant in Europe.

I really need to look into automatic payroll deductions to GMT. It would make my life easier.

You and me both.
"45 minutes of pooping Tribbles being juggled by a drunken Horta would be better than Season 1 of TNG." - SirAndrewD

"you don't look at the mantelpiece when you're poking the fire" - Bawb

"Can't 'un' until you 'pre', son." - Gus