May 23, 1999 - Company Update
Moments in History Drops Von Borries Reprint in TUNISIA 1943
Moments in History Drops Von Borries Reprint in TUNISIA 1943
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May 23, 1999 - Company Update
Moments in History Drops Von Borries Reprint in TUNISIA 1943 |
Moments in History (Critical Hit, Inc.) has recently announced that they are dropping the Vance Von Borries re-issue of his classic design, DECISION AT KASSERINE, and will instead only include the Dirk Blennemann treatment of this battle in their upcoming TUNISIA 1943 release. The "Twin-Pack" in essence is now a standard, single game release.
Originally, TUNISIA 1943 was slated by Moments in History as a unique "two-different designs on one battle" in a single package. The first design was simply re-issuing the classic and out-of-print DECISION AT KASSERINE game by Vance Von Borries. This is an extremely popular game, originally published in The Wargamer magazine and later released by the now defunct 3W in a boxed format, which retains a solid value on the game collector's market. Equally enticiing is the second design by Dirk Blennemann, based on his highly-regarded TRIUMPHANT FOX and PIERCING THE REICH game system...which now forms the basis of the TUNISIA 1943 game release.
According to Critical Hit President, Roy Tapio,
"The buck stops on my desk and it was my decision to can the printing of Von Borries game as part of our TUNISIA '43 production. This was an 'inherited' approach and we opted to go for the NEW and innovative and did not see the value in including a re-print game in the package."
To counter Critical Hit's publishing decision, GMT Games has quickly taken up the call to re-issue Von Borries' KASSERINE title, but the significance of this move is that the game will be completely revised to fall in line with the game system recently employed by Von Borries in GMT's SILICY, which has been very well received. While this may be good news for most who prefer an updated system, the bad news is for those who are looking for a simple reprint of DECISION AT KASSERINE' they will have to continue to scour the collector game market.
Now that Critical Hit/MiH has announced the line up change for TUNISIA 1943, here is an in-depth look at the upcoming release.
TUNISIA 1943: OPERATION FRUEHLINGSWIND
The Kasserine Pass Offensive, February 1943
The Situation
In January 1943 the Axis were within sight of losing the war. Unfavorable events in the Soviet Union were beginning to exert a disastrous influence on other theaters of war, including the whole Mediterranean. In North Africa, the Axis survivors of El Alamein - a wreckage of a dozen divisions still called Deutsch-Italienische Panzer-Armee - occupied the "Mareth Line" in southern Tunisia. On the northern Tunisian front, 5th Panzer-Armee - a collection of various hastily transferred units - had stopped the Allied thrust towards Tunis in 1942, and defended the over-streched positions of the Tunis perimeter now.During November and December 1942 it had seemed possible that the Axis would be able to build up and maintain enough forces in North Africa to hold their own for a long time. However, by the end of January 1943 it was clear that the Allies had gained the upper hand in the battle over supplies. Whereas the Allied started to stockpile large amount of reserves of all kinds, Axis forces lived from hand to mouth.
The Axis High Command was well aware of the critical situation, expecting coordinated attacks by the British against the Mareth Line and a push towards Tunis by the combined Allied forces in northern Tunisia. It seemed to be only a question of time before the Axis forces would be overwhelmed. In the face of such imposing opposition, the Axis temporarily regained the initiative and launched an offensive in central Tunisia starting on February 14, code-named Unternehmen Fruehlingswind. The basic aim was to destroy their Allied opponents one at a time by using the central position: First, the combined Axis forces were suposed to crush the Allies in the west, and then turn once more on the 8th Army. An Axis success would have been lengthened the war in North Africa, including a delay of the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. Unternehmen Fruehlingswind was the Axis' last realistic chance for glory in North Africa.
The Game
TUNISIA 1943: OPERATION FRUEHLINGSWIND is an operational level simulation of the Axis offensive in central Tunisia against the Allied forces around the important Kasserine Pass which took place from February 14 to 23, 1943. "Fruehlingswind" was the Axis code name for the Kasserine offensive. One additional scenario covers the limited Axis attack on Faid Pass from January 30 to February 1. The game is basically intented for two players, one on each side, although it is also suitable for solitaire and team play. One side represents the Axis forces (German and Italian), while the opposing side controls the Allied forces of Americans, British, and French. The game is designed by Dirk Blennemann and uses a modified version of the acclaimed system of TRIUMPHANT FOX and PIERCING THE REICH. It is rich in detail, focuses on command control and very interactive.The focal point of each game turn ist the Operations Cycle, consisting of a variable number of Operations Segments. During each Operations Segment, the side currently holding the Initiative will activate a formation to undertake numerous Operations, conducted through the expenditure of available Operations Points. The same formation may be activated several times within a given Operations Cycle. Meanwhile, the "Reaction Side" may undertake Formation Reactions to counter the enemy's maneuvers.
Game Features
* One full color 22" x 34" map
* 370 full color counters
* Rulesbooklet
* Player Aid Cards on Cardstock
* Unit Scale: Company, Battalion, Regiment, Kampfgruppe, Brigade and HQs
* Time Scale: Single Turn = 1 Day
* Map Scale: 2 miles per hex
* Scenarios: 4
* Playing Time: 1 to 20 hours
* Players: 1 to 2Game Designer: Dirk Blennemann
Placing Your Order
TUNISIA 1943 is expected to ship in July and is now offered at the pre-publication price of $31.95, direct from Critical Hit. Please visit their Web site Game Orders Page for further details.Ulrich Blennemann
Moments in History - Critical Hit, Inc.
Related Links 1. Concentration of Forces in Tunisia 2. 21 Panzer Division 3. Critical Hit/MiH Web site
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Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com
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Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com
Headline News | Archives | New Products
Game Ratings | Clubs | Events | Discussion Board
Copyright © 1999, 2000 ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com
