Sands of War: Tactical Combat in the Middle East 1941-1991
 |
COMPONENTS:
* 16 5-color maps (11xl7 each).
* 5 die-cut counter sheets¸ with a total of 880 counters and markers.
* Complete game charts.
* 8-page Jump-Start rules folder with 2 introductory scenarios.
* 80-page game manual¸ including basic and advanced rules¸ historical notes¸ and 31 scenarios.
The entry of Italy into World War II on the side of the Axis brought war to North Africa and the Middle East¸ and that region has seen almost continual warfare ever since. Many¸ but by no means all¸ of these wars have been between the Israelis and their Arab neighbors. Others have been between rival Arab states have involved powers from outside the region.
These wars have been among the only major conventional ground conflicts since World War II¸ and thus provide a developing record of the changing nature of weapons systems¸ tactics¸ and the intensity of combat. Now¸ all of these conflicts are explored in one game: The Sands of War.
A subject this big requires a game to match¸ and The Sands of War is loaded with components. Sixteen geomorphic maps and more than 800 unit counters and markers allow recreation of dozens of historic battles. The battle manual provides rules for all aspects of modern combat: antitank missiles¸ advanced armor¸ helicopters¸ fighter-bombers¸ command control¸ morale¸ night actions (and the special equipment needed to fight in limited visibility)¸ chemical warfare¸ and more. More than 30 historical sceanrios are included¸ each based on a genuine battle and provided with accurate orders of battle and historical notes. The game itself is meticulously researched¸ and provides as accurate a view of warfare in the desert as has yet appeared.
But The Sands of War is also one of the most accessible tactical games ever published. The Jump-Start rules folder provides all of the basic game mechanics neuded for ground combat¸ along with two scenarios that can be played within a half hour of opening the box.
While concentrating on historical scenarios. The Sands of War allows portrayal of every aspect of modern ground combat and rating of equipment¸ on a common scale¸ ranging from the British infantry tanks of 1941 to the M1A1 Improved Production tank of 1991. Design-your-own scenario rules enable players to purchase units and match them against hypothetical opponents. Given the variety of maps and unit counters provided¸ the possibilities are nearly endless.