Corpo Truppe Volontarie: Santander 1937 (2018) Board Game

Corpo Truppe Volontarie: Santander 1937 is a board game that takes players back to the Spanish Civil War, specifically the Battle of Santander in in 2018. This battle was a crucial moment in the conflict, with the Nationalist forces led by Generalissimo Franco launching a major offensive against the Republican forces.

Game Components of Corpo Truppe Volontarie: Santander 1937

Map: A small-sized map representing the Santander region.

Counters: About 100 counters, including units with standard attack-defense-movement factors, step loss markers, and region-specific color coding for Republican forces (Basques, Asturias, Santander).

Rules: Revised rules incorporating victory points, morale, disorganization of units, and modified asset usage.

How To Setup Corpo Truppe Volontarie: Santander 1937

Setup involves placing units according to the revised setup rules, ensuring each side’s forces are correctly positioned to reflect the historical deployment. The Basque Corps (XIV Corps) is placed defending the last remnants of Basque territory, while the Nationalist forces include regular, Italian, and joint Italo-Spanish units, as well as the Legion Condor.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Traditional hex & counter “I go-You go” mechanics, with operational scale (2 days per turn, 6 km per hex), and regiment-brigade level units.

Game Objective: The Nationalist player aims to conquer key victory point hexes without incurring significant losses. The game ends when Republican Morale is reduced to zero or raised over 5.

Key Mechanics:
– Disorganization of units
– Overstacking penalties and advantages
– Artillery fire modifiers
– Basque surrender mechanics
– Optional rules for tanks, blockade runners, and naval support.

Player Experience

**Corpo Truppe Volontarie: Santander 1937** offers a engaging and historically accurate simulation. Players must manage resources, morale, and unit disorganization, making strategic decisions that mirror the challenges faced during the real campaign. The game is designed to be playable in a couple of hours, making it accessible yet thorough in its representation of the Santander campaign.

Pros

Historical Accuracy: The game closely follows the historical events of the Santander campaign.

Replay Value: Despite its small size, the game has considerable replay value due to the complexity of strategies and the optional rules.

Simplified Mechanics: The “I go-You go” mechanics make the game easy to learn and play.

Region-Specific Units: The color coding and unit symbols add a layer of realism and distinction between different Republican forces.

Cons

Limited Scope: The game focuses on a specific campaign, which might limit its appeal for those seeking a broader Spanish Civil War experience.

Complex Rules: While the core mechanics are simple, the additional rules and modifiers can be complex for new players to grasp.

Personal Thoughts on Corpo Truppe Volontarie: Santander 1937

This game is ideal for history enthusiasts and wargamers interested in the Spanish Civil War. Designer Javier Romero’s attention to historical detail and the incorporation of key events, such as the Basque surrender and the impact of overstacking, make it a compelling and educational experience. It’s a great choice for those who want to delve into a specific and decisive campaign of the Spanish Civil War.

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