The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43 (1979) Board Game

The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43 is a wargame that was released in in 1979. Designed by Redmond A. Simonsen and published by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.), this game is set during World War II and focuses on the North African campaign between 1940 and 1943.

Game Components of The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43

Map Board: 9.5 ft (3 m) long, composed of 5 paper hex grid maps, each 34 inch × 23 inch, scaled at 8 km (5 mi) per hex with thirty-one types of terrain.

Counters: 1,600 counters representing various units such as divisions, brigades, regiments, and battalions.

Rulebook: 6 booklets including “Historical Background,” “Land Game Rules of Play,” “Air and Logistics Game Rules of Play and Scenarios,” “Charts and Tables Common to Both Players,” “Axis Exclusive Charts and Tables,” and “Commonwealth Exclusive Charts and Tables”.

Logistical Sheets: 12 logistical sheets for tracking supplies and unit records.

Storage Trays: 3 plastic counter storage trays.

Dice: 1 six-sided die.

How To Setup The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43

Setting up the game is a formidable task. The large map board must be assembled, and the numerous counters and logistical sheets need to be organized. The game requires meticulous preparation, including creating unit organization charts for every counter on the board. Each player or team must assign roles such as Commander-In-Chief, Logistics Commander, Rear Area Commander, Air Commander, and Front-line Commander to manage the complex logistics and strategic decisions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Logistics-Oriented: The game focuses heavily on managing logistics, supply lines, and unit maintenance.

Turn Structure: Each turn represents one week of game time, involving multiple phases including unit assignments, combat, supply management, and movement. A single turn can be repeated up to three times.

Player Roles: Divide into teams of five players per side, each with specific duties: Commander-In-Chief, Logistics Commander, Rear Area Commander, Air Commander, and Front-line Commander.

Objective: The objective is to simulate the North African Campaign accurately, with the game spanning 100 turns, each representing a week, and totaling up to 1,500 hours of playtime.

Player Experience

The Campaign for North Africa is infamous for its complexity and time commitment. Players must dedicate significant time and effort to manage the intricate details of the game, including tracking fuel evaporation, supply requisitions, and the movement of individual units. The game is less about combat and more about logistical management, making it a unique but daunting experience. It is often described as an “art project” rather than a conventional board game due to its extreme complexity.

Pros

Historical Accuracy: The game offers a highly detailed and historically accurate simulation of the North African Campaign.

Complex Strategy: It provides a deep and complex strategic experience for players who enjoy logistical and tactical challenges.

Teamwork: The game encourages teamwork and division of roles among players, simulating real military command structures.

Cons

Time Commitment: The game requires an enormous amount of time, estimated at up to 1,500 hours to complete.

Complexity: The rules and logistics are extremely complex, making it difficult for new players to learn and engage.

Player Availability: Finding a group of 10 players with the time and dedication to complete the game is highly challenging.

Personal Thoughts on The Campaign for North Africa: The Desert War 1940-43

This game is for the most dedicated and passionate wargamers who relish in the intricacies of historical military simulations. It is not for casual gamers due to its extreme complexity and time requirements. If you are someone who enjoys the minutiae of logistical management and strategic planning, and you have a committed group of players, then The Campaign for North Africa might be the ultimate challenge for you. However, for most, it remains a fascinating curiosity rather than a playable game.

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