Battle for Germany
Encyclopedia
Battle for Germany is a board wargame
which simulates operations in Germany during 1945 in World War II
. It was designed by James F. Dunnigan
and originally published by SPI
in 1975 as an insert in Strategy & Tactics
magazine, issue #50. Popular for its innovative design, the game was revamped and released by Decision Games
, which acquired the rights to many SPI games after that company went bankrupt in 1982.
Battle for Germany includes design features common in games of its era, such as a hex map
and counters
representing military units. However, unlike many two player simulations of World War II which simply pit Axis
forces against the Allies
, Battle for Germany simulates Allied rivalry between the United States
and the Soviet Union
. Each player commands his own forces as well as the German units which are faced by his opponent. The objective is to control as much German territory as possible by the time Berlin
falls to the Allies.
Battle for Germany is also unusual in that it is playable by two, three, or four players with no change in setup and little change in play dynamics. Additional players control the German forces.
Board wargame
A board wargame is a wargame with a set playing surface or board, as opposed to being played on a computer, or in a more free-form playing area as in miniatures games. The hobby around this type of game got its start in 1954 with the publication of Tactics, and saw its greatest popularity in the...
which simulates operations in Germany during 1945 in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was designed by James F. Dunnigan
Jim Dunnigan
James F. Dunnigan is an author, military-political analyst, Defense and State Department consultant, and wargame designer currently living in New York City, notable for his matter-of-fact approach to military analysis.-Career:...
and originally published by SPI
Simulations Publications
Simulations Publications, Inc. was an influential American publisher of board wargames and related magazines, particularly its flagship Strategy & Tactics, in the 1970s and early 1980s...
in 1975 as an insert in Strategy & Tactics
Strategy & Tactics
Strategy & Tactics is a wargaming magazine now published by Decision Games, notable for publishing a complete new wargame in each issue...
magazine, issue #50. Popular for its innovative design, the game was revamped and released by Decision Games
Decision Games
Decision Games is a wargaming company, founded by Christopher Cummins, that publishes Strategy & Tactics magazine. The company has bought the rights to many Simulations Publications, Inc...
, which acquired the rights to many SPI games after that company went bankrupt in 1982.
Battle for Germany includes design features common in games of its era, such as a hex map
Hex map
A hex map, hex board or hex grid is a gameboard design commonly used in wargames of all scales. The map is subdivided into small regular hexagons of identical size.-Advantages and disadvantages:...
and counters
Counter (board wargames)
Boardgame counters are usually small cardboard squares moved around on the map of a wargame to represent armies, military units or individual military personnel. The first modern mass-market wargame, based on cardboard counters and hex-board maps, was Tactics, invented by Charles S. Roberts in 1952...
representing military units. However, unlike many two player simulations of World War II which simply pit Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
forces against the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, Battle for Germany simulates Allied rivalry between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. Each player commands his own forces as well as the German units which are faced by his opponent. The objective is to control as much German territory as possible by the time Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
falls to the Allies.
Battle for Germany is also unusual in that it is playable by two, three, or four players with no change in setup and little change in play dynamics. Additional players control the German forces.