1944: D-Day to the Rhine

About this board game

1944: D-Day to the Rhine is a two-player World War II game with an approximately 120-minute playing time, covering the Western Front from June 1944 through March 1945.

One player commands Germany, preparing defenses to meet the Allied landings. The other leads the Allies, seeking to land, break out, and drive across France as quickly as possible. The central question is whether the Allies can cross the Rhine and break through the West Wall before Christmas.

Before play begins, both sides select variable objectives. Because players do not truly know their opponent’s objectives, every decision takes place under added uncertainty. Many victory objectives focus on eliminating enemy units, while the Allies also aim to reach Germany before 1945.

• Two-player conflict: One player controls Germany and the other controls the Allies.
• Western Front setting: Follow the campaign from the Normandy landings through the drive toward the Rhine.
• Variable objectives: Hidden goals create tension from the opening setup.
• Optional rules: Include landings outside Normandy and hidden German units.

The game follows up on Battle of the Bulge 1944, continuing the historical campaign with a focus on the Allied advance and German resistance. German players must establish defenses, while Allied players must press forward and pursue their objectives before time runs out.

With its concealed objectives, optional rules, and opposing demands for defense and rapid advance, 1944: D-Day to the Rhine presents a tense contest over the outcome of the Western Front.