Guerre Eclair

About this board game

Guerre Eclair is a card-driven game for two players, designed to portray the Battle of France in around 45 minutes; BoardGameGeek data lists a 60-minute play time.

Set against the events of May and June 1940, the game places you at the center of the German invasion of the Low Countries and France. The campaign follows the German army’s advance under the Manstein Plan, the breakthrough at Sedan, the British evacuation from Dunkirk, and France’s eventual Armistice on June 22.

Take command of the German forces and push hard with your Panzers. Your challenge is not only to advance, but also to keep the Allied player guessing about your ultimate goal as the offensive develops.

Alternatively, lead the Allied armies in a desperate effort to organize a continuous line of defense. Respond to the German advance, protect your position, and look for the right moment to launch a counter-attack.

The game’s two-sided perspective creates a focused contest between momentum and resistance. One player seeks to exploit the German breakthrough and maintain the pressure, while the other works to withstand the assault and find opportunities to fight back.

With its compact format and historical setting, Guerre Eclair offers a concise strategic interpretation of one of the Second World War’s most dramatic campaigns. It is a remake of the 2019 game The Rise of Blitzkrieg by Bonsai Games.