Afrikakorps: Decision in the Desert, 1941-42

About this board game

Afrikakorps: Decision in the Desert, 1941-42 is a 1–2 player game of the Western Desert campaigns, with play lasting about 240 minutes. It simulates the conflict between Italo-German forces under Erwin Rommel and the forces of the British Empire.

The map depicts the Egyptian and Libyan coastal area in 1941-42. Each hex represents 12.5 miles (20 km), while every game turn covers one month. Choose between a short scenario running from May to November 1941 and a long scenario spanning May 1941 to November 1942.

Players must contend with the operational pressures of desert warfare, including supply, refits, reinforcements, fog of war, reconnaissance, pursuit, and pursuit combat. Fortified boxes, heavy armor, 88s, airpower, naval bombardment, coastal shipping, and battlefield salvage all contribute to the challenge.

• High command bulletins, appeals to Berlin, and unit upgrades
• Off-map bases, air transport, aerial supply, and airborne assault
• Special forces, tactics, amphibious landings, and port interdiction
• Oases, the Qattara Depression, Malta, and capture of the Western Desert Force headquarters

A game turn begins with planning, followed by reinforcement and refit, then multiple operations phases. Movement and combat take place within each operations phase, before air units return and the game advances through its inter-phase procedures.

1. Planning Phase
2. Reinforcement & Refit Phase
3. Operations Phases
4. Air Return Phase
5. Game Turn Inter-Phase

With rules of intermediate complexity, experienced players can complete the short scenario in around four hours. Afrikakorps also supports solitaire play, offering a substantial desert campaign for one or two players.