FAB: Golan ’73

About this board game

FAB: Golan ’73 is a two-player, approximately 240-minute wargame released in 2016, placing you in command of highly mechanized forces during the campaign for the Golan Heights.

The Israeli player begins with relatively few units and must withstand the initial assault while waiting for reinforcements to arrive. The Syrian player starts with a powerful force and must attack in the right places, achieve a rapid breakthrough, and capture objectives before Israeli reserves and changing air-power conditions turn the campaign against them.

Rocky terrain shapes the battle. New terrain features include escarpments, wadis, and the anti-tank ditch known as the Purple Line. New assets such as surface-to-air missiles, mortars, and anti-tank guns give both sides additional tools as they maneuver and fight across the Heights.

• Helicopter-borne air assaults
• Special rules for the first night
• Variable setup options for greater replay value
• A historical setup for players seeking a closer recreation of events

Historical events bring further character to each battle, including Operation Dugman 5, Strategic Reserve Releases, the GHQ Air Raid, Lt. Zvicka Greengold, electronic warfare, and the Syrian Frog-7 missile strike. These events support the game’s focus on timing, pressure, and the changing balance of the campaign.

In FAB: Golan ’73, the Syrian player must strike hard and fast, then hold on to hard-won gains as Israeli strength grows, the SAM barrier is reduced, and the Israeli Air Force becomes more effective. The Israeli player faces a race against time: can the initial defense survive long enough for reinforcements to arrive?