Lion of Judah: The War for Ethiopia, 1935-1941

About this board game

Lion of Judah: The War for Ethiopia, 1935-1941 is a two-player wargame with a 240-minute play time, covering two campaigns in the Horn of Africa: Italy versus Ethiopia in 1935-1936, and the British Commonwealth and Ethiopia versus Italy in 1940-1941.

Both scenarios share a core rule set while adding campaign-specific rules. Players command regular divisions, brigades, and regiments alongside irregular warrior levies and tribal bands. Armor, transports, air power, and headquarters are also represented across one large-hex map with approximately 400 counters.

The unforgiving Ethiopian terrain makes logistics central to every campaign. Supply counters represent the replacements, ammunition, artillery support, and other resources needed to keep an army operating. Western forces have greater firepower but lower movement rates, while forced marches offer faster movement at the risk of getting lost, running out of supply, losing pack mules, or suffering an ambush.

The game combines conventional warfare with guerrilla operations and political pressure. Ethiopian forces in 1935 may activate unpredictably, while the Italian player can bribe certain formations into inactivity and encourage rebellions. In 1940-1941, Commonwealth and Ethiopian forces can raise resistance behind Italian lines, forcing Italy to protect communications and cities.

• Random events influence diplomacy, rebellions, reinforcements, weapons purchases, and blockade runners.
• Scenario rules cover chemical warfare, road building, supply dumps, fuel and ammunition shortages, open cities, and the Red Sea Flotilla.
• Special forces include Mission 101 or Gideon Force, the Somali Camel Corps, and an Italo-German motorized company.

With its uncertain activations, event chits, harsh movement decisions, and competing military and political demands, Lion of Judah presents a detailed simulation of two very different campaigns fought under extreme conditions.