Somme 1918: Bloody Spring

About this board game

Somme 1918: Bloody Spring is a two-player strategic wargame with an approximately 240-minute playing time, covering Operation Michael on the Western Front in 1918. Across eight turns from the end of March to mid-April, players face an intense contest shaped by breakthroughs, defensive coordination, and changing command decisions.

The German player must recreate the historic breakthrough and make every effort to reach Amiens. The Allied player must avoid panic during the opening turns, organize an effective defense, and prepare a counter-attack near the end of the game. At least half of the turns contain three operational phases, creating a fast-moving and nerve-wracking campaign.

The core rules are based on those of Marne 1918: Friedensturm, while the air rules have been completely revised. Because Operation Michael lasts roughly fifteen days, the campaign-management rules from its predecessor are not used. Unit-management tracks are replaced by a single table handling unit replacement and reconstruction, while strategic movement is simplified for the tempo of the battle.

Specific rules highlight the distinctive challenges of the offensive, including Petain’s Reticence, reduced early inter-Allied cooperation, and French reinforcements arriving without their artillery support. The game also models the changing use of German assault troops and the impact of the Doullens Conference, which connects German conquests, Allied command, and victory points.

• One single-sided A1 map
• Approximately 560 counters
• English 24-page rules booklet and two player aids
• Introductory historical booklet with design notes
• Four dice

With difficult choices for both sides and a rules system tailored to a short, concentrated offensive, Somme 1918 offers a focused portrayal of one of the Western Front’s major 1918 battles.