Normandy '44

Normandy '44 is a 2, 3, or 4-player, regimental level game of the D-Day landings on June 6th and the battles that raged in Normandy for the next 21 days. During this crucial period the Germans had their only chance to push back the Allied invasion before the preponderance of Allied men and material made the outcome certain. During this period, the U.S. 1st Army fought across the Cotentin Peninsula and captured the major port of Cherbourg while British forces took on the bulk of of the German panzer divisions near Caen.

The game uses a simplified Ardennes '44 system: Move, Fight and Reserve Movement. All non-tank battalion units are rated for Troop Quality, while all armor units have a Tank Rating. In each battle these ratings are used to provide shifts for either the attacker or defender. Other important shifts are provided by air power, naval support, artillery and/or Tiger tanks.

The game includes a 22 turn Campaign game, a 7-turn Tournament Scenario that focuses on the Allies linking up the beaches, and a scenario covering the battle in the peninsula and the capture of Cherbourg. In addition, there are rules for allowing 3 or even 4 players to play the game.

Game Scale:
Turn: 1 day
Map: approx 2.3 miles /3.8 km per hex
Unit: Battalions to Brigades

Game Contents:
One 22 x 34" map
Two countersheets (456 9/16" dual-side printed counters)
One 32 page rulebook
Two Combat & Terrain Player Aid Cards (2 sided)
Four Set-up/Reinforcement Cards (three 1-sided, one 2-sided)
One 6-sided dice

Complexity: low to intermediate
Playing Time: 3 hours