It is December, 1994, not the spring of 1942, and the Germans feel the press of the Allies on two major fronts. To the east hordes of Communist units bearing red stars on their helmets approach with vengance. To the west the combined forces of Britain, the United States and France thirst for an end to this bitter war. The Germans were outnumbered, but in many respects they still had one of the most efficient fighting forces in the world.
The game is not Axis & Allies (author ducks oncoming stones). It is Battle for Germany an SPI hex based wargame re-released by Decision Games in 1994. The game is a realistic simulation of the final months of the war in Europe. The map portrays actual terrain and the pieces represent real units involved in the conflict.
The Unique Twist
The object of the game is for the Allies is to capture Berlin by May of 1945 while the Germans must withstand 10 turns (5+ months) of battle preserving their capital. This has a unique two player twist unlike any other World War II game I have ever played. The Russian player is the West German player. The British/US/French player is the East German player.
 Battle for Germany centers around one main objective in Europe. Berlin! |
So while the Russians are trying to pound the Nazis in the east, the Western Allies are doing everything with the East German forces to stop them. And while the Western Allies attempt to make hay across the Rhine, the Russian/West German player is doing everything he can to stop them. The Allied player to capture Berlin first wins.
In a four player game each player will control one of the following: the Russians, the East Germans, the West Germans, or the US/Britain/France alliance.
Red Star/White Star
Berlin has fallen. Two of the largest armies ever assembled are just miles apart from each other. General Patton desires to vanquish Communism before it becomes the next enemy to his country. His warnings go unheeded and the fighting ends. But what if? That's the second scenario that comes with Battle for Germany. The Russians versus the United States and her allies on the European battlefield in 1945.
Not a Game for Everyone
The only thing Axis & Allies and Battle for Germany have in common is the war they attempt to simulate. Axis & Allies, while more complex than Risk, is fairly easy to learn and play (winning of course is another issue). I would consider Battle for Germany, on the other hand, to be the next level in complexity in realistic wargaming. Finally, while A&A encompasses most every theatre of operation during the war, BFG focuses on the final battles in Europe.
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