The German Fifth Panzer Army pushed into Belgium in December 1944, targeting the Meuse River while needing to secure roads around Bastogne and Wiltz. Bastogne turned into the pivotal point of their advance, as the Allies rushed the 101st Airborne Division to defend the crossroads and redirected Patton's Third Army northward. This hex-and-counter strategy simulation recreates those intense nine days from December 16 to 25.
Command regiments and battalions on a map where each hex spans a mile, using cards to trigger events like bridge demolitions, wire-cutting by Otto Skorzeny, or weather pleas. Play hot seat with a friend on both sides, take Germans against Allied AI, or adjust difficulty levels. Three scenarios range from an introductory setup to racing the Second Panzer Division west and both Panzer divisions to the map edge. Strategy enthusiasts who enjoy card-driven tactical simulations will find a focused challenge here.
The German Fifth Panzer Army crossed into Belgium in December 1944. Their first objective was the Meuse river, 100 kilometres to the west. The timetable required clearing and maintaining the road network around Bastogne and Wiltz. On the sixth day the Second Panzer Division and Panzer Division Lehr were to be released to continue the advance to the Meuse.
The allies's General Eisenhower immediatly ordered the one Hunderd and First Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles, to collect all their men on leave in Paris. They were to load unto trucks and driven to the vital crossroads of Bastogne. He also ordered General Patton to turn his third Army due north to cut into the German thrust.
Bastogne became the focus for the success of the German's attempt.
Bastogne Breakout is a Hex, Counter and Card game of the crucial 9 days, Dec 16th till 25th, when the battle raged. Units are regiments and battalions. Each hex is a mile or 1.6 Km across. All the units are included.
Players can play both sides, called Hot Seat or play the Germans against the Allied AI. Players can also choose difficulty levels. Cards are chosen at the start to Blow bridges, have Otto Skorzeny cut demolition wires, cause Fritz Bayelien to fall in love and pray for good weather among other things.
There are 3 Scenarios:
1. Bastogne Breakout - An introductory scenario to introduce concepts of the game. In this release
2. 2nd Panzer Goes West - The Second Panzer Divsion must be exitted of the Western edge of the board under a strict timetable.
3. Bastogne Breakout - Both the Second Panzer and Panzer Lehr must exit.
