OCD-OPERATION CRUSADER

1. TITLE: Operation Crusader
2. PUBLISHER: Game Designers Workshop (GDW)
3. SCOPE: Desert fighting in the area around Tobruk in the period May-November, 1941
4. RULEBOOK VERBAGE: Operation Crusader is an intense tactical /operational simulation of the desert fighting in the area around Tobruk in the period May-November, 1941. During that period, three distinct operations were launched by the British against the Axis forces under the command of Rommel: Operations Brevity, Battleaxe, and Crusader. One scenario covers each of the three operations, with an additional scenario covering the Sidi Rezegh battle. Operation Crusader is a simultaneous movement game, designed for multiple players, with extensive unit type differentiation. Many of the mechanics used in the game are of a novel nature, but prepublication testing has shown that players will quickly become familiar with the bases of the system, as the options open to players very closely parallel actual operational decisions. Every attempt has been made in the body of the rules to explain the rationale behind specific rules to aid in both their understanding and their retention.
5. GAME BOX VERBAGE:
6. YEAR PUBLISHED (EDITIONS): 1978. Only one published edition.. Published errata taken from on Web Grognards.
7. CREDITS
   • Game Designt: Frank A. Chadwick
   • Art Directiont: Paul R. Banner
   • Game Research: Frank A. Chadwick, Paul R. Banner, Franklin Prieskop
   • Playtesting: Doug Wills, Paul Kohl, Tony Svajlenka Tom Harris, Tim Brown, John Harshman Greg Novak, Bill Stone, Kevin Brown, and Winston Hamilton.
   • Special Appreciation: John Harshman, whose many suggestions and ideas throughout the project led to a much richer game, and to Frank Prieskop, whose tireless research work produced volumes of desperately needed information on very short notice.
8. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2+ (multiplayer teams)
9. WGA COMPLEXITY SCALE (1-10): 9
10. TYPICAL PLAYING TIME (HOURS): Lots
11. MAP SCALE: 1.5 miles per hex.
12. UNIT SCALE: Battalions and companies.
13. TIME SCALE PER TURN:
14. NUMBER OF GAME TURNS:
15. ARTICLE LISTING: Click here
16. GAME INVENTORY: Ten sheets of counters are provided, consisting of six sheets of combat units and aircraft, two sheets of column markers (numbered from 1 to 240), Charts, Rulebook, unmmounted mapshseets, 20 side die.
17. WBC & AVALONCON HISTORY: Not Applicable
18. PBEM TOOLS:
• No Java application VASSAL module at this time.
19. PBEM OPPORTUNITES: Contact Wargame Academy if interested. A Group effort would be required to create a VASSAL module.
20. WARGAME ACADEMY COMMENTS: Operation Crusader is effectively a tactical/operational level game. Units are placed in columns and movement is plotted for simulataneous resolution. Column formation has an impact on movement and combat abilities. Air warfare is controlled at the players level. Details such as supply consumption, tank breakdown, fatique, command control, anti-aircraft and other low level details are covered in the ruleset. I have attempted to play this twice with neither attempt progressing deep into the scenario. Comments from veteran players will be added when acquired.
21. WARGAME ACADEMY GAME TOOLS: None at this time. At this time only a copy of the rulebook (softcopy) exists in WGA archives.