Historical Background: The island of Madagascar was loyal to the french Vichy government and its place was a strategic position between the Pacific theater and the Western theater (Europe and Africa). For the British, the only solution was the occupation of the island. On the 05th of May 1942, a British expeditionary force, called Force 121, landed on Ambarata bay and advanced toward Diego Suarez naval base near Antsirane. Soon the 29th British Independant brigade was confronted to the French troops. After a first ambush at the "Bonne Nouvelle" Pass, the battle occurred on the main resistance line (G-H line). The British troops were driven back with serious losses (6 tanks destroyed on 12 landed). A second British attack on the 6th of May was unsuccessful. During the following night, the landing of a Royal Marine unit on the rear of the French made the decision. On the 7th of May, Antsirane was captured and the French troops in the area received the honors of the war. But after this decisive battle, it took six months before the last French Vichy troops ceased fire definitively. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Allied player [United Kingdom] : 6 command cards, you move first. Axis player [France-Vichy] : 5 command cards.
Conditions of Victory: 6 medals. The 2 hex with a medal token are each a temporary medal objective for the Allied player.
Special Rules: - Use "BCF Command" rules (Nations 5). - Use "French Army" rules (Nations 7). - Use "Air Strikes & Blitz" rules for the Allied player only (Actions 3). - Use "Steep Hills" rules (Terrains 13). These hills are impassable for tanks. - Air rules are optional. If used, an "Air Sortie" card is given to the Allied player before beginning the game, the other card is on the pile. Use "Spitfire" for the Allied player and the "Me 109" for the Axis player, as for French "Morane 406".
Scenario Bibliography: - Magazine Connaissance de l'Histoire n°44 - "Ironclad" 1942. - Magazine Les Années 40 n°41 - Article sur Madagascar. - 39/45 Magazine n°13 - Madagascar 1942.
Warning: Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.
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Set-up Order |
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4 |
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1 |
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1 |
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2 |
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10 |
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3 |
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4 |
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10 |
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3 |
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2 |
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2 |
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2 |
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