D-Day Anniversary, 2021

If one has been looking at the wargaming community at all, as a wargamer themselves or as an interested bystander, I would find it hard to believe that they haven't noticed the tendency to commemorate historical battles by re-fighting them on the game table. Many I've seen will try and stage their tabletop versions on the anniversary day of the fight. And I now throw my hat into that ring.

Some years ago, during a family reunion, my youngest brother brought a copy of Axis and Allies: D-Day. I remember liking the game and that the Allied players won, but it was dang close. One die roll close.

This past year, my brother decided to get rid of the game and asked if I wanted it. Like he had to ask at all! So I now own it and last night I set it up to play solo, willingly exchanging sleep time for gaming time.

I remembered that the game was directed by cards, but I didn't realize there were optional card decks as well (we didn't use them last time). Looking at those, I added the Fortune deck, which adds the potential to slightly alter play conditions for good or bad in each phase based on a die roll. 

Turn 0: Map setup

The German forces, both deployed and reinforcements, look so formidable in comparison with the Allied forces.

Turn 1

Except for the airborne troops' first turn (which they didn't exploit very well), the Fortune dice were not kind to either side. The tide hampers landings and only one US beach and one UK beach are reached by troops. German supplies are short and they can only move out units from two zones.

Turn 2

Allied fighter coverage is reduced as 3 units are unable to deploy. However, Allied bombers both score hits and remove tanks. UK forces take control of Gold and Juno Beachs. US takes Utah Beach. Germans can only attack in two zones, but manage to push the US airborne troops out of St. Sauver le Vicomte. Germans only receive half the reinforcements they roll this turn, sabotaged supply lines are blamed.

Turn 3

German forces catch a lucky break and shoot down 4 fighter units. US takes Omaha Beach, but loses Utah Beach. UK forces split, some moving to help the Americans get to St. Lô, tho others massing to attack Caen.

Turn 4

Despite losing more tanks before they even reach the landing zones. The British assault on Caen is swept away by German defences. Utah Beach sees more fighting and the Germans won't give up easily there either. Germans dig in at St. Lo as US and British forces move toward it.

Turn 5

Oops, I think I messed up. I have no record of Turn 5 and may have moved the turn marker two spaces instead of one.

Turn 6

US gets to redirect forces from Omaha landing zone to Utah landing zone, taking control for good. The Offensive on St. Lo begins.

Turn 7

British troops headed to St. Lo are ordered to Caen in a move of desperation, it's the only hope of capturing the city.

Turn 8

The lone German unit in Cherbourg is eliminated by a bomber unit and US troops move in unopposed. US troops move on St. Lô. UK troops battle for Caen.

Turn 9

US forces enter St. Lô, but can't keep it. British forces having a hard time of clearing out Caen, too. Things do not look good for taking the two objectives in time.

Turn 10

Axis forces manage to keep St. Lo and Caen out of Allied control, thus winning the game. With a little more time and better luck with the tides at the outset, things might have been different.

Afterward

I think the delay on landing on the first turn handed the Allies a great disadvantage right at the start, basically a missed turn. If I also missed Turn 5, that's another tough break, but it may not have really changed much; maybe could have let the Allies take a second objective, but probably not with the way I was rolling.

I still like this game after a second play. It's pretty quick by A&A standards, maybe took 2 or 2.5 hours to finish solo with a brush up on rules and time taking pictures. Makes me want to dust off Fortress America sometime soon.