British Tank Ace: 1940 - 1945

From Compass Games:

British Tank Ace: 1940-45 is a solitaire, tactical-level game by Gregory M. Smith that places you in command of a British tank during World War II in North Africa, Italy, and the European Theaters of Operation. You will make the tactical decisions a tank commander faces and control the actions of your crew while trying to survive.

You will be assigned missions to attack, defend, or conduct movement-to-contact, depending on the current tactical situation. As time progresses and players survive, they may use the experience gained to improve their odds of success by purchasing skills. As their prestige increases, they may request improved versions of tanks when they suffer the loss of their previous tank. Awards and promotions help to narrate the player’s eventual goal – to survive the war and help defeat Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.

Players will find it challenging to survive an entire tour from June 1940 to April 1945, although shorter games may be played involving just one theater of operations. You will start with one of the tank models available to the British Army at the start of the game, but as your fame and prestige rise, more advanced tanks will be available to choose from.

Game play moves quickly. Once you have your initial tank and commander, play proceeds by rolling for a mission and then conducting it. Enemy forces range from Penal units to SS or Fallschirmjäeger, all randomly generated, ensuring no two careers will ever be the same. Combat is swift and sometimes deadly, as many of the Axis tanks, SPGs, and AT guns can destroy your tank. Terrain and weather also have an impact on operations, as well as smoke. Players must pay attention to hull down status, the orientation of their hull and turret, and decide when it is prudent to “button up.” Artillery and mortar fire can sometimes support either side, and random events will add to the uncertainty of combat. Due to its streamlined play, a single mission can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.

When a mission is completed, assuming you have survived, you will ascertain if any awards have been earned or experience points gained. Promotion is also possible, which has the advantage of allowing for artillery and mortar support. You may also upgrade your tank if you have sufficient Prestige to get a better model; otherwise, you continue to fight in your starting tank until it is knocked out.

While British Tank Ace is designed as a solitaire gaming experience, additional options for play are provided for both multi-player cooperative and competitive gaming sessions.

Product Information:

Complexity: 4 out of 10 (Low/Moderate)

Playing time: 10-15 minutes (single mission), 4-5 hours (full career)

Solitaire Suitability: High; Designed for solitaire play

Players: One or more

Map Scale: Abstract

Time Scale: Semi-abstract (individual missions, 8 missions per month)

Unit Scale: Individual tanks, crewmen, enemy vehicles, anti-tank guns, and ammo

Game Design: Gregory M. Smith

Game Artists: Nadir Elfarra, Vincent Bourguignon, Matt White

Project Director: John Kranz

Game Components:

Two and one-half Sheets of 9/16-inch counters

Eleven Tank Display Mats (double-sided, for 22 different tank models total)

Eleven Player Aid Cards (10 double-sided)

One Crew Status Display Mat (double-sided, one for NCO, one for Officer)

Three 8.5″x11″ Battle Boards

Three Operational Displays

Rules Booklet

Four Mission Logsheets

One 10-sided and two 6-sided dice

Box and Lid set