Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
"Drive on Damascus" recreates the one major campaign between the Allies and Vichy France during World War II. It is an operational wargame recreating on the battalion level the Allied invasion of Syria and Lebanon in June 1941.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Grid Movement
Move pieces between adjacent spaces on a regular grid.
Dice Rolling
Roll dice to introduce uncertainty into actions, production, movement, or resolution.
Hexagon Grid
Use a hexagonal map where each space connects evenly in six directions.
Combat Results Table
Compare opposing strength as a ratio, then consult a table to resolve combat.
Simulation
Model a real or imagined system through detailed cause-and-effect rules.
Zone of Control
Restrict or influence movement through areas controlled by nearby pieces.
Read the full game description
"Drive on Damascus" recreates the one major campaign between the Allies and Vichy France during World War II. It is an operational wargame recreating on the battalion level the Allied invasion of Syria and Lebanon in June 1941. This game has been built around two basic situations: the historical invasion and a hypothetical one, covering the chance of German intervention. In both cases it remains a two player wargame with each player alternately moving his pieces and resolving combat in succession. Whilst the game reproduces the situation that faced the historical commanders, the outcome will depend upon the decisions taken by players; it is perfectly possible to change the course of history. Drive on Damascus uses a peculiar hexagon grid game map in which only the central dot of each hex is depicted. British forces try to preempt an attack from the Vichy French staged in Syria in 1941. This wargame can be run as part of a campaign with O'Connor's Offensive, Hellfire Pass and Bloody Keren (which is where the campaign rules are to be found). Published 1981, in The Wargamer Magazine issue #15 Re-implements: Syria, 1941 Game Scale: Game Turn: 1 day Hex: 3.2 miles / 5.15 kilometers Units: Company to Battalion Game Inventory: One 23 x 32" full color mapsheet One single-side printed countersheet (260 1/2" counters) One 12-page Drive on Damascus rulebook (in magazine) Player will have to provide one 6-sided dice Solitaire Playability: Medium Complexity Level: Medium Players: 2 or more Playing Time: 4-15 hours