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?
North Africa ‘41 covers the campaign in North Africa from Rommel’s first offensive in late March 1941 through the end of December 1941. During that period Rommel’s forces dashed across Cyrenaica and made it to the Egyptian frontier.
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
North Africa ‘41 covers the campaign in North Africa from Rommel’s first offensive in late March 1941 through the end of December 1941. During that period Rommel’s forces dashed across Cyrenaica and made it to the Egyptian frontier. However, he was not able to take the critical port of Tobruk defended by the stubborn Australians. With superior tanks, combined arms doctrine, and 88mm Flak guns (used as anti-tank weapons) the Axis forces successfully fought off two counterattacks from the east—the Allied operations called Brevity and Battleaxe. Later in the year, before Rommel could make his planned assault against Tobruk, the Allies launched Operation Crusader and drove the Axis forces back to their original starting positions at El Agheila. North Africa ’41 allows players to study the campaign and refight it with their own strategies. The game includes a detailed map of the Western Desert and a meticulously researched order of battle. The game uses the simple Move-Fight-Supply game system developed in Normandy ’44 and Holland ’44. Important elements like supply, troop quality, tank quality, artillery support, and command and control are all reflected in the game. Game Scale 1 hex = 8 miles 1 game turn = half a month = 2-3 impulses of 3-8 days each Units: Battalion to Brigade Components 2 maps (total area 22" x 61.75") 2 counter sheets (9/16” counters) 2 setup and reinforcement cards 2 identical CRT/TEC player aid cards 1 rule book 1 play book with extended example of play, design notes, and historical notes Scenarios • Enter Rommel: March-June 1941 (7 turns, both maps) • Campaign Game: March-December 1941 (19 turns, both maps) • Crusader: November-December 1941 (3 turns, both maps)