Arracourt

Arracourt is a wargame from the acclaimed Battalion Combat Series (BCS) that throws you right into the heart of World War II, in September 1944. The stakes are high: you'll relive the desperate Axis counterattack to halt General Patton's relentless drive through France, and the spectacular response of the American Combined Arms that brought that offensive to a dead stop. The game simulates the mobile engagements that became a case study for the US Army, demonstrating how to defeat an armored foe with clever tactics.

The historical context is as follows: the US 4th Armored Division, the spearhead of Patton's Third Army, is stretching its supply lines thin, which have been diverted to the British in the north (remember Operation Market Garden?). Hitler, seeing an opening, decides to launch his newly formed Panzer Brigades, equipped with Panthers fresh off the assembly line, but manned by green crews. The result? Intense battles where both sides utilize all their mobile warfare tools, maneuvering to attack and defend strategic terrain.

Arracourt is super accessible for those new to the BCS series, serving as a great starter kit before venturing into other, more complex titles. But make no mistake, it still offers a significant challenge for BCS veterans! Scenarios are compact, usually on a single map or less, and the game has very few special rules – except, of course, for a peculiar one involving the legendary 'Bazooka Charlie,' an artillery observation pilot who rigged his plane with bazooka launchers to hunt German tanks daily. Prepare for six scenarios ranging from 2 to 13 turns, including the Arracourt Campaign and the Battle of Lunéville. Components include the BCS v2.0 rulebook, support charts, a 22” x 34” full-color game map, and 352 counters.