Tannenberg 1914

The game covers the battles of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes during mid August through mid September. Two ill prepared, yet superior in numbers, Imperial Russian armies attack East Prussia in August 1914 in order to honor the Franco-Russian Alliance of 1894.

Even though the Russian attack turned out to a disaster, it played an important role on the Western Front. German reserves were pulled from the West to East Prussia, that otherwise would have been used in the crucial battle of the Marne north of Paris.

The German player has to work with small means and time his strategies in order to succeed and keep the Russian player from pressing far in to East Prussia. The Russian player must press on to force out the reinforcements from the western front and use his superiority in order to come out as victor. All is set for yet another classical engagement

The Scene:

The battle for Tannenberg and the Masurian lakes is one of the most famous battles in history. Even though the battle was insignificant in numbers of forces engaged compared to other battles fought during WW I, it represent a master- piece of exercising modern military strategy. One of the most astonishing victories ever was scored in a classical battle of local superiority and maneuver.

The Game Design

The game mechanics includes a chit-pull procedure. The low density of units provides a fast-pace battle where every move is vital for victory.

The game is taught in 30 minutes and is easy to digest yet a challenge even for the more experienced players. Players having played their previous titles “Plan West” and “Königsberg 45” will recognize themselves in the general game mechanics.

More on the Game Design

The game addresses the players on the classical elements 20th century warfare.

Command and Control

Lines of Supply

Importance of finding local superiority

Balancing between attack and defense

Timing of maneuver and decisive blows

Game scale

Each turn represents 2 days in time. Units are brigades and divisions.

The game components:

50 x 70cm-size map

126 die-cut counters

1 six-sided die

Rules

Box