France '40

Banner designs by Rodger B. MacGowan

NEWS ABOUT CHANGES TO THIS GAME, FEBRUARY 28, 2013:

Based on designer Mark Simonitch's wishes and his further work on this game, we are making four big changes to Sichelschnitt, 1940:

1. The game is now called FRANCE '40
2. The game now includes an additional scenario—Dynamo: Retreat to Victory—with an extra full-size map.
3. Instead of one mounted map, the game will include two paper maps.
4. Instead of one and a half counter sheets, the game will include two full counter sheets.

The price will stay the same.

We don't want anyone to feel that they got a game they didn't want here. We believe this will be a much better and deeper game with more replay value than the original Sichelschnitt '1940. But if you don't want the game (because, for example, we've added a map but are not going to offer a mounted map now), please remember that you can easily drop it from your P500 list in your account section here on the website or by contacting one of our office ladies via phone, email, or online chat.

SneakPeeks

Note: All samples below are from playtest graphics, not final game art. GMT Games claims no copyright on these images. Coyright remains with the original creator.

Game Map (Note that this will be two UNMOUNTED maps like as opposed to the one mounted map originally envisioned)

Countersheet #1

Playtest Vassal Image of North Setup

Playtest Vassal Image of South Setup

Consimworld Discussion Topic for Sichelschnitt

Regular Price: $55.00
P500 Price: $35.00

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Product Rating:

(4.43) # of Ratings: 7 (Only registered customers can rate)

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Showing comments 1-5 of 5

1. Kenneth on 1/14/2013, said:

I own and like Mark Simonitch's Caucasas Campaign and have pre-ordered this game in hopes that he uses similar rules for this game. I like the idea of a mounted map. Please use 5/8" counters.
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2. Joseph on 10/22/2012, said:

Love Simonich's operational titles but will agree with Daniel's comment in that I would pre-order only if I had the option to get a paper map. I play these type of games on my wall with magnetic counter holders, something I can't do with mounted maps.
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3. David on 10/15/2012, said:

This looks excellent. Thank you for the mounted map. I wouldn't have pre-ordered had it been on paper. For a multi-map game I realise paper is necessary but for one map I don't do paper and mounted boards are the minimum standard for me. The No Retreat board is a dream to play on.
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4. Robert on 7/29/2012, said:

From what I can tell from the sample counter sheet the French infantry all seems ot have the same morale or quality. Everything I have read about the campaign says there was a wide range of quality in the french infantry, from the reserve and fortress units that couldn't hold to the tenacious colonial divsions. how soes the game address this?
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5. Daniel on 7/9/2012, said:

Rating is based on a Vassal play-test and previous experience with Simonich's operational titles. But, what's with the mounted map? They're OK for Euros, but war-gamers tend to own a lot of games, which tend to have big maps. All of which will make for a stupid big and heavy load on the shelves for us apartment dwellers if companies go with the trend of mounting the maps on hard-core war-games. I've ordered one copy of Sichelschnitt. Here's my pledge: if you go back to a paper map (packaged in your nice compact 1 1/2 inch deep box) I'll order a second copy for a friend!
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Showing comments 1-5 of 5

“...even if the operation were to have only a 10% chance of success, I would stick with it. For only this can lead to the defeat of the enemy.”—General Halder, Chief of General Staff

France '40 covers the crucial 10 days in May, 1940 when the German army broke the French line on the Meuse and raced to the sea at Abbeville. The daring sickle-like-cut across France cut off the BEF from their bases in Normandy and also trapped the French 1st and 7th Armies in Picardy. The French high-command became paralyzed and failed to counterattack. The British saw the situation was hopeless and headed for Dunkirk. It doomed France.

The game starts on May 13th, the third day of Case Yellow. Six panzer divisions are already through the Ardennes and at the Meuse River. The French and British have already raced through Belgium to reach the Dyle Line and cover the Gembloux Gap. The stage is set. Can the Germans cross the Meuse in front of strong opposition? And if they can, will they be able to break out from the bridgeheads? And if they can do that, their advance across the map is threatened as Allied reinforcements pour in from the north (mainly British) and south (French). Most reinforcements are determined randomly so the German player never knows what to expect on his flanks.

Rules highlight armor, air support and morale. Special rules include Allied Heavy Armor units, DeGaulle’s and Rommel’s initiative, Hitler’s Halt Order and French Command Paralysis.

SCALE:

Most units are divisions, but many brigades and regiments as well as French independent tank battalions are included.
Each hex is 4 miles across.
Each turn represents 1 day.

COMPONENTS

2 paper maps
2 countersheets
1 rulebook
4 player aid cards
2 6-sided dice

Game Designer: Mark Simonitch