Here are some of the elite infantry types we are trying to integrate into our “house rules” game play, all of which we thought had historical context to the war:
Russian Elite Guards: Initially, the organization and effectiveness of the Red Army was disastrous. As the war progressed there was a reorganizing of the Red Army. Following victory in some battles, the Red Army was selecting those units which had particularly distinguished themselves in battle and using them as ‘core’ units around which to build up elite formations to which it was applying the designation…“GUARDS”. They generally had a higher establishment of life-saving artillery and automatic weapons, a greater basic load of ammunition and, for much of the war, a priority on supply allocations. Attack on a 2 or less and defend at a 3 or less in original Soviet territories. Max of 4 Guards units total.
Russian Partisans: Russia conscripted many of its civilians to help defend their cities. The partisan units may never leave the city, defend at a 1, and do not participate in attack. A 0-1-0-2 unit with max of 5 per city. Additional unit characteristic - Insurgency
British Commandos: After the events leading to the Dunkirk evacuation, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, called for a force to be assembled and equipped to inflict casualties on the Germans and bolster British morale. Churchill told the joint Chiefs of Staff to propose measures for an offensive against German-occupied Europe, and stated: “they must be prepared with specially trained troops of the hunter class who can develop a reign of terror down the enemy coast.”
Unit characteristics: Act as normal infantry except gaining a +1 during the first round of attack/defense. Limit of 1 unit per round (max of 6). Additional characteristic: May perform RAIDS prior to a battle.
U.S. Army Ranger Paratroops: United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. In May 1942, the 1st Ranger Battalion was sanctioned, recruited, and began training Northern Ireland. Of 500 volunteers who first formed the Rangers only 87 were alive by the end of the war. Rangers participated in raids taking out important targets and/or holding vital roads/bridges, the invasion of Normandy, hiked one thousand miles over the Himilayas to cut off the Burma road from the Japanese, as well as leading the invasion of the Philipines.
Unit characteristics: Attack at a +1 on turn (all rounds) that unit is air dropped, then acts like a regular infantry; May also perform Raids. U.S. may begin purchasing these units when at war (max of 6 total).
We are also using Japanese SNLF, Waffen SS, Italian Bersaglieri, and Marines (pacific theater).
Just showing some historical context for these - although it is my understanding that Larry Harris always envisioned that all these types of units are represented in the pieces provided in his games.
We are trying to keep game balance in mind by limiting numbers, and providing elite units for both the axis and the allies.
