World at War #84: Manstein’s War 1940 – Decision in the West is a two-player operational wargame that recreates the German offensive across Western Europe in May–June 1940, one of the most stunning military victories of the Second World War. Using a refined version of the acclaimed “Boots system”, the game captures the interplay of command, control, and logistics that defined the Wehrmacht’s Blitzkrieg against the Allied armies of France, Britain, and the Low Countries.

• The 1940 Campaign for the West: Players take command of either the German Wehrmacht or the Allied forces during the lightning-fast invasion that reshaped modern warfare. The game covers the German drive through the Ardennes, the encirclement of Allied armies in Belgium, and the desperate retreat to Dunkirk.
• Command and Control System: Each player uses command markers to activate army groups and sub-commands. The Boots system introduces friction, coordination challenges, and the importance of logistics, making every activation a critical decision.
• Operational Depth and Mobility: Unlike rigid turn-based systems, Manstein’s War focuses on fluid operations and rapid manoeuvre, allowing for breakthroughs, counterattacks, and encirclements reminiscent of real-world 1940 operations.
• Special Command Markers: Both players possess unique operational assets that provide tactical flexibility or simulate historical capabilities such as German initiative, air superiority, and Allied defensive coordination.

Manstein’s War 1940 captures the drama and dynamism of the Blitzkrieg while maintaining balance and replayability. Players must think like theatre commanders — weighing the timing of offensives, preserving momentum, and anticipating the enemy’s counterplay as they fight for control of France and the Low Countries.

Game Components & Features:

• 1 x 22x34” full-colour map of Western Europe, 1940
• 176 die-cut counters representing corps, divisions, and command assets
• Command activation system using Boots mechanics
• Rules for logistics, supply, and operational coordination
• Playable in one to two sessions for two players

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Corps / Army Group
Hex: Operational (approx. 30–50 km per hex)
Period: May–June 1940

World at War #84: Manstein’s War 1940 – Decision in the West delivers a tense, strategic recreation of one of history’s most decisive campaigns. Whether replaying history or rewriting it, players will experience the speed, uncertainty, and operational brilliance of the Blitzkrieg at its peak.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s trusted destination for wargames, strategy titles, and historical simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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