WWI - The Lost Batallion

One of my favorite eras of gaming is WWI and Lost Batallion is one of the more interesting titles I've played. Originally published in S&T 217, this game depicts the US Meuese-Argonne Offiensive of 1918 and offers both a two-player and solitaire version. I started with the solitaire version and it works on the principle of the US player moving units and rolling on an event table for what is encountered in that specific hex. The results vary by the type of terrain with Hindenburg Line hexes having more drastic results such as encountering enemy units or a gas/artillery attack versus moving into clear hexes which can often be uncontested.

The overall result was interesting but it still felt like a bit of a walkover for the US.Playing the two-player version was a different story- it was a real bloodbath for the US player. In the beginning of the game, the Germans have abundant reinforcements and the ability to deliver two gas attacks per turn, along with 9 artillery factors. If used judiciously, the Germans can severely stall or blunt the US offensive effort, especially since the US has very few viable avenues of attack.However, while it's a slow slog in the beginning, the game subtly begins to shift about halfway through the game as the reinforcements begin to thin out and the US is finally able to break out beyond the Hinderburg Line.

Once the Hindenburg Line has been breached, it's difficult for the Germans to maintain a continueous line, especially since there are no Zones of Control, like in other games. Finally, the ability to declare a "Final Offensive" where the US can attacke while moving (WWI-style overrun attacks).It's a very interesting game system and the US has to manage his resources and replacements very carefullly and time his final offensive at the right time.

P.S. The "Lost Batallion" was neither a batallion nor was it lost.