Here’s a pdf of a 1944 GI’s Guide To Germany. Very interesting period stuff.
Thanks to F.H. for the tip.
World War Two
Battle of Britain Rules
Battle of Britain is a set of free wargames rules for operational level games. The authors write:
This is a fast playing operational level game about the German air raids over England on August 8th, 1940. Designed for group or convention play where players are in charge of the various sectors or Luftwaffe raids and it can be completed in a few hours. This PDF includes the rules, a map, markers, cards, and aditional materials needed to play the game.
Airborne In My Pocket
Airborne in My Pocket is a free, downloadable WWII board game:
The night before June 6th, 1944, during Operation Neptune, thousands of Allied troops were parachuted into enemy territory to prepare the Normandy landings. During that crucial night, amid the flashes of German anti-aircraft fire, many paratroopers were scattered a long way from their drop zones as their planes were either destroyed or unable to reach their drop points.
You are among those troopers. But as luck turns out, the winds have blown you directly where you are needed the most! As you were descending, you discovered a terrible sight: the Germans have installed two 24.0 cm Guns in a hidden bunker. Those cannons are set to fire at the beaches of Normandy. You alone can stop them from killing the Allied troops!
During your jump, you lost your equipment bag which contained all your necessary gear. The only thing you have left is your trusted Colt .45 and your ingenuity. As you fold your parachute, you look at your watch: it’s 0700, the landings are starting. Will you have time to sabotage the German battery before they decimate your comrades? All you need are some explosives…
This game started out as a variant of Zombie in my Pocket, but now has become its own game, with Event cards, inside and outside tiles, scenario cards, item tiles and character cards.
ABimP can be simple (Basic Game) or more involving (Scenarios & Campaigns), as the player wishes. Advanced Game and Scenarios allow you to play as American, British, Canadian, French and even German soldiers. And the expansions bring even more variety with alternate cards and locations.
So join the airborne! Fight the enemy! Win the war!
D-Day Dice
D-Day Dice is a free wargame in which
players are soldiers trying to organize improvised units for an attack against the machine gun nest. Each player starts the game with a unit of a few soldiers and nothing else. As the game progresses, he will collect resources and advance on the beach, sector by sector, as his unit grows stronger and deadlier. He will succeed… or die trying.
This game is designed to be played with regular dice (d6), but can also be played with homemade specialty dice. All you need is a score sheet with a small battle map.
D-Day Dice can be played solitaire or multiplayer co-op, where all players play their turn simultaneously (and can even trade dice).
Although built around dice rolling, this game is about resource management (soldiers, specialists, items and courage) and knowing when to move your unit. Resources are kept from turn to turn, so the players can plan ahead (and help each other out).
The first Battle Map is called Bloody Omaha. Other maps include Gold Beach and Utah Beach.
Panzer Grenadier Free Downloads
Avalance Games offers the third edition of its Panzer Grenadier board game as a free download. There’s a lot of assembly, but its a good way to try it out with minimal cash investment.