Forgotten Battles is a low to moderate complexity game on the largest tank battle fought in The Netherlands during World War II.

The Allied Market-Garden offensive in September ended in a frustrating loss and the Germans occupying a salient in the Allied lines east of Nijmegen. Seeking to destroy the German threat that was centered on the crucial crossroads town of Overloon, as well as possibly resuming the drive to the Rhine, the British 2nd Army launched a series of offensives that took place throughout the last week of September and the first three weeks of October. The battles that occurred were often fought in torrential rains and marked by heavy casualties on all sides.

Designers Notes

For those familiar with my Breaking Into Valhalla, Operation Veritable, Zhukov’s Final Victory/Konev’s Gambit, Defeat Into Victory or A Master Stroke games the design for Forgotten Battles will be familiar. I find that this design models the battles taking place at the end of WWII very well. I hope all who play Forgotten Battles learn and enjoy!

German Player
In both scenarios be wary of trying to do everything and holding fast all along the line. You have some powerful assets in terrain eminently suited for defence, but your opponent has more resources and a good amount of time to wear you down. Choose carefully where to launch counter-attacks and when or if to bring in any strategic reserve reinforcements. Over-commitment on either one, especially in the second scenario, could be disastrous if a withdrawal is ordered or you’re caught on the wrong side of the Loobeek Canal when/if the last bridge is captured.

Allied Player
You are faced with a daunting offensive task. The enemy is entrenched, in force and in terrain that is eminently suited to the defence. To win you must essentially sweep the field of your opponent and destroy more of him than you lose in the process. Good luck with that!