Strategy & Tactics Issue # 246
Manila '45: Stalingrad of the Pacific (M'45), is a
two-player, low-to-intermediate complexity wargame that simulates the
American liberation of the capital of the Philippines in World War II,
which took place from 3 February to 4 March 1945. To control complexity
and present an overall-force-commander's-view of the battle, the game
uses a tactically scaled map and units of maneuver coupled with an
operationally scaled game turn length. The American player is generally
on the offensive, trying to clear the entire Japanese defending force
from the city prior to the end of the game.
Each game turn of
M'45 equals three days. Each hexagon on the map represents 0.3 miles
(0.5 km) from side to opposite side. The units of maneuver in the game
are companies, batteries and battalions, representing anywhere from a
about 100 to 1,000 men and their equipment.
Historically the Japanese fought to the last man (literally, not
metaphorically), and the game's victory conditions represent that
brutally absolute mindset. To determine the winner, both players
examine the map at the end of Game Turn 10. If at that time there's one
or more Japanese units still in play anywhere, the Japanese player is
declared to have won the game. If there are no Japanese units left on
the map at that time, the US player is declared to have won the game.
Of course, if all Japanese units are wiped out prior to the end of the
last game turn, play stops and the US player is declared the victor. No
draws are possible.
Tacticians will enjoy the fact there are 22
unit types in the game: heavy artillery, heavy anti-aircraft, heavy
mortar, heavy rocket artillery, naval infantry (armed ship crews),
regular infantry, combat engineers, heavy weapons (machineguns),
anti-aircraft, military police, anti-tank, field artillery, rear
echelon ad hoc infantry, glider infantry, paratroopers,
bridging engineers, mortars, armored cavalry, tanks, self-propelled
artillery, amphibious tractors, and self-propelled anti-tank.
Playing time is about three to five hours. Designed by Joseph Miranda; developed by Ty Bomba.
Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Company/Battalion
Hex: .3 Miles (.5 km)