The Santiago Campaign, 1898
(TSC)
A low-complexity, two-player, operational-level simulation of
the US campaign to capture the Cuban port of Santiago during the
Spanish-American War, designed by Ron Bell. Solitaire play is also doable, provided the
player is willing to ‘fudge’ the concealed Spanish units rule. The US
player controls all American and Cuban units; his opponent controls the
Spanish units.
The scale on the 34x22” large-hex map
is a half-mile (0.8 km.) per hex. Each full game turn represents three
days. The 98 large-size iconic units of maneuver for both sides are
infantry battalions and regiments, each representing between 250 and
1,000 men; along with artillery batteries, each with two to four guns;
and groups of Cuban insurrectionists, each representing up to about 500
men. The counter-sheet also includes a 78-unit expansion set for Red
Dragon Rising, which appeared in issue 250.
Special rules cover:
truces, fever, the US observation balloon, black powder, smokeless
powder, feeding the civilians, lack of cooperation between the US naval
and army commands, lack of tactical intelligence, uncertain US supply,
variable landing areas, Gatling guns, harbor fortresses, artillery
overrun, Teddy Roosevelt, naval bombardment, Guantanamo Bay, and combat
engineers.
The turn sequence is as follows.
I.
US Player Turn
A. US Fever
Phase
B. US
Disembarkation Phase
C. US Movement
Phase
D. US Combat
Phase
II. Spanish Player Turn
A. Spanish
Movement Phase
B. Spanish
Combat Phase
C. Truce
Determination Phase