Quote:

Following the end of hostilities in Europe the Soviet Union sought to close the allied portion of Berlin to all supplies arriving via road, train or river. The allied forces then attempted something few thought possible - supplying a city population of two million souls with food, medicine and fuel for more than a year. But they did it! Over the course of 12 months the Berlin Airlift provided 2,225,510 tons of cargo for the city’s survival. At one point an airlift plane was lifting off every four minutes. In the end, more supply was provided to Berlin by air than could have been provided by rail. The Soviets did not stand passively by. There were 726 recorded instances of Soviet harassment involving everything from aerial buzzing, and ground fire to rockets, chemicals, smoke and balloons. In the course of the airlift 25 aircraft were lost, costing the lives of over 100 American, British and German personnel. And during the course of the airlift, many curious and heartwarming incidents enhanced the legend of their effort, including the candy bomber, the tour of Clarence the camel and the Easter Parade.



Legion Wargames is entering into this project in an attempt to broaden knowledge of the topic and of the publisher as well. The game has entered into its final playtesting and has attracted the artistic talent of Nils Johannson. You just have to love his unique approach to game art. The Berlin Airlift is a historical treasure begging to be gamed and here we attempt to fill the bill. Berlin Airlift is a genuine cross between the wargame and the Euro. It offers a maximum number of interesting components while restricting the number of components in play to a minimum, while the number of variables guarantees replayability. Yet a game is only as enjoyable as the conflict it portrays. To this end the design may surprise you. One player does not play the soviets in an attempt to defeat the allies, rather each player controls an allied squadron pitting their skills against each other, against the soviets and against the clock. Can players overcome accidents, miscommunication and soviet interference to achieve their goals? Who can deliver the most tonnage? Will it be enough for Berliners to survive? Naturally, the few flights and squadrons in Berlin Airlift are only representative of the larger enterprise, but in it, players will enjoy tense competition as they face all of the elements these brave allied aircrews faced when the war ended and - the blockade began.



In Berlin Airlift players command either a British or American air squadron. Each squadron consists of up to three flights depending upon the number of people playing. Each flight contains from 3 to 5 period aircraft depending upon the scenario and the faction being played. Individual planes have a rated capacity and in some cases are restricted to carrying fuel. The object for each player is to attempt to carry his squadron's tonnage goals in fuel, food, medicine and spare parts into the city and carry refugees and finished products out (cargo is represented by colored cubes). Each turn the ACTIVE player rolls two dice, consults either the Personality chart, the Help & Hindrance or the Soviet Harassment Chart to determine effects, then begins drawing flight chits to determine who moves when. Strategy enters into the Active player's assignment of problems, decision making as to what to carry and who to fix, what base to return to and how to block opponents from reaching their goals. Oh, but players must be careful, for there is a cooperative aspect to the game. Players have to keep up the Berliner Morale for if it remains in the negative range after the final flight has delivered its cargo Berlin loses and so do all the players.

Unknown release