Introduction by Hiter’s Reich Co-Designer Fred Schachter: One of the fun aspects of our beloved hobby is the ability to “tinker” with a game to suit our perception of history or to simply introduce a new fun element into play. Here’s such an alternative for Hitler’s Reich: A Card Conquest Series Game from Rich Kimmel.

Having knowledge of the game and its solo Bot designed by the talented Vez Arponin should enhance readers’ appreciation of Rich’s article. For that background, please consult GMT Games – Hitler’s Reich. With that, “take it away Rich!”.

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Note: This is a variant for the Hitler’s Reich Axis Bot.

Historically, both Greece and Yugoslavia were neutral before being invaded by Nazi Germany on April 6, 1941. So, it is not a stretch to start both Yugoslavia and Greece as neutral. In fact, it is more historical to view them as Axis allies at the beginning of a Hitler’s Reich game; because, at roughly during this wonderful GMT game’s start, both countries had been invaded and were under Axis dominance.

To this point, I had the idea that both Greece and Yugoslavia should start the game as Axis allies, since both were invaded during early 1941. But that results in changing the first step of the Axis Bot flow chart; and I hesitated to do that. It would require more tinkering with the game system than I believe necessary. This optional variant therefore fits neatly within the game system without changing too much of it; and yet it answers my concern of the Axis side’s historically unrealistic vulnerability at the beginning of a Hitler’s Reich game.

Just as a side note to indicate the Balkans’ WWII importance, Winston Churchill wanted to invade Greece instead of Normandy because he wanted to spare Eastern European countries the pain of Soviet Rule (and to foil Stalin’s ambitions). Churchill was ahead of his time anticipating a Cold War conflict with the Soviet Union; but he was overridden by Roosevelt and so Normandy was chosen as the 1944 invasion site.

Essentially, during a Hitler’s Reich game’s early 1941, the Western Allies can mount a very historically implausible attack action into Austria, an Axis Production Center, which is in the heart of Germany. This can come from Yugoslavia, which, along with Greece, are indicated as Allied spaces on the map.

What is more, the Axis Bot, by way of the flowchart, might not be instructed to invade Yugoslavia on the first turn, which would deny the Axis a chance to shore up that flank to remove that vulnerability. This allows an Allied player a chance to mount an attack action into Austria. Through this, the game could be over very quickly with a couple of lucky die rolls for the Allies making a successful follow-on attack to seize Berlin for an automatic game victory (yes, the odds are very much against this occurring… but it is theoretically possible and that grates my historical wargamer sensibilities).

And while we’re at it, what about an even more historically implausibly horrific possibility of using Yugoslavia as a base for a Paratroop Event card attack directly on Berlin or Rome?!?

The preceding hopefully conveys my perspective and background for this suggested Hitler’s Reich option. What I propose is a variant where both Yugoslavia and Greece (as well as Crete) start the game with special status as neutral countries. Put nice shiny small coins upon each of these Land Areas to indicate their neutrality. 

This status is different from the neutralities of Turkey and Spain (as well as Vichy). There are no event cards needed to bring them into the war. To seize Yugoslavia, the Western Allies would have to possess the Higgins Boats Event Card and control the Adriatic Sea Zone to invade Yugoslavia before they could invade Austria. A successful Allied attack removes the coin of neutrality from Yugoslavia allowing the map-printed Allied symbol to indicate Yugoslavia, for the duration of the game, can no longer be neutral.

As to Greece, Allied capture of Greece automatically results in Crete having its coin of neutrality removed and vice-versa (Allied capture of Crete, which could be done via amphibious attack or using the Paratroops Event Card, e.g. from North Africa, brings Greece out of neutrality). A successful Allied attack from Greece into Yugoslavia would result in Yugoslavia no longer being neutral.

In all cases of an Allied attack on these three neutral areas; their defense is determined by random selection of an Axis Conflict Card and the usual possible addition of a randomly selected Axis Event Card if the chosen Conflict card is “9” value or higher. Use a bit of imagination regarding a possible Axis Event card aiding a neutral Allied attacked Balkan area. For example, the extra defensive die the Von Rundstedt card brings to neutral Yugoslavia’s aid could be viewed as a particularly effective use of that country’s mountainous terrain. This could result in a truly powerful and nasty defense of a neutral Balkan area that the Allied player thought would be a push-over.

Further, as a special rule, if the Allies launch an attack action against either neutral Yugoslavia or Greece/Crete and fail, place Axis control markers in either or both areas immediately. Such a Land Area(s) now become Axis controlled. (This could be done in the Preparation Phase, but I think it best to do it immediately so as not to forget it needs to be done). This forces the Allied player to carefully consider strategy because a failed attack action has consequences!

Conversely, for purposes of game balance and fairness, if the Axis Bot conducts an attack action of any type into neutral Yugoslavia and/or Greece/Crete and loses the attack, that Land area comes under instant Allied control. Immediately remove the coin of neutrality from there. (If by some chance the Soviets conquer Greece or Yugoslavia, place a Soviet control marker there). Remember: insofar as the Allied player is concerned, there’s no difference defending a neutral Balkan area from an Allied-controlled Balkan area.

All this adds some fun and depth to the game as well as making it more historically accurate; for if those countries were attacked unsuccessfully, they would surely have joined the other side!

As an example, the Axis Bot gets to play the first turn of the game and, let’s say, rolls a 3 then a 5. That means they conduct Operation Barbarossa as per box X. With my variant, the Axis does not have to worry so much about its southern flank. It would take a couple of turns for the Allies to capture the Adriatic and get the Higgins Boats Event card as well, and that might give the Axis Bot an opportunity to invade Yugoslavia in the meantime.

Conversely, for the first turn, if the Axis roll a 3 then a 2, the Axis Bot will conduct an attack action into Yugoslavia. This facilitates the Axis protecting its southern flank. In both this and the preceding circumstance, the Axis is not so vulnerable on its southern flank.

Although this variant is meant for a Hitler’s Reich game using the Axis Bot; there’s nothing to prevent these rules use in a two-player game.

Your feedback regarding this proposed alternative for a more historically realistic Hitler’s Reich Balkan experience would be appreciated. 

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