From Lock ‘N Load:
The Italians make their first appearance in the Lock ‘n Load system. Mare Nostrum is the first complete Lock ‘n Load game (you need not own anything else) to feature the desert battles of World War Two, and also the first stand alone module to delete “heroes” from it’s name.
Designed by Lock ‘n Load veteran Ralph Ferrari, the module includes tanks, guns, and infantry from the Italian, German, French, British, and American armies. Fight with Matildas, M13/40s, Grant, and R35 tanks. Command Alpini and Bersaglieri troops, and man the Breda 30 and Solothurn AT-Rifle.
The module-specific rules, some of which have beed seen before in Lock ‘n Load: Heroes of the Blitzkrieg include Hit and Run movement , which allows a unit to fire at ANY time during its movement, Opportunity Movement, which allows eligble units to move at any time that they could normally Opportunity Fire, rules for desert terrain (Hammanda, Scrub, Gum Trees, and Sand), dust, and rules for mounted units (motorcycle and cavalry, to name but a few of the new additions to the base Lock ‘n Load rules.
Five new boards are packed into the box. These include three desert boards, one of which is completely open, and two of which have quite a bit of rough terrain. Additionally there are two less arid boards that represent a bit more vegetation, and habitations. Finally, there are die-cut terrain overlays that represent hills, ravines, and roads.
Module includes:
- Almost 700 die-cut counters. Representing Italians, Germans, British, French, and Americans. The most ever in a Lock ‘n Load Module.
- Five mounted, geomorphic game boards.
- Die-cut terrain overlays, which are another Lock ‘n Load first.
- Sixteen scenarios, each on its own, full-color, scenario card.
- Complete, full-color set of Lock ‘n Load rules.
- Complete, full-color module rules.
- Full-color player aid.
- 16 Skill Cards.
- Nice, double-deep box to put it in.
Scenarios include:
- Bunker Busting: June 1940, Italian versus British. The Italian 9th Colonial Brigade attempts to crack the numerous defenses of the fort at Moyale.
- Kill or Be Killed: July 1940, Italian versus Sudan Defense Force. Italian Colonial Brigade with mortar and armor support, attacks Kassala.
- On the Run: June 1940, Italian versus British. The Royal Highland Regiment is tasked with covering the retreat of the troops from Tug Argan Gap. The task won’t be easy, the Italians outnumber them.
- Folgore! October 1942, Italian versus French. The 185th Folgore Regiment, anchoring the El Alamein defnse are attacked by the Free French Brigade.
- Doomsday: October 1942, Italian versus British. Counterattack from Point 33 into the teeth of British anti-tank guns.
- Bearing the Brunt: March 1943, American versus German and Italian. Remnants of Centauro fall back into positions near El Guetter with artillery and Panzers of the 10th Panzer to aide them. The Axis forces reorganized, then attack positions of the US 1st Infantry Division. The Axis forces attempt to break through the US defenses and move west.
- Rock the Kasbah: Kasbah, Morocco, November 1943 – US forces landed at Green Beach (Mehdia Beach) and began to move inland. In their path was a fortress (Named Kasbah by US Forces.) which needed to be neutralized. Elements of the US 6oth Infantry Division battled Vichy French forces for control of the area.
And nine more…
