Beachhead: A Game of Island Invasions in the South Pacific 1942-1944 (1980)

About this game

Beachhead is a squad-level Pacific theater wargame. Each hex is 25 yards, each counter represents 1 squad (~10 men), 1 heavy weapons team (~5 men), or 1 tank, bunker, emplacement or gun. One turn represents 10 minutes of time. The game is divided into basic and optional rules. The basic rules cover the basics of movement and direct and indirect fire. The optional rules include rules for bombardments, close combat, smoke, Japanese reinforcements, and air strikes. Two scenarios are included: Banzai!!! A counter-attack after the American Marines have landed. The Opposed Landing A Marine landing on a heavily-defended beach. This game shares similar scale and mechanics to Commando Actions: A Game of Tactical Level Combat in World War II.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 2.6/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.