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North Africa '41

North Africa '41 is a complete overhaul of Mark Simonitch's game "The Legend Begins", first published 30 years ago by Rhino Game Company. Everything has been redone from scratch: new map, new order-of-battle research and improved rules using many of the ideas developed in Stalingrad '42, Holland '44 and Salerno '43.

The map and unit scales of the first game remain the same, as do some of the rules.

There are still Limited and Active ZOCs (Zones of Control), tank movement, coastal transport between ports, Malta convoy rules, port destruction/repair and Resource Points. Resource Points are used to build or purchase resources in limited quantities, such as air support, battleship convoy escort, air transport and full temporary participation of the Italian army.

The basic gameplay system borrows heavily from other games in the WWII 19xx series, but there are no ZOC Bonds in this game. Only the ZOCs of motorized units stop enemy movement. Units can overtake non-motorized units by paying +2 Movement Points (MP) to exit each ZOC.

New rules have been added to increase excitement and prevent perfect plans: event tables, delay markers, strafing, movement bonuses for Rommel and the Long Range Desert Group.

The game includes three scenarios: Enter Rommel, The Complete Campaign, and Crusader.

Year Released: 2023
Designer: Mark Simonitch
Publisher: GMT Games

Aug 31 2023
- Initial release.

Sep 1 2023
- You can now load the "Enter Rommel" scenario. Read the note at the top right of the board.
- Fixed a missing step on a german motorized unit (115/15).
- Fixed some very odd snapoints.

Sep 2 2023
- Added bags for quick access to certain counters.
- Added missing snapoints on 1104 and 3528.
- Fixed some very odd snapoints (again).

Sep 3 2023
- You can now load the "Crusader" scenario. Read the note at the top right of the board.
- Counters are no longer stackable. This should correct many problems.
- Supplies and fortresses are now located in each side's supply pool.
- Added the positioning of counters indicating airfield control when loading all scenarios (I completely forgot to place them for the first one).
- Corrected the positioning of counters in the Tobruk perimeter. Added snap points also.
- Corrected the positioning of counters in Alexandria.
- Locked an allied setup sheet.

Sep 4 2023
- Fixed fortress placement for the "Enter Rommel" scenario.

Oct 17 2024
- Upscaled every counters.
- Added latest errata sheet.
- Updated the shape of some counters.
- Fixed a missing step on the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers.

Oct 19 2024
- Fixed a locked counter.