Overview

Allenby’s Blitzkrieg is a wargame simulating the last great cavalry campaign in history — General Edmund Allenby’s offensive in northern Palestine in September 1918 during World War I. Players command British Empire forces (including cavalry and infantry) against Ottoman Turkish defenders. The game features several historical “what if” scenarios that can tip the balance toward the Ottomans. It has below-average complexity and high solitaire suitability.

Components

• Hex map (depicting northern Palestine/Israel)
• Die-cut unit counters (British Empire and Ottoman forces)
• Combat Results Table
• Terrain Effects Chart
• Scenario cards
• Dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Place the hex map of northern Palestine.
2. Select a scenario (historical or “what if” variant).
3. Deploy British and Ottoman units according to the scenario setup.
4. One player takes the British forces, the other takes the Ottomans (or play solitaire).

Turn Structure

Each turn represents a period of the campaign:

1. British movement phase: Move British units (infantry, cavalry, and support).
2. British combat phase: Resolve attacks against adjacent Ottoman units.
3. Ottoman movement phase: Move Ottoman units.
4. Ottoman combat phase: Resolve Ottoman counterattacks.
5. Administrative phase: Check supply, reinforcements, and special events.

Actions

Movement

• Units move hex-by-hex according to movement allowances.
• Cavalry units have greater movement range, reflecting the campaign’s emphasis on rapid exploitation.
• Terrain (mountains, wadis, roads) affects movement costs.

Combat

• Combat between adjacent units uses the Combat Results Table.
• Odds-based resolution: compare attacker to defender strength.
• Terrain modifiers apply.

Cavalry Exploitation

• British cavalry can exploit breakthroughs, moving and fighting again after initial combat.
• This reflects Allenby’s historical strategy of using cavalry to rapidly encircle Ottoman positions.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory depends on the scenario, typically involving:

• British: Capturing key Ottoman positions and achieving a breakthrough within the time limit.
• Ottoman: Maintaining a defensive line and preventing British cavalry from encircling.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• High solitaire suitability: The game is well-suited for solo play.
• “What if” variants: Historical alternatives (such as stronger Ottoman defenses or delayed British attacks) can shift the balance.
• Cavalry focus: The game emphasizes the unique role of cavalry in the last major cavalry campaign in military history.
• Below-average complexity: Rules are relatively streamlined for a wargame.

Player Reference

Force	Strength	Key Feature
British cavalry	High mobility	Exploitation moves; rapid encirclement
British infantry	Standard	Assault and hold positions
Ottoman infantry	Defensive	Strong in prepared positions
Ottoman reserves	Variable	Counter-attack capability