Overview

Assault Across the Suez is a tactical-level wargame covering the Turkish 25th and 10th divisions’ epic bid to capture and destroy a portion of the Suez Canal in February 1915 during World War I. The game covers platoon and company-level combat, individual ships, and the British defense of the canal. One player controls the attacking Ottoman Turkish forces, while the other defends with British and Allied troops.

Components

• Game map (depicting the Suez Canal area)
• Counters representing military units (platoons, companies, ships)
• Combat Results Table
• Terrain Effects Chart
• Dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Place the game map showing the Suez Canal zone.
2. Each player takes their assigned counters (Ottoman/British).
3. Deploy units according to historical setup instructions.
4. Place the turn marker on the first turn.

Turn Structure

Standard wargame alternating turn sequence:

1. Movement Phase: Active player moves units.
2. Combat Phase: Resolve attacks against adjacent enemy units.
3. Second player Movement Phase.
4. Second player Combat Phase.
5. End Phase: Check victory conditions, advance turn.

Actions

• Move units: Advance platoons and companies across the desert toward or away from the canal.
• Attack: Engage enemy forces in combat using the Combat Results Table.
• Naval support: Ships in the canal can provide fire support for the defending British forces.
• Cross the canal: Turkish forces must attempt canal crossings under fire.
• Defend positions: British forces dig in and defend the canal banks.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Turkish Victory: Successfully cross the Suez Canal and establish a bridgehead, or destroy enough canal infrastructure.
• British Victory: Repel the Turkish assault and prevent canal crossings.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Canal crossing: Special rules govern attempting to cross the Suez Canal under fire, one of the most difficult tactical challenges in the game.
• Ship combat: Individual ships have separate combat and movement rules.
• Desert terrain: Movement through desert is costly and affects supply.
• WWI setting: Unlike many wargames set in WWII, this covers a WWI desert campaign.

Player Reference

Setting: February 1915, Suez Canal, World War I

Scale: Platoon/company level

Sides: Ottoman Turkish (attacker) vs. British/Allied (defender)

Key challenge: Canal crossing under fire