Overview

D-Day: The Great Crusade is a regimental-level wargame covering the Normandy campaign from June 6 to July 6, 1944. Designed by Danny Holte, the game portrays Operation Overlord and the subsequent 30 days of fighting in Normandy. It uses a two-map system at 1.5 km per hex with 1-day turns, featuring rules for air support, naval support, artillery bombardment, interdiction, weather, and unit replacements. The game is suitable for 2-4 players and solitaire play, with low to moderate complexity.

Components

• 2 game maps (22” x 34” each) depicting the Normandy peninsula on heavyweight stock
• 480 color die-cut counters representing military formations
• 2 player aid cards
• Rules booklet with historical notes and designer’s commentary
• Dice

Setup

1. Lay out both maps to form the full Normandy battlefield.
2. Select one of the 5 included scenarios (including the full campaign game).
3. Place German defending units at their indicated positions.
4. Prepare the Allied invasion forces according to the scenario landing schedule.
5. Set weather and air support markers to starting conditions.
6. Place reinforcement schedules nearby for reference.

Turn Structure

Each turn represents one day and follows this sequence:

1. Weather Determination: Roll for weather, which affects air and naval support.
2. Allied Player Turn: Movement, combat, air and naval support.
3. German Player Turn: Movement, combat, reinforcements.
4. Administrative Phase: Check supply, replacements, and unit breakdowns.

Actions

Movement

• Units move through hexes spending movement points. Terrain (bocage, rivers, beaches, towns) affects costs.
• Regimental and battalion-level units have different movement allowances.

Combat

• Adjacent units may attack. Combat odds are calculated and resolved on the CRT.
• Combined arms bonuses may apply when different unit types cooperate.

Air Support

• Allied air superiority provides tactical air support missions (bombing, strafing).
• Weather conditions can ground air operations.

Naval Support

• Allied naval gunfire supports coastal and near-coastal operations.
• Range and availability depend on the ships present and scenario conditions.

Artillery Bombardment

• Artillery units can barrage enemy positions before or during an assault.
• Interdiction fire can disrupt enemy movement and supply.

Unit Breakdown

• Larger units can break down into smaller component units for tactical flexibility.
• Smaller units can recombine into their parent formation.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory depends on the scenario:

• Campaign Game: The Allied player must capture key terrain objectives (Cherbourg, Caen, beachheads, inland towns) within the 30-day timeframe.
• Shorter Scenarios: Have specific objective hexes and turn limits with victory point totals.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• 5 Scenarios: Range from short introductory scenarios to the full 30-day campaign.
• Weather: Random weather affects air support availability, movement rates, and naval support.
• Replacements: Both sides receive replacement units and can rebuild damaged formations.
• Solitaire Suitable: The game’s structure works well for solo play despite being designed for 2-4 players.
• Scale: 1.5 km per hex, 1 day per turn, regimental/battalion level units.

Player Reference

Turn (1 day): Weather → Allied Move & Combat → German Move & Combat → Admin

Scale: 1.5 km/hex, 1 day/turn, regimental level

Support: Air, naval, and artillery support available to Allies (weather permitting)

Scenarios: 5 included, from short to full 30-day campaign

Win: Capture objectives within scenario time limits