Field Commander: Rommel

Overview

Field Commander: Rommel is a solitaire wargame from Dan Verssen Games in which the player takes command of General Erwin Rommel’s forces across three WWII campaigns: France 1940, North Africa 1941, and D-Day 1944. Using a system of Battle Plans and Operation Plans, the game manages Allied movement, combat, and reinforcements while the player makes Rommel’s strategic and tactical decisions. Each campaign can be played independently in about 2 hours, or linked together in a Career mode where outcomes carry forward.

Components

3 full-color mounted campaign maps (11” x 17”)
176 full-color counters (5/8”)
Battle Plan chits
Operation Plan chits
1 six-sided die
Campaign log sheet
Rulebook

Setup

Per campaign instructions:

Select a campaign (France 1940, North Africa 1941, or D-Day 1944).
Place the appropriate campaign map.
Deploy Rommel’s forces and Allied forces per the campaign setup chart.
Place Battle Plan and Operation Plan chits as specified.
Set any historical options you wish to use (difficulty modifiers).
Note the campaign’s victory conditions and time limit.

Turn Structure

Each turn represents a period of the campaign and follows these phases:

1. Planning Phase

Review the current situation and available forces.
Select Battle Plans for upcoming engagements.

2. Movement Phase

Move Rommel’s units across the campaign map.
Allied units move according to Operation Plan chits drawn or resolved by the game system.

3. Combat Phase

Resolve battles where opposing forces meet.
Compare unit strengths, apply terrain modifiers, and roll dice.
Units that win battles may improve their stats (experience gains).
Apply losses and retreats.

4. Reinforcement Phase

Receive any scheduled reinforcements.
Allied reinforcements arrive per the Operation Plan.

5. Supply Phase

Check supply lines for both sides.
Unsupplied units suffer penalties.

Actions

Battle Plans

Pre-selected chits that determine your tactical approach to each battle.
Different Battle Plans provide different combat modifiers and tactical options.

Operation Plans (AI System)

Manage Allied behavior automatically.
Drawn randomly or triggered by events to determine Allied movement, reinforcements, and combat priorities.

Historical Options

Each campaign includes a list of historical options the player can toggle.
Options adjust difficulty and improve replayability.
Example options might include committing reserves earlier, receiving additional support, or facing stiffer opposition.

Unit Advancement

As units win battles, their stats increase, reflecting improved morale and experience.
These improvements affect subsequent battles and movement capabilities.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Each campaign has specific victory conditions based on historical objectives:

France 1940: Advance through France, capturing key cities within the time limit.
North Africa 1941: Capture Tobruk and manage supply lines across the desert.
D-Day 1944: Defend Normandy against the Allied invasion.

Victory is typically measured by objectives captured/held and time taken.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Career mode: Link all three campaigns. The outcome of each campaign affects starting conditions for the next (e.g., unit experience carries over, resource availability changes).
Difficulty scaling: Historical options allow the player to customize difficulty, making the game easier or harder than the historical baseline.
Supply lines: Critical in the North Africa campaign; overextended supply lines can cripple an offensive.
Allied AI: The Operation Plan system ensures the Allies behave somewhat unpredictably, providing replayability.
Rommel’s leadership: Special rules may apply representing Rommel’s personal presence on the battlefield.

Player Reference

Item	Details
Players	1 (solitaire)
Campaigns	3 (France 1940, North Africa 1941, D-Day 1944)
Play time	~2 hours per campaign
Dice	1 six-sided
AI system	Battle Plans + Operation Plans
Career mode	Link campaigns with carryover
Designer	Dan Verssen
Publisher	Dan Verssen Games (DVG)