Overview

Gunfight in the Valley of Tears is a tactical wargame simulating the fierce tank battle on the Golan Heights during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War (Yom Kippur War). Often compared to the Battle of Kursk, this engagement saw Israeli forces desperately defending against a massive Syrian armored assault. The game operates at individual tank scale with 20-minute turns and 200-yard hexes, designed as a relatively simple game suitable for wargame novices.

Components

• 480 unmounted and uncut counters (Israeli and Syrian units plus informational markers)
• 1 hex map (11” x 17”, 200 yards per hex)
• Rulebook
• Player aid sheets
• Requires but does not include a ten-sided die

Setup

1. Lay out the hex map representing the Valley of Tears on the Golan Heights.
2. Separate Israeli and Syrian unit counters.
3. Place units on the map according to the scenario setup.
4. Set up informational markers for ammunition, morale, and other tracking.
5. Place artillery and air support markers in their designated areas.

Turn Structure

Each 20-minute turn follows this sequence:

1. Command Phase: Issue orders and determine unit actions using the command system.
2. Movement Phase: Move units according to their movement allowances.
3. Combat Phase: Resolve fire combat between opposing units.
4. Morale/Rally Phase: Check morale and attempt to rally disrupted units.

Actions

Movement

• Units move from hex to hex, spending movement points.
• Terrain affects movement costs (open ground, hills, obstacles).
• Individual tanks are represented, so each counter is a single vehicle.

Combat

• Fire combat uses the game’s combat system with range, terrain, and ammunition modifiers.
• Sagger missiles: Anti-tank guided missiles used by Syrian forces have specific rules for targeting and resolution.
• Artillery: Off-map artillery can be called in by Forward Observers using a dedicated fire support system.
• Aircraft: Air support missions with specific rules for ground attack.

Command System

• Units require command to operate effectively.
• The command system uses extensive command rules to model the friction of battle.
• Command range and quality affect what units can do each turn.

Special Weapons

• Mines: Can be placed to restrict enemy movement.
• Bridgelayers: Engineering units that can create crossing points over obstacles.
• Forward Observers: Required to call in and direct artillery fire.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory is determined by scenario-specific objectives:

• Israeli player: Hold key defensive positions, destroy Syrian armored units, prevent breakthrough.
• Syrian player: Break through Israeli defenses, capture key terrain, destroy Israeli forces.
• Point values may be assigned for destroyed units and controlled hexes.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Individual tank scale: Each counter represents a single tank or vehicle, providing highly detailed tactical combat.
• Ammunition limits: Units have limited ammunition, adding a resource management element.
• Novice-friendly design: Despite the tactical detail, the game is intended as a simpler product suitable for beginning wargamers.
• DTP production: Published by Perry Moore Games in 2003 as a desktop-published (DTP) game, meaning counters are unmounted and require cutting.
• Ten-sided die required: The game does not include dice; players must supply their own d10.
• Historical accuracy: The battle is modeled in detail, with accurate unit compositions for the October 9, 1973 engagement.
• Scale: 200 yards per hex, individual tanks, 20-minute turns, squads of infantry.

Player Reference

Scale: 200 yards/hex, individual tanks, 20-min turns

Sides: Israeli Defense Forces vs. Syrian Army

Key systems: Saggers, Artillery (Forward Observers), Aircraft, Ammo limits, Commands, Mines, Bridgelayers

Die required: Ten-sided (not included)

Counters: 480 total (unmounted, require cutting)