"Squad Leader" is a very detailed (and complex) tactical game which puts you in charge of a squad of men during World War 2. You direct the fire of your squad, you select the plan of attack, or set your defenses against a massed Russian human wave or armor assaults. The game uses Programmed Instruction to guide you through twelve scenarios of increasing realism. A Campaign game ties the scenarios together and allows your personal leader counter to advance in rank and ability. Plus there is a Design-Your-Own section for situation creation. Designed as a system more than just being a game, the underlying theme is hinged on morale, and it also has several modules which expanded it further (see below).

The units are 10 man squads, 4-5 man crews & individual leader counters and have available a wide array of weaponry --- machine guns, flamethrowers, demolition charges and more. Rules cover morale, leadership, machineguns, flamethrowers, demo charges, smoke, hidden placement, radio contact, anti-tank guns, night action and more. This is NOT recommended for Beginners and even Intermediates may have a bit of a learning curve. However, once learned, you can probably handle anything else out there. This game went through several revisions / editions. This is the game that sparked the whole "Squad Leader" / "Advanced Squad Leader" phenomenon.

Game components include : 4 Mapboards (#s 1, 2, 3 & 4), 520 half-inch Counters, 192 five/eighths-inch Counters, 2 Quick Reference Data Cards, 6 double-side Scenario cards (scenario #s 1 through 12) & 36-page Rules & Designer's Notes booklet.

Two players. Ages 12 & up. Avalon Hill from 1977.

Additional info: Modules include Cross Of Iron, Crescendo Of Doom and G.I. Anvil Of Victory. All modules required owning, at least, "Squad Leader".

There were articles on this game in "The General" magazine:
Vol. 14 # 5
Vol. 15 # 1 and # 4
Vol. 17 # 5
Vol. 18 # 1 and # 3
Vol. 19 # 2
Vol. 20 # 1 (with Player Aid), # 4 and # 6
Vol. 21 # 3
Vol. 23 # 2
Vol. 24 # 1

Vol. 20 # 2 "Operation Marston" Variant (Scenario 1000). NOTE: This was a monster scenario which required TWO copies each of "Squad Leader", "Cross Of Iron", "Crescendo Of Doom" and "G.I. Anvil Of Victory".

An important note regarding Avalon Hill games - It was not unusual for Avalon Hill to re-publish most of their games with 2nd, 3rd or more Editions. Sometimes the game components changed, sometimes they didn't. If your game components do not correspond exactly with what is listed, do not despair. You may just have to do a little more checking to insure its completeness.
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