Sand Oil and Blood

(Gulf War I Rules)

by Bill Rutherford

Published by Sutton Hoo Games, this ambitious set of miniatures rules covers all aspects of the late Gulf War on the ground. Scales are 50m per inch, 1 minute per turn, and one vehicle/squad per model/stand. Play is mixed-sequential: I move, you move (based on initiative die rolls), then we both fire, going in priority from stationary to moving.A glossary, extensive organization charts, data charts for just about every vehicle and aircraft (and several assault boats) that played a role in the Gulf War, scenario generation and tactical notes, and a nicely annotated bibliography round out the rulebook and amount to 68 pages of rules and 54 pages of charts, notes, and tables.

I had only two bones to pick. Command control is treated cursorily and morale is ignored completely, beyond the infantry fire Pin and Suppress combat results. Considering the lavish detail paid to the rest of the game, I was a bit disappointed not to see more treatment of these two critical factors. These aside, Sand, Oil, and Blood plays well and does a good job of describing the complex interrelationships between the various factors of modern combat -- terrain, technology, etc. These rules are available for $18 from your local game shop, or directly from Sutton Hoo Games, 20 Attawan Road, Niantic, CT 06357.

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