People's War

Guerrilla War Rules

by Bill Rutherford

by Henry Lubbers, Rivertown Pubs., POB308023, Cincinnati, OH 45230, 24pp., $7.00.

People's War is a set of rules addressing what is now called "low intensity conflict" - guerrilla warfare. included with the rules are an artillery template and a reference card containing most of the more frequently used game charts. The rules are very tactical in nature, the basic element being the fireteam and the basic unit, the platoon. The ground scale is 5m/inch, with 2 minutes per turn. As might be expected at this scale, actions are low level, approaching skirmish, and heavy weapons have devastating effect. The play sequence is fairly standard. Movement sequencing is resolved using a deck of cards in a manner similar to The Sword and the Flame colonial rules. Morale is basic to the game, and is interesting in that a unit's past activities (such as abandoning wounded/dead troops) has an effect on morale, but casualty level doesn't. Booby traps, civilians, medevac, ammunition limitations, silenced weapons, newsmen (!), and other exotica are all addressed to one degree or another for use in the game. The only command control rules included are designed to limit the guerrilla player's flexibility of maneuver once action has been joined - a detailed battle plan must be written out, and is difficult to change. Lastly, the rules put some effort into scenario generation, with good results. These area simple, fast set of rules, ideal for a light evening's gaming off the beaten track.

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