Conflict Games' revised Bar-Lev is an exciting and realistic portrayal of the Arab-Israeli 1973 war, although if played to conclusion it is quite long and the initial counter set-up is somewhat tedious. This is counter-balanced by the excellent OB set-up/reinforcement charts provided (now a hallmark of the revised Conflict Games series), and the fact that the game is equally as enjoyable even if only played for a few turns (both sides may declare a "truce" at any point).

The artwork on the mapboard has been re-executed and in general much improved over its predecessor. The Egyptian Front now covers more of the west bank of the Suez (and the site of more action) at the expense of western Egyptian territory. Since super-power interference would prevent Israeli seizure of Cairo regardless of the tactical situation, this is a realistic change. All terrain graphics are clearly and pleasantly rendered.

A big boost in capturing the mobile flair of mechanized desert warfare was made when "irregular" movement was added. This contribution in effect allows elite commandos and recon companies to permit better artillery spotting. I would have liked to have seen Israeli jeeps instead of Centurion tanks in such a capacity on the counter face, but that's probably due to my rat-patrol blood.

It's my understanding that Centurions were used, but I'm not sure to what extent. The counters are of a large size giving easier handling advantages, and the proliferation of beautifully executed armor/self-propelled artillery vehicular silhouettes eases distinction of unit functions as well as firing up one's imagination. My only complaint about color is that the Israelis come out an almost UN-blue.

The game system itself allows for the best in simplified, highly actionable modern warfare with a minimum of complication. One can play both fronts, or can settle to fight just the Egyptian or Syrian battles. The game can be played without air rules, but air is easy to handle, a lot of fun, and actually a necessary ingredient to recreate the flavor of the 1973 struggle.

The Arabs are severely restricted by operational point expenditures necessary to mobilize their units, build bridges across the Suez, and move headquarters. They are further hampered by their poor degree of command and control, all of which combine to force the Arab player to use a great degree of care in choosing between limited alternatives. However, the Arabs have a deadly commando strike force to expand the Suez bridgehead, and a clever use of heliborne (vertical envelopment) tactics against Israeli artillery can pay handsome dividends.

On the Syrian front, one of the primary objectives of either side should be to seize Israeli-Hermon, since control of these heights allows unlimited spotting over that entire front! One must also be careful to remember that all ranges on the Syrian Front are doubled.

In aerial conflict, the Israeli aircraft can fight under the "SAM umbrella" and survive if enough planes are put on a worthwhile target. Arab air should go in against the artillery - "to hell with losses!"

The Syrian Army's morale effectively breaks on turn 4, and this takes the wind out of the Arab offensive in that area, though their "dangerousness" certainly is not negated. On the Egyptian Front the Arab player is usually wise to place a headquarters south of the Great Bitter Lake and another in the center. There he must rely on commandos to carry the bridgehead, with infantry thrown in next and then a smattering of tanks. Remember, several bridges can be built in each hex, and are easy to defend. The Israeli reinforcements should be concentrated, and not thrown away piecemeal.

Although I'm sure Frank Chadwick's research was impeccable, I added a few minor Arab ally contingents that were also possibly fighting. These arrive on a die roll of 1 or 2 (roll each turn until the units are committed) on the Syrian Front:

Saudi Arabia (Al Arabiya Al Saudiyah), AMX-13 Armored Battalion 3-2-6
Al Kuwait Centurion Armored Battalion - 5-3-6.
Tunisian (Al Tunisiya) Mechanized Infantry Battalion - 1-2-6
Libyan Mechanized Infantry Brigade - 2-4-6
Palestine Liberation Army composite Brigade - 2-3-4. (This unit can also appear on the Egyptian front if desired.)

Although the counters would have to be "home-made", they add a certain degree of flavor to the combined Arab effort, and are distinct "might have-beens."

More Bar Lev

Introduction
Bar Lev 1
Bar Lev 2
Bar Lev 3
Second Thoughts: Looking Back on Bar-Lev