First Cav 1965

Open the Box Stake the Bunny

Reviewed by Markus Stumptner


(Frank Yegicheyan for Vae Victis)

A rather clever but long solitaire game on the Ia Drang Valley campaign by 1st Air Cavalry. The American formation are numerous (even though R&R schedules reduce the number of battalions on the field) and have plenty of transport and attack helicopters. The Viet Cong/NVA sneak about in randomly composed "Forces" which, when turned over, may reveal a dummy marker or a letter referenced to the chart storing units. Arrows printed on the map handle the movement of the Forces. These arrows tend to move units towards the target but also winnow out the units by requiring units to follow each arrow from the box before repeating one already used. A large concentration of NVA units usually only occurs where the Forces have time to gather and it will then split up. With plentiful air, artillery and chopper assets the US usually wins most combats unless it faces a night attack which is deadly as it usually occurs without defensive support. US forces can win by damaging regiments severely and by breaking up concentrations. It can get a bit mindless after a while but it is not bad and certainly has a feeling of the period. Pretty clean rules and wondrous counters. The US forces are unlikely to lose.

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