Enemy Coast Ahead: The Dambuster Raid^*

Enemy Coast Ahead: The Dambuster Raid is a detailed solo and team wargame about Operation Chastise in 1943, the 617 Squadron's attack on the dams of Germany's Ruhr region. It is aimed at history buffs and seasoned wargamers who want a planning-heavy campaign.

The history

On the night of May 16, 1943, nineteen Lancaster bombers set out to destroy the dams that powered Germany's war industry. Their special weapon, a spinning bouncing bomb codenamed "Upkeep," was designed to skip over the torpedo nets and crack the dam wall from within. Eight bombers never returned, but the Möhne and Eder dams were breached.

The game

You command a newly formed squadron, making tactical choices while also playing the unseen hand of fate. A typical campaign runs in phases:

1. Build the squadron: acquire bombers, ground crew, and air crews.
2. Train for low-level flight and the bombing run without exhausting your crews.
3. Scout the targets, but reconnoitre too much and you risk tipping off the enemy.
4. Fly the raid, beat the defenses, and release Upkeep at exactly the right moment.
5. The morning after, assess the damage you did to the dams.

What stands out

• Playable solo or as a team, with one player as squadron commander issuing orders
• Nine scenarios with a programmed rules layout; the first is playable after only a few pages
• Rich detail: decorated crew members, ground staff, and even the commander's dog get their own markers

Who is it for?

For players who enjoy immersing themselves in rules, history, and atmosphere. Anyone after a quick, light game should look elsewhere: the learning curve and playtime are considerable.

Conclusion

A demanding, atmospheric solitaire experience for patient wargamers. The dense rules will deter casual players, but reward the committed with a genuinely tense campaign.