My modern day wargame "Zambala", set in a fictional African nation on the cusp of civil war, has been 25 years in the making, and due for release in a few months.

I started designing this game decades ago, inspired by a few old play by mail wargames I used to play back in the day. So that old I was around before computer wargames were even a thing!

I've always been a programmer, and my brother is artistic, so we worked together to produce the art and the map, but life gets in the way, jobs, children etc. hence the slow evolution.

In the game you command one of six competing tribes, hoping to lead your people and capture the "national will" before the United Nations intervene to end the civil war and appoint an interim government. Your leader can be selected from one of the following vocations: Politician, Bishop, General, Diplomat, Humanitarian, Economist and Cartel boss.

Its a hex and counters style game with fog of war, zones of control, naval and air power. There is a complete economic warfare model where you will fight for the hearts and minds of the peoples of Zambala, who in turn fund your international arms market purchases.

I've also woven in a spies and agents subsystem so you can subvert and sway the population centres with propaganda and carry out assassinations and hits against enemy leaders and agents.

I've gone with Nato unit counters and a combat system that includes twelve unit types, movement and combat phases, retreats and combat bonuses for terrain, special unit types and leader stacking modifiers.

More game info on my rough as guts webpage: Webpage

Steam page link: Steam

I’d love to hear your thoughts, impressions or questions!

Firstly, I must introduce this is John Tiller's Campaign Series, which is one of the most renouned and punishing wargames around the globe. Here is a collection of scenarios that depict Burma's position in the second world war. Note that the terminology is different from modern terminology. Full price is over roughly 130,000 MMK or 29.99 USD. Tutorials are strictly integrated with in-game PDF manual. The full scenario lists and descriptions are as follows.

Scenarios

Kawkareik: 22nd January 1942
The Battle for Bilin: 19th February 1942
The Gurkha Stand at Mokpalin: 21st February 1942
Sittang Bridge: 23rd February 1942
Taukkyan Roadblock: 7th March 1942
Race to Monywa: 1st May 1942
The Burma Railway: 3rd, March 1943
Hukawng Valley Charge (PBEM): 11th January 1944
The Last Push: 4th April 1944
First Clash at Kohima: 5th April 1944
Relief of Kohima: 14th April 1944
Merchant of Venice: 17th May 1944
The Imphal-Dimapur Bloodline: 20th June 1944
The Battering Ram: 28th February 1945

Kawkareik: 22nd January 1942
Kawkareik, Burma: When war broke out in the Far East, the British were certain that, regardless of Japanese intentions regarding Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, they would not invade Burma. On the 16th of December, 1941, the Japanese occupied Victoria Point and its airfield on the extreme southern tip of Burma on the Kra Isthmus and began moving north, quickly grabbing the airfields at Tavoy and Mergui by the 9th of January, 1942; all of this without resistance from the Commonwealth Frontier Forces. Further south, Commonwealth forces were reeling from the Japanese onslaught of Malaya and the British Commander in Chief, General Wavell was convinced that the Japanese forces operating in Burma were but mere detachments. On the 10th of January, the bulk of the Japanese 55th Division crossed into Burma from Raheng, Thailand and on the 20th arrived near Kawkareik, Burma, where the Commonwealth 16th Indian Brigade was guarding the exits from the Dawna Hills which separated Burma from Thailand. Immediately the Japanese began skirmishing and infiltrating through the jungle; moving to encircle the lone Indian Brigade. On the 22nd a "larger scale" Japanese attack developed.

The Battle of Bilin: 19th February 1942
Bilin, Burma: After the Allied retreat from Moulmein a defensive line was established along the Bilin River, east of Kyaikto, beginning on 16 February. It was finally becoming apparent to the Allied high command that the Japanese were invading Burma in earnest, and with the dreadful situation in Malaya and Singapore it was also apparent that they might be able to throw the British out of the country. The battered 17th Indian Division was given the job of holding the line. Until now the division had not been assembled as a single unit, elements of it having faced the Japanese at Kawkareik and Moulmein, at both places being defeated. Even now, along the Bilin River, the division was not entirely complete; elements were stationed as far north as Papun, to guard the passes into the Shan States and a portion was west at Kyaikto, recovering from the battering already taken from the Japanese, but the larger portion, approximately two brigades worth, were on the Bilin River Line, north of Bilin. Coming upon the river, the Japanese 33rd and 55th Divisions, of 15th Army, began probing for crossing points. The 33rd Division turned it's gaze northward toward Papun while the 55th looked directly west across the river toward Kyaikto, then Rangoon. From the 16th, skirmishing was incessant and on the 19th, the Japanese were determined to eliminate the Allied blocking force. In the first major action of the campaign, the 17th Indian Division was practically destroyed.

The Gurkha Stand at Mokpalin: 21st February 1942
Mokpalin/Sittang, Burma: After being shattered at the Bilin River, on February 19th, the 17th Indian Divison scrambled away, northwest, toward the Sittang River where the ferry and railroad bridge there allowed passage, west across the Sittang, toward Rangoon. The Japanese 33rd Division's pursuit along the main road northwest was sufficiently delayed, by rearguard actions, to allow the Commonwealth forces to reach the bridge and begin crossing toward the next defensive line at Pegu. The Japanese 55th Division, meanwhile, departed Bilin and dissappeared north into the jungle to approach Sittang from the east. On the 21st, 17th Indian Division's HQ elements reached the bridge and took up positions at the eastern bridgehead, utilizing the 3rd Burma Rifles as a bridgehead guard. On the main road, south of Sittang, at Mokpalin, three Gurkha battalions were deploying as a blocking force to keep the road open to allow the mass of streaming Allied refugees to reach haven, west, across the river. Elements of the Japanese 33rd Division came up and in typical style mounted a hasty attack to test the defenses and with any luck reach the bridge by a coup de main. The Gurkhas began "fighting off ferocious Japanese attacks" which lasted for most of the day. There was no other choice, they had to hold the road open as two brigades of the division had not yet passed. At Rangoon, the Allied high command could still not accept the fact that the Japanese advance into Burma was more than a probe and continued to blame the relentless advance on a lack of fighting spirit in the Allied troops and mainly their commanders. Today the Gurkhas were to give another, forgotten, example of the inaccuaracy of that sentiment.

Sittang Bridge: 23rd Februray 1942
Sittang, Burma: For two days the Commonwealth troops of the 17th Indian Division have been holding open the railroad bridge, west, across the Sittang River, waiting for the scattered elements of the division to arrive from Bilin, Kyaikto and other locales. On the 21st three Gurkha battalions managed to hold off furious Japanese attacks mounted by elements of the 33rd Division which had been dogging the Allies every step on the retreat. During the day of the 22nd the Japanese 33rd Division began to earnestly probe the Allied positions and with the arrival of part of the 55th Division, after midnight, in the early darkness of the 23rd, the Japanese made their bid to capture the Sittang Bridge. [Unfortunately for the bulk of the Allied 16th and 46th Indian Brigades, under circumstances still debated today, the bridge was blown later in the day of the 23rd before they could cross. That event, completely unhinged the precarious Allied situation in southern Burma and led to the evacuation of Rangoon. C'est la guerre.]

Taukkyan Roadblock: 7th March 1942
Taukkyan, 30km N of Rangoon, Burma: [Best played as Allied] With Malaya secure following the fall of Singapore, the Japanese 15th Army was free to continue its operations against the Commonwealth forces in Burma. British defenses had been concentrated in the south to allow reinforcements to land at the port of Rangoon. However, even with the arrival of the 7th Armoured Brigade it was clear that southern Burma could not be held and Burma Corps began to withdraw north to a new line between Prome and Toungoo. By the time General Alexander authorized the evacuation of Rangoon on 6 March 1942, elements of the Japanese 33rd Division had crossed the Sittang River to the east and broken through the defenders at Pegu, thrusting Major Takonubu's reinforced 3rd/214 Infantry Battalion west to Taukkyan. The Rangoon Garrison's escape route was blocked! Leading the British Column moving north from the smoke covered city, the 1st Gloucesters and a squadron of light tanks from the 2nd RTR, attacked to clear the block late on the 7th before the trap was fully closed.

Race to Monywa: 1st May 1942
Mauywama, SE of Monywa, 100km W of Mandalay, Burma: [Best played against Human opponent] As the Japanese closed in on Mandalay in late April 1942, the British and Chinese forces diverged to follow their own retreat routes, the British via the Chindwin Valley toward Kalewa and Imphal. Vital to the retreating Burma Corps was the river port of Monywa situated on the east bank of the Chindwin River along which all logistical support was transported. With only the headquarters of the 1st Burma Division and a small garrison at Mauywama, 5 kilometers southeast of Monywa, elements of the 63rd Indian Brigade and light tanks from the 7th Hussars were ordered to rush from Sagaing and secure the retreat route. Meanwhile, General Sakurai commanding the Japanese 33rd Division had also recognized the importance of Monywa and managed to get trucks across the Irrawaddy River at Pakokku and thrust the 215th Infantry Regiment up the eastern side of the Chindwin. Just before first light on May 1st, the leading Japanese battalions crossed the river and attacked Mauywama to block the Commonwealth reinforcements from reaching the port. The winner of the race to Monywa was still in doubt!

The Burma Railway: 3rd, March 1943
Kyaikthin, 250km S of Mandalay, Burma: NIGHT [Best played as Axis] In late February, 1943, Brigadier Orde Wingates' "Chindit Columns" had penetrated behind the Japanese lines into the Burmese countryside. Columns 1 and 2 were en-route to blow a number of bridges on the Burma Railway near the small town of Kyaikthin. Unknown to them, Column 2 had been sighted moving in daylight towards the railway. The Japanese rushed the 2nd Battalion/215 Infantry Regiment into the area to protect the vital railway. As daylight waned, the Japanese officers knew they had a little time left, as they urged their troops to get into position before the enemy arrived.

Hukawng Valley Charge (PBEM): 11th January 1944
Matrix PBEM Scenario. General Sun Li-jen was charged with the task of clearing the Hukawng Valley as a prelude to breaking the stalemate in Northern Burma.The Jungle made it difficult for the KMT 114th Infantry Regiment to coordinate and move, and the supporting 6th Field Artillery Battalion could not take part until fields were cut and cleared. As this task was underway the Japanese 55th Infantry Division surrounded the KMT 6th Field Battalion. While awaiting help from the Regimental Commander Colonel Li Hung, the Chinese Gunners were forced to fight alone against the charging jungle hardened Imperial Japanese Army."

The Last Push: 4th April 1944
Kameng, 8 km SW of Imphal, India: [Best played as Axis] In the spring of 1944, the Japanese empire stretched west to the eastern plains of India; however, the capture of a key Indian city, like Imphal or Kohima, still eluded the IJA. After crossing the Chindwin River and fighting across the mountain ranges and jungle, the plains into India lay before the IJA army, but the advance had now reached its farthest limits. Jungle disease, combat fatigue, casualties, command infighting and stiffening Allied resistance began to take their toll on the Japanese belief of their invincibility and superiority. After the difficult capture of Sangshak to the NE, if Kameng could be seized quickly before the Allies have an opportunity to reinforce, the gateway to Imphal would still be open. But, the 37th Indian Brigade would be making a determined blocking defending effort to stop the advancing enemy along the only flat road routes leading into the Imphal plains. The 1-51 and 3-51 Japanese Infantry Battalions are tasked for this final attempt to push through Kameng. This area, being surrounded by hills on both sides, would only permit a frontal assault against the Indians, who would be valiantly defending their homeland against foreign invaders. A Japanese officer would cry "Tsukkome!" (charge!!) in his suicidal final attack toward Kameng.

First Clash at Kohima: 5th April 1944
Village of Kohima, 95km N of Imphal, India: [Best played as Allied] The Japanese offensive - Operation U-Go - propelled General Mutaguchi's 15th Army into India in what turned out to be turning point of the War in South East Asia. One of the critical objectives of this attack was the mountain village of Kohima. This isolated hamlet sits in a mountain pass astride the only all-weather road between Imphal, the key to defending Eastern India, and the railhead at Dimapur. Control of this pass and the village would sever the supply line to all British forces on the Imphal plain and position the Japanese forces for the invasion of India proper! The British realized the importance of the area but underestimated the value Mutaguchi had placed on this objective, they expected a regiment, the Japanese sent a division. This scenario represents the first stage of what turned out to be an epic struggle lasting three weeks and comprising some of the most ferocious fighting of the war. Kohima was the seat of the British Deputy Commissioner in India and his residence became a pivotal position on this small battlefield, at one point British and Japanese soldiers lobed grenades across the adjoining tennis courts for five days, fighting for positions mere feet apart. The village was a key logistics hub as many of the place names show: G.P.T. Ridge (General Purpose Transport), F.S.D. Hill (Field Supply Depot), D.I.S. spur (Depot Inspection Station) and Hospital Spur (53rd Indian General Hospital - I.G.H.). The defenders consisted of a hodge-podge collection of rear area troops, training units and soldiers on convalescence leave; British, Indian, Napalies, Burmies & Gurka, all under command of Col Hugh Richards. At the last moment, an under-strength battalion of British regulars, the 4th Royal West Kent was rushed forward in time to solidify the defence and in turn become surrounded with the remainder of the garrison. The Japanese 58th Regt of the 31st Division had very simple orders: Take Kohima!

Relief of Kohima: 14th April 1944
The road to Kohima, 95km N of Imphal, India: [Best played as Allied] The zenith of the Japanese offensive - Operation U-Go - has come and gone. Although the 31st Division succeeded in surrounding the tiny mountain village of Kohima, and thus cut the critical supply line to the British 4th Corps at Imphal, the Ad-hoc garrison managed to hold on and repel repeated Japanese attacks. The exhausted defenders have been surrounded and isolated for nearly two weeks, and the fighting has been fierce and unrelenting. On the positive side the garrisons supply situation, although bleak, is better then that of the Japanese who have to capture, or carry all of their supplies over 150 miles of mountain paths while the British have been air dropping supplies whenever the weather allowed. The 2nd British Infantry Division has finally managed to trek through the jungles to relieve the 161st Brigade Box at Jotsoma (5 Km west of Kohima). Brigadier Hawkins' 5th Infantry Brigade (-) has now been tasked with breaking through to the desperate defenders of Kohima, if this tiny village falls, it will be extremely difficult to retake and will further imperil the supply line to Imphal. Break through and relieve Kohima, time is running out!

Merchant of Venice: 17th May 1944
Myitkyina, 925km N of Rangoon, Burma: [Best played as Allied] Stillwell's campaign in Burma relied heavily on a band of tough American ranger units of the 5307th Composite Unit, a regimental sized force that became known as "Merrill's Marauders." Though its fabled leader had been sidelined by a heart attack, the unit Executive Officer, Lt. Colonel Hunter, was ordered to lead another deep area raid over the Kumon Range to strike the vital airfield and supply center of Myitkyina. (Pronounced Mitch-in awh). Aided by OSS trained Kachin Rangers, the Marauders made a grueling 90 mile march to surprise the 700 man garrison at "Mitch" and attempt a capture of the town before strong reinforcements of the Japanese 114th Regiment could arrive. Plagued by fatigue, typhus, formidible terrain, and supply problems the Marauders managed to seize the airfield on the 17th of May and transmitted the code "Merchant of Venice" to indicate their objective was in hand. But instead of the much needed air lifted ammo and reinforcements, Stillwell sent Merrill's men aviation engineers and AA units to guard the strip. This costly error led to a long siege at Myitkyina, which did not fall for another long bitter month of fighting.

The Imphal-Dimapur Bloodline: 20th June 1944
Sengmai, 12 km N of Imphal, India: [Best played as Allied] By the late Spring of 1944, the mighty IJA war machine was stopped at the borders of India. Both Imphal and Kohima were within sight but still unreachable. The Allies had gradually built up their military resources and were finally able to go on the counteroffensive. One of the first objectives was the reopening of the Imphal-Kohima-Dimapur Road and hence the stage was set for such an undertaking. Around Kanglatongbi, two IJA battalions would soon be engaged by a full strength Indian infantry brigade supported by armor and artillery, who are determined to clear the road leading to Kohima. The Japanese defenders, now under extreme fatigue and with limited supplies, have to hold the defensive positions at all costs until a reinforcing battlation could arrive. As the road is surrounded by hills on both sides, the weak defenders know the Allies would be conducting a frontal assault, with great numeric manpower superiority. However, with their bushido code deeply embedded in them, they will be defending their positions till the last man.

The Battering Ram: 28th February 1945
Meiktila, 450km N of Rangoon, Burma: [Best played against Human Opponent]. The Allied thrusts across the Irrawaddy River had caught the Japanese completely by surprise - so much so, that the Japanese High Command did not trust the conflicting reports from their forward troops, believing the numbers of tanks and vehicles to be grossly exaggerated. At the point of attack, the 255th Tank Brigade was invested with a certain "dash" as it slashed through, or around, bewildered Japanese infantry who had never before experienced armor in the strength and numbers it was now facing. This Brigade's swift progress was not surprising, two of its regiments, the Royal Deccan Horse and Probyn's Horse, were proud ex-cavalry units re-equipped with armored mounts. Meiktila, a road junction, railhead and possessing four airfields sorely needed by the Allies, now stood in the path of the Allied "Battering Ram". Once the Ram bumped its head on the Japanese defense, it merely back up and went around the open flank. As the axis of advance became clear, Maj.-Gen. Kasuya, the Japanese garrison commander, did everything humanly possible to put the defenses of Meiktila in order, however, he was critically short of men and materials. Unfortunately, the majority of his men were transport and administrative personnel, even hospital patients were roused from their beds and issued weapons, but parts of the 168th (Wolf) Regiment, which were forced marching to Mandalay, were halted and thrown into the line. This makeshift force fought heroically to the last man, not unusual for the Japanese, but if a British regiment had fought against such odds their story would forever live in their history.

Campaigns

Crisis in Burma: Jan 20, 1942 - May 28, 1942
Dynamic Campaign Game - With the fall of Singapore, Malaya was secure and the Japanese 15th Army was free to continue its operations, which had begun in mid-December with the capture of the airfield at Victoria Point, against the Commonwealth forces in Burma. Burma was vital to the Allied war effort against Japan as it was the only practical route for supplying China from India. However, the British, Indian and Burmese troops comprising Burcorps were poorly trained and equipped, which even the arrival of the 7th Armoured Brigade could not offset. Within weeks of the Japanese seizure of Moulmein and Martaban, the critical port at Rangoon had also fallen expanding the crisis in Burma to disastrous proportions. Both sides raced north to cross the Irrawaddy River, but even as Burcorps' rear guard blew the bridges at Mandalay, the Japanese were crossing the river and closing on the city. There was little option left to the Allies but to continue their retreat and attempt to prevent the invaders from driving into India by establishing fortifications at Imphal and Kohima. This then is the mission handed you as a Commonwealth commander in Burma. Or as a commander in the Japanese 15th Army, to you goes the honor of driving through Burma and inflicting one more disastrous defeat on the Allies.

Note: PBEM is a way to play against other human players via email, as each turn requires heavy brainstorming and takes a long time to operate. Once player A finishes their turn, the game generates a small save file to send to his opponent (player B), and vice versa, unless one side loses.

r/computerwargames

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Scenarios

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