Bar-Lev (game)

Cover of Bar-Lev wargame 1974

Bar-Lev is a strategic board game that simulates the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The game is named after the Bar Lev Line, a chain of fortifications built by Israel along the eastern bank of the Suez Canal following the Six-Day War in 1967.

Gameplay

Bar-Lev is designed for two players, with one player controlling the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the other controlling the Egyptian Armed Forces. The game is played on a hexagonal grid map that represents the Sinai Peninsula and surrounding areas. The objective of the game is for the Egyptian player to breach the Bar Lev Line and advance into Israeli-held territory, while the Israeli player aims to repel the Egyptian forces and maintain control of the region.

Components

The game includes:

• A hexagonal grid map of the Sinai Peninsula
• Counters representing military units
• A rulebook
• Dice for determining combat outcomes

Setup

At the start of the game, players set up their units according to historical deployment. The Israeli player places their units along the Bar Lev Line, while the Egyptian player positions their forces on the western side of the Suez Canal.

Turn Structure

Each turn in Bar-Lev consists of several phases:

1. **Movement Phase**: Players move their units across the hexagonal grid.
2. **Combat Phase**: Players engage in combat by rolling dice and comparing results to unit strengths.
3. **Supply Phase**: Players check the supply status of their units, which can affect their combat effectiveness.

Historical Context

The Yom Kippur War, also known as the October War, was a conflict fought from October 6 to October 25, 1973, between a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel. The war began with a surprise attack by Egyptian and Syrian forces on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The Bar Lev Line was a key defensive position for Israel during the initial stages of the conflict.

Strategy

Successful gameplay in Bar-Lev requires careful planning and strategic thinking. The Israeli player must effectively utilize their defensive positions and counterattack capabilities, while the Egyptian player must coordinate their forces to breach the Bar Lev Line and exploit any weaknesses in the Israeli defenses.

Reception

Bar-Lev has been praised for its historical accuracy and strategic depth. It is considered a challenging game that offers a detailed simulation of the Yom Kippur War.

See Also

• Yom Kippur War
• Six-Day War
• Bar Lev Line
• Israeli Defense Forces
• Egyptian Armed Forces