Cross of Iron

Cross of Iron is a tactical board wargame published in 1979 by Avalon Hill as an expansion — called a "gamette" by the company — to their very popular 1977 wargame Squad Leader. The game simulates small group tactical combat during World War II on the Eastern Front. Description Cross of Iron is a two-player wargame that builds upon the rules for Squad Leader, including: Expanded German and Soviet orders of battle, including Axis Minor infantry types. The original handful of vehicle and ordnance types in Squad Leader are expanded to include a large variety of vehicles that saw service on the Eastern Front. Expanded armor and artillery systems. The "design for effect" philosophy that had guided Squad Leader development gave way in the case of tank combat to "actual data" taking priority over "effect data." The addition of white-on-black counters to represent the Waffen SS. Complete orders of battle for Soviets and Germans for the entire war, including dozens of different models of Sd.Kfz. 250 and 251 halftracks and PzKpfw I through VI tanks. Publication history Even before Squad Leader debuted, plans were being made to expand the initial release; these expansions would be called "gamettes" and concentrate on particular eras or theatres, all the while developing the basic game system with additional rules, new weapons types, and different terrain. John Hill and Don Greenwood became the creators of the first gamette, Cross of Iron, which was released by Avalon Hill in 1979 with cover art by Rodger B. MacGowan.