Yom Kippur (The Gamers) Review by Alan Sharif

In 1967 Israel had defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria and
Jordan. Six years later, a better trained , armed and prepared Egypt and
Syria, (the Jordanians presumably having learnt their lesson), were
ready to seek revenge. On the Sinai front the Egyptians had a well
devised plan to destroy sections of Israels first line of defence, the
Bar Lev line, and seize the East bank of the Suez canal. Their infantry
were armed with anti-tank missiles and expected to wreak havoc on
Israeli armour when the inevitable counter attack came. Yom Kippur
simulates this campaign as well has having several shorter scenarios,
some of which are hypothetical in nature.

This is the fourth in The Gamers standard combat series, a series
intended to be low in complexity but highly playable. The sequence of
play is very traditional, movement, combat and mechanised movement. The
first in the series, the excellent Stalingrad pocket, was reviewed in
IPW #7. The second , Africa was a serious mistake in that the scale
chosen was completely wrong for this series. The result was a game with
a very narrow front line that is totally dominated by artillery, not the
North African campaign we read about in the history books. I passed on
the third game, Ardennes, as I reached saturation point in battle of the
bulge games a long time ago. Dispite having dissenters, both Africa and
Ardennes were well received. I was looking for Yom Kippur to live up to
the promise that the first game in the series seemed to promise.

Added to the basic sequence of play, Yom Kippur has chrome added to give
it a unique feel. Each player has hard hitting artillery units able to
barrage enemy units within range. Artillery is very effective, possibly
too much so, and can inflict steps losses quite easily. Israeli
artillery is mechanised and fast moving whilst Egyptian artillery isjust
the opposite. This enables Israeli artillery to move within range of
Egyptian units, barrage them, and then move out of range of retaliation.
On the otherhand, the slow moving Arab artillery risks being eliminated
if too close to the front when an Israeli breakthrough occurs. Engineers
can bridge the Suez, (important to both players), and earn favourable
shifts in combat. H.Q's are used to supply all friendly units in range
whilst S.A.M (surface to air missile) units prevent enemy air units
within their range from supporting friendly combats or making ground
attacks. However, Egyptian H.Q and S.A.M's are prohibited from crossing
in Suez into Israel during the historical scenario. This encourages the
Egyptian player to adopt the Arabs historical strategy of crossing the
Suez, establishing a bridgehead, and then awaiting the Israeli
counterattack. The alternative is the continue to advance into the
Israeli homeland, out of supply, and at the mercy of the Israeli
airforce, not recommended. In the early turns of the game Israeli armour
units suffer additional step losses in combat with infantry , simulating
the Arab anti-tank missiles. Although these were technically a defensive
weapon, Israeli policy was to counter attack if assaulted. This tactic
had always served them well and historically it was a few days before
this doctrine was changed.

In the historical game, once the Egyptians halt their advance and dig
in, the Israeli generally spends a couple of turns building up his
forces before moving the push the Arabs back over the Suez and beyond.
However, when the Israelis cross the Suez into Egypt they release
substantial Egyptian reserves . With careful planning, and time, I think
the superior Israeli forces will always defeat the Arabs. However, this
is exactly what the Israelis DONT have. From turn three onwards a die is
rolled, the result of which may impose a United Nations cease-fire
ending the game. Brilliant. The Israeli is forced to act before he is
really ready, and take risks. Even if the game goes its full length
there are only twelve turns!

I have one or two gripes about the game. The colours used on the
counters in particular, are quite garish. The rule about Israeli armour
suffering extra step losses in combat with Arab infantry, whilst
historically accurate, can lead to unhistorical results. The Israeli can
simply withdraw his armour until these effects end. I am working on a
rule that forces the Israeli to make a pre determined number of assaults
with his armour per turn in the early stages. Yom Kippur is otherwise
playable solo, suitable for beginners, and gives both players the
opportunity to be on the offensive and defensive. Very highly
recommended.