1918/1919 Storm in the West
===========================

This module is rather a conventional hex and counter game with a few exceptions detailed below. Most of the module's mechanics can be determined by a little experimentation. This guide will help the players more quickly understand how to best use the module. 

Game Setup
==========

In all scenarios the players must complete the setup of units. Refer to the rules for details as the setup is rather different for each scenario. In all cases the units, to be used in that scenario, are on the map in stacks of the same value of units, and the markers are on the charts, or on the Air units window.

Air Units
=========
Air units are not placed in hexes on the map. They can be utilized anywhere on the map. Therefore they should be placed on the Air Units window. This child-window is easily accessible via the icon on the toolbar.

Errata: the designer has confirmed, on Board Game Geek, that the attacker must commit Air unit/s before the defender.

Stosstruppen Replacement
========================

Depending on the scenario, the Stosstruppen units may be replaced en-masse or individually. In either case they are replaced by their substitute Infantry units of the same name and with the same step strength. These replacement Infantry units have a dot in the corner. 

Individual replacement can be actioned from that units right-hand menu. Mass replacement of all 15 Stosstruppen units can be actioned, once per game, using the keyboard sequence: CTRL-ALT-SHIFT-R

Morale/Objective Hexes
======================

The objective of the game are morale objectives marked on the map. The change in control of an objective causes the morale counters to raise or fall as per 4.2. The values of the objectives are the same on both maps. Thus these hexes have control markers built into the map. 


Use CTRL-F to flip the control. Then the players should immediately increase and decrease the morale counters as required by 4.2 and the scenario. Note that the starting values for Morale are different based on the scenario being played.

Hex Control Markers
===================

The game does not come with counters to mark the control of hexes. At times it is important to mark the control of individual hexes of the map. Under the Markers toolbar are two styles of control marker. Use them as required to avoid confusion with respect to the control of key hexes. If the hex in an objective then simply use the built-in Objective markers as per the previous paragraph.

Hidden Information - Masking of units
=====================================

A key element of the game is that a player cannot look into the opponents stacks of counters. See 13.8 Fog of War. The top unit of a stack is always visible. There are not enough units to have double/triple stacks everywhere but, there will be stacks at key locations of the front line. A strong unit may be lurking under that weak and reduced unit on the top of the stack. The players have two options: they can rely on your opponent not using the stack viewer to have a gander at the contents of a stack or the players can mask their units.

Use the right-hand menu to Mask your units while they are below the top unit in a stack. The unit owner can unmask or peek at their units. Peek is
a temporarily un-masking of a unit to see the details. During this Peek no information is shown to the opponent.

Note: The JEF unit in the 1919 scenario cannot stack with any other units; therefore it cannot be masked.

enjoy
Tim

Dedication: This module is dedicated to my paternal grand-father who was sent to the Western Front in early August 1918, one month shy of his 19th birthday. He was part of the recently rebuilt 16th (Irish) Division of the British Army. Although by August 1918 the division was predominantly made up of British infantry regiments. The division's losses in the March offensive, and the Irish conscription crisis of 1918, had left few wholly Irish units in the division. My grandfather would come home from the war in mid-1920. Pop would pass in 1982. Lest we forget.