Squad Leader Scenarios
Squad Leader Scenarios (SL) is a tactical board wargame created by Avalon Hill (Hasbro Gaming) that focuses on infantry combat during the Second World War. Players use map boards and counters to control small units of soldiers, vehicles, and weapons.[1]
In the game, situations are presented to players in the form of scenarios, typically including a map, a set of forces, and a set of victory conditions. The original Squad Leader game comes with 12 scenarios, and additional scenarios, numbered in sequence, follow in the three sequel games. There are also many "official" Scenarios in The General or sold as special releases (the Rogue Scenarios).
In total, 123 official scenarios were made for the Squad Leader series.
Scenario format
Each scenario in the original four-game releases was printed on an 8-1/2" × 11" cardstock with the scenario number, an illustrative graphic, and a historical overview of the aftermath of the event depicted. Rodger MacGowan did the artwork for the original SL, COI and COD Scenarios and Charles Kibler took over with GI: Anvil of Victory.[2]
The original core Scenarios from the 4 games are numbered as follows:
- Squad Leader[3] – 1 through 12
- Cross of Iron[4] – 13 through 20
- Crescendo of Doom[5] – 21 through 32
- GI: Anvil of Victory[6] – 33 through 47
Rules sections
The four Squad Leader games use Programmed Instruction to teach the game system; each scenario included with the games lists the new rules introduced with that Scenario.
Squad Leader scenarios come with specific victory conditions, which vary depending on the nature of the scenario. Some common victory conditions include:
- Assault on a Village: Certain buildings within the village must be occupied and held.
- Withdrawal: A specific number of units must be exfiltrated from the map.
- Defense of a Bridge: Players must hold a bridge against enemy attacks for a set number of turns.
- Rescue Mission: Units on one side need to secure another group of trapped units, then escort them to safety.
- Encirclement: A significant portion of the opposing force must be surrounded and eliminated.
Official Scenarios
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Other official Scenarios (Avalon Hill)
Series 100
Avalon Hill released Series 100, ten new Scenarios for Cross of Iron, in 1979. The Scenarios were designed by Courtney Allen (SL playtester and designer of Storm Over Arnhem).
| # | Title | Allies | Axis | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Blocking Action at Lipki | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 3 July 1941 | near Borisov, USSR |
| 102 | Slamming of the Door | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 17 August 1941 | Panikovo forest, USSR |
| 103 | Bald Hill | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 11 September 1941 | Leningrad, USSR |
| 104 | The Penetration of Rostov | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 24 July 1942 | Rostov, USSR |
| 105 | Night Battle at Noromatyevka | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 1 January 1943 | Noromaryevka, USSR |
| 106 | Beachhead at Ozereyka Bay | File:Red star.svg | File:Roundel of the Romanian Air Force (1941–1944).svg File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 4 February 1943 | Ozereyka valley, USSR |
| 107 | Disaster On The Dneiper Loop | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 24 September 1943 | Dnieper River, USSR |
| 108 | Block Busting in Bokruisk | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 29 June 1944 | Bokruisk, USSR |
| 109 | Counterattack On The Vistula | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 6 August 1944 | near Wola Chodkowska, Poland |
| 110 | The Agony of Doom | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 19 April 1945 | Muncheberg, Germany |
Series 200
Avalon Hill released Series 200 with 10 new Scenarios for Crescendo of Doom.
| # | Title | Allies | Axis | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Sacrifice Of Polish Armor | File:Roundel of Poland (1921-1993).svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 1 September 1939 | Novy Targ region, Poland |
| 202 | Under Cover Of Darkness | File:Roundel of Poland (1921-1993).svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 12 September 1939 | Gdynia, Poland |
| 203 | Bitter Defense At Otta | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 28 April 1940 | Gudbrandsal valley, Norway |
| 204 | Chance D'une Affaire | File:Roundel of France.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 14 May 1940 | Chehery, France |
| 205 | Last Defense Line | File:Roundel of France.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 15 May 1940 | Bouvellemont, France |
| 206 | Fighting At The World's Edge | File:Roundel of France.svg File:Norwegian Army Air Service WW2.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 28 May 1940 | Tarladsvikfjell, Norway |
| 207 | The French Perimeter | File:Roundel of France.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 2 June 1940 | Spyckar, France |
| 208 | Road To Kozani Pass | File:RAF roundel.svg File:Roundel of New Zealand.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 13 April 1941 | Komanos, Greece |
| 209 | The Akroiri Peninsula Defense | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 20 May 1941 | Profitilias, Crete |
| 210 | Commando Raid At Dieppe | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 18 August 1942 | Varengeville, France |
Rogue Series 200
The Rogue Scenarios Series 200, named because they used boards 9, 10 and 11 which were not "official" boards at the time, used rules from the Crescendo of Doom. Some of the Scenarios needed multiple copies of several boards.
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Series 300
Avalon Hill released Series 300 with additional Scenarios for GI: Anvil of Victory.
| # | Title | Allies | Axis | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | Trial by Combat | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 27 February 1945 | Elsdrof, Germany |
| 301 | The Clearing | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 10 October 1944 | Huertgen Forest, Germany |
| 302 | Stand Fast | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 10 December 1944 | Obergeich, Germany |
| 303 | Thrust and Parry | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 15 March 1945 | Pfaffenheck, Germany |
| 304 | Riposte | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 15 March 1945 | Pfaffenheck, Germany |
| 305 | The Duel | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 15 March 1945 | Pfaffenheck, Germany |
| 306 | The Rag Tag Circus | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 12 April 1945 | Barby on the Elbe, Germany |
| 307 | Point D'Appui | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 9 October 1944 | Bardebberg, Germany |
| 308 | Han-Sur-Neid | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 11 November 1944 | Han-sur-Neid, France |
| 309 | The Roer Bridgehead | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 23 February 1945 | Koerrenzig, Germany |
The General Magazine
Over the years, Avalon Hill also released Scenarios in issues of their magazine The General.
| # | ID | Title | Allies | Axis | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15–6 | A | Burzevo | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 2 December 1941 | Burzevo, USSR |
| 15–6 | B | Hill 253.5 | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 9 July 1943 | North of Kursk, USSR |
| 15–6 | C | The Burkin Bridgehead | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 24 September 1943 | SE of Kiev, Ukraine |
| 15–6 | D | Delaying Action | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 30 October 1944 | Western Lithuania |
| 17–2 | E | The Niscemi-Biscari Highway | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 10 July 1943 | Biscari, Sicily |
| 17–2 | F | The Pouppeville Exit | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 6 June 1944 | Normandy, France |
| 17–2 | G | Devil's Hill | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 19 September 1944 | Kleve-Nijmegen, Holland |
| 17–2 | H | The Attempt to Relieve Peiper | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 21 December 1944 | the Ardennes, Belgium |
| 17–2 | I | Hunters from the Sky | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 24 March 1945 | Rhine river, Germany |
| 18–2 | J | Semper Paratus | File:Maple Leaf (from roundel).svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 27 September 1944 | Oorderen, Holland |
| 18–3 | K | Fast Heinz | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 7 August 1944 | Roslayl, USSR |
| 18–4 | L | The Long Road | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Roundel of France.svg | 16 September 1942 | S of Andriba, Madagascar |
| 18–5 | M | The Dead of Winter | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 29 December 1941 | NW of Staritsa, Russia |
| 19–5 | TS1 | First Crisis at Army Group North | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 25 June 1941 | Daugav river, USSR |
| 19–5 | TS2 | Pavlov's House | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 20 October 1942 | Stalingrad, USSR |
| 19–5 | TS3 | Land Leviathans | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 3 July 1941 | Lipki, USSR |
| 19–5 | TS4 | Soldiers of Destruction | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 10 October 1944 | Radzymin, Poland |
| 19–6 | N | Faugh A'Ballagh! | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 16 May 1944 | Sinagoga, Italy |
| 20–2 | 1000 | Operation Marston | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg File:Roundel of Italy (1940–1943).svg | 14 July 1943 | Catania, Sicily |
| 20–4 | O | Strayer's Strays | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 6 June 1944 | Normandy, France |
| 20–6 | SSTK 1a | Death's Head at Lusho | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 24 September 1941 | Lusho, USSR |
| 20–6 | SSTK 1b | Death's Head at Lusho | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 24 September 1941 | Lusho, USSR |
| 21–2 | P | Aachen's Pall | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 25 October 1944 | Aachen, Germany |
| 21–3 | Q | Gambit | File:Roundel of New Zealand.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 21 May 1941 | Maleme, Crete |
| 21–4 | 2000 | Operation Hubertus | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 11 November 1942 | Stalingrad, USSR |
| 22–5 | 3000 | Assault on Round Top | File:Red star.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 30 September 1944 | north of Riga, Latvia |
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ASL Annual
The final "official" Scenarios issued by Avalon Hill for the original Squad Leader game were in the first two issues of the ASL Annual.
| Issue | # | Title | Allies | Axis | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL Annual '89 | A1 | On the Borderline | File:Red star.svg | File:Finnish air force roundel 1934-1945 border.svg | 30 November 1939 | Artahuhta, Finland |
| ASL Annual '89 | A2 | Sbeitla Probe | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 17 February 1943 | Sbeitla, Tunisia |
| ASL Annual '89 | A3 | Regalbuto Ridge | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 31 July 1943 | Regalbuto, Italy |
| ASL Annual '90 | A4 | King's Castle | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 26 November 1944 | Frenzenberg, Germany |
| ASL Annual '90 | A5 | The Professionals | File:Roundel of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 7 April 1941 | Pirot, Yugoslavia |
| ASL Annual '90 | A6 | A Meeting of Patrols | File:US roundel 1942-1943.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg | 26 December 1944 | Hofen, Belgium |
| ASL Annual '92 | ACG | Commando Campaign Game | File:RAF roundel.svg | File:Balkenkreuz.svg |
All official Squad Leader Scenarios printed by Avalon Hill have been reissued for Advanced Squad Leader and released in either The General, ASL Annuals, or scenario packs. The ASL Journal had released seven Scenarios for Squad Leader but Multi-Man Publishing has indicated no intention to support the original SL game system.
Non-official scenarios
The Wargamer also released Scenarios 81–90 and a pack with Scenarios 91–100 in 1982. These were designed by contributors.
| Scenario 81 | A Bridge Too Near |
| Scenario 82 | To Lose A Battle |
| Scenario 83 | The Final Attempt |
| Scenario 84 | Le Paradis |
| Scenario 85 | The Far Bank |
| Scenario 86 | Raid on Vaagso |
| Scenario 87 | The Bruneval Raid |
| Scenario 88 | The Backwater of War |
| Scenario 89 | Cherkasskoye |
| Scenario 90 | The Bridge at Kanev |
| Scenario 91 | Assault At Wadelincourt |
| Scenario 92 | Patton's End Run |
| Scenario 93 | Cassino Station |
| Scenario 94 | Hill 112 |
| Scenario 95 | The Attempt To Exploit |
| Scenario 96 | Scratch Force |
| Scenario 97 | The Breaking Wave |
| Scenario 98 | Night Assault |
| Scenario 99 | Cooperative Venture |
| Scenario 100 | A Day At The Races |