Breakthrough: Cambrai

Breakthrough: Cambrai is a two-player wargame covering the British assault against the Hindenburg Line near Cambrai, from 20 November to 3 December 1917.

The British player commands the tank-supported offensive, attempting to break through the German line and reach the “green fields beyond.” The German player must absorb the initial shock, hold key areas, and prevent the British from turning a dramatic tactical success into a decisive operational breakthrough.

The game uses area movement and impulse mechanics, with players alternating short actions rather than taking long separate turns. This keeps both sides engaged and gives the battle a strong back-and-forth tempo, similar in feel to games such as Breakout: Normandy and Monty’s Gamble: Market Garden.

Victory is based on controlling key map areas or, for the British, exiting units into designated perimeter zones. This makes Breakthrough: Cambrai a good fit for players interested in First World War operational combat, early tank warfare, and fast-playing area-movement systems.

Contents include: one 22" x 34" map, one 16-page rulebook, one 16-page scenario/play booklet, two sheets of 5/8" counters, four setup and reinforcement cards, two player aid cards, and four dice.