Hitler’s Last Gamble: Designer Edition

Hitler’s Last Gamble: Designer Edition is a large-scale operational World War II wargame covering the Ardennes Offensive of December 1944.

Players command German and Allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge, managing regiments, battalions, artillery, air power, bridges, roads, and reinforcements across a detailed hex map of the Ardennes. The German player must exploit surprise, night movement, and armored breakthroughs before Allied resistance hardens. The Allied player must absorb the initial shock, hold key road networks, and turn arriving strength into a counteroffensive.

This Designer Edition updates Danny S. Parker’s classic design with revised rules, expanded research, larger maps and counters, and a highly detailed order of battle. Morale plays a major role in combat and staying power, while terrain, weather, bridge capacity, road movement, fuel, air support, and optional rules add depth for players who want the full Ardennes puzzle.

The game includes several scenarios, from shorter engagements to the full campaign, including historical and plausible “what-if” starts. It is best suited to experienced wargamers who enjoy operational detail, historical chrome, and the challenge of managing a large battlefield where every road junction matters.

Contents include: three map sheets, six 5/8” countersheets, 524 ground units, 49 air units, 480 game markers, rules booklet, game booklet with designer notes and examples, historical study with detailed orders of battle, 21 player aid cards, 45 Allied and German setup/order of appearance cards, two six-sided dice, and a box with lid.