Holdfast: Atlantic 1939–45

Holdfast: Atlantic 1939–45 is a WWII naval wargame from Worthington Publishing covering the struggle for control of the Atlantic. The Allied player must keep the sea lanes open for vital convoys, while the Axis player uses U-boats, air power, Italian naval forces, and major warships such as Bismarck and Tirpitz to threaten Britain and disrupt supply to Britain and Russia.

Part of Worthington’s Holdfast series, the game uses wooden blocks to create fog of war and keep the action fast. The focus is not on detailed ship-by-ship simulation, but on tense strategic decisions: where to send convoys, where to hunt, when to risk capital ships, and how to stretch limited naval strength across a vast ocean war.

The system is designed for manageable play time and approachable rules, making it a strong choice for players who want a compact Battle of the Atlantic game with hidden information, naval pressure, and clean operational choices. Retail references list it as a 1–2 player boxed game with wooden blocks, labels, rules, dice, and a mounted board.

Publisher: Worthington Publishing
Series: Holdfast
Designers: Grant Wylie and Mike Wylie
Players: 1–2
Playing time: 60–150 minutes
Format: Standalone WWII naval block wargame
Setting: Battle of the Atlantic, 1939–1945
Mechanisms: Block wargame, fog of war, naval area control, convoy warfare

Contents include: a mounted game board, wooden blocks, labels for the blocks, rules, and dice.