Holdfast Korea 1950–1951

Holdfast: Korea 1950–1951 is a block wargame from Worthington Publishing covering the first year of the Korean War. The campaign begins with the North Korean invasion of South Korea, then follows the UN counteroffensive, the push north across the 38th Parallel, and the danger of Chinese intervention.

Using the Holdfast system, the game keeps rules and counter density low while preserving the major decisions of the campaign. Units are represented by labelled wooden blocks, creating fog of war and simple step reduction. Players must manage supply, rail movement, amphibious landings, surprise attacks, air power, armour support, and UN naval support without turning the game into a heavy simulation.

The Communist player must drive quickly toward Seoul and Pusan before UN strength builds, while the UN player must hold long enough to counterattack, exploit Inchon, and decide how far to push into North Korea. If the UN crosses the 38th Parallel, Chinese intervention becomes a growing threat, making the final outcome a tense race for territory and timing.

Publisher: Worthington Publishing
Series: Holdfast
Design and development: Grant Wylie and Mike Wylie
Players: 1–2
Playing time: Around 2.5 hours
Format: Standalone Korean War block wargame
Setting: Korean War, 1950–1951
Mechanisms: Block wargame, fog of war, supply, rail movement, amphibious landings, air/naval/armour support

Contents include: a game board, red and blue wooden blocks, a label sheet, rules, and dice.