Atlantic Sentinels: North Atlantic Convoy Escort, 1942-43

Atlantic Sentinels is a solitaire, tactical level game placing you as the Senior Officer of the Escort, shepherding a convoy in the North Atlantic from the attacks of U-boats, both singly and in wolfpacks. You are in command of a convoy escort group, composed typically of 4-10 escort vessels guarding a convoy on its way across the Atlantic. Your mission is to protect as much Allied shipping as possible while simultaneously destroying as many U-boats as possible during the height of the U-boat threat – 1942 to early 1943. Atlantic Sentinels provides players with a host of decisions as he is assigned to protect merchant convoys, typically ranging from 40 to 60 ships. The placement of escorts to offer front, rear, and flank protection to the convoy is complicated by the size of the convoy and available assets. Additional decisions must be made on where to place the escorts, which are equipped with Type 271 radars, the key to your defense. As the game progresses, a player’s Escort Group may receive upgrades in the form of additional radars, HF/DF (High-Frequency Direction Finding) equipment, and possibly additional ships. Air support can be key, but until the CVE “jeep carriers” arrive, the “Black Pit” in the center of the Atlantic remains a high threat area. Players will find it highly challenging to minimize convoy losses and keep them to an acceptable level. Players may choose any of 9 historical Escort Groups (five British, four Canadian) armed with historical destroyers and corvettes. The game is designed to integrate with The Hunters if players wish to combine the games. Product Information: Complexity: 4 out of 10 Solitaire Suitability: 10 out of 10 (solitaire game design) Time Scale: Semi-abstract (Convoy escort missions, 2 per month) Map Scale: Abstract Unit Scale: Individual escorts, U-boats, merchant ships (when targeted) Players: One (with option for two) Playing Time: 15 to 20 minutes (single mission), 6-8 hours (full career) —description from the publisher