On to Paris The Franco Prussian War

On To Paris! uses a wargame system adapted from Victory Games´ “The Civil War” to simulate the grand events of the Franco Prussian war (1870-71) and challenge players to control the leadership, organization and military operations of Armies and Corps during the later 19th century.

The Franco Prussian war was fought using Napoleonic tactics but with weapons of almost World War One lethality that included breech loading rifles, artillery and an early version of the machine gun. The Franco Prussian war developed many key concepts for the control and movement of large formations in warfare as well as tactical combat.

At a time when the French army was considered the best in the world, the armies of Prussia and her German allies invaded France and in less than 3 months defeated the armies of Napoleon III. Despite German success, the French refused to surrender and as a result German forces laid siege to the French capital. For 5 long months, Paris, a city of about 2 million inhabitants, was starved into submission while surrounded by German armies that had to maintain a long supply line back to Germany, all the time fending off desperate French attempts to break the siege.



On To Paris! simulates both phases of the Franco Prussian war; the German invasion of France in 1870 and the German conquest of France in 1871. Designed for two players, On To Paris! is also suitable for solitaire play. Nine scenarios include an ‘early start’ plus a full length campaign game. Players can also pick any scenario as a starting point and determine their own period of the conflict to simulate.

On To Paris! is a fast moving competitive one map game where players do their best to control their forces and where every decision creates excitement and tension. The game system features interactive game play with flexible initiative and variable turn length as well as extensive defensive player reaction ability. The game puts players in charge of all the famous Corps and Army leaders of the Franco Prussian war which are all rated for their individual leadership qualities and occasional unique characteristics like resistance to following orders.

Before it ended, the Franco Prussian war caused an overall casualty rate over twice that of the American Civil War fought only 5 years earlier and it was the last war where both armies wore uniforms designed for the parade ground. Special rules include the evolution of German Infantry and French Artillery tactics throughout the war, the political stability of the French 2nd Empire, Franc Tireurs, the brilliance of von Moltke and the German General staff, cavalry, German Landwehr and French Mobiles, Fortresses, Forts, siege artillery, rail supply and more.


PRODUCT INFORMATION

• Complexity: Medium 5 out of 10
• Solitaire Suitability: High
• Time Scale: 15 days per turn - Campaign game is 17 turns
• Map Scale: 15 miles per hex
• Unit Scale: Corps and Armies
• Players: Two - but high solitaire suitability
• Playing Time: From one hour for a short scenario to 12 hours for a campaign
• Designer: Milan Becvar
• Artist: Tim Schleif

Components:

• 2 Countersheets: 9/16”
• 1 Map 22” x 34”
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Scenario book
• Multiple 8.5” x 11” charts and table cards
• 6 six-sided dice
• 1 Box and lid set