
- BGG rating
- 7.0
They Shall Not Pass: Bavarians at the Gates
- 2 players
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2012

2005
Rules assistance for Alsace 1945
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Alsace 1945 is a board game released in 2005 for 1–3 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Brian L. Knipple and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Chit-Pull System.
Covers the 1945 German offensive in the Alsace region of France (also known as Operation North Wind) that coincided with the more famous 'Battle of the Bulge' to the north. Follows much the same format as Defiant Russia: small box with one 22" X 17" map and 140 1/2" counters. Game also includes four separate scenarios.
Alsace 1945 supports 1–3 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Alsace 1945 is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Alsace 1945 for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Alsace 1945 has a complexity rating of 2.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Alsace 1945 belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Chit-Pull System. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Alsace 1945 are: Brian L. Knipple. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Alsace 1945 as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.