
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,448
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Sixth Fleet: Modern Naval Combat in the Mediterranean
- 2 players
- 360–1200 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 1985

Expansion for The Arab-Israeli Wars: Tank Battles in the Mideast
2009
Rules assistance for Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq is an expansion for The Arab-Israeli Wars: Tank Battles in the Mideast released in 2009 for 1–4 players, 60–120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Tom Toshach and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation.
Tactical Combat in the Middle East (TCME) is an expansion of the classic boardgame Panzer Blitz. TCME takes the Panzer Blitz system into the 1990's up to present day. This is not a complete game unto itself. You must already own Panzer Blitz, Panzer Leader, or Arab-Israeli Wars in order to play. TCME introduces all new units representing those that fought in the two Iraq wars, including M1A1 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley AFVs, AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters, T-72, 64, and 55 Tanks, ATGMs, fixed-wing aircraft, and anti-aircraft systems to name a few. New rules include unit morale, HQ units, MLRS, and a new indirect fire system that does not require pre-planning. Battlefield Iraq is the first in a series of expansions of the Panzer Blitz system. Stryker Brigade is already available, and Russian, and special operations variants are already in the works.
Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq supports 1–4 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 Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq is 60–120 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 Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq 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.
Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq belongs to these categories: Modern Warfare and Expansion for Base-game. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation. 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 Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq are: Tom Toshach. 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 Tactical Combat in the Middle East: Part 1 – Battlefield Iraq as an expansion for The Arab-Israeli Wars: Tank Battles in the Mideast. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need The Arab-Israeli Wars: Tank Battles in the Mideast to use it. Check that your edition of The Arab-Israeli Wars: Tank Battles in the Mideast is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.