The North Africa Board Game🎙️22 Months of Pain and Learning the Hard Way
The North Africa Board Game🎙️22 Months of Pain and Learning the Hard Way  
Podcast: Echoes of War
Published On: Fri Sep 25 2026
Description: Join James, Andy, from War with a Mate and Craig, and Gaurav from Echoes of War Podcast as they discuss their epic journey playing the North Africa Campaign board game—a monumental undertaking that began as a simple six-turn practice run but evolved into an intense 22-month campaign simulation. In this in-depth episode of "War with the Mate," our hosts reflect on their experience tackling one of the most complex and historically accurate North Africa board game scenarios ever documented. This is one of the first episodes from Echoes of War, marking an important milestone for the podcast as they explore the intricate warfare of the North African theater during World War II. What makes this playthrough extraordinary is the sheer learning curve involved. The team admits they initially overlooked crucial historical context provided by their guests, which led to significant tactical losses throughout their gameplay. However, these setbacks transformed the experience into an invaluable educational journey about North Africa campaign history and the strategic complexities faced by both Allied and Axis forces. The episode revisits the historical background of the North African campaign, drawing on their comprehensive 12-part series on the subject to provide deeper context. Expect detailed discussion of Operation Compass, Fort Malena, Bardia, and the tactical decisions that shaped their 22-month battle for control of Libya and Egypt. Our guests Craig and Gurv bring expert historical knowledge to the table, explaining how the board game mechanics represent North Africa warfare, including naval logistics from Sicily, armored car reconnaissance tactics, and the critical role of Malta in the Mediterranean theater. This is a must-watch for World War 2 history enthusiasts, wargaming fans, and anyone interested in how complex board games can simulate real historical campaigns. Whether you're interested in the North Africa WW2 battles, military strategy, or just watching friends struggle through one of the most challenging board games ever created, this episode delivers. Don't forget I have a Youtube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbp8JMZizR4zak9wpM3Fvrw/join or my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel where you can get exclusive content like "What if Japan invaded the USSR during WW2?"