Mind the Gap (fan expansion for MBT: Second Edition)

NOTE: This game is no longer for sale.

All briefings and maps can be downloaded from the files section of this page for free. The maps should be printed on 12 x 18 inch paper to produce an 11 x 17 inch map.

"Mind the Gap" depicts a never fought 1979 engagement in the Fulda Gap using Jim Day's and GMT’s MBT Game pitting a reinforced US Armored Cavalry Troop from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment “The Black Horse” against a reinforced Motorized Rifle Battalion equipped with BMP-2 and T-64BV Tanks.

The scenario reflects my experience as a Platoon Leader in the gap as a tank and armored cavalry platoon leader and troop XO in the 1st Squadron, 11th ACR stationed in Fulda from January 1977 – December 1979. The game is not balanced although players may balance it as they deem fit. The actual fight was not; we had a healthy respect for the quantity, if not the quality, of the enemy.

To play the game, you must have a copy of the initial GMT MBT Game. The expansion includes a new map of four 11 x 17 inch map sheets scaled at 100 meters per hex (the same scale as the MBT game). The map is based on a period map of the battle area and utilizes contours to depict elevation.

The Scenario Briefing, a B Troop and Soviet Battle Books with deployment instructions, and alternate order of battle listings, a planning map and terrain key are downloadable from the files section.

Expansion sets are not required (BAOR, FRG, and the forthcoming Canadian supplement) provide additional vehicle counters as well as leaders. A list of substitute counters is provided to enable the player to field the complete order of battle for both sides or the players can use some of the expansion set vehicles or combine sets to complete the order of battle.

Mind the Gap can be played with two players but may be more interesting if played with up to 6 players on the US side (CO and the five platoon leaders), and 6 on the USSR side (Battalion Commander and 4 company commanders), and a referee.

The gamer can also simulate a 1978 engagement by downloading a Vehicle Card for the M60A1 tank from https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/146576/official-bonus-data-card-um-13b-m60a1-aos and by deleting the M901 Improved TOW vehicles from the US Order of Battle

Mind the Gap© 2018 StrongPoint Simulations and Modeling, LLC. • MBT™ is arbitrable to James M. Day. The MBT Game ©2016 GMT Games. Counter images are used with permission of James M. Day.