Museum of World War II Releases Westerplatte Board Game for WWII Anniversary
On 1 September, marking the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, a new board game set at the start of the conflict has gone on sale. “Westerplatte” was released by the Museum of World War II in Gdańsk, bringing a playable account of the early days of the defense of the Polish Military Transit Depot to the table.
A board game about command, construction, and siege
“Westerplatte” is designed for 1–2 players, with participants taking the role of a commander responsible for managing the crew of the Military Transit Depot during both the period leading up to the defense and the fighting itself. The gameplay is built not only around reenacting historical events in Gdańsk, but also around influencing how those events unfold.
Solo play: two phases, one deadline
- The solo mode is split into two stages: building the redoubt (1933–1939) and defending it (September 1939).
- During the first stage, the commander designs and constructs a fortification system while trying not to draw attention from German forces through excessive activity.
- In the second stage, the previously created defenses are tested under combat conditions during an encounter with attacking German forces.
- The solo game ends either if the advancing enemy destroys the barracks located at the central point of the board, or when the day of 7 September 1939 concludes.
Two-player play: co-op or German offensive planning
- In a two-player match, players can choose between two modes.
- In cooperative play, each player receives assigned defense sectors and takes on a different commander role.
- In competitive play, the second player plans the German offensive.
- The game includes several scenarios that vary in difficulty.
Historical materials included in the box
The game package contains a text authored by Dr. Wojciech Samół. It is intended to provide approachable historical context and traces the facility’s story from the establishment of the Military Transit Depot in 1926, through the first shots in September 1939, to the decision to capitulate and the consequences that followed.
Players also get access to biographical profiles of a dozen or so key figures connected to the events at Westerplatte, covering individuals on both the Polish and German sides.
Release details: players, time, price, and where to buy
- Author: Bartosz Odorowicz
- Players: 1–2
- Playtime: 30–45 minutes
- Suggested retail price: 149 zł
- Current shop price: 119 zł
“Westerplatte” can be purchased at the Museum of World War II shop (MIIWS) at the permanent exhibition, as well as at the MIIWS Westerplatte Museum branch. It’s also available online via the museum’s shop listing for “Westerplatte” (reduta i pole bitwy).
