You are in command! 

Students will gain experience by commanding an infantry squad through increasingly difficult historical scenarios set during the Great War (1914-1918). The students will assigned a pre-generated NCOs/officers to use during class. 

TDG (Tactical Decision Games) WW1 Trench Warfare is a highly interactive On-Going class where students will be expected to work together, clearly describe their intent, be resilient in the face of challenges, and magnanimous in victory. 

Please have students set up the Roll20 account (its free) prior to joining the class. Thank you. (13 -18 yrs)

This is a simulated, turn-based wargame using some of the basic 5E action mechanics (which many students are familiar with), but using Early 20th c warfare firearms, grenades,  and even tanks.  

This class is a drop in and play, so we will begin the class with a very simple introduction to guerrilla warfare tactics with either a fire team, small squad, squad or platoon depending upon the scenario. 

Each squad or platoon scenario provides a challenging decision-making environment; since each week a different scenario will be introduced - and will not cycle back but may have to finish an on-going scenario- anyone can drop in anytime - Please preview the TDG Basic Rules handout prior to joining. (Just for reference....do not print out)

Week of  twenty-eighth of October -  - Opening German Moves (Schlieffen Plan) (Fire Team) Patrol the outskirts of a village looking for signs of an adversarial vanguard.
Week of fourth of November -  - The Redoubt (Small Squad) Secure the Belgian village so the residents may return to their homes. 
Week of eleventh of November -  - The Race to the Sea (Small Squad) Get your squad to the vital intersection before the adversary.
Week of eighteenth of  November -  - Stalemate on the Marne (Small Squad) Knock out the adversary's supply station.
Week of twenty-fifth of November -  - The First Day of the Somme (Platoon Defend the vital crossing over the Mekong River until relieved.
 Week of  first of December - Sixth Session - The Ill-fated Gallipoli Campaign :Bring your squad across an hostile city to the safety of a military base. 
Week of fifteenth December - Seventh Session - Lawrence's attack on Aqaba in the desert. 

(A huge number of scenarios have been developed for this On-Going class)

Each class will begin with a "Mission Briefing", an orientation to the historical scenario and a discussion of the intended mission objectives and rules of engagement. Students will then work together to achieve those objectives against the teacher who will act as the adversary in the scenario. The concept is meant to immerse the student in role playing a commander of a squad or platoon in a simulated historical combat scenario so as to learn as much as possible about infantry tactics used during the Great War (WW1) . 

This class requires the student to start a Roll20 account (free), this virtual tabletop is the way by which we pit our tactical ideas against each other. Students must be 13 yrs or older to use Roll20. 

A TDG is a situational exercise, driven by a historical narrative, that provides basic mission, intent, and resources available. It allows student-leaders to work through their decision-making processes and develop a plan. TDGs have been used throughout history dating back to before the 1800s. Most notably, Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke, Chief of the Prussian General Staff, used them in the mid-to-late 1800s for contingency planning and called them “tactical assignments” (taktische Aufgaben). The most obvious benefit is that they require little in resources, can vary in complexity, and provide a low-threat environment to challenge and develop your learner’s creative and critical thinking.

*** This is NOT a video game. Think in terms of CHESS.