Gulf Strike (1983)

Gulf Strike was designed to be the state of the art in Land, Air, and Sea modern simulation. Since its original release, Gulf Strike has shown its ability to simulate the changing character of the Gulf Wars from the Iran-Iraq war to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and its potential aftermath. In fact the original 1983 edition correctly anticipated the type and character of units the United States would send to the region in the event of a crisis. Seven complete scenarios cover the recent history of the region, plus the current Desert Shield operation, and portray the multitude of alliances possible to counter threats arising in numerous quarters. Complete air, land, and sea orders of battle for several dozen nations allow you to fight each conflict to its unpredictable and often startling conclusion.

There were 3 editions of Gulf Strike published:

First Edition (1983) included two 22 x 32" mapsheets, two 22 x 16" mapsheets (incorrectly described on the box as three 22 x 32" mapsheets) and 910 counters (sheets 1-4, with sheet 4 being 130 units).

Second Edition (1988) included a new 16-page Scenario Update booklet, an additional mapsheet (Map D) and countersheet 5 (130 units), bringing the contents up to two 22 x 32" mapsheets, two 22 x 16" mapsheets, one 8 x 22" mapsheet and 1040 counters (sheets 1-5, with sheets 4 & 5 being 130 units).

A Scenario Update set (1988) was available for owners of the first edition. This incuded all the components necessary to upgrade to the second edition, including Map D, countersheet 5, and the Scenario Update booklet.

Third Edition (1990) included the 2nd edition contents and added the Desert Shield: A Gulf Strike Expansion Module, comprising a 12 page Desert Shield scenario booklet and a new 260-piece countersheet, bringing the contents up to two 22 x 32" mapsheets, two 22 x 16" mapsheets, one 8 x 22" mapsheet, and 1300 counters (sheets 1-6). The number of counters included in the 3rd edition is incorrectly stated on the box (1430) - there were only 1300 (4 x 260 plus 2 x 130).

There was also a "2.5 Edition", which had the 2nd edition box but included the Desert Shield: A Gulf Strike Expansion Module, release in 1990. Only some of the later / last copies of the 2nd edition were released with the Desert Shield Expansion Module - these were identified with a black & white sticker on the box cover. The 2nd edition with Desert Shield Expansion Module is identical in contents to the 3rd edition.

There was an additional Desert Storm mapsheet and 40-piece die-cut countersheet included with The GENERAL Vol.26,No.6 (see below).

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.21,No.1
  • Insert: Victory Insider
    • Gulf Strike - “The Iranian Civil War - A New Scenario for Gulf Strike” by Mark Herman

• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.6
  • Gulf Strike – “Desert Storm - The liberation of Kuwait” (Scenario) Mark Herman