The British Way: Counterinsurgency at the End of Empire is the first of several COIN multipacks. That means that the gamebox contains four separate wargames, exploring a series of thematically related insurgencies. In this case, it tells the story happening between 1945 and 1960, when the British fought four major “emergencies” (as they referred to their counterinsurgency campaigns), each trying to manage their retreat from empire.

All materials (so far) in the series:
1) First Look at COIN The British Way
2) How to Play COIN British Way - Palestine
3) How to Play COIN British Way - Malaya
4) How to Play COIN British Way - Cyprus
5) How to Play COIN British Way - Kenya

The British Way: Kenya focuses on the British counterinsurgency effort against the Mau Mau in the Central Province of Kenya from October 1952 through to their effective defeat in 1956 (although the Kenyan Emergency officially continued until 1960, with a small number of Mau Mau still fighting). The game focuses on the counterinsurgency aspects of the conflict in rural areas and the mass population resettlement and detention conducted by the British during the Emergency, known colloquially as the ‘Pipeline’. It does not focus in so much detail on urban unrest and protests during this period, although Nairobi is featured on the map.

This is definitely on of the titles from this multipack which is closest – in rules and scale – to the regular COINs. We have control, support, regular fights and battles, bases, etc. The unique mechanisms of Resettlement and Reprisal (to large extent connected with Pipeline track) gave this titles its uniqueness.

Enjoy!