Avalon Hill, under the auspices of Wizards of the Coast, is commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of VE Day by announcing the launch of Axis and Allies Miniatures, a new World War II-themed collectible miniatures game currently slated for release on August 21st.  The new game will provide players the opportunity to engage in authentic, squad-level tactical combat with highly detailed, pre-painted 15mm scale miniatures featuring varying degrees of rarity to enhance collectibility. 

The Base Set, which includes both Starters ($24.99) and Boosters ($14.99), will be unveiled at GenCon in Indianapolis in August and will be available in stores the following week.

Ready to play right out of the box, the Axis & Allies CMG features easy-to-play rules that don't sacrifice authenticity.  A single skirmish can be played in under an hour, or players can take their time in a full European theater campaign from the hedgerows of Normandy to the steps of the Reich Chancellery in Berlin.

The Base Set contains 48 soldiers and vehicles plus detailed hex maps of terrain representing the battlefields of Europe.  A 48-figure expansion, bringing additional vehicles and troops into combat, is slated for a December release with more expansions planned for 2006. 

The Base Set Starter Pack (srp $24.99) contains: 12 collectible miniatures (one of which is 'rare') based on battlefield units of WWII including tanks, antitank guns, infantry units and commanders; plus full color stat cards, a rulebook, 4 double-sided battle mats, and 8 six-sided dice. 

The Base Set Booster Pack (srp $14.99) contains 9 randomized miniatures and full color stat cards.