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OPERA TlONAL ANAL YSIS DRIVE ON STALINGRAD The Roads and the Roadblocks to Victory by Ronald P. Hamm

Every once in a while I get this impulse to go way could not possibly be found. Hitler's concentration was possible only because of back to the DOS map and color it in . Even if personal control of this offensive resulted in the earlier patient withdrawals. This tactic al­ the terrain added wouldn't be accurate, it the total destruction of the striking power of lowed the buildup of a massive reserve which would break up those dull expanses of the Wehrmacht and the loss of the entire Don smashed the weak Axis Allies and surround­ nothing that designer Hessel stuck me with. River basin. It also shortened the war by two ed the Sixth Army in November. According to Fred Helferrich (Ed . of F&Ml to five years. there actually is some terrain that could be Very briefly and simplistically, covering The Simulation put in (and he should know, having been the opening months of the campaign is not The situation presented by Drive on there at the timel. Missing terra in or not. easy, but tiere goes. The northern arm of the Stalingrad offers the original. choices and op­ giant pincer started first. In driving on Voro­ there is an awful lot of maneuver room in the portunities to both sides. History itself is game - and many of you have sent in ar ­ nezh, the fierce fighting delayed the time­ easily recreated if firm decisions are not ticles concerning it. Latest is: - RAS table. The breakthrough was finally made, made prior to play. Either side may lose, even and the drive down the Don met practically with those firm decisions, but defeat is al­ no resistance. The southern pincer arm and most assured if proper strategic discipline is Caucasus force met little resistance except So Paulus was a fool and Zhukov was a not maintained, as was the case in the actual around Rostov, where a strong defense and genius. Maybe your feelings are different or campaign. The game of DOS, being designed German confusion delayed the pincer. When you think the emphasis is misplaced-now to an operational format, is really played on things were sorted out, there were no Soviets you can find out. Drive on Slalingrad is two distinct levels. A player will not win con­ to be found. This is when Hitler got mad and an excellent operational level simulation of sistently until he has mastered both the stra­ started thinking of an allack on Stalingrad to the German 1942 summer offensive in Rus­ tegic and the tactical level of Drive on Stalin­ make the Soviets fight. The Germans rolled sia. The PGG system works extremely well grad. east and south across the barren steppes 10 for 1939-1942 armored actions and it proves Both the German and Russian player's that fact again with DOS. I purchased the the Don and the Caucasus foothills as the So­ face strategic decisions of paramount impor­ viets skillfully traded space for time with con­ game after the errata carne out, so I did not tance. The game rules force Stalingrad to be stant retreats. Supplies were critically short, have the unfortunate task of playing- DOS an object.ive, so there is no question of grand but the drive went on. The Don was crossed when it was unbalanced drastically towards strategy; however, there is more than one at Kalach-na-Donu. and a Panzer division the Soviets. I am glad that I waited, because road to Mandalay, and various ways to block the game (like the real campaign itself) is now rolled right to the Volga on the northern out­ each one. Each player has different consider­ skirts of Stajjngrad. Here the offensive finely balanced. Although my experience ations and a separate discussion of each will with the latest publications is limited, I feel degenerated into a street battle which ab­ make those considerations clearer. that Drive on Stalingrad provides one of the sorbed all the German reserves and supplies best historicity/playability mixes I have en­ and was the burial ground of the German German Strategy countered. Army. The southern wing, originally the General. The operational design of DOS schwerpunkt, was robbed of support by the forces the German player to Stalingrad and The Actual Campaign Stalingrad ballies and accomplished little, the Caucasus. The point values for capturing Without attempting to add verbiage just plodding slowly into the mountains after the cities and the Victory Conditions prohibit to increase honorarium, I would like to re­ retreating Soviets. When the Soviet COUnLer­ variation. The major question for the Ger­ view briefly the actual campaign before dis­ stroke fell in November, the southern wing mans is-north or south? The dividing line is cussing the strategy and tactics of winning was almost cut off and was saved only by the southern bend of the Don River. The the game. This will help the player under­ Manstein's brilliance and courage, while the Russians are very thin south of the Don, but stand what really happened and how that re­ Sixth Army was surrounded and finally sur­ the German supply situation there can only lates to the possibilities of the simulation. rendered in early February. The details of be described as impossible. The Russian Stavka was convinced that the this campaign are well described in several SQuthern Thrust. In MOVES 40, Tom Germans would resume their 1941 drive on books, and I will not attempt any more Graveline advocated a southern strategy. 1 Moscow. Hitler wanted the Caucasus oil. details here. have played DOS intensively. and I can not The original plan was for the schwerpunkt to The decisive element of the smashing duplicate his suggestions, even approximate­ be in the far south, with an additional encir­ Soviet victory was their patience. Instead of ly. His method parallels Hitler's folly, for the clement to meet in front of Stalingrad to attempting to hold everywhere and getting Seventeenth Army and the mechanized units clear and protect the flank of the Caucasus trapped in cauldrons as in 1941, the Soviets of the First Panzer Army are not nearly suffi­ drive. As time wore on, Stalingrad became returned to their historical methods. Timely cient for the task. If the German player de­ an objective and, finally,' the whole cam­ retreats traded territory for armies, and the sires a Southern strategy with any speed and paign shifted to an effort to take that city. enemy was drawn away from his base. They chance of success, he must plan for concen­ With the vast distances involved and a sorry were able LO avoid encirclement and let the tration and overwhelming power at the deci­ supply situation, the Germans did not have Germans exhaust themselves in the barren sive point. Against even a mediocre Soviet the power to achieve both goals and, as a re­ steppes, which were indefensible anyway. player, the German must use the armor from sult, they failed at both. A more abject lesson Zhukov's tactic of reinforcing the Stalingrad both the First Panzer and the Sixth Armies against dividing forces and changing the ma­ battle with only enough forces to retain a plus the Seventeenth Army and the two jor objective of a campaign once it is under- foothold and to ensure continued German available LuI/flotte. His rail repair points 23

must go south for at least five turns, and the ing of reserves for the counter blow in The penetration and pursuit actions planes must be used for supply. Even with November. should take several game turns. By turn these drastic measures, success is not guaran­ After the dismal failure of the large en­ twelve, at the latest, the German player teed, because of the overall slowness of the circlement, Hitler ordered that there be no should be ready to attack the Don River de­ advance and the fact that even a few Soviet further efforts at these massive blows. He fensive ·line. The Soviet reinforcements will units (all that will probably be available) can ordered that only short thrusts be made. In­ have formed a solid front behind the Don, stop the advance cold in front of Grozny by stead of encircling armies as in 1941, only the which makes this a very formidable position. using the Terek Ri ver line. The Soviet player front line division were to be surrounded. Since the chance for double Victory Points only needs to send one Headquarter's unit to The Soviets had learned their lesson, how­ for the capture of Stalingrad is gone, this wi ll this sector in order to stiffen the defense ever, and speedy withdrawals were allowed. be another battle of annihilation rather than above the breaking point. These Soviet retreats saved troops and let the speed. The German player should send some Germans blast away at empty air. The modi­ forces south of the Don to hook north to­ Any full-blooded attempt at a southern fied German strategy of small scale encircle­ ward Stalingrad. This action wi ll not be deci­ strategy will drain the northern drive of most ments is the best method of attack in the nor­ sive, but will draw Soviet forces to this sec­ of its power. With the extra armor gone, the thern sector. The German player does not tor. The German player should also try to se­ northern sector will lack the ability to break possess enough fast and powerful divisions cure the Volga bank south of Stalingrad in through, surround, and carry out the deep or the supply situation to-attempt large scale order to preclude a Soviet buildup and coun­ penetrations which are so important to the encirclement. terattack here. The German player must wait German tactics of 1942. The northern ad­ for some supply capability-most likely air vance will be plodding at best, thus allowing Panzer supply- before attacking. The German play­ Division the Soviets to retreat orderly, to form lines, [§ § er. may suffer heavy losses in this battle, bu t to save units, to build reserves, and to coun­ 4-13 (Note that a 2-13 hopefully the Soviets will suffer even more terattack early. Voronezh will have to be German Panzer Division heavily. An additional fillip that I sometimes is composed of one ~ La ~ abandoned, and Victory Points will come add if the west bank of the Volga south of Panzer Regiment the German player slowly and dearly. Stalingrad has been secured, is a diversion and two The results of a southern strategy wi ll Panzergrenadier across the upper Don. Even the Axis Allies most often prove disappointing at best and 2~3 R~giments) 1'3 may be used for this attack, depending upon disastrous at worst. With luck, the pincers ~ 00 supply, because, if the German player has will converge at Stalingrad. More likely, the been successful up to this point, the Soviets convergence will be at the Don bend or even will be very thin covering the north bank of the Chir River. However, the pincers will the Don. close on nothing- just as the actual German pincers came up empty in the summer of Altogether, the northern schwerpunkt 1942. The Soviets will be left with great The supply situation is particularly im­ offers the best hope for the German player. power and growing reserves behind a defensi­ portant early in the game. The first three Dangers are present in abundance- such as ble barrier. There will be many reduced Ger­ game turns should be spent near the start line not catching the Soviets while in su pply, get­ man units on both wings, with strong Soviets culting off and destroying Russian units. ting bottled up in the Don bend, and simply armored groups constantly counterattacking This destruction should include a large part suffering too many casualties in the ap­ and inflicting further casualties. Even when of the massive Russian first turn reinforce­ proach to the primary objective. Even with Soviet stacks are caught, they will often ments, unless the Soviet player is very cau­ these considerations, this course of attack of­ prove very tough nuts to crack and hardly tious and willing to sacrifice both the original fers much more promise than a southern ef­ \~orth the cost. A southern strategy usually front line troops and a great deal of territory_ fort. res ults in the German forces being split , By turn fi ve, the Germans should have weakened, vu lnerable, totally out of supply, several holes available to drive through. The In summing up the section on German and defeated. Soviets will be scattered and vulnerable, but strategy, there are several axioms which are Northern Thrust. After having de­ the situation now demands a battl e of speed of paramount im portance no maller which nounced a southern strategy as impracti cal and maneuver rather than one of annihila­ course of attack is followed . Although lhi s for victory, I had better have another alterna­ tion. The armor of the Sixth Army and spare point is technically tactical, it can not be tive. This other option-the nort hern infantry need to push east as rapidly as possi­ overemphasized- ge t the Soviet Headquar­ schwerpunkt-is superior to the southern ble, avoiding battle whenever they can. The ters. Without HQ units, the Soviet divisions approach, but is just as frought with danger. Axis air supply capability moves to the fore can not attack, they are out of supply, and This st rategy calls for a concentration of ef­ here by enabling full movement of some the rules make them nearly helpless. Speed­ fort north of the southern Don River. The ul­ units. By leap-frog bounds, the Panzer and this was a major German advantage and, timate objective of thi s effort is the capture Panzergrenadier di vis ions should be able to when combined with the destruction of Sovi­ of Stalingrad. If this result can be obtained, extend a line of penetration across the Chir et HQ's, will cut up the Soviets badly. Use air there will be time left in the campaign to River. One point of primary concern during units for supply. These uni ts must be pushed swing south and complete the capture of all this period is 10 hold out some air points fo r forward and used to maintain the speed and the southern objectives. The south is not to defense. One or two armored counterattacks momentum of the breakthrough . They are be ignored, as the armor from the First Pan­ per turn can be expected, but these should also invaluable in supplying isolated units zer Army and the German units of the Seven­ not be too disastrous if they are met with an under attack. Voronezh must be captured. teenth Army will drive (actually they will "in supply" armored division. This axiom usually results in a fierce baltle, creep) south and capture as many unde­ While the penetration is bounding but it offers a good opportunity to inflict fended or lightly held objectives as possible. ahead, the infantry should continue fighting. severe casualties on the Soviets, who can oot In order to complete the main objective, Soviet pockets wi ll be pulling back all over afford a half-hearted effort here. Also, the there is a secondary- although primary in the map, offering good opportunities for point penalties for not capturing Voronezh time-objective. Stalingrad will be impossi­ high odds attacks. As soon -as Voronezh is are far too costly to ignore. Secure the Volga ble to capture, and will be almost as hard to captured, a large amount of armor and in­ bank south of Stalingrad to forestall a Soviet reach, unless the bulk of the Soviet forces are fantry will be freed 10 drive down the south counterattack from this sector. Above all, destroyed west of the great bend of the Don bank of the Don and surround these retreat­ keep moving forward and inflicting casual­ River. This is exactly what the Soviets were ing Soviet units. Here a modified pincer may ties. Part one of this axiom was achieved by able 10 avoid in 1942. That fact gave them be accomplished using the advancing Ger­ the Germans, but the second part was avoid­ sufficient local troops to throw i!)to the man infantry as an anvil and the newly freed ed by the Soviets with the results that we all meatgrinder of Stalingrad to allow the mass- armor as a hammer. knowsowell. 24

Soviet Strategy free these units. Several infantry divisions line will be penetrated, and it will be impossi" should move immediately into the Victory ble to save all of these troops. Voronezh must General. While many of the Soviet play­ Point cities which will be threatened first. be defended strongly with the first turn rein­ er's decisions will depend on the German The Headquarters, armor, and remaining in­ forcements. The Germans should not be al­ player's choice of attack, there remain sever­ fantry will form a mobile defense on a north­ lowed to open up the whole front around al overall points of great importance. The So­ south line from just west of Sal'sk to the viet player is not simply trying to avoid Ger­ Voronezh. but should be harassed and block­ man victory, but must do some positive mountains. Care must be taken to draw the ed whenever possible. This defense will slow Germans south and ever further out of sup­ the advance in the middle of the front as Ger­ things himself to win the game. There is no ply. If the area around Sal'sk is left un­ man strength is diverted to Voronezh and 10 way that the Soviet player can avoid falling far behind in the Victory Point race. In order guarded, there is a chance that the bulk of the the south. The pressure will not be German armor will drive through to outflank eased, however, as the Germans will still be to achieve at least a marginal victory, the So­ operating in supply, and the front is very ex­ viet player will have to mount a counter-of­ either the northern or southern defenses. This possibility would be a disastrous loss in tended in this area. The main effort of the fensive late in the game Oust as Zhukov actu­ both territory and Victory Points. Soviet player at this point will be to slow the ally did). The easiest sector in which to regain Supply and terrain will slow the Ger­ Victory Points is the south. Here, a few ar­ German infantry. If a few armored units mans and, with Soviet help, will stop them. If mored groups can sweep over the whole break through the Soviet front, they must be Maykop, Tuapse, Novorossiysk. and Sochi region in only a few turns while regaining cut off. While the German armor cannol be are defended, the Germans will be forced to destroyed, it will do little harm if it is con­ m" ny Points. The historical pattern will be send more strength to these cities than they stantly kept in Soviet zones of control and is hard to duplicate, as there probably will not can afford. Their momentum will be slowed forced to use air points for supply. be enough troops available to both surround and, if they bypass any of these areas, they Delicate judgment comes 10 the fore in the Germans in Stalingrad and send out units must leave occupation units in the ones they conduct i ng "strategic wi t hdra wals." There is to recapture cities. do take.' Meanwhile, the Soviet armor can not just the question of when to withdraw, The necessity for the Soviets to counter­ seek counter-attack opportunities. These will but also of how far to pull back. Obviously , attack must always be kept in mind. To some further slow the Germans, inflict casualties, the Soviet player cannot leave exposed flanks extent, all of the Soviet player's actions must and force the German player to use up his in­ or very weak spots in the line while the Ger­ be bent to this one major aim for the end valuable air points in supplying defense in­ mans are in supply and capable of a speedy game strategy. For this reason, the Soviet stead of movement and attack. breach and penetration. The Soviet player player must be judicious in his use of units has little chance of preserving most of his early in the game. If the German player is al­ Panzergrenad ier Headquarters without pulling them too far lowed to conduct his attack as outlined previ­ Division back to do any good. The Headquarters must ously, then the Soviet player will be in great (Note thaI a be kept forward to strengthen the defense. difficulty. Retreats must always be consi­ Panzergrenadier This means that they will be caught and dered a viable alternative during the first Division is composed destroyed. Therefore, when "strategic with­ eight or nine game turns. After turn ten, the oj two drawals" are called for, there will be numer­ point costs of a "strategic withdrawal" will Panzergrenadier ous units which are out of command and become too high to accept. Also, by this Regiments) "3-13 I 1-13 cannot use their full movement allowance. If point of the game, there will probably be no I ~ I ~ I a breakthrough is not imminent, then two more territory to give up. With the weakened German strength short withdrawals may be possible. This The German player, no matter which di­ north of the Don, the Soviet player should be would save units and allow reserves to be rection of attack he chooses, will have few able to manage quite well in that sector. The built up. If German breakthroughs are possi­ delicate timing decisions to make. His only Soviet defense should be able to hold a line ble, then the out-of-supply units must be chance lies in constantly attacking and ex­ Donets River-Millerova-bend in the Don sacrificed in order to gain time. If these units ploiting the inevitable breakthroughs. The River for a number of game turns. If the Ger­ can be spaced properly they will hold and Soviet player, on the other hand, must con­ man player shifts armor from Voronezh to break up a German attack in front of the new stantly use delicate judgment. Retreats break this line, then the city can be held, and main line of resistance until it can be com­ should not be shunned, but they can not be an early counterattack should be mounted pleted. used too early or too precipitously. Units there. Reserves should be divided between The main Soviet objective in the first must sometimes be left behind and sacrificed the front line and building up a southern Don eight to ten game turns is to maintain com­ to gain time to set up new defense lines; but River-Chir River-northern Don River de­ mand control. Major breaches must be this can not be done too often or in a wasteful fense. At the appropriate time (keen judg­ avoided. Large groups of units must not be manner. Reserves must sometimes begin set~ ment again) the defense should retreat to the allowed to be isolated. There is a great deal of ting up line far in the rear area rather than new defense line. While the German player is worthless and indefensible territory west of rushing to the front, but not when a defensi­ moving up to this new line, several armored the great bend of the Don River at Kalach­ ble line is in danger. All of these decisions are groups can counterattack and inflict casual­ na-Donu. This territory can be yielded when necessary, and they are all important; how­ ties. These groups may be cut off and sur­ necessary. as long as the Chir River line can ever, they are not easy to make. Real com­ rounded, but they will divert much German be held for three or four game turns. A hold­ mand judgment must be utilized to conduct a strength, and the potential loss of these units ing action on the Chir will allow time to build proper defense. If any of these judgments are may be worth the cost. up the Don River line. The real battle will taken too early, too late, or too often, then probably open around game turn twelve. disaster may easily result. Conducting a pro­ Overall, a German southern strategy is The main battle of the whole campaign per defense is not easy, but it is gratifying be­ easy to handle. The German player should will center on the Don River-Stalingrad de­ cause it will usually result in a Soviet victory. lack the strength to reach any of hi s objec­ fense. In the actual campaign, the Don German Southern Thrust. The Soviet tives and a massive counterattack should be bridge at Kalach-na-Donu was captured player will usually hope for this German ap­ possible. without a fight, and the Germans covered the proach as it is the easiest to defend against. If German Northern Thrust. If .the Ger­ 40 mi les to Stalingrad in one day. In the simu­ a mass of armor moves south of the Don af­ man player attempts the more logical north­ lation, the Soviet player cannot allow this to ter the fall of Rostov, then a few rapid move­ ern thrust, then the Soviet player will be happen. The Don River provides an out­ ments can thwart the whole German strategy. pressed constantly. A strong nerve and firm standing defensive barrier, and if the Ger­ Two or three Headquarters, four to six ar­ decision-making qualities will be needed to mans are allowed into Stalingrad, the Soviet mored corps, and seven to nine infantry divi­ secure a Soviet victory. Heavy losses cannot player loses 20 Victory Points. As Tom sions must be sent to the southern sector. The be avoided early in a northern thrust, as solid Graveline pointed out in MOVES 40, the weakness of the German northern thrust will lines will be very difficult to form. The front Germans do not need to capture Stalingrad, 25 because denying its Victory Points to the So­ of factors and situations must constantly be can destroy an enerriy at little cost. For viet player may result in a German victory. made in order to stop the German advance. reference, see J .F.C. Fullers' "Plan 1919" T he Don River line must be held strong­ The Soviet player must maintain command which is described in a number of books. ly. Neither wing can be ignored, because the control and insure that his reserves are ade­ The German air power must be used ju­ German player may well try to flank the river quate for a counter-offensive. There must be diciously. Forward momentum and speed line, especially to the south. The Soviet play­ an overall plan to the defense which attempts after the breakthrough can be maintained er must not become bottled up around Stal­ to draw the Germans out of supply. Sacrific­ only with air supply. A line of panzer divi­ ingrad, or he will lose all freedom of move· ing units can gain time, and sacrifici ng ter­ sions is vulnerable, but necessary, in order to ment. If control of the western bank of the ritory can save units. Usually four or fi ve maintain a penetration. These units can be Volga south of Stalingrad is maintained, then games of experi ence will yield a player who is supplied by air against counter-attack and reserves should be built up in this area. A an expert in Soviet methods and doctrine, for for movement, and this will often be neces­ build up around Frolovo is another possibil­ it will be seen that by this period of the war, sary, Always save some air points for defen­ ity. In the counter-attack phase, a great the Soviet generals had the right idea for sive supply when counter-attacks are likely. potential danger must be recognized. handling the armies at their disposaL ·Whenever possible, the Germans must A counter-attack around Stalingrad Tactics use concentric attacks. Even if it is necessary could lead to disaster. Unless t.he German to delay an allack for one turn, the German Lujtf!otte are pushed out of range, even a A brief analysis of German and Soviet player must surround, isolate, and block re­ successful encirclement can be hazardous. tactics for Drive on Stalingrad will help the treats. The Soviets must be made to hold and The German player may be able to disengage player new to this game. After a game or two, . take·casualties . T here is no advantage to.sim­ and supply enough armor to penetrate the these methods will become apparent, and pIe advancement. T he Soviet player wi ll glad~ encirclement. This is what Hitler failed to do, players experienced in the PGG system will ly yield ground if he can maintain his li ne and but a wise German player will certainly at­ already have the fundamentals. preserve his units by withdrawals. The Sovi­ tempt this action if presented wi th the same German Tactics. The German watch­ ets must be broken, dislocated, and cut off. circumstance. If a penetration is made, the words in DOC are speed, the destruction of Remember that there are at least four whole counter-attack force may be caught in Headquarters, and encirclement. German ar­ distinct phases.to the German plan. There is a vise and shot to pieces. mor must be in continuous use, but its power the initial battle of annihilation around the Still, the best Soviet endgame st rategy is must also be maintained. 0verruns should be start line. This is followed by the break­ a double counter-offe nsive. Most of the used only where feasible, especially if air sup­ through and movement phase up to the Don time, the Soviet player will not have enough port is ·available. Retreats are called for with 'River at Kalach- na-Donu. The Don Ri ver­ strength to attempt this. Concentration at poor die rolls, and low odds allacks can Stalingrad battle again shifts to annihilation, the decis ive point takes precedence over a sometimes be used to disengage from an Ul'l­ but try to keep away from a battle of attri­ double attack, unless sufficient strength is favorable situation. The panzers must be set ti on. Fi nally, the campaig n becomes a mop­ available for superiority at two points. In the up in "killer packs" by stacking them up operation if the other phases are success­ double blow approach, the southern wing together. The stacks should only be broken fu l, or a desperate defensive fig ht if they have should move first. When the German player' down where a penetration li ne must be estab­ failed. reacts to this attack, the northern force will li shed or where encirclements are possible. move·across th.e Don, and the Germans can Soviet Tactics be crushed from two sides, SS Division The Soviet player may learn some pri nci ­ (Note thot the The counter-attack plan cannot be ples to keep in mind by reading the German III GrQssdeu/Schlond III worked out in advance. Each game will be at 55 Division is section, but his tactics are not easily carried least slightly differe nt, and the plan must be oul. T he Soviet player must nO! be afraid to III composed 0 two III conducted accordingly. A choice.of build-up 55 Regiments; retreat. The Soviet Headquarters need to be area should not be made until the Don River (he Wiking is I active in order to strengthen the defense. So­ 1~1 . line is 'firmly held and adequate reserves are l1li composed of three) viet forces should always be stacked and de­ present between the Don and Stalingrad. ployed in depth wherever possible. If feasi ­ Then the.build-up should proceed cautiously III II ble, a supply line should be kept open .10 the until it is.primed to move. T he panzer divisions should almost headquarters. While aH of this action is proceeding never be broken into regiments. The ris k of A Soviet stack's ability to absorb two north of the Don River, the Soviets must loss is t.oo great to even contemplate except ste p losses and maintain posit ion w.ill often avoid ballles in the far sout h. If the Germans where a number of Soviet units can be caught be of great value. In cases of isolation, these push south with just the Seventeenth Army without a headquarters. In this case, a reg i­ stacks will require large German forces for and the armor of the First Panzer Army, then mental breakdown may completely trap the their .reduction and will hold up for .at least the defense will be simple. Maykop, Tuapse, Soviets because they cannot attack, and they two game turns. This is especially true if the and Sochi should be defended, but the res t of will not be able to use a "str~ltegic .withd raw­ stack is in " heavy woods," where their de­ the Soviet reinforcements should go to the al." These QPportunities occur only rarely fens ive power remains at full strength. The Terek River area. The Germans can be held and should not be tried if-any risk is present , error [ 0 avoid is spreading the mmor and· at the Terek River wit h one Headquarters because the integrated power of the panzers Guards units too thin ly. These two-step units unit. The Germans have no supply, except a is too awesome to risk losing wit h this are of great value in the attack as well as for very weak truck li ne, and can neither move method. their staying power in the defense. fast enough nor attack powerfully enough to When annihilation batt les are fought, ' The Soviet two-step unit s must be break through. infantry must be present. l fpoor die rolls oc­ handled carefully in order to properl y utilize When pla¥ing the Germans with a cur, then infantry may ta ke step losses so that their strength. If necessary, the Guards can 'northern thrust strategy, I have neve r been contact can be maintained. The German be th rown into the breach to halt penetra­ able to get furt her than Grozny, and usually I forces should always try to make high odds tions. When stacked with "untried" units , do not get that far. By game turn eleven, attacks and destroy units quickly. Bypassing the Guards will provide a powerful defense. Soviet re in forcements begin to build up in units is easy, bu t destroying even an isolated If possible, two Guards divisions and an the south. By game turn fi-fteen, a Soviet stack of Soviet units !:an consume excessive " untried" di vision should be used for form­ counter-attack should be lau nched or at least time and units. ing strong points. Even if isolated, these readied . The Germans cannot hope to hold Always keep in mind the best method of stacks will be of considerable usefulness. The on in the soulh against a skillful counter­ panzer warfare. This is based on speed, ma­ Soviet armor has another function to fulfilL attack. ne uver, and dislocation. By flanking strong Soviet armor can be the most powerful The Soviet defense in Drive on Stalin­ forces, performing overruns, and by attack­ ins trument in Drive on Stafingrad. The ar­ grad is an exercise in judgment. A balancing ing rear areas (Headquarters), the panzers mor must remain free of static defense. Even 26

one uncontained armored corps can create unless the German player is extremely skillful rivals to point value cities, the German player serious difficulties for the German player. A and lucky. gains a slight early advantage, but this is off­ stack of three armored corps with a Head­ To sum up Soviet tactics is easy, to util­ set by a good Soviet player. This clarification quarters can blunt and damage any penetra­ ize these methods in practice is difficult. Re­ makes it more difficult to reinforce the origi­ tion of the Soviet defense. By maintaining treats are necessary. A line may look strong, nal front line, but it allows and requires the freedom of movement, the Soviet armor can but may be vulnerable on a weak flank or Soviet player to begin developing a reserve be a fire brigade and a counter-attack force dependent on an exposed Headquarters - riefensive position. of great concern to the German player. do not atempt to stay too long in one place The other major clarification I use in­ When combined with "strategic with­ until you possess the power to do so. Head­ volves retreating German armored divisions. drawal" the stacks of Soviet armor achieve a quarters units must be used and lost - there The Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions status higher than the German panzers. are plenty more coming. Guards divisions are broken into regiments making each unit Spoiling attacks and brief forays during will be very troublesome to the German have two or three counters. With the errata game turns four through twelve should be the player-do not be afraid to use them. Armor allowing an armored division to be counted standard order of the day for the Soviet play­ must remain free, but this does not mean that as one combat unit for stacking purposes, I er. With the Soviet ability to pull back after it cannot be used. also consider an armored division to be one contact has been made, these early counter­ unit for retreats. This comes into play when attacks can be very useful. These units are House Rules the Soviet player gets to retreat a panzer divi­ too valuable 10 throwaway, so these attacks I have found it convenient to clarify sion with the requirement that, if possible, should be conducted on the German nanks some of the rules. These are not meant to each unit shall retreat to a separate hex. or in the Soviet rear area. Do not let an ar­ change or tilt the rules and in some cases they Under certain circumstances, this could lead mored group become cut off unless powerful even aid a player in doing the righ t thing. to a long period where the division could not support is immediately available or sacrifice The first clarification concerns Soviet achieve integration and also would make the is truly worthwhile. As Soviet strength in­ reinforcements. I wholeheartedly agree with unit extremely vulnerable to losing its integri­ creases, the use of armor can become bolder, Tom Graveline that Soviet reinforcements ty permanently. Perhaps Brad He-ssel realiz­ until massive blows can be dealt toward the must arrive on the mapedge or in ci ties with ed this when he wrote the rules, but was more end of October. If absolutely necessary, the point values. I allow two units per minor city concerned with keeping the panzers from armor should pinch off penetrations of the and three per major city. A city may receive bouncing away from poor die rolls too often. Don River front . The most useful purpose reinforcements only if it is in supply itself. If If this is the case, I feel that it seriously over­ the armor can serve during the decisive battle a city is bypassed, and the railroad into it is balances the game to the Soviets. The Ger­ around Kalach -na-Donu is to maintain the cut off, then it cannot have rei nforcements man method of armored warfare called for front south of Stalingrad and begin to bend placed in it. I fee l that allowing units to arrive the panzers to pull away if the opposition was back the German wing in th is area. This wi ll in any city gives an advantage to the Soviet too stiff, and I feel that my clarification set the stage for the endgame explosion, player early in the game. By restricting ar- maintains this principle . •

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