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Weird War Two: The Russian Front TM By The Polish Brothers (David M. Niecikowski, John P. Niecikowski, Edward F. Niecikowski) Additional Material & Editing By John R. Hopler

Concept and Additional Material by Shane Lacy Hensley Cover by Chris Appel Logos by Chris Appel Interior Art by Scott Drouin Photos Courtesty of the National Archives Headers, Footers, and Graphic Design by Chris Libey Editing and Layout by John Hopler Cover Design by Zeke Sparkes

Author’s Dedication: To our Polish ancestors and the Polish people, who endured Russian and German occupation in the 1800’s and two devastating World Wars, and Communist occupation in the 20th century. This electronic book is copyright Pinnacle Entertainment Group. Redistribution by print or by file is strictly prohibited. Add 2 to all Page Number References to account for the cover of this Ebook.

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Prologue ...... 5 Chapter One: Comrades in Arms ...... 9 Ivans...... 10 Soviet Office of Paranormal Activity (SOPA) ...... 12 New Skills ...... 14 New Feats ...... 16 Weird Feats ...... 18 Old Character Classes ...... 19 Dog Handler (Grunt, Medic, or Scout) ...... 19 NKVD (Grunt or Officer) ...... 20 Partisan (Resistance Fighter) ...... 22 New Character Classes...... 24 Cavalryman...... 24 Commissar ...... 26 Siberian Shaman ...... 29 Old Prestige Classes...... 34 Commando ...... 34 OSI Adept, OSI Operative & OSI Chaplains...... 34 New Prestige Class ...... 35 Guardsman...... 35 Chapter Two: Ordnance & Equipment...... 37 Russian Equipment...... 38 RussianVehicles...... 39 Russian Weapons...... 43 Russian Aircraft ...... 46 German Vehicles...... 49 Weapons Tables ...... 52 Chapter Three: The Great Patriotic War...... 55 Adventure Seed Generator...... 116 Chapter Four: Eastern Opposition...... 119 Incorporating Creatures ...... 124 Vampires...... 124 Vampire History of Interest ...... 125 Incorporating Blood on the Rhine Monsters...... 127 Incorporating Afrika Korpse Monsters ...... 128 New Monsters for the Russian Front...... 129

Weird Wars

Prologue

The snow-covered forest reminded mans face was blistering because of the Captain Georgi Sobelnsky of a extreme cold. He pulled a tin from the Snegurochka glass ball his father gave right pocket of his jacket and tossed it to him on Christmas when he was ten years Mikova. “Put some of this on your face.” old. It was a magical item at that age and Mikova twisted the top off the tin and he would violently shake it just to watch smelled the paste inside. “Ugh.” He turned the snow fall on the tiny meadow with his head and wrinkled his nose in disgust. the pretty little snow maiden in it. But “Your choice, but the scars the cold that time seemed like ages ago. Pulling leaves on a man’s face last a life time. I’d his white, quilted jacket close to his body, hate see that pretty face of yours ruined.” he spat on the ground and cursed the day Mikova rolled his eyes in disapproval the Germans invaded his country. then started to apply the lard-like salve to Shifting his weight in the saddle he his face. glanced over his shoulder at Commissar “One of your scouts returns,” the Mikova and his Siberian companion. The Siberian said, speech thick with his little man with Eskimo-like features was native accent. dressed in some sort of Siberian Georgi glanced over his shoulder at the ceremonial garb, which included a drum, path and saw no one. Moments later a baton, apron, numerous pendants, caftan, scout rounded a bend in the forest trail. soft headdress, and a staff. How the man Georgi gave the Siberian an uneasy look. stood the cold of the most brutal winter The scout pulled his horse to halt. “An in 150 years was a mystery. Georgi turned SS detachment has taken up a defensive his horse and trotted over to the pair. position in a village about 2 kilometers “Well Comrade Commissar, are you north of here.” enjoying our little outing,” Georgi said as Georgi scratched his thick black beard. he placed the butt of his Tommy gun on “What the hell are they doing so far out his thigh. here?” Mikova grinned. “At least we are better Mikova pulled a map out. “Did you see off then the Germans outside of Moscow.” any insignias Private?” Georgi could see that the Commissar “I believe they are elements from Das was a city boy. The skin on the young Reich.” Weird Wars

Mikova handed the tin of salve back. He held the bottle of vodka up. “When “Das Reich was last reported near Kaluga.” we were trapped in the Smolensk pocket He paused, then quickly folded the map. the thing we needed the most was “My friend and I need to see these ammunition. So what does STAVKA send Germans up close.” us? Vodka. Cases and cases of vodka. So, The 50 men under Georgi’s commanded excuse me if I am a little bitter. Nothing glanced at each other in apprehension. sobers a man to the facts of war than “That may be a bad idea Comrade seeing desperate men slaughtered while Commissar.” charging tanks with Molotov cocktails.” Mikova became annoyed. “And why is Mikova picked up a bottle and took a that Captain?” long drink. “I was at the siege of Kiev.” “Some of these men have families in Georgi smirked. “To fallen comrades.” that village. Our presence could accelerate They touched bottles, then drank. the situation and cause the Germans to Georgi looked at his watch, then up at act rash.” the night sky. The moon was full, but “They will kill those people,” Mikova partly obscured by clouds. Commissar flatly stated. Mikova tapped him on the shoulder. “Yes. But it is almost night and the “What are we waiting for?” village is warm and has ample supplies “1:30. The Germans rotate their sentries of food, so the Germans will take comfort at 2 AM. We have found that they are before they begin their dirty deeds,” he sleepy around this time.” He glanced down looked at his men. “I think tonight the at his watch again. “Close enough.” He Nazis should have .” signaled for the attack to begin. “So, The men smiled and Mikova raised and Commissar, what is so important about eyebrow toward the Siberian, who these Germans?” acknowledge the plan with a nod. “State secret Comrade.” Wooden buildings dotted the gently Georgi cocked his Tommy gun. “And the sloping glen, split in half by a frozen Siberian?” stream. Small gardens, fields and a “He will observe.” pasture filled the rest of the area. In the Georgi didn’t like Mikova’s answer, but middle was the village. Sentries patrolled he knew arguing with the man would be on the outer edge of the settlement. a waste of time. He had learned the hard Georgi crawled away from the tree line way that political officers had agendas of and joined his comrades. their own. His job was to keep his men “They’ve locked up the villagers in the alive; should the Commissar prove to be a largest barn,” a private handed him a liability, a stray bullet would fix that bottle of Vodka and hard jerky. “But there problem. One advantage of working so far is something odd going on in there.” from the lines was lack of accountability. “How so.” Mikova asked. As far as STAVKA was concerned, results “There is a strange, but faint green glow were all that mattered. coming from it.” Long, silent minutes passed as the The shaman began placing objects scouts worked their way toward the down on the snow in a pattern. sentries. Georgi glanced over at Mikova Georgi took a big swallow, then tore a and noticed the man’s gaze was chunk of jerky off. “What’s he up to?” transfixed on the large barn. Suddenly “It’s for good luck Captain.” flares burst into the air, gunfire erupted, Georgi eyed the Commissar. “Sure.” He and the thump of exploding took another drink then motioned for a broke the silence of the night. Georgi man to get the sergeant. “Wonderful war leapt to his feet and screamed the order we have here. Eh, Commissar?” He to charge. From the woods, forty overemphasized the word Commissar. horsemen broke into the open ground. Mikova looked at the Georgi with Georgi ran for his horse as mortars narrow eyes. “So what outfit were you rained shells in advance of the horsemen. with before you became a partisan.” MG-34s sprang to life, their murderous fire “6th Cavalry .” tearing a hole in the partisan advance. “General Pavlov was your commander.” These were quickly silenced by fire “If you want to call him a commander.” from the scouts. Georgi broke into the Mikova grinned. “Well he paid for his open, Tommy gun in one hand, a in failures.” the other. More flares flew into the air. Georgi took a swig. “Should have shot Mortar shells leveled a number of small him sooner. Might have saved some lives.” houses at the edge of the village. Half- “You don’t like Commissars, do you dressed Nazis piled out from other Captain?” 8 Prologue buildings and many were cut down by Georgi blankly nodded. “What the hell machinegun fire from the horsemen. is going on?” In the shadowy light of the flares and “Nazi blood magic.” burning buildings, Russian and Germans Georgi stared at the Commissar in engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat. disbelief. “This must be a dream.” Many of the partisans carried and “It is not my friend.” Mikova peeked his they quickly hacked their way through the head out from behind the horse and first line of Nazis. As the battle rolled yelled. “Comrades! The creature is our into the center of the village, German friend. Do not shoot it or it may mistake halftracks put up a wall of machinegun you as the enemy.” and 37mm cannon fire, tearing the flesh After the creature killed the Germans, it from both horse and men. From rooftops, went after the villagers. Assisted by scouts tossed Molotov cocktails onto the sniper fire, the situation was quickly Germans, breaking up the counterattack. brought under control. Georgi shook his Georgi galloped into the village and head at the carnage. Horses, legs shot off, urged his men to finish the job. His eye whined and rolled around the ground in caught the movement of Germans on his agony. Wounded German and Russian left and he spun his horse, Tommy gun soldiers groaned in pain and some slowly blazing. The Nazis, caught in the open, died were they lay. The villagers, some of died instantly. A exploded near them without limbs, continued to struggle his horse, and Georgi could not leap away toward the living. They were quickly killed from the crippled beast as it toppled over. by a shot to the head by the handful of Hitting the ground, Georgi had the wind partisans still alive. Out of the darkness knocked from his lungs. Gasping for air, the Siberian appeared. He commanded the he tried to free himself. creature to lift the horse off of the Pausing to catch his breath, Georgi Captain. noticed a German officer opening the Georgi stared at the white, 12-foot tall, double doors to the large barn. From the hairy ape-like creature in awe. “What is it?” structure, the villagers emerged. His men, “A Yeti,” Mikova said as he lit a concerned for the well-being of the cigarette. “Impressive wouldn’t you say.” villagers, slowed their fire. The Germans Georgi stood up and rubbed his bruised took advantage of the lull and retreated. leg, then walked toward the dead villagers. Sensing the escape of their prey, the “These poor people. What did those partisans pushed forward. As they did, the damm Nazis do to them?” villagers moved to intercept them. Mikova followed Georgi. “We knew the What Georgi saw next turned his Germans were experimenting with raising stomach. The villagers, moving in a the dead, but we had no idea they were machine-like manner, attacked. They so far along.” grabbed the nearest soldiers, forced them Georgi turned and starred at the to the ground, and began to tear flesh Commissar in disbelief. “You’re serious?” from the screaming men. Georgi cried out Mikova nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.” in terror and desperately tried to free The Yeti roared an alarm. The Siberian himself from his dead horse. The Germans came over to the Georgi and Mikova and halted their retreat and waited for soldiers pointed toward the porch of the general to break free from villagers. When one store. “Blood mage.” did, he was quickly shot dead. The SS man, with staff in one hand, Georgi swung his Tommy gun toward the put his on, clicked his heels and gave villagers and cut down men, woman and the a Nazi salute. “We shall meet children. His eyes filled with tears as he again Shaman,” he yelled in Russian. Then did. fire pelted the ground around his he tapped the staff on the porch and horse. He tossed a grenade in the direction disappeared. of the Germans, but it fell well short. Georgi shook his head and rubbed his Out of the darkness a huge white eyes in disbelief. Taking a deep breath, he creature tore into the Nazis. Legs, arms turned to the Commissar. “Who are you?” and heads flew into the air. The Germans Mikova let the crackle of burning wood screamed in terror and tried to run, but and the sharp crack of pistol fire fill the the creature was incredibly quick. It roared pause before his answer. in pleasure, killed all the Nazis, and then “Well Captain, my name is Boris Mikova turned its attention on the villagers. and I am a Commissar, but I am not with From behind Georgi heard a strange the NKVD. I like how you and your men chant and the banging of a hand drum. operate. We could use a man of your Out of the shadows Mikova crawled. “You talent. How would you like to work for are safe now Comrade.” the Soviet Office of Paranormal Activity?” 9

Weird Wars

Chapter One: Comrades in Arms

“Kill a German, kill him soon—and anytime you see one, kill him.”

—poem from Konstantin Simonov

Any discussion of events in is by the end of WWII, twice as many as the best titled, “A History of Misery.” From the Germans, and a huge amount compared to first skirmishes the native tribes had with America’s 405,399 deaths. There are Viking explorers, to the boyars (Russian conflicting statistics, but around 5 million nobles) fighting amongst themselves to soldiers were wounded and 13.6 million see who could have the honor of Russian civilians died. surrendering to the Mongols (for their Some might argue that Russia was just troubles, the “lucky” nobles had a wooden as evil as but one cannot platform built on top of them and were entirely blame either population for the crushed to death while the Mongol ruthless acts of dictators Stalin and Hitler. chieftains celebrated on top of them), to Sadly, the Russian people were suffering the scorched earth policy carried out by even before the war, when the paranoid Russian generals as they retreated in front Stalin had millions killed so that no one of Napoleon’s armies, the common would question his authority. Although Russian people have suffered repeatedly at widely announced during the war, the the hands of foriegn invaders and their threat of punishment or death for own leaders. World War II was no retreating or not cooperating, fighting, or different. Millions were killed by the meeting production quotas was mostly German invaders, but millions more were unnecessary in central Russia, but it was killed or dislocated by Stalin’s policies. needed in the satellite states populated In comparison to the Western Allies, by people forced into the Russia did most of the fighting in World in the previous two hundred years. War II for 8 out of every 10 German Regardless, whether they fought out of soldiers killed were slain by a Russian. patriotism or fear, the Russians faced When looking at all the countries extermination at the hands of the Nazis. involved, Russia, without a doubt, The people of Russia are heroes because suffered the most in terms of loss of they devoted what little property and human life and property damage. Out of a money they had, their sons and daughters, total prewar population of 193 million, it their labor and their own lives, to not is estimated that the Russians had 7.7 only save Mother Russia but a world in million dead or missing military personnel which they could not share its freedom. Chapter One

Terror were released from Siberian labor Ivans camps. (Non-officers were also released but only into penal regiments that cleared “[The Russian soldier is].willing, German minefields.) It wasn’t until after undemanding, suitably trained and , January 1943, that the officer equipped, and above all brave and corps improved in both experience and endowed with a self-sacrificing quantity. devotion to duty.” Gender This quote from a German officer was rarely true from 1941 to 1942. During the Women won equal rights after the last six months of 1941, Russian soldiers, Revolution but had to labor both as referred to as “Ivans” by the Germans, mothers and alongside men as factory fought with old with which they workers. With so many men fighting on were poorly trained and which were in the front, women were vital to the war short supply. Prior to Stalingrad, January effort as factory workers, munitions 1943, troops from worker and peasant manufacturers, and civil defense workers. backgrounds were often hastily thrown Construction “brigades” were also formed into combat with little training to try and that rebuilt factories, roads, and railroad stop the German advance. Some stations. Malinovskaya summed up her marginally better trained troops, formerly wartime efforts in this way, “…the fascists stationed in the East to defend against a bombed us. My two little girls were killed. possible Japanese attack that never came, I am avenging my daughters by my work.” were sent to Moscow in the fall of 1941 to Unique to Russia, women also served participate in the first Russian Winter in the military as partisans, infantrymen, Offensive. Regardless of the situation, , and pilots. However, there were no according to German Field Marshal Ewald female military officers. von Kleist, “The [Russian] men were first- Pilots rate fighters from the start. They became Russia lost 7,500 aircraft and thousands first-rate soldiers with experience.” of Red Air Force pilots in the first 3 Although the Russians at first lacked months of the war. In 1942, three all- weapons and ammo, the Russians did not women Red Air Force regiments were lack manpower. The Russian High created and served over Stalingrad, Kursk, Command (Stavka) knew this and was not and the western advance toward . In afraid of spending this resource freely to September 1942, Valerya Khomyakova slow the German advance. Frontal attacks, became the first woman in air warfare otherwise known as human wave history to shoot down an enemy plane. assaults, were often implemented by The top female ace, Lydia Litvak, achieved Russia’s inexperienced officers. They 12 air-to-air kills before dying in action in didn’t learn to remove this costly, and 1943. often ineffective, attack from standard One female regiment was called the practice until 1944. “Night Witches.” They were a night bomber regiment that flew around 24,000 night Russian Officers missions. Most of these missions were The ordered by the flown in obosolete PO-2 aircraft, relics paranoid Stalin began in 1937. It resulted from 1927 made of wood and canvas that in the death of almost half of the could only reach a maximum speed of 60 Russian officer corps, some 35,000 mph. Despite the planes’ slow speed, their experienced officers, including most of mostly non-metallic construction often Russia’s experienced generals. Many of the allowed them to escape enemy radar and remaining 35,000 officers, mostly of lower approach the target undetected. rank, were killed during the first six The intrepid female pilots learned to months of the war. Some were shot by run these old crates silently. Just before their assigned commissar for not approaching a target, a pilot turned off following orders or failing in their the engine and glided in, dropping light assigned tasks. bombs or hand grenades. They created By the end of the war, over 1 million more of a nuisance than actual damage. officers had lost their lives and another However, they affected the readiness and million had been wounded. The officer morale of the German troops by causing a corps was so in need of new blood that loss of sleep and a sense of paranoia by the summer of 1941 thousands of that they could be attacked at any time former “spies” detained during the Great without warning. 12 Characters

Russian Hitler’s Orders Until after Stalingrad, the first Red To help achieve his goals of Army infantry “uniforms” consisted of a depopulation, Hitler told his generals that tunic or greatcoat, belted over the soldier’s neither the Rules of War of the Hague pants. “Backpacks” often consisted of Convention or the Geneva Convention’s canvas or cloth tied off in way that treatment of prisoners would have to be served as shoulder bags. Puttees and followed since Russia had not signed these ankle boots were used during boot agreements. In May 1941, Hitler issued two shortages. The soldier had to make do orders, the Commissar Decree and the with flannel straps wrapped around the Barbarossa Jurisdictional Decree. The feet and ankles instead of socks. Commissar Decree stated, “Commissars of were worn in the summer, with earflaps the Red Army are not to be recognized as in the winter. Steel helmets were not prisoners of war and are to be liquidated.” available until later in the war. Felt boots, The Barbarossa Jurisdictional Decree made valenki, and camouflaged, white cotton, it legal for German soldiers to mistreat or quilted uniforms, telogreika, were added in kill Russian civilians without fear of the winter. prosecution under rules of military Around the time of Stalingrad, the conduct. Commanders were encouraged to issuance of khaki cotton shirts and take “collective violent measures,” and if breeches also became more common. necessary, destroy an entire village’s After Kursk in July 1943, “Guard” uniforms population if one of its members attacked and designations were reintroduced from a German soldier. Hitler justified the the old Tsarist days as a way of decrees to his army, navy and air force enhancing morale. Officers proudly commanders: displayed epaulets, sashes, ribbons, and “The war against Russia will be such gold braid on their once drab officer that it cannot be conducted in a knightly uniforms. Some officers wore blue fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies breeches with a red stripe and single and racial differences and will have to be breasted tunics. conducted with unprecedented, Russian tankers wore khaki overalls unmerciful, and unrelenting harshness. I with black cloth helmets. The cloth insist absolutely that my orders be helmets were later replaced in 1942 with executed without contradiction. The padded leather helmets. Cavalrymen wore commissars are the bearers of ideologies lambs wool caps called . directly opposed to National Socialism [Nazism]. Therefore the commissars will Food be liquidated. German soldiers guilty of Hot food for the Russian soldier was a breaking international law. will be rarity on the front line. When it was excused.” available, it mostly consisted of tea and By the end of the war, some 13.6 cabbage soup. Common everyday food million civilians within Russia were dead. was cold, made up of cold, cooked grain, hardtack, and salted fish. In addition to daily food rations, soldiers also received a 100cc. tot of vodka to ease their nerves and fight the cold. Grain diets became the norm. However, if the soldier or a family could afford the asking price, the black market could supplement rationing with scarce butter, vegetables, bread, coffee, and fruits. Shellfish, fine wines and venison were only available to the very rich. Needless to say, supplementing rations in this way was frowned on by the commissars (although the less ideologically pure could be convinced to look the other way if the food was shared with them). Being found guilty of black- marketeering often resulted in the death penalty. Russian workers assemble a 122mm howitzer. 13 Chapter One Stalin’s Orders Soviet Office of To try and turn the tide of German victories, Stalin issued two orders. Order No. 227, issued on July 18, 1941, forbade Paranormal Russian commanders from retreating or face possible execution at the hands of NKVD machine gunners. Order No. 270, Activity (SOPA) issued on August 16, 1941, forbade Red By 1934, Stalin had killed or exiled Army soldiers from being taken prisoner many of his old Bolshevik comrades to or risk being branded a traitor and having become the unchallenged leader of both food rations for their family reduced. and state. During the Great Purge of 1937-1938, anyone with independent Communist Bureaucracy thought was assassinated, executed, At the local and regional levels of the tortured and/or slandered for fear they Communist bureaucracy, there are so might lead a coup or opposition many positions available that it makes movement. By 1938, 8 to 13 million capitalist bureaucracy look like a high Russians had lost their lives and millions school student council meeting. This is more were sent to in Siberia. As a due to the fact that there is no private result, and to their dismay, the Sons of enterprise in a Communist government. Solomon no longer had a presence in Everything is owned by the State and, Russia except through a US or UK therefore, must have someone “elected” by diplomat. In fact, Stalin is on the short the local Communist Party organization, list of possible candidates who may or appointed by the elected, to become the Beast. administrate it. Positions worth mentioning at the local Felix Ivanov level are administrators known as the The Sons of Solomon were under the Soviets of Working People’s Deputies. impression that no one from their secret Deputies directed the work of the organs order lived through the Great Purge. of administration subordinate to them, However, one late middle-aged ensured the maintenance of public order, archeologist/geologist by the name of the observance of the laws and the Felix Ivanov betrayed the Sons of protection of the rights of citizens, Solomon oath of secrecy in order to be directed local economic and cultural released from the Gulags. Soon after the organization, and developed and drew up German invasion of Poland, SOPA was the local budgets. Unfortunately, once created when Ivanov appealed directly to elected, some Deputies used lack of Stalin’s superstitious streak and very real choice (“elections” were often limited to fear of Hitler’s attempts to master and one candidate and only candidates from obtain arcane magic and artifacts. If the the Communist Party), corruption, and Sons of Solomon learn that Felix is still intimidation to maintain their positions, alive and of his betrayal, his with the hope of some day rising to assassination will be ordered. national prominence within the Politburo, Felix is never alone, however, since a Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, or the young, loyal, Stalinist commissar, Simeon Soviet of People’s Commissars. However Golemanski, is always at his side, acting any inefficiency, incompetence, or as Stalin’s eyes and ears. Not fully trusting disloyalty to Stalin eventually drew the Ivanov, Stalin has made it clear that if attention of higher-ranking communists anything should happen to Golemanski, who either relieved the government he would meet the same fate. Despite this worker of his or her duties, sent him to threat, and knowing that he can never the Gulags, or declared him a traitor and show his face publicly or face the wrath executed him. These accusations, whether of the Sons of Solomon, Ivanov has factual or fictitious, often came from resigned himself to serve Stalin loyally subordinate Communists who were and has formed a good working encouraged at the national level to uphold relationship with Golemanski. loyalty to Stalin. The norm was that so As reports of Nazi weirdness turn from long as production quotas were met and a trickle between 1939 and 1941 to a flood the people proclaimed the greatness of after Barbarossa, Golemanski has privately Stalin, a Communist official could enjoy a realized that Communist doctrine must be more comfortable living than the workers temporarily suspended on occasion to who were supposedly his or her equal. meet SOPA’s goals: 14 Characters

1. Save the Motherland from military and supernatural defeat. SOPA Recruitment 2. Obtain arcane knowledge, especially SOPA is much smaller at the start than rune magic and supernatural artifacts the OSI, but makes up for it by the end of and treasure. the war in arcane knowledge acquisition 3. Kill or capture Nazi blood mages. and experience. In a sense, SOPA is like the Red Army, which engaged and killed Breaking the Sons of Solomon tradition more Germans than all the other Allies at Stalin’s command, Ivanov and combined. So too, does SOPA engage Golemanski want to gather and catalogue more blood mages operating out of all possible arcane knowledge. Both hedgehogs (fortified towns and cities), believe, perhaps naively, that it will be put concentration camps, and secret bases in to good use to protect Mother Russia the path of the Red Army’s post-1942 from current and future danger. Who advance. It is SOPA that foils the Nazi’s knows, however, how this knowledge will vampire plans and first learns of the be used during the . To further Nazi’s Hollow World Nation. this goal, like the spy network that Like the OSI, SOPA recruits personnel obtained secrets on the American who have witnessed Nazi supernatural Manhattan Project, SOPA has OSI activities. However, it is not enough to informants based in America and Britain. just have witnessed the event. Heroes must have taken action to defeat the A Slow Start weirdness without reports of cowardly From 1939 to summer 1941, only Stalin behavior. From Barbarossa to the knew of SOPA’s existence. It consisted of beginning of Stalingrad, Golemanski only 3 people: Ivanov, Golemanski, and a personally handles all SOPA recruitment. female secretary named Svetlana Maxkov. After the fall of 1942, Golemanski Even the NKVD (secret police) was delegates recruitment to high-ranking unaware of its existence. During this time, operatives, perhaps even to player the sole purpose of SOPA was to advise characters. Contact is either made in Stalin on any supernatural threats to person where the event took place, so Russia. They read copies of all memos that more facts can be gathered, or and reports from Communist factions possible recruits are flown SOPA based in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the headquarters in Moscow in cases where Americas. Unfortunately, little information the weirdness took place in areas under was gleaned since none of these Nazi control. Occasionally, as described in Communists actually worked for SOPA. the Prologue, contact is made following a This changed after Barbarossa when successful joint mission with surviving reports from survivors caught behind Red Army or partisan troops. enemy lines or who witnessed Einsatzgruppen atrocities led by blood mages were forwarded to the SOPA office. Soon after these reports, Stalin permitted Golemanski to be present during his commander level “cabinet” meetings. During these meetings, Stalin passes Golemanski off as a personal aide and even requests his presence at future meetings with Churchill and Roosevelt. Golemanski knows his part well and only listens, communicating to Stalin in whispers as if he is passing on “just received” information. SOPA and OSI activity at these conferences between the world leaders is at a fever pitch, as each side tries to determine what the other knows about the supernatural threats posed by Hitler. These meetings can serve as ideal cloak- and-dagger type adventure settings for both Russian and Western characters. Perhaps they have to work together to A SOPA agent, disguised as a nurse, takes the story of a soldier stop a supernatural assassin dispatched attacked by Nazi reanimants. to kill the world leaders. 15 Chapter One

SOPA Clergy Russia’s Communist government is Eastern Front officially atheist. However, SOPA began an unofficial alliance with the Russian Characters Orthodox Church in the fall of 1941, when Nazi weirdness in Leningrad brought the As is to be expected, heroes on the two groups together. Since then, SOPA has Russian Front have a variety of new taken every opportunity to keep the skills, feats, and character classes Russian Orthodox Church informed. This available to them. Let’s take a look. non-Stalinist approach of sharing knowledge immediately pays off later New Skills when the Russian Orthodox Church sends We’ve got a handful of new skills for gifted clergymen to SOPA in the use in defense of the rodina. beginning months of 1942. This is alliance is one of the reasons that Stalin Ammo and Explosive eventually allows the Orthodix Church to Manufacturing (Int; Trained appoint a new Metropolitan. Prior to 1942, there are no clergy present Only) in the ranks of SOPA. Players who wish Unlike the Germans, Russia to play one of these character types may, immediately mobilized its entire but they must keep their powers well- population toward the war effort. hidden to avoid persecution. (Germany wouldn’t start making greater demands on its civilians until 1944, but by SOPA Strategy then it was too late.) Using state provided Like their OSI counterparts, SOPA raw materials and small, mobile hand- personnel are bound to secrecy and must operated machines, civilians, partisans, not reveal any arcane knowledge or face and soldiers not on duty worked around death. However, OSI and SOPA differ in the clock to provide essential ammunition one area, SOPA does not attempt to and explosives. It was a patriotic affair suppress witnesses of supernatural that helped turn the tide despite having occurrences. Drawing on the Russian to work in musty cellars, sewers, and peoples’ more superstitious tendencies, caves in such places as Leningrad, SOPA effectively uses these occurrences Sevastopol, and Stalingrad. For partisans, as demonstrations as to why the Nazis ammo and explosive manufacturing was must be defeated. Propaganda writers essential when raiding alone failed to stress that the evil Nazis are working with maintain combat effectiveness. the devil and witches. Check: Obviously, to even attempt For the first two years of the war, most manufacturing, depending on the item, the SOPA missions are carried out under proper equipment and raw materials must covert situations or under the pretense of be available such as shell casings, empty a special investigation unit sent from cartridges (these can be recycled), Moscow. As described in the Prologue, gasoline, and gunpowder. The DCs listed joint missions may be carried out with below are for a half hour’s worth of work platoons of Red Army or partisan soldiers with proper tools and materials. who have no idea that they are about to experience some weirdness. Task DC After Kursk, Golemanski convinces 6 Molotov cocktails 5 Stalin to create a SOPA Battalion of 500 2 small satchel charges 10 men and women made up of proven and 1 large satchel charge 10 battle hardended officers and troops who 1 dozen bullets 5 have experienced the supernatural. It is 6 artillery shells 7 this battalion that is called upon to liberate concentration camps and assault Retry: Not allowed since failure usually centers of Nazi supernatural activity; results in damaging the item beyond specifically Hitler’s Bunker, Vlad’s castle, repair or in an unknown dud or explosion and the Nazi’s Hollow World Nation. if the skill check roll is a natural 1. Golemanski is always present as an Special: Two people working together advisor during battalion missions. He also can increase their combined production assigns experienced SOPA personnel to output by 50%. If allowed by the War assist. Due to injuries he sustained while Master, available enchantments such as in the Gulags, Felix rarely leaves his bless weapons can be cast during the Moscow office. ammo and explosive manufacturing. 16 Characters

Knowledge: Politics (Cha; Trained Only; Commissars and New Skills NKVD only) Skill Key Ability Notes This is a required skill for Commissars Ammo Manufacturing Int Trained only and NKVD. At every opportunity, party Knowledge: Politics Cha Trained only; members on the front preached in person, Commissars & over loudspeakers, or in print the glory of NKVD req. Stalinist Communism and its roots in Skiing* Dex Leninism and Marxism. The main purpose Winter Survival* Wis was to indoctrinate non-Russian born troops and to “encourage” Russian born *Considered class skills for Red Army Grunts, troops. Medics, Resistance Fighters (Partisans), and Scouts. In addition, since Communism was Russia’s only legal “religion,” civilians and soldiers were reminded with these daily New Feats “sermons” that their efforts were for Feat Prerequisite Mother Russia and that only by working Assault* Suppressive Fire together could the Fascists be defeated. Hand-to-Hand Combat* Improved Unarmed Except for the few great military minds Strike that Stalin respected, such as Zhukov, Tank Immobilization* None independent thinking was discouraged. Katyusha Rocket Proficiency None Stalin was the boss and it was political Street Fighting* 40 hours of street suicide (and possibly true suicide) for fighting experience those who forgot this. Suppressive Fire* Firearms Proficiency Check: A successful DC of 15 allows Commissars and NKVD to “motivate” *These can be taken as Grunt bonus feats. Russian soldier NPCs to carry out their orders without the threat of force or imprisonment. Common knowledge that Weird Feats death is the punishment for disobedience Weird Feat Prerequisite is what makes verbalization of the threat Below Zero Resistance Extreme cold of force unnecessary. Bullet Proof War Master’s discretion Retry: If an order is disobeyed or Propaganda Prophet War Master’s discretion ignored (e.g., NPCs are running away) a Vodka Healing War Master’s discretion Commissar or NKVD must follow through with a threat of death. Just announcing the threat allows another skill check (DC 15) with a +5 bonus if any disobeying person is used as an example. Special: A character or NPC may Check: Skill checks are usually made countermand an order with true or bogus under the following circumstances: political verbiage of their own if his or her skill check beats the skill total of the Task DC Notes person who gave the original order. For Slope Jumping 15-30 DC depends on example, whether it’s true or not, a the slope and character could mention that just received height of the orders from the Russian high command hill. countermands the order just given. Thus, Sudden turn 10 Usually used to this skill may prove essential when the avoid danger players need to circumvent stubborn or stop. Commissars on a SOPA mission. Downhill 10, 20, 30 Depending on the degree of Skiing (Dex) slope, base This skill is used whenever a character movement uses skis for movement over snow. speed can Traveling over flat packed snow allows triple, double base movement but only half base quadruple, or movement over deep or uneven snow. A even quintuple skier’s Dexterity bonus to Armor Class is but the DC halved, rounded down while moving on becomes more skis. difficult. 17 Chapter One

Firing 15 Failure results in Retry: A check can be made every 24 falling. The hours or whenever a situation calls for a skier also new check such as when treating a incurs a -5 to different patient for frostbite, constructing hit penalty. a second shelter, or coming upon a Moving uphill 10 Speed is reduced different area covered in ice. to a quarter to Special: Every 3 ranks of Wilderness half speed. Lore provide a +1 synergy bonus on Winter Survival checks. Every 5 ranks of Retry: Not allowed since failure usually Intuit Direction provide a +1 synergy results in a fall and 1d6 points of subdual bonus to avoid getting lost in blizzard/ damage. If the DC roll is a natural 1, the heavy sleet or snow conditions. Every 2 character may a broken bone or ranks of Combat Medicine provide a +1 concussion at the War Master’s discretion. synergy bonus to frostbite treatment. Special: Every 4 ranks of Skiing provide a +1 synergy bonus to Handle Animals New Feats when operating domesticated elk, horse, We’ve also got a foot locker full of new or dog pulled sleds and sleighs. feats for would-be heroes. Winter Survival (Wis) Assault (General) For five months of the year (October to There are three major factors that made March) most of the Russian front was Russians the masters of the assault by covered in snow. This skill can help a the end of the war. First, up until 1944, character and his or her comrades avoid poor and uncreative Russian leadership starvation, frostbite, hypothermia, and relied on human wave attacks. Second, getting lost and freezing to death. after 1941, the Russians were mostly Check: A skilled person can keep him equipped with short range sub-machine or herself and up to three others safe and guns that made long range fire fights fed in winter conditions. difficult. Thus, the Germans had to be engaged at close range. Third, the worst Task DC Notes city and street fighting took place on the Winter foraging 10 Check must Eastern Front. Assaulting was often the be made only way to dislodge fortified and better daily. equipped German positions. Construct shelter 10 Protects from Prerequisite: Suppressive Fire Feat frostbite, Benefit: Allows a character attacking hypothermia, with a sub- to move at half freezing speed toward a target area against which temperatures, he or she is conducting a full round and fatigue suppressive fire attack. due to loss of sleep. Hand-to-Hand Combat Treat frostbite 15 Must have (General) adequate . Soldiers occasionally have to resort to Treatment more primitive means of attack when prevents assaulted or when they run out of ammo. loss of Prerequisite: Improved Unarmed Strike extremity if Benefit: Provides a +1 attack bonus to the victim Charge, Bull Rush, and Grappling attacks makes a and a +1 bonus to escape pins. A Fortitude character also does not provoke an attack save (DC 15). of opportunity when making these types Avoid getting lost 12 Especially of attacks. useful in Katyusha Rocket Proficiency blizzard conditions. (General) Detect ice hazards 12 Examples A character with this feat has been include thin trained on how to load and fire Katyusha ice and ice rockets (Germans referred to them as covered “Stalin’s Organs” for the sound they made routes. when fired). See Chapter 2: Ordnance and Equipment for more information. 18 Characters

Prerequisite: None If the weapon used in the attack hits Benefit: Katyusha rockets fired without the suspension and overcomes the this feat may result in harm to the suspension’s Armor Value, then the feat untrained character or in friendly fire adds +10% to his d100 roll on the casualties. Suspension Critical Damage table (see page 107, Blood on the Rhine). Party Member (General) Special: This feat may be gained Your hero is a card-carrying, active multiple times. Attacks on suspension member of the Communist Party. cannot be made against a vehicle that is Prerequisite: None in a hull down position in relation to the Benefit: Being a member of the attacker. Communist Party is a benefit to anyone looking to move up in the Soviet bureacracy. This feat grants a +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks made to interact with other loyal Communists. It also provides a The Russian Winter +2 modifier to all promotion rolls. Centuries of living in the extreme cold contribute Street Fighting (General) to Russian strength, endurance, patience and a bleak outlook on life. The Russian winter can be The worst street fighting in modern encountered in all five of Russia’s major climate history occurred on the Eastern Front. A zones. Starting in the north, extremely cold tundra character with this feat has learned can be found year around with its semi-frozen soil, techniques that give him or her an edge lichens, mosses, and shrubs. Next comes the largest on surviving future street battles. in land area and least populated of all five zones, Prerequisite: 40 hours of street fighting the coniferous forests. Mixed forest and wooded experience steppe continues further south bordering the actual Benefit: The following benefits apply treeless and flat steppe. Some snowfall may reach when the character is engaged in a fire- the steppe and the higher elevations of the last fight or sneaking within or around climate zone, semi-desert and desert areas where buildings and streets such as those found the rich fertile soil of the steppe gives way to the in Stalingrad or Berlin: +1 to Hide, Spot, desert areas of Central Asia. and Listen checks, +1 AC bonus, and +1 on Year-round winter conditions exist in northern Reflex checks. Russia and Siberia. In other areas, the rains come in Special: The bonuses do not apply in September, turning the roads and open spaces into villages or small towns with few quagmires of impassable mud. The first frost comes buildings. in late September. Rain turns to snow showers Suppressive Fire (General) during the first week of October when the A character with this feat can make an temperature begins to plunge, on average down to improved suppressive fire attack to pin minus 22° Fahrenheit. Between November and down enemies while their comrades move February the temperatures can sometimes fall into flanking positions or make an below minus 50° Fahrenheit. Blizzards were a assault or withdrawal. problem as mentioned in this account near Moscow Prerequisites: Automatic Weapons during the first Russian winter in 1941 by Nazi Proficiency soldier Harry Mielert: Benefit: A character with this feat adds +2 to his suppressive fire check. [After] a few minutes the most well- trodden path and trails are obliterated, whole Tank Immobilization (General) villages are totally snow-covered, you can’t A character with this feat is trained at orient yourself on anything…no one can find using Molotov cocktails, , their way…We are in a terrible situation. explosives, grenades, and anti-tank Nothing more is to be seen of our weapons to target an armored vehicle’s trenches…You can only tell where the bunkers suspension. are by sighting a straw flag in a pole stuck Prerequisite: Weapon proficiency when above them. Every path, every trail is gone applicable. within a few minutes.” Benefit: To immobilize an armored vehicle, a character must first hit the “Rasputitsa” refers to the great thaw of mid- target. Then a d10 is rolled on the Vehicle March, signaling the final days of the Russian Hit Location table (see page 108, Blood on winter that finally ends in April. Fed by melting the Rhine) to determine which area of the snow, rivers flow quickly. The melting ice also vehicle was hit. This feat modifies the hit makes the roads become impassably muddy. location die roll by -1. 19 Chapter One

Special: If it comes to their attention, Weird Feats German scientists and blood mages may Weird Feats are only available to want to have a word with a character characters at the War Master’s discretion. with this ability and try to reproduce the Weird Feats are beneficial supernatural feat in the lab as a drug or spell. abilities that may have associated disadvantages. A character may not Propaganda Prophet “discover” that she has a Weird Feat until Using stories of courage, words of an unusual circumstance triggers encouragement, and even scapegoats, a awareness of the feat, perhaps even character with this feat has the uncanny frightening comrades and/or civilians ability to sway all those who can hear who witness the event of discovery. him speak. Characters with Weird Feats will sooner Prerequisite: War Master’s discretion or later come to the attention of SOPA Benefit: After a speech of at least 2 recruiters. minutes duration, the character has the power of mass suggestion (see page 226 Below Zero Resistance of the Player’s Handbook) on all those Did your hero fall through thin ice and who can hear his words. climb out of the freezing water as if it Disadvantage: If a character is not were a warm spring? Ever since this event, careful in what he says or does not pay does your hero now shun clothing on respect to those in current positions of below zero winter days because he feels power or the Communist system, the too hot? Does your hero now have to character may be deemed a threat and worry about heat stroke on days when killed or imprisoned. The order might even the temperature is above 40° Fahrenheit? come from Stalin, especially if the Prerequisite: Exposure to extreme cold. character makes a habit of not Benefit: A character is immune to the mentioning the greatness of Stalin. damaging effects of the cold. He takes no damage from exposure to extreme cold. Vodka Healing Disadvantage: A character with Below It is modern and historic fact that the Zero Resistance in moderate weather (40° consumption of vodka is to Russian to 80° Fahrenheit) must make a Fortitude culture what baseball and apple pie is to saving throw each hour (DC 15, +1 per American culture. During the war, vodka previous check) or sustain 1d6 points of was always available even when there subdual damage each failure. In weather were ammo and weapon shortages. Vodka conditions above 80° Fahrenheit, the was even used to clean wounds. Perhaps character must make a Fortitude save a hero learns of vodka’s medicinal effects every 10 minutes (DC 15, +1 per previous on his life-threatening wounds after check) or take 1d6 points of subdual sharing what was suppose to be a damage each failed save. farewell drink. Special: Fortunately. for a character Prerequisite: War Master’s discretion with this feat. arctic conditions exist in Benefit: Heals 1d6 points of damage per Siberia and northern Russia year around. 12 fluid ounces of vodka consumed. Although against military dress code, a Disadvantage: For each 12 fluid ounces character could venture out into 50° to 60° consumed, the character must make a climates wearing next to nothing. Fortitude save (DC 15 +5 for each additional 12 fluid ounces consumed Bullet Proof within an hour beyond the first) or lose Do bullets bounce off your character Dexterity, Wisdom, and Intelligence during combat? modifiers. A failure by more than 10 points Prerequisite: War Master’s discretion results in the player becoming sick and Benefit: Noncritical hits with bullets or unable to do anything other than lie down shrapnel less than 20mm harmlessly or stumble around in a drunken stupor. A bounce off the character. failure of more than 15 points results in Disadvantage: A character with this the player passing out for 3 to 9 hours in feat may develop a false sense of security a drunken coma. since bullets or shrapnel 20mm or greater Special: A player under the influence in or enchanted bullets do normal damage. combat conditions may aim so badly that In addition, critical hits from less than his or her attacks strike comrades or may 20mm bullets and shrapnel do normal even mistake a comrade for an enemy. damage. All other attacks, such as fire, Over time, vodka abuse may lead to liver acid, gas, melee, etc. inflict normal damage, physical addiction, and emotional damage as well. dependency. 20 Characters

The dog handler specialty is only Old Character available to Grunts, Medics, and Scout character classes. A Grunt dog handler has an ally with a superior set of eyes Classes and ears for use in guard duty and search There are a number of new character and destroy missions or who is trained to classes available for heroes serving on the sniff out mines or explosives. A Medic Eastern Front. Some are modifications of dog handler has a companion with existing classes and others are entirely superior scent that proves invaluable in new ones. We’ll start off by looking at locating the wounded in even the worst new twists on old classes. weather conditions. A Scout dog handler is able to send messages from a forward Dog Handler (Grunt, position to a command center more quickly than via a two-legged friend. A Medic, or Scout) team of dogs hooked to sleds can help a unit traverse ice and snow more quickly Like Germany, the and or lessen the load. Finally, in times of Britain, Russia used dogs to guard desperation, a Grunt mine dog handler military installations and the front, deliver can command his half-starved mobile messages, pull sleds of ammo, aid in bomb to change an impending German search and rescue, clear mines, and locate victory into a rout, saving his comrades. hidden enemy positions and explosives. To become a dog handler specialist, a Rescue dogs were trained to lie near a Grunt, Medic or Scout one must spend wounded soldier until its dog handler the points necessary to acquire at least caught-up; the handler often making use one rank in the Handle Animal cross-class of the bandages and dressings carried in skill and undergo 4 weeks of crash the dog’s packs. During the winter, dogs course training with his or her dog vastly improved wounded soldiers’ odds companion. A character is able to issue of not freezing to death or being lost simple dog commands in Russian such as under falling snow by locating and pulling “heel,” “stay,” “fetch,” and “come” at DC of them on sleds to receive medical 5. More difficult commands such as attention. Dogs also pulled sleds equipped “seek” (mines, explosives, the wounded or with machine guns, soldiers on skis, and “food” under an advancing German tank or Russian snipers to critical areas of the front. However, one unique and horrific use of dogs by Russia was their training as suicide dogs to blow up Nazi tanks. At least 50,000 dogs were used for this purpose. Suicide dogs were equipped with saddle-like packs of explosives and a trigger that was held in its mouth. During training, half starved dogs ran under tanks and dropped the trigger to eat food that was placed there. Obviously, in combat, there was no food under Nazi tanks and the trigger was “live” resulting in the death of the dog and destruction of the tank. In one day, these canine tank destroyers managed to eliminate 9 Nazi tanks and 2 armored cars. The Germans learned to fear the sound of barking dogs and sometimes turned their tanks and headed back to their own lines. Dog Handler Specialty Requirements The dog handler specialty isn’t a new class. It’s actually a new specialty that can be combined with the grunt, medic, and scout classes to give these characters some new abilities. A Russian mine dog. 21 Chapter One

Class Specialization and Service Primary Required Required Specialization Service Weapon1 Skill Feat Air Crew Air Force TT34 None None Airborne2 Army PPSh-1941 None Parachute Proficiency Artillerist/Rocketeer3 Army PPSh-1941 Artillery Katyusha Rocket Pro. Combat Engineer/Sapper Army PPSh-1941 Demolitions Pro. Antitank Team Army PPSh-1941 None Rocket Launcher Pro. Ground Crew4 Air Force TT34 Mechanic None Infantrymen Army PPSh-1941 None None Mechanic4 Army PPSh-1941 Mechanic Wheeled Vehicle Pro. Mortar Crewman Army 82mm BM obr. 37 Artillery Forward Observer PPSh-1941 Party Member5 Any TT34 Knowledge Party Member and/or PPSh-1941 (Politics) Pilot Air Force TT34 None Single Engine Aircraft Pro. Tank Crewman Army PPSh-1941 Driving Tracked Vehicle Pro.

1 Rifles (Model 1930G) were primarily used in the beginning of the war. By Stalingrad, winter 1942, most troops were outfitted with sub-machineguns (PPSh-1941). Thus, any character created after 1942 begins the game with the Automatic Weapons Proficiency feat due to Russia’s heavy use of automatic weapons. Also, the Machinegunner specialty listed in Blood on the Rhine (page 25) is not a separate Russian specialty. 2 Russia never attempted a paratroop drop again after a failed nighttime attack in the fall of 1943. 3 Artillerist also trained to fire Katyusha rockets. 4 In general Russian mechanics and ground crew did not produce, carry, or have access to many spare parts. As a result, mechanics and ground crew often had to strip the best parts from debilitated tanks and planes to service less damaged or worn counterparts. 5 Party Member is unique to Russia. Commissars and NKVD security forces must have this specialty.

armored car), “pull” or “return” (deliver message) would require a DC of 5 to 15 NKVD (Grunt or depending on combat and weather conditions. Officer) Once the dog handler has finished his “The German Army in fighting Russia is training, the Handle Animal skill is treated like an elephant attacking a host of ants. as a class skill as well as the Animal The elephant will kill thousands, perhaps Empathy skill. The War Master will keep even millions of ants, but in the end their secret or reveal a dog handler’s numbers will overcome him, and he will companion’s vital statistics at her be eaten to the bone.” discretion. In the case of a dog’s death, —Colonel Bernd von Kleist especially dogs of a mine dog handler, characters receive a new dog but do not German reaction went from exultation have to go to “dog school” again. However, at the beginning of the war, to disbelief, command checks given to the new dog and then to a certain haunting disquiet at are modified by -5 for the first week, -4 the willingness of the Russian to trade for the second week, and so forth until ten lives for one German. This needless the modifier reaches zero after the 5th sacrifice was achieved in part by Russian week. This modifier represents the time a security detachments of NKVD machine dog needs to adjust to a new owner after gunners that prevented unauthorized having been either reassigned from withdrawals. training school or a previous dead owner. Characteristics: An NKVD soldier is In We i rd Wars , it is possible that a dog’s recruited to identify subversive and anti- spirit could return to help a loving owner communist elements, to disseminate or seek vengeance on an abusive, cruel propaganda, and to use coercion to master. encourage informants (such as neighbors 22 Characters spying on neighbors). An NKVD soldier assassination teams and shot. One such has no qualms about shooting former team was responsible in 1940 for finding comrades who do not follow orders or and killing Stalin’s chief political rival, who question Communist authority. An Leon Trotsky. They caught up with him in NKVD soldier can be a member of one of Mexico and killed him with an ice pick. three branches: internal forces, military During the war, Beria became one of forces and Smersh. Stalin’s most important lieutenants in that Background: As far back as Ivan the he and the NKVD were trusted with Terrible in 1565, who used black-clad internal security matters, protecting and cavalrymen, Russia has had some form of monitoring Kremlin leadership, and security police. After Lenin survived a maintaining Red Army loyalty. Beria and British-organized assassination attempt in his agents were also responsible for 1918, Lenin created a police organization gathering foreign intelligence (espionage) named Cheka (All-Russian Extraordinary and protecting Soviet diplomats in Britain, Commission for the Suppression of , and the United States. It was Counterrevolution and Sabotage) to Beria’s agents who stole secrets from the combat and punish “spies, traitors, Americans on how to manufacture an plotters, bandits, speculators, profiteers, atomic bomb. The only one who watched counterfeiters, arsonists, hooligans, the watchers was Stalin. agitators, saboteurs, class enemies and To help ensure loyalty in the Red Army, other parasites.” Smersh (abbreviated from smert’ In other words, the purpose was to shpionam, meaning “death to spies”) was protect Soviet leaders from all domestic formed from April 14, 1943 to March 16, and foreign enemies. By 1934, what was 1946 as a separate agency under the State once known as Cheka (also known as Committee of Defense. Headed by Stalin, GPU and OGPU) became to be called its purpose was to kill or imprison any NKVD (People’s Commissariat for Internal Red Army soldiers or officers who even Affairs). In addition to Cheka’s mission, thought of defection or not serving the the NKVD was also responsible for Motherland to their fullest. Smersh supervising detention locations (e.g., officers had supremacy over regular NKVD Gulags and internment facilities) and internal and military forces. monitoring the civilian police. Stalin Even before the start of the war, there reorganized Cheka to carry out his were at least 8 million men and women in assassinations of political enemies. the Gulags who had to work 10 to 16 Genrikh Yagoda served as the head of hours daily under harsh Siberian weather, NKVD on December 1, 1934 after Stalin with little food and brutal guards. NKVD ordered the assassination of the original operated internment facilities outside of Cheka chief. In September 1936, a former Moscow that were filled with scientist Red Army Commissar, Nikolay Yezhov, and engineer prisoners forced to design was appointed and helped carry out and invent under sentences of death if Stalin’s purges that also resulted in the they did not cooperate. death of 3,000 NKVD senior officials NKVD internal forces did not fight in under Yagoda’s tenure, including Yagoda battles but focused on counterespionage himself. On December 1938, Yezhov was and prison monitoring and transportation. relieved for supposedly letting There were about 250,000 guards interrogations go too far. He was replaced alone. Internal forces were also by the former head of Georgian (Stalin’s responsible for relocating whole native country) secret police, Lavrenty populations of ethnic groups (e.g., Beria, who served as the head of NKVD Chechens) deemed Nazi sympathizers to throughout the war. Under his tenure the Central Asia. NKVD became an even more powerful and Using machine guns placed behind Red feared security organ. Army human wave assaults, NKVD Soon after taking office, Beria had his military forces prevented unauthorized former boss, Yezhov, sent to a psychiatric withdrawals but this practice was nearly institute, where he was found dead, eliminated from 1943 to 1945. In June 1941, having hung himself in his room. In 1939, there were 58 NKVD combat regiments Beria continued Stalin’s waning purges in organized into 15 divisions made up of their final year but continued his own about 100,000 men. NKVD military rifle, purges of any remaining NKVD leadership cavalry, convoy, and rear security units from the Yezhov and Yagoda eras. Most took part in almost every major battle, agents who refused recall back to including the defense of Moscow, Moscow were hunted down by Stalingrad, Leningrad, and the North 23 Chapter One

Caucasus. Destroyer Battalions were characters can lead to some interesting formed in Soviet cities and towns as rear roleplaying opportunities for a mature area security to hunt down enemy group. parachutists and agents. Both internal and NKVD Requirements: A starting NKVD military NKVD troops filled an important soldier must take the Party Member feat roll in setting up state security services and have at least one rank in Knowledge in “liberated” East European nations. All (Politics). All NKVD soldiers gain a +2 NKVD units wore uniforms but reported bonus to Intimidate checks against non- directly to NKVD and not the Red Army NKVD soldiers and civilians due to their high command. reputation. NKVD Class Skill List: The following Game Rule Info skills are available as class skills to the Both Grunts and Officers can be Military NKVD branch: Climb (Str), members of the NKVD. All the rules that Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Demolitions apply to these classes are still in effect (Int), Driving (Dex), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), with the exception of the differences *Knowledge (Politics) (Cha), Leadership described below. (Cha), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), War Master’s should carefully consider Search (Int), Spot (Wis) and Swim (Str). allowing players to make NKVD * At least one skill point must be characters. The players are meant to be devoted to this required skill. heroes, and many actions of the NKVD— In addition to the skills above, the machine gunning fleeing troops, interning following skills are also available as class dissidents, guarding Gulags—are decidely skills to Smersh and Internal NKVD unheroic. This specialty is presented for officers: Bluff (Cha), Gather Information the sake of completeness and is probably (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), and Ride (Dex). best left as an NPC class. However, the ethical questions faced by NKVD Starting Equipment Peaked blue caps, black boots, socks, khaki cotton shirt, khaki breeches, PPSh- 1941 and 2 magazines of ammunition. Partisan (Resistance Fighter) At first, many civilians in the Ukraine and Belorussia welcomed the Germans as liberators but soon learned that German occupation was worse than life under Communism. The life of a partisan was hard. They often lived in primitive conditions and risked not only their own lives but also those of their friends and relatives to German reprisals. Characteristics: Partisans are either civilians or Red Army soldiers of any character class trapped behind enemy lines as a result of the Barbarossa Blitzkrieg (June 22, 1941 to December 1941). Like their Western counterparts, partisans needed to be adept at sneaking. Partisans organized themselves into military units operating away from the comforts of home in nearby marshes, swamps, and forests. Due to more frequent combat situations, the hazards of the environment and threat of starvation, a partisan must have strong Constitution, Strength and Dexterity attributes. Background: Mostly operating out of the Ukraine or Balkans, an individual, small group, or battalion may carryout any A partisan keeps tabs on German aircraft movements. one of the following duties as a partisan: 24 Characters

Gather and Communicate In terms of food and medical supplies, Intelligence: Partisans observed enemy at times potatoes were hidden and stored movements and interrogated captured in burned out villages. Dead horses were enemy personnel. Russian Partisans eaten and mushrooms and rowanberries supplied invaluable field intelligence on were gathered in the woods. Many suffered German positions and movements. The from malnutrition and lice and developed Germans, in contrast, had very little idea scurvy and pellagra. Medical supplies what was going on behind the Russian were scarce, wounds were often bound in lines and had to make assumptions based reused bandages and disinfected with on suspect field intelligence. vodka. Sometimes when the wounded Escort: Deliver captured enemy could not be carried with them, they were personnel to Red Army lines and ensure shot to avoid enemy capture. delivery of supplies and special agents Harass, Support the Red Army and from Red Army supplies to partisan Attack: Partisans conducted hit and run bases. attacks and assassinated enemy officers After building their own airstrips, by and communications personnel. Beginning 1943, supplies and advisors, such as with Kursk, they timed sabotage and hit demolition experts, were flown in to and run attacks to coincide with major assist partisan groups. Supplies included battles/Russian offensives. They fought handheld weapons, explosives, radios, alongside Red Army troops during anti-tank guns, mortars, light artillery and Operation Bagration (June 23, 1944) and printing presses. beyond (Berlin). Sabotage and Raid: Partisans disrupted Due to a lack of equipment for the first communications and transport links two years of the war, partisans rarely (roads, bridges, rail lines) by way of fought sustained firefights, employing demolition, laying mines, or vandalism. instead surprise hit-and-run tactics. When They also stole weapons and food the equipment shortage was alleviated supplies from the enemy. with the help of Moscow, the partisans The geography of the front spread the actually liberated German controlled German armies farther and farther apart villages and towns as the tide turned in as the invasion advanced toward Moscow. 1944. This provided partisans the opportunity Moscow recognized partisans as a to harass German flanks. Partisans always branch of the Red Army. Some partisan situated themselves near German supply brigades numbered 1,000 strong. Partisan networks of roads and rail lines. When brigade commanders could reach the rank moving from their base to another of full colonel and wore the Red Army location, partisans learned to hide out in and insignia when available. the drier parts of swamps. Forests and Partisan officers were encouraged to swamps provided so many hiding places reward fellow guerillas for bravery with that entire communities and weapon medals flown in from the home front. caches remained hidden from German Recruit: Partisans visited local villages anti-partisan sweeps. From these to recruit all able-bodied men, women, locations, partisans destroyed supply and children and to execute any German depots and bridges, cut telephone and collaborators. telegraph lines, and derailed trains. Wires Not all locals helped partisans with were set across roads to topple food or shelter for fear of German reprisal. motorcyclists, tanks parked in the woods The Nazis set up gallows in every village were surrounded by fire, and wooden and practiced public hangings. One bridge beams were sawed through to hundred local inhabitants, usually collapse when enemy vehicles crossed. randomly selected, were shot for every At first there was a lack of radios and German soldier’s life lost. In addition, arms, especially heavy support weapons. suspected partisans and their supporters Partisans made use of handmade Molotov were tortured for information before death cocktails, scavenged battlefields for by having had their fingers broken, soles weapons, and raided German convoys and of their feet burned, or breasts amputated. supply dumps. Eventually the Russian Despite German retaliatory efforts, there High Command alleviated the lack of vital were at least 30,000 partisans by the end equipment in some areas with airdrops. of 1941, 150,000 by the summer of 1942 and Consultants were also sent but many over 200,000 by the summer of 1943. The partisans were Red Army soldiers and highest concentrations of partisans were officers caught too far behind enemy encountered by the Germans in the forests lines. and the Pripet Marshes. 25 Chapter One

Game Rule Info Except for some minor changes noted New Character below, Partisans use the same rules as Resistance Fighters. A Red Army soldier Classes who joins a partisan unit out of necessity, choice, or by way of Moscow The different nature of the fighting on order, must add the Resistance Fighter as the Eastern Front requires a few new a second class after 3 months of service character classes. with or as a Partisan. However, the -20% XP penalty does not apply for uneven Cavalryman levels. After obtaining at least one level as Russian cavalrymen are the dashing a Resistance Fighter, it is up to the player heroes of the steppes, charging to glory as whether to advance his or her against the German invaders. Despite their character’s primary class or the archaic nature, the cavalry provided much Resistance Fighter class. needed mobility in some of the harsh Hit Die: d8 terrain found inside Russia. Rank: Partisans more often than not Characteristics: Cavalrymen are trained had a rank structure, especially groups infantry skilled with using a horse to with Red Army soldiers trapped behind travel over harsh terrain to lines or with advisors sent from Moscow. reconnaissance, serving as a mobile Cell: A cell may include an entire reserve or engaging German patrols deep Partisan squad, platoon, or brigade. behind enemy lines. Forged Papers: This skill is less useful Background: Russia was the only on the Russian front since the Germans nation to have a significant cavalry force; viewed Slavs as inferior people to be used 40 divisions that included a total of as slave labor or to be eliminated. Unlike 210,000 cavalrymen (about 5,000 men and the Western Front, often there was 5,128 horses per ). A Red Army nothing to forge since the peoples of cavalry squad often consisted of a 100 Poland, Yugoslavia, Ukraine. and men with heavy, light, and medium Belorussia were not allowed to venture machine guns, an anti-tank gun, and light, forth from their villages (if still standing) medium and/or heavy mortars. The small and given strict curfews. Money was steppe horses could travel 60 miles in a usually useless, as the economy became night. Until 1944, when Lend-Lease barter. However, the conditions in vehicles were supplied in significant Romania, Czechoslovakia (Slovakia), numbers, most supplies and artillery were Bulgaria, Albania, and were moved by way of horse. similar to Western Europe in terms of However, this mobility could not economy and needing papers for prevent heavy casualties suffered in direct movement. confrontations with armor and heavily Safe House: Not only may this include armed infantry. For the first 3 months of friendly houses, but entire villages or the war, when the first T-34s were hidden partisan bases in nearby forests, introduced, almost all Russian tanks were marshes, or mountains. obsolete and only assigned as infantry support units. Thus, the cavalry were the Starting Equipment only mobile troops in the Red Army and Almost any common civilian, German were vital later in the war in traversing or Russian made weapons. Clothing may Eastern Front marshes, forests, and be a combination of civilian and Red mountains, terrain that made tank Army uniforms. movement slow and sometimes Roll 1d6 on the table below for the impossible. character’s starting weapon. The hero Horses also made it possible to move starts with 3d20 rounds of ammunition in poor weather conditions that created for his weapon. snow and muddy conditions that often stopped vehicles in their tracks. For Roll Weapon example, Siberian ponies can withstand 1 Model 1930G minus 33 degrees Fahrenheit, temperatures 2 PPSH-1941 that froze the moving parts in vehicles. 3 Kar 98K Horses and their riders were also easier to 4 MP40 conceal than their mechanical 5 Civilian rifle counterparts. Sappers were at times called 6 1-3 Single-barrel shotgun, 4-6 upon to clear barbed wire barricades with Double barrel shotgun wire cutters for advancing cavalry. 26 Characters

Game Rule Info Abilities: The ability to ride and perform horse related feats depends on Dexterity and is therefore the cavalryman’s most important attributes. A character must have at least one rank in Ride Skill and the Mounted Combat Feat to be a cavalryman. Alignment: Any Hit Die: d8. Class Skills The cavalryman’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Animal Empathy (Cha), Balance (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha), Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge: Nature (Int), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Use Rope (Dex), Wilderness Lore (Wis), and Winter Survival (Wis). Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Int Russian cavalrymen make a charge. modifier) x 4 Skill points each additional Bonus Feats: Like grunts, cavalrymen level: 4 + Int modifier gets bonus feats at 1st level, at 2nd level Class Features and then every two levels thereafter that must be selected from the following list: All of the following are class features Ambidexterity, Automatic Weapons of the cavalryman. Proficiency, Combat Reflexes, Expertise Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: All (Improved Disarm), Eye For Terrain, cavalrymen are proficient with simple Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, weapons, firearms, and light armor. Mobility, Mortar Proficiency, Mounted

The Cavalryman Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special 1 +1 +1 +2 +0 Bonus Feat 2 +2 +1 +3 +1 Bonus Feat 3 +3 +2 +3 +1 Horse Shield 4 +4 +2 +4 +1 Bonus Feat 5 +5+3+4+2Vault 6 +6/+1 +3 +5 +2 Bonus Feat 7 +6/+2 +3 +5 +2 8 +7/+2 +4 +6 +3 Bonus Feat 9 +7/+3 +4 +6 +3 10 +8/+3 +4 +7 +3 Bonus Feat 11 +8/+4 +5 +7 +4 12 +9/+4 +5 +8 +4 Bonus Feat 13 +9/+5 +5 +8 +4 14 +10/+5/+1 +6 +9 +5 Bonus Feat 15 +10/+6/+1 +6 +9 +5 16 +11/+6/+2 +6 +10 +5 Bonus Feat 17 +11/+7/+2 +7 +10 +6 18 +12/+7/+3 +7 +11 +6 Bonus Feat 19 +12/+8/+3 +7 +11 +6 20 +13/+8/+4 +8 +12 +7 Bonus Feat 27 Chapter One

Commissar Cossacks “The commissar is a political worker, a During the time of the Czars, Cossacks (a Turkish revolutionary. The military leader answers word meaning “free man”) were runaway serfs who with his head for all his activity, for the settled on the frontiers of the Russian empire. To outcome of military operations, and soon. control these famous horsemen and fighters, Czars If the commissar has observed that there recruited them as elite troops that proved is danger to the revolution from the themselves as vital assets in helping expand the military leader, the commissar has the Russian empire during the 1800s. right to deal ruthlessly with the counter- Although wiped out and disbanded after the revolutionary, even to the point of Revolution due to their allegiance to the Tsar, many shooting him.” Cossack ancestors still living in the Caucasus —Leon Trotsky, June 7, 1918 region were recruited for the Red Army cavalry ranks due to the fact that they spent so much of A military commissar’s purpose was to their time in the saddle. However, some old enough check military officers’ and soldiers’ to remember what the Communists did to their obedience to Stalin and the Communist kind or who were raised to hate Communism, Party. joined the German Army instead. Characteristics: Like a military officer, a commissar or Zampolit is more educated than the enlisted ranks, often not in the ways of war but definitely in Combat (Mounted Archery, Trample, Ride- the ways of Communist doctrine. A By Attack, Spirited Charge), Point Blank commissar is assigned to an officer to Shot (Far Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, reduce a commander’s workload by Shot on the Run), Power Attack (Cleave, concentrating on political work, to make Improved Bull Rush, Sunder, Great Cleave), sure all soldiers and the people of Russia Quick Draw, Tactician, Track, Two-Weapon followed Communist doctrine and the Fighting (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting), wishes of Stalin to the letter. Together Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization. with the commander, he bears full Note that some of these feats cannot responsibility for the military unit’s be gained until the cavalryman has gained accomplishment of the combat mission. one or more prerequisite feats. Background: The commissar system Horse Shield: At 3rd-level, the was introduced shortly after the Russian cavalryman gains the Horse Shield ability. Revolution, since four-fifths of Red Army This allows the hero to hang off one side officers had served under the last Czar. of his horse and use it as a shield from Up until November 1942, a Communist enemy fire. This grants a +7 cover bonus Political Officer (commissar) served as to AC and a +3 Reflex save bonus. The party watchdog assigned to an officer, cavalryman can only use this ability when coequally sharing military power. All not threatened. The hero may use this military orders had to be approved with a ability while charging into melee combat signature by the commissar and a and still attack normally. However, one the commissar could countermand an hero attacks, he is considered to have officer’s order. An officer could even be righted himself in the saddle and no shot for not following orders. Commissar longer gains the cover bonus to his AC. Vashugin said to a Russian commander, Multiclass Restrictions: Cavalryman “If you occupy Dubno by this evening, we characters can only multiclass as scouts will give you a medal. If you don’t, we’ll and officers (if offered a commission). shoot you.” Rank: A cavalryman character This inefficient, dual-layered command beginning the game at 1st-level receives system and its effects on morale (there the rank of Private. were many too many reports of Vault: At 5th-level, the cavalryman commissars liberally executing frightened gains the ability to vault into the saddle soldiers) was privately attributed in part as a free action. to the very public military failures of the Starting Equipment first year of the war. As a result, Stalin Horse, saddle, riding boots, khaki issued a decree in November 1942 reducing cotton shirt, royal blue breeches, socks, the power of the commissar to an shoulder waist belt with side arm holster advisory role; they became “political and ammo pouches, saber, and TT34 deputies,” with no veto power over orders. Automatic Pistol and PPSh-1941 with 2 From then on, commissars took on roles magazines of ammunition for each gun. as welfare officers, giving lectures to 28 Characters boost morale and addressing soldiers’ Alignment: Any Lawful problems. With the assigned officer, a Hit Die: d8. commissar was still held responsible for a unit’s fighting abilities, readiness, and Class Skills political reliability. The commissar’s class skills (and the As before, to achieve this goal, political key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), work was organized and carried out and Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Driving (Dex), combat and political training was planned Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), and executed. Through real and fictitious Jump (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), propaganda, stories of the success of Speak Language, Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Communism and the reasons the Germans Knowledge: Geography, History, Local were to be hated were promoted. and/or Nobility (Int) and *Knowledge: Commissars led two sessions daily with Politics (Cha), Leadership (Cha). troops not in combat, lecturing and * At least one skill point must be reading Communist doctrine aloud. devoted to this required skill. Question and answer sessions were held Skill points at 1st level: (4 + Int several times a week, where “correct” modifier) x 4 responses were awarded with privileges Skill points each additional level: 4 + and amenities and incorrect replies Int modifier brought restrictions and assignments of Class Features “reeducation” with more enlightened comrades. Commissar ‘Ranking’ and Reporting: Commissars arranged sports and Commissars do not have ranks but entertainment, such as films and theater positions/levels held in the Communist companies. Commissars also made sure government. A 1st and 2nd level character soldiers wrote home, helping the illiterate would more than likely serve as a staff ones. Commissars on the home front made sure that the soldiers received letters back. Both front line and home front commissars served as the army’s censors, making sure that letters were politically correct and morally uplifting. As the war progressed into “liberated” territory, a commissar’s role further expanded in the areas of indoctrination and inoculation of soldiers against corrupt influences (Capitalism and luxury). Commissars did engage in combat, either voluntarily or as a matter of survival. Game Rule Info Abilities: Commissars maintain their power over the soldiers in their command through force of will and the backing of the monolithic Soviet state. Charisma is the primary ability of the commissar. A high Charisma aids with both Diplomacy and Initimidate checks and helps ensure that the commissar is able to make Will saves so he does not show cowardice in combat A commissar instructs the troops about true Communism. himself. 29 Chapter One

member to a regiment level (see below) party policy and doctrine under the commissar. At 3rd-level, a commissar may supervision of a commissar. be assigned to a Lieutenant counterpart. One commissar may be responsible for A loyal and reliable commissar, who was more than one junior or enlisted officer not so over zealous as to risk getting (see Russian Military Ranking sidebar). For shot by his own comrades could expect example, a regiment of 2000 men would to either: have a commissar assigned to the colonel in charge of the regiment and four or Rise in position as his assigned officer more commissars of lower level assigned rises in military rank; to keep an eye on the battalion lieutenant Be reassigned to a new military officer colonels, company majors/captains, if his current assignment proves platoon lieutenants and squad sergeants incompetent or he fails to execute and privates. orders and is justifiably shot; In addition, like military officer staffs, Be assigned to an officer of a higher there would be just as many lower level rank for averting a catastrophe or commissars or civilian party workers being credited with a great success. serving as support staff, especially in the areas of communications and propaganda, Think of commissar character levels as e.g., publishing unit newspapers. Keep in a measure of seniority when compared to mind that during the war the number of other commissars. available commissars fluctuated, Commissars assigned to officers below especially before 1943, due to battle the regiment level (Lieutenant Colonel and losses, enemy targeting (Hitler’s below) were expected to report to Commissar Decree required that all regiment and division level Commissars Communist officials be shot on the spot) who in turn were supervised by the Chief and revenge (prior to November 1942 Political Administration of the army. At commissars who shot soldiers and least once a year, a commissar was asked officers too frequently were killed by a to testify as to the political loyalty and “stray enemy” bullet). reliability of all officers in the unit. A Executioner: The commissar has the junior officer seeking party membership power of life and death over the soldiers or senior officers up for promotion in his assigned unit. If convinced that the needed a favorable review from his soldier is acting in a cowardly fashion or assigned commissar. Like their soldiers, in a way harmful to the state, the Red Army officers had to be in line with commissar may execute the soldier on the

The Commissar Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special 1 +1 +0 +0 +2 Party Member, Executioner 2 +2 +0 +0 +3 Bonus Feat, Intimidate 3 +3+1+1+3 4 +4+1+1+4 5 +5 +1 +1 +4 Bonus Feat 6 +6/+1 +2 +2 +5 7 +6/+2 +2 +2 +5 8 +7/+2 +2 +2 +6 Bonus Feat 9 +7/+3 +3 +3 +6 10 +8/+3 +3 +3 +7 Control 11 +8/+4 +3 +3 +7 Bonus Feat 12 +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 13 +9/+5 +4 +4 +8 14 +10/+5/+1 +4 +4 +9 Bonus Feat 15 +10/+6/+1 +5 +5 +9 16 +11/+6/+2 +5 +5 +10 17 +11/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 Bonus Feat 18 +12/+7/+3 +6 +6 +11 19 +12/+8/+3 +6 +6 +11 20 +13/+8/+4 +6 +6 +12 Bonus Feat 30 Characters

Russian Military Ranks Russia’s military ranks can be broken down into officer and enlisted categories.

Officer Rank Russian Name Promotion Generalissimo* Generalissimo NA Chief Marshal Glavniy Marshal NA Army General/Marshal General Armii NA Colonel General (3-star) General-polkovnik NA Lieutenant General (2-star) General-leitenant NA Major General (1-star) General-major NA Colonel Polkovnik Max PC officer rank Lieutenant Colonel Podpolkovnik 40 Major Major 35 Captain** Kapitan 30 Senior Lieutenant Starshiy Leitenant 25 Junior Lieutenant Leitenant 20

Enlisted Rank Russian Name Promotion*** Master Sergeant Starshina Max PC Enlisted Rank Senior Sergeant Starshiy Serzhant 30 Sergeant Serzhant 25 Junior Sergeant Mladshiy Serzhant 20 Private 1st Class Efreitor 15 Private Krasnoarmeets/Ryadovoy**** 10

* The highest military rank. Held by Stalin. ** Note that it was rare to promote a junior officer (Captain) to senior officer if he was not a member of the Communist Party and who did not receive favorable testimony from his Commissar as to his political loyalty and reliability. *** Russia had less enlisted ranks than the western allies but the number to obtain promotions is kept at the 5 point increment per rank to simulate the fact that the Red Army had an officer shortage due to pre-war purges and casualties attributed to costly frontal assaults and Nazi POW murder. **** The ryadovoy rank was used after 1943.

spot without any worry about Siberian Shaman repercussions (other than the possibility The Siberian shaman is a new magic- of retaliation by the soldier’s friends). using class for We i rd Wars . Unlike the Party Member: Commissar heroes other magic-using classes, the shaman is begin play with the Party Member feat. not a prestige class. This is because the Intimidate: At 2nd-level, the commissar way of the shaman is not something that gains a +4 bonus to Intimidate checks a person can be taught in a boot camp, against non-commissars. it’s a way of living. For this reason, Control: Senior commissars project such shaman heroes must start in this class. an aura of power that at 10th level, they They may not switch to other classes gain the Control ability. The commissar can later, either, target a single person with this ability and Characteristics: A shaman can leave must win a contest of his Knowledge his body, transcend the material world (Politics) versus the target’s Will save. If the and harness power through guardian commissar wins, the target is affected as (familiar) and helping spirits of the animal if by a suggestion spell. spirit world. Shamans are often the most Starting Equipment intelligent, healthiest, and strongest amongst their peers. Shamans serve an Army Commissar: Black boots, socks, important role in their communities as khaki cotton shirt, khaki breeches, peaked the one who can, through trances, focus cap, belt with pouch for ammo and psychic-supernatural energies to heal, sidearm holster, TT34 Automatic Pistol strengthen, promote fertility, and and 2 magazines of ammunition. 31 Chapter One

Russian Medals

Order of the Red Star exceptional courage and Issued: May 1, 1944 Issued: April 6, 1930 valor during combat. Conditions: Awarded to Conditions: Awarded to Rank Modifier: +6 servicemen and civilians all ranks for outstanding & Star who served in defending service in the defense of of a “Hero of the Soviet the Caucasus for at least 3 the Mother Country. Union” months between July 1942 Rank ModifierModifier: ++2 Issued: April 6, 1930 and October 1943. Order of Bogdan Conditions: The highest Rank Modifier: +1 Khmelnitsky decoration. Medal for the Defense Issued: October 10, 1943 Awarded for outstanding of Leningrad Conditions: Awarded to civilian service or Issued: December 22, commanders of partisan exemplary military service. 1942 units for outstanding merit. For receiving the award a Conditions: Awarded to Rank ModifierModifier: +3 2nd time, the recipient servicemen and civilians Order of the Patriotic would have sculptured who took part in defending War 2nd Class bust built in the town of Leningrad during the 900- Issued: May 20, 1942 their birth. day siege from September Conditions: Awarded to Rank Modifier: +10 8, 1941 to January 27, 1944. any military personnel Battle and Rank Modifier: +1 (including partisans) Medal for the Defense regardless of rank for Campaign Medals of Moscow lesser personal valor in Medal for the Defense Issued: May 1, 1944 action. of Odessa Conditions: Awarded to Rank Modifier: +3 Issued: December 22, servicemen and civilians Medal for Bravery 1942 who took part in the Issued: October 17, 1938 Conditions: Awarded to defense of Moscow from Conditions: Awarded to servicemen and civilians October 19, 1941 to January all military ranks, citizens who, despite German 25, 1942. and foreigners for bravery capture of Odessa, Rank Modifier: +1 in the defense of Soviet defended the city while Medal for the Defense borders and for stopping under a 73-day siege from of Stalingrad spies and subversive August 10, 1941 to October Issued: December 22, elements. This award can 16, 1941. 1942 be received more than Rank Modifier: +3 Conditions: Awarded to once. Medal for the Defense servicemen and civilians Rank Modifier: +3 of Sevastopol who participated in the Order of the Patriotic Issued: December 22, defense of Stalingrad from War 1st Class 1942 July 12, 1942 to November 19, Issued: May 20, 1942 Conditions: Awarded to 1942. Conditions: Awarded to servicemen and civilians Rank Modifier: +2 any military personnel who, despite German Additional (including partisans) capture of the city, regardless of rank for defended Sevastopol for Medal Worthy- skillfully commanding their 250 days from November 5, comrades in action. 1941 to July 4, 1941. Acts Rank Modifier: +4 Rank Modifier: +3 Order of Glory Medal for the Defense Modifier Act Issued: November 8, 1943 of the Soviet Arctic +2 Character leads Conditions: Awarded to Issued: December 5, 1944 frontal assault. junior officers and below Conditions: Awarded to +10 Character holds for glorious deeds. servicemen and civilians key position Rank Modifier: +6 who defended the Soviet vital to the Order of the Red Arctic from Finnish and front against Banner Germans who began their overwhelming Issued: August 1, 1924 attack on June 19, 1941. odds. Conditions: Awarded to Rank Modifier: +2 +6 Character reveals military personnel of all Medal for the Defense spy, insurgent ranks who exhibit of the Caucasus or traitor. 32 Characters prosperity, find lost items, bless hunting expeditions, persuade game to move into his tribe’s area, prevent war, control Russian Decoration Table weather, and predict the future. D20 Roll Russian Decoration XP Background: The word shaman 1-20 None 0 originates from hunters and reindeer 21-24 Order of the Red Star 250 herders in Siberia known culturally as 25-27 Order of the Patriotic War 2nd Class Evenks and first documented by Russian /Order of Bogdan Khemelnitsky 500 researchers in the 18th century. Shamans 28-29 Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class 750 have been labeled by outsiders as 30-31 Order of Glory/ 1000 madmen or medicine men but to the 32+ Order of Lenin 2000 Evenks of Siberia they are a vital part of their society as mystics, healers, and social and religious leaders. Shamanism has been called a hunter’s religion since a lore and poetry that cannot be mastered shaman is needed to negotiate with an immediately. Over time, his powers animal’s when it is killed for food. become so awe-inspiring that few seek Unlike more popular religions, shamanism his friendship; he is often alone, sought has no recorded doctrine, church, holy only when needed. book, or official authority such as a pope Recruitment: Beginning in the fall of or patriarch. Russian rock carvings have 1941, Siberian shamans are recruited been dated and show that shamans have directly into SOPA. Like their other SOPA been a part of Siberian tribal culture since counterparts, shamans are only used in before 5,000 BC. Some shamans believe small-scale/covert operations. Often the they are descendants from a half-bear, shaman has a vision of evil threatening half-human race. the balance of the Earth and seeks out Siberians believe that the mortal world SOPA. On a few occassions, SOPA agents is linked with several others that can be must venture into Siberia to recruit a accessed in an astral trance by way of shaman, explaining why Hitler is not only sacred objects, dress, songs, and a threat to Russia but his village as well. movement. The Earth is the middle way Through dreams and visions, a shaman visited by good spirits from above and may have to temporarily return to his bad spirits from below. A mythical tree village, perhaps violating orders, to care ties the worlds together and is climbed for a sick villager, bring good weather, etc. by a shaman to reach each level. Unlike Game Rule Info shamans in other cultures, the Siberian Abilities: Being a character who shaman is not possessed by a spirit to channels divine forces, Shamans need a enable travel but can initiate his or her high Wisdom attribute. own travel. However, lack of control over Alignment: Any good spirits that exist in these worlds can lead Hit Die: d6. to insanity or death. Usually only males are born with the Class Skills gift of shamanism, often descended from The shaman’s class skills (and the key a long line of shamans. This gift is not ability for each skill) are Animal Empathy apparent, however, until adolescence, (Cha), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy when his eyes indicate a far-seeing (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), brightness and he begins having visions Intuit Direction (Wis), Knowledge: Nature and seeks solitude over the company of and Planes (Int), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), others. In one of these journeys to the Spell Craft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Use spirit world he is destroyed, all human Magic Device (Cha), Wilderness Lore (Wis) characteristics are erased, and the and Winter Survival (Wis). adolescent is reborn a shaman if his soul Skill points at 1st level: (3 + Int survives the reconstruction done by modifier) x 4 animal spirits. (An adolescent who does Skill points each additional level: 3 + not survive this reconstruction often Int modifier exhibits some type of mental illness.) With the help of a shaman elder, a Class Features shaman initiate begins to learn how to All of the following are class features navigate the geography of the spirit world of Siberian shamans. through trance and with the aid of sacred Siberian Shaman Dress Requirements: objects. The elder also teaches magical Shamans channel divine energy from techniques and traditional shaman songs, helping and guardian spirits through their 33 Chapter One

dress, sacred objects, songs and Helping Spirit Animal Pendants: movement. Except for the pendants, all Made of either feather, bone, fur, manners of dress and objects are made to leather, wood or metal, these small reflect and imitate the shaman’s guardian objects attached to other objects or spirit. For example, a shaman with a bear dress enable the shaman to channel guardian spirit wears a headdress and helping spirit animal spells (see caftan made of a bear’s hide and head. section below). Shoes and gloves are constructed out of actual bear’s paws. A shaman is powerless The shaman never kills an animal to without the following, which he receives obtain dress materials. To make use of an at 1st level (with the exception of his animal, the shaman must conduct a staff): binding/blessing ceremony (taught at 1st level initiation) over the corpse of an Baton & Drum: Required for any spell animal that either died of old age or of with a verbal (V) or somatic (S) unnatural/evil causes. Only then does the component. shaman have permission to use the Apron/Caftan: Required or lose animal’s body in construction of his guardian spirit benefits. garments and objects. To do so otherwise Headdress: Required for any spell with causes the shaman to suffer the same focus (F) or divine focus (DF) penalties as OSI Chaplains’ suffer when components. they sin (see page 121 of Blood on the Gloves: Required for any spell with a Rhine). Due to their magic-like qualities, range of touch. all shaman objects and garments receive a Shoes: Required for any spells dealing +4 on saves against destruction or with movement or travel. damage. Staff: Fashioned in the image of the Guardian Spirit and Domains: Within a guardian spirit at 5th level, the staff month after an adolescent’s spirit is permits the shaman to polymorph reconstructed as a shaman, he must enter self into his guardian spirit’s form into a solitary, all night vision quest to once per day. The staff also has contact his guardian spirit. Unless the War shillelagh making it a +1 weapon that Master allows the shaman to pick, roll a inflicts 1d10 points of damage. At d20. The guardian spirit should be 10th level a shaman can cast spell determined when the character is first staff. created.

The Siberian Shaman Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special 1 0 +2 0 +3 Guardian Spirit, 1st-Level Domains 2 +1 +3 +1 +4 Helping Spirit 3 +1 +3 +1 +4 Helping Spirit, 2nd-level Domains 4 +2 +4 +1 +5 Helping Spirit 5 +2 +4 +2 +5 Helping Spirit, Staff, 3rd-level Domains 6 +3 +5 +2 +6 Helping Spirit 7 +3 +5 +2 +6 Helping Spirit, 4th-Level Domains 8 +4 +6 +3 +7 Helping Spirit 9 +4 +6 +3 +7 Helping Spirit, 5th-Level Domains 10 +5 +7 +3 +8 Helping Spirit, Spell staff 11 +5 +7 +4 +8 Helping Spirit, 6th-Level Domains 12 +6/+1 +8 +4 +9 Helping Spirit 13 +6/+1 +8 +4 +9 Helping Spirit, 7th-Level Domains 14 +7/+2 +9 +5 +10 Helping Spirit 15 +7/+2 +9 +5 +10 Helping Spirit, 8th Level Domains 16 +8/+3 +10 +5 +11 Helping Spirit 17 +8/+3 +10 +6 +11 Helping Spirit, 9th-Level Domains 18 +9/+4 +11 +6 +12 Helping Spirit 19 +9/+4 +11 +6 +12 Helping Spirit 20 +10/+5 +12 +7 +13 Helping Spirit 34 Characters

Beginning at 1st level, a shaman draws their spell powers from all 5 domains Guardian Spirit Table listed below. Shamans only receive a Domain’s granted power if it’s the same as Roll Guardian Spirit Shaman Domain the shaman’s guardian spirit. Domain 1-5 Siberian Gray Wolf Animal* spells can only be cast once per day. 6-9 Eurasian Reindeer Good* Shamans receive the next domain spell on 10-14 Brown Bear Healing* all 5 lists every 2 levels. For example, a 15-19 Arctic Tern Soul Travel 1st-level Shaman can call upon the animal 20 Yeti Weather spirits to cast calm Animals, protection from evil, cure light wounds, divine favor *These domains can be found in the Player’s and obscuring mist. At 3rd level, he gains Handbook. hold animal, aid, cure moderate wounds, augury and wind wall. shaman never harms a living creature to Soul Travel Domain obtain the necessary materials and Granted Power: Daily guidance allows cannot use any granted power without the shaman to choose a skill check, the pendant. Pendants can be replaced if attack, or saving throw type in which he lost. or she can receive a +1 modifier in a 24- This is only a sample of helping spirits hour period. and their granted daily spell(s) and any Spells: benefits. Other helping spirits and their 1. Divine Favor spell-like powers may be negotiated at the 2. Augury War Master’s discretion. 3. Speak With Dead Note that a shaman who has an Arctic 4. Divination Tern guardian spirit can have an Arctic 5. True Seeing Tern helping spirit as well. It is possible 6. Ethereal Jaunt for a shaman to have multiple helping 7. Plane Shift spirits of the same type. In this case, he 8. Foresight may cast any granted spells once per day 9. Astral Projection per spirit. Weather Domain Class Restrictions: Devoted to their animalistic faith, Siberian shamans are Granted Power: The shaman casts not permitted to multi-class or add a weather spells at +1 caster level. prestige class. Spells: Rank: Siberian shamans are not the 1. Obscuring Mist outgoing, charismatic types that make 2. Wind Wall good officers. Also, since their exposure 3. Heat or Chill Metal to regular Red Army soldiers is to be kept 4. Ice Storm at a minimum, shamans are considered 5. Control Wind civilian advisors with no rank. Amongst 6. Chain Lightning each other, shamans are like commissars 7. Control Weather in that experience and age determine 8. Sunburst “ranking.” 9. Storm of Vengeance Starting Equipment Helping Spirits: In addition to the See above under Siberian shaman dress spells a shaman receives from the five requirements. Shamans may at times be domains, helping spirits also provide required to wear civilian dress or a spells that can be cast once per day and military uniform due to the requirements sometimes other benefits to the shaman of the mission. Whenever this occurs, the by way of animal pendants. Beginning at shaman is temporarily out of contact 2nd level, and every level thereafter, a with both his guardian and helping spirits. shaman receives his first “calling,” roll a He may not cast spells and he loses any d20 on the chart on the following page. benefits granted to him by his helping Once determined, the shaman then spirits. fashions a pendant to be attached to A few shamans have refused to do this. either his or her drum, baton, caftan/ Due to the extraordinary powers that they apron, headdress, glove or shoes in order possess, SOPA has been willing to to channel the helping spirit’s granted accomodate them as long as they powers. The pendant must be a piece of continue to work for the organization. It the actual animal such as fur, bone, claw, is up to the player as to whether his or mummified portion. Remember, a shaman is willing to do this. 35 Chapter One Old Prestige Classes A few of the prestige classes from Blood on the Rhine need a few tweaks. Commando The Russians had no elite commando forces like the Western Allies. On the Russian Front, the commando prestige class is only available to Russian partisans and Red Army advisors sent to train partisans.

A German lookout peers through a storm conjured by a Siberaian shaman. OSI Adept, OSI Operative & OSI Chaplains Helping Spirits All of these classes exist on the Eastern Front, except that they are called Die Roll Helping Spirit Daily Spell(s)/Benefit SOPA adept, SOPA operative, and SOPA 1 Arctic Fox Detect Snares and Pits clergy, respectively. All Blood on the Rhine Pass Without Trace rules for these classes apply, with the 2 Arctic Hare Expeditious Retreat following exceptions: Invisibility to Animals 3 Arctic Tern Find the Path 1. Only the SOPA Operative can be Know Direction recruited from the ranks of NKVD 4 Brown Bear Sleep Internal forces and Smersh. Toughness Feat 5 Cat Feather Fall 2. SOPA Clergy did not take part in Jump operations until the beginning 6 Elk Daylight months of 1942—the Red Army did +5 bonus to Swim skill not have chaplains. Moral and 7 Earthworm Soften Earth and Stone spiritual support was the job of 8 Eurasian Badger Move Earth commissars, for Communism was 9 Eurasian Beaver Rock to Mud the official state “religion” despite Wall of Thorns overtures from Stalin to the Russian 10 Eurasian Reindeer Silent Image Orthodox Church in the fall of 1941. Traverse Ice (no slipping) During the war, most work of the 11 Hawk Fly clergy was done on the home front, Hold Animal blessing tanks for instance as they 12 Lynx Invisibility came off factory assembly lines. 13 Muskrat Endure Elements Reduce Although SOPA does not try to cover 14 Omul Water Breathing up Nazi supernatural activity so it can Water Walking appeal to the normally superstitious 15 Siberian Gray Wolf Speak with Animals nature of the Russian people, it does Summon Nature’s Ally I discourage SOPA agents from blatant 16 Siberian Husky Animal Friendship displays of their supernatural powers. It’s Resist Elements hard to accuse your enemy of consorting 17 Snowy Owl Tree Stride with the devil when your own troops are Alertness Feat displaying the same powers. 18 Spider Spider Climb This restriction especially applies to Web SOPA clergy. Although SOPA will do 19 Weasel Confusion anything necessary to win the war, it 20 Wolverine Greater Magic Fang doesn’t want to undermine the subsequent peace by causing the people to question Communism’s strictly atheistic doctrine. 36 Characters New Prestige Class Lastly, we’ve got one new prestige class for your chilly Siberian heroes. Guardsman Guardsmen are elite troops that were first used at the . As mentioned in other parts of this book, during the first two years of the war, most grunts were conscripted farmers who received poor or little equipment and training. The guardsman distinction was created to boost morale, introducing uniforms that gave veterans pride. Guardsmen units were very successful Guardsman assault a German-held village. against the Germans. They were better equipped, not sent on frontal assaults, (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intuit Direction (Wis), had more experience, better leadership, Jump (Str), Leadership (Cha), Listen (Wis), and were generally not abused as much Mechanic (Int), Move Silently (Dex), Search as their regular Red Army counterparts. (Int), Skiing (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Guardsmen divisions also tended to be Wilderness Lore (Wis), and Winter Survival motorized, with armored support. (Wis). Hit Die: d12. Skill points each additional level: 4 + Requirements Int modifier. To qualify to become a guardsman, a Class Features character must satisfy the following All of the following are class features criteria: of the guardsman: Base Attack Bonus: 4+ Bonus Feats: Starting at 1st level, and Dexterity : 12+ every two levels thereafter, the guardsman Wisdom: 12+ receives a bonus feat. These feats may be Feats: Assault, Street Fighting, chosen from the list of bonus feats Suppressive Fire provided for the grunt in Blood on the Rhine. In addition, all feats listed in this Class Skills book are also available to the guardsman The guardsman’s class skills (and the class. key ability for each skill) are Ammo & Equipment: Guardsmen had more Explosive Manufacturing (Int), Artillery distinct, striking uniforms, reminiscent of (Int), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft Tsarist days, received the best equipment, (Int), Demolitions (Int), Driving (Dex), Heal and were given plenty of ammo.

The Guardsman Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special 1 +1 +2 0 +3 Bonus Feat 2+2+3+1+4 3 +3 +3 +1 +4 Bonus Feat 4+4+4+1+5 5 +5 +4 +2 +5 Bonus Feat 6 +6+5+2+6 7 +7/+2 +5 +2 +6 Bonus Feat 8 +8/+3 +6 +3 +7 9 +9/+4 +6 +3 +7 Bonus Feat 10 +10/+5 +7 +3 +8 37

Weird Wars

Chapter Two: Ordnance & Equipment

The war in Russia was a war of on their maps were little more than dusty numbers: in miles, men, and industrial tracks that transformed into muddy capacity, The Russians had all of these quagmires with the first rains. things in abundance and they weren’t At the outset of the war, the modern afraid of expending them to stop the industries in Germany outproduced those Fascist invaders despoiling their of the Soviet Union, but this quickly Motherland. changed. After a short period of denial, When the war began, the Soviets traded Stalin recognized the mortal threat to his men and miles for an even more precious nation and mobilized the entire commodity: time. Time to move the vital population with a single purpose: the armament industries in western Russia to defeat of Germany. By mid-war, despite safe locations east of the Urals. Entire the massive disruptions caused by the armies were encircled and destroyed and relocation of over 1000 industrial facilities hundreds of thousands of soldiers were to locations east of the Urals, Soviet tank taken into captivity by the advancing production was far outstripping that of Germans. The invaders soon discovered, Germany. The entire population worked for however, that for every Russian soldier victory, with old men, women, and they killed or captured, there seemed to children working long hours in factories be two more to take his place. to supply the troops at the front. The enormous distances of the Russian In contrast, Hitler didn’t put the German steppes made a mockery of the economy on a total war footing until the ’s rapid advances. Despite the Wehrmacht had already suffered its first enormous success of the German defeats in Russia. Even near the end of Blitzkrieg tactics, the rapid collapse of the war, with defeat a very immediate Russian resistance that Hitler was threat, the Führer refused to consider counting on did not happen. The immense allowing women to work in factories, territory that the invading forces had to preferring to depend on an inefficient and cover simply dispersed their strength and sabotage-ridden system of slave labor. bought the Russians time to marshal their Numbers don’t lie and they were there reserves and prepare to make their stand. to be seen from the start. Hitler and his To compound the Germans’ problems, cronies were simply too blinded by hate roads that appeared as thick black lines to notice them. Chapter Two Russian Lend Lease Among other equipment, the Russians received Sherman M4 tanks, jeeps, Equipment halftracks and the famous “Deuce-and-a- The Russians built two basic tank half” truck from the United States. In chassis throughout the war: the T-34 and total, the United States supplied Russia KV chassis (the IS series tanks used a over 6,300 tanks, 14,000 aircraft and modified KV chassis, so one could argue 432,000 trucks. While the Russians that three chassis designs were used.) belittled the Western tanks, it is clear that This allowed the Russians to mass the mobility gained from the AFVs that produce their armor while keeping the were sent to Russia played a significant cost and construction time low, role in helping the Russian war effort. The something the Germans failed to do. Lend Lease program also allowed Russia Better still, the tanks were solid, very to concentrate production on tanks reliable, and interchangeable. By the instead of truck and personnel carriers. beginning of 1941, the Russians had more For game purposes, listings for the United armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) than any States jeeps, M3 halftracks and trucks country in the world: 30,000. should be used for the Russian transport When the Germans invaded Russia in vehicles. A side note: The U.S. trucks were 1941, the Germans found the Russians to so commonplace, locals sometimes be “blind” and “dumb” in combat. The thought the “USA” stenciled on them Russians had poor leadership and lacked stood for “Ubiyat Sukinsyna Adolf.” knowledge of combat tactics. Their tanks Loosely translated, it meant: “Kill that lacked radios and the Russians had little Son-of-a-bitch Adolf.” to no spare parts. The Germans (and Finns), with their Hazardous Duty greater experience and superior tactics, The Russians were resourceful with took advantage of the Russian their AFVs, often times mounting extra shortcomings. By December 1941, the once fuel and ammunition on the rear decks of large force of 24,000 Russian tanks was their vehicles. This gave the tanks up to quickly depleted to 4,500. Of that initial 33% more range and extra ammunition 24,000 only 1,500 were competitive and not either for combat or for supplying other obsolete. In addition, only 27% worked at armor units. In essence, the Russians any time. used their tanks like supply trucks. The The lessons of 1941 were not lost on only danger, however, was the added the Russians, however. The Russian vulnerability due to the external cargo. If tactics and experience improved and the players wish, on rolling a natural 20 to hit Russians started to close the gap with the side or rear of a tank carrying the Germans. Additionally, the Russians ammunition and/or external fuel, the tank believed in quantity over quality. While the explodes and becomes a burning wreck. German tanks were technically superior The crew is automatically eliminated. (but more costly and time consuming to Anyone within 5 yards of the side or rear build), the Russian built over 70,000 T-34/ of the tank must roll a Reflex save (DC15) KV/IS tanks, which were excellent tanks or take full damage (6d10). Those who themselves. save take only half damage. In short, the Russians out-produced the Germans and by sheer numbers and Communication Gap learned tactics, overpowered them. This is Through October 1943, most (if not all) a classic case of KISS (Keep It Simple, Russian tanks, assault guns, and tank Stupid). The Russians benefited from this destroyers were not equipped with radios. philosophy while not settling for an Even then, only some of the active tanks inferior tank. Even when the Germans would be fitted with communication countered with better tank designs in devices. To account for this “oversight,” 1943, it was too late. By 1943, the Russian from 1941 through October 1943, whenever factories were producing over 2,000 the commanders of different armored chassis a month. vehicles wish to communicate with each The Soviets also had help from abroad. other, they must expose themselves Convoys from the United States and through the commander’s hatch. Russian England ferried a steady supply of tankers normally used a combination of vehicles and ammunition to Russian ports flag and hand signals to communicate year round. between tanks. 40 Ordnance

Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 125, RussianVehicles Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 95 miles, Weapons: 122L43 cannon (turret), DT The following list of Russian armor 7.62mm (coaxial front), DT 7.62mm (turret contains the most commonly used rear), Ammo: Max 28 (HE 16, AP 12), 7.62mm designs. The Soviets fielded a wide 2500, Crew: 4 (Commander, gunner, driver variety of light tanks—more than can be and loader), Armor-Turret: 180/115/115, detailed here. Upper Hull: 140/114/95, Lower Hull: 115/90/ BA-64B 80, Deck: 30, Suspension: 30, Special: Range includes three 90-liter external fuel The BA-64B was one of the Soviet tanks. If these tanks are excluded, Army’s primary reconnaisance vehicles. It decrease Range to 65 miles. consisted of an armored hull mounted on a GAZ (the Russian equivalent of the jeep) ISU-122 chassis. The car had highly sloped armor The success of German self-propelled to provide protection against small arms guns like the Stug III caused the Soviets to fire. This reduced the room inside the experiment with designs of their own. vehicle and limited it to a crew of 2. After the development of the IS series The BA-64B entered service in 1942. The tanks, it was decided to create a self- main difference between the B version and propelled gun using the IS chassis. The earlier models was the width of the original plans called for arming the vehicle suspension. Early models were prone to with a 152mm gun, but due to a shortage tipping. When using one of these vehicles of these weapons, a version armed with a apply a -1 circumstance penalty to all 122mm gun was also developed. This went Driving checks. into production as the ISU-122. Armor Class: 15, Damage Points: 50, The first widespread use of this vehicle Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 65, Range: occurred during Operation Bagration, the 350 miles, Weapons: DT 7.62mm (turret), Soviet’s summer offensive of 1944. The Ammo: 7.62mm 1260, Crew: 2 (Driver, ISU-122s proved devastating against commander/gunner), Armor-Turret: 12/12/ German armor, but their internal ammo 12, Upper Hull: 20/10/10, Lower Hull: 7/7/7, capacity of only 20 rounds was a marked Deck: 6, Suspension: 30 liability. IS-2 Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 125, Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 90 The IS-2 (Josef Stalin) was mounted on miles, Weapons: 122L43 cannon (upper a KV chassis and used a redesigned KV hull), Ammo: Max 20 (HE 10, AP 10), Crew: hull and turret. Its main drawbacks were 4 (Commander, gunner, driver and loader), that it only carried 28 rounds and it had a Armor-Turret: NA Upper Hull: 105/75/90, slow rate of fire. Early prototypes of the Lower Hull: 105/90/90 Deck: 30, IS mounted an 85mm and a 100mm gun. Suspension: 30 However, the 122mm was used on production models due to its better HE capability and ease of manufacture. The IS-2 was used between March 1944 and the end of the war in 1945. An “M” series tank, released in July 1944, matched the armor protection of the King Tiger. For playability purposes, substitute the King Tiger’s damage points and armor statistics for the IS-2M. An IS-3 series tank was produced, but never saw actual battle. Released in November, 1944, it had armor protection that exceeded any tank in WWII. Its radical new turret and pointed hull gave rise to the nickname the “Pike.” The IS-3 caught the attention of the West and influenced post-war Western tank designs. An IS-2 picks its way through the rubble of a German city. 41 Chapter Two

KV-1S The KV-1S was a stripped down version of the KV-1 (the “S” stands for “skorostnoy” (speed)). The armor protection was reduced but it allowed for a three- man turret and better mobility in a heavy tank. The KV-1S was 5 tons lighter than the KV-1. The KV-1S was used between November 1942 and the end of the war in 1945. Armor Class: 15, Damage Points: 100, Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 100 miles, Weapons: 76L41 cannon (turret), DT KV-1s advance across the Russian steppes. 7.62mm (bow), DT 7.62mm (coaxial front), DT 7.62mm (turret rear), ISU-152 Ammo: Max 102 (HE 60, AP 42), 7.62mm The ISU-152 is the ISU-122s big brother. 3000, 5 (Commander, gunner, driver, loader, They are essentially the same vehicle, just and assistant driver), Crew: 5 armed with two different guns. The ISU- (Commander, gunner, driver, loader, and 152 has a bigger punch, but suffers the assistant driver), Armor-Turret: 80/75/75, same flaw of low internal ammo capacity. Upper Hull: 76/60/60, Lower Hull: 65/60/ Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 125, 60, Deck: 30, Suspension: 30. Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 90 miles, Weapons: 152mm cannon (upper OT-34 hull), Ammo: Max 20 (HE 10, AP 10), Crew: The OT-34 is a flame-throwing tank 4 (Commander, gunner, driver, and loader), that mounts a 76mm gun in its turret in Armor-Turret: NA, Upper Hull: 105/75/90, addition to a bow-mounted flamethrower. Lower Hull: 105/90/90 Deck: 30, Used between 1942 and 1945, the OT-34 Suspension: 30 used the standard T-34 chassis. Armor Class: 16, Damage Points: 75, KV-1 Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 45, Range: 150 The KV-1 was a pre-war tank design. miles, Weapons: 76L41 cannon (turret), The Soviet Army had 639 of them when Flamethrower (upper hull), DT 7.62mm the war with Germany began. The KV-1 (coaxial), Ammo: Max 76 (HE 52, AP 24), was a heavy tank that could only be 7.62mm 3750, Crew: 4 (Commander, gunner, reliably destroyed by a German 88 or driver, and loader), Armor-Turret: 70/60/ 105mm howitzer. At the beginning of the 60, Upper Hull: 65/50/55, Lower Hull: 75/ war, more KV-1s were lost to mechanical 45/65, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30. problems than to enemy fire. There are numerous accounts of solitary KV-1s SU-100 holding up entire German divisions. Used between November 1944 and 1945, Armor Class: 15, Damage Points: 100, the SU-100 used a high-velocity, 100mm Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 115 naval gun as its main armament. This tank miles, Weapons: 76mm cannon (turret), DT destroyer was very successful at 7.62mm (coaxial), DT 7.62mm (bow), DT knocking out German armor at any range. 7.62mm (turret rear), Ammo: 76mm Max 114 While only 1,675 were built, the SU-100 (HE 60, AP 54), 7.62mm 3000, Crew: 5 carried the most potent Russian anti-tank (Commander, gunner, driver, assistant weapon available. driver, and loader), Armor-Turret: 75/70/ Armor Class: 15, Damage Points: 75, 80 Upper Hull: 85/75/90, Lower Hull: 85/ Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 40, Range: 90 75/90 Deck: 30, Suspension: 30 miles, Weapons: 100L62mm cannon (upper 42 Ordnance hull), Ammo: Max 34 (HE 15, AP 15, Heat 4), Crew: 4 (Commander, gunner, driver, and loader), Armor-Upper Hull: 115/50/70, Lower Hull: 80/45/65, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30, Special: Range includes three 90-liter external fuel tanks. If these tanks are excluded, decrease Range to 60 miles. SU-122 The SU-122 was one of the first Russian designs imitating the German Stug III. It was based on the T-34 chassis and armed with a 122mm howitzer. The SU- 122 could deal with most German armor, especially when using the 122mm HEAT round. Armor Class: 16, Damage Points: 75, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 45, Range: 95 miles, Weapons: 122mm howitzer cannon (upper hull), Ammo: Max 40 (HE 25, AP 12, HEAT 3), Crew: 5 An SU-122 clears an obstacle. (Commander, gunner, driver, assitant driver, and loader), Armor-Turret: war. Used between October 1942 and 1945, NA, Upper Hull: 65/50/55, Lower Hull: 75/ the T-34 M43 was a mainstay in the 45/65, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30. Russian tank corps. Armor Class: 16, Damage Points: 75, SU-152 Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 45, Range: 150 Nicknamed the “Zvieboy” (Animal miles, Weapons: 76L41 cannon (turret), DT Hunter or Conquering Beast), the SU-152 7.62mm (bow), DT 7.62mm (coaxial), Ammo: was an assault gun designed to combat Max 77 (HE 52, AP 24), 7.62mm 2898, Crew: the German Tiger at long rang. Introduced 4 (Commander, gunner, driver, and loader), at the in 1943, the Zvieboy Armor-Turret: 70/60/60, Upper Hull: 65/ successfully dealt with the German 50/55, Lower Hull: 75/45/65, Deck: 20, Elephant, Tiger, and Panther tanks. Suspension: 30, Special: Range includes Its biggest drawback was that it only two 90-liter external fuel tanks (the third carried 20 rounds of ammunition (Ouch! often carried additional motor oil). If Don’t miss!). The SU-152 used a KV-1S these tanks are excluded, decrease Range chassis and was used between July 1943 to 100 miles. and 1945. Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 100, Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 100 miles, Weapons: 152mm cannon (upper hull), Ammo: Max 20 (HE 5, AP 15), Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, driver, loader and assistant driver), Armor-Upper Hull: 80/ 65/60, Lower Hull: 70/60/60, Deck: 30, Suspension: 30, Special: Range includes three 90-liter external fuel tanks. If these tanks are excluded, decrease Range to 75 miles. T-34 M43 The T-34 Model 1943 was the must numerous of the T-34/76 series. It was a roomier and more reliable version as well. In all, the Russians produced over 35,000 T-34/76 series tanks, the most of any An SU-152 transports infantry into battle. tank produced by the Russians during the 43 Chapter Two

A T-34 gives fire support to advancing Russian infantry. T-34/85 Trucks With Germany’s development of newer The Soviet Army was not highly Panther and Tiger tanks, the Russians motorized before the war began, but this realized that their T-34/76 tanks were out- changed rapidly once the US Lend-Lease gunned. The 76mm gun on the older T-34s program began. Thousands of tanks and could only penetrate the Tiger’s front hundreds of thousands of trucks arrived armor at ranges of less than 200 yards. To in Russian ports during the course of the counter the newer German armor, Russia war. American armor was generally mounted a more powerful gun on their T- thought unfit for front-line service by the 34 chassis. Produced between April 1944 Russians (the T-34 was a much superior and 1945, over 29,000 T-34/85 tanks were tank to the Grants and Shermans supplied built. by the US), but the American trucks were Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 75, widely used for transporting supplies and Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 45, Range: 155 troops. Many of the troops defending miles, Weapons: 85L48 cannon (turret), DT Stalingrad arrived there in the backs of 7.62mm (bow), DT 7.62mm (coaxial), Ammo: American Studebakers. The trucks Max 55 (HE 36, AP 19), 7.62mm 1827, Crew: supplied through Lend-Lease gave the 5 (Commander, gunner, driver, loader, and Soviets an ever-growing mobility assistant driver), Armor-Turret: 100/80/50, advantage over the Germans. Upper Hull: 90/60/65, Lower Hull: 90/45/ Armor Class: 12, Damage Points: 40, 65, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30, Special: Size: Huge, Cruising Speed: 60, Range: 165 Range includes two 90-liter external fuel miles, Weapons: None, Ammo: None, tanks (the third often carried oil). If these Crew: 1 (Driver), Armor-Upper Hull: 2/2/2, tanks are excluded, decrease Range to 115 Lower Hull: 2/2/2, Deck: 20, Suspension: miles. 20 44 Ordnance

together. However, there was no grip Russian Weapons safety. and the firing pin, hammer, and lock mechanism were in a removable sub- The Russians had very few weapon unit. The pistol was very reliable and less variations. They would rather roll over a prone to malfunctions and misfeeds Fascist with a big bad tank! That’s why because the feed lips were machined into they built so many of them. However, no the pistol frame. In most other automatic army can survive on tanks alone, and the pistols, this feature was part of the Russians were no exception. Listed below magazine and when the magazine was are the most common types of small dropped, damage could occur to the feed arms and infantry support weapons. lips. There was no difference between the Pistols two models other than the fact that the The Soviets had two standard pistol TT34 incorporated a design that models they relied on. simplified and speeded up production. Go figure! The pistol was general issue to Nagant Model 1895 Revolver infantry officers although there is This 7.62mm caliber pistol originated in evidence that large numbers were not Belgium and had an unusual design in produced. As mentioned already, the sub- that a gas tight seal was achieved machinegun was the weapon of choice between the cylinder and barrel (the with the Red Army—the more firepower common revolver accepts gas leaks as the better! inevitable). The effect of the seal added an The Tokarev was a powerful weapon, increase in muzzle velocity of 50 feet per despite its small caliber, and causes second. Some argue that the added considerable damage. However, the pistol complexity to achieve the seal was not was light and was a rather violent worth the benefit. Nonetheless, the weapon to shoot (i.e. recoil was very Nagant was adopted in 1895 by the nasty). Imperial Russian Government and produced throughout WWI. Rifles The Nagant revolver was standard issue The Russian infantry primarily used a to officers in the Tsarist and Red Armies. single model of rifle, the Mosin-Nagant. It To some extent, it was also issued to was highly accurate and fired a powerful specialist personnel such as NCOs, 7.62mm round. messengers, and machine gunners. However, with the vast expansion of the Model 1930G Rifle Red Army, its use decreased during World In 1931, the Soviet Army introduced the War II because the government thought it 193OG. Based on the Mosin-Nagant Model was quicker and easier to provide sub- 1891, the 1930G had improved sights and its machineguns. design was simplified to make production Of possible interest to War Masters easier. (Again with that simplicity!) It running a more clandestine campaign, became the standard infantry rifle and unlike you see in the movies, the Nagant remained so throughout the war. The revolver is the only revolver that can be 1930G was eventually supplemented, of effectively silenced. Most revolvers allow course, by sub-machineguns that were a gas to escape around the sides of the lot cheaper and quicker to make—and a cylinder, creating noise that negates the lot more fun to use! silencer. The tight gas seal around the The Model 19300 (sometimes called the cylinder on the Nagant eliminates this 1891/30) was another rifle based on the noise. Mosin-Nagant Model 1891. This version was On a side note, a modern Soviet target fitted with sighting telescopes for use by pistol that is used for international snipers. competition shooting uses the same gas- seal system and . Tokarev SVT-40 Automatic Tokarev Model TT33 and Rifle TT34 Automatic Pistol Generally issued to NCOs of infantry regiments, the STV-40 suffered from an Adopted in 1933, the Tokarev 7.62mm inability to withstand the rigors of active pistol was based on the John Browning service unless carefully maintained. They design as exemplified by the US Colt M1911 were later withdrawn from general service pistol. It used the same swinging link and the majority of them converted to system of locking barrel and slide sniping rifles. 45 Chapter Two

cheap to make. During WW II, over five Sub-Machineguns million were made. In fact, whole With the exception of sniper units, divisions were armed with nothing else. Soviet doctrine did not stress The weapon was well suited for the way marksmanship. Instead, firepower was the Russians approached production and seen as the key to winning infantry it fit their tactics (go after your enemy battles. Thus many Russian units were head on). equipped with simple, easy-to-produce The Germans captured a large number sub-machineguns. of the PPSh-1941 and converted them to fire 9mm ammunition by altering the PPSh-1941 magazine housing to take the standard The PPSH (Pistolet Pulyemet Shpagin) MP-38 magazine. The PPSh sub- was developed in 1940-41 to replace the machinegun came to be almost the badge PPD 40 model because the PPD 40 was of the Red soldier, much as the MP-38 not suited to fast production in large was that of the German. quantities. An even nicer benefit to the PPSh-1941 was that it was made from old PPS 1942 and reserve Mosin-Nagant rifle barrels. The The PPS was designed and put into Russians cut one rifle barrel to make two production inside of and during the siege PPSh-1941 barrels. This saved time, of Leningrad because weapons were in resources, and machinery. Simply put, the short supply. This went against the PPSh-1941 was robust, simple to use, and Russian philosophy of selecting one

A Maxim machinegun on a typical “Sokolov” mount. 46 Ordnance design and mass-producing it to the per round that the return spring is exclusion of every other. However, the damaged due to overheating—rendering Russians were in dire need of weapons the weapon useless. If damaged, the and ended up producing a reliable weapon weapon does not fire for that round or that was very effective. Some say that any other round until repaired. this was the cheapest weapon of any Consecutive firing can be avoided if the type ever produced, which was evident by weapon is “rested” for one round in seven. the rough finish, “dirty” welds, and visible A variant, used in tanks, was the DT grind marks. There was no provision for a (Degtyarev Tankovii). The barrel was single shot. heavier and not quickly changeable, and the magazine carried 60 rounds. A bipod Machineguns was provided as an accessory so that the Lke the Germans, much of the Soviet weapon could be used as a ground infantry tactics were based around the machinegun. firepower of the machinegun. DShK 1938 Machinegun Maxim 1910 This heavy machinegun used a 12.7mm There is a lot to be said for settling on cartridge. Adopted in 1938, this weapon a good design and then sticking with it, doubled as an effective anti-aircraft gun. which is just what the Russians did with This was accomplished with a tripod that the Maxim gun. It was used extensively in could be erected some five feet high. the war, benefiting from a firing SG 43 Goryunov Machinegun mechanism that was one of the most In the early 1940s, it became apparent reliable. The weight, however, made it that the Maxim 1910 was feeling its age difficult to move but contributed to the and was not really suited to modern weapon’s reliability. For comparison warfare. So, in 1943, a new machinegun purposes, the British Vickers and the was adopted—the SG 43. Originally German Maxim 1908, which were basically designed for tanks, the SG 43 was more the same guns as the Russian Maxim, complex and heavier than one would weighed 9 kg and 5 kg respectively less. expect from the mass-producing Russians. The Russians developed their unique However, the gun was very reliable and it wheeled ‘Sokolov’ mount, a tubular steel fired a 7.62mm cartridge. In fact, the trail into which the gun was mounted and weapon was foolproof and would which acted both as a carrying cart and a continue to work irrespective of the gun’s firing mount. attitude: upright, on its side, or upside In the winter, the wheels could be down. replaced with a pair of sled runners The SG 43 was acclaimed by one allowing the gun to be towed by ski- authority (a Russian?) as the most troops. The weight of this variant was successful air-cooled medium 73.8kg, which equals approximately 162lbs. machinegun ever made with the exception DP 1928 Machinegun of the American Browning. However, it Adopted in 1928, the DP 1928 became never replaced the Maxim during the war the standard light machinegun of the since production could not keep up with Soviet Army. The DP was a very good demand. design and particularly well suited to the Soviet Army. With six moving parts, it did Grenades not demand highly skilled labor or The lessons learned in the bloody complex machinery to manufacture. The street-fighting of Stalingrad caused the DP was also simple to operate and Russians to stress the use of the grenade extremely robust. in any close quarters combat. When There were two disadvantages to the supplies allowed, Soviet infantrymen were weapon. First, because the drum magazine prodigiously equipped with grenades. was made of thin sheet steel, there is a 40% chance that the magazine is damaged RPG-43 Antitank grenade (becoming useless) if dropped or handled This was the first Russian antitank roughly. Second, the weapon is prone to grenade. It was crude and nothing more overheating during prolonged firing thus than an overgrown stick grenade. It could damaging the return spring. Therefore, if pierce three inches (approximately 80mm) the weapon is fired for six consecutive of plate. The RPG-43 was used extensively rounds, in the seventh and later throughout the war and it dealt consecutive rounds, there is a 66% chance sufficiently with most German tanks. 47 Chapter Two

F-1 Fragmentation Grenade AA Guns This was a conventional “defensive” The Russians deployed large numbers grenade with the typical serrated body. An of antiaircraft guns to deal with the external handle and safety pin resembled threat from the Luftwaffe. AA batteries the Mills pattern: the grenade was were often crewed by female soldiers. grasped, the handle held, the pin removed, and the grenade “hucked” towards the 85mm ZP obr.39 intended target. An excellent anti-aircraft weapon, it The RTD 1942, a newer variant, replaced rivaled the German 88mm. It had a crew the F-1 during the war. There were no of seven and required a vehicle for major differences between the models transport. (HE40/AP15). other than that the RTD was the economy version and was much easier and cheaper Rockets to build. The Russians fired a boatload of them Support Weapons in the following sizes: 80mm, 120mm, and 200mm. When calling in fire, a spotting As always, the Soviets had a couple of round is not called, nor can the rockets standard mortar designs they relied on be adjusted for accuracy or walked; the almost exclusively. centering die is not made. Instead, the 82mm BM obr. 37 hero rolls a 3d20 in a d12 direction from the desired target point to see how close Your basic medium mortar, the 82mm to the actual target point the rockets land. was based on the French Brandt. Wheels Then, the deviation die is rolled for each were provided after 1941 which allowed incoming rocket to determine the final hit the mortar to be moved quickly without location. Fun! Basically, the Russians the need for disassembly. A three-man would line trucks equipped with multiple crew operated it. rocket racks up hub-to-hub and just fire 120mm BM obr. 38 away. The effectiveness of these massive This was the best heavy mortar of rocket barrages was extremely WWII. In fact, it was so good, the German demoralizing to the Germans. GrW 42 was an almost identical copy. The 120mm was manned by a four-man crew Russian Aircraft and had to be towed/transported by a The aircraft that follow were the vehicle. Due to its wheeled carriage, the primary ones used by the Russians in mortar could be quickly set up once it WW II. In addition, through the Lend- reached it destination. Lease program, the Russians used P-51 Mustangs, B-26 Mitchells, and C-47 Antitank Weapons Dakotas. Please refer to Weird Wars: Dead In general, the Soviets used tanks to from Above for additional information on deal with enemy tanks. Despite this, the Lend-Lease planes. however, they did have a few outstanding antiank guns that could deal with German Fighters armor. Although most Russian pilots were 100mm PTP obr.44 poorly trained, they did have a number of solid fighter designs. The Russians did not mess around with too many antitank weapons. Heck, Lavochkin La-5FN that was the tank’s role and why they The Lavochkin La-5FN was one of built so many of them. However, the Russia’s best fighters during WWII. 100mm was an excellent gun that served Designed with non-strategic materials in as both a field and AT gun. It had a crew mind, the La-5FN was almost entirely of seven and required a vehicle for constructed of wood. The LA-5 series was transport. (HE20/AP30). used primarily as a fighter-bomber. 85mm obr.44 Armor Class: 14 (-4 size, +6 speed), Damage Points: 50, Size: Huge, The standard Russian field gun, this Maneuverability: +3, Engines: 1, Range: was a very potent weapon against armor. 475 miles, Weapons: 2 x 20mm cannon As such, it was used mainly as an (mounted on engine, 6 bursts), Bombs: 2 x antitank gun. It had a crew of seven and 100 kg,, Crew: Pilot, Armor-Wing: 1, required a vehicle for transport. (HE10/ Fuselage: 1, Cockpit: 2, Engine: 4. AP40). 48 Ordnance

Mig-3 The Yak-9D The Mig-3 was designed to overcome Yak-9s were superb aircraft that could some of the deficiencies of the earlier outfight the German Bf109s. The Yak-9 Mig-1 model. The Mig-3 performed best at proved to be the master of German high altitudes, it was noticeably less fighters in all respects except armament. manueverable at lower heights. To reflect Armor Class: 16 (-2 size, +7 speed), this in the game, reduce the Mig’s Damage Points: 50, Size: Huge, Manueverability by -1 when it has a Maneuverability: +3, Engines: 1, Range: position of 3 or less. 825 miles, Weapons: 1 x 20mm cannon Armor Class: 14 (-4 size, +6 speed), (mounted on engine, 6 bursts), 2 x 12.7mm Damage Points: 50, Size: Huge, MG (1 per wing, 25 bursts), Bombs: 2 x 100 Maneuverability: +3, Engines: 1, Range: kg. bombs, Crew: Pilot, Armor-Wing: 3, 740 miles, Weapons: 1 x .50 cal Fuselage: 4, Cockpit: 6, Engine: 8. machinegun (6 bursts), 2 x 7.62mm machinegun (mounted in nose, 20 bursts Close Support Aircraft each), Bombs: 6 x 80mm rockets or 2 x The Soviet Air Force possessed a 100 kg. bombs, Crew: Pilot, Armor-Wing: ground attack aircraft that terrified the 2, Fuselage: 2, Cockpit: 4, Engine: 4. Wehrmacht as much as the Stuka did the Yak-3 Russian ground forces. The Yak-3 proved to be an extremely Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik capable dogfighter and quickly took a Designed as an antitank/ground attack serious toll on the Luftwaffe. It craft, the unexciting Il-2 was built in demonstrated outstanding maneuverability greater numbers than any other single and a very high rate of climb. The Yak-3 aircraft type during WW II. Approximately was to become the bane of Luftwaffe 36,000 were built at a rate of about 1,200 fighter pilots for the remainder of the war. per month. When added to the Il-10 (a Armor Class: 16 (-2 size, +8 speed), direct re-development of the Il-2) Damage Points: 50, Size: Huge, production figures, the total built is closer Maneuverability: +3, Engines: 1, Range: to 42,330. 559 miles, Weapons: 1x 20mm cannon The I1-2 was an all-metal construction (mounted on engine, 6 bursts), 2 x 12.7mm plane with the whole cockpit/engine MG (1 per wing, 25 bursts), Bombs: None, reinforced with steel armor, thereby Crew: Pilot, Armor-Wing: 3, Fuselage: 4, affording superb ground fire safety to the Cockpit: 6, Engine: 8.

An LA-5 dives to attack. 49 Chapter Two

pilot and aircraft. The Shturmovik’s very Armor Class: 13 (-2 size, +5 speed), heavy armament of 20mm ShVAK Damage Points: 120, Size: Huge, cannons and 7.62mm guns meant that it Maneuverability: +0, Engines: 2, Range: could pierce every single German armored 1616 miles, Weapons: 1 x 7.62mm MG (nose vehicle, even the renowned Tiger tank. gunner, 25 bursts), 1 x 7.62mm MG (dorsal Later in the war, the Russians made turret, 25 bursts), 1 x 7.62mm MG (rearward- things worse for the Germans by updating firing in vertical hatch, 25 bursts), Bombs: the armament to an even harder hitting up to 2,205 pounds in bombs, Crew: Pilot, 20mm YVa cannons and/or the 37mm YVa co-pilot, bombardier, rear gunner, Armor- cannons. Wing: 4, Fuselage: 4, Cockpit: 8, Engine: 8. Armor Class: 13 (-2 size, +5 speed), Damage Points: 80, Size: Huge, Petlyakov Pe-2 Maneuverability: -2, Engines: 1, Range: 475 Often referred to as the “Russian miles, Weapons: 2 x 20mm cannon (1 per Mosquito,” the Pe-2 was a versatile wing, 6 bursts), 2 x 7.62mm MG (1 per medium bomber that was also used as a wing, 25 bursts), 1 x .50 cal machingun dive-bomber (close ground support (rear, gunner, 8 bursts), Bombs: 8 x 82mm bomber), heavy fighter, and long-range rocket, 4 x 100 kg. bombs, Crew: Pilot, co- reconnaissance aircraft. pilot, Armor-Wing: 5, Fuselage: 6, Armor Class: 14 (-2 size, +6 speed), Cockpit: 10, Engine: 10. Damage Points: 60, Size: Huge, Maneuverability: +0, Engines: 2, Range: Bombers 932 miles, Weapons: 2 x 12.7mm MG (fixed forward firing, 25 bursts), 1 x 7.62mm MG Unlike the Western Allies, the Soviets (rearward-firing in dorsal turret, 25 bursts), did not engage in large-scale strategic 1 x 7.62mm MG (trainable rearward-firing in bombing. Their bombers were used vertical position, 25 bursts), Bombs: up to primarily for softening up objectives prior 3,527 pounds in bombs, Crew: Pilot, co- to a ground offensive. pilot, rear gunner, Armor-Wing: 2, Ilyushin Il-4 Fuselage: 2, Cockpit: 4, Engine: 4. The Il-4 was one of the most important Tupolev Tu-2 Russian medium bombers of the war. It The Tu-2 was one of the best high- was optimized for ease of production and speed bombers of the Second World War. field maintenance. See, even the Russian It possessed excellent operational planes were simple and quick to build. capabilities in terms of performance, strength and versatility.

A Pe-2 on patrol. 50 Ordnance

An LA-7 prepped for flight on a snowy airfield.

Armor Class: 12 (-2 size, +6 speed), times, the complexity contributed to Damage Points: 100, Size: Gargantuan, AFVs breaking down in the field, which Maneuverability: -3, Engines: 2, Range: ironically was cured as newer versions 1305 miles, Weapons: 2x 20mm cannon were designed. Moreover, in the earlier (fixed forward firing in wing roots, 6 years of the war (1939 through 1942), the bursts), 1 x 12.7mm MG (rearward-firing in constant shortage of German AFVs led to rear of cockpit, 25 bursts), 1 x 12.7mm MG their constant use, which increased the (rearward-firing in dorsal turret, 25 bursts), wear and tear and, consequently, the 1 x 12.7mm MG (in vertical position, 25 chance of an AFV breakdown. bursts), Bombs: up to 8,818 pounds in Finally, the proliferation of the variety bombs, Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, 2 rear of AFVs led to problems in repair and gunners, Armor-Wing: 4, Fuselage: 6, supply chains, not to mention Cockpit: 8, Engine: 10. exasperating the standardization problems. For example, there were at least seventeen Germany different types of tank destroyers used in combat while the PzKpfw IV saw no less The Germans suffered from several than seven versions. problems throughout the war. First, their On the other hand, the German AFVs, AFV designs were not standardized. when they were working, performed Consequently, the German AFVs cost extremely well. The new variants were more to build and took longer to produce produced with thicker armor, better in comparison to that of the Allies. This weapons, and corrected mechanical flaws. eventually crippled the Germans in the By 1943, the Germans had superior tank later years of the war because they could designs, but lacked the capacity to gain not keep up with the flood of Allied quantitative parity with the Allies. AFVs that were produced. By the end of the war, for example, the Germans had German Vehicles produced approximately 22,500 Panzer III- VI models while the U.S. had cranked out While most of the German vehicles are over 50,000 Sherman tanks. covered in the book, Weird War II: Blood Second, the Germans “over engineering” on the Rhine, some armor and guns used increased the complexity of the design. by the Germans in their campaign against This added to the cost and production the Russians were not covered. These are time problems and led to greater listed here with additional background difficulty in repairing AFVs that information that applies to the Russian malfunctioned/broke in the field. At front for German units detailed in the Weird War II: Blood on the Rhine. 51 Chapter Two

A Panzer III (F1) lights up the enemy. Previously Referenced PzKpfw Panther G German Vehicles The Panther was the better German answer to the Russian T-34. The problem Hummel was that the Germans did not completely The Hummel was used from July 1943 learn from their study of the T-34 because through 1945. It first saw action at Kursk. A the Panther was built with the usual “sister” of the Hummel was the PzJg III/IV, German complexities. At their debut at which was called the Rhino (Nashorn). The Kursk, the Panther suffered more losses Rhino is exactly the same as the Hummel due to mechanical failure than to the except that the mounted weapon was an Russian guns. The Panther’s drive-train 88L71. It also had an optional MG34 on top. and suspension were overstrained and the Increase the Ammo to 30 rounds (HE 15, AP engine overheated and caught fire. By 1944, 15, Smoke 0), add 1000 7.92mm rounds and most of the mechanical issues were reduce the crew to 4. solved. In Weird War II: Blood on the Rhine, a Hetzer correction should be made. The Panther’s The Hetzer saw action from August main armament should be changed from a 1944 through 1945, most of it on the 75mm cannon to a 75L70 cannon. Eastern Front. Very few, if any, saw action at Normandy. PzKpfw VI Tiger The Tiger saw action from December Jagdpanzer IV 1942 through 1944. The Jagdpanzer IV saw action from March 1944 through 1945. PzKpfw VI Tiger II The King Tiger saw action on the Jagdpanther Eastern Front from June 1944 onward. The Jagdpanther saw action from June 1944 through 1945. This was a rare tank as Wespe only 390 were built. The Wespe (Wasp) saw its first action at Kursk. It was used from July 1943 Marder III through 1945. The Marder III saw action from May 1942 through 1945. New German Vehicles PzKpfw IVJ There are a few additional German tanks that need to be detailed if you The PzKpfw IV design changed wish to run an early war campaign. throughout the war. Prior to November 1941, the PzKpfw used a less effective 75 PZKPFW III (F1) as it main armament instead of the 75L48 An upgrade of the II (F1), the III (F1) had used in the F and later versions. This was better armor, a more powerful the German countermeasure to the flamethrower, and close quarter infantry Russian T-34 and KV, which made the protection. The PzKpfw III (F1) first saw PzKpfw III tank and the PzKpfw IV 75 action at Kursk and was developed out of armament obsolete. By Kursk, the 75L48 the German’s experiences at Stalingrad. was the standard gun on the IV. 52 Ordnance

Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 50, MG34 (bow), MG34 (coaxial), Ammo: Max Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 95 92 (HE 45, AP 45, Smoke 2), 7.92mm 3750, miles, Weapons: Flamethrower (turret), Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, driver, MG34 (upper hull), MG34 (coaxial), Ammo: loader and assistant driver), Armor-Turret: Flame 65 Bursts, Smoke 4, 7.92mm 3750, 65/35/30 Upper Hull: 50/30/45, Lower Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, driver, Hull: 55/30/45, Deck: 18, Suspension: 30. loader and assistant driver), Armor-Upper Hull: 65/30/45, Lower Hull: 65/30/45, StuPz IV Deck: 18, Suspension: 30, Special: Smoke Dubbed the Grizzly Bear, the Mortar; Flamethrower range 40-50 yards. Sturmpanzer IV was designed to be effective against well-fortified buildings, a PzKpfw IIIL lesson learned at Stalingrad where the The PzKpfw III series was the original smaller caliber assault guns had little mainstay of the German panzer divisions effect. The Sturmpanzer IV first saw but soon became obsolete to the Russian action at Kursk and later, on all fronts, T-34, which outgunned and out armored including Anzio and in the Ardennes. the III. While some of the III series Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 50, appeared in Normandy as command tanks, Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 30, Range: 130 others were converted to observation miles, Weapons: 150L/12 Howitzer (upper vehicles. An interesting side note is that hull), optional MG34 (bow), optional MG34 some were modified for Operation Sea (pintle mount), Ammo: Max 38 (HE 30, Lion to travel under water. The L version HEAT 6, Smoke 2), optional 7.92mm 600, is listed here, which is an up-armored and Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, driver, up-gunned version of the earlier III series loader and assistant driver), Armor-Upper tanks. Hull: 130/50/35, Lower Hull: 85/30/30, Armor Class: 14, Damage Points: 50, Deck: 20, Suspension: 30, Special: The 150 Size: Large, Cruising Speed: 35, Range: 110 for the StuPz IV is a short barreled miles, Weapons: 50L60 cannon (turret), howitzer.

Panzer IIINs in a bivuouac area are readied for battle. 53 Chapter Two

Pistols Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Critical Inc Ammo Type Action Weight Type Nagant Model 1895 2d6 -10 19-20/x2 35 7C 7.62mm Revolver 1.7 lbs. Piercing Tokarev TT33/34 2d6+2 -10 19-20/x2 30 8D 7.62mm Semi-auto 1.8 lbs. Piercing

Rifles Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Critical Inc Ammo Type Action Weight Type Model 1930G 2d8 -5 19-20/x2 120 8M 7.62mm Bolt 8.7 lbs. Piercing Tokarev SVT-40 2d8 -5 19-20/x2 120 10D 7.62mm Semi-auto 8.5 lbs. Piercing

Sub-Machineguns Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Critical Inc Ammo Type Action Weight Type PPSh-1941 2d8 -10 19-20/x2 30 71Dd/35D 7.62mm Semi/Auto 8.1 lbs. Piercing PPS 1942 2d8 -10 19-20/x2 30 35D 7.62mm Auto 7.5 lbs. Piercing

Machineguns Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Critical Increm Ammo Type Action Weight Type Maxim 1910 * 2d8 -5 19-20 x2 120 250B 7.62mm Auto 52 lbs. Piercing DP 1928 ** 2d8 -5 19-20 x2 120 47Dd 7.62mm Auto 20.5 lbs. Piercing DShK 1938 ** 2d10 5 19-20 x3 200 50B 12.7mm Auto 78 lbs. Piercing SG 43 Goryunov 2d8 -5 19-20 x2 120 50B 7.62mm Auto 30 lbs. Piercing

Ammo Notes: The type of magazine/ammo feed for each weapon is denoted by a single letter following the ammo supply: B = Belt, C = Cylinder, D = Detachable Magazine, Dd = Detachable Drum, M = Internal Magazine. * If used with the ‘Sokolov’, add 57 lbs. to the gun’s listed weight; ski-mounts add 110 lbs. to the gun’s listed weight. ** If used with a tripod, add 30 lbs. to the gun’s listed weight.

Hand Grenades Primary Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Burst Increment Weight Type RPG-43 Antitank 6d6 40 5 15 2.75 lbs. Piercing/Fire F-1 Fragmentation 6d6 0 4 15 1.25 lbs. Piercing/Fire

Mortars Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Burst Increment Minimum Weight Type 82mm BM obr.37 6d8 10 6 250y 100 125 lbs. Piercing/Fire 82mm shell 8 lbs. 120mm BM obr.38 8d8 10 8 300y 150 150 lbs. Piercing/Fire 120mm shell 9 lbs.

Antitank Guns Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Burst Critical Increment Action Type 100mm PTP orb.44 AP 9d12 170/6 0 x2 200y Breach Piercing HE 9d8 / 8d8 70/2 8 x2 200y Breach Piercing/Fire 85mm obr.44 AP 7d12 95/5 0 x2 200y Breach Piercing HE 8d8 / 6d8 20/3 6 x2 200y Breach Piercing/Fire 54 Ordnance

Anti-Aircraft Guns Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Burst Critical Increment Action Type 85mm ZP obr.39 AP 7d12 95/5 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 8d8/6d8 20/3 6 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire German Vehicle Weapons Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Burst Critical Increment Action Type 50L60 Cannon AP 6d10 75/5 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 5d8/4d6 12/1 4 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire 150L12 Howitzer HE 12d8/10d8 35/1 10 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire Heat 12d8/5d8 95 6 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire Russian Vehicle Weapons Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Burst Critical Increment Action Type 76L41 Cannon AP 8d10 75/5 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 7d8/5d8 12/1 6 x2 200y Breech Piercing Fire

85L48 Cannon AP 7d12 95/5 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 8d8/6d8 20/3 6 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire

100L62 Cannon AP 9d12 170/6 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 9d8/8d8 70/2 8 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire Heat 10d8/4d8 125 4 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire

122L43 Cannon AP 10d12 150/9 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 10d8/9d8 75/2 8 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire

152mm Cannon AP 12d12 115/5 0 x2 200y Breech Piercing HE 12d8/10d8 85/2 10 x2 200y Breech Piercing/Fire

Russian Vehicle Secondary Armament Range Damage Weapon Damage PV Critical Inc Ammo Type Action Weight Type DT 7.62mm 2d8 -5 19-20 x2 120 60Dd 7.62mm Auto 26 lbs. Piercing Fire For Effect Artillery Damage Burst Deviation Shots/Round Duration 82mm mortar 6d8 4 2d10 1d6 1d6+4 120mm mortar 8d8 8 2d10 1d4 1d6+2 76mm howitzer 5d8 6 2d10 1d4 1d6+4 100mm howitzer 8d8 8 2d12 1d3 1d6+1 122mm howitzer 9d8 8 2d12 1d3 1d6 152mm howitzer 10d8 10 2d20 1d2 1d6 80mm Rockets* 6d8 6 2d20 16 5d10 120mm Rockets* 8d8 8 3d20 12 4d8 200mm Rockets* 12d10 15 4d20 8 3d6

* The number of rockets can be increased/decreased according to the battle size and time period. As the war went on, the Russians increased the number of rockets fired. These values approximate an average battle. 55

Weird Wars

Chapter Three: The Great Patriotic War

Now that you’ve seen the new character types and drooled over some of the new Prelude to Barbarossa toys of destruction available to players, The West never forgave the Bolsheviks it’s time to take a look at what actually for pulling out of WWI. This move made it happened during the war in Russia and more difficult for the Allies to defeat give you War Master types some ideas for Germany because it allowed the Germans how to inject some Weirdness into the to concentrate all of their armies on the festivities. Western Front. The Western powers also This chapter is intended primarily for feared Communism, whose goal was to War Masters, but you may want to have eliminate Capitalism and Democracy. They your players read the relevant sections so had reason to, since Comminterns were they have some idea of what their heroes set up in every industrial country to have been up to during the time leading establish a “workers’ paradise.” This up to the first adventure. homegrown Communism throughout the As always, use these historical facts as world took orders from Moscow. Overall, a springboard for your adventures and feel the West didn’t trust Russia and Russia free to play around with them a bit if it didn’t trust the West, especially better suits your game. You’re playing to considering the West’s failed attempts to have fun, not create a historical docu- overthrow the Bolsheviks in 1918 and the drama! Campaign ideas set around pivotal West’s delay in diplomatic recognition. events in the war can be found throughout Formal ties were finally established the chapter. War Masters who are hard up with France, Britain and the United States for adventure ideas should also take a look in 1933 and Russia was admitted into the at the Random Mission Generator included League of Nations in 1934. During the 30’s, at the end of the chapter. Stalin predicted Hitler’s potential to start Heroes on the Eastern Front will find it war and unsuccessfully tried to set up very different from fighting in the West. mutual assistance pacts with France and War in the East was a brutal, take-no- Britain. Russia even sent advisors and prisoners affair. Besides fighting all equipment to the royals in Spain to try manner of creepie-crawlies and the Nazis, and defeat the Nazi-backed military coup they also may find themselves at odds in 1936. Realizing Russia was alone, and to with their own side. delay an inevitable conflict, Stalin felt he Chapter Three

had no choice but to sign a Non- The possibility of war with the Japanese aggression Pact with his avowed enemy, was real. Both sides battled at Lake Khasan Germany, on August 23, 1939. The pact in mid-1938 and the Soviets occupied land pledged mutual cooperation and on the Manchurian border in May 1939. neutrality when either went to war Zhukov led the first use of Russian armor against another country. and 112,500 troops in August 1939 to remove the Japanese. The battle resulted in a Japanese Truce & Russian-Japanese truce that was agreed to on September 15, 1939. Soviet Non-Aggression Both Stalin and Hitler were aware of each country’s potential for military Pact conquest. In an effort to delay what Stalin Starting in 1938, Russia prepared for the correctly predicted would be a future possibility of simultaneous attacks by German attack on Russia, the Nazi-Soviet the Japanese and Germans. The size of Non-Aggression Treaty was prepared on the Russian army was increased from 2 August 23, 1939. The public section of the million in 1939 to 5 million in 1941. Factory document openly declared that Germany production was stepped up to produce and Russia would not go to war with 700 aircraft, 4,000 mortars and artillery each other and would instead promote guns, and 100,000 rifles. bilateral trade. In exchange for Russian coal, food, and oil, the Germans provided machinery to the Soviet Union. The secret section of the treaty outlined a division of Eastern Europe. Each country was to share Poland, but the Baltic states of and Estonia were allotted to the Soviet Union. Russia was also allowed to take the province of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina from Romania. This treaty gave Hitler the confidence to invade Poland on September 1, 1939 without fear of Russian interference. Russia invaded its portion of Poland on September 17—two days after the Russian- Japanese truce ended hostilities on the Soviet-Manchurian border. The Non-Aggression Treaty was amended by a second document called the Boundary and Friendship Treaty on September 27, 1939. Under this agreement, the Germans gave Lithuania to Russia’s sphere of influence in exchange for territory in Eastern Poland. As a result, the River Bug served as the dividing line between German/Russian-occupied Poland. Stalin was quoted as saying, “Hitler is thinking of tricking us, but I think we’ve got the better of him.” Although suspected by the ever- paranoid Stalin, Hitler hid his true feelings, “My pact was only meant to stall for time. We will crush the Soviet Union!” In preparation for this predicted future war with Germany, Stalin scared the governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into signing mutual assistance treaties in the fall of 1939. They allowed the Russian army to build bases in their countries. By June 1940, these once independent countries were made Soviet Republics and their governments A Soviet howitzer responds to the German onslaught. Communist. 58 History

Russian Invasions Lebensraum Hitler wanted Russia’s resources, rich (1939-1941) agricultural lands and its territory for Taking advantage of the peaceful German colonization, “Our goals in Russia: situation with Germany, Stalin made good Crush armed forces, break up State. This on his threats with to establish a is a war of Extermination!. The conquest Soviet-Finnish government and invaded on of new living space in the East and its November 30, 1939. Over a million Russian ruthless Germanization.” troops were committed during the four- Hitler even made his obsession for month war. By March 1940, this “Winter living space known 16 years before War” cost Russia 200,000 soldiers and Directive no. 21 in his book Mein Kampf gained Russia only a border further north (My Struggle), “…to guarantee to the of Leningrad. The Finns lost a tenth of German nation the soil and territory to their land in the peace treaty signed which it is entitled on this earth, we are March, 1940. The campaign was so costly bound to think first of Russia and her to the Russians a Soviet general said, “We border states.” Stalin obviously wasn’t a have won enough ground to bury our big reader. dead.” Once conquered, Russia would be The Finns retained their independence, colonized after the Jews, gypsies, and but used Russia’s attack to justify their Slavs were depopulated and some invasion of Russia in 1941. To discourage Ukrainians and Belorussians were further Soviet ambitions, Hitler made a Germanized. According to Hitler, the Slavs treaty with the Finns that eventually led were a racially “degenerate, inferior race” to the presence of German troops. and a “mass of born slaves” for the On June 15-17, 1940, the Russian army Germans to exploit. Furthermore, Hitler occupied Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. preached that the country’s political Beginning on June 26, 1940, as part of the system was hateful—Bolshevism was a secret portion of the Non-Aggression Pact, Jewish plot, Stalin annexed northern Bukovina and To help achieve his goals of Bessarabia from Romania. Not depopulation, Hitler ordered in May 1941 surprisingly, Germany sent troops into the Commissar Decree and Barbarossa Romania and to the Lithuanian border. Jurisdictional Decree. He also permitted All these prewar actions taken by Stalin and Reinhard Heydrich were done to buffer Russia from eventual to create the Einsatzgruppen immediately conflict with Germany. In less than a year, before the invasion of the Soviet Union Stalin added 175,000 square miles and 20 with the main purpose to liquidate million people. In fact, Stalin played with (murder) Jews, Romany (gypsies), and the idea that Russia would be the first to political operatives of the Communist break the Non-Aggression Pact since he Party. incorrectly assumed that Hitler would want to finish off Britain before turning Hitler Ignores Generals his war machine on Russia. Even if Hitler’s generals warned him not to Germany attacked first, Stalin believed in repeat the mistake of fighting a two front an unrealistic military Soviet doctrine, war as Germany had done in WWI. Joseph that preached the Red Army would repel Goebbels commented, “Germany has never any attack and crush the enemy on his had the luck in a two front war. It won’t own territory. be able to stand this one in the long run, either.” Directive No. 21 Hitler countered Goebbels and his As Germany’s panzers were closing in generals’ concerns by pointing out that on in June 1940, Hitler ordered Britain was weak and Russia would only Colonel Bernard von Lossberg to detail a grow stronger the longer he waited, plan to attack Russia. Once Western perhaps even aiding Britain. Thus, Hitler Europe was secured, the German High reasoned the best time to strike was in Command tweaked Lossberg’s 30 page 1941 while Russia was still recovering from report and submitted it for Hitler’s the Soviet-Finnish War and Stalin’s Great approval. Chief of Operations General Terror. He also argued that it would take Alfred Jodl urged Hitler to sign the only 8 to 10 weeks to conquer Russia and directive authorizing the attack and said, then Britain would sue for peace. Hitler “The Russian colossus will prove to be a said, “Just kick in the door and the whole pig’s bladder. Prick it and it will burst.” rotten structure will collapse.” 59 Chapter Three

East. German planes were violating Russian Rescuing Mussolini airspace; no doubt on reconnaissance The attack on Russia would have missions. German diplomats and their happened sooner if it weren’t for an families packed-up and left the Soviet Italian screw-up. Benito Mussolini Union in May as well. It was known on attacked from Italian-occupied June 11 that the German embassy in Albania on October 28, 1940 without Moscow burned official documents. Four notifying Hitler. British-supported Greek days later the Commissar of the Navy forces made it so difficult that an angry reported, “German ships were pulling out Hitler had to divert troops from the of Soviet ports in a hurry.” Russian front preparations to assist the By June 14, 1941 the people of Russia incompetent Italians. learned of the rumors and TASS (the A problem also emerged in nearby official Soviet news agency) dismissed the Yugoslavia when Prince Paul’s agreement rumors of German invasion as U.S./British to enter into the Tripartite Pact was propaganda. After four days of transmitting voided on March 27 when General Simovic the complete message by radio, on June 18, led a coup d’etat. Hitler had no choice but 1941 the Soviet secret agent in Switzerland to simultaneously invade both Greece and named Alexander Foote summarized Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941. Yugoslavia as a surprise capitulated on April 17 and Greece on the invasion to quickly destroy the Red Army 23rd but partisan warfare, especially that and make Hitler master of all Russian waged by Tito’s Yugoslavian forces, raged territory west of the Urals. Last, but not on throughout the remainder of the war. the least, a German deserter wanting to These Axis victories delayed the escape a reprimand for striking an officer Barbarossa start date, shortening the warned of invasion on June 18, 1941. number of days before the Russian winter. Stalin believed that the buildup was a Unfortunately, Hitler did not listen to ploy to divert attention from Germany’s his Generals and launched Germany into invasion of Britain. He also miscalculated the greatest and longest land battle in the that like Poland, Russia would receive a history of man. Surprise was on the side series of demands before a German of the Germans, for Stalin did not believe attack; perhaps being asked to cede they would attack what he considered the territory. Stalin welcomed such a warning greatest military power in the world. As a in exchange for giving up a little land or diversionary measure, Hitler had even supplying more resources. In theory, offered Russia a chance to join the German demands would tip-off Stalin of Tripartite Pact signed by Japan, , and an impending attack, but Hitler issued no Germany on September 27, 1940. Stalin demands. refused, but nonetheless the Germans Stalin publicly denied the possibility of would not have had surprise if the a German attack and took special care not stubborn Stalin had paid attention to to provoke Germany, at least not until numerous warnings. Russia was better prepared to go to war. Between February 1940 and June 1941, Warning Signs while intelligence poured in about the In mid-February, an anti-Nazi German impending attack, Russia kept its part of printer gave the Berlin Soviet embassy a the Non-aggression Pact and sent German-Russian phrase book with Germany 2 million tons of petroleum instructions on how to say “Are you a products, 1.5 million tons of grain, and Communist?,” “Take me to the Collective large amounts of chrome and manganese Farm Chairman,” “What is the name of the ore. Copper was even bought from the U.S. secretary of the local party committee?,” and passed onto the Germans. In addition, and “Hands up or I shoot.” In March, the Stalin ordered no defense preparations. U.S. handed the Washington Soviet As a result, no Russian troops were Ambassador Konstantin A. Oumansky a ready for the attack. Tractors and trucks copy of Hitler’s invasion plan obtained used to tow guns were away building from anti-Nazis in Berlin. In April, Churchill fortifications. The Red Air Force was warned of the attack in a top-secret fatigued and low on fuel from night message. There were reports of huge training. Only the Kiev military district movements of German troops and material was prepared. Before the attack Hitler sent from the west to east. On May 12, Richard this message: “.[the] greatest force in Sorge, the Soviet secret agent in Tokyo, world history is now going into action in revealed that Japan was asked by Hitler to order to save the whole of European attack Russia simultaneously from the civilization and culture.” 60 History

Army Group CenterCenter, under Field- War Begins in Marshal von Bock, attacked between the Pripet Marshes and the Suvalki Peak, commanded 49 Divisions that included 9 the East panzer, 6 motorized, and 1 cavalry Operation Barbarossa begins. The division. Wehrmacht committed nearly 80% of the Center was to attack from German army to the attack that began at Poland across the Bug River and from 0200 hours, Sunday, JJune 22, 1941. More East Prussia, split into two wedges than 3,500 tanks, 600,000 vehicles, 2,700 toward Minsk and Smolensk and encircle aircraft, 7,100 artillery, 3 million soldiers parts of the Russian army. It was then to and 12 Romanian, 3 Hungarian, and 2.5 advance toward Moscow, Russia’s Slovakian divisions took part. An transportation and communication hub. additional 18 Finnish divisions joined from Colonel-General Guderian, commander of the north three days later. Three Italian Panzer Group 2 and Colonel-General “Papa and one Spanish divisions would also Hoth,” commander of Panzer Group 3, take part later. Four main army groups would conduct the encirclement. Both made up the attack along a 2,000-mile would form a duel-edged Schwerpunkt (a invasion line that stretched from the blitzkrieg term meaning spearhead, the Barents Sea in the north to the Black Sea point of maximum concentration) within in the south: Army Group Center. Hoth was north of Guderian’s position.

A Russian city devastated by the German blitzkrieg. 61 Chapter Three

Army Group NorthNorth, under Field- walked across a Soviet-held bridge on Marshal Ritter von Leeb in East Prussia, “urgent business” and killed the was comprised of 29 divisions that unsuspecting frontier guards. The included 3 panzer and 2 motorized Germans took every needed bridge along divisions. The goals of Army Group North a 500-mile length of the Bug River. were to attack from northeast Prussia toward Leningrad and secure the Baltic The Attack Begins Sea. Hitler wanted Leningrad because it At 0315 hours, 6,000 German gun was the gateway to Russia’s northern flashes lit the eastern dawn. Twenty ports and because it was named after the minutes later the first wave of Stuka Hero of the Russian revolution. dive-bombers went in. At 0415 hours Army Group SouthSouth, under Field-Marshal advance units of panzer divisions crossed von Rundstedt, was comprised of 42 the Bug River. Panzer Group 2 led by Divisions that included 5 panzer and 3 Guderian began to uncoil like a giant motorized divisions. In addition, south of snake. Eight hundred tanks, spewing the Pripet Marshes, the 11th German Army diesel fuel into the crisp morning air, supported a large group of Hungarians shattered feeble Russian defensive and Romanians. Attacking from southern positions. The Red Army was reacting like Poland across the Bug River, the some prehistoric monster caught in a net. immediate goal was the fourth largest city It struggled desperately, but it was far too in Russia, Kharkov. Army Group South slow to cope with the German’s blitzkrieg would then advance across Ukraine to attack perfected in the West. Kiev and secure the Soviet Union’s Field Marshal von Rundstedt, breadbasket and the industrial, coal rich commander of Army Group South, basin of the Donis River. Overall, Hitler concentrated elements down the relatively wanted the Ukraine’s agriculture and narrow gap between the southern edge of industry and believed that German control the Pripet Marshes and the northern of the south would wreck the Soviet foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. A economy and cause the people to turn on German Lieutenant of the 29th Motorized their Communist government. Division summed up their success with White Nights this statement,“…the Russian defenses might have been a row of glass houses.” The night of June 21-22 has the shortest The speed of the panzers, the tireless night of the year and in northern Russia menace of the Luftwaffe, and the brilliant it is a night when the sun never sets. use of combined arms gave the Germans There are only two or three hours of real an aura of invincibility. The flat terrain darkness. As a tradition, many Russian lent itself to German blitzkrieg and the officers and soldiers were up late weather was perfect for the Luftwaffe. The celebrating the midsummer season. Nazi’s developed the blitzkrieg technique During the darkness, saboteurs planted because the German army could not months before cut telephone lines, afford a long drawn out war. Oil and fuel murdered sentries, and disabled Soviet shortages were always a problem. The vehicles. Before the attack a German unit capture of railroad lines was a top priority since much of the army relied on horse-drawn supply vehicles. The attack was so fast that German motorcyclists Brest Fortress came upon a group of Red Army recruits Brest Fortress is located on the banks of the undergoing drill instruction. German River Bug, Guderian was about to attack it again infantry marched up to 30 miles a day after having captured it two years ago from the and engineers put up bridges in less than Poles. It was given to the Russians as part of the 9 hours. Confidence was so high that only September 27, 1939 Boundary and Friendship Treaty. one-fifth of the invasion force was The fortress was bombed for a week and German outfitted with winter clothing. infantry assaults were repelled. On June 29, 7,000 Hitler’s propaganda machine justified Russian troops, wives, and children surrendered the attack to the German people and the after the fortress was practically destroyed by 4,000- rest of the world by accusing Russia of pound bombs. However, some small groups failing to deliver goods promised in the remained in fortress labyrinths refusing to give up. Non-aggression Pact, breaking neutrality On the plaster walls, a soldier by the name of in secret negotiations with Britain, and Ivanov wrote, “The Germans are inside. I have one building forces along its western borders hand grenade left. They shall not get me alive.” for an attack on Germany. 62 History

Russian Forces Campaign: Barbarossa Overwhelmed It is tempting to begin a Russian Front game The Red Army was the world’s largest with Operation Barbarossa but War Masters must with 5 million soldiers, but it was poorly keep in mind that during the first 5 months equipped and inefficient. German Russian equipment, leadership and training were intelligence believed the Red Army was sub-standard and in short supply, millions of made-up of 213 divisions but the actual Russians were killed and captured, most of Russia number was 360. The Russians faced the west of Moscow was conquered or under siege, and Germans with around 3 million troops the NKVD and commissars were shooting their own stationed on the front and another 1 comrades for retreating and not following orders. million scattered east of Moscow. This However, through a benevolent War Master, players combat strength was divided into 150 could narrowly escape the German blitzkrieg or infantry-cavalry divisions and 40 armored- encirclement. The night of June 21-22, characters motorized brigades, broken up into 5 could chance across German saboteurs or a German military districts; Leningrad, Baltic, engineering squad attempting to secure a key bridge Western, Kiev and Odessa. on the morning of the 22nd. After surviving the Although Russia was the only nation to Blitz, characters could regroup for a counterattack field a heavy tank at the time of that ultimately fails. This could then provide the Barbarossa, the Soviets seemed ignorant opportunity for characters of varying backgrounds of the rules of mechanized-combined to come together and form the core of a partisan arms warfare. Whole divisions assembled brigade based out of the Pripet marshes. The and marched toward the sounds of players could then begin the difficult tasks of German guns. Russian tank brigades took recruiting and training other partisans, securing on fuel and ammunition and attacked in weapons and supplies, and conducting missions of piecemeal formations. sabotage and harassment. Specifically, characters Luftwaffe interdiction and a stubborn could come across an empty village and mass adherence to a hopelessly outdated grave—the product of an Einsatzgruppen. Perhaps strategic plan doomed many of the one survivor is a Gypsy or Jew that makes an ideal Russian armies. Stalin did not permit SOPA Adept. Eventually, the players may establish Russian aircraft to fly until four hours communication with Moscow to receive supply after German bombing of over 60 Russian drops and advisors. airfields. By midday, 1,200 Russian planes Another starting point is the Kiev military were destroyed, 800 of which were district, the only district that did not ignore the destroyed on their airfields. Bombers were overwhelming reports of an impending German ordered into battle without fighter attack. Players could help prepare the areas defences escorts. Aircraft flew in from central and escape the encirclement and capture of the city. Russian airfields, in tactically foolish Or perhaps, the players are captured and must formations, and were slaughtered. By escape the march to a POW camp or the actual midday, the Luftwaffe lost only 10 planes. POW camp that becomes their new home. Perhaps Luftwaffe Field Marshal Albert Kesselring partisans can aid in their escape in either case. commented that the picking off the Instead of the trapped behind enemy lines Russian bombers was as easy as scenario, the players might find themselves part of “infanticide.” In the first two days Russia the defense of Sevastopol, Leningrad, or Moscow. lost over 2,000 aircraft. See other adventure seed boxed sections for more Overall, 80% percent of Russia’s 12,000 information. airplanes were obsolete such as biplanes with top speeds of less than 300 miles per hour. In contrast, Luftwaffe planes the middle of an attack or retreat called could fly at speeds more than 350 miles in for their orders. Stalin ordered that no per hour. Most planes lacked radios and actions be taken and forbade artillery to communication was achieved by way of open fire. Pavlov’s Deputy General, Bodin, wing wagging. Old planes were not shouted into the phone after having maintained and replaced when new ones received Stalin’s orders, “Its not possible! arrived. Our troops are retreating. Whole towns are In Moscow, Stalin received only in flames. Everywhere people are being fragments of the situation due to a killed.” general breakdown in communications By 7:15 am, four hours after the initial and his subordinates’ fear of reporting bad attack, Stalin finally issued the orders to news. Once the attack started, as required fight the invaders but not to cross into by Stalin himself, Russian officers not in German territory even if they could. 63 Chapter Three

continued to push their armored Success? spearheads into the interior of the After the first few days of success, the Russian frontier, while slow-moving Germans began to encounter problems of infantry columns had to deal with the their own. Much of the German infantry pockets of Russian units without tank divisions were on foot and used horses support. Guderian, the best of the German and mules to move heavy equipment; tank generals, believed the tanks should 750,000 horses were used for artillery and keep moving since they were vulnerable supply units. Motorized divisions that had only when they stopped. On the other been re-equipped with captured French hand, Guderian’s and Hoth’s superiors trucks began to breakdown. Supply lines disliked seeing the panzers so far forward stretched for long distances and were and threatened both men with a court- vulnerable to wandering bodies of martial. Russian soldiers. A captain in the 18th Panzer Division wrote, “There was no The Advance Continues feeling, as there had been in France, of By the second day of July, 21 fresh entry into a defeated nation. Instead there infantry divisions struggled desperately to was resistance, always resistance however halt the German advance. The infantry hopeless.” were forced to deploy through the railway The Russian resistance baffled the junction at Yelnya and Roslavl because Germans. In the West, enemy troops put the Russian army lacked vehicle mobility. up a tenacious defense and when the This created a battle of position which outcome seemed predetermined, they on paper favored the Germans. However, surrendered. Soviet western commander, German intelligence, which had been Pavlov, was taken back to Moscow and fairly accurate about the roads in Russian shot for cowardice because under his occupied Poland, completely misjudged command, two pockets of Russians the conditions on the original Russian surrendered a total of 300,000 prisoners, frontier: Ukraine and Belorussia. 2,500 tanks and 1,500 guns. Some roads were really tracks or didn’t On the German side, friction in the even exist. Most roads were unpaved, command structure began to rear its ugly often deeply rutted with areas of loose head. Forward panzer commanders sand that made traction difficult. In dry conditions, dust rose as high as houses, clogging engines, choking soldiers and horses, and reducing visibility. In contrast, good roads, called rollbahns in German, were available during the invasion of France. Scorched Earth Stalin was not heard or seen by the Russian people for eleven days after the opening of Barbarossa. Rumors spread that he was either dead, driven mad with anger, lost in depression, or in a drunken stupor. Stalin’s first public speech after the invasion came on July 3, 1941, In the speech, Stalin ordered a scorched earth policy and guerilla warfare:

“The enemy must not be left a single engine, a single railway car, a single pound of grain, a single gallon of fuel. All valuable property that cannot be withdrawn must be destroyed. Sabotage groups must be organized to foment guerilla warfare everywhere, blow up bridges and roads, set fire to Russian soldiers defend against an air attack with only their rifles. forests, stores and transport…In 64 History

the occupied regions the enemy were killed, wounded, or in unorganized and all his accomplices…must be retreat. Unfortunately, the German success hounded and annihilated at every could only be considered a local tactical step and all their measures victory and not a strategic one. The frustrated.” battles cost the Wehrmacht time, position, equipment, and men. More Many comrades heard Stalin’s call, significantly, they increased the mistrust including women and children. On more and rivalry between the German High than one occasion, teenage girls were Command and the field commanders. Now found dead on the battlefield with with major pockets of Russian resistance automatic weapons in their young hands. removed, on July 30, 1941, Hitler ordered In terms of the scorched earth policy, Hoth north toward Leningrad and when possible, Russian soldiers destroyed Guderian south toward Kiev. infrastructure that might fall into enemy hands and shot any owners that resisted Stalin’s Orders the demolition attempts. Not to be outdone by der Führer, on Driving On July 28, Stalin issued his Order No. 227. This order forbade commanders from By July 10, the Germans were 300 miles retreating, even if only a temporary in from their original start position. withdrawal. To ensure compliance NKVD Poland, Belorussia, Lithuania, Latvia, machine gunners were placed behind a Estonia and Western Ukraine were under attacks to mow down any cowards. Nazi control. The German front ran from Commissars applied further pressure by the mouth of the Dnieper on the Black convincing the common soldier that Sea to Narva on the Estonian frontier. In Hitler’s Commissar Decree applied to them the center, the spearheads of Guderian as well; that they too would be tortured and Hoth created an ominous “S”-shaped or executed by the Germans if captured. bulge in the line. The Russian salient Thus, it became common knowledge in created an extra front over 150 miles long the Red Army that nothing would be on the exposed flanks of Army Group gained by surrendering. Center. To the Germans’ horror, when the By July 22, Guderian and Hoth encircled Russians did retreat against orders, they the Russian salient. As they had since the quickly regrouped and often fought to the start of the campaign, they repeatedly death, especially when trapped. At times, turned their forces toward each other in a a rearguard remained behind and fought to succession of encircling battles. The the last man to cover a larger force’s Russians, despite being chewed to shreds withdrawal. by these movements, continued to fight with a crude heroism and savage The Smolensk Pocket determination that wore down the men and weapons of the Wehrmacht. The salient around Smolensk known as the Smolensk pocket was destroyed two Directive No. 33 weeks after the Guderian and Hoth encirclement. The actual city fell on July Hitler, already suspicious of the 16, but 300,000 Russian soldiers, 3,200 professional soldiers of the Wehrmacht, tanks and 3,100 artillery pieces east of the began to assert his will by issuing city were captured despite a failed Directive No. 33. He ordered the liberation attempt by newly raised and methodical destruction of the enemy poorly prepared Red armies. forces in the field, regardless of any The loss did mark two interesting overriding geographical or political events. One, the Katyusha rockets were objectives. used for the first time and two, Stalin’s To their disappointment, the order son from his first marriage, Red Air Force stopped Guderian’s and Hoth’s march First Lieutenant Jacob Dshugashvili, was toward Moscow and forced them to captured on July 19, 1941, on the outskirts support the infantry until the flanks were of Smolensk. He was imprisoned near secure. However, by August 8th, except for Berlin in the Sachsenhausen Kiev and a garrison protecting the Concentration Camp. He was supposedly Ukrainian Black Sea port city Odessa, the later shot while trying to escape in 1943. Germans took all Ukrainian territory west There are rumors that he actually of the Dnieper. The Russian Army lost committed suicide, probably due to the another 103,000 prisoners, 300 tanks, and fact that Stalin accused him of being a 800 guns. Seventy thousand Russians Nazi spy. 65 Chapter Three

More Orders At Stalin’s will, the State Committee of Adventure Seed: Stalin’s Son Defense on August 16, 1941 issued an order A number of possible adventures can be built (Order No. 270) forbidding any Red Army around the capture of Stalin’s son. soldier to be taken alive or risk being branded a traitor. Surrender, even when Rescue: Maybe Stalin isn’t completely heartless. there was no ammunition, was outlawed, He orders the players, who are now part of SOPA, to and liberated POWs would be imprisoned rescue Jacob with the assistance of OSI agents and in labor camps or killed. Families of anti-Nazi Berliners. A very difficult mission indeed POWs could lose their ration cards and when one considers how far the camp is behind face possible starvation. enemy lines, the fact that Jacob is under special Those that disobeyed the order were watch because of his status, and the problem of either killed outright or starved to death how to get inside and escape without detection by the Nazis. By the end of the war, before the entire German army stationed in Berlin is almost 6 million Soviet soldiers were put on alert to recapture Jacob. captured, of whom only about 50% made Assassination: No matter how harsh it may it back home. Over 500,000 POWs did not seem, Stalin would not give a second thought to survive their first day because they were ordering the assassination of his own son if he either classified as Communists or Jews. was a Nazi spy. Perhaps Jacob provided sensitive By the end of the war, 2.7 million Russian information that aided the Germans in Operation soldiers had survived German Barbarossa and, before his death, served as a source concentration camps, but Order No. 270 of information for the 1942 attacks in Crimea, resulted in about half of them being Stalingrad, and Caucasus. In cooperation with allied retransferred into the Russian gulag OSI and anti-Nazi agents in Berlin, SOPA player system. characters could be ordered the difficult task to Whether it was the threat of infiltrate Jacob’s POW camp and make his punishment or death or courage to save assassination look like an accident. One method of their homeland, Russian soldiers became infiltration might be to purposely be captured and, fanatics. The Germans faced Russian with the behind the scenes help of an anti-Nazi pilots willing to crash their damaged German officer, be assigned to Jacob’s camp as planes into Nazi convoys rather than bail fellow POWs. Whatever the method, the difficulty of out and crews of burning tanks who carrying-out the assassination pales in comparison crashed their moving coffin into enemy to trying to escape from a camp more than 1,000 positions and burned to death. Other miles behind enemy lines. A wrench could be Germans complained that the Russians thrown into the whole situation if the players fought dirty, sometimes pretending to be discover that Jacob isn’t a spy by choice because of dead or surrender. As a result, Nazis as, blood mage magic or Nazi medicine. If so, the they approached, shot Russian bodies. players may question their orders, to the They also often shot any Russian trying disagreement of an NPC Commissar, and attempt to to surrender. rescue Jacob instead. On the other hand, members of the Red Revenge: Whether by suicide or death at the Army sometimes shot German soldiers hands of the Nazis, blood mages resurrect Jacob after they had surrendered. The invaders and “program” him with the sole purpose of killing of the Motherland could expect no mercy his own father. The Nazis free him near the front from her defenders. German prisoners lines (anywhere from Leningrad down to Kursk) in were also abused like those at the the hopes that he would see his father before being Tomvos prison near Moscow. According to executed or sent to the Gulags. The players might be Guy Sajer in his memoir, Forgotten Soldier, the ones to find Jacob and are given the honor of food was denied to those too weak to escorting him back to Moscow. Through his unusual work and if there were more prisoners behavior of not eating, obsession with seeing his than needed they: father, inability to engage in normal conversation, and uncanny ability to sense any weird thing that “…were simply killed; a favorite the players come across on their way to Moscow, method of execution was to the players may start to wonder if there is hammer an empty cartridge case something wrong with Jacob. No doubt their timely into the nape of the prisoner’s rescue of Stalin would earn the players a position neck. It seemed that the Russians in SOPA and Stalin’s trust; something that few ever often distracted themselves with earned from the dictator. this type of sport.”

66 History

Zhukov took charge of the defense of Leningrad Leningrad on September 9. He issued to In the north, the battle for Leningrad the armies defending Leningrad on took on a distinctively different character. September 17 a no-retreat-or-face-the Where the southern and central sectors death-penalty order. However, on October consisted of huge battles of encirclement, 7, Zhukov left Leningrad to defend Leningrad was laid siege. This was due Moscow. Leningrad was no longer partly to the lack of German military threatened by an all out assault and strength and also the impossible task of forces that could be used to lift the siege removing and liquidating 3 million had to be diverted to defend Moscow. civilians. Even Hitler understood that a massacre on this scale would need a little Hunger and Cold Takes its explaining. Toll The Siege of Leningrad On September 2, bread rations were reduced to 600 grams a day and to 500 The offensive toward Leningrad began grams a day by September 12. Almost on August 8. Leningrad was prepared for 300,000 improper ration cards were an all out attack. Every park and square discovered during a compliance sweep on contained antiaircraft guns. Guns were October 12. These illegal cards were either mounted on the roofs of the tallest forged, belonged to people who no longer buildings and the islands on the Neva remained in Leningrad, or who were dead. River. People were trained in grenade From then on, valid cards had to have an throwing and street fighting. At least a official stamp. On November 20, rationing million people of all ages were mobilized hit an all time low of 250 grams of bread for 12 hours a day to construct bunkers, a day, only a tenth of adult requirements. antitank ditches, roadblocks, and air raid Meat, sugar, fat, and cereals were a rare ditches. Some old and young were commodity. Glue, sawdust, wallpaper evacuated, but refugees arriving from the paste, cattle and horse feed, and botanist west just as quickly replaced their approved plants were eaten. Traps were numbers. laid to catch dogs, cats, rats, and birds. All bridges, factories, and ships were Even a large supply of sheep guts were wired to blow up with a single electric consumed. There were instances of people circuit. Volunteer guards were formed but being robbed of their rations, but there lacked enough rifles so they used spades were no food riots for the people knew instead. Main roadways into Leningrad that such behavior would be punishable were blocked by concrete, steel pillboxes by death. (Voroshilov hotels) and barbed wire. At least 11,000 people died of starvation However, Hitler had different plans, a in November and 53,000 in December. The siege; a contingency not planned for by dead were brought to the cemetery and Leningrad. No surrender would be left unburied because people were too accepted nor the city occupied militarily. weak to dig graves in the frozen ground. By September 8, land access to Decaying bodies littered the streets and Leningrad was cut off. The only way to filled cellars. Army engineers blasted out reach the city was by air or water. German pits with dynamite for mass burials. Some artillery attacks began on the city on bodies were discovered with missing September 4, with 227 more attacks by pieces of flesh. Cannibalism was usually the end of November. German incendiary practiced on the dead but there were bombing began on September 6th. German stories of children and well-fed soldiers dive-bombers had even sunk a Russian disappearing. Meat cakes appeared on the battleship in Leningrad’s harbor but its black market and rumors spread of long-range guns still remained above cannibal gangs that roamed the city. Gold water to be fired against German teeth and grand pianos were bartered for positions. extra rations. Anyone who looked too One Leningrad citizen reported that on healthy was under suspicion. the way to work, “One has to get off the By the beginning October, nearly all the trolley car three or four times to take oil and coal was consumed so there was cover in the trenches, hallways or no central heating. Wooden houses and shelters…We waited, we prepared—but did the nearby woods were used for fuel. anyone think that it would be like this?” When the pipes froze, people had to A 10 PM curfew was enforced and the obtain water by bucket from the muddy police patrolled for imaginary enemy River Neva that runs through the middle agents. of the city. 67 Chapter Three

Russian offensive. The Germans never conquered Leningrad and the battle had Campaign: Leningrad little effect on the outcome of the war. The first nine months of the siege of Leningrad Getting Food to Leningrad’s offers many unique opportunities to expose beginning characters to the real and weird horrors Residents of war. For example, during the month of August, Nazi and Finnish forces saw to it that characters could help prepare Leningrad’s defenses Lake Ladoga was the only route by which for the German onslaught that never comes; food could be sent to the residents of although during the 900-day siege the outskirts of Leningrad. Between September and the city experienced frequent skirmishes with the October most food relief was sent by Germans. Once the state of siege becomes obvious, barge or airdrop. Only 45% of the needed after August 20, the players could take on the role supplies were shipped by barge over the of securing air and boat food shipments during the still unfrozen waters of Lake Ladoga. The months of August, September, October, and trip took 16 hours and 24 barges were November while under daily German air and artillery sunk. Divers were sent to some of these attacks. sunken barges to bring up the nutritious, Once the lake begins to freeze over on November but moldy, grain. Only a small amount of 17, the players could be ordered to find a safe route dehydrated food arrived in the city by across the lake for food convoys. During their airdrop. exploration and subsequent convoy escorts, the By December 6 the construction of a players could encounter ice ooze (see page 141) and 200-mile long road from Zaborye through other monsters, such as the frost worm or winter uninhabited bogs and small villages was wolves (see Monster Manual), in addition to dealing completed around German positions. with enemy fighter attacks and thin ice accidents. Trucks usually covered only 25 miles a As part of the effort to increase food supplies, the day since the new “road” was more of a players could take part in the attack to recapture path littered with steep hills and slippery the Tikhvin rail link or help construct the 200-mile snow surfaces. Fortunately, the Tikhvin long road from Zaborye. rail link was recaptured on December 9. Players could assist in ration card compliance Both routes increased the amount of sweeps, curfew enforcement, and citizen evacuation. supplies that were then brought across Players might also investigate the origins of the Lake Ladoga to Leningrad. mysterious black market meat cakes. Are the cakes On November 17, Lake Ladoga was made from missing children and soldiers or are they frozen enough to allow surveyors on the remains of dead citizens? Are people missing foot—wearing life belts and attached by because of a monster lurking in the Neva Canal or ropes—to mark a path across a 20-mile wandering cannibal gangs? During the investigation, length of the lake. On November 19, the reports of missing flesh on bodies brought to the ice was thick enough to support light overflowing cemeteries might introduce a new cars. Beginning on November 20, horse- problem relating to undead occupying nearby drawn sleds began moving dehydrated cellars, sewers, and crypts. food across the ice. On November 22, the ice was thick enough to support trucks. Eventually, 400 trucks made the trip daily but at least 1,000 trucks fell through the Finally, on January 24, increases in food ice, were lost in blizzards and their crews shipment, deaths, and evacuations frozen to death, or were bombed and allowed for rations to be increased to 400 machine gunned by German air attacks. grams a day. By March, food and On their way back, the trucks evacuated starvation were no longer a problem and 11,000 residents in January, 117,000 in the residents of Leningrad received as February, 221,000 in March, 163,000 in April much rations as the rest of the country. and 500,000 in the summer of ’42. An oil pipeline and a cable to supply electricity were laid across the lakebed. Hitler Heads South The worst was over but during the 900- day siege some estimates put the number In 2 months of fighting, half of Ukraine who died from starvation at 1 million. was lost, a million Russians were Another 300,000 died from enemy fire. By captured and 700,000 killed or wounded. the summer of 1942, newspapers, theaters Moscow was little more than 200 miles and movie houses were once again away along one of Russia’s few concrete enjoyed. However, the siege didn’t end highways. Against the advice of his until January 27, 1944 when the German generals, on August 21, Hitler laid the army retreated from an overwhelming groundwork for an attack in southwest Russia and not Moscow. 68 History

On the 23rd of August, Guderian flew By the end of August, like Army Group back to Berlin to try and convince Hitler Center, Army Group South was faced with that the attack on Moscow, Russia’s nerve long supply lines (the distance from center was more important than seizing Moscow to Berlin was 1500 miles) and Ukraine’s industrial areas. Hitler argued bands of Russian partisans disrupting that Ukraine’s raw materials and lines of communications. The lack of agriculture were needed to feed Germany’s converted European gauge railway track, war machine and that Russia couldn’t the Russian scorched earth policy, and fight without resources, especially if the the vastness of the Ukraine created Caucasus oil fields were obtained. Further, unforeseen problems for the Germans. Hitler wanted to take Crimea and deny Despite these issues, a major German Russia its use as an air base to attack victory was achieved at Kiev. But by the Romanian oil fields. Although the field end of August, 440,000 German soldiers commanders backed Guderian, no one at were out of action, 94,000 permanently. German Headquarters dared disagree with Hitler. Hitler got his way and said, “My Invaded Generals know nothing about the Iran’s ruler, Reza Shah Pahlavi Kabir, economic aspects of war.” was suspected of being pro-Nazi. There The defeated Guderian swung his was also evidence of Nazi agents turning panzer group south. The drive toward Kiev Iran’s powerful tribal factions against the into exhausted Russian forces began on already resented British. Churchill did not August 25. Nearby Russian troops in fixed want to lose the British managed Abadan defensive positions around Kiev offered oil fields and refinery and control of the no help. German mobility and Russian Persian Gulf waterway. Both Russia and ignorance were repeating themselves all Britain agreed that the trans-Iranian rail over again. link from Abadan to the Russian border

Russian soldiers labor to prepare their position prior to a German offensive. 69 Chapter Three

town of Juffa was a safer transportation army group’s equipment and a lack of route for Lend-Lease product as opposed adequate supplies. From the Wehrmacht’s to the Arctic shipping routes from Britain standpoint they had largely fulfilled the to Murmansk. first strategic objectives of Hitler’s battle On August 21, the Shah of Iran refused plan. Leningrad was isolated and the to join the Ally effort and desired to Ukraine had been opened up to the remain neutral. On August 25, stating that German economy and denied to the Iran’s security was threatened by German Russians. agents, the British landed and secured While the battles on the front ground Abadan. They then linked up with relentlessly forward, partisan warfare Russian forces coming down from the behind the front began to take its toll. north. Putting up little resistance, Iran German reaction to this activity was an surrendered in three days. By the end of intensification of terror toward the the war, almost 4 million tons of Russian people. Gradually it dawned on equipment was sent to Russia over the the Germans that the war would not be trans-Iranian railway. over soon and that their actions had completely alienated the population. Kiev Captured Hospital trains were derailed, wounded By September 11, Marshal Semyon soldiers were burned, and water supplies Budenny radioed Stalin that he must were poisoned. No quarter was given and withdraw to avoid encirclement in Kiev. none was taken. Stalin ordered, “Not a step back! Hold out and if necessary, die.” Operation Typhoon Buddeny was flown out and replaced Once Kiev fell, Hitler finally ordered the and reinforcements from other areas were attack on Moscow. sent toward Kiev. But that didn’t matter for The battle for Moscow began on by September 16 the now infamous panzer October 2, 1941. It lasted about a month on encirclement surrounded Kiev. The Soviet a 250-mile wide, 180-mile deep front. High Command finally gave permission to About 500,000 poorly equipped and withdraw but it was too late. The trained Russians stood-up to the German Russians had neither the ammunition, drive. For example, a battalion of 675 men fuel, nor coordination to even attempt a had only 295 rifles, 145 pistols, 120 breakout. Some trapped Russians had to grenades and 9 machine guns but 2,000 fight without weapons as Stalin’s Molotov cocktails. Some soldiers were recorded speeches blared over unable to read instructions because of loudspeakers hung on trees. The few who illiteracy. did escape were relentlessly pursued When the weather permitted, the through nearby forests. Confusion ensued Germans had air superiority with over when Kiev’s top commanders were killed. 1500 planes. Confidence from the German Thousands of Russian trucks, tanks, and High Command was so high that cars were destroyed on the roads leading Guderian’s request for winter clothing was away from Kiev. not fulfilled because it was considered The battle for Kiev finally ended on unnecessary. September 26. Over 1 million Russians were Orel fell on the 3rd and the Russian killed, captured, wounded, or missing. cities Vyazma and Bryansk soon followed. According to German reports, over 665,000 The Leningrad-Moscow railway was also soldiers, 3,718 guns, and 886 tanks were captured. By October 14, the German Army captured. In the short term, Hitler proved was 70 miles from Moscow. Stalin recalled his doubting generals wrong. All of Ukraine Zhukov from Leningrad and ordered him was soon in Germany’s hands, including to, “Organize the Western Front quickly the Donnets Basin where 60% of Russia’s and act!” coal, 75% of its coke, 30% of its iron, and Zhukov called up 90,000 reservists as 20% of its steel was produced. worker battalions who worked 24 hours a day creating defenses for each of Conditions at the Front Moscow’s 25 districts, but equipment Overall, throughout the Eastern Front, it shortages limited the effectiveness of is estimated that the Russians lost two these new units. On October 16, when and a half million men, 22,000 guns, 18,000 word spread of Nazi successes and tanks, and 14,000 aircraft. German losses proximity, Moscow’s citizens began to were around a quarter of their Southern flee. For three days roads leading eastward strength. More importantly there was were clogged, public transportation barely overall wear and tear on all three German ran, and shops and houses were looted. 70 History

Adventure Seed: Russian Zombies? At the front, spiteful determination began to change the conduct of war as both sides began to limit medical services and food to prisoners. A German soldier wrote:

“Several of them [Russians] burnt by flamethrowers, had no longer the semblance of a human face. They were blistered shapeless bundles of flesh. A bullet had taken away the lower jaw of one man. The scrap of flesh which scaled the wound did not hide the view of the trachea through which the breath escaped in bubbles accompanied by a kind of snoring. Five machine- gun bullets had threshed into pulp the shoulder and arm of another man, who was also without any dressings. His blood seemed to be running out through several pipes…I have five campaigns to my credit, but I have never seen anything to equal this. Not a cry, not a moan escaped the lips of these wounded, who were almost all seated on the grass…Hardly had the distribution of supplies begun than the Russians, even the dying, rose and flung themselves forward…The man without a jaw could scarcely stand upright. The one-armed man clung with his arm to a tree trunk, the shapeless burnt bundles advanced as quickly as possible. Some half a dozen of them who were lying down also rose, holding in their entrails with one hand and stretching out the other with a gesture of supplication…Each of them left behind a flow of blood which spread in an ever-increasing stream.”

After having been indoctrinated into the SOPA, the players decipher the above entry from a dead German’s diary, suggesting, and unknown to the Wehrmacht soldier, that blood mages are creating zombies from dead Russians. As described in the Prologue, a blood mage has found a way to resurrect the dead as zombies that attack anyone and anything. Being in the area of one of the first tests, the Wehrmacht soldier wrote the diary entry shortly before he died, when the blood mage could not control his creations. The players learn of this by interviewing a German POW found half dead in the same area where the diary was found. The prisoner provides the blood mage’s name and with the help of anti-Nazi intelligence in Berlin, the players learn that the blood mage has been reassigned to Poland-Belorussia, no doubt to carry on his experiments. With this lead, the players are ordered to hook-up with a partisan unit, supported by the Siberian Shaman and SOPA Commissar from the Prologue, who have already liberated what was left of a Belorussian village occupied by the same blood mage carrying out zombie experiments on villagers. Together, the players, the NPCs, and partisans must hunt down and capture or eliminate the blood mage and discern how he is creating zombies. After the capture of several German soldiers, it is learned that the blood mage is stationed at the Sobibor extermination camp, located in eastern Poland. After having almost been captured by the partisans, the blood mage has picked a more secure location that also happens to contain plenty of practice subjects until he can find a way to control his zombie creations. After consulting with SOPA command— who fears that the blood mage may be close to meeting his goal—the players are ordered to act quickly to capture the blood mage and any of his research materials. If necessary, they are to liberate the camp to add to the confusion. Anything the players cannot carry must be destroyed. However, it may prove difficult to prevent the partisans from taking revenge on the blood mage who has killed their loved ones in his first experiments.

Order was reestablished on October 19 by until winter arrived, since many of them a midnight to 5 AM. curfew, roadblocks, were trained and equipped to fight in the and NKVD police units. Worker battalions bitter cold. The only problem with this once again began building trenches, plan was that winter was six weeks away antitank ditches, and barbed-wire and the strain on the front was great. obstacles. While the Russians waited for winter, Zhukov, was determined to hold the the Germans dreaded it. To compound the flanks in order to keep the dreaded problem of the coming cold, the German pincers of Hoth and Guderian apart. He High Command had not planned on the also rescinded the order of standing fast campaign going into December. Hitler and regardless of the consequences because his staff believed that the army would the Russian army could no longer afford take Moscow by December and German to trade lives for space. Behind Moscow, troops quartered in a major city and Siberian units and units from the Far East would therefore not need winter gathered. However, Zhukov was equipment or supplies. It was only determined not to use these fresh troops October and the German troops were tired 71 Chapter Three

and much of their equipment was in need of repair and refit. Added to that there Russia’s Ally, the Weather were periodic snow showers that melted The combat and weather conditions became quickly and made movement off-road worse as described by the German General impossible because of mud. Mud was at Bayerlein: times 3 or more feet deep. Soldiers lost their boots and vehicles and horses sank “After unceasing rainfall the ground became to their axles or bellies. Over many miles, soggy and afterwards intermittently, lightly frozen. trees were felled and used to make log According to the map good roads should have been roadways over the mud roads. When the available. This turned out to be an illusion. The temperature dropped the mud froze and Ruza-Voronzovo highway went over a bad forest the trucks had to be chipped free with road and was only usable in the beginning…The pick axes. Food, fuel, and ammunition tanks could only labor forward step-by-step in the was often stuck in the rear delaying sticky morass. The movement of wheeled vehicles attacks and weakening troops. The was impossible. The attack, however, had to be German army also had to contend with pressed forward under all circumstances. the superior Russian T-34 and the After only about 10 km, near Panovo, even the swampy woodlands around Moscow. tanks were stuck…The Pioneers had to build a The Germans’ difficulties were corduroy road of saplings over a 15 km stretch from compounded by congestion on the actual Voronzovo to Panovo, but even on this, because of front because only three major approaches its unevenness, travel was only possible for full or were usable for large-scale attacks. The halftrack vehicles…it took several days to bring up secondary routes were narrow, vulnerable, the infantry and secure Modenovo against counter- and weather-bound for days. Engineers attack. had to fix one paved section of road The Russians would attack during the night…and between Orel and Tula, both southwest of it was necessary that the task group be constantly Moscow, when it crumbled from the on the alert defensively. In order to do this it was weight of Guderian’s tanks. Troops and necessary to maintain the tanks’ engines at the horse-drawn artillery took the slower, right temperature. Every four hours the motors were open country routes. On October 27, run for 10-15 minutes until they had reached a weather and congestion halted the temperature of 140 Fahrenheit. These periods German advance. commenced for all tanks at exactly the same second in order to minimize interference with the Advance in the South forward listening posts, whose task was aggravated by the dense ground mist that rose from the marsh, Continues particularly at nighttime. We discovered that the In mid-October, Army Group South made transmissions must also be operated while the its way toward the Caucasus oil fields. engine is idling; otherwise by a sudden start the Kharkov, a Russian tank production site, metal parts of the power train from the engine to soon fell. By October 29, the German Army the drive sprockets would be damaged [because of reached the Crimea Peninsula. With its the low viscosity of the oil at those temperatures]. west side to the Black Sea and support For the tanks’ crews it was the beginning of a from the Black Sea fleet, Sevastopol’s bad time. The constant confinement to the inside citizens and soldiers created three lines of of the tank was not possible without a reduction defense to the east, south, and north of of the combat efficiency of the soldiers, in as the port city. The first line was 6 to 8 much as it was narrow and cold. miles away with countless minefields. The Earthen bunkers could not be constructed in the second line guarded the northern approach ever-soggy and muddy ground. The wooden houses, to the city with concrete and steel which were made available as billets, were in the machinegun nests. The last line of defense course of time systematically destroyed, one after ringed the edges of the city with many another, by enemy fire, and burned to the ground. antitank ditches and pillboxes. The first The supply difficulties took on formerly unheard- German assault managed to take only the of proportions. Through the constant warming of Balaklava Hills to the south of the city the engines there was a higher rate of gasoline thanks in part to five heroic Russian consumption. Constant defensive combat caused a sailors. After running out of ammunition, profuse ammunition expenditure. For days on end the sailors strapped grenades to there were no hot meals for the combat troops- themselves and each threw their bodies intestinal diseases and disorders were the result.” under a tank, disabling five panzers. Except for Sevastopol and the Kerch Isthmus, the entire area was occupied by mid-November and the major port city of 72 History

Don fell on the 20th of November. Odessa, Kharkov, and Sevastopol were the last The Russian Winter strong points in Ukraine. Sevastopol, the last of the three, would not fall until July Offensive 3, 1942. On November 12, a staff conference was Although never a significant strategic at held the headquarters of Army Group factor, the Russian Black Sea fleet had its Center. This conference produced one of share of tactical successes. During both the most decisive moments in the history the sieges of Odessa and Sevastopol the of the German army. Many of the German fleet brought in supplies and generals believed the attack on Moscow reinforcements. More importantly, the fleet should be stopped and winter positions was able to evacuate from both ports taken up. This would entail some minor Russian forces that would live to fight withdrawals in order to straighten out the another day. front. Fortunately for the Russian offensive, German arrogance, political Lend-Lease infighting, personal ambition, and Hitler’s In November, 1941 the Lend-Lease Law intransigence won out over practical of the United States was extended to considerations. Russia. The U.S. and Britain sent food Unfortunately for the Germans, Zhukov (Spam for example) and equipment (jeeps, had gathered reserves and new recruits in munitions, and machinery). Both countries the Urals more quickly and in larger needed Russia to occupy the German numbers than the Germans thought armies until another front could be possible. Even wounded “volunteers” were opened in the West. British convoys, sent back to the front. supported by a few Russian destroyers In addition, Nazi intelligence never and submarines, braved German understood the extent of the Russian submarines in the Arctic on the way to reserves in Siberia positioned to face off Murmansk, a northern warm water port against a possible Japanese attack. When that did not freeze during the winter. Russian intelligence sources in Tokyo Murmansk was located only 30 miles learned in October that the Japanese were from the Finnish and Norwegian borders planning to attack U.S. forces in the but the Germans were never able to Pacific and not Russia, Stalin ordered advance on the port due to a strong almost 750,000 troops back from the Far Russian military presence. East by rail to the Urals. Reserve forces Overall, the Americans provided goods had strong cavalry, tank, and air support, equal to one-fifth of but the new recruits were often ill- Russia’s gross domestic product. However, most of the equipment sent by Britain and United States was considered unfit for combat but soft goods, trucks, and aircraft were welcomed because they enabled the Russian economy to concentrate on weapon production. The NKVD even made it an offense to praise American equipment, punishable by consignment to a labor camp. Despite this help, due to the loss of the Ukraine and other Western territories, the Russian population was on rationing beginning in July. The NKVD reduced Gulag provisions by more than 30%; some 622,000 penal laborers died between 1941 and 1945. German halftracks struggle through deep snow. 73 Chapter Three

equipped and under-trained and led by inexperienced officers. They were, Moscow Attack however, experienced in dealing with the Russian winter. Abandoned On November 15, the Germans began Since the beginning of Operation their final lunge for Moscow. By November Barbarossa, the Germans had lost 25% of 17, Zhukov’s Siberian divisions began to their soldiers and about 66% of their make themselves felt in the battle. The tanks. During the first week of December, German line divisions, already working Operation Typhoon came to a halt after under impossible conditions and lacking having advanced only 100 miles in two proper winter clothing and weapons, months. Moscow was less than 10 miles cracked under the attack of Siberians away, its furthest rural areas reached, but lavishly equipped with white, quilted the German Army could no longer follow uniforms, Tommy guns, grenades, and Hitler’s orders to move on. German riding on top of T-34’s. By the end of commanders for the first time during the November the full force of Zhukov’s war ordered their troops into defensive winter offensive was put into action positions. To the Red Army’s surprise, against the worn out Germans. The these same commanders often yielded suddenness of the attack fragmented the ground without a fight. German positions and forced them into a Hitler blamed his generals instead of desperate defensive position. Frozen taking into account the weather, terrain, German soldiers were forced to retreat tenacity of the Russian people, and across the open steppes in fierce weather resource limitations. On December 8, that took a heavy toll on them. Hitler called off the Moscow offensive but German soldiers paint a terrible picture did not issue orders for an organized of the conditions at the front in their retreat: “They must dig into the ground journals and letters to home. A doctor where they are and hold every square yard with the 276th Division wrote: of land!” Again, some of Hitler’s commanders “The Russian (who was) disobeyed and made limited withdrawals completely at home in the wilds. to take up defensive positions. By the end Give him an axe and a knife and in of December, the Soviets pushed back the a few hours he will do anything, Nazis as much as 50 miles west of run up a sledge, a stretcher, a little Moscow. igloo…make a stove out of a Under the double impact of the couple of old oil cans. Our men blizzards and the Russian attack, Army just stand about miserably burning Group Center was in desperate peril. Field the precious petrol to keep warm. commanders and foot soldiers trembled at At night they gather in the few the reality that faced them and they wooden houses, which are still would have been routed had it not been standing. Several times we found for Hitler’s order of “No withdrawal!” the sentries had fallen Commanders that disobeyed this order asleep…literally frozen to death. were dismissed. A total of thirty-five During the night the enemy corps and divisional commanders were artillery would bombard the sent home in varying degrees of disgrace, villages, causing very heavy including Guderian. In the end, although casualties, but the men dared not he created the situation, Hitler’s iron grip disperse far, for fear of being saved the German army from being cut to picked up by marauding pieces had they retreated across the horsemen.” drifting snow fields of Russia as Napoleon had done in 1812. Guderian reported that the temperature During the limited retreat, the wind had fallen on occasion to minus 63° sometimes created temperatures 40° below Fahrenheit and stated, “Many men died zero and froze equipment. Deep snow while performing their natural functions, often prevented movement. At times even as a result of a coagulation of the anus.” horses couldn’t travel in snow, especially He also reported that axes rebounded off when they sank up to their rumps in of horse meat as if it was stone and snowdrifts. Tanks could only move when butter was being cut with a saw. Almost hitched to horses and hundreds of tanks 100,000 horses died, but their icy had to be abandoned. For the first time, carcasses fed the under-supplied German the Red Army captured many German troops. supplies and equipment. German railroad 74 History engine boilers, truck oil, and gun grease froze. Machineguns would not fire. Over 100,000 cases of frostbite, of which no Campaign: First Winter fewer than 14,357 required amputation, were reported by the Germans. In general, Offensive the German soldiers dared not wear the From November 17, 1941 through early April 1942, a heavier quilted Russian jackets for fear of War Master has many wartime and weird war being mis-identified and shot. situations from which to choose. In terms of non- Scorched Earth weird war situations, the players could be part of The Germans practiced their own the first attacks that pushed the Germans back into scorched earth policy as they took up their defensive hedgehog (city) positions, capturing defensive positions. German officer abandoned equipment and supplies in the process. Wilhelm Pruller wrote on December 7: Over the next 5 months, the players could be part of the futile attempts to capture a hedgehog or “Yesterday we had 32 degrees more realistically, sabotage a hedgehog supply below zero. It will get worse. The dump or acquire items from a supply dump. Around villages lying in front of us are February, the players could be part of the failed burned down now, so that the attempts to eliminate two separate encircled Russians can’t use them against German armies. us. Behind us on hills bunkers will Regardless of whether the players are part of be constructed as a winter SOPA, Weird War situations could be introduced defense line. Probably we shall with the Adventure Seed: Amputation Mystery burn down all these villages provided on the following page. When relaxing in a behind us.” Russian bath house, the player’s could encounter a mischievous bannik (see page 131). Last but not The Russians quickly learned that any least, the players could witness a Siberian shaman building left standing housed Germans save the day with a yeti under his control. Perhaps and made easy targets to surround and then, the players, being the only survivors, join attack. SOPA and with the shaman, investigate Nazi blood Even after the German High Command magic experiments being conducted from within a knew their soldiers had to fend for hedgehog. themselves in the wilderness, Hitler ordered that ammunition and fuel be given priority shipment. As a result, Unlike the Germans, the Red Army had camouflaged white, cold weather short supply lines fed by rail routes from uniforms were very rare. Most German every direction out of Moscow. soldiers had to make do with multiple At the end of December, the Nazis took layers of blankets and captured Russian up defensive positions in towns taken female winter coats and silk underwear. during Operation Typhoon. Fortifications The Russian Advantage were built around Demyansk, Rzhev, Having experienced Russian winters Vyazma, Bryansk, Orel, and Kursk. These growing-up, Russian troops, especially the fortified positions were referred to as Siberians, knew how to adapt and “hedgehogs.” Each town had supply withstand the harsh winds and freezing dumps that were resupplied by the cold. For example, Siberian troops were Luftwaffe when resources ran low. The experts at making shelters. First they dug Russians lacked artillery to take these away the snow to ground level and laid positions but gained surrounding territory fresh fir branches on the floor. A with cavalry and troops equipped with tarpaulin served as a roof and an oil drum skis and sleds. Heavy losses were stove with piping provided warmth incurred by the Russians when a between the packed snow walls. hedgehog was attacked. Russian troops were better equipped. Life inside the hedgehogs was difficult They had white, camouflaged, sheepskin for the Germans. The bad weather made winter clothing, quilted pants, fur the Luftwaffe supply flights erratic at and felt boots that allowed them to move best and supplies of food and silently through the snow. Some were also ammunition often ran low. The civilian equipped with skis. Calvary units, inhabitants of these cities and towns doubled up on saddles, crossed frozen were not sympathetic to their conquerors rivers with sleds full of supplies. Tanks and took every opportunity to hinder also pulled large sleds carrying fresh them. Despite this, conditions were better infantry. than defending out on the open steppe. 75 Chapter Three

Hitler Takes Control The World’s First Hitler achieved complete personal ascendancy over the ruling class of the Military Airlifts German army and saved it from As a result of the first Russian winter destruction at the outskirts of Moscow offensive, two separate groups of (although he was the one who put it in Germans were encircled northwest of that situation in the first place). Moscow. One group that numbered 100,000, Stalin and the Red Army, conversely, survived Russian attacks in large part due had survived and stopped the most to supplies flown in on German Junkers. powerful army in the world. What the Near the town of Kholm, another group Russians learned during the first crucial numbering 5,000 could only be supplied months of Barbarossa would come back by way of a field that lay between the to haunt the Germans to the very end. German and Russian lines. Both sides However, in secret, Stalin tried to sue for engaged in hand-to-hand combat in the peace with Hitler through a Bulgarian field to control the supplies. Both German Ambassador. To stall for time in groups were eventually rescued. This gave preparation for a future counterattack, Hitler a false notion that an encircled Stalin was willing to give up all current group could be successfully resupplied by German-occupied territory. However, the air. This belief contributed to Hitler’s later Bulgarian ambassador refused to carry the decision to turn down Paulus’ request to message. withdraw from Stalingrad in late Fall of 1942. Winter Offensive Ends Adventure Seed: By January 31, 1942, Nazi dead, wounded and missing exceeded 918,000; by February Amputation Mystery the Germans were pushed back 100 to 150 So desperate were the Nazis for winter clothing, miles from Moscow. But it was the Red that the bodies of 73 dead Russian soldiers were Army who now had long supply lines dug out of the snow for their felt-lined boots. To hampered by weather and who was out in remove the boots, the frozen legs had to be sawed- the open having to deal with off below the knee and thawed in ovens. temperatures of 50° below zero. Perhaps as their first introduction to weirdness, A German unit reported finding Russian the players stumble upon these bodies and are men and horses standing frozen solid. ordered to investigate. Discovering a German unit Like the Germans two months before, wearing Russian boots in camp would not be Russian tanks were not immune to extraordinary, but on closer examination, the players freezing and Russian troops were tired observe a Nazi medical officer amputating a German and hungry. Along a 300-mile front, a soldier’s destroyed or frostbitten leg below the knee stalemate situation occurred. The last and successfully replacing it with a stolen Russian Russian winter attack took place near leg. Have the Nazis perfected a bone transplant Vyazma in early April. It failed. The experiment, giving them an edge in medical Russian general who led the attack, treatment? Yefremov, shot himself to avoid being Under the guidance of a SOPA NPC or by way of taken prisoner. their own initiative, the players could attempt to After three months of intense fighting capture the doctor. If captured alive, the doctor the Russian divisions from the Far East reveals under interrogation that bone, muscle, and were mere skeletons of their December nerve regeneration and bone transplant experiments strength. More serious was the Red Army’s are being perfected at Ravensbruck concentration tactic of the old, clumsy, frontal assaults. camp for women located 56 miles north of Berlin. Adding to this problem was the end of He dies under torture before revealing the technique. the worst winter in 140 years. As the If killed during the raid, the players might find temperature rose and the days lengthened, papers divulging the same information. the Wehrmacht’s advantage in battlefield Regardless of how the information is gleaned, tactics began to offset the Russians’ SOPA may recruit the players into the organization strength of numbers. and order them to carry out the difficult task of The Red Army had put everything it infiltrating the concentration camp. They are to steal had into their winter offensive. Even after documents describing the medical techniques and the Russians had surrounded German kill or capture key Nazi personnel related to the positions, they had neither the artillery to experiments. reduce them nor sufficient strength in the air to prevent resupply by the Luftwaffe. 76 History

The weather also hampered Russian operations and their formations had The Crimea insufficient power to produce deep Led by Manstein from the Caucasus, the penetrations. In the end, like the Germans, German effort to finally take the Crimean the Russians were worn out from the Peninsula and the city of Sevastopol began battles that had begun back in June. with an attack on the Russian held eastern Although the winter offensive had side of the Kerch Isthmus that divides the limited tactical success it had great Black Sea from the Sea of Azov. Despite a impact on Russian morale and world 16-foot deep, 33-foot wide, water-filled, opinion. The Western powers’ prediction antitank ditch, land mines, barbed wire, of a quick defeat of Russia was proven and pill boxes, the Germans broke through wrong. For the first time, the invincibility poorly led Russian divisions, using of the German army was challenged; the flanking maneuvers that took the Russians Red Army saved Moscow and pushed by surprise and portable bridges back the fascists. constructed by German engineers. By May 17, the eastern side of the Kerch 1942 strait adjacent to the Caucasus was taken along with 170,000 Soviet troops, 250 tanks, As 1942 began, the German High and 1,100 pieces of artillery. As a result, Command debated the question of how Lieutenant General D.T. Kozlov and Deputy to continue the war. A majority of the Defense Commissar Lev Z. Mekhlis lost professionals favored a limited summer their commands. Mekhlis also lost the offensive campaign because they believed prestigious Deputy Defense position and the chance of knocking the Russians out was assigned an insignificant noncombat of the war with one broad stroke was post. These and other failures provided highly unlikely. Hitler disagreed with his Stalin with more reasons to head the generals and stressed economic factors as Commissar of Defense on July 19, 1941. the reason behind his strategic objectives. He complained that his generals did not understand the strategic complexities of fighting a war. He intended to smash the Russians once and for all with a campaign in the southeast, the seat of the Russian economy. On the production side of the war, the industrial capacity of both countries was running at about equal levels. German front line strength was superior to the Red Army, but the distance from Germany was hampering the Wehrmacht’s ability to attack on a broad front. Because of this problem, the Germans were forced to take up static positions in the northern and central sectors and ruthlessly stripped these areas of mobile elements for the attack in the south. The Russians were also ruthless in their practice of reorganizing front line divisions. Additional units were freed up in the Far East when the Japanese committed to the Pacific and Indian oceans. During the first 10 months of the war, Russia’s losses in manpower greatly exceeded Germany’s but these were more easily absorbed due to Russia’s large population. By the end of winter, Russian factories had caught up to German armament production levels. The time it took to produce a tank was reduced from 110 hours to 40. Tank crews often drove their own unpainted T-34s off the assembly line. A Stuka searches for targets. 77 Chapter Three

Germans massed as much artillery. Most Sevastopol guns were the 88mm variety but one such By May 19, all Russian resistance was piece was capable of firing five-ton shells eliminated on the Kerch Peninsula and up to 29 miles. It took a crew of 1,500 constant bombardment of Sevastopol twenty minutes to load. There was also a began again. Soviet supplies brought by 24-inch mortar that fired 4,800 pound ship from the east coast of the Caucasus shells. To the German’s dismay, as would dwindled to almost nothing due to happen in Stalingrad in future months, sinking by the Luftwaffe. the Russians effectively fought from To overcome the fortified city with its ruined forts and buildings 106,000 Red Army soldiers and its 16 After five days of bombardment, concrete forts—one of which was 900 feet Manstein ordered two Rumanian and long and 120 feet deep with 12-inch guns— seven German divisions to attack the the Germans brought in heavy artillery by city’s forts and maze of machinegun, June 2. Two hundred and eight artillery mortar, and artillery emplacements. By batteries with 1,300 barrels surrounded the June 9, the first line of defenses was city. They were aided by 24-hour overcome. Fort Stalin was overrun on June Luftwaffe bombing runs made up of 13 with only four Russian survivors who about 300 planes. Never before had the surrendered after their commissar committed suicide. The three-story fort Maxim Gorky I did not fall until June 17. German engineers were brought in to fight Adventure Seed: Sevastopol for every inch of its underground labyrinth that was sealed off in places by Cave Infestation & Tunnel steel doors. Out of 1,000 Russian defenders, only 50 wounded prisoners Wonders were taken alive. To escape German bombardment, Sevastopol Elsewhere, four other forts fell on the citizens took refuge underground in cellars, tunnels same day. Despite Russian reinforcements that spread out all over the city, and in nearby from across the Severnaya Bay, the caves, many of which doubled as weapon and Germans took out the last major northern ammunition manufacturing facilities to resupply the fort and an adjacent rail tunnel that defense lines. Everyone worked, including children, guarded the northern route into the city nursing mothers, and the injured—for example, a on June 20. The Germans controlled most woman who had lost her hand to a bomb. If not of the northern portion of the city that already part of the city’s defensive forces (See was divided by a bay whose widest part Campaign: Sevastopol later in this chapter), the was no more than 3,200 feet. Also on June players as SOPA agents could be brought in on a 20, the second Soviet line defending the Black Sea Fleet ship or submarine to take care of a southern route into the city was overrun. tatzlwurm or gremlin infestation. Alternatively, since To avoid costly house-to-house fighting Sevastopol was built near a 421 B.C. Greek colony, through a maze of hundreds of pillboxes new tunneling has uncovered never before seen and mines, the Germans reinitiated Greek ruins that contain treasure and magical intense bombing of the Russian artifacts guarded by one or more Colossi. If word controlled southern portion of the city on was leaked to the Nazis by way of spies or July 1. As a result, the Russians withdrew interrogation of a captured civilian, Nazi to the west onto Cape Khersones. Once commandos led by a blood mage might try and there, Russian submarines from the Black beat the players to the unknown treasure. Sea fleet evacuated high-ranking leaders As a possible related event, on June 28, 1942, and as many of the wounded as possible. rather than surrender, the occupants of an Over the next two days, during the underground arms factory housing thousands of evacuation, Manstein recalled one scene: civilians and wounded within a cliff overlooking the Chesnaya River, killed themselves. According to “Whole masses of them rushed Manstein: at our lines, their arms linked to prevent anyone from hanging back. “Just as our troops were entering the Inkerman At their head, urging them on, [fort near the cliff] the whole cliff behind it there were often women and girls shuddered under the impact of a tremendous of the Communist Youth, detonation, and the 90-foot wall of rock fell in over themselves bearing arms…[The a length of 900 yards, burying thousands of people Russians] fought until the last beneath it.” man and the last round.” 78 History

The 247-day siege for Sevastopol finally came to an end on July 3. Although 100,0000 Russians soldiers were taken Campaign: Sevastopol prisoner and the city was lost, Russia had A campaign in this area could start after the successfully diverted the German 11th players escaped the Barbarossa Blitzkrieg and the Army far from the front and prevented Kiev encirclement. During the first days of October, many divisions from reentering combat while reorganizing Kiev’s stragglers with Sevastopol’s for weeks due to casualties and wounds. garrison, the player’s should be present during a Most importantly, the Red Army’s stiff commissar speech on how Sevastopol cannot fall, resistance in this area managed to slow that the Caucasus oil fields must be protected. down Hitler’s attempt to secure the During the month of October, the players could Caucasus oil fields in the summer of 1942. supervise citizen construction of Sevastopol’s three defensive lines and/or serve as forward observers Offensive at Kharkov when the German army arrives on October 30. The For the first third of 1942 Stalin players could then be assigned as part of the prepared for a German attack on Moscow defenses around Balaklava Hills. Despite the efforts that never came. Stalin also incorrectly of the players and Sevastopol’s defenders, all of believed that the Red Army was ready to Crimea, except Sevastopol and the Kerch Isthmus, is take the offensive as had been done in occupied by the Germans by December 1941. the winter of 1941. On May 12, 1942 more By mid-December, the Germans shrink than a 500,000 men, 1,000 tanks and Sevastopol’s defensive lines to within 5 miles of the Commissar Khrushchev were sent to city and begin their constant bombardment of the retake Kharkov. At first the Russians city. As a result, the players could be part of the achieved tactical success against weak effort to relocate Sevastopol’s citizens into the Romanian positions, then discovered that tunnels, cellars, and caves under the city and maybe German confidence and tactical reflexes encounter a little weirdness. were very different when the thermometer The players can also help set up weapon was not reading 40 below. The battle manufacturing facilities, secure supplies from the showed that the Russians were not yet Black Sea fleet, train new reinforcements, or continue capable of carrying out large-scale to defend the city’s perimeter. On December 31, 1941, armored operations. the players could take part in the Russian In five days the Red Army penetrated amphibious landing to the east of the city on the 70 miles into German territory with little Kerch Peninsula. Once there, fortifications need to be resistance. Khrushchev correctly sensed a constructed. However, by May 17, 1942, the Germans, trap but Stalin refused the request to take thanks in large part to local Russian command up defensive positions 12 miles east of incompetence, overrun them and the players have to Kharkov. As ordered, the Red Army drove escape back to Sevastopol through enemy lines. into what happened to be a pocket of During the last two weeks of May, the players Germans reorganizing for a summer could be called upon to undertake a dangerous offense to be called Operation Blau. On mission to sabotage one or more of the huge May 18 the Germans launched a pincer German guns bombarding the city. Perhaps, the counterattack that bagged 200,000 Russian guns are firing weird shells that contain blood mage soldiers. Hitler declared, “The Russian is manufactured spores that turn any dead body dead!” within 100 yards of the impact into flesh-eating By May 19th, the Russians relented to zombies. The players must destroy the shells, learn the German counterattack and ordered the how they are constructed, and assassinate or front line commanders to salvage what capture the responsible blood mage. they could. This ill-timed offensive The Germans stop bombardment of the city in weakened the Red Army and paved the the first week of June to tackle the northern way toward German success in the portion of the city’s defenses. The players could be summer. assigned as part of the first defensive line that is overrun and then take part in the defense of any of Operation Blau the city’s northern forts that begrudgingly fall to the Operation Blau was launched in the Germans by June 17. Spring of 1942. Hitler hoped that the By July 3, helped by the guiding hand of the War success of the operation would allow the Master, do the players evacuate, surrender, or German army to continue on through Iran escape? Perhaps because of the players SOPA and link up with Rommel’s Afrika Korp at status, the players are evacuated on a Black Sea the Suez Canal. During the operation, submarine. Alternatively, the players must remain German forces would continue the siege behind on Cape Khersones and protect the of Leningrad and the stalemate outside of withdrawal of the wounded and high-ranking Moscow. officers. 79 Chapter Three

However, the Russian failure at Kharkov The Russians had learned from delayed the start of Operation Blau to the previous mistakes and let the Germans end of June. On June 28, German armies extend their supply lines to occupy the were sent toward Voronezh, a Russian city empty space. Still believing Moscow was and mining basin located 100 miles east the target, Stalin reinforced Voronezh of the Don River, south of Moscow and since it was only 300 miles south of northwest of Stalingrad. The idea was to Moscow, buying time for Stalingrad to take that city and then Stalingrad to prepare its defenses. The Nazis never protect the drive south into the Caucasus advanced beyond Voronezh but the city and seal off Moscow to the north. The was almost totally destroyed. Germans expected more resistance. As a correspondent with the Volkischer Rostov Beobachter, a German newspaper, wrote: In early July, German forces headed toward Stalingrad, but Hitler, growing “The Russian, who up to this impatient with the need to capture the time had fought stubbornly over Caucasus oil fields, halted the advance each kilometer, withdrew without and split the attacking forces into two firing a shot. Our advance was groups, delaying again the planned attack only delayed by destroyed bridges on Stalingrad. Less than half of the total and by aircraft. When the Soviet German army and supplies in the region rearguards were too hard-pressed were assigned to Group B with the they chose a position, which mission of occupying Stalingrad to the enabled them to hold out until east. Group A was given fuel priority and night…It was quite disquieting to headed south toward the Caucasus. The plunge into this vast area without closest oil field was within 100 miles and finding a trace of the enemy.” the farthest was 700 miles away and over the Caucasus Mountains. Group B had to wait 18 days to resupply its fuel. By splitting the German forces and creating two separate supply lines, Hitler had laid the foundation for Germany’s worst defeat six months later. Army Group A met little opposition on its way to Rostov. Like the summer before, the German armored divisions penetrated deep into the Soviet lines. A Sergeant in the 3rd Panzer Division wrote:

“It’s quite different from last year. It’s more like Poland. The Russians aren’t nearly so thick on the ground. They fire their guns like madmen, but they don’t hurt us!”

However, once in the city, the German encountered fanatical street fighting for the first time during the war. Open field blitzkrieg techniques were useless in house-to-house fighting that involved snipers, cellar ambushes, Russians who A female medic tends her comrades wound. feigned death, barricaded 80 History streets, and Molotov cocktails. Nevertheless, Rostov was secured by the Stalingrad end of July. It was a grim preview of what At the same time Rostov was secured, would encounter in Army Group B’, under the command of Stalingrad. , advanced on Stalingrad As the Germans advanced into the and took the town of Kalach, northwest of Caucasus, the Russians set fire to the Stalingrad. 70,000 Soviets were captured but wells and destroyed equipment. Ironically, Paulus wasted two weeks clearing pockets fuel had to be flown and trucked in from of resistance while Stalingrad prepared Romania and eventually brought across by defenses only 40 miles away. On August 21, slow camel caravan to save expenditure of he finally sent his 250,000 soldiers, 500 fuel. The distant supply lines slowed the tanks, and 7,500 guns and mortars toward advance to a crawl and Army Group A Stalingrad. He planned to take the city in advanced as far as Mount Elbrus, the one day but, because of the continual Caucasus tallest peak, by the end of 1942; delays, it was now heavily fortified and Russia still controlled the oil fields south filled with determined defenders. The of the mountain range. This was the Germans hoped by capturing Stalingrad to farthest south the German army would cut the Soviet Union in two by controlling occupy in Russia during the war. the River. German officer, Kliest, described the While Paulus advanced at an regional differences in Russian resistance: agonizingly slow pace, the Red Army was having problems reviving the morale of its “In the early stages. I met little troops. Russian High Command rushed organized resistance. As soon as reserves to the front as fast as the the Russian forces were bypassed, overburdened rail system permitted. most of the troops seemed more Orders were issued that front line intent to find their way back to commanders protested, but Stalin’s their homes than to continue commissars were there to see that fighting. That was quite different Moscow’s edicts were obeyed. Their stern to what had happened in 1941. But countenances and the occasional when we advanced into the execution of disobedient soldiers served Caucasus the forces we met there to hold the line. were local troops, who fought more stubbornly because they were fighting to defend their homes. Their obstinate resistance was all the more effective because the country was so difficult…”

The Führer was in a happier mood than any time since the fall of France and the Chief of Staff was convinced that Russia was finished. Despite Kliest’s experiences, the German High Command considered the entire oil-bearing region of the Caucasus as attainable. They ordered the , under Paulus, to move on to Stalingrad. Hitler wanted to occupy Stalingrad simply because it was named after his archenemy. But there were strategic reasons as well. At the time, Stalingrad was Russia’s third largest industrial city, manufacturing 25% of the Red Army’s tanks and vehicles. It also had important rail links and over 500,000 citizens. Geographically speaking, Stalingrad occupied a 30-mile long stretch of the western bank of the Volga River; the Don River lay only 40 miles to the east. Its position between the two rivers and central location in western Russia made it an ideal distribution center of oil from the General Paulus surveys Stalingrad’s defenses firsthand. Caucasus. 81 Chapter Three

Bombardment 1942: Changes in Red Army The first German tanks entering Stalingrad’s northern suburbs came under Tactics ineffective artillery fire. As it turned out, General Chuikov wrote the following after when the tanks reached and destroyed the receiving orders to carry out a 125-mile forced artillery positions, they were operated by march: female Russian factory workers. In the coming months, Stalingrad’s women would “To carry them out in the time given was not only care for the wounded and work in impossible, as parts of the Army which were to the factories, but fight in combat as well. carry out these tasks had not yet arrived…Colonel On the nights of August 23rd and 24th, Rukhle immediately, without reporting to anyone, the Luftwaffe burned down nearly every with his own hand altered the date for the wooded building on the outskirts of the occupation of the line of defense from July 19 to city. These were pure terror raids, July 21. 1 was astounded. How could the officer in reminiscent of the first Blitz of command of operations, without the knowledge Barbarossa in June 1941. The results of the of the Commander, change the date of the attacks were so damaging that it was operation? Who was in command of the Front?” possible to read a paper at night forty miles away. An estimated 40,000 civilians Unlike 1941, the Russians retreated when their died. With satisfaction Wilhelm Hoffmann, flanks were pierced, did not trade lives for ground, of the 267th Regiment, 94th German and avoided ruinous encirclements. But the long Division, noted the following, “The whole withdrawal across their burning homeland was city is on fire; on the Führer’s orders our more difficult on the troops than the vigor of an Luftwaffe has sent it up in flames. That’s inflexible defense. A Russian officer described a what the Russians need, to stop them personal reconnaissance: resisting…” Siege “I came across two divisional staffs… they On August 25th the Regional Party consisted of a number of officers traveling in Committee of the Communist Party some three to five trucks filled to overflowing proclaimed a state of siege with this with cans of fuel. When I asked them where the message: Germans were, and where they were going, they could not give me a sensible reply…It was clear “Comrades and citizens of that to restore to these men the faith they had Stalingrad! We shall never lost in their own powers and to improve the surrender the city of our birth to fighting quality of the retreating units would not the depredations of the German be easy.” invader. Each single one of us must apply himself to the task of On the other hand, Russian veterans from 1941 defending our beloved town, our noted the following: homes, and our families. Let us barricade every street; transform “The German tanks did not go into action every district, every block, every without infantry and air support. On the house, into an impregnable battlefield there was no evidence of the ‘prowess’ fortress.” of German tank crews…they operated sluggishly, extremely cautiously and indecisively. The German infantry was strong in automatic Bombs Away! fire, but… no rapid movement or resolute attack on The tremendous battle for Stalingrad the battlefield. began after the Luftwaffe bombed the When advancing they did not spare their bullets northern end of the huge tractor factory. but frequently fired into thin air.* Their forward Russian Commander, Vasily Chuikov positions, particularly at night, were beautifully wrote: visible, being marked by machinegun fire, tracer bullets, often fired into empty space, and “The Germans obviously different-colored rockets. It seemed as if they were thought that the fate of the town either afraid of the dark, or were bored without had been settled [after the the crackle of machineguns and the light of tracer Luftwaffe bombing]. We saw bullets.” drunken Germans jumping down from their trucks, playing mouth *Could the Germans be shooting into “thin air” organs, shouting like madmen and as result of some sort of supernatural threat? dancing on the pavements.” 82 History

It was at the tractor factory that the Ferries Germans discovered that the city would If there was a tactical pattern to the not be taken in one day. Amazingly, battle it revolved around the ferries on the during the night of the fire-bombing, a Volga River. These were the lifelines for nearby hill was fortified with anyone the Red Army. Small arms ammunition, capable of handling a weapon. In fact, mortar bombs, the evacuation of unpainted T-34s rolled off the assembly wounded, replacements, and provisions of line and into the battle. Despite heavy rations and vodka flowed across river. On shelling and bombing, the tractor works the east bank the Russians had placed would produce about 200 tanks by the their heavy and medium artillery. In end of the 5-month battle. peacetime, 500,000 Russians called Street Fighting Stalingrad their home, but by January only Over a 20-mile long, 3-mile wide 1,515 civilians remained. Most crossed the section of the city 50,000 Russians and Volga to safety, but many died fighting 100 tanks faced-off against 100,000 alongside the 62nd Russian army or Germans and 500 tanks. Accustomed to merely trying to survive in the rubble of open field lightning attacks, the Nazis their homes. were no match for the outnumbered The Wehrmacht was slow to realize the Soviets. Soldiers fought in a giant value of these crossings and with typical petrified forest of blackened chimneys, German extravagance simply battered piles of rubble, concrete buildings, sewers away at Russians from one block to the and twisted steel. On occasion, combat next. In the minds of the Germans, devolved into hand-to-hand duels with Stalingrad would finally prove the knives, pick axes, clubs and bricks. Men superiority of the German Teutonic race jeered and cursed each other from across to the subhuman Russians. However, streets and often in adjacent rooms of German officer Wilhelm Hoffmann’s mind buildings. Individual combat sometimes reveals a different reality: lasted from dawn to the dark, smoky twilight of dusk. Like WWI trench warfare, September 1st: “Are the Russians German General Doerr described how the really going to fight on the very war went from strategic to tactical: bank of the Volga? It’s madness.” September 8th: “…insane “The time for conducting large- stubbornness.” scale operations was gone forever; September 11th: “…fanatics!” from the wide expanses of September 13th: “…wild beasts.” steppe-land, the war moved into September 16th: Barbarism.[they the jagged gullies of the Volga are] not men but devils.” hills with their copses and September 26th: “…barbarians, ravines, into the factory area of They use gangster methods.” Stalingrad, spread out over uneven, pitted, rugged country, covered with iron, concrete and stone buildings. The mile, as a measure of distance, was replaced by the yard. G.H.Q.’s map was the map of the city. A bitter battle was waged for every house, workshop, water tower, railway embankment, wall, cellar, and every pile of ruins…The distance between the enemy’s army and ours was as small as it could possibly be. Despite the concentrated activity of aircraft and artillery, it was impossible to break out of the area of close fighting. The Russians surpassed the Germans in their use of the terrain and in camouflage and were more experienced in barricade warfare for individual A Russian ferry loaded with vital reinforcements. buildings…” 83 Chapter Three

There is no further comment for a winter battles of Moscow, Hitler removed month on the quality of the enemy. men who he believed were defeatist in During this time the entries are filled their beliefs. Hitler found an officer, with gloom at the plight of the writer and Paulus, with unwavering loyalty but who his comrades in arms. was slow-witted and unimaginative to the point of stupidity. October 27th: “…The Russians Unlike his German counterpart, General are not men, but some kind of Ivanovich Chuikov, Stalingrad’s local cast-iron creatures; they never get commander assigned on September 12, tired and are not afraid of fire.” quickly weighed all his options and never October 28th: “Every soldier hesitated. From a bunker inside Stalingrad, sees himself as a condemned he promised his superiors charged with man.” the entire , Yeremenko and Khruschev—stationed safely on the other In Weird Wars, could some of these side of the Volga—“We shall hold the city comments actually be attributed to the or die there.” interference of hate feeders (see page 137) On one occasion Chuikov ordered a or some form of SOPA program (undead major with 100 men and 1 T-34 to protect a soldiers or perhaps mind control)? landing area for 10,000 elite Russian Guard reinforcements: “Rally your men around Holding On the tanks and hold the approaches to the As the spirits of the front line troops port. If you don’t hold out, I’ll have you alternated between frenzy and depression, shot.” the clash of personalities within the The major died in the German attack command staffs increased. Like the but the mission was a success. Rattenkrieg Slowly, and at a tremendous price, the War of the Rats Germans inched their way into Stalingrad’s great buildings, across factory Compared to the Nazis, the Russians followed a floors, around and over the inert different code and that was survival. They had no machinery and through the foundries, grand plans other than destroying the Germans and assembly shops, and offices. “The war of as a result they became masters in the technique of the rats” (rattenkrieg) emerged; a German house-to-house fighting. Chuikov explains: term used to describe the Soviets use of cellars and sewers to get behind German “Experience taught us: get close to the enemy’s positions. positions; move on all fours, making use of craters A German lieutenant of the 24th Panzer and ruins; dig your trenches by night, camouflage Division wrote: them by day; make your build-up for the attack stealthily, without any noise; carry your Tommy-gun “…Stalingrad is no longer a on your shoulder; take ten to twelve grenades. town. By day it is an enormous Timing and surprise will then be on your side. cloud of burning, blinding smoke; …Two of you get into the house together-you, it is a vast furnace lit by the and a grenade; both be lightly dressed-you without reflection of the flames. And a knapsack, and the grenade bare; go in grenade when night arrives, one of those first, you after; go through the whole house, again scorching, howling, bleeding always with a grenade first and you after. nights, the dogs plunge into the …There is one strict rule now-give yourself elbow Volga and swim desperately to room! At every step danger lurks. No matter-a gain the other bank. The nights of grenade in every corner of the room, then forward! Stalingrad are a terror for them. A burst from your Tommy-gun around what’s left; a Animals flee this hell; the hardest bit further-a grenade, then on again! Another room- stones cannot bear it for long; a grenade! A turning-another grenade! Rake it with only men endure… your Tommy-gun! And get a move on! …We have fought during fifteen Inside the object of attack the enemy may go days for a single house, with over to a counter-attack. Don’t be afraid! You have mortars, grenades, machine-guns already taken the initiative, it is in your hands. Act and bayonets. Already by the third more ruthlessly with your grenade, your Tommy- day fifty-four German are gun, your dagger and your spade! Fighting inside a strewn in the cellars, on the building is always frantic. So always be prepared for landings, and the staircases. The the unexpected. Look Sharp!” front is a corridor between burnt- 84 History

out rooms; it is the thin ceiling between two floors. Help comes Sniper Duel from neighboring houses by fire escapes and chimneys. There is a The duel between Zaitsev and Thorvald has ceaseless struggle from noon to inspired both a book and a movie: War of the Rats night… and . Both of these sources take From story to story, faces black some liberty with the historical facts but can serve with sweat, we bombard each as a great source of inspiration for a similar other with grenades in the middle adventure for your heroes. Perhaps the Germans of explosions, clouds of dust and send in a supernatural power to deal with the smoke, heaps of mortar, floods of ongoing sniper problem plaguing their troops. The blood, fragments of furniture and heroes could be assigned to find and deal with the human beings. Ask any soldier horror that seems to be taking an inordinate toll on what half an hour of hand-to- the Red Army’s most revered sharpshooters. hand struggle means in such a fight. And imagine Stalingrad; eighty days and eighty nights of hand-to-hand struggles. The street is no longer measured by meters but by corpses…”

Occasionally an uneasy silence settled over the battlefield. A German soldier wrote,

“Sometimes a silence more disturbing than the roar of explosions spread over the town, which seemed like a dead place. But it continued to watch, although no-one could distinguish night from day any longer. Even in the short periods of calm, each factory, each destroyed house, observed everything with intensity. The piercing eyes of the sniper spied upon the slightest movement of the enemy. The supply units, loaded with mines and shells… hastened along the ditches, which zigzagged between the ruins. From the height of the highest floors artillery observers were on the watch. In the cellars the leaders bent over maps, orderlies tapped on their machines, papers circulated, the soldiers were given directions. The miners, busy at their dangerous work, dug galleries and tried to find out those of the enemy.”

The sniper dominated these quiet days. It was an art the Soviets excelled at. Their best was , a deer hunter from the , who once killed 40 Germans in a ten day period. As a result, the Germans sent in SS Colonel Heinz Thorwald, head of the Berlin sniper school, to personally kill the Russian sniper. Vasily eventually beat out the master. 85 Chapter Three

Thin Red Line Had the battle been simply another struggle for some unknown far away By the end of October, superior place, the Germans would have withdrawn numbers and equipment allowed the to a winter line that was more defensible. Germans to capture almost 90% of the However, the world was watching, and rubbled city. Russian positions in Hitler believed that a retreat would be an Stalingrad had been reduced to a few admission of defeat, thus disproving his stone pockets along an 8-mile long, 2- assertion of the German as the Master mile wide portion the Volga river—even Race. Frustrated by being halted so near the tank factory was in German hands. complete victory, the Germans began to These last islands of resistance, hardened sense the foreboding of the coming by months of combat, would not fall. The winter. A German soldier wrote: intense fighting took its toll on its leaders. Paulus developed a facial tick and “The days were shortening Chuikov came down with nervous eczema again, you could definitely sense on his hands and arms. Chuikov it. And in the mornings the air described his opponent’s army: was quite cool. Were we really going to have to fight through “The Sixth Army… was no another of those dreadful winters? ordinary army. It contained I think that was behind our twenty-two divisions with efforts. Many of us felt that it was reinforcements, more than twice worth anything, any price, if we the size of a normal army. Hitler could get it over before the boasted about its maneuverability winter.” and its power as a shock-force, its personnel-officers and men. The divisions of the army were composed of ‘Pure Aryans’… The prisoners themselves told us that Hitler’s stance was clouded by the lack one in every five soldiers was a of accurate intelligence regarding Soviet Nazi Party member.” troop reserves and front line strength as well as the German commander Paulus’ However, the 6th Army was spent. It misleading battlefield reports. A more had lost the momentum of the summer serious error lay in the lack of and had suffered painful causalities in the supervision of the Romanian, Hungarian, inferno of the city; 7,700 dead and 31,000 and Italian forces on the flanks of better- wounded. Formidable German divisions, trained German divisions. These forces so brilliant in the mobile battles on the were unenthused, ill-equipped, and plains, were ground into skeletons of unsuited for independent operations their former selves. Hitler would not against the Red Army. satisfied until every square inch of the The Germans would have abandoned city was occupied. Ranz Halder, German their preparations for the last push Chief of General Staff wrote: against Stalingrad had they known that for Operation Uranus the Russians had “Hitler’s decisions had ceased to concentrated over half a million infantry, have anything in common with the 900 new T-34’s, 230 regiments of field principles of strategy and artillery, and a 115 regiments of katyusha operations as they have been rocket artillery on an attack front of recognized for generations past.” under forty miles. The Germans expected a small offensive, but mistakenly believed On November 9, Paulus flew in 2400 the Russian winter offensive would again combat engineers for what he believed take place near Moscow. To keep the would be a winning assault on November buildup a secret from the Germans, units 11. Despite their expertise in the were brought in at night without their demolition of large fortifications, the lights turned on. During the day, vehicles, assault ultimately failed as the Russians soldiers, and artillery were hidden from fell back to another line of defense. The the Luftwaffe’s reconnaissance missions Germans began to realize that they would under camouflaged nets in forests and spend another winter fighting, but this ravines. time it would be house-to-house. The Keeping the buildup a secret from the weary soldiers began to desperately look Germans also meant keeping Chuikov in for buildings in which they could the dark and frustrated. As decided in establish winter quarters. secret by Stalin and Zhukov in September, 86 History

Chuikov received only minimal antitank guns dug in around the 250,000 reinforcements and supplies to pin down soldiers of the entombed 6th Army. The Paulus’ 6th Army. Supplies were further Russians paid a high price of 100,000 limited when ice began flowing down the casualties, but killed 95,000 Germans and Volga. took 72,000 prisoners. However, relief of a different sort came at 7:32 AM on November 19. Operation “Help is Coming” Uranus began with 80 minutes of heavy Hitler ordered Paulus to hold Stalingrad bombardment across a bridgehead to the and said, “Sixth Army must know that I far northwest of Chuikov’s positions. am doing everything to help and to relieve Snow and fog grounded the Luftwaffe and it. I shall issue my orders in good time.” hid Russian soldiers dressed in white. Soon, German commander Manstein With tanks guided by compasses, the was directed to form a new army and Russians quickly defeated the Romanians relieve Paulus’ 6th Army. Paulus did the guarding Paulus’ flank—many succumbed one thing he could afford not to do— to “tank fright.” Paulus sent 104 panzers to nothing—as the Russians reinforced their help but only 42 made it, due to electrical positions. failure. It seems mice had gnawed the Hermann Goering of the Luftwaffe electrical wires when the panzers were promised the impossible, that he could dug in with straw to protect them from airlift Paulus’ daily minimum requirements the cold. There were too few German of 500 tons. To meet this goal, Goering reinforcements and the Russians would have to fly 1,000 fully-loaded Ju-52s penetrated 50 miles on the first day. The transports daily. The Luftwaffe had only attack on second day from the south of 750 spread out from Africa to Norway. Stalingrad had similar results and yielded Those that made the trip faced Russian 10,000 German prisoners. antiaircraft fire. For example, on November In We i rd Wars, this timely weather and 29, only 25 of 59 planes made it to two the “mice saboteurs” could be a result of German airstrips. Both airfields were in Siberian shaman activity. need of repair and caused crashes. Mistakes were also made; 8,000 right Encirclement shoes were delivered but no left shoes. It On the night of the 18th of November, was no wonder that Goering seldom the thunderous barrage of the Russian delivered more than 100 tons a day and an winter offensive signaled the turning average of 85 tons a day by mid- point of World War II. From this point December. Supplies of food and forward, the Red Army held the initiative ammunition began to run dangerously low on the Eastern Front. Paulus faced over 1 in the encircled army. Paulus’ cold, battle- million soldiers, 13,451 artillery pieces, 900 weary soldiers kept one eye fixed tanks, and over 1,100 planes. Unfortunately nervously to the west looking for signs for the Wehrmacht, Hitler took personal that the help Hitler had promised was control of the tactical situation. indeed on its way. Upon reaching the forward positions on the 21st, General Manstein, pulled from Leningrad, was informed that it was impossible to move any formations larger than a battalion without first referring to the Führer. On that same day, the Russians moved thirty-four divisions across the Don, and began to build an iron ring around Stalingrad. Paulus miscalculated Russia’s intent to encircle and took up defensive positions to protect the city instead of breaking-out. On the 23rd, units from the northern and southern Russian attacks met at the small town of Kalach, west of Paulus’ forces. By the night of the 24th, the Russians had over 1,000 A Soviet antitank gun fights in the rubble of Stalingrad. 87 Chapter Three

Manstein’s Coming! supplies, and bad weather nullified the superior leadership and fighting ability of This became the mantra of the German the Wehrmacht. Balck wrote: soldiers inside Stalingrad. It was the only small sliver of hope they had of leaving “We were fortunate that after the city alive. the hard fighting in previous The battle began to resemble a 12-round campaigns all commanders whose boxing match where neither side could nerves could not stand the test achieve a knockout blow. Zhukov’s had been replaced by proven men. options were limited. The majority of his There was no commander left forces were tied up between the Volga and who was not absolutely reliable.” Don rivers. His corps commanders, many new to the front, had neither the Reliability to follow Hitler’s orders was flexibility nor the imagination to carry Paulus’ weakness. He refused to breakout out a sustained, deep, mobile penetration. without orders from Hitler and link up Back and forth they danced, while at the with Hoth’s forces under Manstein. Paulus center of it all stood a defiant Paulus and complained that he did not have the Hitler. strength to reengage the Red Army. Paulus At one point, Hoth, sent from Army said he could hold out if he received Group Center in the summer, and his 4th supplies and Hitler was content to let him Panzer Army got to within thirty-five stay there. But Hitler failed to deliver the miles of Stalingrad on December 20. amount of needed supplies. By December German General Balck, commander of 9, the first two German soldiers died of probably the finest armored formation of starvation. On Christmas day a blizzard the Eastern Front, the 11th Panzer, mauled hit the rubbled city with 50-mile-an-hour every Russian column it came up against. winds and Russian bombardment killed However, weather hampered operations. 1,280 German soldiers. Daily rations were Low ceilings and snow blizzards all but at 2 ounces of bread and watered down grounded the Luftwaffe and a temperature soup. By January 1, starvation and illness of 20 below made large-scale operations spread throughout the German 6th Army. to relieve the 6th army extremely difficult. It was dejá vu. Like the Moscow winter of Pitomnik ’42, Hitler had expected Stalingrad to fall On Pitomnik airfield the ugliness of in the summer and the 6th army lacked the long Stalingrad siege began to take its winter clothing. Thus, the Russian toll on German 6th Army morale. A Nazi material advantage, lack of German soldier recalled the following scene:

“There were about thirty of us on the plane, mostly wounded, with stretcher cases piled on top “Every seven seconds a German of each other all over the floor. There were also some people, dies in Russia.” couriers and the like, who were quite unharmed—the sort of Russian planes dropped this message in leaflets people who always, it seems, get and commissars broadcast this message over themselves out of the tightest loudspeakers. Russian field kitchens were set up in scrape by the use of their wits. places were the prevailing winds would carry the We started trundling across the aroma of cooking food to positions of starving ground at an ever-increasing speed, German. It is speculated that some German soldiers with clouds of snow blowing even turned to cannibalism. back from the propellers; at It was absolute suffering as a German in intervals one wheel would drop in Stalingrad recalled: a crater with a terrible crash. Then to our horror the engines cut and “Only twenty to thirty cartridges were distributed we could feel the brakes coming daily to each man, with the order to use them on. The pilot turned round and solely to repulse an attack. The ration of bread was started taxiing back… reduced to 120 and then 70 grams—a slice only! A Lieutenant of the Luftwaffe Water came from melted snow. Because of a lack of came through and said that we potatoes a kilogram box had to make do for fifteen could not get airborne because of men. There was no meat; we ate our horses at the ground, and that we would Christmas.” have to shed about 2,000 kilos… 88 History

twenty men would have to get out. At once there was the most terrific din, everybody shouting at Campaign: Stalingrad once, one man claimed that he War Masters may want to view the movies was traveling by order of the Army Stalingrad and Enemy at the Gates for inspiration. Staff, another from the SS that he Since it is the turning point of the war, Stalingrad had important Party documents, may be the best place and time to begin an Eastern many others who cried about their Front Campaign. Characters can begin the game families, that their children had with some experience, perhaps even starting out as been injured in air raids, and so Guardsmen or as SOPA agents investigating on. Only the men on the stretchers weirdness, such as the appearances of brutes, kept silent, but their terror showed reanimants, twisted Hulks and all three types of in their faces…” hate feeders on the battlefield. Stalingrad can also easily fit into a current campaign in which the Sometimes the wounded would have to players have survived the First Winter Offensive near wait for days at the edge of the airfield in Moscow, Leningrad, and/or Sevastopol. the safety of open trenches, where some Regardless, there is plenty of opportunity for the froze to death overnight. Attempting to players to experience desperate war and weird escape the madness, some men tried to situations such as: force their way onboard air transports and Enforcing communist doctrine and the no were shot. German doctors discovered retreat, no surrender policies. men with self-inflicted wounds, a capital Defending and recapturing the tank factory and offense on the Eastern Front. Around defending the Volga landing with little January, the Russians took the Pitomnik ammunition and reinforcements. airfield. Now Paulus had no way to Evacuating Stalingrad citizens. evacuate the wounded or receive supplies. Stealing or capturing German supplies and equipment. 1943 Delivering and distributing the few supplies that made it across the Volga River. The first days of 1943 started out much Scouting enemy positions. the same as 1942, with the Germany Army Dueling snipers; a fext sniper would be quite in great peril. The Red Army had started dangerous. an offensive called Operation Star to trap Repelling 2400 German combat engineers on Army Group A in the Caucasus. As a November 11. result, Manstein broke off his attack to Protecting Chuikov’s headquarters from being relieve Paulus so that he could help the overrun or infiltrated by supernatural strategically more important Army Group enemies. A avoid entrapment. Sabotaging German land lines (communications) Elsewhere along the front, from the or laying or repairing Russian land lines. frozen Baltic down to the Orel, enormous Infiltrating Paulus’ headquarters to assassinate minefields and permanent emplacements or capture a blood mage or to gain of logs, concrete, and earth fortifications information on enemy battle plans (Paulus had hardly been altered in twelve months. would not be the target of assassination These troops had plenty of food, clothing, since he is more valuable alive, screwing fuel, and regular mail deliveries. Their things up for the Germans). bitterest enemies were the cold and the Discovering a secret Nazi research base within huge bands of roving partisans. The front the ruins run by blood mages summoning was often quiet and used as a rest area and creating weird manifestations such as for worn out divisions and as a training exploding corpses. ground for the Russians. Making a temporary truce and alliance with the In the South, where the three great Germans to defeat some supernatural threat. rivers of the Ukraine flowed, the war Engaging in day-to-day street fighting, using seemed to grind on endlessly. The sewer and cellar movement to get behind outnumbered Germans were still better enemy positions, encountering gutter ranks. led and trained than the Russians. The Participating in the encirclement of the German Soviets, ruthless in equipment 6th Army in Operation Uranus. standardization, had two types of trucks, Capturing the Pitomnik airfield. two tanks and three artillery pieces but Accepting the surrender of Paulus and the were desperately short of good officers. remains of his 6th Army.; perhaps preventing What they lacked in leaders they made up a blood mage plot to turn all 91,000 into with numbers, toughness and bravery. brutes, reanimants. zombies, and exploding Unfortunately, up to now it had cost them corpses. over 4 million men. 89 Chapter Three

Surrender On the other hand, 750,000 Russians died in the Battle of Stalingrad. Unlike the Zhukov demanded the surrender of the Germans, the Red Army could absorb 6th Army. Paulus, still in touch with Hitler these losses. The state newspaper, Pravda, by short wave radio, would not consider radio, and posters declared to all people surrender without the Führer’s permission. of Russia that Stalin was the man behind On January 22, Paulus sent this message the victory. American media depicted to Hitler: Stalin as “Uncle Joe,” the relative the family welcomes and loves to have over “The Russians are advancing on for dinner a six-kilometer frontage. There is no possibility of closing the gap. A Turning Tide All provisions are used up. Over 12,000 unattended wounded men in Kharkov, west of Stalingrad, and Kursk, the pocket. What orders am I to north of Kharkov, were recaptured during issue the troops who have no Operation Star’s efforts to trap Army ammunition left?” Group A in the Caucasus. After a tense face-to-face meeting at Zaporozhye, Hitler responded: Ukraine between Hitler and recently promoted southern commander Manstein, “The troops will defend their Hitler accepted Manstein’s plan to positions to the last. The Sixth withdraw from the area and then launch a Army has thus made an historic counterattack. contribution in the most gigantic Hitler allowed his generals to trade war effort in German history.” space for time, reversing his “hold at all cost” orders of the year before. He Since no German field marshal had ever changed his mind believing that new surrendered in battle prior to this time, super weapons would be developed and Hitler promoted Paulus. When Paulus used to achieve a stalemate that would in surrendered himself and 91,000 soldiers turn allow him to exploit a diplomatic anyway, a dismayed was front. However, by the second week of quoted as saying: February, the Nazis had retreated two hundred miles along the entire southern “This hurts me so much front. They devastated the countryside because the heroism of so many and razed towns. A Russian observed the soldiers is nullified by one single following: characterless weakling—and that is what the man is going to do now. “The Germans had burned You have to imagine, he’ll be villages down to the ground, laid brought to Moscow, and imagine low the orchard trees, trampled on that rattrap there. There he will the cultivated fields, effaced every sign anything. He’ll make sort of evidence of human confessions, make proclamations— occupation. In the farms they had you’ll see…” taken the ploughs, reapers, mowers, made a pile of them and Only 6,000 of 91,000 captured ever made then blown them up.” it back to Germany due to mistreatment. 35,000 wounded Germans were evacuated In January, the Eastern Wehrmacht had but 125,000 Nazis died during the course of only about 600 tanks available and by the battle and siege. After the surrender it March were short 470,000 men. In the was discovered that there were too many meantime, Russia was out-producing German bodies to bury so they were Germany with its tank factories in the stacked between layers of railroad ties and Urals. burned. Khrushchev wrote: In terms of the Soviet Army, the Germans were no longer facing uniformed “I went once to watch but I peasants. Morale improved, as did didn’t go a second time. Napoleon numbers and strength; the Red Army or someone once said that swelled to more than 16 million officers burning enemy corpses smell and men in July 1943. More importantly, good. Well, speaking for myself I Stalin trusted officers who had proved don’t agree. It was a very themselves in battle and were promoted; unpleasant smell and altogether a loyalty to the Communist Party was no very unpleasant scene.” longer the most important factor. The 90 History

Halftrack mounted nebelwerfers are prepared to fire.

Soviets were also becoming increasingly sided armor. The T-34’s role as the more mobile since 183,000 Lend-Lease undisputed queen of the battlefield had trucks had been shipped to Soviet ports ended. The Red Army, low on fuel and by mid-1943. weary of the German propensity for The Russians for the first time were achieving the unimaginable, withdrew implementing a large-scale offensive war across the Donetz River and halted the of movement. A tank commander Wehrmacht at almost the same line it had explained, “At the beginning of the war been at the previous summer. everything was done in a hurry and time Manstein’s forces did manage to bag was always ticking. Now we calmly went 9,000 prisoners, kill or wound 100,000 into action.” However, the fluidity of this Russians, and destroy 615 tanks, 400 type of combat was hindered by cold artillery pieces, and 600 antitank guns. weather, poor communications, Not only was the Russian offensive inexperience with the maintenance of stopped and Kharkov recaptured, but traffic density for deep penetrations, and Army Group A escaped entrapment in the the increased distance away from supplies Caucasus. Fortunately for the Russians, and reinforcements. This aided the the spring thaw finally arrived in the third Germans in making their retreat and week of March, cutting short Manstein’s escaping destruction on the snow-swept advance because of gooey roads and steppes. fields. “General Mud” had taken over as soldiers liked to say. A Short Reprieve At the end of March both armies were On February 21, 1943 Manstein’s content in their defensive positions and counterattack halted Russia’s second began to build up forces while waiting for winter offensive and Kharkov was retaken the spring thaw to end. Germany had in mid-March. Manstein’s counterattack failed to deny Russia the Caucasus oil shocked the Russian High Command who supply and the cost of the war was believed that his forces were in full retreat beginning to be felt in the home and incapable of offensive operations. manufacturing sector. So much manpower Manstein ordered, “The Soviet Sixth Army was being diverted to the Eastern Front, is to be defeated.” that , Minister of Armament Although it didn’t happen according to and War Production, requested more Manstein’s plans, during the attack the foreign labor. Nazi administrators were Soviets were demoralized by the only too happy to comply and thousands appearance of the PzKpfw VI Tiger with of slave laborers were shipped to factories its powerful 88mm gun and thick, slab- inside Germany. 91 Chapter Three

Lucy The Russian High Command was tipped-off about Operation Citadel in early April by “Lucy,” a Swiss agent named Rudolf Rossler who had connections to anti-Nazi officers in the German army. It was this agent who helped the Soviets win the back in `41:

“Information of such an accurate and incredibly well- informed nature streamed to Moscow that suspicions were aroused that this was merely an agent of the Abwehr engaged on an elaborate process of disinformation, aimed at luring Katyusha rockets in action during the battle of Kursk. the Soviet command into a giant trap. In what remains an astonishing performance, and one finally accepted by Moscow as Kursk genuine, ‘Lucy’ supplied up-to-date data on the German order of In 1941, Hitler vied for all of Russia. In battle, with day-to-day changes, as 1942, he wanted the Caucasus. Now in well as being able to answer 1943, Hitler simply wanted a victory at the enquiries about high-level matters Kursk salient. The Wehrmacht realized dealing with the German Army. that it would be almost impossible to Such was Lucy’s role that one defeat the Russians—who were growing highly valued Soviet agent stronger daily—and that the best strategy considered that in the end for the summer of `43 lay in forcing the Moscow very largely fought the Russians into a draw, with Nazi losses war on Lucy’s messages.” kept to a minimum. Despite the length of the front and After confirming the vital information Wehrmacht’s reduced strength after the regarding Kursk with independent sources, winter of `42, a defensive posture was out “Lucy” had once again come through for of the question to Hitler if it meant Russia. With Zhukov’s blessing, Stalin withdrawing. Hitler knew he needed a ordered forces around Kursk to take on a great military victory to prevent his allies defensive posture and adopt a primary from withdrawing from the war and, objective of destroying German armor. hopefully, to convince to join the Without panzer divisions, the Soviet Axis. Despite the abysmal performance of leaders were correct in assuming that their divisions during Operation Uranus, Germany would never be able to take the the Romanians disagreed as to who strategic initiative again on the Eastern should take the blame at Stalingrad. front. General Franco requested that the Spanish “Blue Division” be relieved. Hungary Build Up wanted its three divisions kept away from The Red Army had a golden the fighting and stopped taking German opportunity to defang the Wehrmacht. orders. Hitler deployed 3,332 tanks along Disregarding Manstein’s urgings to let Barbarossa’s 930-mile front in `41; for the Russians take the offensive, Hitler Citadel he committed 1,850 panzers and ordered Operation Citadel on April 15, a 533 assault guns along a 60-mile front. For German offensive on the Kursk salient by the first time the Nazis would have Tiger Army groups Center and South, to begin tanks superior in armor and firepower to when the weather improved. Kursk the Russian T-34s. The first Tiger was became the largest tank battle in history captured on December, 1942 and the up until the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and Russians quickly decided to improve the involved 6,000 Russian tanks. At its T-34’s gun size to 85mm. But the revamped height, close to 3,000 tanks were on the T-34 did not make it into the battle of move at the same time. Kursk. Regardless, the Germans had to 92 History contend with Russian artillery deployed Germans knew the Russians were dug-in in large numbers never before experienced and yet still decided to attack. Like 1941, in modern warfare. The tactic of the Nazis underestimated the Red Army’s “Breakthrough Divisions” made-up of 356 ability to stand up to the might of the guns on a firing line or katyusha German Army. One day before the attack divisions were developed in late 1942. on the 4th of July, while suffering a At the end of April, the Stavka sent Russian bombardment of their forward Zhukov and the veteran armies of positions, the German army received a Stalingrad into the Kursk pocket. personal message from the Führer: Rokossovski, the commander of the northern corner of the salient, had already reinforced this area with over 20,000 guns and mortars, 6000 76.2mm antitank guns, and 920 katyusha multiple rocket Adventure Seed: throwers. A Red Army Captain described how his brigade prepared for the Is Lucy in Danger? imminent German attack: With the use of blood-mage-summoned cipher “We anticipated five possible imps (Afrika Korpse, page 127), the Nazis know that places where they [the Germans] “Lucy” is somewhere in neutral Switzerland. The may strike and at each of them player’s learn of this by intercepting a German we know alongside whom we transmission or message that speaks of mobilizing shall be fighting, our replacements a small, but elite, Nazi commando team, led by a and command posts. The brigade blood mage, to find Lucy’s exact location, capture is stationed in the rear, but our him, and then send out an erroneous message at a trenches and shelters are ready up critical time to the Russians. in front, and the routes by which The problem is that Switzerland is at least 1,500 we are to get there are marked out. miles away from the Russian Front and SOPA The ground, of which we have estimates that the players have only two weeks made a topographical survey, has until the Germans find Lucy. To save time, the been provided with guide marks. players may be parachuted into Rumania, and then, The depths of fords, the maximum with the help of pro-communist partisans, the loads of bridges are known to us. players must hike, bike, and use train and motor Liaisons with division have been vehicles to travel an additional 600 miles through doubled, codes and signals are occupied Romania, Hungary, and Yugoslavia to the arranged. Often alerted by day or Swiss border. In every country along the way there night, our men are familiarized are anti-Nazi partisan forces, some led by Russian with their task in any or British advisors. eventuality…” Pro-Russian Swiss agents meet the players at the border and inform the players of the results of their Under the direction of army engineers, surveillance of the Nazi team and whether the the Russians built up a complicated Nazis have already captured “Lucy” or not. If not, integrated defense with the help of then the players must shadow the commandos, 300,000 civilians. Almost 3,100 miles of avoid detection, and thwart the capture of Lucy. If trenches were dug within eight defensive he has been captured, he is probably being held belts at a depth of 110 miles along the over in some Swiss château. The players will have front. little time to rescue him before he is killed. If Lucy is rescued or the attempt to capture him is The Attack Starts Late thwarted, the players have orders to escort him back The Germans suffered continual delays. to Russia, or if necessary, to France, so that his The attack was delayed three weeks while contacts can continue to feed him vital information. additional tanks were produced. Hitler was A wrench could be thrown into the rescue situation determined that the new Panther tanks if Lucy is already dead and the Nazis allow a should participate in the battle. Due to doppleganger spy to escape with the characters. the delays, Manstein believed the success Another rescue possibility is to meet up with of the operation was no longer feasible British or American forces in Italy. Over the next but a united General Staff persuaded year, this could allow the possibility for joint SOPA Hitler that German firepower and mobility and OSI missions in Italy, France, or the Ukraine. made taking Kursk achievable. As already SOPA would be delighted to cooperate, secretly mentioned the delay and intelligence from ordering the players to steal any OSI secrets for the “Lucy” allowed the Russians to build good of the Mother Country. enormous defensive emplacements. The 93 Chapter Three

“Soldiers of the Reich! This day “As we advanced the Russian you are to take part in an artillery ploughed the earth around offensive of such importance that us. ‘Ivan,` with his usual cunning, the whole future of the war may had held his fire in the weeks depend on its outcome. More than before, and even that morning anything else, your victory will when our own guns were show the whole world that pounding him. But now the whole resistance to the power of the front was a girdle of flashes. It German Army is hopeless.” seemed as if we were driving into a ring of flame. Four times our Thanks to Lucy, strategic surprise was valiant ‘Rosinante’ shuddered impossible when Hitler decided to launch under a direct hit, and we thanked Citadel on July 5. Stalin’s commanders the fates for the strength of our were on high alert for they knew the good Krupp steel.” attack would be launched between July 3 and 6. On the evening of the 4th, a The Germans believed the Russians German sapper caught trying to remove would fall once the panzers achieved a Russian mines revealed under breakthrough and hit the open country interrogation that the offensive would beyond their defenses. To achieve this goal begin at 0330 hours. Russian artillery, .and maintain momentum, the following mortars and Katyusha units opened up at order was given, but it was a virtual death 0220 hours hampering German units sentence to the panzer crews when taking moving into position. As a result, the into account the density of Soviet German attack began an hour late at 0430 antitank guns: hours. The Germans responded with a barrage “.In no circumstances will tanks that fired more shells than had been fired be stopped to render assistance to during the entire Polish and French those which have been disabled. campaigns combined. On this first day, Recovery is the responsibility of over 500 aircraft took part in the largest engineer units only. Tank air battle in the history of the war. By the commanders are to press on to end of the battle, more than 2,000 German their objective as long as they sorties were flown. retain mobility. Where a tank is The lack of German imagination and rendered immobile but the gun is adaptability of the Citadel plan in the in working order (e.g., from face of the massive Russian preparations mechanical failure or track doomed the attack from the start. Once damage), the crew will continue to again the old blitzkrieg formula was relied give fire support from a static on: Stukas, short-intense artillery position.” bombardment, massed tanks and close support infantry kicked off the assault. A German tactics revolved around the radio operator in a Tiger wrote: Panzerkeile. This was an armored wedge where the Tigers bunched at the tips and the Panthers and PzKpfw IV’s fanned out behind. Directly behind the tanks were lightly-armed, close support infantry, followed by heavier forces in halftracks. The Russians countered this with a tactic known to the Germans as a Pakfront. It was based on the use of up to 12 well-camouflaged antitank guns and one commander, who would concentrate their fire on a single target. Troops in antitank positions were trained in panzer vulnerabilities and to control their “tank fright.” Khrushchev demanded that the weaknesses of the Tiger be known as well as the “Lord’s prayer was once known.” Often, camouflaged Russians let the German tanks and assault guns move by and then fired their antitank rifles or An ISU-122 trundles across a pontoon bridge. lobbed Molotov cocktails from behind. 94 History

Minefield layouts channeled the Germans into these pakfront corridors. Advancing German soldiers looking for cover soon learned that more than 40,000 mines had been placed and were now hidden by in-season wheat and sunflower fields. Antitank mines averaged 2,400 per mile and anti-personnel mines averaged 2,700 per mile. A panzer that hit a mine usually only had its tracks blown off but this left it a sitting duck. When the Germans discovered the density and depth of the pakfront they tried to move their heavy infantry into the attack. The Russian guns, protected by machinegun and mortar nests and under orders only to fire to support their own batteries, Tank-mounted infantry sweep in to counterattack. decimated the German infantry. favor. All the Tigers fired. The Often there was little cover on the combat escalated into an ecstasy steppes that German tanks could use as of roaring engines. The humans protection from the Russian guns. who directed and serviced them The Next 7 Days had to be calm; very calm, they By the morning of the 5th, the German aimed rapidly, they loaded rapidly, infantry, after tremendous exertions, they gave orders quickly. They mastered the first belt of the Russian rolled ahead a few yards, pulled defenses. However, they were finding it left, pulled right, maneuvered to impossible to make headway against the escape the enemy crosshairs and second belt, which was the strongest. The bring the enemy into their own Russians had also moved up tanks during fire. We counted the torches of the night; this meant that on the second enemy tanks which would never day they had almost as much firepower again fire on German soldiers. as the first day. Weather also hampered After one hour, twelve T-34s were the German advance. Intermittent in flames. The other thirty curved thunderstorms fed the small streams wildly back and forth, firing as bisecting the fields. rapidly as their barrels would Elsewhere, as part of the Russian battle deliver. They aimed well, but our plan, partisans disrupted communication armor was very strong. We no and supply routes with attacks on roads longer twitched when a steely and railways behind German lines. These finger knocked on our walls. We attacks not only destroyed war materials wiped the flakes of interior paint but tied up Nazi troops conducting anti- from our faces, loaded again, partisan sweeps. aimed, fired.” Even though the Germans had local air superiority, the Germans encountered T-34s could only penetrate Tiger armor constant artillery and mortar within 500 meters compared to the Tiger’s bombardment and air attack every day of 1500-meter effective range. As result, many the battle. The Russians may have had T-34s were dug in at certain sectors of the superior numbers, but the German Tigers front. On July 7, Khruschev assembled the ruled the battlefield at long range. One areas commanders and said: German tanker recalled: “The next two or three days will “On separate slopes, some half- be terrible. Either we hold out or mile apart, the forces faced one the Germans take Kursk. They are another like figures on a staking everything on this one chessboard, trying to influence card. For them it is a matter of life fate, move by move, in their own or death. We must see to it that they break their necks!” 95 Chapter Three

So many shells were fired during the thousands of dead bodies and burning tank battles that took place in the equipment. The Germans believed that ravines, steppes, hills, gorges, gullies, and once they cleared the defensive belts and settlements that a haze-like smog hit open ground they could destroy the hindered the sun. Russian Lieutenant Russians as they had in `41' and `42. But General Dragunsky recalled: they came to realize that the Soviets had learned from the past and finally “Toward the evening of 8 July, understood the advantage the Red Army one regiment had only ten tanks possessed in equipment and men. A left. The adjacent brigade had to Panzer soldier wrote: withdraw to another sector. Our tank regiment was no longer able “We had been warned to expect to hold its position. resistance from Pak [fixed Communications to the battalions antitank guns] and some tanks in were interrupted and we were static positions, also the running out of armor-piercing possibility of a few independent shells. Also, there were many brigades of the slower KV type. In wounded. One would think we fact we found ourselves taking on were on an island in the midst of a seemingly inexhaustible mass of a sea of fire. It was senseless to enemy armor. Never have I received stay in this sector any longer. We such an overwhelming impression had to make our way to the main of Russian strength and numbers forces of the Brigade.” as on that day. The clouds of dust made it difficult to get help from Like the mobile battles after Stalingrad, the Luftwaffe, and soon many of neither side could achieve a knockout the T-34’s had broken past our blow. The brutal struggle taxed men and screen and were streaming like machines and littered the battlefield with rats all over the old battlefield…”

A Stuh 42 self-propelled gun in winter camo. Its 105mm gun provided heavy fire support for advancing infantry. 96 History

By July 10, the Germans had lost over 400 tanks and 50,000 men and had penetrated less than 10 miles. On that Campaign: Kursk same day, the Allies landed troops in With Stalingrad encircled, a Kursk Campaign Sicily. could begin in early January 1943 when the players Another Crippling Defeat take part in Operation Star to capture Kharkov, west The last large-scale armor attack by the of Stalingrad, and Kursk, north of Kharkov, by mid- German army on the Eastern Front took February. Unfortunately, due in large part to German place on July 12. 600 German tanks faced General Manstein, Operation Star’s efforts to trap 850 Russian tanks as dive-bombers from Army Group A in the Caucasus failed and the both sides flew in and out of the smoky Germans recaptured Kharkov on March 15. The battlefield. Destroyed tanks emitted oily players could witness Tigers with their 88mm guns smoke that made sighting difficult for devastate the now outdated Russian T-34s. gunners. On a few occasions, a Russian Backtracking a little, perhaps the players could have crew deliberately rammed their vehicle been part of the operation to capture a Tiger in into a German tank causing a concussive December of 1942. fireball explosion that was felt across the To avoid another surprise counterattack, the battlefield. A Russian soldier recalled: players, with the rest of the Red Army in the area, take up defensive positions. Once Lucy tips off “The sun came to our aid. It Stavka in April that the Germans will launch a picked out the contours of the major offensive on Kursk in July, the players could enemy tanks and blinded the help supervise 300,000 civilians construct Kursk’s German tank men. Our first eight defensive belts throughout the months of echelon at full speed cut into the April, May, and June. The players could also receive positions of the German troops. training in the Tank Immobilization feat. Two weeks The appearance on the battlefield prior to the attack, the players could be sent to of a great number of our tanks organize partisan attacks on German threw the Germans into confusion. communications, supply routes, roads and railways Control was soon disrupted. Our behind German lines so as to tie up the Germans in tanks were destroying the Tigers at anti-partisan sweeps. Or the players could remain close range, where the Germans and participate in the 9-day battle, perhaps being could not use their armament to the ones responsible for the capture and advantage in close combat. We interrogation of the German sapper on the night of knew their vulnerable spots, so July 4. our tank crews were firing at their In terms of weirdness, out of desperation, the sides. The shells fired from very blood mages may have found a way to summon short distances tore large holes in uncontrollable twisted hulks and flugzeuggeists the armor of the Tigers. (see Afrika Korpse pages 131 and 139) or are sending Ammunition exploded inside out exploding corpses (see page 134). Perhaps one or them, and turrets weighing many more hate feeder manifestations make an untimely tons were flung yards away.” appearance. After the battle, a haunted German tank, refusing to give up the fight, wreaks havoc on After eight hours, the Germans the players and a group of Red Army engineers sent retreated. As darkness fell, 300 German to scavenge the field for useful German gear. tanks managed to escape. That evening Once Hitler calls off the battle on July 13, the the Russians took possession of the players could take part during the months of July battlefield with its valuable treasure of and August in the recapture of Orel and Kharkov, disabled tanks, guns, and trucks. Russian help push back the Nazis to the west of the officer Rotmistrov described: Dnieper River in September, and liberate Kiev by November 6. If not reassigned to aid and advise “More than 700 tanks were put partisans, the players could then, in the months of out of action on both sides in the December 1943 and January and February 1944, help battle. Dead bodies, destroyed liberate most of Western Ukraine. tanks, crushed guns and numerous shell craters dotted the battlefield. There was not a single blade of grass to be seen; only burnt, black Taking into account high German armor and smoldering earth throughout losses, three days earlier on the 9th, the entire depth of our attack—up Zhukov and Stalin were confident that the to eight miles.” offensive against the German Orel salient could proceed up north. The Orel offensive 97 Chapter Three

began on the 12th. On the 13th, Hitler, predecessors. Some motorized divisions realizing that losses were too high to had no vehicles and used horses instead. continue, had no choice but to call off Soviet armor was down 50 percent, but the battle of Kursk. these losses could be more easily Orel fell by the 23rd. For Germany it replaced than German losses. Although was the beginning of the end with roots 34,000 Soviets were taken prisoner and extending back to Stalingrad. 645 German sent off as slave labor, it marked the last tanks and 207 assault guns were lost by time prisoners were taken in any the end of July. Due to the Soviet significant numbers. Hoth commented to counteroffensives another 527 tanks and Manstein, “The Russians have learned a 143 assault guns were lost in August. By lot since 1941. They are no longer peasants October, only one-third remained of all with simple minds. They have learned that the armor that was available in the battle art of war from us.” of Kursk. At Hitler’s insistence, The defeat caused the Nazi hierarchy to replacement crews were ordered to the retreat further into the world of absurdity. front with less training than their The General Staff became spineless “yes” men to the Führer. Goering just stopped showing up and spent his time collecting art, hunting and shopping. Hitler, pumped Adventure Seed: full of drugs* and suffering from Parkinson disease, became more Blood Mage Suggestion uncontrollable and incoherent. * In Weird Wars, could these drugs have Although more costly, frontal attacks in force some other purpose, perhaps pre-vampire was still the preferred method attack by many preparation? (See page 124.) inexperienced and less skillful Russian officers. When 500 Russians attacked his artillery company, Operation Rumantsyev Siegfried Knappe noted in his diary that: On August 23, 1943, Kharkov was “We could see them moving about 4 kilometers recaptured again by the Russians in away… [and] opened fire on them, but they kept Operation Rumantsyev. So much was coming. It was just suicide, because they were out brought to bear in Operation Rumantsyev in the open and they had no tanks or artillery or that Hitler gave Manstein permission on protection of any kind. They got as close as 200 September 15 to retreat most units behind meters before they were completely decimated… the Dnieper river. Ukraine’s steppe Hundreds of dead and wounded lay in the reddened geography provided few natural defensive snow, horribly mangled and spattered with blood, positions and the river was the only their eyes growing dim as their lives ran out.” major obstacle capable of slowing the Russian advance. Perhaps the use of frontal assaults is not always From September 26 to December 20, the a result of an inexperienced officer but blood mage Red Army forced most of the remaining suggestion magic. For example, the players could be German units away from the east bank of meeting with an officer to coordinate some future the Dnieper River. By mid-October, the mission when the officer suddenly stops in mid- Soviets managed to secure some sentence and orders the troops under his command footholds on the western banks. During to charge a nearby enemy position. the next fours months, the Red Army The players know it will gain nothing but the continued its offensive as the Germans officer’s troops, in an almost zombie-like state, retreated; a retreat that would not end follow his orders as he leads his men into the until 20 months later in Berlin. Attacks suicide charge despite any character attempts to along the front from Finland to the Black convince the officer otherwise. Perhaps the Sea were switched from one location to characters notice during, the ensuing carnage, a the other to keep the Germans off Nazi officer or familiar slip away from his hiding balance. place. The characters are at a loss to explain the weird event and report back to SOPA and find that New Patriarch similar reports are coming in throughout that area In September of 1943, to increase of the front. Realizing that it may be the work of a morale among the civilians, Stalin put the blood mage, SOPA command then orders the players word out that it was permitted to openly to investigate and either find a way to protect the participate in the Russian Orthodox Red Army from future attacks or eliminate or Church. Up until that time, religious capture the blood mage propagating the suggestion worship was outlawed and replaced with attacks. the “religion” of Communism. As a result, the church collected money for the war 98 History effort and blessed tanks as they left the Pripet Marshes of Belorussia and Poland. factories. The church benefited from this However, to the north, the Germans still new relationship when Stalin allowed for controlled everything west of the all other Christian faiths to come under Estonian border and north of the Pripet the authority of the Russian Orthodox Marshes. Church. The new Patriarch Aleski declared For the German soldier the war had Stalin as Russia’s “God Given Leader.” become a long retreat across a bleak and hostile landscape. They were always Kiev Liberated outnumbered, perpetually short of fuel Kiev, west bank of the Dnieper River, and ammunition, and constantly having to had to be taken by conventional means overexert themselves and their machines. after a failed nighttime paratroop drop Major Gustav Kreutz, an artillery officer into a panzer division. A long-term result with the 182nd Division wrote: was that the Russians never attempted a paratroop drop again in the war. Not all “Towards the end of the month Ukrainians were happy to see the we at last got some replacements, Russians again. In April 1944, anti-Soviet new assault guns up to battalion partisans killed General Vatutin, strength. They were mostly young commander of the 1st Ukrainian Group. chaps from the training barracks At the front, Manstein desperately tried to halt the Russian advance. His situation was further complicated by having to now ask permission from Hitler to use SS units. In the meantime, Russian tank strength had gradually returned to its pre- Kursk numbers. By late October, the Russian winter was rearing its ugly head again. Its coming permeated the German Army with despair and a dull conviction that the war was lost. The Teheran Conference On November 28, 1943, Teheran, Iran served as the location for a conference between Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt. Despite British preferences for Mediterranean fronts, Stalin agreed with Roosevelt that preparations for the landing on France in May, 1944 must continue. Stalin understandably wanted the Western Allies to step up and contribute their share to the fighting. Stalin also agreed to Roosevelt’s proposal for a future United Nations and formally promised to declare war on Japan after the defeat of Germany. The timetable for the attack on Italy was discussed as well as postwar border and independence issues regarding Finland, Poland, and Korea. Ukrainian Offensive On December 24, the Russians launched a fresh offensive to liberate the Ukraine. For the next 10 weeks, Russia’s third winter offensive successfully liberated most of the Ukraine west of the Dnieper river to the borders of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania and the One of the ubiquitous Russian 85mm antiaircraft guns. 99 Chapter Three

with a few officers and NCO.’s who had seen action in Italy. In no time they were complaining about the cold. They kept fires going during the day as well as at night, and were breaking up a lot of wooden outhouses for fuel, which would have been valuable later. I had occasion to speak sharply to them about this and one of them answered that on that day the thermometer had fallen to ten below, and was this not abnormal? I told him that soon he would count himself lucky when the thermometer was not ten but twenty-five degrees below, and that in January it would fall to forty below. At this the poor fellow broke down and sobbed.”

Throughout the last half of 1943 the German Army in the East was in a steady decline. Following Kursk, Manstein’s Army Group suffered 133,000 casualties and received only 33,000 replacements, the

The Luftwaffe slowly lost control of the skies over Russia. Italians went home, and the Hungarians and Romanians were more interested in fighting each other. The equipment Adventure Seed: situation continued to deteriorate and the SS was hoarding everything it could get Penal Battalion Revenge its hands on. To their horror, the Germans witnessed Russia’s The Red Army, in contrast, was reaping continual willingness to sacrifice lives to win. the benefits of its simplified arms Russian penal battalions were marched to the production and aid from the United German front lines to remove land mines, States, especially trucks and halftracks. sometimes as a human wave as noted by Guy Sajer These vehicles put the Red Army on in his memoir Forgotten Soldier, wheels for the first time in its history and allowed for deeper and longer assault “The minefield exploded under the howling mob, penetrations. In addition, no country had and we sent out a curtain of yellow and white fire as many artillery pieces as Russia. to obliterate anyone who had survived. The fragmented cadavers froze very quickly, sparing us Leningrad Relieved the stench which would otherwise have polluted Taking advantage of the frozen Gulf of the air over a vast area.” Finland and rivers on German flanks, the Russian Leningrad army group finally Despite the inhumanity of the situation, the liberated the city from its long, 900-day players witness or order one such human wave siege. South of Kiev, the Russians prior to an afternoon assault. After the successful managed to encircle eight German assault to push back the German front line the divisions. players turn in for the night while a few take-up By the beginning of the year, the nighttime guard positions. German retreat turned from an organized Unless the players think to bury the parts of the withdrawal to a rout. Several supply penal battalion, that night a blood mage sneaks dumps were abandoned undamaged. The into the area of the dead and decimated penal Germans also had a shortage of medics. battalion. It now happens to be behind Russian Many wounded died waiting for care or lines near the new front line. The mage resurrects due to a lack of medical supplies or were them as zombies to seek revenge. Once the zombie killed by the Red Army or partisans while assault is stopped, as required under SOPA being evacuated in trucks or trains. objectives, the players must hunt down and Like rats abandoning a sinking ship, eliminate or capture the blood mage. Nazi party officials shipped their loot back to Germany, in a false belief that a 100 History diplomatic solution with the West could plunged first into the waves and ice be achieved. They rationalized their floes. The banks of the river were actions by claiming that they were steep; the horses turned back and fighting the threat of Communism. But fell into the current. Soon hundreds German atrocities could no longer be of soldiers, completely naked and hidden and the West was unmovable in red as lobsters, were thronging the its demand for an unconditional surrender. other bank. Many soldiers did not Despair turned to fear, which in turn led know how to swim. Maddened by to desperation. the approach of the Russian armor, which was coming down the slope German Army in Peril and firing at them, they threw A Russian account of the capture of Pyolichatka in southern Ukraine illustrated the state of German affairs on the front: Adventure Seed: “It was like a garage. Vehicles of all makes and all models were The lined up in close ranks on the streets, in the courtyards, and the At the Teheran Conference, Churchill gave to cherry orchards. They had come Stalin a ceremonial sword created at the command from all the countries of Europe. of King George VI. Inscribed on the 50-inch gilded From large Demag seven-tonners bronze blade in English and Russian was the which carried an entire mechanical following: “To the steel-hearted citizens of workshop to small Renault Stalingrad, the gift of King George VI in token of tricycles, from the luxurious Horch homage of the British people.” to old Citroens. All were In Weird Wars, could this sword have mystical camouflaged in preparation for the powers? After examination by SOPA advisors to road journey. In the sidings were Stalin it is decided that the sword could serve a long strings of trucks loaded with greater purpose in the destruction of Nazi flour, salt, munitions, tanks, and monstrosities, such as fext, wehrwolves, vampires petrol. Before a grain elevator, a and hate feeders than on display at some museum train was loaded, ready to depart. near Red Square, Moscow. Any player that loses or The destination was written on damages the sword would be advised to shoot him the trucks: Koln-Tilsit-Konigsberg.” or herself. Or perhaps SOPA has no idea of the sword’s value until Nazi agents steal it right out of A Belgian with the SS Wallonia Brigade Moscow. SOPA may even be tipped off that the described the retreat from the Koval- Nazis plan on stealing something out of the Korsun, Crimea area: museum and order the characters to take up guard positions. If the sword is stolen, the players must “In this frantic race vehicles now recover the sword, discover its value, and save were overturned, throwing wounded the honor of the Mother Country and those who in confusion to the ground. A wave died at Stalingrad. of Soviet tanks overtook the first vehicles and caught more than half of the convoy; the wave advanced through the carts, breaking them under our eyes, one by one like boxes of matches, crushing the wounded and the dying horses . . . We had a moment’s respite when the tanks got jammed in the procession, and were trying to get clear of the tangle of hundreds of vehicles broken beneath their tracks.”

Later when the Germans were halted by a river:

“Eight meters broad and two meters deep the artillery teams which had escaped destruction Chronic shortages forced the Germans to use captured equipment. 101 Chapter Three

bit of hope remaining for me and Rase was that when the follow-up amputation was done on my leg, some extra kilos of flesh could be cut off and saved for consumption.” Spring Offensive On March 4, 1944, the Belorussia front was created by Soviet troops. This marked the beginning of the spring offensive that divided the German front into north and south sections. With the capture of the railroad junction at Chernovtsy, Ukraine, north of Romania, the Nazis could no longer move “General Mud” made live miserable for Russians… forces from Poland to southern Ukraine. Since themselves pell-mell into the icy December `43, except in Crimea, German water. Some escaped death by losses over the entire front were light clinging to trees, which had been because of Manstein’s leadership and hastily felled… But hundreds were Russian caution. drowned. Under the fire of tanks, thousands upon thousands of Air Strategy soldiers, half clothed, streaming Air attacks from both sides seldom with icy water or naked as the day decided the fate of land battles due to they were born, ran through the the front being so long. Russia had no snow towards the distant cottages effective strategic bomber force; there of Lysianka.” were just too few. A bombing run on Berlin was done for publicity purposes. For the next year-and-a-half the Medium bombers were used mainly as German supply system became very army support. unreliable. Obtaining food became a major Russian fighter aircraft had a lot of concern for many German soldiers along freedom since only a third of their time the front. German soldiers became was spent combating German aircraft in hunters, trappers, nest robbers, and plant the air or on the ground. By January `43, gatherers. Abandoned horses became Russia had almost 13,000 aircraft, three to supper and amputated limbs were four times as much as the Germans. considered by two soldiers as reported by British, and US. Strategic bombings of Stephen Fritz in his book Frontsoldaten: Germany, the Italian front, and the impending Allied invasion necessitated “There was simply nothing at all that less than 25% of Luftwaffe was to eat… Rase still has all his limbs available on the Eastern Front. As a result, and was constantly out and less important areas of the front had no about… He brought leaves, grasses air support. Even when concentrated, the and herbs and… knew what could Luftwaffe was still outnumbered. German be done with them… Rase seized mechanics still had to work in unheated up my good leg and drew to my workshops. Both sides built secondary attention what a waste it was that and reserve airfields that allowed the I had not brought along the sawn- planes to be deployed in depth. To make off leg as reserve supply… There matters worse for the Germans, would certainly have been a replacement pilots received much less usable joint of some kilos left training than earlier recruits. above the knee… And so the only 102 History

Hungary Occupied Finnish Offensive Out of all his allies, Hitler trusted the With the Germans pushed back from Hungarians the least. For the most part, Leningrad, five Russian armies advanced Hungary had refused to give up its Jewish up the Karelian Isthmus. After the capture population to the Final Solution. The Jews of Vyborg, a cease-fire agreement was had still faced economic and political reached by Finland and the Soviet Union repression, however. on September 19. A peace treaty soon Momentum to drop out of the war was followed in which Finland agreed to help at its greatest after the Hungarian 2nd remove the Nazis from their homeland. Army was practically eliminated in January near Stalingrad; 40,000 killed and Summer Offensive 70,000 wounded. Awareness that anti-Axis Eastern Europe was about to change sentiment was growing too strong and the hands, but not before one more round of fact that its government was protecting atrocities was committed. Hitler refused over 700,000 Jews prompted Hitler to move to believe that the Russians were getting German units into the country and install stronger and based his strategies on a pro-Axis government. Soon after, undeveloped super weapons and enemy Eichmann arrived with Gestapo Special blunders. Hitler said to his General Staff, Section Commandos who then began “Unlike the Greek gods, the Russians do deporting Jews to the death camps in not become stronger every time they fall!” Poland. When preparing for the inevitable Russian summer offensive, Hitler hoped Crimea Liberated for a careless Russian attack on Army During the months of April and May Group North defending northern Ukraine Soviet forces moved to liberate the because it offered the best direct route to Crimean peninsula. Striking from the north and east, 120,000 Germans were crushed by the Red Army and the Wehrmacht fell back in disarray. Unfortunately, many Germans were evacuated by sea to a Romanian port. However, Russian submarines and aircraft managed to drown at least 8,000 Nazis. Now all Black Sea ports were in Russian control again, including Odessa, Ukraine, which was abandoned by the Romanians without a fight. Hitler’s dream of a future offensive from Crimea would never be realized. The arrival of spring rains and muddy conditions ended the Russian spring offensive but the losses in Crimea caused Hitler to relieve another group of senior generals, especially those who questioned his military strategies, such as Manstein. He replaced them with those who would nod their heads to his unrealistic demands. This led to greater dissatisfaction among Hitler’s generals. Over the next month, the Red Army regrouped and resupplied in preparation for the third summer offensive, Operation Bagration, named after a Russian prince who died at the hands of Napoleon’s armies. By June 1, the Red Army consisted of 476 divisions, 93 artillery divisions, 37 mechanized corps, and 14,787 aircraft. On June 6, the Western allies landed in Normandy. Now Germany was involved in a three-front war in France, Russia, and Italy. …and Germans alike. 103 Chapter Three

Berlin. Hitler dreamed of a major reversal Germans had time to construct three to and concentrated most German forces in five trench lines three to four miles deep northern Ukraine. Hitler’s gamble was with a great deal of minefields and based on geographic reasoning, that the barbed wire barriers. Concrete and Soviet forces would avoid an attack on antitank fortifications were few, but Army Group South through the Carpathian antitank weapons were a Mountains and Army Group Center plenty. through the Pripet Marshes. In terms of armor, unlike 1941, when However, on June 22nd, two weeks after 80% of German armor was in the East, D-Day, the Russians renewed their attack now less than half remained on the on the Nazis with 118 infantry and 43 tank Eastern Front. In anticipation of the Allied divisions, a total of 1.7 million troops. The landing in France, seven Panzer divisions blow fell on the unsuspecting Army Group were pulled out and committed to France. Center in Belorussia, located directly Out of the 4,740 tanks available on the north of the Pripet Marshes and south of Eastern Front, Army Group Center had Lithuania and Latvia. In terms of military only 553 and 480 of them were only StuG success, it was Operation Barbarossa in III infantry support tanks. reverse. Allied bombing had reduced oil supplies and production. This forced the German Forces Germans to cut back on training and Army Group North was strengthened at increase the use of rail transport to the expense of Army Group Center. With reduce fuel consumption. By May 1944, 400,000 soldiers, there were only about 150 encounters with Allied fighters reduced combat soldiers with 2 or 3 artillery the Luftwaffe pilot numbers by 40 percent pieces and 1 or 2 assault guns along every and destroyed 100 percent of its fighter mile of the Belorussian front. However, the planes. As a result of ever-increasing

A Russian artillery battery is cunningly camouflaged against air attack. 104 History

Allied bombings, the Eastern front lacked MPK and PK inner-tubes with hand sufficient planes and antiaircraft artillery paddles (some of which included built-in as they were pulled back into Germany. rubber trousers to withstand cold waters). Specifically, the Eastern Front lacked Some tank units carried ramps and long-range reconnaissance aircraft, and fascines to traverse swamps. had only about 26 aircraft in the Besides numeric advantages of troops, Belorussian area. Regardless of the tanks, artillery, and aircraft, Belorussia numbers, spring clouds and Russian air was also an area that contained the superiority limited fly overs. Even worse, greatest concentration of partisans—about the Luftwaffe had only 40 fighters in the 270,000 organized into over 150 brigades area of Operation Bagration. and over 80 smaller units. Nearly 15% of Like the winter of `42 near Moscow, the German forces were preoccupied with Hitler had his German armies create dealing with the partisans, who destroyed “hedgehogs” or feste platzes around major railway cars, tanks, vehicles, and cities. These strong points were ordered to communication lines. The Germans may hold out until relieved; no tactical retreats have controlled the towns, cities, and were permitted. Any request to retreat was roads in the area but not the countryside, viewed as defeatism and a lack of will to forests, and swamps. Most importantly, fend off the Russians. This would have partisans operating out of the Pripet been fine if there were substantial reserve marshes, which bisected the Eastern units to relieve one of these defensive Front, had specially inserted Red Army positions. However, Hitler expected his scouts called razvedchiki. They provided units to fight to the last man and to seek invaluable intelligence and coordinated authorization for even the smallest simultaneous attacks with the main withdrawals. As a result, the German Russian offensive. Attacks on German Army lost its tactical flexibility. Because held railways were also planned. of this and Hitler’s stubbornness, within In terms of leadership, unlike the first five weeks after June 23, 75% of Army three years of the war, the Red Army was Group Center was taken out of the war. now strategically led by experienced and Overall, the Germans suffered their competent officers that had cut their greatest numerical losses ever, 17 teeth since Stalingrad `43. Over time, since Wehrmacht divisions were destroyed and the beginning of the war, in contrast to another 50 shattered. Hitler’s megalomaniacal micromanaging, Stalin’s confidence grew in his highest- The Russian War Machine ranking generals such as Zhukov. Stalin To deal with Belorussia’s poor terrain listened to their advice, and unlike the of marshes, swamps, and woods that first two years of the war, allowed them a Hitler believed would forestall a Russian great deal of freedom—but never too attack, six cavalry divisions were brought much for one single general. Now Stalin to bear and were often paired with merely approved plans, but always, since mechanized divisions to forge ahead and Stalingrad, took credit for military secure key bridges. The Soviets attacked successes and kept any failures away with 2,715 tanks and 1,355 assault guns from the masses with the state-controlled manned by experienced crews. In terms of media. artillery, 400 guns were massed per mile The Russians had learned from World along the attack front, Total artillery War I to keep encrypted radio numbers included a total of 10,563 transmissions to a minimum for fear of artillery pieces, 11,514 mortars and 2,306 enemy interception. As a result, the rocket launchers. The Russians also Soviets relied almost exclusively on brought to bear 5,327 aircraft, about 40% secured land line telephones. To German of which were light and medium bombers. intelligence’s frustration, this allowed the The Russians were fond of saying, Russians to maintain almost absolute “Quantity has a quality all its own.” radio silence. This, together with the Red Special engineer battalions were Army aircraft strength, nearly prevented deployed to take care of the extensive German reconnaissance. What information German minefields and fortifications. the German’s did receive was what Numerous bridging units were also STAVKA allowed. These communications brought in to ford the areas many rivers, aimed at deceiving the Germans streams, and swamps. In addition, infantry unknowingly played into Hitler’s delusions units were trained in river-crossing that the summer offensive would take techniques and equipped with four-man place in northern Ukraine against Army LMN rubber rafts and oars, and one-man Group North. For example, false 105 Chapter Three

dispatches of large troop movements were destroy all but one bridge leading into the purposely leaked and German city. Hitler finally approved a limited reconnaissance aircraft were allowed to withdrawal from the city on the evening fly over certain northern Ukraine areas of the 24th but by then it was too late. containing deceptively strong troop and Nearby units ordered to support the equipment concentrations. Elsewhere, to breakout were also surrounded by the hide the massing of the Belorussian front, Russian armies. Russian air superiority troops and equipment were brought in at prevented resupply from the air. night. The Nazis still believed the By the 27th, few of the 28,000 German Russians as inferior and incapable of troops defending the heavily bombed city conducting a successful deception managed to escape the Russian campaign. To the Germans, previous encirclement. Those who did faced Russian success was not based on skill partisans in the countryside who took no but attributed to luck and numbers. prisoners. Despite the loss, the German High command still believed the main Operation Bagration Russian attack would come in Northern Ukraine. As they waited, Russian cavalry Begins and mechanized units sped past encircled As planned, partisan units began their German fixed positions. Although not attacks on German railways and suited to take on a large number of communications on the 19th, but the main German units head on, the Russian attack on Army Group Center was delayed partisan units did quite well in destroying four days by congested railways feeding smaller German units who managed to into the front. At 0500 hours, the Russians escape encirclement. began the attack with a two-hour, double One of the most important objectives rolling, artillery barrage to a depth of 4 of the battle was the capture of the miles, at an intensity never before seen on Moscow-Minsk highway stretch from the Eastern Front. German artillery units Smolensk to Orsha. Being the best—and that counter-fired were soon engaged practically only—modern road in the area, with long-range artillery and destroyed. the Germans heavily mined and fortified However, early morning fog and dust from the highway. It was here that the Russians the artillery barrages limited the use of faced the greatest concentration of Russian aircraft for the first day of the German troops and best equipment. battle. Following the artillery barrages Groups of ten T-34’s fitted with mine Russian infantry began to insert rollers were brought in and followed by themselves into the battle, foregoing the heavy tank regiments that could engage mass charges conducted during the first German armor at long range. three years of the war. They used new The first part of the highway’s defenses techniques as described by a German were soon overcome and the encirclement soldier: of Orsha, south of Vitebsk, was completed on the afternoon of the 26th. “The enemy adopted completely A train bearing German wounded was new tactics. He no longer attacked dispatched too late and destroyed by T- as in the past on a broad front 34s. Orsha easily fell on the night of June with very heavy artillery support, 27 due to the German commander’s but instead employed breakout from the city to a river west of concentrated groups of infantry the city; he may have disobeyed Hitler’s supported by highly concentrated orders to hold firm but his troops and well-controlled fire from escaped the fate of those at Vitesbk. heavy weapons. He went first for Even with the capture of Orsha’s good tactical ground to establish important railway junction, and Minsk favorable initial positions. Behind within Russia’s grasp, the German High these assault groups, undisclosed Command still classified the attacks as a until needed, lay tank forces to minor Russian offensive. They still follow on and break through.” believed that the main offensive in Northern Ukraine was yet to come. Only By the afternoon, using techniques some forces that were taken in May were acquired from the Germans, Russian units shifted back toward Army Group Center. made pincer movements and trapped four One such force was 29 Tigers sent by rail German divisions defending Vitebsk, the to Borisov, the only remaining city along second most northern city on the 400 the highway between Orsha and Minsk. plus mile front. The Germans managed to The fresh troops witnessed a large 106 History number of German soldiers, many without After the fall of Minsk and the their weapons, who had fled their encirclement of most of Army Group positions from the east. Center east of the city, Vilna and Grodno Along the Berezina River, a tributary of were soon liberated, opening the way to the Dnieper River and east of Bosisov, East Prussia. To the west, Russian army German vehicles and equipment dotted groups made their way toward Warsaw; the river crossings, having been Brest-Litovsk, a western Belorussian city abandoned to Red Air Force attacks. between the Minsk/Warsaw rail link, was Ironically, the German troops were liberated on July 28. following the same route used by Napoleon in his retreat from Moscow. The The Lvov-Sandomierz Russians were close behind in an effort to control the Berezina river crossings. By Offensive June 30, the German reinforcements were Hitler and his command staff were too few to stop the Russians from correct that an offensive would occur in crossing the river and Bosisov was the Northern Ukraine area but failed to liberated after some intense street predict when. Over a million Russian fighting. Now no major geographic or troops, 1,600 tanks, 14,000 artillery, and enemy obstacles stood between Bosisov 2,800 aircraft attacked in mid-July. They and Minsk. faced about 900,000 German troops, 900 To the south of Bosisov, the city tanks and assault guns, 6,000 artillery, 700 Bobruisk was also encircled by June 27 aircraft, and a defensive belt 20 miles thanks to Hitler’s “hold fast” orders. deep. Unlike Belorussia, many towns in Nevertheless, futile attempts to breakout the area were heavily fortified to carry out were attempted. In one such attempt, the a protracted defense. Despite this, the Red Army and Air Force killed 10,000 Soviets managed to overcome Army Group German soldiers and another 6,000 were Center’s more determined counterparts captured. Out of the original 40,000 troops defending the city, only 15,000 managed to make their way out, with extremely demoralizing consequences. The city finally fell on the 29th; the 3,500 wounded left behind to defend the city had no chance. The Bosisov forces then made their way north to link up the Russian forces heading toward Minsk. Incredibly, by late June, Hitler withheld reinforcements still believing that the main Russian offensive was yet to come in Northern Ukraine. As a result, Minsk was forced to defend itself with 1,800 demoralized and disorganized troops that survived the attacks to the east. All the Tiger tanks were lost and Goering mistakenly assigned lumbering high altitude bombers to make low level attacks. After 25% losses, Goering ordered them to make high-altitude bombing runs but a shortage of high-octane fuel made such missions impossible. As a result 15,000 unarmed stragglers, 8,000 wounded, and 12,000 Army Group Center staff tried to escape by train on July 2. In a span of only two weeks, Operation Bagration was a devastating blow to the Germans; about 350,000 German soldiers were taken out of the war at the expense of 178,507 Russian casualties. The Russian forces could now more effectively turn their attention on the separated German forces of Army Groups North and South. A view from atop an Su-152. 107 Chapter Three

evacuation in the war—dwarfing the Dunkirk evacuation—and was mostly Campaign: Operation Bagration conducted without air support. and Beyond Attempt on Hitler’s Life For inspiration, the War Master may want to see Many of Hitler’s officers (Rommel for the hard to find movie Cross of Iron. The players instance) knew that Germany faced could take part in this summer offensive with the impossible odds, that a two-front war Red Army or partisan brigades. If part of the Red was impossible to win. Hitler still Army, players can scout out enemy positions to be continued to rant about victory and targeted by Russian artillery. Perhaps a German spy would never agree to the Allies’ demands must be hunted down before he escapes to warn of an unconditional surrender. Hitler that a major Russian offensive is being staged Unfortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Klaus in Belorussia and not in northern Ukraine as Hitler von Stauffenberg’s briefcase bomb failed incorrectly predicted. to kill Hitler on July 20, 1944. As a result, In terms of weirdness, if not already encountered Hitler had almost 5,000 officers and Nazi in past visits to the Pripet Marshes, the players party members executed, thousands more could come upon the Babba Yagga and corrosive rot than those who were actually involved in for the first time. In addition, if not already the plot. Supposedly, some of the sadistic stumbled upon west of Moscow or in the Ukraine, executions were filmed and watched by a character could be cursed by a grave bane. The Hitler. War Master may also want to incorporate the Adventure Seed: Forced Blood Transfusions found Continued Resistance later in this chapter. In August, German weapons output Regardless, beginning on June 23, the players continued to rise, despite the hammer of participate in Operation Bagration and liberate Allied air attacks. This remarkable feat important cities in Belorussia. They then either take was achieved by the vicious and cruel part in the liberation of most of the Baltic region or exploitation of slave labor. The two the Balkans. If participating in the Baltic offensive, sectors of the economy which were the players may be called upon to help liberate running out of resources were fuel and concentration camps, recover any blood mage men. The age for army conscription was research materials, and capture Nazi scientists, lowered to sixteen and half and only one medical doctors and blood mages. If a character has month’s supply of fuel was in stock. a Polish or gypsy background, he or she may hide Amazingly, German factories delivered more personal reasons and convince SOPA to allow more single-seater fighters to the the characters to assist the Warsaw uprising, which Luftwaffe than during any previous month begins on August 1. of war. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough pilots or petrol to fly them. Despite the situation the German Army and nation fought on. (Perhaps in We i rd Wars, blood mages have developed a method to and push back elements of Army Group enchant planes to fly without pilots or to North to the west banks of the Vistula bind the of dead Luftwaffe pilots, River, just east of Warsaw. By the end of pleased to carry on the fight for their August, the Germans controlled only the Führer, to the planes. ) northern tips of Estonia and Latvia and The fantasy world in which the Nazi the western parts of Lithuania, Prussia hierarchy lived reached its peak as the and Poland. Realizing that Poland’s plains Red Army neared the Polish border. Rail would serve as an excellent highway to transport, short in supply and on the Berlin, the Germans re-fortified the lines point of collapse, was diverted as Hitler along the western portion of Poland’s and Himmler tried to complete the Final Vistula River. Needing rest and resupply, Solution. They even went as far as to the Russians would not resume order the SS to destroy any evidence of operations for the final lunge toward the massive death camps in Poland. Berlin until January 12, 1945. Stalin, on the other hand, understood the When the Red Army resumed their political importance of allowing the advance, German navy, fishing, and Germans a free hand in their terror passenger vessels evacuated over 2 campaign. The more the Nazis destroyed, million German soldiers and refugees the easier it would be for the Communist trapped in East Prussia from the Gulf of Party to install puppet governments Danzig between January 23, 1945 and May throughout newly “liberated” Eastern 8, 1945. This was the largest sea Europe. 108 History

AK. All the same, the Poles, without help, Warsaw Uprising nearly pulled it off, but failed by October As the Red Army neared the Polish 2, 1944. The few who survived were capital, the “Home Army” or AK, which rounded up and executed in a series of was controlled by the democratic Poles in brutal reprisals. exile in London, was ordered to cooperate It was during this battle that the with the advancing Red Army. The Drilewanger SS Brigade fought its last Russians, fearing the AK, began to disarm battle. The unit was made up of German these units and have their officers taken convicts on probation. They used sheer away. terror and violence to extinguish the Aware that the Russians were close but enemy. Prisoners were burned alive with unaware of Stalin’s decision not to help, gasoline; babies were impaled on bayonets at 5 PM on August 1, 40,000 soldiers of and stuck out windows like flags, and the AK that had not yet been disarmed, women were hung upside down from began the Warsaw uprising. For the balconies in rows. Rape and murder was Soviets, it could not have come at a carried out as the Germans advanced. better time. They had begun to have Wounded civilians were used as living difficulties with supply and tank barricades. Polish males were reinforcements and they couldn’t take the rounded up and shot. Doctors and nurses city without help. Thus, they waited, as at captured hospitals were raped and the uprising would distract the Germans killed. Bach-Zelewski described what he and destroy the remaining strength of the saw:

German troops defend a hastily-constructed roadblock. 109 Chapter Three

“…Wild masses of policeman and and the northern border of Bulgaria. It is soldiers, shooting civilians. I saw the second largest river in Europe and the the heap of dead bodies splashed only major river to flow from west to with gasoline and set afire.” east. After Romania’s king surrendered in defiance of the Hitler-supported government, the abandoned German 6th Operation Yeatsty- Army was destroyed. On the 26th, German-controlled Bucharest, Romania Kishniev was liberated. By the end of September, On August 20th, Operation Yeatsty- all of Romania was controlled by the Kishniev, the Soviet offensive into the Russians, including its oil and wheat Balkans began. As during Operation resources. Bagration, Hitler refused to allow units to In early September, Russian forces withdraw, including those stationed in moved northeast to neighboring Hungary Yugoslavia and Greece. The Soviets took and southwest into Bulgaria. Bulgaria advantage of the situation and launched soon surrendered and allied itself to the Balkan offensive across and around Russia. Almost immediately, Bulgarian the Carpathian Mountains to trap these forces in Greece attacked German units German units. In a weeks time, a German who were already facing Greek partisans. and Romania army was eliminated and These German units and those from the Danube River was reached. This river Albania managed to escape and join the formed the southern border of Romania German army holding Yugoslavia. These

Armorers work to salvage a damaged T-34. 110 History combined forces then protected the right flank of Army Group South that had been pushed out of the Ukraine and was now Adventure Seed: Forced Blood trying to resist a Russian offensive into Hungary. By mid-October, the Red Army Transfusions entered Yugoslavia where Tito’s partisans In one reported example, a war correspondent in had already liberated Belgrade. Together Kluge, Estonia saw the charred remains of at least they ended German occupation on 2000 Jews who were recently shot and burned on October 20, 1944 bonfires. One Russian soldier in central Belorussia near Parichi village, south of Berezina River port Warsaw city Bobruysk, recalled: The Red Army advance toward Warsaw finally began on September 10. Six days “The enemy put up a desperate resistance, but later the Russians managed to penetrate we pushed them into a pocket and went at them Praga, a suburb of Warsaw. Judging that with our katyushas. That was when a farmwoman the AK had shot its last bolt, Stalin came running to our forward line. Tears streaming ordered his own indoctrinated Poles, down her face, she said ‘Sons, come and see what under the command of General Zymierski, those monsters have done!’ We went. to enter the battle. The Germans at this In the village, by a house that had served the point had prepared an ample defense and Nazis as a field hospital, she showed us a pit that defeated Zymierski. While Stalin said his had been covered over by soil. That soil still regular Red Army forces had to rest before breathed… We shoveled it away and the sight of liberating Warsaw, 300,000 Poles died. With what was beneath filled us with horror. The pit was the Russian-Poles and the AK defeated, full of the bodies of little boys and girls between Stalin could reconstitute the country ten and 12 years. We learned that the Nazi butchers under Russian terms; Stalin wanted no had used them to give blood transfussions to their future political and military trouble. wounded officers and then had thrown them in the Warsaw would not be liberated by the pit. I sincerely wish that no one ever feels what we Red Army until January 17, 1945. did at that moment.”

Hungary Reports of the incident draw the players’ Although not too happy with the pro- attention and they must determine if the act had Nazi puppet government, the remaining any supernatural overtones. After visiting the site Hungarian troops fought alongside the and interviewing the few survivors, the players can Germans in defense of their homeland only conclude that a blood mage was involved. One against the Rumanians who had allied survivor, now gray beyond her years, remembers with the Russians a week earlier. that before she passed out, one officer’s hair Eventually, however, In the face of regained its youthful color and he then lifted an overwhelming odds, Hungary agreed to iron stove with little effort to the delight of the end hostilities with Russia on October 15. other officers present. The players must capture or The country was put into political chaos eliminate this blood mage and if possible, learn when the Germans removed the puppet how adolescents’ blood was imbued with government they could no longer control. rejuvenating and strength enhancing magic. The Germans retreated to the north, destroying railroad and communication systems on their way out. The last stronghold of Germans held out near for better tank weather when the mud Budapest for seven weeks before their froze. The Soviets began the offensive defenses collapsed on February 13, 1945. with a superiority of 5 to 1 in soldiers and tanks, 7 to 1 in artillery and 17 to 1 in The Last Push planes. The first success of the offensive occurred when Warsaw was liberated on By January, 1945, the Red Army was January 17 and the last was when Berlin more than 9 million strong with additional was captured on May 2. troops from Poland, Romania, At the front, Russian tank formations Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria. During the roamed freely on the battlefield and found last half of 1944 the Germans had lost devastation. In their retreat west toward 800,000 soldiers in the East and 400,000 in Berlin, the Nazis carried out a scorched the West; the Nazis had only about 2 earth policy in Poland slaughtering million soldiers left on the Eastern front. livestock, blowing bridges, and destroying The new offensive led by Zhukov could all types of buildings, including churches. have begun in December but Stalin waited 111 Chapter Three

Just the opposite was encountered when the Red Army crossed into Germany. In Silesia and Pomerania, they Adventure Seed: Nazi Hollow found a countryside rich with food and comfort; comforts such as toilets that World Nation some rural Russians thought were used Eisenhower learned in February of the possibility for potato peeling. Until now, these areas that Hitler and the fanatical SS might withdraw to and all other areas of Greater Germany felt the German National Redoubt located in the Alps of the least impact of the war. It was here southern Balvaria, western Austria, and northern that the Soviets began to take their Italy to make a last stand. It was in rugged terrain vengeance, equal to what the Germans that could only be taken by the Allies at great cost. had inflicted during the first few years of Frequent bad weather and high altitudes would have the war. Shops, houses, and farms were limited Allied air power. Hitler never actuallymade plundered and set alight. Civilians were this move but the rumor caused Eisenhower to casually shot down for the possessions direct forces led by Patton away from Berlin toward they carried and women were raped. the area to prevent such a move and discover if the Hitler’s heroic ideal of the war soon area actually existed. By April 29, two divisions of lost its appeal for the German people. At the U.S. VI corps found no evidence but did capture least 2.5 million German civilians were the ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The U.S. killed during the final stages of the war. 3rd Division was the first to reach Hitler’s Eagle’s Over 20 million people fled the advancing Nest estate in the town of Obersalzberg, near Russian army toward the River Elbe— Berchtesgarden, Germany on the Austrian border. controlled by the Western Allies. Stalin Perhaps the reason it was never found was was quoted as saying, “Only the unborn because it was located inside the Alps. After the are innocent.” Marshal Zhukov did not call invasion of Poland, German engineers, tunneling for discipline and in fact permitted into the Alps to create a bomb and storage shelter, soldiers to send packages back to Russia discovered a natural cave system. After exploring that no doubt consisted of loot taken the cave system that led for many miles into the from the Germans. earth, battling strange monsters on the way, the Throughout January and February the Nazis discovered a massive continent populated by Russians hammered away at the desperate savages they could enslave and thought-to-be- Germans. The Volkssturm, “Home Guard,” extinct dinosaurs. In secret, Germany established a drafted into service in November and colony to explore the continent in the hopes of December of ‘44, were thrown into the finding a lost Thule society. That was 4 years ago, slaughter. These old men and invalids, now with the end near, the Waffen SS and their poorly armed and trained, were no match families have populated the colony with over for the battle-hardened Soviets. The SS, on 500,000 persons and stocked the colony with the other hand, fought with such fanatical Germany’s best equipment. The SS realize that the spirit that commanders of the Red Army war may be lost but a new German nation with took caution. advanced technology and new super weapons will arise from the depths of the earth and secure its Hitler’s Lunacy place as the Master Race. Starting in 1944, a desperate Hitler The Western Allies have no idea that the Nazi began the practice of putting officers Hollow World nation exists. The Russians were the who retreated in front of firing squads. He first to reach Berlin and obtain the information as also made it known that the families of to its existence. It is unlikely Stalin would want to retreating officers would be punished as share the information and may conduct searches for well. As if it could get any worse, the other entrances to the Hollow World in southeast division between the Wehrmacht and the Russia so that Russia could gain a foothold on the SS became further defined when Himmler continent before attacking the Germans. Players may established a separate SS Army HQ. make up part of the search team for a different By January, the madness in the Führer’s entrance or form a reconnaissance team using the bunker in Berlin could only be described Alps entrance. Their mission is to assess the as a dark comedy. Hitler ranted and raved strengths and weaknesses of the Nazi Hollow World about the failure of his generals and how Nation and explore as much of the continent as his strength of will was all that the possible for future Russian exploitation. German people needed to win the war. He looked at situation maps and moved divisions around, which in some cases had a combat efficiency of one tank. His self-appointed command staff were “yes- men” who worshiped him with god-like 112 History reverence. On February 15th the German priceless pictures and objects d’art Army launched its final offense of the into which the snow was blowing Second World War. It lasted four days and in gusts…” achieved nothing. In Germany, the madness of the front On March 28th, 1945 Hitler dismissed began to spread amongst the civilian Guderian. With Guderian’s removal, the last population. People were executed on the rational independent military leader was spot for stealing food or committing minor gone. Hitler had finally made himself the crimes. Deserters and their families and master of the German Army. Even with black marketers were hung without trial. the Russians knocking on the gates of Slaves overpowered their guards and took Berlin, the Nazi hierarchy carried on as if vengeance on any civilians who remained. it was just an inconvenience to the One German described one such scene: Thousand-Year Reich. However, some of the SS had enough of the Russian “…a group of Hiwi’s mounted on onslaught. They divested themselves of horseback… had broken into a the once-dreaded black uniform and made deserted Hohernzollern castle their way West. Some of the fleeing SS which has been preserved as a and their Wehrmacht counterparts were museum and looted it later turned over to the Soviets. Over indiscriminately. They were all 50,000 were imprisoned as war criminals drunk and had draped themselves for up to 10 years. During the 4 years of with golden tapestries, carrying the war, more than 6 million Germans spears and armor, and pulling a were taken captive by the Russians, half covered wagon loaded with of whom died in captivity.

Russian soldiers raise the Soviet flag over the Reichstag in Berlin. 113 Chapter Three

to help put down an uprising of flesh- Berlin Falls eating citizens that attack anyone and High casualties were taken by the Red anything that explores the sealed tunnels.] Army in order to beat the US and Britain The Germans built three flak towers to Berlin. Hitler still hoped for a miracle. that withstood both Allied bombing and 75,000 German troops defended Berlin Russian artillery. They were 13 stories tall, with a fanatical frenzy. Their numbers with 5 stories below ground and concrete were supported by Hitler Youth soldiers as walls 8 feet thick. Each mounted a young as 12 years old, foreign legions, hundred 128mm AA guns on its roof and special police companies, out of work sheltered 15,000 people. Each tower had a guards, Volkssturm, party leaders and vault that contained either Berlin currency their staffs, and housewives trained to reserves or museum treasures (and fire panzerfaust antitank weapons. perhaps some supernatural artifacts and However, 75% of the city had already books of lore). been destroyed by around-the-clock Allied bombing raids and Russian shelling. Over The Fat Lady’s Singing the course of the battle, over 2 million By April 1945, Hitler had located Russian shells were lobbed onto Berlin himself 50 feet below the Chancellery in and 1,000 Allied bombers were sent on the Führerbunker. The bunker had two Hitler’s Birthday (April 20). Siegfried separate floors with about 30 rooms. Knappe noted the following in his diary Hitler had sleepless nights, constantly while his artillery division within the city replaying the battle of Stalingrad in his tried to hold off a Russian bridgehead head. During daily meetings, Hitler issued east of Berlin, delusional orders to defeat the unstoppable Russians with armies that “We had to drive through were either destroyed or that had already continuous artillery fire, now retreated west to surrender to the including heavy artillery. It was a Americans. Hitler expected Germany to feeling akin to terror, with heavy fight to the death. artillery shells exploding all On April 22, a frustrated Hitler declared around us, and roof tiles, window that the army was treasonous and corrupt frames, and chunks of street and full of liars and failures. Hitler pavement flying through the air. It refused* his staff’s request to escape to seemed as if the whole world the southeast to the Bavarian Alps near were exploding around us. Artillery Berchtesgaden and continue the fight. fire in a city is much more Nearby Obersalzberg was the site of frightening than it is in the open. Hitler’s residence, the Berghof or “Eagle’s Whenever a shell hit something Nest.” He allowed staff members who above us and exploded there, it wished to leave make the trip protected sprayed shrapnel and fragments of by a convoy of trucks and planes. Most whatever it hit all over.” left but the extremely loyal remained: top aide , SS and military Like Stalingrad, the Germans made aides; two secretaries; soon to be wife Eva defenses within the rubble. German Braun; and , his wife, and snipers were everywhere, inflicting huge his six children. Never giving up the fight, losses in the Russian engineering ranks. Hitler made a public announcement that The defenders of Berlin, however, had few he would stay with the brave people of tanks and guns and limited ammunition, Berlin and dictated his last political food, and fuel. Many civilians starved due statement, to a lack of rations. Fearing that the * In We i rd Wars, Hitler only refused to Russians would use Berlin’s railroad leave because he was still undecided as tunnels to their advantage, and thinking to whether he should become a vampire. the civilians who took shelter there not If the War Master desires to take the war worthy, Hitler flooded the tunnels—killing beyond May 8, 1945, then Hitler and Eva thousands of German citizens.* In total, become vampires and escape to the Nazi 500,000 German lives were lost defending Hollow World Nation located in the Alps. the city from 1.2 million Russian soldiers. (See Adventure Seed: Nazi Hollow World * [With the aid of blood mage magic, Nation.) the water used to flood the tunnels was Even to the end Hitler blamed the last laced with a substance that turned the six years of war on the Jews and stated dead citizens into zombies. Perhaps the the following in a political statement players discover the situation or are called dictated from within the bunker: 114 History

April 25th, 1945: U.S. and Russian forces meet at Torgau on the Elbe.

“It is untrue that I or anyone else leaders of the nation and those in Germany wanted the war in 1939. under them to scrupulous It was desired and instigated observance of the laws of race exclusively by those international and to merciless opposition to the statesmen who were either of universal poisoner of all peoples, Jewish descent or worked for International Jewry.” Jewish interests. I have made too many offers for the control and The next day Albert Speer, Minister of limitation of armaments, which Armaments arrived to inform Hitler that posterity will not for all time be he had refused to carry out the scorched able to disregard for the earth policy. Hitler’s reaction was silence. responsibility for the outbreak of But later he was enraged to receive a this war to be laid on me. I have Berchtesgaden telegram from Goering further never wished that after the wishing to take command of the Reich. first fatal world war a second On April 25, Hitler had the SS arrest against England, or even against Goering for high treason and spared him America, should break out. the death penalty because of his long Centuries will pass away, but out service. of the ruins of our towns and On April 26, Russian artillery hit the monuments the hatred against Chancellery buildings above the bunker. those finally responsible whom Hitler demanded that nonexistent armies we have to thank for everything, relieve Berlin. That night, a female test International Jewry and its helpers, pilot, Hanna Reitch, defied the odds and will grow. Above all I charge the landed a small plane containing Luftwaffe 115 Chapter Three

General Ritter von Greim in the street near bitterness, no betrayal that has not the bunker. Hitler wanted Greim to receive been heaped upon me; and now his promotion as Goering’s successor to this! It is the end. No injury has the Luftwaffe. But there was little left to been left undone!” command. The Luftwaffe was short on pilots and fuel and hopelessly Before midnight Hitler married Eva outnumbered against the almost constant Braun. Hitler dictated the following in his Allied aerial bombardment. As early as Last Will: 1944, the Allied bombing was so intense within Germany that the Allies destroyed “As I did not consider that I 3.37 million homes, injured 917,000 could take responsibility, during civilians, and killed 600,000 to 1 million the years of struggle, of German people. contracting a marriage, I have now decided, before the closing of my Et tu, Himmler? earthly career, to take as my wife Two days later Hitler learned that that girl who, after many years of another trusted friend, “faithful Heinrich,” faithful friendship, entered, of her was negotiating the surrender of German own free will, the practically armies in the west to the Americans. In a besieged town in order to share fit of rage, Hitler ordered Himmler’s arrest her destiny with me. At her own and had Heinrich’s SS representative at the desire she goes as my wife with bunker shot. The man whom he had me into death. It will compensate trusted the most had betrayed him and us for what we both lost through Hitler ranted the following: my work in the service of my people.” “Nothing now remains! Nothing is spared me! No loyalty is kept, no honor observed; there is no Hitler Checks Out By midday April 29, the Red Army was less than a mile away from the bunker. News was received of Mussolini’s Campaign: Battle for Berlin execution. Preparing for his own death, The Battle for Berlin could begin with players Hitler tested the poison he would participating in the earliest bridgehead across the consume on his favorite dog . Oder River on January 31, 1945. From there, the Around noon on April 30, the Russians players carry out special orders to retrieve and were less than a block away from the protect any artifacts and treasures from being bunker. At about 3:30 PM Hitler shot looted by regular Red Army soldiers. Only a few himself in the right temple and his wife psychotically loyal, but ultra powerful, blood mages poisoned herself. Both bodies were carried remain to unleash the supernatural in full force up to the surface, repeatedly burned with since it no longer matters what the world learns. gasoline for over 3 hours, and then buried These same blood mages may try and flee to the within a canvas inside a shell crater. On Nazi Hollow World Nation. May 1, Goebbels and his wife poisoned Once Berlin is reached, no doubt twisted hulks their six young children and then both and hate feeders make their presence felt. War went above the bunker where as ordered, Masters should not forget to include the flooding of an SS man shot them in the head and tunnels and Hitler becoming a vampire options burned them. mentioned earlier and the Adventure Seed: Nazi Hollow Worldorld. In terms of combat highlights, the The Reichstag players could participate in the liberation of On April 30, after artillery and Warsaw, the assault on Berlin’s three flak towers to Katyusha bombardment, elements of the recover any artifacts and treasure hidden in their Red Army began the assault on the bowels and the assault on the Reichstag on April Reichstag, the symbol of Nazi power 30. Finally, the players could find Hitler’s body as since 1933 and the last symbol of Nazi ordered and escort it back to be examined by Stalin. resistance in Berlin. Over 5,000 SS, Hitler During the trip back, Hitler’s vampire medicine takes Youth, and Volkssturm made the Russians full effect. His body quickly heals within his coffin fight for every room, hallway, and in back of the players’ truck and he escapes along staircase. Besides the flooded antitank with Eva. Maybe the players should decide to ditch in the front of the building, the escape before Stalin has their heads or sends them lower floors were reinforced with steel to gulags for this failure? rails and concrete. The windows were bricked over, allowing only for small firing 116 History slits. After two days of fanatical fighting, 2600 of the defenders were taken prisoner—maybe not so fanatical after all. Campaign: The Mother Country Unconditional Surrender of all Campaigns In his Will, Hitler had named Karl It’s possible to run a massive campaign that Doenitz, commander of Germany’s nearly takes the players’ characters through every major destroyed Navy, the succeeding Führer of battle on the Eastern Front. Here is one possible Germany. For six days Doenitz tried to general timeline that easily incorporates all the broker a separate peace treaty with the adventure seeds and campaign ideas described in Western Allies in the hopes of evacuating this chapter: as many German soldiers and citizens from the Russian zones of occupation as June, July, 1941: Escape the German blitzkrieg OR possible. Eisenhower refused and would assist in the relocation of Ukraine’s industry to the only accept unconditional surrender to all Urals. Allies. August, September, 1941: Try to defend Kiev and The war may have ended on May 7 for escape encirclement OR help secure Iran as Lend- the German, Eastern European, and Lease shipping route.* Russian people, but not the suffering. In October-December, 1941: Discover and investigate the year that followed tens of thousands Weirdness in Leningrad and the ice route.* died from disease, starvation, and December, 1941-April, 1942: With Siberian shaman, persecution. In Berlin alone, thousands of investigate Weirdness, assault German hedghogs. unwanted births and suicides plagued the May-July, 1942: Investigate Weirdness in capital. Hitler’s Thousand-Year Reich had Sevastopol and escape capture by July 3. lasted only 12 years. July-August, 1942: Train and assist partisans in Berlin was divided into four Belorussian/Pripet marsh area. occupational zones. Each was September, 1942-January, 1943: Help defend administered by one of the four major Stalingrad and take part in the encirclement of Allied powers: England, France, the US, German 6th Army. and the USSR. February-May, 1943: Investigate and prevent German vampire acquisition plot in Romania. War in the Far East June-July, 1943: Help prepare for and win Battle of Kursk. On August 8, 1945 the Soviet Union August-December, 1943: Take part in liberation of declared war on Japan. Although this Kiev and most of the Ukraine OR train and assist wasn’t really necessary, Stalin was partisans in Belorussian/Pripet marsh area. honoring his promise to go to war with January, 1944: End siege of Leningrad. Japan once Germany had been dealt with. February-May 1944: Prepare for summer offensive More importantly, to Stalin at least, was by helping to secure Chernovtsy railroad junction that Russian involvement against Japan, and the Crimean Pennisula. however brief, increased Soviet influence June-July, 1944: Take part in Operation Bagration in the region. After Japan’s surrender, this with Red Army or with partisans in summer move allowed Russia to win southern offensive to liberate Belorussia. Sakhalin and the Kurile islands. August-October, 1944: Assist in liberation of Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia OR The Cold War Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Help put down anti- Despite a tremendous loss of 21 million Communist forces in the latter OR investigate people, Russia emerged from World War II vampire weirdness in the former. stronger both militarily and politically. January-May 1945: Help capture eastern Germany With satellite nations now under its and take Berlin. Liberate and investigate weirdness control, Russia, along with United States, at POW and concentration camps. Secure Nazi became one of the world’s only two super treasure and secret bases. Find Hitler’s body. powers for the next 44 years. Despite June 1945- ? : Begin assault on German Hollow having fought a devastating war as allies, World nation. Hunt down Hitler the vampire. Capture these two nations now engaged in an Nazi scientists. Steal secrets from Capitalist Dogs! intense and long-running competition for Take part in 1 week war with Japan in August. world influence. Although the US and the USSR never became involved in a * After either of these two encounters, the shooting war against each other, player’s characters may be transferred to the newly numerous wars waged by their proxies created SOPA division. flared across the globe and sometimes raised the horrible specter of nuclear war. 117 Chapter Three Adventure Seed Generator Having trouble coming up with new ideas? Make two percentage dice rolls to randomly determine an adventure idea or simply choose from the list. Roll for more than one determination or choose more than one for interesting combinations. The list also doubles as a general index to wartime, and some weird, situations.

Roll Adventure Roll Adventure 01-04 Assault 26-27 Encounter, Weird 01-75 Enemy fortification, 01-24 *Ancient village not of building, or position this time period 76-00 Hedgehog 25-49 Lost soldier 05-06 Assassinate/Sniper 50-74 Reincarnated spirit 01-65 Blood mage or German 75-00 Time displacement officer 28-31 Escape 66-80 Hitler 01-24 Blitzkrieg 81-00 Traitor or spy 25-84 Encirclement 07-11 Capture 85-89 Interrogation 01-05 Airfield 90-94 Gulag 06-09 Agent 95-00 POW Camp 10-12 Battle plans 32-33 Escort 13-15 Blood mage 01-20 Communist official 16-21 Bridge 21-39 Communication 22-50 City, town, or village 40-80 Factory relocation 51-61 Equipment 81-00 Officer 62-65 “Medical” doctor 34-36 Enforce 66-68 New technology 01-05 Conscription 69-72 Officer 06-14 Communist doctrine 73-76 Scientist 15-24 Curfew 77-90 Soldier 25-39 No retreat policy 91-00 Supplies 40-54 No surrender policy 12-13 Clear 55-69 Rationing 01-85 Pocket of resistance 70-89 Scorch earth policy 86-00 Minefield 90-00 Worker program 14-17 Create/Construct 37-38 Explore 01-05 Airfield 01-75 Hollow world entrance 06-15 Bridge 76-00 Ancient castle 16-60 Fortification 39-40 Infiltrate 61-65 Minefield 01-40 Allied ranks as spy 66-70 Road 41-79 Enemy ranks 71-84 Shelter 80-00 POW camp 85-00 Weapon 41-42 Intercept 18-19 Deliver 01-40 German delivery of plans 01-50 Food and/or supplies 41-00 Enemy radio transmission 51-80 Lend-Lease equipment 43-46 Investigate 81-00 Message 01-25 Monster, weird device, or 20-23 Destroy/Sabotage weird situation 01-25 Communications 26-35 Cannibalism activity 26-30 Research facility 36-60 Disappearance of town, 31-35 Secret weapon units, or person 36-49 Supply depot 61-70 Location of last 50-00 Transportation transmission 24-25 Discover 71-89 Mysterious sound, smell, 01-14 Empty village and/or glow 15-29 Enemy battle plans 90-00 Origin of new super 30-34 Frozen troops weapon 35-69 Mass grave 47-52 Liberate 70-94 Saboteur 01-45 City, town, village, and/or 95-00 Tomb country 46-55 Concentration camp 56-00 Encircled units 118 History

53-58 Participate 87-88 Rescue 01-05 Air drop 01-05 Downed pilot 06-10 Amphibious landing 06-50 Prisoner, *e.g., Stalin’s son, 11-20 Bridgehead Jacob Dshugashvili 21-29 Counterattack 51-60 Communist official 30-44 Defensive/offensive 61-80 Comrade or ally preparations 81-85 Forced laborer 45-54 Evacuation 86-90 Officer 55-69 Flanking maneuver 91-98 Spy 70-79 Pakfront 99-00 Relative 80-00 Street fighting 89-91 Repair 59-65 Protect 01-10 Airstrip 01-14 Bridge, road, railway, port, 11-25 Bridge or landing area 26-30 Damaged land line 15-44 City, town or village 31-55 Factory 45-50 Communist official 56-79 Railway 51-59 Factory/production site 80-89 Road 60-69 Home or hometown 90-00 Vehicle 70-74 Officer 92-93 Scout 75-84 Position lacking ammo, 01-34 Enemy action weapons, and/or fuel 35-67 Enemy facility 85-94 Retreat/withdrawal as 68-00 Enemy position rearguard 94-95 Take Revenge 95-00 Secret base 01-45 Village wiped out 66-67 Prevent 46-79 Comrade or family killed 01-20 Assassination of Churchill 80-95 Death of officer 21-50 Assassination of Stalin 96-00 On traitor 51-59 Assassination of Zhukov 96-97 Test 60-00 Enemy scorched earth 01-60 New technology policy 61-95 Stolen technology 68-69 Put Down 96-100 Arcane technology 01-30 Anticommunist uprising 98-00 Train 31-40 Looting 01-20 Civilian 41-55 Defection/mutiny/AWOL 21-60 New recruit/learn new 56-69 Prisoner uprising skill 70-00 Unauthorized evacuation 61-00 Partisan 70-76 Recapture 01-50 City, town, or village 51-75 Fort, factory, or important building 76-90 Rail link 91-00 Road 77-79 Recruit 01-20 Gypsy 21-30 Siberian shaman 31-90 Partisan 91-00 Communist 80-81 Recover 01-10 Hitler’s body 11-40 Information from enemy base 41-89 Nazi treasure 90-00 Religious or magical artifact 82-86 Repel 01-05 Air drop 06-35 Breakout, advance, salient 36-65 Flanking maneuver 66-79 Overwhelming odds 80-89 Surprise attack 90-00 Enemy relief effort Il-2 Sturmoviks returning from a mission. 119

Weird Wars

Chapter Four: Eastern Opposition

Your budding Heroes of the Soviet Union won’t have much to do with The Waffen SS someone to oppose them. This chapter A War Master should keep in mind that covers all the enemies your heroes may the Waffen SS had their own infantry and encounter on the Eastern Front, both mechanized units. Historically, the Waffen mundane and supernatural. SS were probably the first large scale use of an elite fighting force. They were so Additional German hated by the Russians that no quarter was given. To the dismay of the SS, they Opposition found the Russians to be just as tough, All of the German troops provided in brave, and cunning as themselves (e.g., Blood on the Rhine can be encountered Stalingrad). on the Russian Front. The Wehrmacht The SS were always provided the latest made up the bulk of the German forces and most advanced weapons Germany encountered by the Russians. This built. Being well equipped offset the included the majority of the mechanized Soviet advantage in numbers but it also Panzer groups that spearheaded the drive involved them in every critical battle on into the Soviet Union, encircling entire the Eastern Front. In addition, the Fuhrer Russian armies during offensive only fully trusted SS divisions in combat. operations in the first two years on the In Hitler’s mind, the men of the SS were Eastern Front. After the Battle of Kursk in Teutonic knights and the defenders of the July of 1943, the Panzer divisions strength Reich. As a result of being Hitler’s trusted was greatly reduced. Rather than acting favorites with the best equipment, SS offensively, the panzers were used as losses were so great by the end of Kursk mobile “fire brigades,” rushing to wherever that Himmler was forced to open ranks to they were most needed. Following this an increasing number of non-Germans. battle, the German army was no longer on By the fall of 1943, aware of the grave the offensive and the momentum situation on the Eastern front, the SS switched to the Soviets. The Wehrmacht began hording equipment and supplies. began a series of fighting withdrawals Wehrmacht commanders, such as that eventually ended on the outskirts of Manstein, became increasingly frustrated, Berlin in January 1945. having to now ask Hitler’s permission to Chapter Four

use and move SS units. This division Otto Ohlendorf was the commander of between the Wehrmacht and the SS was Einsatzgruppe D and Stahlecker was the further defined in the fall of 1944 when commander of Einsatzgruppe A. Kurt Himmler established a separate SS Army Lindow was the person responsible for HQ. receiving the Activity and Situation Reports (or “Situation Reports”) and Einsatzgruppen distributing the Operational Situation The Holocaust genocide began not in Reports (or “Operational Reports”). The the camps or in the gas chambers but Situation Reports were the monthly with four small groups of murderers compilations of the activities of all of known as the Einsatzgruppen the Einsatzgruppen. The Operational (Einsatzgruppe is singular meaning one Reports were detailed reports from the Special Action Group. Einsatzgruppen is various units giving the precise number plural referring to several Einsatzgruppe). of murders committed and the property Formed by Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard stolen. Paul Blobel was a commander of Heydrich immediately before the invasion Sonderkommando 4a. He was responsible of the Soviet Union, the main purpose of for the massacre at Babi Yar and was the Einsatzgruppen was to liquidate subsequently given the , (murder) Jews, Romany (gypsies), and Germany’s highest award for valor. political operatives of the Communist The killing method employed by the Party. Four paramilitary units were Einsatzgruppen was to shoot people. By established: Einsatzgruppe A, B, C, and D. using various pretexts, victims were All four groups operated exclusively on rounded up and transported to a central the Eastern Front in territories captured killing ground where they were shot and by the Germans. With the cooperation of left in mass graves. For example, at Babi German army and local militias, the Yar, the Jews of Kiev were informed by Einsatzgruppen murdered over a million placards, which were posted around the men, women, and children in the Ukraine city by Ukrainian militia, to assemble on and the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia September 29, 1941 at a cemetery near a and Lithuania. These were murders of railroad siding for “resettlement.” They civilians, not partisans. were told to bring food, warm clothing, Einsatzgruppen were used during the documents, money, and valuables. After invasion of Poland in 1939. Accompanying being processed, the victims were lined the invading armies, the Einsatzgruppen up at the edge of a ravine and gunned performed similar tasks, such as the down by teams of machine gunners. A arrest or liquidation of priests and Polish total of 33,700 people were killed. intelligence. However, unlike the A watchmen of the cemetery recalled Einsatzgruppen created for the invasion of how Ukrainian police in the service of the the Soviet Union, the ones used in Poland Nazis: were not given the task of mass murder. In fact, the Einsatzgruppen used in the “. formed a corridor and drove invasion of the Soviet Union were new the panic-stricken people towards units and not connected to the the huge glade, where sticks, Einsatzgruppen that existed during the swearings, and dogs, who were invasion of Poland. tearing the people’s bodies, forced There were between 600 and 1,000 men the people to undress, to form in each Einsatzgruppe, although many columns in hundreds, and then to were support staff. The majority of the go in the columns in twos towards active members of an Einsatzgruppe were the mouth of the ravine. they Waffen-SS, the military arm of the SS. The found themselves on the narrow other members came from various ground above the precipice, twenty military and non-military organizations of to twenty-five meters in height, the Third Reich. For example, the active and on the opposite side there members of Einsatzgruppe A were 340 were the Germans’ machine guns. Waffen-SS, 89 Gestapo (secret state The killed, wounded, and half- police), 35 SD (security service), 133 Order alive people fell down and were Police, and 41 Kripo (local and state smashed there. Then the next criminal police). Additionally, each hundred were brought, and Einsatzgruppen was further broken down everything repeated again. The into operational sub-units known either policemen took the children by as Einsatzkommandos or the legs and threw them alive Sonderkommandos. down into the Yar.” 122 The Opposition

By evening the Germans collapsed the After both witnessed a group of SS wall of the ravine burying the dead and execute a hundred Jews, General Erich von many people still alive. The ground was dem Bach-Zelewski told Himmler, said to have been moving into the night as the living struggled in vain to dig “Look at the eyes of the men in themselves out. this Kommando, how deeply Around December 1941, the Nazis began shaken they are! These men are to experiment with vans designed by Dr. finished for the rest of their lives. Becker using the exhaust from the van’s What kind of followers are we motor. However, the Einsatzgruppen training here? Either neurotics or thought this method to be slow. It was savages!” also not popular with them because of the added mental strain caused by As a result of the damage done to SS unloading the corpses. Thus, throughout combat effectiveness and the slow rate of the Einsatzgruppen reign of terror, Jewish destruction, Himmler looked to shooting would continue to be the gassing in concentration camps. It is said primary means of execution. that Himmler himself almost fainted at Otto Ohlendorf, commander of the sight of the mass executions. Einsatzgruppe D, described his task force’s killing methods, Einsatzgruppen Soldier Einsatzgruppen Soldier: CR 6: Medium- “The unit selected would enter size Human; Class: Grt 6; hp 44; Init +1; a village or city and order the Spd 10 yds; AC 12 (+1 Dex, +1 Armor); Atk prominent Jewish citizens to call MP35 +10/+5 (+1 Dex, +1 Weapon Focus, together all Jews for the purpose +1 Victory Runes); AL LE; SV Fort +6 of resettlement. They were Ref +3 Will +2; Str 12, Dex 13, Con 12, Int requested to hand over their 10, Wis 11, Cha 10. valuables and, shortly before Skills and Feats: Concentration +3, Driving execution, to surrender their outer +2, Heal +2, Hide +5, *Intimidate +6, clothing. The men, women, and Listen +5, Move Silently +5, Search +6, children were led to a place of Spot +6; Automatic Weapons execution, which in most cases Proficiency, Far Shot, Firearms was located next to a deeply Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, excavated antitank ditch. Then Point Blank Shot, Rank: SS-Grenadier they were shot, kneeling or (Private) to SS-Sturmscharfuher standing, and the corpse thrown (Command Sergeant Major), Simple into the ditch.” Weapons Proficiency, Weapon Focus: MP35 (+1 attack bonus), Weapon An Eisatzgruppen soldier recalled that, Specialization: MP35 (+2 damage), Wheeled Vehicle Proficiency. (*) not a “.after the first wave of normal key Grunt skill. shooting it emerged that the men, Special Qualities: particularly the officers, could not Devotion: The devotion of SS members cope with the demands made on to the Nazi Party gives them a +2 them. Many abandoned themselves morale bonus to Will saves. The to alcohol, many suffered nervous Deathshead emblem on their breakdowns and psychological uniforms and reputation gives illness; for example we had Einsatzgrupen soldiers a +4 on suicides and there were cases Intimidation DC. where some cracked up and shot Possessions: MP35 and 4 magazines of wildly around them and 9mm ammunition, 2 completely lost control. When this 24, helmet, uniform, and victory runes happened Himmler issued an order (+1 attack bonus, +1 Will save vs. fear). stating that any man who no Einsatzgruppen Officer longer felt able to take the psychological stresses should Einsatzgruppen Officer: CR 9: Medium- report to his superior officer. size Human; Class: Ofr 9; hp 53; Init +6; These men were to be released Spd 10 yds; AC 13 (+2 Dex, +1 Armor); from their current duties and Atk PPK +13/+8/+3 (+2 Dex, +1 Weapon would be detailed for other work Focus, +1 Victory Runes); AL LE; SV Fort back home.” +5 Ref +5 Will +7; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12. 123 Chapter Four

Skills and Feats: Climb +2, Concentration Skills and Feats: Climb +2, Hide +5, Spot +5, Demolitions +3, Diplomacy +7, +2, Far Shot, Firearms Proficiency, Light Driving +4, Heal +2, Hide +4, Intimidate Armor Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, +12, Leadership +10, Move Silently +3, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Weapon Search +6, Sense Motive +10, Spot +10, Focus: Kar 98 Swim +2; Automatic Weapons Special Qualities: Proficiency, Command, Command Young: Inexperience and age gives Hitler Voice, Far Shot, Firearms Proficiency, Youth a -2 morale bonus to Will Improved Initiative, Light Armor saves. Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Rank: SS- Possessions: Kar 98k with 20 rounds of Untersturmfuhrer (2nd Lieutenant) to 7.92mm ammunition, helmet, and SS-Standartenfuhrer (Colonel), Simple uniform. Roll percentage dice to Weapons Proficiency, Weapon Focus: determine additional equipment (01-50) 1 PPK. Panzerfaust 30 (51-00) 1 Stielhandgranate Special Qualities: 24. Devotion: The devotion of SS members to the Nazi Party gives them a +2 Volkssturm morale bonus to Will saves. The Poorly armed and trained old men and Deathshead emblem on their invalids made-up the Volkssturm or uniforms and reputation gives “Home Guard or People’s Attack.” They Einsatzgrupen officers a +4 on were primarily drafted into service in Intimidation DC. November and December of 1944 to Possessions: Walter PPK, 2 spare defend Berlin but Hitler issued the call on magazines of 9mm ammunition, September 25, 1942 to all Germans 16-60 helmet, uniform and victory runes (+1 years of age who could bear arms. attack bonus, +1 Will save vs. fear). Volkssturm Hitler Youth Volkssturm: CR 1: Medium-size Human; Facing a personnel shortage and two Class: Civilian; hp 4; Init -1; Spd 8 yds; Allied fronts closing in on Berlin, Hitler AC 9 (-1 Dex); Atk (see below) -1; AL LN; drafted “soldiers” as young as 12 years old. Sv Fort -1 Ref -1 Will +1; Str 10, Dex 8, Many had been indoctrinated into Nazi Con 9, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 9. ideology through the Hitler Youth. Skills and Feats: Firearms Proficiency. Although young, they often fought with Special Qualities: None. the same tenacity as older units. Possessions: Besides normal clothing, roll percentage dice to determine Hitler Youth Volkssturm equipment (01-25) Civilian Hitler Youth: CR: 1: Small-size Human; Revolver with 6 rounds of 9mm ammo, Class: Grt 1; hp 9; Init +1; Spd 10 yds; AC (26-60) Civilian Rifle with 2 magazines 13 (+1 Dex, +1 Armor, +1 Size); Atk Kart 98 of .30, (61-00) Single Barrel Shotgun with +3 ; AL CN; Sv Fort +1 Ref +1 Will -2; Str 10 rounds of 12 gauge. There is also a 8, Dex 12, Con 8, Int 8, Wis 6, Cha 10. 50% chance of possessing a Panzerfaust 30 and a 50% chance of possessing 1 Stielhandgranate 24 or 1 Molotov cocktail. Finns The Finns were as well trained and equipped in small arms and support equipment as the SS. The Finns fanatically fought with patriotism to save their homeland from the Russian invasion during the Fall of 1939 and then again with 18 divisions, on June 25, 1941, 3 days after the start of Barbarossa, to retake land lost to the Russians two years earlier. Like the Russians, the Finnish were at ease in harsh winter conditions. Unlike the Germans, the Finns did not have a taste for conquest and rarely took the Officers of an Einzatsgruppe scour the countryside for undesirables. offensive once they regained their historic 124 The Opposition borders north of Leningrad. Therefore, the Lieutenant to Captain equivelant, Finns mainly took up defensive positions Simple Weapons Proficiency, Tactician and assisted the Germans in the siege of (+2 initiative on successful counter Leningrad. leadership check, +2 ambush Spot When the war with the Finns came to check), Weapon Focus: Sturmgewehr (+1 an end after a Russian Karelian Isthmus attack bonus). (*) not a normal key offensive from Leningrad on September 19, Officer skill. 1944, the government agreed to help Special Qualities: remove any Nazis remaining on Finnish Finnish troops defending their soil. In We i rd Wars, this could prove to be homeland receive a +3 morale bonus a problem since Nazi archeological digs to Will saves. are still being conducted in northern Possessions: (German gear is used to Finland after the discovery of a Thule simplify game play) Sturmewehr 44, 3 outpost and the Runes manuscript in 1936. magazines of 7.92k ammunition, 2 Stielhandgranate 24, helmet, uniform, Finnish Soldier and winter clothing when necessary. Finnish Soldier: CR 2: Medium-size Human; Class: Grt 2; hp 16; Init +1; Spd 10 Axis Minor Allies yds; AC 12 (+1 Dex, +1 Armor); Atk War Masters should use the following Sturmgewehr +4 (+1 Dex, +1 Weapon stats to represent generic troops from Focus); AL LN; Sv Fort +3 Ref +1 Will +0 Spain, Rumania, Hungary, Slovakia, and (does not include Homeland bonus); Str Bulgaria. Italian troop statistics can be 12, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10. found in the Afrika Korpse campaign Skills and Feats: Climb +3, Heal +3, Hide book. Twelve Romanian, 3 Hungarian, 3 +4, Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Spot +3, Italian, 1 Spanish, and 2.5 Slovakian *Wilderness Lore +3; Automatic Weapon divisions took part in Operation Proficiency, Eye For Terrain (+2 ambush Barbarossa. None of these troops were as Spot checks, +2 Hide), Firearms well equipped, trained, or disciplined as Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, their German allies. They also seldom Rank: Private equivalent, Skiing, Simple fought with the same intensity due to a Weapons Proficiency, Weapon Focus: lack of enthusiasm for Hitler’s plans. Their Sturmewehr 44 (+1 attack bonus). (*) not governments sent many of these soldiers a normal key Grunt skill. as a forced tribute to Hitler and to share Special Qualities: in the spoils of a German victory. Once it Homeland: Finnish troops defending became painfully obvious that Hitler their homeland receive a +3 morale blundered (post-Stalingrad), the bonus to Will saves. Due to strong government’s of each country permitted individual psyches, Finnish troops their commanders to refuse German could often rally themselves from orders and placed their troops in rear demoralizing conditions without the areas as reserves. help of an officer. Possessions: (German gear is used to Axis Minor Soldier simplify game play) Sturmewehr 44, 3 Axis Minor Soldier: CR 1: Medium-size magazines of 7.92k ammunition, 2 Human; Class: Grt 1; hp 10; Init +0; Spd 10 Stielhandgranate 24, helmet, uniform, yds; AC 11 (+1 Armor); Atk Kar 98 +2 (+1 and winter clothing when necessary. Weapon Focus); AL LN; Sv Fort +2 Ref Finnish Officer +0 Will +0; Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10. Finnish Officer: CR 5: Medium-size Skills and Feats: Heal +1, Hide +3, Move Human; Class: Ofr 5; hp 36; Init +1; Spd Silently +3, Search +3, Spot +3; Firearms 10 yds; AC 12 (+1 Dex, +1 Armor); Atk Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, Sturmgewehr +7 (+1 Dex, +1 Weapon Rank: Private equivalent, Simple Focus); AL LN; SV Fort +4 Ref +2 Will +5 Weapons Proficiency, Weapon Focus: (does not include Homeland bonus); Str Kar 98k (+1 attack bonus). 12, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12. Special Qualities: Skills and Feats: Climb +3, Concentration Axis allied troops were more likely to +3, Heal +4, Hide +4, Leadership +8, surrender and less skilled in tactical Move Silently +5, Search +4, Sense retreats and regrouping. Motive +5, Spot +5, Swim +2, Possessions: (German gear is used to *Wilderness Lore +8; Automatic simplify game play) Kar 98k, 30 rounds Weapons Proficiency, Command, of 7.92mm ammunition, uniform, and Firearms Proficiency, Light Armor helmet. Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Rank: 2nd 125 Chapter Four

Axis Minor Officer Doppleganger and Homunculus: These make ideal spies under the command of a Axis Minor Officer: CR 1: Medium-size Nazi blood mage. Human; Class: Ofr 1; hp 8; Init +0; Spd 10 Dragon and Tarrasque: Either of these yds; AC 11 (+1 Armor); Atk PPK+2 (+1 could be awakened from their slumber Weapon Focus); AL LN; SV Fort +0 Ref during a battle. An evil dragon or +0 Will +2; Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 11, Tarrasque would attack both sides of a Wis 11, Cha 11. battle and then rest in their once hidden Skills and Feats: Heal +2, Leadership +3, refuge. The Nazis could then try and take Move Silently +2, Intimidate +3, Search control of either monster by way of blood +3, Spot +3; Command, Firearms mage magic. A good dragon would refuse Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, to cooperate and could be captured and Rank: 2nd Lieutenant, Simple Weapons used for Nazi twisted experiments. Proficiency, Weapon Focus: PPK (+1 Elementals, Golem, Hell Hound, attack bonus). Invisible Stalker, and Shield Guardian: Special Qualities: Depending on the type listed, a mlood Axis troops were more likely to mage could create or summon one to surrender and less skilled in tactical guard himself or a high ranking Nazi retreats and regrouping. official, protect a Nazi secret base, or Possessions: (German gear is used to carry out some evil task. simplify game play) Walter PPK, 2 spare Ettin and Troll: Both of these could be magazines of 9mm ammunition, found in Ural mountain region caves near uniform, and helmet. relocated industrial complexes moved from the Ukrainian region. It would be Incorporating Monster especially interesting to have a troll guard a remote but key bridge in a post-1943 Manual Creatures Russian offensive. Before the new monsters are introduced, Frost Worm and Winter Wolf: Both of the following ideas should help War these inhabit Northern Russia and Siberia. Masters who wish to incorporate A Frost Worm could be encountered creatures from the Monster Manual into during relief efforts for Lenningrad or in the Eastern Front. protection of the Murmansk Lend-Lease Barghest, Chuul, Gray Render, Owl receiving port. Bear, Tendriculas and Worg: Could all be and Night Hag: Either of these encountered in Western Russia marshes could be taking advantage of the carnage and forests. or in league with a Nazi blood mage. Centaur, Dryad, Nymph, Satyr, and Treant: These secretive creatures could Vampires request or charm players to protect their hidden forest home from a German Vampires have a prominent place in scorched earth engineering unit. In return Eastern European folklore, so we should for their service, the players might receive say a few words about them here. valuable information or a powerful magic Transylvania item. Dinosaurs, Magmin, Mind Flayer,,, Hitler wants to capture a vampire and Purple Worm, Roper, and Umber Hulk: All become one himself so that he can rule are perfect creatures to populate a Hollow all 1,000 years of the Third Reich. One of World situation in which the Nazis have the key areas in the Nazi search is discovered and are attempting to use as Transylvania. Historically, as an effort to sanctuary for the Master Race toward the control part of Hungary’s foreign trade, end of the war. Hitler allowed Hungary in August 1940 to Carrion Crawler, , Shadow,,, retake the northern half of Transylvania Skeleton, Wight, and Zombie: These (including the city of Cluj) lost to creatures inhabit abandoned battlefields, Romania at the end of WWI. This created mass graves, graveyards, city catacombs, even more hostility between Hungary and cellars and sewers. Romania. Romania was being punished for Bodack and Mohrg: The former could siding with the Allies in WWI. (In We i rd be seeking revenge for an evil death and Wars, these actions allow Hitler to keep the latter could be the corpse of a Nazi both Hungary and Romania at odds and mass murderer. distract them from discovering the true Dire Animals and Lycanthropes: These nature of the area’s Nazi occupation.) can be found anywhere where their less Although the Russian annexation so dangerous cousins exist. close to Transylvania is unsettling, the 126 The Opposition

Nazis used the situation to justify an even Dracula stronger presence; 12 German divisions Modern vampire myth can be traced to started arriving in October 1940. the infamous Romanian Vlad Dracula, son Historically, after the battle of of Vlad Dracul. His surname, Dracul, Stalingrad in the last half of 1943, means devil or dragon in Romanian. Born Hungary and Romania began fighting each in 1431, Dracula ruled Walachia, part of other. By March 19, 1944, a peace-seeking Romania near the Carpatian Mountains; a Hungary was completely occupied by the densely forested area near the Black Sea Nazis. On August 20, 1944, the Russians (“trans-silva” means “over forest” in Latin). crossed the Romanian border and the Dracula achieved a zero crime rate in Romanian government surrendered 3 days the area and successfully defended his later. subjects from the Turks and Hungarians The Germans continued to defend by earning the nickname Vlad Tepes, Romania until the country was “Vlad the Impaler.” Vlad impaled 40,000 to completely lost at the end of September. 100,000 victims, about one-fifth of Then Hungary was invaded, but the Nazis Wallachia’s population, on stakes. Along managed to hold the northern part of border roads, he created an impaled forest Hungary, specifically Budapest, until April of pregnant women, children, and the 4, 1945 despite the Hungarian Nazi puppet young and old. They were impaled through government surrendering to the Russians their buttocks up to the throat or top of on October 15, 1944. In We i rd Wars, the head or impaled through the navel, although east of Transylvania, maybe the heart, stomach, or chest. He was defense of Budapest is not just a matter suspected of practicing cannibalism, of Nazi fanaticism. eating the limbs of those he killed or Vampire History of drinking their blood. Like Hitler, he practiced his own sort of social Interest purification. In one such event, Vlad purged the countryside of beggars, elderly, Vampire is a word with roots in the lame, sick, blind, and poor by inviting Slavic langauge to wampir (Romanian) or them to feast in a hall, giving them new upir/upyr (Russian). According to Russian clothes, and then lighting the hall on fire and Romanian folklore, a vampire could with the doors locked. be created by way of improper burial, unnatural death, being a seventh son, being bitten by a vampire, excommunication, suicide, witchcraft, immorality, being conceived on certain days, birth or defects (tail), and leaving a corpse unburied on the windy Steppes. One of the earliest mentions of blood sucking comes from the Babylonians 5,000 years ago in the form of a female called Lilitu. She looked normal but fed on the blood of babies. The Greeks had a name for female —Lamiae— that removed their eyes at night after feeding on blood. Like the Babylonians, the Romans had a creature called Stirges that fed on the blood of babies and looked like a bird with a head of woman. This weary patrol is loaded down with garlic-laced grenades, hoping to find a vampire for der Führer. 127 Chapter Four

Dracula rebuilt a ruined castle in spells are taught by the devil himself. Tirgoviste, Romania, about 155 miles Only ten scholars are admitted at a time. southeast of Cluj on the base of the Nine are released at end of training but a Transylvania Alps/Western Carpathian tenth is kept as payment to the devil and Mountains and about 50 miles northwest is mounted upon an Ismeju (dragon) and of Bucharest. Local folklore speaks of a becomes the devil’s aide. The school secret passage in the castle that leads overlooks a nearby lake that is immensely into the adjacent mountainside where a deep. There is said to be a dragon special treasure stolen from murdered sleeping under it. nobles was hidden. At times it produces a golden flame that lights up the night sky. Erzebet Bathory Vlad was supposedly killed by a Erzebet Bathory, born in 1560, was a Turkish spy in 1476, but he is said to have Hungarian countess who believed drinking lived two hundred years. Regardless, he is and bathing in the blood of girls would rumored to be buried at Snagov (near maintain her beauty. Bathory’s servants Bucharest), an ancient monastery on an lured village girls to her castle on the island in the middle of a still lake. Before pretense of maid work but, instead, his death, he rebuilt the monastery (he imprisoned and murdered them in the also built several other monasteries) into dungeon. Her deception was discovered in a fortress with cells where he tortured 1610, but not before 50 to 600 girls were and impaled his victims. Vlad kept stolen killed. Her servants were executed and the boyar (noble land owners) treasure there, countess was locked away until she died but monks threw the treasure into the in 1614. lake to avoid tempting the Turks. Any Peter Plogojowitz hidden treasures are said to glow with a bluish light, like the color of wine spirits, Peter Plogojowitz was the first person on St. George Day, April 23. It is also a to be documented as a “vampire” after his day of occult meetings, celebration of death in 1725 in the Siberian village of witches, and when the Sabbat is put into Kisilova. practice. Nine villagers died of a mysterious 24- Supposedly Vlad attended the hour illness after claiming on their Scholomance, a school 110 miles deathbed that Peter tried to take their northwest of Tirgoviste and 60 miles spirit and blood during the night. As south of Cluj in the mountains near the witnessed by a German officer stationed town of Sibiu. It is here where the secrets in the village, the villagers dug up his of nature, language of animals, and magic body, shoved a stake through his heart, and burned his corpse. Arnod Paole Johannes Fluckinger, an Austrian medical officer in 1732 investigated a “vampirism epidemic” in the Siberian village of Medvegia. According to his report, Arnod Paole died in 1727 after falling off a hay wagon. Soon four villagers felt ill and died after Arnod Paole supposedly visited them in the night. Cattle’s blood had also been sucked. According to Fluckinger:

“They dug up this Arnod Paole…and they found that…fresh blood had flowed from eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. The shirt, the covering, and the coffin were completely bloody. The old nails on his hands and feet, along with his skin, had fallen off, and new ones had grown. And since they saw from this that he was a true vampire, they drove a stake A SOPA team approaches a suspected vampire lair—with a through his heart… whereby he flamethrower. gave an audible groan and bled 128 The Opposition

copiously. Thereupon they burned Vampire Adventure Seeds the body the same day to ashes A War Master can make use of the and threw these into the grave.” above history in several ways: Option 1: A year before the invasion of In 1731, 17 villagers died within weeks of Romania in August 20, 1944, in a joint each after having eaten the meat of the collaboration with SOPA and OSI, players cattle attacked by Paole back in 1727. They must find and destroy a Romanian were suspected of being vampires. All vampire (perhaps Vlad himself) before the their graves were dug up and 12 of the 17 Nazis can locate him. The players could be looked like Paole’s grave back in 1727. parachuted into the area or cross into the Their heads were cut off, bodies burned, area through enemy lines. Is Vlad in his and ashes thrown into a river. ruined castle, monastery or at the Nachzehrer Scholomance? From Silesia and Bavaria (part of Option 2: The invasion of Romania has modern Poland and Germany), a yet to occur. The Nazis already have a Nachzehrer is a ragged corpse that opened vampire and are conducting archeological only one eye and ate its own grave digs for magical artifacts under the shroud. Then it ate itself starting with its vampire’s direction. As SOPA agents, the hands and feet but it might leave its grave players must kill the vampire and either in the form of a bloodsucking pig. destroy the artifacts or capture them for their superiors. Strigoi Option 3: As a connected post-mission In Romania, a Strigoi, “dead vampire,” is to options 1 or 2, the players are ordered a corpse with two hearts that drinks to destroy the ancient Scholomance blood when it runs out of milk. It where blood mages are learning from the normally attacked animals but might go Devil himself. for people the night before St. Andrew’s Option 4: During the invasion of Feast (December 13 on the Orthodox Romania, the players take refuge in Vlad’s Christian calendar or November 30 for castle or learn of the hidden treasure in others). the mountains near Vlad’s castle. Option 5: The players come across a Vrykolakas vampire village in Siberia or northern A Greek and Macedonia legend speaks Russia, perhaps led by Peter Plogojowitz of Vrykolakas,,, a plump smelly corpse or Arnod Paole. that smashes the insides of homes, turns Option 6: The players witness a similar over furniture, extinguishes lamps, vampire purging ritual as conducted in embraces people from behind, plays Medvegia and the players are pleaded with tricks, or knocks on doors calling out the to help end a vampire epidemic. name of someone living inside, only to Option 7: SOPA players learn of German return later and suffocate that person by commandos lead by a blood mage posing sitting on their chest. Knots in windows as Russians and visiting the Siberian or seeds left outside are said to stop villages Kisilovaand and Medvegia. Have Vrykolakas who spends time untying the the commandos found Peter or Arnod or knot or picking up the seeds instead of a secret vampire society? attacking the home’s occupant. Superstitions Incorporating Blood on There are a number of superstitious the Rhine Monsters practices the players might see but not Many of the creatures described in understand without a Local Knowledge Blood on the Rhine should not be check (DC15). These include Tar Crosses excluded from the Russian Front: painted on doors to ensnare vampires and Brutes & ReanimantReanimant: The use of either prevent them from entering the house and of these creatures becomes more common European hawthorn, dog rose, or as Hitler becomes more desperate after blackthorn branches with thorns placed Stalingrad. in doorways, windows, or over graves to Fext: The squad of Fext mentioned in catch on undead shrouds to keep them in the Blood on the Rhine could be place and from escaping. Perhaps the encountered during one of Hitler’s players could come across a vampire delusional attempts to turn the tide of stuck on one of these traps (or maybe an the war at Stalingrad or the Battle for unfortunate human falls into one of these Berlin. and is mistaken for a vampire). 129 Chapter Four

A Russian elder tries to warn his neighbors of the danger lurking in their village.

Gremlinemlin: Russian equipment was more reliable than German but Gremlins could Incorporating Afrika change that advantage in one particular area. In addition, Gremlins could be Korpse Monsters responsible for manufacturing delays in Here are some ways to use Weird War II: the Ural relocated factories. Afrika Korpse monstrosities. Sluagh: These bird spirits could attack Corpse Mine: Blood mages in Africa partisan or regular army players ordered to have passed on their techniques of scavenge a battlefield for equipment and making corpse mines to the blood mages supplies. assigned to the Eastern Front. Some of Tatzlwurm: The Russians made great these same blood mages who survived use of fortifications, especially at the May 1943 defeat in Africa may be Moscow, Leningrad, Kursk and Sevastopol. reassigned to the Eastern Front. Usually civilians dug these fortifications Flugzeuggeist & Twisted Hulk: Either but there could be at least one occurrence of these can be encountered at any time, when the disappearance of some civilians but definitely during the July 1943 air and might need investigating. tank battle of Kursk Wehrwolves: As mentioned in Blood on Sand-Rot Mummy & Ghul: These two the Rhine, soon after the invasion of monster types can be encountered during Russia, Nazi hunters captured a Russian the German 1942 summer invasion of the partisan with Lycanthrophy disease. SS Caucasuses (south of Stalingrad and east volunteers who became hybrid human/ of the Black Sea to the base of Mt. Elbus) werewolves could be sent on a mission up until the January, 1943 German after the defeat of Stalingrad or Kursk to withdrawal. assassinate Stalin or Zhukov. SOPA may Supply RatRat: These critters can be wish to find the location of the encountered near any supply dump, city imprisoned Russian partisan and destroy sewer, or rubble while scavenging for dead him. meat. 130 The Opposition

Yagga from within her hut and she New Monsters for delightfully cackles for all to hear, “Fie! Fie! I smell a Russian bone!” Those who dare enter through the flap the Russian Front of the 30 ft. by 30 ft. feather and dog hair New front, new monsters. Russia and covered hut find it illuminated by eerie Eastern Europe have a rich folklore filled green lights that glow with an unnatural with all sorts of colorful creatures. In flame. They also immediately notice the addition, the physical conditions on the Babba Yaga’s head resting on a table and Eastern Front also play host to a wide her headless body either tending a stove, variety of nasty monstrosities with which grinding something in a large cauldron you can torment…uh, challenge, your with a pestle, lying on a bed, or heroes. concocting something on a stocked alchemist cabinet counter. Babba Yagga (The Combat Bony-Legged One) The Babba Yagga avoids physical violence and direct conflict, preferring Medium-sized Monstrous Humanoid instead to use her Frightful Presence, Hit Dice: 5d8+10 (33 hp) Gaze, and Spell-like abilities to render her Initiative: +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Improved potential victim paralyzed and harmless. Initiative) Only then does she cook the victim after Speed: 20 ft. removing his or her clothes. AC: 18 (+3 Dex, +5 Natural) If outnumbered by obviously hostile Attacks: 2 claws +8 melee opponents she flees and uses detect Damage: Claw 1d4+3 thoughts to determine the intentions of Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5ft. those that have dared to enter her home. Special Attacks: Frightful presence, gaze, Those that seek her advice are only safe spell like abilities if her attempts to immobilize them fail. In Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., this case, she acts as if she had nothing regeneration 10, scent, SR 50 to do with any of the heroes’ friends Saves: Fort+3, Ref +7, Will +8 ending up in a paralyzed state. Even so, Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 16, Wis the characters had best not try her 20, Cha 15 patience—her mood can change quickly. Skills: Alchemy +11, Bluff +11, Knowledge (Arcana) +11, Listen +10, Move Silently +7, Sense Motive +10 Feats: Alertness, Brew Potion, Craft Wand, Improved Initiative, Simple Weapon Proficiency Climate/Terrain: Always near a river or forest Organization: Solitary Challenge Rating: 4 Treasure: Standard coins; double goods, double items Alignment: Always lawful evil Advancement: By character class The Babba Yagga is one of three ancient witch sisters, centuries in age, disguised as an old maid from Russian folklore. She loves to eat people, especially children, after roasting them in her oven. When not out luring children with false promises and treats, she lives within a remote forest clearing near a river in a small hut atop chicken legs and dog heels that can rotate and walk at her command. The perimeter of the clearing is lined with stakes topped by decapitated victims. If the surroundings don’t cause a trespasser of Russian descent to flee from fear, his or her odor alerts the Babba 131 Chapter Four

Bone Wand: Babba Yagga has a bone Adventure Seeds Wand of Hold Person (50 charges at 15th The Babba Yagga’s origins can be traced ability level) that she uses to defend to actual Russian folktales used to scare herself or when all but one person in her children into not talking to strangers or presence has resisted her other attempts venturing too far from home. In We i rd at immobilization. Wars, the Babba Yagga actually exists, Cauldron: Not only does the Babba inhabiting the forests and marshes of Yagga use her cauldron and pestle to boil western Russia, Belorussia, Lithuania, victims and concoct potions, but it also Latvia, Estonia, and Northern Ukraine. All serves as a method of transportation. three sisters move from one region to When sitting in the cauldron and using another to avoid too much scrutiny and the pestle to navigate, she can reach possible reprisal, especially when a child speeds of 60 ft. per round at good disappears from a nearby village. maneuverability. There are a number of situations in Hut: Due to enchantment, the Babba which the players can encounter the Yagga’s hut resists all magical attacks and Babba Yagga: can resist 10 hit points of structural They stumble upon her hut while in damage per square foot (9000 damage retreat or while scouting out enemy points). As mentally commanded by the positions; they seek her out for Babba Yagga, using its dog heels and information; they approach her hut after a chicken legs, it can rotate and move 15 ft. villager pleads with the players to help per round. It can also hermetically seal find her lost child; or she is hunted down and submerge itself in water to avoid as a blood mage collaborator. Under the destruction and make its escape up or last two situations the players would down stream. Thus, the Babba Yagga probably have to eliminate her, especially always situates her home near a deep to save the child. If they are successful, it river. brings down the wrath of her two sisters. Sisters: If her life is threatened or The first two situations provide angered enough to take revenge, the Babba excellent roleplaying opportunities. For Yagga summons her two sisters who example, the Babba Yagga may propose an arrive in 6 to 12 hours; too long to provide alliance to help save her two sisters immediate help as they try to avoid captured by blood mages or to take hunting in the same region. Of course, if revenge on the Nazis for killing her sisters. they are too late, they seek revenge on Being many centuries old, she angrily those responsible. recalls how the Germans tortured and Darkvision 60 ft. killed over 100,000 “witches” in the 16th Frightful Presence (Ex): A player who and 17th centuries. As payment in views the Babba Yaga in dismembered advance, she provides the players with form within 30 ft. must pass a Will check magical bone wands or potions. If the versus Fear (DC 15) or be frozen in place players need information from her, she for 10 rounds minus the witness’ Will provides it with no tricks, after the bonus. characters help her. Gaze (Su): Persons within 30 ft. who do An even more challenging scenario for not avoid looking into her eyes must the heroes might be to recruit the Babba make a Will check vs. Paralyzing (DC 15) Yaga’s (and perhaps her sisters’) help for each round eye contact is made. Failure the war effort. Although the old hag is a means the person is paralyzed for 15 malevolent figure in Russian myth, she is rounds, minus his or her Will bonus. Russian, after all. The powers she and her Scent (Ex): The Babba Yagga can hut possess could make her a powerful determine most natural odors within 60 ally in the war against the Germans. ft. but she has the knack of detecting Such help doesn’t come cheaply, Russian “bones” up to 120 ft. however. The Babba Yagga might demand a Spell Like Abilities: At will—detect regular offering of young children for her thoughts; 1/day—light, command, message, pot, for instance. Given that all resources protection from good, hold person, are being mobilized for total war, the high continual flame, water walk, sleep; change command at SOPA might actually agree to self, ventriloquism, burning hands, such a demand in order to gain such a expeditious retreat, spider climb, fog cloud valuable ally. If the players are detailed to and misdirection; 1/week—bestow . participate in a “tribute mission,” or These abilities are as the spells cast by inadverntently witness one, it might a 12th-level Sorcerer (save DC 12 + spell cause some serious second thoughts level). about the cause for which they fight. 132 The Opposition

violently that they barely escape Bannik (Bath Spirit) alive. Then they drench themselves Medium-sized Outsider (Chaotic) with cold water, and thus are Hit Dice: 4d8+4 (2 hp) revived. They think nothing of Initiative: +1 (+1 Dex) doing this every day and actually Speed: 30 ft. inflict such voluntary torture upon AC: 20 (+1 Dex, +9 natural) themselves. They make of the act Attacks: 2 claws +8 melee, bite +3 melee not a mere washing but a veritable Damage: Claw 1d4+4, bite 1d6+4 torment.” Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Fear aura, spell-like In an effort to protect a Russian’s soul abilities from evil, the bania was prominent in Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., fire Russian birthing, wedding, and death subtype ceremonies. These saunas also provided Saves: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5 hard working peasants a rare opportunity Abilities: Str 18, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 12, Wis to relax and an effective method of folk 13, Cha 6 medicine. Sweat bathing was so important Skills: Hide +10, Listen +8, Read Lips +7, in Russian culture that a person would Sense Motive +9, Spot +7 rather lie in a large cooking oven adapted Feats: Mobility, Spring Attack for the purpose than go without the Climate/Terrain: Russian bathhouse only preferred communal bania. Organization: Solitary In regards to the bania’s healing powers, Challenge Rating: 3 William Tooke, an Englishman and Treasure: Standard member of the St. Petersburg Imperial Alignment: Always chaotic neutral Academy of Sciences, wrote in 1799 that: Advancement: By character class The importance of bathhouses in “It is not to be doubted that the Russian culture must be understood Russians owe their longevity, their before explaining the origins of the robust state of health, their little bannik. Sweat bathing is a popular disposition to certain mortal Russian (and Finnish) pastime; especially diseases, and their happy and during the winter months from September cheerful temper, mostly to the through April. baths.” Based on their construction, there are several different types of banias. Black banias refers to rural northwestern Russian bathhouses made of logs and covered in moss for insulation. White banias describe bathhouses made of concrete in the northwestern cities that are usually very steamy due to low water pressure. Southwestern bathhouses are similar to Islamic and ancient Roman construction. Banias fashioned by the nomadic tribes of central and eastern Russia resemble that of North American Indian sweat lodges. Even in material shortage areas of Siberia, bath houses with dirt or straw covered floors can be found manufactured out of clay or turf or dug into the sides of cliffs. A missionary described what he saw at a bania in 1113:

“l saw the land of the Slavs, and while I was among them, I noticed their wooden bath-houses. They warm them to extreme heat, then undress, and after anointing themselves with tallow, take young reeds and lash their bodies. They actually lash themselves so 133 Chapter Four

Combat When angered, the bannik may throw red hot rocks from the stove or boiling water or change steam into poisonous coal gas (if the stove uses coal instead of wood). Worse, the bannik was known to skin bathers and wrap their bodies around the stove. The bannik uses all of its powers to avoid direct conflict, but since it cannot leave the bania, it fights to the death if given no alternative. One alternative, in return for its life, is that it provides each character a premonition of some future event or 10 rounds of contact with a lost loved one. If the bania is burned down or destroyed, the bannik returns to its plane of existence and only returns if a new bania is created over or near the site of the old bania. Darkvision 60ft. Fear Aura (Su): At will, the bannik can cause all those in the bania who fail a DC 10 Will save to flee and not want to even look at or enter another bania for a week. Those who pass the check may attribute the check to the wind, in a non-concrete bania, or even state that the bannik is present and unhappy. Those who pass the After the Revolution Lenin’s check are immune to additional fear auras government began a bania construction generated by the Bannik for the remainder program to combat the sanitation and of the day. hygiene neglect that had spread disease Fire Subtype (Ex): Fire immunity, but during the Revolution. City bathhouses suffers double damage from cold unless were made to serve 5 to 300 people and 10 the bannik saves. to 50 people in rural areas. Some Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—Grease, bathhouses were less “bath like” and sound, magic hand, ventriloquism, more like disinfection centers in which detect thoughts, invisibility (self only), visitors took showers, had their dry pyrotechnics, sound burst, suggestion, clothes disinfected and clean underwear Tasha’s hideous laughter, tongues, issued. During the war, trains and dugouts emotion, dominate person, mind fog, and were fitted with showers and portable open/close. These abilities are as the showers were numerous. spells cast by a 6th-level Sorcerer (save The bannik haunts the bania. This DC 11 + spell level). mischievous spirit is said to look like an old man with long-nailed, hairy paws. Adventure Seeds Hiding behind the stove or under the Besides providing a place to relax and benches, it punishes disrespectful bathers put aside the fears and horrors associated who have intercourse, lie, boast, swear, with the war, the bania heals an sing too loud, or talk excessively. The additional 1 point of damage once per day Bannik is also known to pick on visiting for a character who spends at least one strangers and newcomers. hour per day sweating there. Players only A knowing Russian (but not a good encounter a bannik in a bania if proper Communist!) makes the sign of the cross etiquette is not followed (see above) or, on to protect him or herself from the Bannik rare occasions, if they are first-time and never enters a bathhouse when visitors to the bania. Also, as alluded to purring noises are heard. This is when the above, perhaps the players stumble upon Bannik is entertaining unnatural guests, a bania behind enemy lines that is being perhaps the devil himself. Thus, it is no used by a group of blood mages to wonder that groups of witches liked to contact the supernatural or prophesy the gather in the bania to contact the future. In this case, they may end up supernatural and prophesy the future. rescuing the bannik, not fighting it. 134 The Opposition

Blindsight (Ex): Man-sized vibrations Corrosive Rot can be detected up to 120 ft. from the Huge Plant corrosive rot’s tentacles or body. This Hit Dice: 16d8+80 (152 hp); tentacles 40 hp range is quadrupled for vibrations created each by vehicles. Initiative: -1 (-1 Dex) Constrict (Ex): 2d8+9 damage is dealt Speed: 5 ft. each round with a successful grapple AC: body 10 (-1 Dex, -2 size, +3 natural); check against Huge-size or smaller tentacles 15 (+5 natural) targets. Attacks: 6 tentacles +19 melee, bite +14 Corrosive Damage (Ex): A corrosive melee rot’s mouth secretes strong acid enabling Damage: Tentacles 0 damage, bite 1d6 + it to digest the minerals and protein it 4d8 acid needs from iron, rock, or flesh targets. Face/Reach: 10 ft. by 20 ft./5 ft. (40 ft. Improved Grab (Ex): The corrosive rot with tentacles) automatically uses this ability when it Special Attacks: Constrict, improved grab, successfully hits a Huge, Large, Medium, corrosive damage or Small size target with a tentacle attack. Special Qualities: Damage reduction 15/-, Targets are dragged toward the corrosive blindsight, plant rot’s mouth at 10 ft. per round. A living Saves: Fort +19, Ref +4, Will +5 target must make a Reflex save (DC 15) to Abilities: Str 28, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 4, Wis avoid dropping anything that it is holding 12, Cha 3 at the time. Once brought to its mouth, Skills: - constrictive damage is still applied as the Feats: - plant tries to munch on the target. Every Climate/Terrain: Marsh, swamp or forest time a hit is scored with the rot’s mouth, Organization: Solitary or Brood (2-3) full acid damage is applied unless a living Challenge Rating: 7 target passes a Reflex save (DC 15). A Treasure: None critical hit results in the target losing an Alignment: Always neutral extremity. Advancement: 16-20 HD (Huge); 21-34 HD Plant: Immune to poison, sleep, (Gargantuan) paralysis, stunning, polymorphing, critical Corrosive rots are related to shambling hits, and mind influencing effects. mounds but lack their vision, intelligence, speed, and fire and electricity immunity. Adventure Seeds However, they are considerably more The most likely place to encounter a deadly due to their size, Damage corrosive rot is in the Pripet Marshes of Reduction, and corrosive excretion. Like Poland and Belorussia and the Lithuanian shambling mounds, rots prefer to lie swamps. As partisans or partisan submerged in shallow parts of marshes, advisers, the players may come across the usually near well-worn paths and roads. plant while scouting enemy positions or They extend their tentacles to detect the on the way to or from from a mission. vibrations of approaching prey. Those The plant may also be encountered during who have seen the corrosive rot from a retreat right after the start of Operation above, perhaps in a tree having escaped Barbarossa. Perhaps the players could be its reach, describe it as a slimey, green “saved” from a Blitzkrieg column of and brown, humanoid shape with large German tanks and armored cars by the vine-shaped tentacles. attack of these creatures. On June 30, 1941, Commissar Vashugin Combat led a tank unit into a swamp, losing half Once an object or lifeform of equal or his tanks; Vashugin promptly shot himself lesser size, capable of producing a rather than face the wrath of the NKVD vibration, comes within 40 ft. of the for losing valuable resources through corrosive rot’s tentacles, the plant tries to incompetence. Perhaps they were lost, not grab the target, constrict it, and draw it because of his carelessness, but because into its gaping mouth. It may attack small of a corrosive rot attack. Later in the war, vehicles. during Operation Bagration, a tank brigade Due to its low intelligence, the led by the players through the Pripet corrosive rot always attacks the largest of Marshes might encounter a brood of rots. multiple targets and ignores anything that These creatures may have be larger in size is less than Small size—unless, of course, than normal because they have feasted on a Tiny, Diminutive, or Fine target moves the bodies and vehicles of some errant across its mouth. unit that wandered into their swamp. 135 Chapter Four

front line combat situation, have Exploding Corpse advanced the research to create flesh Medium-size Undead hungry corpses that explode once their Hit Dice: 2d12 (13 hp) chemically and magically enhanced bodies Initiative: -1 (-1 Dex) absorb a certain amount of small arms Speed: 30 ft. fire. AC: 11 (-1 Dex, +2 natural) Only corpses that have not lost body Attacks: 2 claws melee +4 melee, bite -1 parts or suffered massive damage are melee used. Unfortunately, whole corpses are not Damage: claw 1d6+1, bite 1d4+1 always readily available and blood mages Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. have ordered the death of civilians Special Attacks: Explode 12d10 (especially those suspected of aiding Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., partisans) and made use of gassed firearm/shrapnel absorption, +4 turn concentration camp prisoners. resistance, undead Blood mages are not yet able to control Saves: Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +1 exploding corpses and often cast the Abilities: Str 12, Dex 8, Con -, Int -, Wis 2, final enchantment from a distance on Cha 1 chemically prepared bodies lying out in Skills: - the open or hidden in rubble or trenches Feats: - when advancing enemy troops approach. Climate/Terrain: Any land or underground When retreating from a location, after Organization: Solitary, gang (2-5), squad raiding or infiltrating behind enemy lines, (6-10), mob (11-20) blood mages may also cast the final Challenge Rating: 4 enchantment on corpses locked within Treasure: None buildings, tanks, or sewers, to be Alignment: Always neutral discovered by unsuspecting enemy units Advancement: None as they advance. Blood mages who served in North Drained of all blood and pressurized, Africa have passed on their techniques of exploding corpses are obviously bloated creating corpse mines to blood mages in appearance, pale yellow, and stink more assigned to the Eastern Front. These of formaldehyde, gasoline, and glue than blood mages, working out of of rotting flesh. A character who makes a concentration camps, leading an successful Wisdom check (DC 15) may Einsatzgruppen patrol or assigned to a notice the smell at up to 15 ft. away (30 ft. away upwind or 7.5 feet away downwind). The putrid stench may even permeate building doors, tank hatches, and manhole covers. Combat Unlike zombies, exploding corpses like to feed on the flesh of the living using their claw and bite attacks. When an exploding corpse is attacked, players within 30 ft. notice that wounds inflicted with slashing and piercing attacks, and firearm attacks greater than 20mm, excrete a yellowish molasses. Bullets and shrapnel less than 12.7mm (.50 cal.) rarely pass through an exploding corpse and the molasses seals up the wound to maintain pressure. Bludgeoning attacks do not cause fluid seepage. As designed by the blood mages, the absorbed bullets and shrapnel are ejected when the creature explodes. Explode (Ex): When an exploding corpse loses all hit points it explodes in a 20-ft.-radius sphere for 12d10 damage. A Reflex save for half damage is allowed at a DC 13. A chain reaction is possible if other exploding corpses are caught in the blast. 136 The Opposition

Firearm/Shrapnel Absorption (Su): made to hide evidence of these atrocities Exploding corpses are filled with an by covering the open pits and trenches alchemical fluid that resembles molasses. with dirt. However, during the last two This fluid absorbs the impact of small years of the war, in efforts to hastily arms fire and shrapnel and plugs any implement the Final Solution, the Nazis, holes made by these projectiles. The in their withdrawal back to Berlin, often corpse is immune to all damage caused left mass executions unburied and by firearms of less than 12.7mm (.50 cal.) exposed to the elements. A grave bane is and takes only half damage from one such open pit or trench filled and shrapnel-causing weapons like grenades. stacked with up to 100 decomposing Darkvision 60 ft. victims that cannot achieve peace in Undead: Immune to poison, sleep, death until justice is carried out. paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, necromantic effects, mind influencing Combat effects, critical hits, subdue hits, ability A grave bane’s only “attack” is a Bestow damage, ability drain, energy drain, Curse spell-like ability that it casts on Fortitude saves and massive damage. every person that falls into or takes shelter in its domain. Those who fail a Adventure Seeds Will save (DC 14) are cursed to hunt down As mentioned above, an exploding and bring back the highest ranking officer corpse is most likely to be encountered present during the execution of the grave when players come across a wiped out bane’s occupants. village, scavenge a battlefield for weapons Whether the officer is dead or alive and supplies, attempt to use the sewers and no matter the distance, the cursed to get behind enemy lines in a city battle player feels a mysterious pull in the such as Stalingrad, liberate a direction of the perpetrator. Willfully concentration camp, or scout too closely ignoring the pull, by traveling in any other to a blood mage conducting field tests. direction more than a mile, results in the Specifically, the players could be escorted player hearing a hundred different voices by a partisan familiar with the area who haunting him or her to enact their becomes the first victim of an exploding vengeance. The voices impose a –4 corpse when he or she realizes too late penalty to all checks requiring that a loved doesn’t want a welcome concentration and listening. The grave home kiss but a piece of his or her face. bane uses its spell-like ability Grave Bane Huge Undead Hit Dice: 5 hp/dead body Initiative: +0 Speed: 0 AC: 10 Attacks: None Damage: None Face/Reach: NA Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities Special Qualities: Turn immunity, undead Saves: Fort +0, Ref +0, Will * Abilities: Str -, Dex -, Con -, Int -, Wis *1 pnt./dead body, Cha 10 Skills: - Feats: - Climate/Terrain: Any land Organization: Solitary Challenge Rating: 6 Treasure: None Alignment: Always lawful neutral Advancement: None The Nazis often lined up undesirables (Jews, Slavs, and Gypsies for example) facing the edges of open pits and trenches and shot them in the back or head. From 1939 to 1943, efforts were often 137 Chapter Four

on sleeping cursed players and forces on by most commissars), ends the curse. them to experience over and over again However, finding someone to carry out the terror of being murdered by Nazi the rites may prove more difficult than gunfire. A character that refuses the will finding the responsible Nazi officer. of the grave bane for 5 consecutive days, Undead: Immune to poison, sleep, must make a Will save (DC15) or go insane. paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, The character’s curse is only removed necromantic effects, mind influencing once the officer’s live or dead body is effects, critical hits, subdue hits, ability thrown into the grave or all occupants of damage, ability drain, energy drain, the grave bane are given a proper burial Fortitude saves, and massive damage. (see below). If the former is carried out, the character(s) then witness the spirits Adventure Seeds of the grave bane smother the officer and After the battle of Kursk in the send his soul to hell and then view the summer of 1943, the Red Army began its spirits ascend to the afterlife. If cursed nonstop western drive toward Berlin. Up and noncursed characters carried out their until spring 1945 and even after the war, task with honor, the grave bane Blesses the discovery of open mass graves the character(s) with a permanent +1 outside villages, towns, and cities were all ability score improvement of their choice. too common. For added drama and horror, Spell-Like Abilities: At will, once per the players could unknowingly take refuge person—Bestow Curse (save DC 14), Ability in a mass grave to escape a German Score Bless; Once a night, per person— artillery attack. Only after the shelling, Nightmare (save DC 15). These abilities are when the dust and smoke dissipate, does as the spells cast by a 5th-level Sorcerer. the smell and sight of lying on The effects of the Bestow Curse and decomposed bodies become apparent to Ability Score Bless are described above the players who must make a Fortitude under Combat. The effect of Nightmare is save (DC 15) to avoid vomiting. described on page 232 of the Player’s In order to avoid the health threatening Handbook. A character can only be cursed nightmares and constant pull of the curse, by a grave bane once in their lifetime. a character or characters cursed by the Turn immunity (Su): The grave bane grave bane may have trouble convincing cannot be turned, but a proper burial for their noncursed comrades to disobey their each victim/body, followed by Russian current orders and possibly venture Orthodox or Judaism burial rites (frowned behind enemy lines. SOPA players would be smart to first explain the situation to their superiors who may be sympathetic and allow the diversion if the players’ past conduct within the organization is nonsuspect. In fact, SOPA may welcome the opportunity to capture the officer and interrogate him before he is brought back for justice by the grave bane. Gutter Rank Tiny Aberration Hit Dice: 1/2d8-1 (3 hp) Initiative: +4 (+4 Dex) Speed: 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (good) AC: 16 (+4 Dex, +2 size) Attacks: Touch +4 melee Damage: - Face/Reach: 2 1/2 ft. by 2 1/2 ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: Attach, gaseous injection Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft. Saves: Fort -1, Ref +4, Will +2 Abilities: Str 3, Dex 18, Con 8, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 4 Skills: Hide +9, Listen +5, Spot +9 Feats: Weapon Finesse (Touch) Climate/Terrain: City sewers Organization: Solitary, Clutch (3-5), Colony (12-18) 138 The Opposition

Challenge Rating: 1 Adventure Seeds Treasure: None Being of low animal intelligence, gutter Alignment: Always neutral ranks are only dangerous to humans Advancement: None when their nest is disturbed. The players No one is quite sure where these foot- could come across one such nest in the long, kidney-bean-shaped creatures came sewers of Leningrad, Sevastopol, from, but reports of their existence date Stalingrad, or Berlin. The players could be as far back as when the first sewers were using the sewers to get behind enemy constructed in India 4,000 years ago. lines or, as in the first three examples, Requiring sewer gas for flight and its helping establish civilian shelter and injection attack, the gutter ranks make workrooms. Perhaps a fight between the their homes within sewers, sometimes Nazis and the players disturbs a nearby near drainage pipes, to prey on curious nest and the gutter ranks attack both cats, dogs and birds. Otherwise, rats serve sides without prejudice. as their usual meal. The creature’s “head” and mouth—filled with a thousand tiny teeth—is located on one end of its Hate Feeders leathery colored and textured body. On the Hate feeders are a type of spirit that other end is its 4-inch long stinger. can take three different forms. Hate feeders have been historically Combat responsible for haunting old and Traditionally, gutter ranks hunt small abandoned buildings (poltergeists), prey in clutches, but they aggressively ‘demon’ possessions and events defend against any creature that disturbs (possessors) and rare ‘demon’ sightings their nest. Using its mouth, a gutter rank (manifestations). They are not undead, but attacks by first attempting to attach itself evil souls allowed to remain on Earth near a target’s heart, stomach, lungs, liver, (poltergeists) or sent from the depths of or brain. Then, using its stinger, it Hell (possessors). Both are drawn to each attempts to inject stored sewer gas to other and once united into a cause the rupture of the target’s vital manifestation, it attempts to open the organ. Gates of Hell by capturing 666 mortal Attach (Ex): The gutter rank souls. successfully attaches itself to the unarmored portion of a target’s body (face, Poltergeist head, chest, or back) with a successful Small Outsider (Evil) touch attack. On a critical hut, the Hit Dice: 1d8+3 (8 hp) creature has latched on to a vital location Initiative: +4 (Dex) like the head or over the victim’s heart. Speed: fly 40 ft. (perfect) The only way to detach a gutter rank is to AC: 16 (+1 deflection, +1 size. +4 Dex)) kill it or burn it. Attacks: none Darkvision 60 ft. Damage: none Gaseous injection (Ex): On the round Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. following attachment, the gutter rank Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities injects sewer gas. If the gutter rank injects Special Qualities: Incorporeal, Turning gas into the target’s heart or brain, the Resistance target must make a Fortitude save (DC 20) Saves: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 or die immediately. When the gutter rank Abilities: Str -, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 12, Wis injects gas into any other vital organ, the 17, Cha 12 target has 2 to 4 rounds to live if it fails a Skills: Intuit Direction +8, Listen +8, Spot Fortitude save (DC 15). If the target passes +8, Disable Device +17 its save, the gutter rank harmlessly Feats: Quicken Spell (Telekinesis) detaches its now raisin-like self from the Climate/Terrain: Any land or underground target and falls to the ground. If the target Organization: Solitary fails its save, gutter rank begins to feed Challenge Rating: 4 on the victim’s lymphatic fluids with its Treasure: None mouth and draws in sewer gas with its Alignment: Always chaotic evil stinger for flight and future attack. Either Advancement: None way, the gutter rank is not able to attack A poltergeist is an evil spirit that takes or fly for 10 minutes. pleasure in its task of keeping a place Skills: A gutter rank receives a +5 racial free of human habitation, waiting for the bonus to its Hide, Listen, and Spot bonus day to unite with a possessor. A when hunting in a sewer. poltergeist is only created when a person 139 Chapter Four

to have anyone living in its place of haunt for fear that an aura of good might be created and prevent union with a possessor (see Possessor below). Incorporeal: Poltergeists and possessors (when not in control of a host) are always incorporeal. Having no physical body, poltergeists and possessors can only be harmed by other incorporeal creatures, +1 or greater magic weapons, spells, spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities. In addition, except for magical force attacks such as a magic missile, all attacks from a corporeal source have a 50% chance of inflicting no damage. Hand attacks from a host ignore the armor benefits of non-magical armor. In terms of movement, being incorporeal permits passage through non-force, solid objects. Movement is also totally silent. Even with a Listen Check a Poltergeist and Possessor cannot be heard, but this benefit is not passed onto a Manifestation or host. Spell-Like Abilities: At Will—Telekinesis (100 lb. limit); 1 time per day—animate objects, bane, chill metal, command, control winds, emotion, feeblemind, ghost with a disturbed or evil soul is punished sound, gust of wind, levitate, open/close, in the same location where he or she pyrotechnics, random action, shout, carried out despicable acts of violence. shatter, sound burst, and Tasha’s hideous Thus, in many villages, towns, and cities, laughter. there is always one abandoned building These abilities are as the spells cast by where such an event occurred and is said a 4th-level Sorcerer (save DC 11 + spell to be haunted. level). It is no coincidence that sad but true Skills: Poltergeists receive a +8 racial stories of a sick man or woman who modifier to Intuit Direction, Listen, Spot, once baited and killed people in their and Disable Device. home are passed down from one Turning Resistance: Being associated generation to the next as local folklore. with ancient evil, the poltergeist and Fortunately for the living, a poltergeist possessor can be turned. Whether cannot leave its place of crime and physically destroyed or destroyed by punishment, usually a small home, turning, a Poltergeist return in 1 to 4 days mansion, or castle and has no trouble to its place of haunting and a Possessor scaring away any potential occupants or in 1 to 7 days in its spawned location. visitors refusing to believe the area’s Dispel evil or more powerful spells forever folklore. In rare circumstances, a local destroy either type of Hate Feeder. In person of evil alignment might help addition to dispel evil, a poltergeist can protect the poltergesist’s haunt in the be sent to its deserved resting place in hopes that he or she will draw the Hell if its haunt/building is completely attention of a possessor and gain favor in burned to ashes and bless is performed an afterlife of Hell on Earth. on the property. A manifestation cannot be turned and can only be destroyed as Combat described in its Regeneration section Poltergeists enjoy scaring, and when below. possible, tormenting and killing anyone foolish enough to remain more than a Possessor round after the Poltergeist makes its Medium-sized Outsider (Evil) presence known. It uses its less Hit Dice: 2d8+8 (16 hp); + Host hit points dangerous spell-like abilities first and Initiative: +3 (Dex) unleashes its full wrath on the stubborn Speed: fly 30 ft. (average) Possessor; as and righteous. Poltergeists cannot afford Host 140 The Opposition

AC: 13 (+3 Dex) as Possessor; as Host seems to come out of combat situations Attacks: none as Possessor; as Host without a scratch. Damage: none as Possessor; as Host Possession (Su): Once per day, a Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.; as Host possessor may attempt possession when Special Attacks: Possession; spell-like it comes into contact with a human with abilities in Host, Host special attacks a dark soul (evil alignment), who is weak Special Qualities: Incorporeal as (low on hit points), who is mentally ill, Possessor; damage reduction 5/+1 in who is depressed, or who questions their Host, Host special qualities faith, i.e., rejects their deity. The potential Saves: Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +5; + Host host must make a Will save (DC 18) or saves become under the control of the Abilities: Str -, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 18, Wis possessor. A person who resists the 15, Cha 11; Uses Host strength attempted invasion (makes his or her Will Skills: Escape Artist +4, Knowledge save) only feels dizzy for a round. The (Religion) +13, Listen +4, Search +4, soul of an evil host, such as a blood Sense Motive +8, Spot +4, plus Host mage, may actually welcome the Skills possessor and no Will save may be Feats: Endurance + Host Feats necessary. A host who welcomes the Climate/Terrain: Any land or underground possessor or who fails his or her save, Organization: Solitary immediately passes out for 1d4 rounds for Challenge Rating: 4+ (depending on Host) no apparent reason. Treasure: None When controlling a host, the possessor Alignment: Always chaotic evil adds its hit points, initiative bonus, save Advancement: None modifiers, skills and feats to the host’s. Sent as an agent from the depths of For example, a human with 15 hit points Hell, a possessor lies waiting within a 100 and Listen +8 skill now has 31 hit points yards of its spawning location to take a and a Listen skill modifier of +12. The control of a human host. A possessor possessor can no longer fly when in a cannot move more than a mile from its host and, therefore, does not pass on its spawned location until it has control of a flight capability to the host. Except for host. A spawning location is always void the host’s, a Possessor has no natural of any good, usually places of destruction Strength ability. and death such as a rotting cellar, musty Places of good (such as a church), joy, tomb, exposed grave, cemetery crypt, or a and happiness and actually repel a host, burned/bombed out building. Once joined, who exhibits outward signs of sickness, the possessed human is drawn to the even vomiting. Perhaps surprising the haunt of the nearest poltergeist, no host’s friends and associates (unless the matter the distance, so as to join with it host is a blood mage or other evil person), and manifest (see Manifestation below). the host is not affected, and may even exhibit signs of pleasure, when Combat witnessing the nastiest and most A possessor is essentially harmless disgusting acts of cruelty. A host may try until it incorporeally envelops and to secretly eliminate, by way of an controls a human. Possession, as unfortunate accident or misdirected bullet, described below, is its only attack. Unless any character or NPC who grows spells of detection are invoked, such as suspicious of the host’s change in true seeing and detect evil, the Possessor behavior and invulnerability to minor attempts to deceive the host’s friends and damage. associates that all is well and only goes There are three ways to exorcise a missing when his or her friends are not possessor from a host: venturing in the general direction of a poltergeist haunt. If discovered, the The possessor/host fails its Will save possessor uses any of its and the host’s against dispel evil or a more abilities to carry out its goal of powerful spell. manifestation. The host is killed. The possessor has Damage Reduction (Su): When one chance/one round to possess occupying a host the possessor creates another human before it is instantly an incorporeal barrier around the host’s teleported back to its spawning body that reduces all weapon attacks not location. inflicted by a +1 or greater weapon by 5 The possessor is destroyed by turning points. A host may have trouble (see above). explaining to witnesses why he or she 141 Chapter Four

Spell-Like Abilities: A Possessor can Combat only use its spell-like abilities when A manifestation has 8 melee attacks controlling a host. 1 time per day—cause per round. Up to 10 ft. away it can hit with fear, death knell, desecrate, doom, hold an appendage or bite made up of various person, inflict serious wounds, jump, dead human and animal parts. It uses its repulsion, spider climb, and water walk. spells to engage ranged targets. It craves These abilities are as the spells cast by a human souls and captures one when an 6th-level Cleric (save DC 13 + spell level). A appendage or bite kills a human target. possessor may invoke or memorize host Targets killed by way of spell damage do spells if it has no connections to not lose their soul. goodness. Amorphous (Ex): Since it has no Manifestation discernable front or back, a manifestation is immune to critical hits and cannot be Huge Outsider (Evil) flanked. Hit Dice: 16d8+600 (666 hp) Damage Reduction (Ex): Unless +1 Initiative: +3 ( -1 Dex, +4 Improved magical weapons, such as, the Sword of Initiative) Stalingrad are used, all nonmagical Speed: 30 ft. (can’t run) damage inflicted on the manifestation is AC: 17 (-1 Dex, -2 size, +10 natural) reduced by 10 points. Attacks: 4 melee appendages +25, 4 melee Fear Aura (Su): As an automatic free bites +20 action, a manifestation instills paralyzing Damage: Appendage 1d6+14, bite 1d10+14 fear in any person or animal that views it Face/Reach: 110 ft. by 10 ft./10 ft. and fails a Will save (DC15). Another Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities person can shake the person free of the Special Qualities: Amorphous, damage fear. The effect ends if the manifestation reduction 10/+1, fear aura, regeneration 5 leaves the victim’s line of sight. Saves: Fort +17, Ref +9, Will +16 Regeneration (Ex): A manifestation Abilities: Str 28, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 10, Wis regenerates 5 hit points each round. A 18, Cha 16 manifestation cannot be turned and can Skills: Combined skill modifiers of only be destroyed with a dispel evil or poltergeist, possessor and host. more powerful spell after it has been Feats: Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, reduced to -10 hit points or less. Players Iron Will, Power Attack, Sunder must act quickly, though, before it Climate/Terrain: Any land or underground regenerates above -10 hit points. When Organization: Solitary or pair (very rare) successfully destroyed, both the poltergeist Challenge Rating: 10 and possessor are forever sent back to Hell. Treasure: None The host only survives the ordeal if Alignment: Always chaotic evil hemakes a Fortitude save (DC 20). If Advancement: None successful, he is unconscious for 24 hours. Once a poltergeist and possessor come Spell-Like Abilities: 1 time per day— into contact, a 20 ft. by 20 ft. by 30 ft. cloud kill, confusion, Evard’s black high vortex is created with the host at its tentacles, reverse gravity, and slow. These center. For as many rounds as it takes, the abilities are as the spells cast by a 10th- vortex draws in 666 hit points of dead level Sorcerer (save DC 11 + spell level). human and animal flesh up to a mile away to manifest itself as a 10 ft. by 10 ft. Adventure Seeds by 20 ft. high monstrosity made up of A poltergeist could be encountered in a various dead human and animal parts. The single adventure when the characters take vortex can absorb a maximum of 111 hit refuge in a poltergeist’s haunt or learn of points per round. During this time of dead local folklore, but a series of adventures flesh absorption, nothing can harm the can be built around the goal of Hate vortex except a dispel evil or more Feeders to open the Gates of Hell. To powerful spell. Thus, to reduce the time begin with, a War Master must decide of vulnerability, the possessor tries to whether a possessor possesses an evil join with the poltergeist only when a NPC, such as a blood mage, an NPC sufficient amount of dead bodies are associated with the players, such as a available near the poltergeist’s haunt. Once high-ranking officer, or one of the player manifested into a tall pillar of bleeding characters. Do the players find out about and blue heads, torsos, arms, legs, and the possessed person before it reaches a organs, the Manifestation immediately poltergeist? If so, does the host escape, goes about its task of capturing 666 souls forcing the players to engage in a so that the Gates of Hell can be opened. manhunt? 142 The Opposition

Regardless of who it possesses, unless Combat a War Master allows the players to find a Lying over the top of ice sheets and Rune or object that can dispel evil, the snow (although not preferred since it may party have access to an NPC OSI Chaplain, be easily detected) ice ooze can capture SOPA Clergy, or Siberian Shaman of at up to two medium-size targets or a small least 9th level who knows the dispel evil car or sled. Sometimes it may lie over miracle. With religion banned and broken parts of ice and use the icy water Communism promoted as the only as an attempt to freeze fleeing prey to be “religion,” the Russian Orthodox Church eaten later. It may also disguise itself as a kept a very low profile up until September floating ice sheet amongst other floating 1943 when Stalin, in a morale boosting ice chunks floating downstream. When gesture, permitted a patriarch to be not on the water, it spends one round to appointed. This is not a coincidence, since form into a ball and use its slam attack this move came a year after Stalingrad and to envelope fleeing prey. If really hungry it Kursk, when Hate Feeders make their first may venture into civilization, lying out on appearance. The first Hate Feeder could roads as black ice, or uncovered portions make its appearance during an intense of building walkways and sidewalks or Stalingrad street battle. No matter where or within frozen fountains. It may even climb when the manifestation appears, plenty of into a frosted tree or hang from an ice NPCs will be needed as well as access to covered rock outcropping. Wherever and armor, grenades, Molotov cocktails, however it hunts, the ice ooze attempts to satchels and flamethrowers. envelope its target, suffocate it, and Ice Ooze devour it with digestive acid. Acid (Ex): Ice ooze acid does 1d8 points Huge Ooze of damage to organic material only. The Hit Dice: 10d10+40 (95 hp) acid does not harm inorganic matter. Initiative: -1 (-1 Dex) Blind Sight (Ex): Ice ooze can detect Speed: Crawl 10 ft., roll 40 ft., climb 5 ft., small vibrations up 120 ft. and up to three swim 10 ft. times this distance if vehicles create the AC: 12 (-1 Dex, -2 size, +5 natural) vibrations. Attacks: Envelope +16, slam +16, or ice Bludgeoning Damage Resistance (Ex): tentacle +16 Bludgeoning weapons do not harm ice Damage: 1d8 acid or tentacle 2d4+9 ooze. Face/Reach: Flat 25 ft. by 25 ft./10 ft.; ball 10 ft. by 10 ft./40 ft. Special Attacks: Acid, slam, suffocation Special Qualities: Blind sight, bludgeoning damage resistance, camouflage, cold immunity, ooze, piercing damage Saves: Fort +6, Ref +6, Will -2 Abilities: Str 28, Dex 9, Con 18, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1 Skills: - Feats: - Climate/Terrain: Any cold land or iced waterway Organization: Solitary Challenge Rating: 7 Treasure: None Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 11-16 HD (Huge); 17-32 HD (Gargantuan) Ice ooze is a cousin of other types of oozes found in the Monster Manual. Like its relatives, an ice ooze operates on instinct, living only to consume nonvegetable, organic material. Its favorite meal is animal and fish flesh. Vegetable material is digested, but it does not nourish the monster. The creature resembles the white and blue shades of the surrounding ice and snow. 143 Chapter Four

repeated each round, with the DC increasing by +1 each new round. The first round in which a character fails one of these Constitution checks, suffocation begins. The character falls unconscious and is reduced to 0 hit points. The character then begins to die, losing 1 hit point per round. Ooze: Immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, polymorphing, critical hits, flanking, and mind influencing effects. Adventure Seeds Obviously, ice oozes are only encountered in areas that contain ice and/or snow. Some areas of Russia, such as Siberia, meet this criterion year round (for example, the vital Lend-Lease port of Murmansk). Other parts of Russia, such as Lenningrad and Moscow, only get ice and snow during the Russian winter months. The Volga River that cuts through Stalingrad even ices up during the winter. Specifically, the players could encounter an ice ooze while exploring a route over Leningrad’s Lake Ladoga, constructing the relief road to Leningrad, Camouflage (Ex): Ice ooze is almost or near the Neva canals that crisscross impossible to distinguish from the city. surrounding ice. Only someone who has survived a previous ice ooze encounter Yeti (Chuchuna—“Ape may perform a Spot check (DC 20) which may be modified by as much as -10 under Man”) snowing or blizzard conditions. Large Magical Beast Cold Immunity (Ex): Intense cold Hit Dice: 4d10+20 (42 hp) naturally or magically created does not Initiative: +0 harm an ice ooze. However, fire attacks Speed: 30 ft. deal double damage. AC: 14 (-1 size, +5 natural) Ice Tentacle: The ice ooze may extrude Attacks: 2 claws +11 melee, bite +6 melee up to four tentacles to deal with more Damage: Claw 2d4+6, bite 1d10+6 stubborn prey (or to fight off the prey’s Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 10 ft./5 ft. friends while it digests him). It allows the Special Attacks: Augmented critical, tips of these tentacles to freeze and uses paralyzing howl them as ice daggers against its opponents. Special Qualities: Cold immunity, Piercing Damage Reduction (Ex): darkvision 90 ft., low-light vision, Piercing attacks on ice ooze do 2 less hit scent, spell-like abilities points of damage per die rolled. Note that Saves: Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +3 an enveloped victim may be hit for half Abilities: Str 22, Dex 10, Con 20, Int 6, Wis or full damage with any piercing or 14, Cha 10 slashing attack inflicted on an ice ooze Skills: Climb +7, Hide +5, Jump +7, Listen (50% chance). +5, Move Silently +6, Search +5, Spot +6, Suffocation (Ex): An enveloped victim Wilderness Lore +4 cannot do anything that requires Feats: Track movement or talking. A character can hold Climate/Terrain: Any cold land or his or her breath for 2 rounds per point of underground Constitution. Reduce this number in half Organization: Solitary or pairs if the ice ooze caught the character by Challenge Rating: 6 surprise. After this ‘grace’ period of time, Treasure: Standard in lair the character must make a Constitution Alignment: Always neutral check (DC 10) in order to continue holding Advancement: 5-8 HD (Large); 9-16 HD his or her breath. The save must be (Huge) 144 The Opposition

This giant, hairy, ape-like beast has Adventure Seeds white hair in the winter and dark brown Below are some possible circumstances hair in the spring and summer. It is under which the characters are likely to believed to have originated in the encounter a yeti: Himalayas. Supposedly, the Red Army caught a Yeti or ‘man beast’ in the 1) Seeking shelter from a blizzard or Daghestan Mountains (North Caucasus) in artillery fire, the characters stumble 1941. According to Colonel V.S. Karapetyan, into a yeti’s lair. it was covered with shaggy hair with the “eyes of an animal.” However, the yeti is 2) In the Ural region, a small not a mindless beast as its appearance manufacturing relocation town has suggests, but an intelligent animal with failed to deliver its weekly its own language. production quota and cannot be Combat reached by radio. The characters are Being meat eaters, yetis normally hunt sent to investigate, and find one medium-size game such as deer but will hysterical survivor. He relates how hunt man or even attack remote villages the other 50 workers were torn to with little population when food is very shreds by a pair of “beast men.” The scarce. Otherwise, a yeti avoids contact characters have no tracks to follow, and uses its spell-like abilities to escape but the survivor remembers them pursuit. It fights to the death when its lair heading in the direction of nearby (usually a cave) is violated. Whether caves. The yeti attack may have been hunting or defending itself, the yeti uses due to the humans encroaching on its paralyzing howl first and then attacks their hunting grounds, attacks on the those who made their saves but were yeti by local hunters, or the creatures foolish enough to remain behind, with its may be starving due to local game claw and bite attacks. being driven away by the Augmented Critical (Ex): A Yeti deals establishment of this new factory double damage on a natural attack roll of town. 18, 19 or 20. Cold immunity (Ex:): Intense cold 3) The characters witness their first use naturally or magically created do not harm of a Yeti summoned by a siberian a Yeti. However, fire attacks still deal shaman when things go bad during a normal damage. small raid. Darkvision 90 ft. Low-Light Vision 4) A small group of yeti have been Paralyzing Howl (Su): Any animal or driven from their mountain lairs by beast of less than 4 hit dice, or character Germans advancing into the of less than 5th level, that is not deaf and Caucasus. They are scared and not in within a 100 feet of the yeti, must make a the best of moods and wish to avoid Fortitude save (DC 15) or be paralyzed for human contact. However, while 20 rounds minus the target’s Constitution moving through unfamiliar terrain score. Thus, a target with a 20 they are inadvertently sighted. The Constitution is immune to the paralyzing heroes are dispatched to look into howl attack. Having a Dex and Str score these reports. of 0, a paralyzed target cannot move but may take mental actions. Depending on the circumstances of the Scent (Ex): A yeti can detect the odor encounter, the heroes may be forced to of an enemy up to 90 feet away (45 feet fight the creatures or they may be in a away downwind and 180 feet away position to aid the yetis. While the beasts upwind). The range may double for mistrust humans, if the heroes can especially strong odors such as a rotting establish non-violent contact with them, pit of dead bodies. it is possible to conduct some sort of Skills: A yeti receives a general +16 rudimentary communication. racial bonus to distribute amongst its Heroes who gain the yeti’s trust may be skills. placed in a difficult position. If SOPA Spell-Like Abilities: 3 times a day— views the creatures as a threat, they may invisibility, pass without trace, and jump; order the heroes to eliminate them. If they 1 time per day—sleet storm. These abilities are viewed as a potential resource, the are as the spells cast by a 6th-level Druid heroes may be tasked with convincing (or (save DC 10 + spell level). tricking) these reclusive creatures into aiding the war effort. 145 Looking for more intense World War II action? Pinnacle also produces John R. Hopler’s award-winning The Last Crusade! The Last Crusade is a fast-paced platoon-level battle game that plays like a cross between a miniatures battle and a traditional collectible card game. The first set, From Normandy to the Rhine, comes in collectible Starters and Boosters. The expansion,The Russian Front, comes as a factory set with every single new card available for both the Soviets and the Germans! The game includes complete rules for both two-player and multi-player games, and covers everything from strategic effects (like Ultra and airborne drops) to infantry, air, and armor!

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