June 1941. Army Group Center hurls itself through the Soviet border Defenses and its 2 Panzer Groups Race headlong toward Minsk. Behind them lie the remnants of the Soviet Western Front, almost a million Men in 4 Armies. The Soviets are stunned by the German Blitzkrieg. Their responses are slow, confused and governed by pre-War contingency plans made obsolete by the speed of the German advance. In little more than a week, the German Panzer spearheads meet east of Minsk. Though isolated Units continue to fight, the entire Soviet Western Front has ceased to exist!
This is one of a very popular Series of Games from GMT covering the first months of the Invasion of the USSR; Units are Battalions through Divisions, hexes are about 5 miles, and turns are 2 days. While not simple, these Games are also not overly complex and present an excellent simulation of the early War. Most of the details of the Campaigns are covered in a playable manner. Perhaps the most obviously interesting detail is the sequence of play, which is asymmetrical to account for the difficulties the Soviets labored under. Make no mistake, the Soviets are going to take a lot of abuse, but this is no walkover for the Germans and both sides are interesting to play:
- 8 Scenarios allow Players to vary their level of involvement, complexity and starting point, from introductory to Full Campaign.
- An Asymmetrical Sequence of play that highlights Axis Armored breakthroughs and Soviet difficulties in combined Arms Warfare. This includes a non-op Soviet HQ System to simulate the rigid, yet fragile, Soviet Command Structure.
- Detailed Air Rules which integrate with land combat and Weather Rules.
- Incredibly detailed Order of Battle, including special coverage of Artillery, Rocket Artillery, Engineers, Bridge Units, Armored Trains and much more.
- Modifications to the proven EFS include many revised Rules and Procedures, as well as new Order of Battle Information.
- Extensive Bibliography and Design/historical Notes.
Contents: four 22x34" Full-color Maps (Series Maps C, D, H and I), one 22x8.5" Map (Map WA), 1400 Multi-colored Die-cut ½ " Counters, 1 Rule Book and 1 Play Book.
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