Pre-game entertainment

Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II AAR

Introduction, rules and set-up

This is my second attempt at an AAR covering an extended GBII game.  The first is at http://gb2eatgcbaar.blogspot.com.au/.  Unfortunately OKH called off the first game when a continuous downpour of rain from 12^th October brought the attack to a standstill.  Just three turns of clear weather are just not enough to give the Axis a head start.

For those of you who read the earlier blog, some of the following is a repeat.  Feel free to skip it, but I will give more detail which I hope will explain some of the decisions made.  (Though sometimes I am unable to work out why on earth I made certain decisions)

Setting the Scene

Extended discussion pre-game led to agreement between Comrade Rezinovaya Kuritsa and me on the rules to be used.

If you don’t know the rules of the game, you can probably skip this section as it just explains which options and house rules we use.

We play with most of the standard optional rules: VVS restrictions, long range air penalties, proportional strength, first opportunity breakout advantage.  We use a modified reactive artillery rule: artillery can be in reserve in a hedgehog but cannot move, and an artillery not marked as reserve can fire in the reaction phase but at half strength (and full cost).  To prevent “suicide raiders”, if an out of trace supply unit blocks supply to an HQ, we allow the other player to move that unit one hex.  (I don’t think we have ever had to do it – neither of use is fond of “gamey” play).  We allow the Russian player one free Pax per turn which he can use to purchase a Militia unit or put into play.

The main house rule we use is a modified “divisional line” variant.  (Comrade Kuritsa was very keen on this: he is very unhappy at the idea that an entire German division can happily march through a 5 mile gap in the Russian line.)  A division with more than one step remaining may extend a divisional line to cover a gap to a nearby unit.  Two divisions may cover a gap of two hexes between them.  The hex covered has an inherent strength equal to one step of the parent unit.  The divisional line marker can only be placed in the main movement phase, to represent the extra time required to set up such a defence.In most cases the hypothetical unit behaves just as a real unit: it can be disorganised and/or destroyed.  We use common sense to decide any complications that may arise.  (If you expect to play a monster game, you must be prepared for compromise).  To make up for the extra combats required because of this variant, both sides are allowed +1 SP per turn.

The other house rule is an intensified “Fog of War”.  No inspection of any stack unless a combat is adjacent.  That is, only the top counter can be seen, even if it’s a marker of some sort.  When adjacent, the normal inspection until an attack capable combat unit applies.  The exception is airbases: any active fighter is always on top of a stack.

The Big Picture

Unfortunately space restrictions mean that I cannot fit maps J, K and E: if the Axis get that far we will sort it out then.  (Well, we could fit them in, but it would mean climbing under the tables all the time, and neither of us is that keen.  I still regret that when my games room was being designed I agreed in a fit of madness to give 1/3 of the building to my wife as a sewing room).

View from Leningrad

View from Straits of Kerch

Not that I am complaining.  At least I can set up a 3+ metre x 2+ metre (11’ x 7’) game and expect to have it that way for as long as I want.

The Eastern Front on 30th September 1941

For those interested, scale is 5 miles per hex.  I am pretty sure that is about 9 km.

 

From Star’ya Russka to Roslavl

From Roslavl to south of Konotop

 

From Poltava to the Crimea

Before any keen eyed reader points out, I know that the Hungarian Armoured Car Bn is in the wrong hex: I fixed it before we started.

Turn 1 Axis will be up soon.