Being in Germany, I have access to many sources that are not readily available to similarly inclined people in the USA. It is therefore that I have been able to locate the OKW maps for several periods of WWII. I have transposed locations of units from these maps to several games, i.e. War in the East, Kursk, Destruction of Army Group Center, and several others. (All SPI Games, so far.) I recommend the DAGC set-up as I have worked very long on it, as well as doing extensive research for SPI on this particular subject. The set-up is complemented by a series of modules that are historically correct, (though perhaps a little too detailed), as well as one module of the 'What-If' nature.

The main problems with DAGC appear to be:

1. The lack of historical accuracy,
2. The lack of geographical victory points,
3. The unbalanced game situation
4. The numerous exchange possibilities in the CRT,
5. The Russian supply rules.

Quite frankly, I will NOT deal with points 2, 4, or 5. It is useless to attempt to meddle with the basic structure of the game, and more rewarding to construct a new one. The latter point is beyond the scope of this article.

We can. however, correct the game situation to closely reflect the historical reality, at least so far as it is possible to trace it today.

HISTORICAL CORRECTIONS

The following are fortified cities:

PINSK 2527
KOWEL 2134
LUNINIEC 2727
BREST 1427
BORISSOF 3714
POLOU 3804

DVINSK was not part of AG Center's rear area. Therefore, leave out the garrisoning requirement.

Rule 10.2 is changed to read:

Move 2 - 6 Pz Div
Move 3 - 1 Pz Div
Move 4 - 7 Pz Div
Move 5 -20 PzG Div
Move 6 - 8 Pz Div

This change rellects the correct appeardnce possibilities of reinforcements. The 6 Pz Div was enroute from Germany by rail, and was diverted to AG Center. The 1, 7, and 8 Pz, as well as the 20 PzG Divs were all part of the 1 PzArmy's reserves. They were stationed near RR lines, and were not engaged in hostilities at the time of the initial breakthrough.

As the 11 SS PzG Div was in NARWA, (on the Gulf of Finland,) the 12 Pz Div was in Pleaskau, (on Lake Peipus), and the 24 Pz and 10 PzG Divs were in Jassy (AG South Ukraine), these units were too far away, given the Russian interdiction of the RR system behind the German lines at that time, to have arrived in time to do any good. Nor would they have arrived at the indicated times.

Infantry reinforcements could have been just about any on the Eastern Front, or enroute thereto, as the records were lost of what units went where and when,during the last week of June and the first weeks of July 1944. But, the 131 Inf Div could not arrive as a reinforcement, as it was already deployed as part of AG North Ukraine, on the mapboard.

Balancing Modules

1. Include the following FLAK units:

10 FLAK Bde (2)-6 in MINSK
12 FLAK Div (4)-6 in BOBRUISK
18 FLAK Div (5)-6 in ORSCHA

COMMENT: The FLAK units were actually spread out all over the place, but, just as has been done with divisions, the HQ's location has been used as the actual unit location.

2. Include the following Army Troops:

904 AG Bde 2-8
237 AG Bde 2-8
244 AG Bde 2-8
190 AG Bde 2-8
185 AG Bde 2-8
245 AG Bde 2-8
909 AG Bde 2-8
667 AG Bde 2-8
281 AT Bn (3)-8
501Hy Tk Bn (3)-8

COMMENT: These strengths are about right. Non-divisional AG Bdes were kept up to strength when at all possible, and were often given preference over the armored divisions. If a Panzer Divison's full complement was 150 tanks, then a force of 45 StuGs, with infantry and Anti-Aircraft support, was nothing to be sneezed at. (it must be remembered that the average strength of Pz Divs after July 1943 was at about 5 - 20% that of authorized strength. That is some 7 - 30 tanks and StuGs instead of 156!)

The Pz Jg Bn had three companies of JagdPanthers, that is, some 45 SP'd 8.8 cm AT guns. The 501 fly Tk Bn had three companies of Tigers, and an authorized strength of 45 tanks. (Actual strength about 20-30 units.) Of course, ALL units were consider ably understrength. The question of correct strengths is too extensive to be covered here, and would require a complete new set of counters.

These Army and FLAK units are treated as mechanized units, and have the same advantages as other armored units. These units may be stacked up to two above the normal stacking limitation. Count five Victory Points per Combat Factor. Units with strengths in parentheses may only employ that strength with a regular Axis unit, otherwise their strength is ZERO. In order to participate in an attack, or defense, each unit must be attached to at least one regular unit participating in the same attack, or defense, of the same hex.

3. Assume that MODEL replaced BUSCH on 20 June 1944, instead of 27 June, and that MODEL then proceeded to persuade HITLER to abandon the "Feste Platze" concept. Ignore the Turn 3 requirements for the non-AG CENTER units' release times. ignore Slow Initial Response Rules. MODEL did replace BUSCH, but it was too late to make a difference to the breakthrough. He did manage to stem the Russian tide, but 500-600 kilometers later.

4. Up to one additional division, or two bn/bde can be stacked over the normal stacking limit, in Friendly Fortified Lines, only.

5. KOWEL is at the RR junction at hex 2134, and as such was behind the German lines on 20 June 1944. (the date of the latest official positional information available today.) In fact, the RR lines connect KOWEL with the West, (running through hexes 1932, 2032, 2133, W33.) For those considering altering the map, the remedy is to paste over some paper, and re- draw the map: New German Fortified Lines for the Historical Scenario: 2130, 2131, 2132, 2232, 2233. New Russian Fortified Lines for the Historical Scenario: 2230, 2231, 2332, 2333, 2334.

The vacated hexes would be forest hexes, with the exception of 2130 and 2230, which are swamp hexes. KOWEL is in hex 2134. Remember to add the RR lines. They run the same way as before.

6. The southern boundary of AG North and the northern boundary of AG Center runs through hexes 4105/4205. The northern boundary of AG North Ukraine and the southern boundary of AG Center run through hexes 1932/1933. See the modified Fortified Lines for corrections here. COMMENT: The rules now read that units not belonging to AG Center cannot be released until the third (3) turn. This reflects the true situation at that time. However, see Balancing Module 3. Note that units belonging to AG N. Ukraine as well as AG North are now counted double towards victory points.

7. Rule 10.1 is changed to read: "In the Histrical/sane historical/limited-withdrawal scenarios, German reinforcements are not allowed to travel further East than Pinsk. That is, the line running North South, 2501 - 2534." This rule duplicated the general distruction/interdiction caused by the huge partisan bands operating behind German lines at this time.

8. Historical Set Up. (SEE LOCATION CHART) - To use this module, additional counters must be made. COMMENT: Note that the new locations of the Pz Divs in the South will really enable the Russian Player to attack at will. The locations of the two PzG Divs in the Battle Line will also slow the German's possible chances to respond quickly and decisively to initial Russian thrusts.