Khalkhin-Gol
(Sino-Japanese 1939)

Thumbnail Analysis Game Review

by Don Lowry


This is the other Pouch Series game published by S.D.C. The original game idea is credited to M.A. Ramsey, game development to Dana F. Lombardy and historical research to Alvin D. Coox, Ph.D. K-G originally was pubiished with CONFLICT 5. It also comes in a plastic bag with cover" card etc, and also contains: a 24" x 35" mapsheet printed in shades of brown and blue on white paper, however, a 6 1/2" wide strip along a long side contains the rules, printed on both sides (which should be cut away), while a 6 1/2" x17 1/2 block along a short end contains the CRT, order of appearance and terrain effects; an sheet of 1/2" square unit counters (Russians & Mongolians white on green, Japanese and Manchukoans black on orange, misc. black on white, and almost half of the counters are merely blank white ones) most of which also have a strength step printed on the reverse side (green on white and orange on white); an 8 1/2" x 11" order of appearance card, which merely repeats information also printed on the mapsheet; two 4" x 6 1/2" zip-lock bags for the unit counters; and an 8 1/2"x 11" card containing historical commentary, additional designer's notes and errata corrected order-of-battle and rules clarifications.

The historical subject of the game is a brief war in the spring of 1939 between Japan and her puppet state, Manchukuo (Manchuria), and the Soviet Union and its satellite, Mongolia, in which the Mongolians encroached on territory claimed by Manchukuo which, with Japanese help, promptly attacked, only to be counterattacked and defeated by the Soviets. Each hex represents 1/2 mile. Units are battalions and regiments. Each turn represents 1/2 day.

A unique combat system is used wherein units do not have combat factors and there are only two sizes of units: full size and half size (flipped over), the presence of armor and/or engineer units have certain effects on the odds, however. It appears to be a fairly simple and uncomplicated game. The designer's notes indicate a playing time of about 1 1/2 hours to play the 12 turns of the game. KHALKHIN-GOL sells for $7 and is available at better hobby shops or by mail from Panzerfaust Publications.

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© Copyright 1976 by Donald S. Lowry
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