The greatest number of variables enter the game here. How strong is the German? The Russian? Can the Russians mount the necessary counterblow (and avoid another Vlasov) to force the Germans back?

The end game favors the Soviets in one respect the Germans must be in supply even if they capture, say, two of the four cities for a draw. As at Stalingrad, lines can be cut by hitting weak points in the German line, parachutists dropped and bombing runs executed.

In any event, if the Germans can crush the Russians in the good fighting weather of the summer the game will be over by October. (What Russian commander could take much more of the grueling, two hour turns in the face of such disaster?) If the Russian player has escaped with 50% of his force intact then the game will be a very close thing. I agree fully with Richard Banner (Campaign 71) who rates the Germans a 60-40 favorite in 1941 and no better than even later.

The point of this study is that the Germans could have pulled off Barbarossa in 1941 and definitely can crack the Russians open in DNO. The German player must fix his sights on his primary objective and not let himself be diverted from it. The Russian must constantly react-h is dispassionate defense never undermined by panic. Like Zhukov he must accumulate a reserve strong enough to deal the Germans a mightly counterblow. To both commanders--I wish you good hunting and a good game!

Drang Nach Osten A Strategic Analysis

Overview and Deployment
The Opening
The Ending