48th PanzerKorps' sequence of play is derived from SPI's Central Front Series. I admired the way this system forced the players to commit their forces to a sector. Once committed, it is difficult to pull back and attack in another area. The "Fight-Move" sequence also points out the importance of reserves. A successful prepared attack without a force to exploit it is pointless. Likewise, once a defensive line has been penetrated, a player without a reserve is in deep trouble.
I chose the "Fire" type Combat Results Table over the more conventional "Ratio" type for one important reason. In a "Ratio" CRT, a 2 to 1 attack could represent either 2 factors attacking 1 or 40 factors attacking 20. Indeed, both attacks could have the same result. I feel that the latter would be considerably more bloody and more decisive as well.
Two sources were vital to the development of 48th Panzer Korps. First was Reverses on the Southern Wing, no less than a first hand account of these battles by the commander of the 48th Panzer Korps, von Knobelsdorff, and the chief of staff of 336th Infantry Division, Col. Wiese. This account had an incredible amount of detail, all in English, kept at the U.S. Army Historical Library at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. In Col. Wiese's account was the only map I've seen which accurately located Sowchos 79, and the only one to mention Sowchos 78. This map included wax-paper overlays which detailed the dispositions of 336th Infantry Division at various points in the battle, down to company level.
The second important source was Stalingrad: Analyze und Dokumentation einer Soldacht by Manfred Kehrer. This is an extremely detailed account of the Stalingrad Campaign from 19 November 1942, to the demise of the 6th Army. From this book came all the details on the Soviet order of battle and quite a bit on the German as well. I'd love to read this book cover to cover, but my grasp of German is so poor that it took me nearly a month to translate the few pages which covered this battle.
A few people deserve thanks in regard to 48th PanzerKorps. First is my wife, Rose, who unselfishly allowed me to spend time on this project which could have been spent maintaining our home. Second, to the late Henry Milanski, who encouraged me to start on this game. Finally, special thanks to Jon Southard, for his endless help and encouragement. It was to this gentleman that fell the onerous task of playing the early versions of this game. Without his guidance, this game would not have made it this far.
Play Tips
I hope 48th Panzer Korps is realistic enough to allow you, the players, to use historically successful tactics and achieve the same results. The specific tactics I had in mind when I built the system were
- 1) keeping armored forces massed, and
2) keeping a strong reserve.
If you use these two precepts while playing, you'll never do too badly.
The Russian side has the tougher task. To prevail, the Soviets must destroy at least one German formation, preferably more. This will force the German player to commit parts of the 11th Panzer Division to fill the gaps, thereby weakening this powerful reserve force. The most effective way to accomplish the destruction of enemy units is to surround them. Pick a weak point in the line (there should be plenty) and hit it, repeatedly if necessary, to punch a hole in the line. The opening can then be exploited to surround nearby enemy forces.
The secret here is to match your forces' mission to their capabilities. Surrounding the 11th Panzer Division with a single tank corps is not going to accomplish much. The Germans will probably turn the tables quickly and destroy the tank corps. Conversely, using the tank corps to surround a battalion or two is wasteful.
One tactic the Russians will find useful is to attack from more than one sector at a time. This may seem to violate the principle of mass mentioned earlier, but it is a good idea for the following reasons. First the Russian's armored assets are spread out; to concentrate them takes precious time. Second, crises can be generated which will weaken the 11th Panzer Division, pull it in many directions, and hopefully break through. In this case, the Russians have won.
The German's initial position is not the greatest, but they have some advantages to offset these weaknesses. Not the least of these advantages is the historical plan used in this battle.
To summarize: KEEP THE 11TH PANZER CONCENTRATED. Use the infantry and antitank elements to surround intruding Russian forces, then use the panzers to destroy them. Just as importantly: use the 11th Panzer for one task at a time. Never leave enemy forces to be dealt with later; this is where the German front line troops come in handy. These units have to prevent a crisis or breakthrough, and when one does occur, they have to limit it until the Panzers can react to deal with it.
Aside from these superficial hints, players will have to rely on their own skills and learn from their own mistakes, one of the keen enjoyments of wargaming. Good luck!
Credits
Game Design: Jim Zoldak
Map Graphics: Randall Thompson, RBM Graphics &
Design Studio
Counter Graphics: Michael Ebert and Stephanie
Tibbetts
Development and Editing: Jon Southard and Jeffry
Tibbetts
Testing: Michael Anderson, Mark Bergen, John Burtt,
Bryan Eshleman, Ken Gaydish, Bill Salvatore, Jeffry Tibbetts.
Production: Jeffry Tibbetts
48th PanzerKorps Battles on the River Chir
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