2nd Edition Soviet Order of Battle

8th Army Non-Divisional Units
1-8 M/C III 1B:2020
3-2-8 Art X 1B:2020
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 1B:2223
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 1B:2423
2-6 Art X 1B:2121
2-6 Art X 1B:2220
2-3-8 AT X 1B :2220
1-6 Eng III 1B:2220
1-6 Lt AA III 1B:2121

11th Army Non-Divisional Units
3-2-8 Art X 1B:2818
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 1B:2622
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 1B:2822
2-6 Art X 1B:2519
1-6 Eng III 1B:2519
1-6 Lt AA III 1B:2818

27th Army Non-Divisional Units
2-6 Art X 1B:1812
2-6 Art X 1B:2008

Baltic MD Reserves
3-6* Rifle X 3 1B:0916
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 1B:0916

Baltic MD Non-Divisional Units
3-2-8 Art X 1B:2519
3-2-8 Art X 1B:1816
2-3-6 Art X 1B:2512
1-0-6 Sg Art III 1B:1004
1-6 Eng III 1B:1816
1-6 Lt AA III 1B:1816

Leningrad MD Reserves
6-6 Rifle XX 70 (w) 2A:1031
3-6 Rifle XX 191 2A:1031
8-4-8 Tk XX 3 1B:1401
4-8 Mot XX 163 1B:1401
1-8 M/C III 1B:1401
1-2-6 Para X 201 2A:0931
1-2-6 Para-Inf X 9 2A:1031

41st Rifle Corps
4-6 Rifle XX 111 1B:1705
4-6 Rifle XX 118 1B:1705
3-6 Rifle XX 235 1B:1705
2-6 Art X 1B:1705

Leningrad MD Non-Divisional Units
3-2-8 Art X 1B:1705
3-6 Art X 1B:1705
3-6 Art X 1B:1705
3-6 Art X 1B:1705
2-3-6 Art X 2A:1031
2-6 Art X 2A:1031
2-0-6 Sg Art X 2A:0931
1-6 Eng III 2A:1031
1-6 Lt AA III 2A:1031
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 2A:1030
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 2A:0930
0-1-5 Bdr III (NKVD) 2A:0931

Baltic Fleet
BB Okt Rev 2A:0832
BB Marat 2A:0832
CA Kirov 2A:0832
CA Gorkiy 2A:0832
(CA) Petropav. 2A:0832
CL Aurora 2A:0832
3-6* Marine X 1 2A:0832

Resource Points
RPs = 2 2A:0931
RPs = 1 2A:0931
RPs = 1 2A:0931
RPs = 1 2A:0931
RPs = 1 2A:0931
RPs = 1 2A:0931

Antiaircraft Units
Pos AA (Lt) = 1 1B:1816
Pos AA (Lt) = 1 2A:0831
Pos AA (Lt) = 1 2A:0831
Pos AA (Lt) = 1 2A:0830
Pos AA (Lt) = 1 2A:0830
Pos AA (Hv) = 1 2A:1030
Pos AA (Hv) = 1 2A: 1030
Pos AA (Hv) = 2 2A:1031
Pos AA (Hv) = 2 2A:0931
Pos AA (Hv) = 2 2A:0832 

Baltic Fleet Aviation
I-16 2A:0931
I-16 1B:0711
I-153 2A:0832
DB-3B 1B:1421
SB-2 1B:1724

Leningrad/Northern Front VVS
MiG-3 2A:0930
Yak-1 1B:1401
I-153 1B:1705
Ar-2 1B:1705
SB-2 1B:1705

Leningrad PVO
LaGG-3 2A:1031
I-16 2A:1031
I-16 2A:1031
I-153 2A:0930
I-153 2A:0930

All Other Forces: As shown in the Soviet OB.

Pukalo Commentary

My goal is to create strong reserve groups for counterattacks against German panzer spearheads. Also, my air units and resource points have been deployed to the rear so they can be kept intact.

Judge's Verdict

Way back in TEM #34, GR/D solicited entries for Europa Contest #1. The contest consisted of two training exercises, the first of which was to propose a Soviet initial deployment for the Leningrad: 1941 (L41) scenario, which appeared in TEM #30. A number of brave souls answered the call, and their set ups appear on pages 66-75.

I don't have any great desire to become the Howard Cosell of Europa, but somebody had to judge the contest, and that someone was your humble editor. I do bring some reasonable credentials to the task, however. Few players have played the scenario, or seen it played, as often as I have, and I've evaluated it in great detail in consultation with several Europa hotshots. Finally, I am considered to be one of the top flight FitE/SE players in the country. After all, that's how I got the job as editor. (Some of you may have been wondering...)

I have tried to be as objective as possible in deciding on the relative merits of the submissions. There are certain traits that a solid Soviet defense should display, and I looked fast for these. I do admit to being occasionally influenced by an especially clever placement, however.

What are the important attributes of a top-notch Soviet defensive scheme in L41 ? First and foremost is the proper respect for the German army and an appreciation of what it is capable of accomplishing. In this regard, this deployment fails badly. Veteran L41 players know how far the Germans can go on the Jun II 41 turn, and it is much further than this deployment seems to anticipate.

Hexes 1B:2523, 2723, and 2822 in the front line are all overrunnable, and Kaunas is improperly screened. With rail security neglected, the Wehrmacht will be able to use the special rule for "clearing the rails" to great advantage in the direction of Daugavpils. Fourth Panzergruppe will be able to "shoot the gap" at 1B:2006 and turn the strong reserve grouping at Pskov into a veritable prisoner camp. Even Dno and its Yak-1 group are vulnerable.

There are several other notable weaknesses that a sharp German player would exploit ruthlessly. For example, Parnu is not garrisoned. This leaves the door open for one of the nastiest (and oldest) tricks in the Teutonic arsenal-the capture of Parnu in the surprise turn by commandos, followed up with a major sea lift in the regular turn.

Also objectionable is the throwaway nature of the border defense. There are some things these troops can achieve which should not be ignored. Virtually all of the border units in this set up will die isolated (this is avoidable), and they will hinder the Axis invasion hardly at all.

Finally, adding the Baltic MD 3-2-8 Art X to hex 1B:2519 gains nothing and wastes a valuable unit.

Well, I have ripped poor Mr. Pukalo pretty good, and he with no chance to even defend himself! No one requested anonymity, but then no one anticipated such verbal abuse either, I imagine. Anyway, I want to assure Randy that I mean him no personal disrespect. On the contrary, he deserves great praise for having the guts to put his set up on public display. As for me, I have learned much more from losing than I ever have from winning.

Verdict: 5th Place

Europa Contest #1 Leningrad: 1941 Scenario

Randy Pukalo
David Jennings
Ed Dickenson
Alan Tibbetts
Sam Dahman