Rick Gayler's variant for FitE/SE, "Sudden Storm," depicting the BARBAROSSA offensive and the first Soviet winter counteroffensive, was again showcased at Europafest. This year's game was very exciting and evenly matched. Both sides played extremely well and could lay claim to partial victory.

Rick himself once more took the reins as OKH while Alan Tibbetts led the Soviet team in an effort to avenge Flavio Carrillo's Soviet team of last year. The core of each team had already been determined via GEnie prior to the Fest. This group arrives at about 7:00 PM on Wednesday to set up and begin play. Several other Fest attendees are enlisted to fill out the ranks.

On the Axis side Robert Korpanty is assigned Army Norway and the Finns. Robert also runs AGN later in the game. Rick begins as both AGC and AGN but concentrates mostly in AGC. Frank Watson steps in for a few turns as AGN commander. Gary Dickson commands AGS for the entire match. When not in the auction room, the always-entertaining "Psycho" leads 11th Army and the Rumanians.

For the Soviets, Alan takes charge of the Finnish Front and the defense of Leningrad. I assume responsibility for Moscow, the Valdai Hills, and Bryansk. Dave Chandler is given the daunting task of defending Ukraine. When STAlan is away for other gaming at Origins, Chris Hamilton assumes command of the Northern Front.

The game itself gets started right away. Last year, Rick didn't arrive until Thursday evening so this year we had an entire extra day for "Sudden Storm" action. Also, to save time, some initial Soviet deployments were sent to the Axis team and the surprise air attack was conducted via email beforehand. The Axis dreaded surprise turn is set to jump off at 2100 hours Wednesday.

Jun II

The Axis surprise attack strikes with its usual ferocity. Of note, the Germans cadre the 10-5-8 Soviet Tank division in the woods near Memel. In the south, a Panzer corps is transferred from AGC to AGS, which swings to hit the far southern end of the Soviet line.

In the regular turn:

AGN: Most of AGN's infantry remains at the border mopping up Soviet border forces. Taking advantage of the Tank cadre near Memel, c/m units cross the Dvina, and with artillery assistance take Riga. During exploit, 4th PG screens Daugavpils and the forests to the north while threatening the Pskov gap.

AGC: All remaining Soviet forces within reach are wiped out with the exception of some c/m units near Bialystok. In exploit, the Minsk defense line is engaged, with the bulk of the armor devoted to the Berezina-Dvina land corridor area.

AGS: Taking advantage of a weak spot in the southern wing, an overrun is conducted and German armor races into the Soviet rear, attacking and surrounding the reserve tank formations of the Soviet southern border forces. Disappointing results against pocketed Soviet units limits the advance of the panzers during exploit.

USSR West: The main strategy of the Western Front is to delay and stall the German advance, throwing up a defense-in-depth by forming two lines using terrain as much as possible to conserve manpower. This year, the SS and Panzer divisions are bypassed as possible counterattack targets early on. Mobile and elite units are relegated to reserve status for future counterattacks. Remaining border forces try to disrupt the advance, while the Minsk bulge is manned. A second line along the Berezina River is formed, extending through Pskov.

USSR South: After much debate, discretion is deemed the better part of valor and most Soviet forces retreat out of harm's way. Attacks out of the Rowne-Kowel pocket bloody some German units.

Effective Losses: Axis: 32 Soviet: 268

Note: "Effective losses" is defined as unisolated plus isolated attack strength points lost, minus the special replacements received for the unisolated losses.

** Each side took about 2.5 hours to conduct their Jun II turn. This includes the German surprise turn. **

Jul I

Gaming Thursday morning opens with the Axis team salivating over the golden opportunities lying before them in the summer campaign.

Finland: Army Norway and Finnish forces conduct successful operations against Soviet delaying tactics all across the front.

AGN.• Mobile forces clear the path to Pskov while infantry units are deployed as rapidly as possible to the front. Other armored units advance somewhat timidly towards Narva.

AGC: The bulk of AGC goes towards Minsk. Rear areas are cleaned up. Minsk is stormed and the bulge destroyed or surrounded. The second line is then engaged by the panzers during exploit.

AGS and Rumania: AGS armor attacks outlying units just west of Kiev. This armor is then able to exploit into unoccupied reaches of the upper Dnepr around Chernigov. AGS infantry is not able to keep pace, however, due to persisting problems with the reduction of the Rowne pocket. 11th Army and Rumanian forces advance virtually unopposed into Bessarabia.

USSR North: Delaying tactics are still employed in the Arctic and against the Finns. A strong double line is formed in front of Narva and Pskov.

USSR West: Orders are still for the passive defense. The Berezina line is manned by regular infantry while the mobiletelite forces with reinforcements pull back to the Dnepr line, which forms from Mogilev through Orsha and Vitebsk through Velikie Luki. Many troops are sent to the Gomel area to prevent AGS from turning north and driving into the rear of West Front.

USSR South: Soviet forces continue to give ground to the Rumanians, falling back in good order. Other units retreat into the Dnepr bend area while attempting to form a strong river defense line. Tank divisions move into positions to block the penetration in the Chernigov vicinity, cadreing a Panzer division in the process. The Rowne area still makes itself felt with local counterattacks.

Effective Losses: Axis: 13 Soviet: 101

Jul II

Finland: Army Norway and Finnish forces continue their relentless march along several axes. Units move up into positions at Murmansk while attacks succeed towards Kandalaksha and Petrozavodsk.

AGN: A flying armored column races for Narva while powerful forces rail up and strike in the Pskov direction.

AGC: The Berezina line is slammed. Strong armored formations engage the Dnepr line north of Orsha. Some local failures in the swamps and forests around Bobruysk limit exploit towards Gomel.

AGS and Rumania: Now at U-2, the Rowne pocket is wiped out. One Tank division manages to retreat into the swamps and will roam around for a few turns before starving. AGS mobile units forge the mighty Dnepr south of Kiev and meet up with attackers wheeling south from the Chernigov area: as a result the entire Kiev region is pocketed. The Rumanians continue their pursuit across the Dniester River and start the siege of Odessa.

USSR North: Soviet forces continue to pull back in front of the Finns, as few reinforcements are sent to this sector. A suitable double line is formed from the swamps south of Lake Ilmen over to Lake Peipus and at Narva. 

USSR West: Due to AGC dispositions south of Orsha, a disjointed first line is set out in front of the Sozh River, anticipating the full ZOCs next turn. North of Orsha, the front line runs through Vitebsk to Velikie Luki, with the second line just behind, again taking as much advantage as possible of the swamps and forests in these areas. As previously, a lot of troops are sent to prevent a breakout by AGS to the north.

USSR South: The western portion of the Dnepr bend is abandoned as the troops move to block the German armored spearhead east of Kiev. A lone, far-flung German Motorized division is eliminated as the lines are consolidated. In other developments, the Black Sea Fleet sails into Odessa, providing gunfire support for an attack out of the city. In the ensuing engagement, the Rumanians take a stinging blow.

Effective Losses: Axis: 19 Soviet: 169

Aug I

Finland: In the Arctic, the Axis is repelled for a turn. A bloody EX before Murmansk eliminates a Mountain division, while an AR and AS are rolled in front of Kandalaksha. The Finns, however, continue to press for the Leningrad-Murmansk rail line.

AGN: Strong contingents slash the Pskov gap defenders. However, some difficulties are encountered in clearing the swamps both north and south of Lake Peipus.

AGC: Hampered somewhat by the now-full ZOCs, the bulk of AGC armor concentrates between Orsha and Velikie Luki and easily takes out the first defense line. As usual, the panzers exploit up to engage the second line. Again, only minimal gains are made towards Gomel.

AGS and Rumania: While the Rumanians guarding Odessa fall back a hex, fearful of another attack out of the city, other Rumanian forces race to gobble up territory along the lower Dnepr, aided by some German mobile units. Meanwhile, AGS reduces the Kiev pocket to the city itself. In other action, the panzers strike east and north of the lower Desna River in the general direction of Kursk and Gomel.

USSR North: As the Arctic seems stabilized for the time being, more attention is paid to protecting the Svir line. Soviet forces retreat back to the 1939 border area near Leningrad. Due to the problems AGN had at the southern end of Lake Peipus, some excellent attack opportunities exist. However, while conducting these offensive operations, a double line is not reformed in the Lake Ilmen sector.

USSR West: More troops are sent south as the southern Gomel flank is getting stretched further and further. Light forces defend the Sozh line through the western reaches of the Valdai Hills. The second line consisting of mobile and artillery units takes up a position to the east through Smolensk and into the hills.

USSR South: The Dnepr bend defense line is manned and formed through Poltava and on to the north. A second line is also available directly behind most of the line north of the river.

Effective Losses: Axis: 18 Soviet: 146

Aug II

Finland: In the Arctic, Axis units regroup and reinforcements are sent after last turn's reverses. Further to the south, the Finns still drive hard on Petrozavodsk.

AGN: The Soviet weakness near Lake Ilmen is detected and a large wheel movement takes place. All AGN c/m units strike in the vicinity of the single line, blowing open a large gap in the Dno area. Mobile units then exploit unhampered into the Soviet rear along the road south of Lake Ilmen, threatening to enter the Valdai Hills from the north. Major Luftwaffe activity harasses Soviet movement into the region.

AGC: Heavy attacks fall on the Valdai Hills approaches as AGC attempts to coordinate with and assist the AGN breakthrough to the north. A lot of regular Soviet infantry is being eliminated is these attacks. Smolensk falls to infantry, but only a minor penetration is made across the upper Dnepr to the west of the city. Gomel also falls, but other attacks just to the north fail, limiting exploit in this area.

AGS and Rumania: Rumanian troops with some German assistance capture most of the Dnepr bend to the west of the river. However, these units will be out of supply during the next turn. AGS armor continues to grind up Soviet units around the lower Desna. Artillery and infantry units take up positions around Kiev.

USSR North: The Leningrad Front scrambles to stabilize the sector. Massive pullbacks are ordered to the southwest of the city. The Baltic Fleet sorties to defend Narva. Facing all of AGN's c/m units southeast of Novgorod, only a weak second line can be formed. Units take up positions on the shores of Lake Ilmen to block a further AGN advance along that route.

USSR West: Due to massive Luftwaffe harassment, not much can be done north of the Valdai Hills. Units shift northwards to cover as much terrain as possible. From this point until the end of the game, most Far Eastern reinforcements are strat-railed into the Valdai area. Other reinforcements are sent to fill holes in the Smolensk and Kursk areas.

USSR South: The southern front finally seems somewhat stabilized, with a double line covering much of the territory from the Dnepr bend north past Poltava to the Desna area.

Effective Losses: Axis: 3 Soviet: 116

** Each side took about 2.0 hours on average to complete their turns on Thursday. **

Sep I (clear)

Finland: Attacks break open the lines in front of both Murmansk and Kandalaksha, while the drive for Petrozavodsk and the Svir River is almost complete. At this point, the Soviets decide to evacuate the Arctic and allow Murmansk to fall. The Soviets man the Svir River line and send some reinforcements to help hold the Finns back while the Arctic is evacuated. Most units are able to extricate themselves to the White Sea Canal in time. Some Finnish units coming north through Petrozavodsk are able to cross over the stop line near Lake Onega, but these are consistently blocked and comprise only a minor nuisance due to their supply problems.

AGN: Strong units operating south of Lake Ihnen clear out the weak Soviet delaying forces. At the end of exploit all c/m units are east of the lake. The direct Moscow-Leningrad line is cut. Some headway is made in the Luga area by infantry-only attacks.

AGC: Heavy blows fall all along the line from the upper Dnepr through the Valdai Hills. Advances are limited due to an adjacent double line. Attacks around Gomel succeed in crossing the river.

AGS and Rumania: At U-2, Kiev falls to a concentric attack. Major units move into position in the Dnepr bend as the Axis regauges rail into the region at a rapid pace. As more infantry and other support units reach the area, a huge offensive is engaged along the entire line from north of Kharkov to south of Gomel. The Soviets take major losses. The Axis also takes some losses in bloody EXs, including the Rumanian armored division.

Leningrad Front: With few reinforcements, the line is reformed south of the city.

Moscow Front: Almost all replacements and reinforcements go to rebuild the double line on the Moscow front. A general withdrawal is ordered from the Gomel area back to the Bryansk area to shorten the lines. Gaps are formed in this area to conserve troops. Tank and Mech divisions are positioned in the front lines to ward off attacks into the Valdai region. Eastern troops pour into the area attempting to limit any breakthrough. The lines are getting weaker as troops are thrown into the meat grinder in front of Moscow. At least the newly formed Tank brigades are beginning to cause some trouble on the German side.

Ukrainian Front: Only enough troops are available for a single line along much of the front. Therefore, Ukrainian Front falls back onto the Dnepr Bend-Kharkov line. Reserves are sent to the Moscow front to defend against an AGS breakthrough to the north.

Effective Losses: Axis: 18 Soviet: 134 

Sep II (A=mud)

AGN: Infantry continues to slowly pry the Soviets from the good defensive terrain in the Narva and Luga areas. Not enough Soviet reinforcements have been sent to the Leningrad front to prevent this. 4th PG takes up advance positions against the northern end of the Valdai Hills, overrunning several incomplete forts in the process.

AGC: A strong panzer corps is sent to the Valdai Hills to assist 4th PG in clearing a path through the region. With infantry support, this concentration eliminates a Mech division; this in turn allows a lone division in the second line to be overrun. Some German c/m units then proceed a small distance into the Soviet rear. Other heavy attacks take place south of the region as the Soviet front line is again practically destroyed. Smaller scale attacks take place south of Smolensk. AGC gains a better position against the Bryansk defense line.

AGS and Rumania: 11th Army and Rumanian troops forge a bridgehead across the Dnepr between the two bend cities, and advance in force. While infantry and artillery race up from Kiev, armored thrusts are leveled northwest of Kharkov. With infantry help, the remnants of the lower Desna line are wiped out. The big push comes in an eastward direction in the vicinity of the point where the Moscow Front double line ends. AGS armor blows open a hole in this front line and sends several motorized units down the railways into the rear. One such unit even enters Kursk.

Leningrad Front: With the advance towards Leningrad progressing slowly on all fronts, replacements are sent to protect Tikhvin and the last railway leading into Leningrad. The VVS conducts DAS missions to improve the strength of the lines outside the city.

Moscow Front: Defensive responsibility for all territory south of the B weather line is handed over to Ukrainian Front. Kursk is retaken. More eastern troops and replacements head into the Valdai area in response to the crisis. A partial pullback is needed there to reform the double line in that part of the Hills still retained and in front of Kalinin. A makeshift double line is formed south of the Moscow-Smolensk railway and in the Bryansk area. The entire Guards force is sent to the Moscow front for second line duty.

Ukrainian Front: Noting that a large buildup of Stukas has appeared for naval patrol, the Odessa enclave is evacuated via the Black Sea Fleet. In the process, two CLs are sunk, but the most important elements of the garrison are shipped safely back to Rostov. Meanwhile, a thin double line is formed from the Dnepr bend to just north of Kharkov, hoping for mud weather. Facing this sector, 1st PG is strung out to guard the entire region from the Dnepr bend to the lower Desna. Using newly-acquired units from Moscow Front, the Red Army exploits several gaps in this line. Using some exploiting Tank brigades, an entire panzer corps is isolated.

Effective Losses: Axis: 12 Soviet: 144

Oct I AGN: 4th PG continues to assert pressure on the northern Valdai line. It succeeds in drawing up to the eastern portion of the hills, threatening the rail junction there. An infantry corps is sent south of lake Ilmen to bolster the panzers, which have generally been operating without infantry support. Attacks out of the Narva and Luga areas continue to gain little or no ground.

AGC: With the continued good weather, the march into the Valdai Hills continues. A Soviet Tank division is destroyed in this area. More incomplete forts are taken, but the exploit is rather limited as the Germans must prepare for mud.

AGS and Rumania: Rumanian troops triumphantly enter an undefended Odessa. To the east their brothers, with 11th Army aid and newly-received rocket artillery, storm into Dnepropetrovsk. Aided by infantry, the isolated Panzer corps is easily able to free itself. Other panzers of AGS shift their attack direction toward Kharkov. Heavy Soviet losses are exacted.

Leningrad Front: A Tank division is left unengaged near the Moscow-Leningrad line. This unit moves up and overruns two unguarded trucks in the exploit phase. Most of 4th PG will be out of supply next turn. The Tikhvin area and its railway appear secure with bad weather approaching. Since no enemy mobile forces are in the Leningrad area, only a weak second line is required.

Moscow Front: With bad weather eminent, various tank units finally sortie out of the second line to strike exposed German flanks. This is the first time in the game that Moscow Front has attacked. In several key areas in the southern part of the Valdai Hills the Germans are thrown back. With the danger to Orel and Kursk lessened, the second line there weakens as units are thrown into the Bryansk fighting.

Ukrainian Front: Various troops try to disengage from the Dnepr bend area, which is given up as lost. Hoping for bad weather, the Soviets establish a forward line in front of Stalino. There is no backup for this line. The Kharkov line is doubled up only in the immediate vicinity of the city.

Effective Losses: Axis: 24 Soviet: 146

** Due to fatigue and increased Origins activity, the game slowed down on Friday. German turns increased on average to over 2.25 hours, while Soviet turns increased to over 2.5 hours. **

Oct II (B=mud)

AGN: In action to the southeast of Lake Ilmen, unsupplied 4th PG clears out its rear area, including the nasty Tank division that overran the two trucks last turn. Despite this distraction, with AGC assistance, the Valdai Hills are nearly cleared. The Germans now control all the roads through the wooded rough areas. The Soviets retain only a small portion of the southern hills and have managed to barely hang onto the main rail junction to the east [2A:2224]. The road from Duo is being upgraded past Lake Ilmen. Again, only minor advances are made towards Leningrad itself.

AGC: Despite mobility restraints and no armor effects, the mud weather doesn't seem to effect AGC significantly, and it still attacks relentlessly. In general, AGC has an excellent supply situation with railheads past Smolensk and well on the way to Bryansk and Rzhev. Vicious seesaw fighting begins in front of the railway from Kalinin to Vyshniy Volochek. Where Soviet armor attacked last turn, these exposed units are now assaulted by AGC. In most cases, the odds are good enough to yield Soviet losses. In front of Bryansk, a winterized Tank division is also reduced, however, a Panzer division is cadred by the HX in this battle.

AGS and Rumania: With continued good weather in the south, 11th Army and the Rumanians swing around and take out Zaporozhe. AGS infantry northwest of Kharkov moves into positions vacated by the panzers, but doesn't attack much. AGS armor, on the other hand, strikes hard just south of Kharkov. A medium-sized hole is blown in the line there. Again, light motorized units are sent out to seize key rail lines. A Panzer division is sent to the Sea of Azov, cutting off many Soviet divisions. Kharkov is in danger on 3 sides.

Leningrad Front: Only a few units trickle into this sector, as it appears safe for the time being. As usual, the front line breaches are repaired and any possible shift by AGN armor towards Tikhvin is taken into account.

Moscow Front: Since AGC was able to easily beat back the minor offensive of last turn and inflict severe casualties on the tank units that attacked, the armor divisions and Guards units are relegated back to second line duty again. Infantry and cavalry, coupled with armor brigades, take up front line positions. The fighting in front of Kalinin and on the eastern side of the Valdai Hills becomes critical. However, the massive influx of eastern troops from previous turns prevents any breakthrough. Mobile forces in reserve around Kursk go to Ukrainian Front. The line is weakened further to bolster the Bryansk defenders. Fortunately, the German advance towards Kursk appears exhausted. 

Ukrainian Front: In the south, the Soviets regain their composure. With the help of the Black Sea Fleet, Soviet reinforcements and forces retreating eastward manage to isolate and kill the advanced Panzer division and other penetrating motorized units. Ukrainian Front is even able to beat back the incursion on the outskirts of Kharkov, so only two sides are in contact and a continuous line can be formed. However, as a precaution the factory is prepared for transfer. A hole is pried open between German infantry in the line northwest of the city. From here, mobile forces from the Moscow Front exploit to the rail head near Poltava. The spearhead forces of AGS will be out of supply next turn. Tank brigades overrun several undefended airbases, however, the majority of the air units there (mostly fighters) manage to escape.

Effective Losses: Axis: 36 Soviet: 104

Nov I (C=mud)

AGN: With continued bad weather, attacks bog down in front of Leningrad. Not enough mobility exists to achieve the desired force concentration. However, 4th PG with infantry and AGC support clears an area adjacent to the main rail junction east of the Valdai Hills. Supply is no problem, as rail heads near or pass Narva, Luga, and Lake Ilmen.

AGC: Despite mud, AGC advances. Hexes adjacent to Bryansk are cleared. Pushes are made at high odds between Bryansk and the Moscow-Smolensk road. Heavy fighting continues along the line in front of Kalinin.

AGS and Rumania: Since most of the front line is unsupplied, not many attacks are launched and these are limited to clearing the remaining pockets around the Dnepr bend. Positions are consolidated as infantry and artillery move up to the main front. The reconstituted Panzer division is brought back on and, with other help, eliminates the Soviet mobile forces interdicting supply in the Poltava area.

Leningrad Front: The lines southeast of the city are secured. Only weak units man the second line.

Moscow Front: The line defending against AGS in the Kursk area is further depleted to aid the Bryansk defenders. Winterized units are also sent to Bryansk. In case of frost weather, a strong double line is prepared. Some counterattacks occur in the Kalinin bulge, inflicting damage on some panzers.

Ukrainian Front: With an unsupplied AGS conducting few attacks, the front is able to rebuild. Hopeful that bad weather will continue, the main line is brought forward to guard the Donets basin and stays even with Kharkov. Since severe danger still remains, the factory is transferred to the Urals. Only enough troops are available for a single line.

Effective Losses: Axis: 25 Soviet: 75 

Nov II (A, B=snow; C=frost)

AGN: With the added rigors of snow weather, AGN grinds to a halt. Its infantry in front of Leningrad are spread over too wide a front and cannot achieve a breakthrough. Also, most 4th PG mobile units are deployed in a direction away from Leningrad.

AGC: Attacks fall off as the Germans must concentrate more force to overcome the "first winter" effects. However, Bryansk falls to a near concentric assault. An important attack out of the Valdai Hills towards the rail junction fails, however.

AGS and Rumania: As the rain stops and the ground firms up, AGS armor advances towards the Donets Basin line. A large hole is opened allowing German mobile forces to pour through. Infantry forces Soviet defenders away from the northwest edge of Kharkov, but otherwise the line is quiet between Bryansk and Kharkov. Infantry and artillery mopping up the Dnepr bend area advance towards Stalino. During exploit AGS chooses to advance due east with panzers arriving at Rostov's doorstep. Soviet forces from Stalin south are pocketed and other mobile forces guard the northern flank at the Donets. Motorized forces follow AGS's usual MO and race in advance along the rail lines towards Stalingrad and Voronezh.

Leningrad Front: With snow weather assured until March, Leningrad appears relatively safe. No major reinforcements are sent in. Light delaying troops guard the approaches to the west and south. Strong concentrations are kept to the southeast to prevent the city from being isolated.

Moscow Front: With the onset of snow, the Soviets marshal their forces and begin their first winter counteroffensive. Although the Soviets slap AGC hard, they take their lumps too in exchanges. An attack in the Bryansk vicinity proves especially costly. A German Panzer division is cadred, but the resulting EX reduces two Soviet stacks substantially. A Panzer division is also cadred in front of Kalinin in a HX. The Germans were within 7 hexes of Moscow during their turn, but are pushed back and won't reach that range again. With snow weather preventing much mobility, there are now adequate Soviet forces to fully engage 4th PG north of the Valdai Hills rail junction.

Ukrainian Front: The Soviets panic in front of Rostov. The factory is hurriedly prepared for transfer. All but a couple of the Guards conversions for this turn are sent to Rostov. A makeshift line is thrown up along the lower Don. As best as possible, the line is shifted to attempt to cover the Donets. Also making use of the frost, the last Soviet reserve armor in the south pushes the Axis infantry back away from the northwest of Kharkov-the Germans are just not able to secure three sides of Kharkov. Advance German mobile units are either isolated or wiped out.

Effective Losses: Axis: 47 Soviet: 118

Dec I (C=snow)

AGN: Bogged down 3 hexes from Leningrad along most of its front.

AGC: The weakening of the Soviet forces in front of Bryansk allows the Germans to secure the city. No attacks will be possible to recapture Bryansk for the time being. Much of the Luftwaffe is recalled from ground support and put on harassment missions over rails leading into the Bryansk area to prevent a Soviet shift of power from attempting its recapture. Broad-front attacks proceed in other suitable areas with low chances for casualties.

AGS and Rumania: The panzers in the Rostov area use trucks to remain in supply and continue the offensive. The mouth of the Don is taken to the west of Rostov and further advances are made during exploit. Rostov is surrounded on 4 sides. Axis defensive positions are strengthened along the Donets. To the rear, the Stalino pocket is reduced, with the city itself falling to a massive infantry and artillery assault. Taganrog also falls.

Leningrad Front: Delaying units stay out in front of the city, backed by DAS and the Red Banner Fleet.

Moscow Front: The tempo of the winter counteroffensive is slowed somewhat as the losses of last turn are recovered and new units must first reach attack positions. Nonetheless, attacks continue where good odds can be achieved. Most of these fall near the Moscow-Smolensk railway against infantry units, although another Panzer division is cadred around Rzhev. Most Soviet attacks are focused against German stacks with no cadres already in them. The goal is to cadre as many divisions as possible, and not necessarily to put units in the dead pile. [Editor's note: The Soviet team was very successful in this effort. Eight Panzer, six Motorized, and twenty-five Infantry cadres were in play at the end of Jan 142.]

Ukrainian Front: Once again the Ukrainian Front boldly advances. This time, however, the weather will not turn against it. A couple of breaches are forced in the Axis line along the lower Donets. Effective Losses: Axis: 36 Soviet: 62

Dec II

AGN: In consultation with AGC, few attacks are made and there are no advances toward Leningrad from the Luga area.

AGC: Attacks in the Bryansk area secure that position even further. Opportunity attacks take place around the Moscow-Smolensk railway. In heavy fighting along the Kalinin line, Soviet armor exposed by the winter counteroffensive is targeted by AGC. During exploit, a reinforced panzer corps is pulled out of the line as the Soviets celebrate the coming of winter. This force is quietly hidden in a corps marker in Rzhev with an air unit. covering it. The Soviets do not notice its disappearance.

AGS and Rumania: Fighting in snow conditions against growing Soviet opposition, and about to go U-2 with depleted trucks, AGS armor retreats from Rostov while other Axis forces move into the area in an attempt to hold the Donets line.

** With bad weather speeding up play, the Axis took on average just over 1.5 hours and the Soviets just under 2 hours per turn Saturday. **

Leningrad Front: Unknowing of the danger posed by the panzer corps stationed astride the railway in Rzhev, the delaying troops outside Leningrad hold their ground.

Moscow Front: For the first time in the game, Moscow Front has no concern for the positioning of the two 5-3-8 mobile artillery units, as it merrily continues its winter counteroffensive. This is unfortunate, as a quick search for these units would have uncovered the German plot. Against the depleted German front line (due to the withdrawn panzer corps), several strong attacks are made. Along the Moscow-Smolensk railway, several German divisions are cadred. Another Panzer division is cadred on the Kalinin line. A strong push is made into the southern Valdai Hills. Soviet troops start to ooze around the north of 4th PG.

Ukrainian Front: Soviet forces storm across the Donets. The railhead is taken between Stalino and Kharkov, assuring AGS units in the Stalino area of another turn of low supply. Voroshilovgrad is retaken from several Rumanian divisions. Effective Losses: Axis: 42 Soviet: 84

Jan I 42

AGN: The reinforced panzer corps is transferred from AGC by rail through Luga. With infantry and massive Luftwaffe support, a 3-hex gap is punched in the Soviet front line. This allows the second line to be overrun and a portion of Leningrad (hex 1030) to be entered during exploit. A medium-sized force is positioned to hold the road connecting the city and the main body of AGN.

AGC: The troops here mostly revert to the defensive, although attacks continue where full-strength units remain and multi-hex attacks are possible. The Bryansk area is further solidified. However, another attack in the Valdai Hills falters. 

AGS and Rumania: AGS armor continues to retreat towards Stalino. Rumanian and Hungarian units are ordered to cover 1st PG's retreat. Rostov is clearly saved. Everything is still quiet on the Kharkov line.

Leningrad Front: Almost all reinforcements, replacements, and conversions are placed at Leningrad. An attack out of the city and from adjacent areas stings the panzer stack in the position connecting the German armor inside the city with the main body of AGN, inflicting an HX. The armored column in the city proper is now cut off, albeit with a truck. All winterized eastern troops are designated to move to this sector and new units immediately strat-rail into the vicinity.

Moscow Front: The counteroffensive continues in full fury to the west of the capital and Kalinin. The Nord SS division is eliminated near the Moscow-Smolensk railway. Other gains are made along the railway itself. An entire infantry corps is defeated piecemeal and reduced to two cadres. German units are also pushed back further into the Valdai Hills. The oozing of Red Army divisions continues north of the hills around 4th PG. In a few turns, these positions will threaten German communications into the area. Some winterized and Guard divisions redeploy to the Bryansk area to stop any further German advances there and to threaten offensive action.

Ukrainian Front: With the addition of several Guards units, the Soviets continue to attack and push the Axis back in the Donets Basin. Rostov is secure and forces are advancing on Taganrog. Some buildup occurs in the Kharkov sector.

Effective Losses: Axis: 56 Soviet: 64

Conclusions

At this point, the game was stopped, as the remaining players needed to make their way home from the Fest. This turned out to be a very exciting game. The Axis needed to acquire and hold several key areas in the remaining turns to obtain a draw or a marginal victory. In order to stop them, the Soviets promised to put up a stubborn defense to deny these and go on the offensive to recapture those that had fallen. Per the Jan I tally, the Axis was at the lower end of a draw (55 VPs), in part due to a 30% strength advantage--the Soviets used up a lot of troops denying the Axis their historical outcome of the first year of war in the east (57.5 VPs). The Germans can claim the opportunity to upgrade the outcome in their favor on account of their position in Leningrad and the possible isolation of that city in later turns. The Soviets can claim that they could pump in reinforcements and replacements to stem this, that the Germans were very weak in the Smolensk area, while a Soviet advance on the Stalino area was also occurring. Furthermore, loss trends and reinforcement schedules should favor the Soviets over the last few turns, at least partially eroding Axis military superiority and shifting the balance in favor of the Soviets. This makes for some lively table talk on GEnie as we wait for next year's Fest.

Total Effective Losses: Axis: 381 Soviet: 1731