Most players will agree that the attrition of Axis forces due to the severe winter of 1941-42 is not adequately reflected in FitE/SE rules. I propose the following.

Scorched Earth Rule 29.D.1.e. Special Weather Rules, First Winter, Axis Attrition

C. In the USSR in weather zones B and C during December 1941 and January 1942 axis troops suffer attrition when attacking or retreating. One half, rounded down, of all Axis non-winterized REs which attack or suffer a DR results are eliminated. They generate special replacements if otherwise eligible.

Attrition during the first months of the winter of 1941-42 was an historical fact and it isn't adequately reflected in FitE/SE. Axis equipment literally froze in place, supplies did not get through, and large numbers of troops became casualties of the weather. As others have stated, the Germans simply had no way to supply their troops because they had very few trains capable of operating in the extreme cold of Russian winter. The actual effects might be reflected by placing the entire theater out of supply. There were, however, enough supplies stockpiled or getting through to avoid a disaster of Napoleonic proportions, so I felt that this rule accomplished the desired effects.

Frostbite in the East: More Comments on Alan's Suggestion

Sam Dahman:

While I very much agree with your assessments regarding ahistorical use of small units to cut supply and the ability of the German army during the first Russian winter, I have to disagree with your proposed solutions.

Just as a first thought it seems that these penalties are too harsh, especially for the defensive. So except for an AS, the Soviets will always cause casualties, basically turning all DRs into DHs. I think that halving is awfully strong for attacking, too. Maybe taking some casualties is good but how about something that follows the force level of the Soviet side. Something like half of the Soviet strength.

Dave Chandler and I have been using the new charts for FitE. Winterization will have to be changed when the new version come out. The overall -1 modifier added nicely to the Axis first winter to stop their attacks more. The extra -1 means that unless winterization is utilized most attacks go to at least -2, reducing the number of attacks. However, this hurts the Soviets, too.

Again, I agree with you that the Germans have too much offensive power in the first winter even assuming that they would do much better during the first summer than normal. However, I feel that your suggestion will lead to just as many ahistorical Russian tactics. For instance, in exploit after retaking a hex the Soviet advances a tank brigade one hex to cover the recent gain. During the winter mobility is lost reducing the ability to overrun it. With one point of DAS, the German needs two divisions in order to take the tank brigade.

However, you say the Germans must cadre one of the divisions. Even given the winter I think that two divisions with some extra help should be able to take one tank brigade without being automatically reduced. I like the idea of attacker attrition but it should be tied to the force level of the defender in my opinion. I like something that reduces the attack supply during winter much better and I think German winterization is overrated as it stands too.

James Broshot:

It is my impression from my solitaire games that Germans have a hard time of it in the winter with all of the penalties for bad weather and lack of winterization. In my solitaire games the attacks stall in winter and while limited offensives are possible, nothing like a blitzkrieg is in the cards.

[Alan's suggestion on handling ants is similar to the solution used in The Korean War (Joe Balkoski, Victory Games, 1986). In TKW battalions, termed "assets' in that game, must stack with divisions. If their parent division is blown out from under them they are repositioned (in supply) to the closest friendly depot. This avoids some of Sam's complaints that battalions don't vaporize simply because they are left by themselves. Please assume the usual disclainters about something that works in one game night not necessarily work in another.

Both of these "Point / Counterpoint, exchanges between Alan, San; and Jim originated with a Genie postings. We only use postings with the permission of the originators- FW]