Tim drove over to “The Dry Side” for another game of Drive on Stalingrad.  Our first try was over 2 years ago.  This time, he had the Germans and I the Soviets.  Things did not go well for the Soviets.  Here’s a link to a quick overview of the game at BGG.

The Soviets must cover their designated initial front with units or their zones of control (ZOCs).  For the most part, the units are drawn at random, with strengths revealed only at first combat. As you can see, things are a little thin on the ground.  North is to the readers right.

During Turn 1, Tim started clearing out Soviets in the north, while waiting to begin his attacks in the South.  The Soviets received reinforcements.  Again, most of these have unknown combat strength.  They must be placed in either cities or at rail hexes along the north map edge.  Soviet rail capacity is 10 units, with infantry and headquarters counting as one, with armor counting as three.  Soviet headquarters provide supply within a hex radius printed on the counter (2-5).  Unsupplied units move/attack/defend at half strength.

By the end of his Turn 2, Tim has advanced toward the Don River in the north, and is beginning to attack in the south.  Units can leave Zones of Control only by combat.  The exception is when the Soviet player declares a strategic withdrawal.  This costs victory points.  I am willing to pay the points to get the majority of my units moving back to the east and south.  However, delaying units can be effective and some are left behind to defend at half strength.

For my part, there is a general withdrawal with some units remaining behind to delay.  I also begin constituting a reserve in the vicinity of Stalingrad.  This reserve is comprised of several units which hopefully can mount an effective counterattack.

Tim continues his advance during Turn 3, but his infantry divisions are still being delayed by Soviet resistance.  He does a very good job of using his ability to overrun units not only in the movement phase, but also in a subsequent mechanized movement phase.

While the Soviets  build a “shoulder” to the northeast of the German’s southern advance, and move additional armored units toward the Black Sea from Stalingrad, there is a dangerous gap just east of the Black Sea.  This will be my undoing…….