Started a new SPW module and scenario this week.  It’s the August-December 1914 scenario covering the initial fighting between Austro-Hungarian (A-H) forces and Serbia.  One BGG commentary summed it up; “weak units, bad terrain”.

Still, with a low counter density and few special scenario rules (except for the A-H  2nd Army which must re-deploy to attack the Russians), it is a quick and enjoyable play.

Once again, the rules mandate aggressive A-H moves during the first two turns.  The results so far have been relatively bloodless.  The terrain is very rough, with the only clear terrain found near Belgrade to the north of the map sheet.  However, the (universally criticized) historical deployment has the main A-H effort attacking through the mountains in the west, and river networks in the northwest.    This terrain provides excellent defensive opportunities for the outnumbered Serbs.

In this game, A-H forces are concentrating on the northwest sector of the Serbian defenses, and simply tying down Serbian and Montenegran units in the western mountains.

Here’s the situation after two turns, at the beginning of the August 5th turn.  Most of the units lying north and west of the Danube are with the 2nd Army, shortly to be recalled to the west to fight the Russians.  Montenagran units have a cranberry (?) color.

And, here’s a closeup of the northwest area, where A-H forces have been able to cross the Drina River.