2002 · World War II

Von Manstein's Backhand Blow

A tactical-operational level wargame set in southern Russia, February–March 1943, covering the German counterstroke that halted Soviet advances after the Stalingrad crisis. Players command opposing forces across an 8 km-per-hex map with turns representing two days. Soviet forces are represented by corps and divisions; German forces field regiments, ad hoc kampfgruppen and battalion-sized units. Combat resolution uses a combat chit draw and a random events table, introducing uncertainty and variability to each battle. The game supports one or two players and emphasizes maneuver, timing and piecemeal German reinforcement as commanders try to regain or deny operational initiative.

groupPlayers

1–2 best 2

psychologyComplexity

3.1 / 5