Kharkov Battles: Before & After Fall Blau

Manufacturer:

Compass Games

Kharkov Battles uses the Fall Blau basic rules to cover the Second & Third Battles of Kharkov (May 1942 & Feb-March 1943). System basics have stacking at 3 units per hex with larger units (mainly German divisions and Soviet corps) give Combat Ratings which pull a strength chit for combat. Typically only one unit with a strength of chit may have combat out of a hex along with all smaller units. Movement includes Mobile Assaults for mechanized units during certain situations. Combats key off the defender’s terrain and use column shifts for extras like air support, combined arms, fortifications, etc. Combat results have some mandatory step losses, but the rest are player’s choice on taking step loss or retreating. Advances after combat are along the Path of Retreat for non-mech units, but mech or cav units may deviate. Support Points are used to allow German supply to reach units for mechanized movement and attacks during a turn. Supply is just a general trace while support (for Axis attacks) is traced simply with a number of hexes to a HQ unit and then a number of hexes to a road which leads to a source.

Given the nature of the covered battles, this game has a shorter playtime and smaller space requirements, making it an easier intro into the system used by Fall Blau. An additional map is included which is made to mate with the Fall Blau maps, allowing players to combine the two games into one “Grand Campaign” to be played into March 1943. Also included are extra counters and comprehensive reinforcement charts to allow for this possibility. There are four scenarios within the game: three independent and one which requires Fall Blau to play.

Complexity: Medium
Time Scale: 1 Turn = 3 Days
Map Scale: 1 Hex = 6.54 miles (ca 10km)
Unit Scale: Divisions, Corps, Brigades, & Battalions
Solitaire Suitability: High
Avg Time to Play: Less than 2 hours up to 80 hours (Grand Campaign)

Ages: 12+
Players: 1-6
Game Length: 90-4800 minutes

This game can be played on its own or combined with Fall Blau for enhanced play.