While we await the Stalingrad ’42 vmod we tried Light Division but found it overly complicated trying to do too much in a too highly abstract manner. The game suffered from a lack of development and refinement.

So – back to Ukraine ’43. This time I take on the role of the Axis /German power while Steve will run the Soviet juggernaut!

The German setup is fixed for the main campaign, but in the new Uk’43 there is a free setup for the Soviets which we will no doubt see mean a very different opening from the game we played recently. Where I attempted to replicate as best I could the Soviet opening positions as dictated by the 1^st version of the game.

This section of the map has the sneaky river cross capability here. It will be interesting to see what he piles up there and how it plays versus our first play. Now funnily enough I cant find the ‘rule for that’ so we will ignore it. I thought there was some sort of breach in the fortifications.

This area will be an interesting evolution, it one where close attention is warranted, I had the dickens of a time cracking thru, but ende dup with a lucky 1:1 attack at Taganrog.

The at start positions for the Soviets:

The Soviets have a lot of latitude as to where they set up as long as they adhere to the army fronts. The interesting tension here of course is the need to be at least within range of an Auto victory or Auto Loss for both sides. If either is 6 or more short of the total on the given turn track is game over. This means the Germans cannot give up too much space for time, and the Soviets are not able to husband resources for focused attacks or conduct affairs at a leisurely pace.

The Opening Soviet attacks:

Beginning in the North the Soviets attack 75^th Infantry on the fortified lines. Who elect to take a determined defense. Which while costing a step holds the line!

While North West of Kharkov, the Russians seek to break thru and begin the envelopment or investment of Kharkov from the North.

This attack goes very well and they penetrate deeply.

Similarly a little further East the 1^st Tank Army forces a retreat off the blue defensive line and cuts the rail line to Belgorod.

4^th Panzer Army has it hands full from the get go!

In the South only one major attack happens and the 5^th Shock Army knocks back the 304-306^th Division from the line!

There are no supply issues, so we move to the German turn.

They apply replacements and look for ways to block holes. The first of which is a strong 4 armoured division counter attack back onto the blue line south of Proletarsky. Calling in air support forces 2 step losses and a retreat.

The Germans realign their defence to begin coverage of Kharkov, committing units to the line that really should be fire brigade elements. Forts are built in Sumy and Kharkov.

In the South a strong counter attack goes awry with the cost of a step but does force a retreat of the 5^th Shock elements who are now ZOC bond locked.

That effectively plug the gap for now.

The situation at the start of Turn 2 the August 8-13^th turn.