November 2, 1998 - Prepublication Offer
LODZ 1914: FIRST BLITZKRIEG Next Up For Moments in History

LODZ 1914: FIRST BLITZKRIEG is the next game release expected from Moments in History before the end of the year. Moments in History is aiming for another highly successful World War One Era Release, after receiving the Charles S. Roberts Award for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT? This title also represents the emergence of newfound art design talent Craig Grando, whose work graces the front and back cover (shown here). If a game is to sell on looks, Grando's work won't hurt sales efforts.

The Situation
Following their victory at the battle of Tannenberg, the German generals Mackensen, Hindenburg and Ludendorff devised a plan to rapidly shift 9th Army to northern Poland by railroad. This was Blitzkrieg by railroad, and it was designed to take the Russian Northwest Front by surprise before it could launch another invasion of Germany. German intelligence detected a weak area on the flank of the Russian Northwest Front north of the industrial center of Lodz. The German plan was to penetrate between the junction of the Russian 1st and 2nd Armies on this flank and then swing to the south to encircle, once again, the Russian 2nd Army. It was to be a Tannenberg-redux: only this time the Russian invasion of Germany would be stopped on Russian (i.e., Polish) soil before it began.

The Russian forces gathered around Lodz had been preparing to invade the German province of Silesia under the direct supervision of the Grand Duke Nicholas, the top military figure (after the Czar) in all of Russia. Silesia was where a great deal of Germany´s industry was located; it´s loss would count for far more than East Prussia or Galicia. What followed was a classic battle of maneuver. The German blow preempted the launching of the Russian offensive by two days. The locally superior German forces overwhelmed and drove back the isolated corps in front of them. Stavka, the Russian High Command, was reluctant to call off the invasion of Germany. Precious days went by while Stavka released the corps of the Northwest Front piecemeal. The 9th Army drove on either side of Kutno, forcing the Russians to abandon the city.

On the extreme tip of the German penetration was the XXV Reserve Corps (with the 3rd Guard Division attached) and the I Cavalry Corps. This force penetrated deep into the Russian positions behind Lodz. However, the Russian forces slowly streaming into the area managed to throw up positions that encircled the encirclers.

The German forces wheeled around and struck out the way that the Russians expected least: northeast. 6th Siberian Division was attacked off march, and a breakout and link up with the XX Corps was managed. The Russian 1st Army counter-attacked, driving back the I Reserve Corps north of Lowicz. Now the front line stabilized and the German drive slowed, but by December 6th Stavka gave up on Lodz to concentrate on defending Warsaw.

The Game
LODZ 1914: FIRST BLITZKRIEG is an operational simulation of the clash between German and Russian armies in Poland during November and December of 1914. The game is intended for two players, one taking each side, but is suited for team or solitaire play as well. The German side represents the forces of 9th Army, and the Russian side represents the forces of Northwest Front. Lodz 1914 is a detailed study of this battle presenting a realistic combat system, Army, Corps, and Division HQs, artillery, engineers, reserve movement, reconnaissance and much more - all in a playable format. The situation is ideal of a wargame; being very mobile and giving both sides enough opportunities for attack and defend.

Game Features
+ One full color 22" x 34" map
+ 720 full color counters
+ Rulesbooklet
+ Four Player Aid Cards on Cardstock
+ A David Bolt design

Game Scale
Unit Scale: Company, Battalion, Regiment, Brigade and HQs
Time Scale: Single Turn = 1 Day
Map Scale: 2 miles per hex
Scenarios: 3
Playing Time: 4 to 55 hours
Players: One to Four

Now YOU are in command!
Can YOU smash the Russian frontline and occupy Lodz?
Or can YOU encircle the German attackers and drive them back to Silesia?

Placing your Pre-Publication Order
LODZ 1914: FIRST BLITZKRIEG (prepub pricing: $37 ziplock, $43 boxed) is available direct from Admiralty House Publications - authorized distributor for Moments in History. This prepub offer is not valid after November 30 (Dec. 15 for overseas customers). To place your order, please call (805) 534-9723 or MIHSUPPORT@aol.com. No shipping fee on all orders in the USA and Canada (Overseas customers please add 10% for surface and 25% for airmail shipping).

Retail pricing will be $49 (ziplock) and $55 (boxed). Act now and save more than 20%!

Ulrich Blennemann
Moments in History

Related Links
1. The Great War
2. World War I - Trenches on the Web
3. World War I - High School Curriculum
4. World War One Era Game Talk

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Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com

Headline News | Archives | New Products
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Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com

Headline News | Archives | New Products
Game Ratings | Clubs | Events | Discussion Board

Copyright © 1999, 2000 ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com