This is a work in progress which started a few years ago. Developing a slightly new take on variable strength chits (more granular with up to 5 steps per unit vs. the usual three) covering more obscure battles of the Eastern Front.

First up is simulation of Operation Mars, the failed Soviet offensive to eliminate the salient of the German Ninth Army during the winter of 1942-43. Players will conduct operations as either Soviet Direction Commander Zhukov or the German commander of the Ninth Army, Model. Several possibilities existed given the terrain and the weather situation and some of these will be possible to explore with this game. Included in these games are a couple of hypothetical options that could have altered the outcome.

This work is primarily based on Zhukov's Greatest Defeat by David Glantz with some OOB fleshing by Nafziger and maps based on post-war USGS surveys (which were themselves taken from wartime Soviet surveys).

Details are subject to change as work continues, but for now there will be three volumes for Operation Mars (separate games which can be linked together creating a 51" x 42" map area).  The games will consist of the following:

• One 22" x 34" map sheet (20mm hexes at 1.5 miles per hex)
• 350 - 528 - 0.6" counters (German battalions and Soviet regiments or brigades)
• 16-20 page full color rule book
• Multiple full color player aids
   

Included scenarios broken down by volume:

BELYY - Volume I
Scenario #1 Belyy Thrust - The included scenario provides the players a look at the attacks of Soviet 41st Army which managed the best gains of the operation. The goal of this scenario is to present players with a fluid breakthrough and timely reinforcements. Both sides hoping their command decisions will carry the day. Scenario Duration: Turns 1-10 (25 Nov - 4 Dec) on Map KS.

OLENINO - Volume II
Scenario #2 Objective: Olenino - The main scenario in this volume provides the players a look at the advances of two Soviet forces (22nd & 39th Armies) which managed some modest gains during the operation. The goal of this scenario is to study what could have happened with better Soviet coordination and command decisions. Scenario Duration: Turns 1-10 (25 Nov - 4 Dec) on Map KN. (Scenario includes fighting covered by GD'42 by MMP/Gamers)

Scenario #3 Western Pincers - Both Volume I & II are needed to play this scenario which covers operations of the Kalinin Front. The scenario provides the players a look at the movements of three Soviet forces (22nd, 39th, & 41st Armies) along the western face of the salient. Scenario Duration: Turns 1-10 (25 Nov - 4 Dec) on both Map KN & KS.

KONEV - Volume III
Scenario #4 Konev's Folley - This scenario covers the first attacks of the Soviet 20th Army. This drive ended in a pocket of an entire tank and cavalry corps. One cavalry division conducted a partisan style battle until they eventually returned to Soviet lines. Deep penetration on a narrow front into the teeth of the German defenses was not a recipe for success. Scenario Duration: Turns 1-10 (25 Nov - 4 Dec) on Map WF.

Scenario #5 Operation Mars - Volume I, II, and III are needed to play this scenario which links all three volumes and is the full historical campaign covering all four army attacks. You can use all the bells and whistles for this one, with plenty of variable reinforcements like the Soviet 3rd Tank Army and German 2nd Panzer Division. Scenario Duration: Battle Version - Turns 1-10 (25 Nov - 4 Dec); Campaign Version – Turns 1-18 (25 Nov - 12 Dec), on all three maps.