2 Kharkov:
nd
by E.R. Bickford
Production:
Lise’ Patterson
© 2011 Decision Games
Bakersfield, CA.
A1
Strategy & Tactics 271
Second Kharkov:
Strike & Counter Strike, May 1942
Turn 1
This game simulates the Second Battle
of Kharkov in May 1942. The Soviet
player will attempt to capture at least
part of Kharkov for victory, as it’s an
important hub for the forthcoming
Axis attack toward Stalingrad. Aside
from the possibility of a sudden
death victory, the game will likely be
decided on casualties. To win, the
German player will have to have 125
percent of the final Soviet VP total.
The Soviet player will attempt the
capture of Kharkov. Failing that, the
Red army will attempt to preserve
its forces to fight another day.
Play begins with the Soviet Movement
Phase. The Soviet player has a
favorable die roll modifier (DRM)
on turn one attacks; so he launches
headlong into an offensive. The
forces nearest Kharkov are targeted.
Additionally, the Soviet player decides
to attack the German units on the
eastern side of the Donets River
near Andreyevka. A further attack
is pursued near Alexeyevskoye.
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
May 12-13, 1942
Note: Soviet troops south of the
6th Army boundary line may
not move on Game Turn 1.
2 Kharkov:
nd
and retreats toward. That ends
the Soviet opening operations.
German Player Turn
The German player didn’t have an
interdiction phase available this
turn. The first matter for decision
is whether to use the move/fight or
fight/move sequence. Unlike the
Soviets, the German force has flexibility in that regard. The German
player decides to use fight/move.
Since 1st Panzer Army and the 17th
Army aren’t allowed to attack on Game
Turns 1 and 2, those formations fall
back to better defensive positions.
The priority is to protect Kharkov,
since losing just one hex of the city
gives the Soviet a Sudden Death win.
Turn 2
May 14 & 15
Soviet Combat Phase
The Soviet forces are all on their
untried sides; so the combat odds
are a mystery to both players. That
will change as soon as contact is
made with the enemy. The Germans
don’t have any air support available
yet. The first attack is against the
German 79th Infantry Division, which
holds the northernmost point of the
line. This unit is defending Kharkov,
which is the German Army’s main
logistics and communications node
for the forthcoming summer offensive.
The attack is resolved at 2:1 and the
Soviets have a –1 DRM, which is
neutralized by the defensive value
of the heavily forested terrain. The
attack is repulsed and the Soviets
lose their 23rd Motorized Brigade.
Next the 294th Infantry Division is
attacked by a large Soviet formation.
The German infantry is in clear
terrain to the northeast of the town
of Chuguyev. This is also a 2:1 attack,
but with a –1 DRM. The Soviets win
this time, and the German 294th
loses a step and retreats a hex, which
A2
absorbs the second loss. The Soviet
62nd Cavalry Division is eliminated.
Just to the east of Chuguyev, the Soviets
attack the German 297th Infantry
Division. This is 1:1 with a –1 DRM.
Each side incurs a step loss. The Soviet
121st Tank Brigade is destroyed and the
German infantry retreats to Chuguyev.
Farther south, Soviet infantry assaults
the German 44th Division. That unit
is caught in clear terrain at 1:1 odds.
The German unit is overwhelmed
and, after losing a step, it falls
back toward the Donets River.
There are two battles near
Alexeyevskoye. The first causes
the 108H Division to disintegrate.
The second battle is against the
German 62nd Infantry Division.
That unit digs in and turns back
the Soviet attack. Both the 10th and
156th Tank Brigades are destroyed.
The last attack is against the
454th Security Division, which is
southeast of Sakhnovshohina.
That resolves at 3:1 with a –1 DRM.
The German unit is reduced a step
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
There is still no German air interdiction available; so the Soviet player
proceeds to his movement phase.
The Soviet commander continues his
offensive with determination to invest
Kharkov. Meanwhile the forces south
of the Donets River have managed to
puncture the German line there.
There is no longer any favorable die
roll modifier for Soviet attacks. The
Soviet player’s northern effort pushes
the German 79th Infantry back toward
Kharkov. The Soviet 26th Cavalry
Division is destroyed in the attack.
Just 10 miles north of Chuguyev, a
Soviet combined-arms force makes
contact with the 23rd Panzer Division.
The Soviets get 3:1 odds and have
caught the panzers in open terrain.
The German unit is severely damaged
while defending. After losing two
steps, the panzers fall back about
five miles (one hex retreat).
Farther south the Soviet 349th leads
an assault against the German 6th
Romanian Corps in the town of
Taranovka. Those troops retreat and
the Soviets capture the town. The 34th
Mechanized Brigade is a casualty. The
rest of the Soviet forces to the south
of Kharkov inflict minimal damage
Strike & Counter Strike, May 1942
on the German position. At this
time the two sides are even in VP.
German Player
The German player is still under
restrictions with 1st Panzer and 17th
Armies. The 44th and 71st Infantry
Divisions both move to Zmiyev, where
they can defend along the Donets.
The German infantry and panzers
to the east of Kharkov have managed
to lock down the Soviet attack force
there, so they will remain in place. The
Soviets will still have an opportunity
to attack into the Kharkov perimeter
on the next turn, which will prevent
a German sudden death victory.
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
A3
2 Kharkov:
nd
Turn Three
May 16 & 17
The German Player deploys three
Interdiction markers to slow the Soviet
advance toward Kharkov. Since the
German only has three markers at
the beginning of this turn, he has
none available for combat support.
The Soviet player orders a two-pronged
attack against the German forces
along the eastern Kharkov perimeter.
The 294th Infantry Division is targeted
first, and it subsequently sustains
heavy damage while retreating. A
second attack to the south forces
3rd and 23rd Panzer Divisions to fall
back. The panzers incur heavy
losses and retreat toward Kharkov.
of combined arms forces against
the German 62nd Infantry Division.
Attaining 3:1 odds, the attack is
resolved and the Soviets lose a cavalry
division while the 62nd Infantry retreats.
At this time the restrictions imposed
on German operations by the 6th Army
boundary line are removed. The Soviet
player launches an attack against
1st Panzer Army. The 14th Panzer is
assaulted by a strong Soviet formation.
Those panzers retreat, and the Soviet
32nd Cavalry Division is destroyed.
Then, near the city of Slavyansk, Soviet
forces attack 68th Infantry Division.
The Soviets achieve 3:1 odds, but
the forest gives the Germans a +1
DRM. The German player decides to
retreat to Slavyansk, while the Soviets
sacrifice their 6th Tank Brigade.
To the south of Kharkov the Soviet
player brings three strong stacks
A4
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
German Player
The German player falls back farther
to defend Kharkov from the Soviet
advance. The forces in the south
maneuver to prepare a counterattack.
First Panzer Army orders an attack
against the Soviet 38th Rifle Division,
which is holding its position in the
south in the forest. The Germans
gain 71 odds, which is enough to
neutralize the terrain effects. In
the end 38th Rifle is destroyed.
Turn Four
18-19 May
The German player lays out all
six interdiction marker. Four are
assigned to the eastern approach to
Kharkov, and two are deployed to the
southern approach. They will add
Strike & Counter Strike, May 1942
an extra movement point cost in the
seven hexes of each one’s range.
the Soviet attack is repulsed, and
their 60th Cavalry Division is lost.
notices 5th Guard Cavalry is in danger
of being outflanked by the panzers.
The Soviet player decides to continue
the attack toward Kharkov. German 17th
Army is weakening, but the interdiction
by the Luftwaffe are slowing the Soviet
ability to advance. The Soviet 175th
Rifle Division leads an attack against
the German 172nd Infantry Regiment,
which is covering the German left.
That German unit is destroyed. Then,
in 17th Army’s center, Soviet forces
attack both the panzer divisions (3rd
and 23rd Pz). The Soviets obtain 5:1
odds, and 23rd Panzer is eliminated.
The 3rd Panzer is reduced to one step,
as it retreats toward Kharkov.
Along the southern flank of the
battlefield, the Soviets launch a
piecemeal attack against 1st Panzer
Army. The 97th Jaeger Division is
caught in open terrain just to the
northeast of the town Aleksandrovka.
That German unit is eliminated.
Turn Five
The Soviet commander attempts to
flank the German position along the
Mzha River. The German 113th Infantry
is holding the southern portion of
the Kharkov perimeter. This time
German Player
The 17th Army re-deploys to protect
Kharkov at all costs. A minor counterattack is launched by 2nd Panzer along
the southern flank. The Soviet 226th
Rifle is holding its position in the center
in the open terrain between Losovaya
and Barvenkovo. The 16th Panzer and 1st
Mountain Divisions attack and successfully destroy the Soviet infantry. There
is no other combat. The Soviet player
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
20 & 21 May
Soviet Player Turn
The German player orders three of
the interdiction markers deployed to
protect Kharkov. The other three are
retained for close support missions.
The Soviet Panic rule is also triggered
at this time. (The Soviet counterattack
has moved beyond the training and
level of preparation for it, and their
forces begin to panic and lose cohesion.) As a result, all attacks will suffer a
+1 DRM while all Soviet defensive combat will suffer a –1 DRM. Additionally,
there are no more bonuses for Soviet
attacks at odds greater than 6:1.
A5
2 Kharkov:
nd
It looks like capturing a Kharkov hex
will be exceedingly difficult. Each
of the city hexes has a +2 DRM, and
the Germans have retained three air
combat support missions that each add
another +1 modifier. That means any
attacks into Kharkov will likely cost
the Soviets +3 to +4 DRM. Even at 3:1
odds, success will be unlikely at best.
The Soviet player decides to go on
the defensive. The forces in the south
fall back. The 351st Rifle Division
moves to the town of Losovaya. The
343rd Rifle and the 6th Guard Cavalry
fall back to the forests south of the
Donets. The 34th Cavalry moves to
the town of Barvenkovo, and the
Soviet left falls back to the forests
south of the Donets River line.
All of the Soviet troops along the Mzha
River head toward the southeast and
the Donets River. The 341st sets up a
rear guard in the town of Taranovka.
A6
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
Strike & Counter Strike, May 1942
Farther to the north, the Kharkov force
retreats to a defensive line anchored
on the town of Chuguyev. There are
no attacks. The Soviet player still has
the advantage in casualties at 1.6:1.
German Player Turn
The German player realizes he has lost
the battle of attrition thus far, hence
his attacks must be more efficient
than ever. The 17th Army attempts to
regroup in the face of the Soviet retreat.
Kharkov must still be protected.
There is no room for carelessness.
Initially, 1st Panzer is carrying the bulk
of the counteroffensive. The 16th Panzer
leads an attack against the 351st Rifle
Division in Losovaya. The Luftwaffe
is called in for support and gives a
–1 DRM. The attack is at 6:1, but the
Soviet defenders have a –1 DRM for the Turn Six
defensive terrain. The 351st is destroyed.
22 & 23 May
On the eastern side of the map 1st
Soviet Player Turn
Panzer Army attacks the Soviet
flank. The 150th Rifle Division
The German player has to decide how
holds the forest along the Donets
to employ his six Luftwaffe markers,
River. The Luftwaffe flies ground
either for interdiction or close support.
support. The 150th is destroyed.
Interdiction will inhibit the Soviet playA final attack is launched by 6th Army: a er’s ability to maneuver his units into
risky effort against an untried unit. The stronger defending stacks, while close
support provides combat die roll modiLuftwaffe is available for support, and
fiers. Two chits are played for interdicwith the Soviet loss of cohesion there
will be a –2 DRM. The Soviet defending tion, leaving four for close support.
unit proves to be the 78th Infantry
The Soviet forces in the southeastern
Brigade, a relatively weak formation.
area fall back toward the Donets River.
Besides, it’s caught in the open. The
A major crossing point is organized at
Soviet brigade is eliminated. The
Izyum. The Soviets also hold another
Germans have made a lot of headway,
crossing at the town of Sarintsy. The
but that’s in part to the limited ability
of the Soviet forces to maneuver during Soviet forces to the north are also
able to cross the river and set up a
the opening stages of their retreat.
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
A7
2 Kharkov:
nd
sufficient defense. The Luftwaffe
causes a small amount of difficulty
from its interdiction missions. The
Soviet player doesn’t attack.
German Player Turn
The Germans maneuver and
prepare for three attacks. The 1st
Panzer Army has the Soviet 51st Rifle
Division trapped in the forest near
the town of Losovaya. That division
has been put out of supply. The
Soviet rifle division is destroyed.
Along the southern Donets River,
the 1st Panzer attacks the Soviet
277th Rifle Division. The Soviet
troops are deployed in the forest
alongside the river. The German
player calls in the Luftwaffe for
close support. The Germans have
A8
a 6:1 attack and a –2 DRM. That’s
sufficient to eliminate the 277th.
In the north, 17th Army begins to attack
the Soviets on the eastern side of the
Kharkov perimeter. The Soviet 335th
Rifle is holding the northeastern crossing of the Donets at Chuguyev. The
Soviets must also face the Luftwaffe
on a ground support mission. Though
the attack is at 5:1, the Germans
suffer from attritional loses. The
335th is also destroyed, however, and
the Germans recapture the town.
Turn Seven
24 & 25 May
Soviet Player Turn
The German player uses two of his
air markers for interdiction. Four
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
are reserved for close support. The
Soviet player continues to fall back.
Much of his army manages to get back
across the Donets, where they will
be in better defensive terrain. A few
units remain behind as a rear guard.
German Player Turn
German 1st Panzer Army shifts toward
the northwest in an attempt to outflank
the Soviet position on the Donets near
Izyum. Part of 6th Army also advances
toward Kharkov. An important factor is
that the three German armies may not
coordinate together in their attacks.
The Germans can only manage one
attack. The 17th Army pushes into the
Soviet 14th Guards Division, which is
quite strong. The 71st Infantry Division
moves across the river in order to
negate the DRM for the attack across.
Strike & Counter Strike, May 1942
The Luftwaffe is also called in to
support the attack. This is only a 2:1
attack. The Germans still obtain a
–2 DRM. The Soviets absorb three
losses. Both the 14th Guards and
162nd Rifle Divisions are destroyed.
There are no further attacks. The
German player was inefficient in
his use of the Luftwaffe this turn.
More units should’ve been used
for interdiction to prevent the
Soviet player from escaping into
improved defensive positions.
Turn Eight
26 & 27 May
Soviet Player Turn
The German player uses interdiction
near the town of Alexeyevskoye
and Izyum to slow the Soviet
retreat. Again, four missions are
retained for close support duties.
The Soviet player attempts to gain the
best possible defensive ground. Most
of his forces get across the Donets,
but the Luftwaffe slows several units’
movement near Izyum, and those
formations remain stuck on the southwestern bank. The forces farther north
fall back to a line anchored on the town
of Andreyevka and the Donets River.
German Player Turn
The German player arranges four
attacks against the Soviet positions.
The first pits 1st Panzer Army against
the 227th Division, which is across the
Donets to the southeast of Izyum.
The Luftwaffe is used for close support. The DRM are all neutralized;
nonetheless, the Soviets lose this one.
The 226th, 227th Divisions and the 58th
Tank Brigade are destroyed with no
significant losses to the Germans.
Next 6th Army catches the 242nd Rifle
Division in the town of Alexeyevskoye.
That unit is cut off from supply
and defends at half strength. The
Soviets have a – 1DRM due to
panic, and a +1 DRM for the town’s
defensive terrain. The Soviet 242nd
is eliminated, but the Germans also
lose their 188th Infantry Regiment.
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
A9
2 Kharkov:
nd
First Panzer Army continues its assault
along the Donets. The Soviets have a
rifle division and two tank brigades
in Andreyevka. The defensive terrain
yields a +3 DRM, but the Germans
have support from the Luftwaffe, as
well as the Soviet panic condition, for
a –2 DRM. Unfortunately for them,
the Germans barely get 1:1 odds for
the attack, which is repulsed. The
100th Jaeger Division takes a step loss.
The final attack of the game is directed
at the Soviet 317th Rifle in the forest
between the towns of Andreyevka and
Chuguyev. The Soviet player also has
the 341st and 106th Divisions in support.
The attack also manages only 1:1 odds.
The Soviets gain a +1 DRM, while the
Germans have a –2 DRM due to Soviet
panic and the close support of the
Luftwaffe. Both sides incur one step
A10
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
Strike & Counter Strike, May 1942
loss. The Soviet 103rd is eliminated and
the Germans lose an infantry step.
Summary
The Soviet player has lost 28 steps,
which equates to 28 VP for the
Germans. The Germans have lost
seven mechanized steps, which is 14
VP, and 13 non-mech steps for another
13 VP. That’s a total of 27 VP. The
Soviet player wins. To win against 27
Soviet VP, the German player would’ve
needed a total of at least 34 VP.
S&T 271 | AFTER ACTION REPORT | Nov–Dec 2011
A11