GMT1015

Playbook – part 2

ga me de sig n by Chad Jen senGMT Games LLCHanford, CA 93232, USA ©2011

NOTE: Items in purple text indicate functional changes from the first edition of this rulebook.

GrossdeutschlandInfantry Division

Fighting Formations:

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC36

O R D E R O F B AT T L EThe following is the order of battle for Infantry Division (mot.) Grossdeutschland during the period April 1942 to February 1943. Unit commanders, when known, are listed within brackets.

►► Division►HQ

►► Divisional►Staff►(32►Officers,►143►NCOs►and►Men)►► Divisional►Commander►[Generalmajor Walter Hoernlein]

►► Ia►(I►General►Staff►Officer)►(Chief►of►Operations).►Advised►the►division►commander►and►helped►draft►plans.►(Divisions►Stabschef)►[Major von Hobe]

►► O1►(1st►Assistant►Adjutant).►Assisted►the►Ia,►prepared►maps►and►the►divisional►war►diary,►liaisoned►with►neighboring►units,►and►structured►component►units►of►the►division.►[Oberleutnant Künzel]

►► Ib►(II►General►Staff►Officer)►(Supply►and►Administration).►Directed►the►supply►and►workshop►units,►field►police,►provost►marshall►and►field►post►office.►[Oberleutnant Kaufmann]

►► O2►(1st►Assistant►Adjutant).►Assisted►the►Ib►and►handled►the►organization►of►all►back►line►services.►[Oberleutnant Bergemann]

►► Ib/WuG►(Waffen►und►Geräte—Weapons►and►Equipment).►Responsible►for►replacement,►repair,►supply,►and►maintenance►of►ammunition,►weapons►and►non-specialized►equipment.►[Oberleutnant Paulo]

►► Ib/Kfz►(Division►Engineer).►Provided►for►replacement►and►supply►of►motor►vehicles,►spare►parts,►tires,►fuel,►etc.►as►well►as►traffic►control,►the►workshop►companies,►fuel►points►and►columns.►[Major Hetz]

►► Ic►(III►General►Staff►Officer).►Intelligence.►Responsible►for►interrogation►of►POWs,►radio►intercept,►etc.►[Oberleutnant Michel]

►► O3►(Third►Assistant►Adjutant).►Assisted►the►Ic.►Oversaw►the►map►unit►and►interpreters.►[Oberleutnant Ritter]

►► Id►(Training)►► IIa►(Adjutant)►(General►Administration).►In►charge►of►loss►and►casualty►reports,►rosters,►etc.►Also►officer►administration—replacements,►promotions,►decorations,►leaves,►punishment,►etc.

►► IIb►(Division►Assistant►Adjutant).►Handled►administrative►matters►described►above►but►for►the►NCOs►and►men.►Oversaw►divisional►orderly►room.

►► III►(Chief►of►Feldjustizamt►GD—legal►branch).►In►charge►of►divisional►courts-martial,►civilian►relations►and►legal►matters.

►► IVa►(Head►of►Intendantur).►Supplies,►clothing,►medical,►dental,►payroll,►canteens,►housekeeping►needs,►etc.►[Oberzahlmeister Haum]

►► IVb►(Division►Surgeon).►Commanded►the►medical►services►simultaneous►with►this►position.►Responsible►for►sanitation►and►hygiene,►transport►and►treatment►of►sick►and►injured►soldiers,►and►procurement►and►

maintenance►of►medical►equipment.►[Oberfeldarzt Dr. Werthmann]

►► IVz►(Division►Paymaster)►► IVe►(Chief►Chaplain).►►NOTE: While regular divisions had two chaplains (one Catholic, one Protestant) GD was forbidden from having chaplains at all after holding mass at Notre Dame in 1940. Division-level chaplain support was provided as needed from the Corps level.

►► Map►Section.►Eight►men►charged►with►reproducing►maps,►overprinting►captured►maps,►shot►diagrams►for►the►division►artillery,►etc.

►► Headquarters►Company►(under►Division►O4)►[Oberleutnant Paul Müller]

►► Feldgendarmerie►(Military►Police).►Maintained►surveillance►during►transfers►and►marches.

►► Kriegsberichter►(War►Correspondence►Platoon).►Responsible►for►recruiting►and►propaganda.

►► 1st►(Grenadier)►Infantry►Regiment►[Oberst Köhler]

►► Regimental►HQ:►1x►HQ►in►Truck

►► I►Rifle►Battalion:►[Major Gehrke]►► Headquarters►► 1.►Rifle►Company:

►► Headquarters:►1x►maintenance►echelon►truck,►1x►fuel►truck,►1x►weapons/ammo►truck,►2x►field►kitchen►vehicles,►3x►motorcycle/sidecars,►several►motorcycles

►► 1.►Rifle►Platoon:►► 1x►light►AT►rifle►team►► 3►squads:►each►with►2►LMGs►► ►(2 squads had MG42’s; 1 squad had MG34’s)

►► 2.►Rifle►Platoon:►same as 1. Rifle Platoon, above►► 3.►Rifle►Platoon:►same as 1. Rifle Platoon, above►► 4.►Heavy►Platoon:

►► 4x►HMGs►on►Lafayette►tripods►(MG42’s)►► 2x►8.1cm►mortar►teams

►► 2.►Rifle►Company:►same as 1. Rifle Company above►► 3.►Rifle►Company:►same as 1. Rifle Company above►► 4.►MG►Company:

►► 12x►HMGs►► 6x►8.1cm►mortar►teams

►► 5.►Heavy►Company:►► Light►Infantry►Gun►Platoon:►3x►IG►18►(7.5cm)►► Pionier►Platoon►w/3x►squads,►each►with►1x►LMG►► Anti-Tank►Platoon:

►► 3x►5cm►PaK►38►► 3x►heavy►anti-tank►rifle►teams►(2.8cm)

►► II►Rifle►Battalion:►[Major Greim]►same as I Battalion, above, comprised of Companies 6.–10.

►► III►Rifle►Battalion:►same as I Battalion, above, comprised of Companies 11.–15.

►► IV►Heavy►Battalion:►► 16.►(SP)►FlaK►Company:

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 37

►► 8x►Sd►Kfz►10/4►(2cm)►halftracks►► 2x►Sd►Kfz►7/1►(quad►2cm)►halftracks

►► 17.►(mot)►Infantry►Gun►Company:►► 2x►IG►33►(15cm)►infantry►guns►► 6x►IG►18►(7.5cm)►infantry►guns

►► 18.►(SP)►Panzerjäger►Company:►► 9x►Marder►IIIH

►► 2nd►(Fusilier)►Infantry►Regiment [Oberst Garski] same as 1st Infantry Regiment, above

►► I►Rifle►Battalion►[Major Grosser; later Hauptmann Bethge]►► 1.►Rifle►Company►[Oberleutnant Kuehn]

►► 1.►Rifle►Platoon►[Leutnant von Kleist]►► 2.►Rifle►Platoon►[Leutnant Jobski]►► 3.►Rifle►Platoon►[Leutnant Winkler]►► 4.►Heavy►Platoon►[Leutnant Eulen; later Emmo]

►► 2.►Rifle►Company►[Oberleutnant Dr. Günther]►► 4.►MG►Company►[Oberleutnant Gruss]►► 5.►Heavy►Company►[Hauptmann Bethge]

►► II►Rifle►Battalion►[Major Feucker]

►► III►Rifle►Battalion►[Major Kohlhaas]

►► IV►(Heavy)►Battalion►[Hauptmann Lehnhoff]

►► Artillery►Regiment►[Oberst Jauer]

►► Regimental►HQ:►Staff►in►trucks

►► I►(light)►Battalion:►► Headquarters►Battery►and►Signals►Platoon►in►truck►► 1.►Battery:►4x►l.FH►18►(10.5cm)►howitzers►w/tractors►[Leutnant Burchardi]

►► 2.►Battery:►4x►l.FH►18►(10.5cm)►howitzers►w/tractors►► 3.►Battery:►4x►s.FH►18►(15cm)►howitzers►w/tractors

►► II►(light)►Battalion:►same as I Battalion above, w/batteries 4., 5. and 6.

►► III►(heavy)►Battalion:►► Headquarters►Battery►and►Signals►Platoon►in►truck►► 7.►Battery:►4x►s.FH►18►(15cm)►howitzers►w/tractors►► 8.►Battery:►4x►s.FH►18►(15cm)►howitzers►w/tractors►► 9.►Battery:►4x►K►18►(10cm)►field►guns►w/tractors

►► 10.►Rocket►Launcher►Battery:►6x►Nebelwerfer►► ►(Note: though authorized, this battery did not actually materialize until 1943—thus the lack of any Rocket Battery asset for the German player in the game.)

►► 11.►Armored►Observation►Battery:►[Oberstleutnant Scholz]►► Sound►Ranging►Platoon►► Survey►Platoon►► Warning►Platoon►► 2x►Flash►Spotting►Platoons►► 2x►Analysis►Platoons

►► Army►FlaK-Artillery►Battalion

►► Bn►HQ:►1x►HQ►in►truck►► 1.►Battery:►4x►FlaK►36►(8.8cm),►3x►FlaK►38►(2cm)►► 2.►Battery:►4x►FlaK►36►(8.8cm),►3x►FlaK►38►(2cm)►► 3.►Battery:►4x►FlaK►36►(8.8cm),►3x►FlaK►38►(2cm)►► 4.►Battery:►9x►Sd►Kfz►7/2►SP►FlaK►(3.7cm)►► 5.►Battery:►9x►Sd►Kfz►7/2►SP►FlaK►(3.7cm)

►► Panzerjäger►(Anti-Tank)►Battalion►[Major Hacke]

►► Bn►HQ:►1x►HQ►Marder►II►(Sd►Kfz►132)

►► Communications►Platoon►in►Kubelwagens

►► 1.►(SP)►Company:►[Oberleutnant Waldmann]►► 1.►Platoon:►3x►Marder►II►(IIIM?),►1x►prime►mover►► 2.►Platoon:►3x►Marder►II►(IIIM?),►1x►prime►mover►► 3.►Platoon:►3x►Marder►II►(IIIM?),►1x►prime►mover

►► 2.►(mot)►Company:►► 1.►Platoon:►3x►5cm►PaK►38►AT►gun,►4x►prime►movers►► 2.►Platoon:►3x►5cm►PaK►38►AT►gun,►4x►prime►movers►► 3.►Platoon:►3x►5cm►PaK►38►AT►gun,►4x►prime►movers

►► 3.►(mot)►Company:►same as 2. (mot) Company, above

►► Reconnaissance►Battalion►[Major von Usedom]

►► Bn►HQ:►8x►motorcycles,►2x►Kfz►15►cars,►1x►Sd►Kfz►247►armored►car

►► Bn►Maintenance►Detachment:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►car►(2/40),►1x►light►car,►2x►3-ton►trucks

►► Battalion►Train:►1x►motorcycle,►2x►light►cars,►1x►Kfz►15►car,►2x►light►trucks,►2x►medium►trucks,►1x►medium►(33►seat)►bus

►► Signal►Platoon:►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►Kfz►15►car

►► 2x►pack►radio►sections►“b”►each►with►Kfz►2►► 1x►light►armored►radio►section►“b”►with►1x►Sd►Kfz►260►armored►car

►► 4x►light►armored►radio►sections►“c”►each►with►1x►Sd►Kfz►261►armored►car

►► 3x►med►armored►radio►sections►“b”►each►with►1x►Kfz►15►car►and►1x►Sd►Kfz►263►armored►car

►► 1.►(Armd►Car)►Squadron:►► Squadron►HQ:►2x►motorcycles,►5x►motorcycle/sidecars,►1x►Kfz►15►car

►► Heavy►armored►Car►Platoon:►► 3x►Sd►Kfz►231►► 3x►Sd►Kfz►232

►► 3x►Light►Armored►Car►Platoons:►each►with►► 4x►Sd►Kfz►222►► 2x►Sd►Kfz►223►(radio)

►► Maintenance►Section:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►car,►2x►2►ton►truck

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC38

►► Squadron►Train:►1x►Kfz►15►car,►3x►2-ton►truck,►1x►med►truck,►1x►3-ton►truck

►► 2.►(Armd►Recon)►Squadron:►► Squadron►HQ:►4x►motorcycles,►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►2x►Sd►Kfz►250/3►halftracks

►► 1.►Recon►Platoon:►► HQ►Section:►1x►Sd►Kfz►250/3,►1x►Sd►Kfz►250/10►► 3x►Squads:►each►with►2x►Sd►Kfz►250/1►► Squad:►2x►LMG

►► 2.►Recon►Platoon:►same as 1. Recon Platoon, above►► 3.►Recon►Platoon:►same as 1. Recon Platoon, above►► 4.►Heavy►Platoon:

►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►Sd►Kfz►250/10►► 2x►HMG►Sections:►each►with►3x►Sd►Kfz►250/1,►2x►HMG

►► Mortar►Section:►2x►Sd►Kfz►250/7►► Maintenance►Section:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►2x►2-ton►trucks,►1x►Kfz►10►halftrack,►1x►LMG

►► Squadron►Train:►1x►Kfz►15►car,►1x►2-ton►truck,►1x►med►truck,►2x►3-ton►truck

►► 3.►(VW►Recon)►Squadron:►► Squadron►HQ:►4x►motorcycles,►2x►Kubelwagen►(Kfz►1)►► 1.►Recon►Platoon:

►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►Kubelwagen,►1x►AT►rifle

►► 3x►Squads:►each►with►4x►Kubelwagen►► Recon►Squad:►2x►LMG

►► 2.►Recon►Platoon:►same as 1. Recon Platoon, above►► 3.►Recon►Platoon:►same as 1. Recon Platoon, above►► 4.►Heavy►Platoon:

►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►3x►Kubelwagen►► 2x►HMG►Sections:►each►with►7x►Kubelwagen,►2x►HMG

►► Mortar►Section:►2x►8.1cm►mortars,►3x►trucks►► Maintenance►Section:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►car►(2/40)

►► Squadron►Train:►1x►Kubelwagen,►1x►2-ton►truck,►1x►med►truck,►1x►3-ton►truck

►► 4.►(VW►Recon)►MG►Squadron:►► Squadron►HQ:►4x►motorcycles,►2x►Kubelwagen►w/LMG►► 1.►Recon►Platoon:

►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►Kubelwagen►w/LMG,►1x►AT►rifle

►► 3x►Squads:►each►with►4x►Kubelwagen►w/LMG►► Recon►Squad:►2x►LMG

►► 2.►Recon►Platoon:►same as 1. Recon Platoon, above►► 3.►Recon►Platoon:►same as 1. Recon Platoon, above►► 4.►Heavy►Platoon:

►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►3x►Kubelwagen►► 2x►HMG►Sections:►each►with►7x►Kubelwagen,►2x►HMG

►► Mortar►Section:►2x►8.1cm►mortars,►3x►trucks►► Maintenance►Section:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►car►(2/40)

►► Squadron►Train:►1x►Kubelwagen,►1x►2-ton►truck,►1x►med►truck,►1x►3-ton►truck

►► 5.►Heavy►Squadron:►► Squadron►HQ:►3x►motorcycle,►2x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►Kfz►15

►► Light►Telephone►Section:►1x►Kfz►15►► Maintenance►Section:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►car►(2/40)

►► 1.►Anti-Tank►Platoon:►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►Kfz►15

►► Ammo►Section:►2x►Sd►Kfz►10►halftracks,►2x►ammo►trailers

►► Gun►Section:►3x►Sd►Kfz►10►halftracks,►3x►5cm►PaK►38►AT►guns,►3x►LMG

►► 2.►Pionier►Platoon:►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►Kfz►15

►► 4x►Engineer►Sections►(each►with►2-ton►truck)►► 1x►Engineer►Section►(with►LMG)►► AT►Gun►Section:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►3x►Kfz►70►truck,►3x►2.8cm►Heavy►ATRs,►3x►LMG

►► 3.►Infantry►Gun►Platoon:►► HQ►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►Kfz►69►truck

►► Ammo►Section:►1x►Kfz►69►truck,►1x►ammo►trailer►► Gun►Section:►2x►Kfz►69►trucks,►2x►IG►18►(7.5cm)►infantry►guns

►► Squadron►Train:►1x►Kfz►15,►1x►2-ton►truck,►1x►med►truck,►1x►3-ton►truck

►► 6.►Motorized►Light►Column:►► Column►HQ:►3x►motorcycle,►4x►motorcycle/sidecar,►1x►Kfz►15,►3x►LMG

►► 1.►Section:►1x►motorcycle,►5x►2-ton►trucks►► 2.►Section:►4x►medium►trucks►► Column►Train:►1x►motorcycle/sidecar,►2x►medium►trucks

►► Panzer►Battalion [Hauptmann Pössel]

►► HQ►Company:►[Hauptmann Gergasewicz; later Oberleutnant Kuchenbecker]

►► 2x►Pz►IV►► Pz►II►reconnaissance►tanks,►Sd►Kfz►250►command►vehicles,►motorcycle►dispatch►riders►and►light►cars

►► Maintenance►Platoon:►3-ton►trucks

►► 1.►Company:►[Hauptmann Heimke]►► Company►HQ:►2x►Pz►IV►► 1.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IVF2►[Oberleutnant Hoppe]►► 2.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IVF2►[Leutnant Ringe]►► 3.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IVF1►[Leutnant Bornscheuer]

►► 2.►Company:►[Oberleutnant Perner]►► Company►HQ:►2x►Pz►IIIJ,►Pz►II’s►in►the►reconnaissance►role

►► 1.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IIIJ►[Leutnant Schweiger]►► 2.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IIIJ►[Leutnant Orth]►► 3.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IIIJ

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 39

►► 3.►Company:►[Hauptmann Schmidt; later Hauptmann Hermann]

►► Company►HQ:►2x►Pz►IIIJ,►Pz►II’s►in►reconnaissance►role►► 1.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IIIJ►[Oberleutnant Rothe]►► 2.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IIIJ►[Oberleutnant Sachse]►► 3.►Platoon:►5x►Pz►IIIJ

►► Light►Column►[Oberleutnant Schulte-Günne]

►► Sturmpionier►Battalion►[Major Lorenz]

►► Headquarters

►► 1.►Company:►► 1.►Assault►Platoon►w/►3x►flamethrowers►► 2.►Assault►Platoon►w/►3x►flamethrowers►► 3.►Storm►Boat►Platoon►w/►9x►assault►boats

►► 2.►Company:►[Oberleutnant Warschnauer]►same as 1. Company, above

►► 3.►Company:►[Oberleutnant Hückel]►same as 1. Company, above

►► “K”►Type►Bridging►Column

►► Light►Pioneer►Column►w/inflatable►rafts

►► Sturmgeschütz►Battalion►[Major Schepers]

►► Headquarters:►3x►StuG►III►F►(w/7.5cm►StuK.40►gun)

►► 1.►Battery:►6x►StuG►III►F,►1x►Sd►Kfz►252►ammo►carrier►halftrack►[Oberleutnant Frantz]

►► 2.►Battery:►6x►StuG►III►F,►1x►Sd►Kfz►252►ammo►carrier►halftrack►[Oberleutnant Adam]

►► 3.►Battery:►6x►StuG►III►F,►1x►Sd►Kfz►252►ammo►carrier►halftrack►[Oberleutnant Lemme]

►► Nachrichten►(Signals)►Battalion [Major “Wastl” Binder]

►► Telephone►Company

►► Radio►Company

►► Medical►Battalion

►► 1.►Medical►Company:►► Heavy►Platoon►►► Light►Platoon►►► Pharmacy►►► Dental►Station►

►► 2.►Medical►Company:►same as 1. Medical Company, above

►► GD►Field►Hospital►

►► 1.–3.►Ambulance►Platoons

►► Supply►Services►[Major Gericke]

►► Supply►Services:►► ►1.–10.►Light►Truck►Columns►► 11.–14.►Truck►Columns►► 15.–18.►Heavy►Truck►Columns

►► 1.–3.►Field►Workshop►Companies►

►► Replacement►Parts►Company:►including►an►Armorer-Artificer►Platoon►

►► Administrative►Services:►► Bakery►Company►► Butcher►Company►► Division►Ration►Office►► Field►Post►Office►

A D D e D ► F e B R u A R y ► 19 4 3

►► Panzer►Regiment►Headquarters►GD

►► Reg’t►HQ:►17x►Pz►IVG

►► Recon:►Pz►IIF

►► I►Panzer►Bn:►► HQ►Company:►HQ►Pz►IVF1,►recon►Pz►IIIM►► 3x►Panzer►Companies►each►with:►18x►Pz►IVG►► 1x►Panzer►Company:►15x►Flammpanzer►III

►► II►Panzer►Bn:►► HQ►Company:►HQ►Pz►IVF1,►recon►Pz►IIIM►► 3x►Panzer►Companies►each►with:►18x►Pz►IVG►► 1x►Panzer►Company:►15x►Flammpanzer►III

►► Tiger►Company►with:►► Tiger►I►► recon►Pz►IIIM

Also:

All►PaK►38’s►were►replaced►with►PaK►40’s►(7.5cm).

A►fourth►Bn►was►added►to►the►Artillery►Reg’t:►►● leFH►18►(10.5cm)►howitzers►w/tractors►● Nebelwerfer►rocket►launchers►w/tractors

A►6th►Battery►(3.7cm►self-propelled)►was►added►to►the►FlaK►Bn.

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC40

H i s T O R i c A L n O T E s

b y K a i J e n s e n

F R o M ► R e G I M e N T ► T o ► D I V I S I o N►On 1 April 1942, orders came through that the Infantry Regiment Grossdeutschland would be expanded to become the Infantry Divi-sion Grossdeutschland (mot.). The regiment’s commanding officer, Oberst Walter Hoernlein, was promoted to Generalmajor. The original regiment was renamed as I.R. GD1 and would be lead by Oberst Köhler. A new regiment formed in Döberitz (near Berlin) was given the title of I.R. GD2 and would be lead by Oberst Garski.

The division commanders were given the freedom to select the remaining regimental commanders as well as those of the inde-pendent battalions from throughout the entire Wehrmacht. Men enlisting in the new division had to meet specific requirements: they had to be young, have good vision (no glasses), be at least 1.7 meters tall (approx. 5’6”) and have no criminal record.

Along with picking the best men for the job, GD’s commanders also received the best equipment. The latest weapons to pass field testing were available to the division. This preferential treatment was due largely to the efforts of Oberst Schmundt and Major Engel, and created in the Grossdeutschland I.D. the ideal motorized infantry division. Along with the two infantry regiments, the new division now added support units in the form of a panzer battalion, a panzerjäger battalion, an assault gun battalion, artillery, recon-naissance and signals battalions, medical and supply services, and a replacement training battalion. Nearly 18,000 men strong and with new equipment and training, the Grossdeutschland Infantry Division (mot.) was one of the strongest fighting units available to the German Army in the Spring of 1942.

B A C K ► T o ► T H e ► F R o N TFollowing its reorganization, the I.D. GD was assigned to Army Group South and took part in the opening phases of Fall Blau (the assault towards Stalingrad). Army Group South was divided into Army Group A (17th Army and 1st Panzer Army) and Army Group B (4th Panzer Army, 6th Army and 12th Army). Along with the 9th Panzer Division and the 24th Panzer Division as part of the 4th Panzer Army, I.D. GD was given the task of capturing intact the road and rail bridges across the Don River near Voronezh. All elements of the I.D. GD were assembled near Fatesh (northwest of Kursk) for the start of the new campaign.

On 28 June 1942 – just over a year after Operation Barbarossa had begun – the German offensive began anew. Within a few days the I.D. GD had established a beachhead across the Olym River.

1 July, 1942, Staryj Oskol–Kastornje–Jelez Railway, Olym River area—see scenario 1 “A Surprise At Sunrise”

In the nearby village of Gorschetschnoje, the 24th Panzer Division encountered significant resistance and was ordered to bypass the area and continue their advance, leaving the I.R. GD2 to cover their flank and eliminate the threat.

2 July, 1942, Gorschetschnoje—see scenario 2 “Kampfgruppe Garski”

By 5 July, forward elements of 4th Panzer Army had reached the Don River and began the race to capture Voronezh. I.R. GD1 cap-tured a nearly intact road bridge and made the crossing to assault the village of Podkletnoje on the far bank the following day. From there, they pressed onward toward Voronezh.

6 July, 1942, Podkletnoje, Don River area near Voronezh—see scenario 3 “Just Past Don”

Although they managed to occupy the western riverbank suburbs of the city, Soviet forces counterattacked the German positions. The plan had been for the 4th Panzer Army to occupy the city then, following relief by the 6th Army, move down the east bank of the Don toward Stalingrad. It wasn’t until two days later that 6th Army was in position and the 4th Panzer Army could get under way again. German command believed that this delay allowed Marshal Timoshenko to get troops into Stalingrad to reinforce that city before the 4th Panzer Army could strike as planned.

Upset by the disruption of the timetable, Hitler determined to reorganize the campaign. He ordered Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus to capture the oil fields there and Army Group B to carry on the offensive toward Stalingrad and the Volga. As he believed 6th Army to be successfully advancing their portion of the plan, Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to force a crossing of the lower Don River with the 1st Panzer Army.

The road networks in Russia were not up to German standards and this redeployment caused massive logistics problems, resulting in delays to both Army Groups A and B. The change also stripped vital tank support from 6th Army, slowing their advance and allowing the Soviets yet more time to secure their positions.

While the capture of Rostov in late July embroiled Army Group A in heavy urban fighting, Hitler decided the Don crossing was secured and sent the 4th Panzer Army back to the Volga line. Soviet resistance continued to delay Army Group B’s progress to the east. In August, the GD division was pulled back to the north bank of the Donets and held as a mobile reserve counterattack force.

C R I S I S ► I N ► T H e ► e A S TAt this same time, a major crisis was developing near and south of Rzhev which threatened to turn into a Soviet breakthrough. Two powerful Soviet shock armies – the 30th coming from north of the city and the 31st from the east – were joined by the weaker 29th Army which was between the two. Their attacks toward the city and the Ssytschewka-Rzhev railway, which was the lifeline for German forces in the area, caused the Germans to withdraw their defensive line back behind the Volga. Soviet forces were then able to establish a bridgehead 15km wide and 8km deep southeast of Rzhev and dangerously close the Ssytschewka-Rzhev railway line. In response, German command rushed three panzer divisions and several infantry divisions out of the line for transfer to the southern front and sent them by train to aid in the fight for Rzhev. Grossdeutschland was one of these divisions. Their assignment was to counter-attack and restore the former defensive lines.

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 41

According to orders from the highest command, the Grossdeutsch-land Infantry Division could not be committed in anything less than full strength. So, despite the desperate situation developing south of Rzhev, I.D. GD was required to wait until all their forces had gathered at Smolensk before they could be returned to the front lines. This brief rest period allowed them time for weapon and equipment repair, vehicle maintenance, individual training, and the re-establishment of their supply columns.

At the end of August 1942, the division was ready to join the forces gathering in the Rzhev area. Their first few weeks were relatively quiet along this front, with a marked reduction in artillery fire and very little activity visible by the Soviet infantry. The Soviet Air Force, on the other hand, was staying busy with attacks on both the front lines and the rear area. The weather worsened at the beginning of September and Luftwaffe reconnaissance soon determined the reason for the quiet. The Soviet forces were massing weapons and ammunition for another assault, determined to create a decisive breakthrough after so many failed attempts. According to a daily report from I.R GD1: “Through Operation ‘Max and Moritz’, the southeast part of Tschermassowo, the cemetery hill and the Gostischka valley were to be taken from the enemy and incorporated into own main defensive position.” As the weather continued to worsen, fight-ing continued day and night over the same heights and defensive positions – positions won during the day were lost again overnight as both sides tried to consolidate their defenses and forces were stretched overthin.

22 September, 1942, Cemetery Hill, east of Tschermassovo—see scenario 4 “Operation Max und Moritz”

30 September, 1942, Gostischka River Valley—see scenario 5 “Operation Herbstwind: Kampfgruppe Grosser”; scenario 6 “Opera-tion Herbstwind: Garski’s Demise”; and scenario 7 “Operation Herbstwind: Gostischka Lowlands”

On 1 October 1942, I.R. GD1 was renamed “Grenadier Regi-ment Grossdeutschland” and I.R. GD2 became “Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland”.

In October, individual units were relieved from the front lines near Tschermassowo and Ssuchtino by the 95th Infantry Division and transferred to a rest area north of Olenin. As Grossdeutschland reassembled itself, the companies took the opportunity to service vehicles, register casualties and losses in equipment, requisition replacements, and prepare for the coming winter.

Counter to previous orders, from late October through November, elements of I.D. GD were assigned away from their parent division for other duties. Some became part of a Ski Battalion. A battle group

– “kampfgruppe” – was sent out as a mobile reserve for the expected attack on 7 November near Bely (this was the 25th anniversary of the Russian Revolution). Training exercises were held to familiarize the troops once again with mobilizing in winter conditions. A large number of vehicles, found to be nearly useless during the muddy period and in winter conditions, were moved to an area northwest of Vyazma and parked. Battalions were split up and reassigned to reinforce weakened areas around Bely and Vyazma. By the end of November, elements of the division were spread over 110 kilometers of the front.

W I N T e R ► F I G H T I N G ► H e A T S ► u PFollowing the Soviet’s Operation Uranus, Grossdeutschland was involved in heavy winter fighting near Rzhev. On 26-27 November, a surprise attack by massive Soviet forces in the Luchessa Valley saw the Soviet troops push more than 5km into the German defensive area in an attempt to reach the Bely-Olenin road and cut off Ninth Army. Elements of I.D. GD, including the medical personnel and HQ staff, became involved in the fighting as the Soviets pushed deeper and deeper behind the German defensive line. Thick fog and windblown snow made fighting conditions worse but allowed many of the German units the opportunity to slip out of their positions before being overrun, regrouping as best they could to attempt to stave off the Soviet onslaught. 1 December saw the heaviest fighting for the Grossdeutschland Division in the Luchessa Valley as three Soviet divisions began their attack at dawn. By the end of that long day, the front had been torn open in so many places that it consisted merely of isolated strongpoints. Despite the division’s heavy casualties that day, delaying tactics and stoic defense prevented the Soviets from completing their breakthrough to the east and provided a significant defense for the Ninth Army’s western front.

1 December, 1942, Gorowatka (Luchessa Valley)—see scenario 8 “Tanks are coming now…”

The division was then called on to take part in “Operation Win-tergewitter:” the attempt to relieve German forces still holding out in Stalingrad. Under General Hoth the 4th Panzer Army tried to break the encirclement of the city, failed, and was compelled to withdraw, forcing the eventual surrender of the troops caught in the Soviet trap.

Fighting continued at a lessened pace through December. As the new year began, what remained of the units of I.D. GD were slowly reassembled and replacements were once again assigned to the companies in an effort to raise their combat strengths. By 8 January 1943, the relief of the forward units was completed.

January and February 1943 saw Grossdeutschland embroiled in the third battle of Kharkov. After the fall of the city to the Soviets, the division was again pulled back and refitted. By the end of February and into early March, most of the division had been relieved and sent to a rest area south of Poltava. Reinforcements arrived in the form of upgraded anti-tank guns, additional artillery, a Tiger 1 company (making it the only Panzergrenadier division to have its own heavy tanks and the only non-Waffen SS division to have its own Tigers) and a Divisional Escort Company.

With its new reinforcements in place, I.D. GD marched out to the starting point for the counterattack on Byelgorod and Kharkov. Several days of hard fighting saw Bogodukhov in German hands.

12 March, 1943, Ivay-Berdyny (near Bogodukhov, Ukraine)—see scenario 9 “Back to Russia”.

Tomarovka was swiftly taken next, then a period of quiet followed for the division. They were pulled off the front lines again and sent to a bivouac area north of Poltava for rest and refitting. Additional halftracks (251’s) were received and Grossdeutschland was assigned as Army Reserve. On 23 June 1943, GD was re-designated Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland....

VICTORY CONDITIONS:

The German player wins if at game end he controls all three objectives. Any other result is a Soviet win.

DEPLOYMENT:

Place a Control marker Soviet side face up into each of the three objectives.

Retreating Elements of 40th Army—Any non-field hexes.

Schenk’s Spearhead—Any hexes along the south map edge.

Elements of II (APC) Company—Any hexes along the south map edge.

Elements of VW Recon Company—Any hexes along the east map edge.

SPECIAL RULES:

A. SIGHTING MARKERS: 6x Hidden Unit, 3x False Sighting and 1x Roadblock.

B. CONCEALED ANTI-TANK GUN: Set the ZIS-3 unit aside at the start of the game. At any time during a German Assault or Move order, place the ZIS-3 into any building or woods hex. When placed, it may immediately make up to three Op Fire attacks at the last enemy unit to have expended MPs (pay Initiative for these shots normally). During these three shots, the unit cannot miss due to hindrance [34.142] and will not become spent [35.63] regardless of the dice rolls.

C. WINTER TERRAIN: The field hindrance for this scenario is 2 (instead of 3).

VP MARKER: NA

TURN / SUDDEN DEATH MARKERS: 9 / 13

INITIATIVE PAWN: 11 (Germany)

ASSET CARDS: Germany — one random Soviets — one random

SNIPER MARKER: Soviets

ORDER CUBES: 3, 3, 7, 7, R, R, R, R, R, R

AIR SUPPORT MARKER: Germany

COMMAND RADIUS MARKERS: Germany 3; Soviets 2

FATE CARD: Soviets

MAP: 8SITUATION REPORT

Ivany-Berdyny, near Bogodukhov, Ukraine, 12 March 1943

BACK TO RUSSIAScenario 9

St

St

10

12

St

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC42

e x A M P l e ► 1 ► – ► o R D e R S

A —The►players►have►chosen►Scenario►9,►which►requires►the►following►order►cubes►be►placed►on►the►Order►Matrix:►two►in►the►“3”►slot,►two►in►the►“7”►slot,►and►placement►of►

the►remaining►six►cubes►randomly►determined►(by►rolling►10-sided►dice).►These►cubes►will►then►be►removed►–►one►

at►a►time►by►whichever►player►currently►has►the►Initia-tive►[30]►–►to►issue►orders.►After►all►the►cubes►have►been►

removed►in►this►manner,►the►procedure►for►the►next►game►turn►will►have►the►players►reseed►the►Order►Matrix.

B — Several►turns►later►the►Order►Matrix►has►six►order►cubes►remaining,►as►shown.►In►some►cases,►what►one►

player►can►do►with►an►order►cube►is►not►the►same►as►what►the►other►player►can►do.►For►example,►an►order►cube►in►

the►“5”►slot►may►be►used►by►the►Soviet►player►to►issue►one►of►these►orders:►Sniper,►Rally,►Fire,►Move►or►Asset.►The►

German►player,►however,►may►issue►one►of►these►orders:►Assault,►Rally,►Move,►Fire►or►Asset.►If►the►Soviet►player►

wanted►to►issue►an►Assault►order,►he►would►have►to►wait►until►a►future►turn►in►which►the►Order►Matrix►was►seeded►

with►an►order►cube►in►the►“7”►slot►or►higher.

C —The►Initiative►pawn►is►on►the►Soviet►side►of►the►Initia-tive►Track►in►position►“1”►so►the►Soviet►player►gets►the►

next►order.►Based►on►the►positioning►of►the►order►cubes►in►this►diagram,►he►could►issue►a►Sniper,►Rally,►Fire,►Move►or►Asset►order.►He’d►like►to►fire►and,►since►he►is►defending►against►a►moving►German►force,►he►looks►to►also►make►it►

a►bit►more►costly►for►the►German►player►to►move►his►units.►He►therefore►selects►the►sole►order►cube►in►the►“4”►slot.►(Now►if►the►German►player►wants►to►issue►a►Move►order►

this►turn,►he’ll►have►to►spend►5►Initiative►to►do►so.)►He►removes►the►cube►from►the►“4”►slot....

D —The►Soviet►player►immediately►moves►the►Initiative►pawn►four►spaces►towards►the►German►player’s►side►of►

the►Initiative►track►to►pay►for►the►order►cube►selected.►He►then►announces►a►Fire►order►and►starts►activating►units.

e — As►the►Soviets►finish►their►Fire►order,►the►German►player►thinks►about►the►dilemma►created►for►him►by►his►

opponent.►He►is►in►the►process►of►moving►his►forces►toward►the►Soviet►positions.►But►now►there►are►no►order►cubes►in►either►the►“4”►(Rally)►or►“3”►(Move)►slots►to►use►for►an►inexpensive►Move►order;►only►the►cubes►in►the►“5”►(Assault)►slot►are►still►available.►He►feels►it’s►too►early►in►

the►game►to►stop►moving►and►wait►for►a►better►distribution►of►cubes►the►following►turn.►So►to►maintain►momentum►

he►selects►a►cube►in►the►“5”►slot,►pays►five►Initiative,►and►issues►the►Move►order►(he►could►also►issue►an►Assault►

order,►if►the►situation►warrants).

E x A m p L E s O F p L AyThe following examples are intended to demonstrate how many of the game’s mechanics function, as well as giving some hints on tactics and highlighting the general flow of the game.

A

B

c

D

E

6d10

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 43

A —The Soviet player selects an order cube in the “5” slot of the Order Matrix. He pays the order cost by moving the Initiative pawn

five spaces towards the German side of the Initiative Track, then chooses to perform a Move order. He plans to activate every unit

shown except the T-34 (on map #1), flipping those units to their activated side which reveals their individual movement allowances.

Activation costs are then paid for as follows.

B — Given a Command Radius of 2 for the Soviets, the Rifle units in L5, M7 and N6 are within the radius of the Mission Command

marker in L5 (highlighted in blue). The cost in Initiative to activate these three units

is 0 (the benefit of being in Mission

Command).

C —The units in O3, P3 and P4 are

within the radius of the Tactical Com-

mand marker in N3 (highlighted in

yellow). The cost in Initiative to activate these three units is

normally 1 each, but because the T-60 is

radioless [see 41.11] its cost is doubled to 2 instead, for a

total of 4 (the Soviet player moves the

Initiative pawn four more spaces towards

the German end of the Initiative Track).

D —The SMG unit in N5 is within the Command Radius of both Command

markers (highlighted in green). Mission always and auto-matically trumps Tactical; Tactical always and auto-matically trumps

being out of com-mand. The Soviet

player must choose to have this unit in

Mission Command, so activates it for 0

Initiative.

E x A m p l E 2 – C O m m A N D & A C T I VA T I O N

E —The units in N7 and Q8 are outside the radius of all Soviet Command markers. The Soviet player may still activate them (and has chosen to do so), but the cost in Initiative is 2 each, for a total of 4 (the Soviet player moves the Initiative pawn four more spaces towards the German end of the Initiative Track).

F — Since the cost to activate the radioless T-34 in hex Q4 would be prohibitive at this point (2 doubled to 4), he sticks with his plan to not activate it for this order and so no further activation costs are incurred. In the end the Soviet player paid a total of 13 Initia-tive. He now executes the (somewhat expensive) Move order.

A C E

B

C

D

E

F

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC44

A —The►German►player►issues►a►

Move►order►(paying►the►Initiative►cost)►

and►decides►to►activate►all►units►shown►(map #8).►

Given►a►Command►Radius►of►3,►he►

pays►5►Initiative►to►activate►the►

five►units►(1►each►for►being►under►

Tactical►Command).►

e x A M P l e ► 3 ► – ► M o V e M e N T

B — If►activated►units►are►to►deploy►they►must►do►so►before►any►activated►unit►begins►to►carry►out►the►

order►[30.21].►He►decides►to►deploy►the►Grenadier►platoon►in►M3.►Note that in future this will increase the Initiative cost of activating these units, as there are now 3 (smaller) Grenadier units under Tactical

Command where before there was only 1.

D —The►second►Pz►IIIJ►vehicle►enters►hex►L2►(1/2►MP►for►road)►In►

Column.►The►tank►con-tinues►moving►to►L3►(1/2►MP►for►road),►and►finally►

enters►L4►(1/2►MP►for►road),►performing►a►free►

pivot►to►face►hex►M5,►having►expended►1-1/2►

MP►total.►Since►the►hex’s►center►dot►is►atop►the►

building►depiction►in►hex►L4,►a►vehicle►may►only►

enter►or►exit►this►hex►via►a►road►depiction►[24.9].►

Yet,►it►may►pivot►(during►movement►or►via►station-

ary►pivot►[35.2])►inside►the►hex.►This►means►that►

while►it►could►not►move►from►hex►L4►into►hex►M5,►it►has►LOS►out►of►hex►L4.►

The►unit►is►unactivated.

C —The►German►player►decides►to►move►the►Pz►IIIJ►vehicles►first.►Their►speed►is►in►a►blue►

box►so►they►use►Track►movement►points►over►the►terrain►[grab►your►Terrain►Chart].►The►

first►tank►expends►1►MP►to►make►a►stationary►pivot►[35.23]►which►allows►a►gun►or►vehicle►

unit►to►face►any►hexside►within►its►current►hex.►The►German►player►chooses►to►change►

the►tank’s►facing►towards►hex►M2.►It►then►moves►into►M2►(1/2►MP►for►road)►and►is►

immediately►marked►with►a►Column►marker►for►occupying►a►building►hex►[24.10].►The►

tank►continues►moving►along►the►road►–►remaining►In►Column►–►into►hex►N2►(1/2►MP►for►road).►Since►the►German►unit►is►the►sole►

occupant►of►the►hex,►control►of►the►objec-tive►switches►from►Soviet►to►German►[22.3].►

Also,►since►the►tank►is►now►adjacent►to►a►hex►containing►an►enemy►Sighting►marker►(O3),►that►marker►is►immediately►revealed►[6.3b].►

It►turns►out►to►be►a►False►Sighting►(the►marker►is►put►back►in►the►box►with►no►effect).►

The►tank►continues►on►to►hex►O3►(1/2►MP►for►road),►removes►its►Column►marker,►and►

performs►a►free►pivot►[35.21]►to►face►hex►O4.►It►then►enters►O4►(1►MP►for►open►ground,►

since►it►did►not►enter►the►hex►following►the►road►depiction),►continues►to►O5►(1/2►MP►

for►road),►and►finally►O6►(1/2►MP►for►road),►where►it►performs►another►free►pivot►to►face►

hex►N6.►After►having►expended►4-1/2►MP►total,►the►German►player►unactivates►the►unit►

by►flipping►it►back►to►its►front►side.

A

B

c

D

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 45

F — Now►the►German►player►turns►his►attention►to►the►deployed►squads►of►the►Grenadier►platoon►in►hex►M3.►Their►speed►is►in►a►green►box►so►they►use►Leg►move-ment►points.►The►first►squad►crosses►the►stream►hexside►(+3►MP)►and►enters►hex►N3►(2►MP).►Having►expended►5►MP►total,►it►is►unactivated.

G —The►second►squad►moves►uphill►(+1►MP)►crossing►the►crest►line►[24.55]►into►hex►L3►(2►MP),►expending►3►MP►total.►Although►there►is►a►road►depiction►in►hex►L3,►the►squad►did►not►enter►along►that►depiction►so►it►does►not►receive►the►benefit►of►moving►along►the►road.►The►German►player►decides►to►unactivate►it.

H —The►third►squad►–►taking►the►Tactical►Command►marker►along►with►it►[4.33]►–►now►moves►into►hex►M4►(2►MP),►continues►into►M5►(2►MP),►and►finally►M6►(1►MP►for►open►ground),►having►expended►5►MP►total.►Since►the►Germans►are►the►sole►occupant►of►this►objective►hex,►control►switches►from►Soviet►to►German.►The►unit►is►unactivated.

e —The►third►Pz►IIIJ►expends►1►MP►to►make►a►clockwise►stationary►pivot►to►face►hex►K2.►It►then►enters►K2►(2►MP►for►building),►performing►a►free►pivot►to►face►K3.►Since►the►hex’s►center►dot►is►not►atop►the►building►depiction,►the►vehicle►may►enter►what►is►otherwise►impassable►ter-rain►for►Track►movement►at►a►cost►of►2►MP►[24.9].►Since►the►vehicle►is►in►building►terrain,►however,►it►must►be►marked►as►In►Column►[24.10].►The►unit►may►continue►from►hex►K2►into►hex►K3►(2►MP►for►building,►depic-tion►not►on►a►hex►center►dot).►Note►that►the►building►depiction►does►not►completely►cover►up►the►K2/K3►hexside►across►which►the►unit►is►moving—if►it►did,►the►tank►could►not►continue►into►hex►K3►[24.91].►Note►that►the►gun►unit►in►K3►does►not►affect►the►stacking►limit►that►applies►to►the►vehicle►while►it►remains►In►Column►(the►single►vehicle►is►within►the►limit►[24.102]).►The►tank►con-tinues►moving►in►this►manner►into►hex►K4►(2►MP)►and►K5►(2►MP),►In►Column►the►whole►while.►It►moves►into►K6►(1/2►MP►for►road),►perform-ing►a►free►pivot►to►face►hex►L6.►Finally►it►crosses►the►crest►line►in►hex►K6►going►downhill►(for►no►cost)►as►it►enters►hex►L6►(2►MP►for►build-ing),►performing►a►free►pivot►to►face►hex►M6.►Having►expended►a►total►of►11-1/2►MP,►the►unit►is►unactivated.

I — Lastly,►the►PaK►38►gun►in►hex►K3►expends►1►MP►to►perform►a►stationary►pivot,►facing►hex►L3.►Then►the►gun►moves►forward►along►the►road►into►hex►L3►(1►MP),►having►expended►2►MP►total.►Note►that►for►guns►and►vehicles►movement►in►reverse►triples►the►normal►move-ment►point►cost.►In►effect,►this►gun►cannot►move►in►reverse—having►only►2►MP►available,►the►lowest►terrain►type/feature►cost►of►1►for►Leg►movement►tripled►(for►a►reverse►movement►cost►of►3)►causes►the►gun►to►not►have►enough►available►MP►to►move►in►reverse►[35.1].

FG

E

i

H

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC46

e x A M P l e ► 4 ► – ► o P P o R T u N I T y ► F I R e

(u s e s m a p #3)

A —The►German►player►issues►a►Move►order,►paying►Initiative►for►the►cube►removed►from►the►Matrix.►Given►a►Com-mand►Radius►of►3,►he►can►use►the►Tactical►Command►marker►in►hex►V10►to►activate►each►of►the►four►units►shown►for►a►total►Initiative►cost►of►4►(1►each).►At►the►instant►of►activation►he►may►choose►to►deploy►or►muster,►but►opts►not►do►so►here.►

B — He►has►a►Smoke►Screen►asset►[44.17]►that►can►be►played►as►a►Reaction►(that►is,►it►is►not►an►“Order”►asset).►To►use►it►he►must►play►it►after►all►units►have►been►activated►but►before►the►Move►order►is►carried►out►(there is no Initiative cost for playing a Reaction asset).►He►rolls►1d10►resulting►in►a►2,►which►allows►him►to►place►two►Smoke►markers►with►or►adjacent►to►any►fresh►activated►Pionier►units.►He►places►the►Smoke►in►hexes►X10►and►X11.

C —The►platoon►in►hex►U7►moves►into►V8►(1-1/2►MP►for►field)►and►pauses►

briefly►to►allow►the►Soviet►player►a►short►time►to►

decide►whether►to►con-duct►Opportunity►(Op)►Fire►

into►the►hex►[35.61].

D —The►Soviet►player►has►several►units►

occupying►houses►along►the►eastern►road.►He►

decides►to►conduct►Op►Fire►on►hex►V8►but►must►

also►decide►how►much►Initiative►it►will►cost►him►

to►do►it.►Currently►he►has►neither►an►active►Mission►

Command►nor►active►Tactical►Command►marker►

near►his►relevant►units.►Each►Op►Fire►shot►taken►

outside►of►Command►Radius►costs►2►Initiative.►

He►decides►at►this►instant►[4.2]►to►place►one►of►

his►available►Mission►Command►markers►

(taken from his side’s Available Box on the Track

Display)►in►hex►Y8.

B

c

D

F

G

E

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 47

H► (be low) —The►German►expected►some►of►his►units►would►likely►be►stopped►as►they►charge►towards►the►Soviet►position►so►he►continues►with►his►plan.►He►selects►the►Grenadier►platoon►in►hex►V10►and,►along►with►the►Tactical►Command►marker,►moves►into►V9►(1-1/2►MP►for►field)►and►pauses.

I —The►Soviet►player►once►again►selects►the►Rifle►platoon►in►hex►Y7►for►Op►Fire►(for►0►Initiative).►Not►wanting►to►take►another►long►range►attack►incurring►a►-1D►penalty►he►decides►to►discard►a►weak►asset►card►from►his►hand►in►order►to►utilize►the►firing►unit’s►Light►Machine►Gun►special►action►[43.3].►The►Soviet►player►does►have►possession►of►the►Fate►card►but►decides►not►to►give►it►up►as►part►of►the►LMG►effect►(which would have put the discarded asset right back into his hand).►

J —The►LMG►special►action►temporarily►raises►the►printed►range►of►the►firing►Rifle►platoon►from►2►to►3,►allowing►the►direct►fire►attack►to►occur►at►normal►range►using►2d10►into►hex►V9:►13►FP►plus►Fire►Attack►roll►of►13►(6+7)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►26.►The►attack►wasn’t►hindered►(field►hin-drance►of►3)►nor►was►the►unit►Spent►(ROF►of►4).►The►German►player►uses►the►unit’s►morale►of►12►plus►cover►of►0►(field)►plus►2d10►Fire►Defense►roll►of►15►(6+9)►yielding►a►Defense►Total►of►27.►This►is►greater►than►the►Attack►Total►so►the►attack►has►no►effect.►

e►(bo t tom►le f t) — Assuming►a►Command►Radius►of►2,►the►Soviet►player►chooses►the►Rifle►platoon►in►hex►Y7►to►Op►Fire►at►an►Initiative►cost►of►0►[35.62a].►When►Op►Firing,►units►are►not►activated►and►thus►are►not►flipped►over►to►their►activated►side.►In►addition,►unless►and►until►it►becomes►spent►[35.62b►&►35.63],►such►a►unit►remains►available►for►Op►Fire►throughout►the►Move►order.►The►unit►fires►at►hex►V8►using►2d8►(-1D►for►long►range—normal►range►for►the►Rifle►unit►being►2►hexes):►the►unit’s►FP►of►13►plus►a►Fire►Attack►roll►of►11►(5+6)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►24.►Note►that►since►the►unit►is►firing►across►a►wall►hexside►that►is►part►of►its►own►hex,►the►wall►hindrance►does►not►affect►the►fire►attack.►The►Soviet►player►now►examines►the►fire►attack►dice►(5►and►6)►to►determine►whether►the►attack►misses►outright►and►whether►that►unit►may►continue►to►fire►again►during►the►current►Move►order.►

First,►any►fire►attack►has►the►chance►to►immediately►end►if►either►or►both►dice►show►a►number►less►than►or►equal►to►the►hindrance►in►effect►for►that►attack►[34.142].►Unless►intervening►terrain►(such►as►the►field)►raises►the►hindrance►to►a►higher►value►(such►as►3►for►field),►the►default►hindrance►for►any►fire►attack►is►1►[34.141]—meaning►if►either►die►is►1,►the►attack►is►cancelled.►Since►neither►die►was►equal►to►or►lower►than►the►“3”►field►hindrance►(trumping►the►default►“1”►hindrance►because►the►LOS►of►the►Fire►Attack►traverses►the►field►pattern►in►at►least►one►intervening►hex)►the►attack►doesn’t►miss.►

Second,►since►neither►die►was►equal►to►or►lower►than►the►unit’s►ROF►(4,►in►the►diamond),►the►unit►is►not►marked►as►Spent►and►it►may►Op►Fire►again►at►later►enemy►movement►[35.63].►

F —The►German►unit►has►an►opportunity►to►with-stand►this►attack►by►rolling►2d10►(the►standard►for►Fire►Defense►rolls).►The►Grenadier’s►activated►morale►of►12►plus►the►Field►cover►of►0►plus►a►Fire►Defense►roll►of►9►(2+7)►yields►a►Defense►Total►of►21.►Since►this►Defense►Total►is►lower►than►the►Attack►Total,►the►moving►Grenadier►unit►is►hit►[5].►The►German►player►reaches►into►the►opaque►cup►containing►the►hit►markers,►blindly►draws►a►

“Pinned”►marker►and►places►it►on►the►unit.►Since►the►“Pinned”►hit►marker►includes►the►circled►M,►the►moving►unit►may►not►move►any►further►[5.2]►until►the►marker►is►removed►during►a►Rally►order.►

G — Although►the►Soviet►unit►is►still►eligible►to►fire,►it►may►not►do►so►again►unless►and►until►the►same,►or►a►different,►German►unit►expends►more►movement►points►[35.62c].►Happy►with►the►now-immobile►German►platoon,►the►Soviet►player►declares►no►more►Op►Fire►attacks►versus►this►unit►by►other►Soviet►units►so►the►German►player►unacti-vates►it,►flipping►it►back►to►its►front►side.

Soviet Asset Deck

Fighting Formations

J

i

H

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC48

M —The►Rifle►platoon►in►hex►Y7►–►still►eligible►for►Op►Fire►–►fires►using►2d10►(the►target►is►now►at►normal►range):►13►FP►plus►a►Fire►Attack►roll►of►7►(2+5)►yields►an►Attack►

Total►of►20.►One►of►the►Fire►Attack►dice►(2)►was►

equal►to►or►lower►than►the►current►hindrance►

value►of►the►field►(3),►so►the►attack►misses►

outright►with►no►further►effect.►

N — Moreover,►this►same►die►is►equal►to►or►lower►than►the►unit’s►ROF►(4),►so►the►unit►is►now►marked►as►Spent►and►may►not►Op►Fire►

again►during►the►current►Move►order.

P — Since►the►German►unit►is►a►platoon►that►already►has►a►hit►marker►on►it,►the►second►hit►eliminates►it►[34.16c►&►3.31].►When►a►platoon►is►eliminated►it►is►replaced►by►two►squads►(the third one ostensibly having been eliminated – or at the very least rendered combat ineffective – by the shot).►The►existing►“Shaken”►marker►remains►with►one►of►the►two►replacement►squads.

o —The►Rifle►platoon►in►hex►Y8►–►also►still►eligible►

for►Op►Fire►–►fires►using►2d10►(normal►range):►13►

FP►plus►a►Fire►Attack►roll►of►17►(7+10)►yields►an►Attack►

Total►of►30►(neither►hindered►nor►Spent—good►shoot-

ing!).►The►Fire►Defense►uses►morale►of►12►plus►

cover►of►0►(field)►plus►2d10►Fire►Defense►roll►of►6►(1+5)►yielding►a►Defense►Total►of►18—lower►than►the►Attack►

Total,►so►the►attack►suc-ceeds►and►the►unit►is►hit►

again.►

l— No►further►Op►Fire►shots►are►declared►

versus►hex►V9►so►the►Grenadier►(along►with►

the►Command►marker)►continues►its►move►into►

hex►W8►(1-1/2►MP►for►field,►a►total►of►3►MP►

expended►so►far)►and►pauses.

K— Rule►35.61►says►that►any►number►of►enemy►units►within►LOS►of►a►moving►unit►may►perform►one►Op►Fire►at►it►per►MP►expenditure.►So►the►Soviet►player►decides►to►also►select►the►Rifle►platoon►in►hex►Y8►for►Op►Fire►(again►for►0►Initiative).►The►shot►into►hex►V9►uses►2d8►for►long►range►(-1D):►13►FP►plus►Fire►Attack►roll►of►10►(5+5)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►23►(again►neither►hindered►nor►Spent!).►The►German►player►uses►the►unit’s►morale►of►12►plus►cover►of►0►plus►2d10►Fire►Defense►roll►of►5►(2+3)►yielding►a►Defense►Total►of►17,►lower►than►the►Attack►Total,►so►the►attack►succeeds.►The►German►player►draws►a►

“Shaken”►hit►marker,►which►has►neither►a►Fire►(circled►F)►nor►Movement►(circled►M)►restriction—in►effect,►the►unit►may►continue►functioning,►although►it►will►be►seriously►affected►by►an►additional►hit.

L

m

n

K

O

p

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 49

Q — Although►badly►battered,►the►two►remaining►Grenadier►squads►are►still►not►restricted►from►movement►and►the►German►player►elects►to►keep►driving►towards►the►Soviet►position►(hoping to draw out the Maxim MG in Y10, which so far has declined to fire due to the high Smoke hin-drance).►The►Shaken►squad►in►W8►continues►moving►into►X9►(1-1/2►MP►for►a►total►expenditure►of►4-1/2►MP).►Note►that►the►German►player►elects►to►leave►the►Tactical►Command►marker►with►the►fresh►squad—which►remains►activated►and►eligible►for►further►movement.

R —The►determined►Rifle►platoon►in►hex►Y8►(still►eligible►for►Op►Fire)►fires►at►the►lone►moving►squad►in►X9►using►2d12►(+1D►for►short►range):►13►FP►plus►a►Fire►Attack►roll►of►16►(4+12)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►29.►Since►one►of►the►Fire►Attack►dice►(4)►was►equal►to►the►firing►unit’s►ROF,►the►unit►is►now►marked►as►Spent—but►the►attack►nevertheless►occurs►(in this case the attack didn’t miss due to the default hindrance of 1; the field hindrance no longer applies since the attack didn’t cross field in an intervening hex).►

S —The►Fire►Defense►uses►morale►of►12►plus►cover►of►3►(wall)►plus►Fire►Defense►roll►of►12►(6+6)►yielding►a►Defense►Total►of►27,►lower►than►the►Attack►Total,►so►the►attack►succeeds.►The►squad►is►eliminated►by►virtue►of►already►possessing►a►hit►marker►[34.16b].►The►squad►is►placed►back►in►the►box►and►the►hit►marker►back►in►the►draw►cup.

W — At►the►end►of►the►Move►order,►the►two►Smoke►markers►are►flipped►to►their►“2”►side,►as►per►the►instructions►on►the►Smoke►Screen►asset.►Also,►Spent►markers►are►removed►from►all►units.

V—The►German►player►now►decides►to►end►his►Move►order,►unactivat-ing►the►two►units►in►W10.►He hopes to use a future Advance order (6 or higher on the Matrix) to have both of these platoons safely enter the Smoke adjacent to Y10.

u — He►then►selects►the►Grenadier►platoon►in►hex►U9►to►

move►first►into►V10►(2►MP►for►building)►then►W10►(another►

2►MP),►pausing►there►for►possible►Op►Fire►(there was

no Op Fire possible into V10 as the line of sight from the

Maxim MG is blocked by the building depiction in hex W10).►

The►Soviet►player►considers►that►shooting►into►W10►with►

his►remaining►eligible►unit►has►a►number►of►disadvantages:►the►LOS►traverses►a►Smoke►

hindrance►(5)►and►the►defenders►in►W10►have►the►

benefit►of►building►cover►(4)►and►the►distance►is►not►short►

range►for►the►bump►to►2d12.►He►chooses►to►hold►fire.►

T— Given►how►poorly►his►attack►across►the►fields►is►going,►the►German►player►decides►to►leave►the►remain-ing►squad►(and►the►Command►marker)►in►hex►W8,►unacti-vating►it.►

Q

R

s

T

WV

U

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC50

DESIGN NOTE: The “ loose” fire arc represents the ability of the turret on a tank to swivel into a different facing than the

hull, or the ability of an AA gun to rapidly rotate around 360° without regard to the orientation of its frame.

B — Assume►the►T-70►in►hex►I16►is►either►a►moving►unit►(head-ing►into►hex►J16)►or►a►firing►unit►(firing►directly►at►hex►L17).►In►

both►cases,►it►is►acting►within►the►front►fire►arc►of►the►Pz►III.►

If►moving,►the►T-70►would►first►enter►hex►J16,►provoking►Op►Fire:►the►Pz►III►would►not►have►to►adjust►its►facing—it►could►fire►

directly►through►its►front►fire►arc►at►J16►without►penalty;►the►PaK►38►would►have►to►pivot►to►fire,►with►an►attendant►penalty.►

If►firing,►the►T-70►would►first►use►direct►fire►into►either►enemy►hex.►Afterwards,►either►German►unit►could►perform►a►Return►Fire►shot:►again,►the►Pz►III►would►not►have►to►adjust►its►facing►

but►the►PaK►38►would,►with►penalty.

A — Unit►facing►[3.4]►defines►the►front►fire►arc►and►the►flank►fire►arc►for►guns►and►vehicles.►The►tinted►portions►below►(map #1)►show►the►front►fire►arc►for►the►German►gun►(blue)►and►German►tank►(yellow).►When►a►gun►or►vehicle►fires►at►a►target►hex►that►falls►within►the►front►fire►arc►pattern►–►for►example,►the►Pz►III►in►hex►L17►firing►at►the►T-70►in►hex►I16►

–►its►attack►dice►are►not►affected.►If►it►fires►at►a►target►hex►that►falls►out-side►the►front►fire►arc►pattern►–►into►the►flank►fire►arc:►for►example,►the►Pz►III►firing►at►the►T-34►in►hex►I20►–►its►attack►dice►are►penalized.►How►it►is►affected►depends►on►whether►it►has►a►“”►strict►fire►arc►(like►the►PaK►38)►or►a►“”►loose►fire►arc►(like►the►Pz►III)►[3.26];►it►also►depends►on►whether►it►pivots►in►the►act►of►firing►at►the►target.►It►is►very►important►to►note►that►pivots►during►movement►(due►to►the►expenditure►of►MP►[35.2])►are►different►from►pivots►during►some►form►of►direct►fire►attack►[34.121]►(whether►performing►a►Fire►order►or►responding►with►Op►Fire►or►Return►Fire).►The►former►involve►expenditure►of►MP►(which►could►trigger►Op►Fire)►and►the►latter►involve►changing►facing►as►part►of►the►direct►fire►attack►process►(no►MP►expenditure).►Finally►note►that►melee►fire►attacks►[34.2]►do►not►involve►fire►arcs►and►pivoting.

e x A M P l e ► 5 ► – ► F I R e ► A R C S ► A N D ► P I V o T I N G

A

B

cC — Assume►the►T-34►in►hex►I20►is►a►moving►unit►heading►into►hex►J19.►The►Pz►III►has►two►options,►which►are►dependent►on►the►current►combat►situation►and►the►potential►mismatch►between►firepower►and►armor.►These►options►

are►explained►in►examples►D►and►E.►

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 51

e — ...►and►since►the►German►player►very►much►wants►his►Pz►III►to►survive,►he►is►likely►to►pick►the►second►option►as►follows.►Despite►

the►fact►that►the►Pz►III►has►a►loose►fire►arc,►the►German►player►always►has►the►option►of,►whilst►firing►it,►pivoting►it►to►any►facing►that►would►bring►the►T-34►into►its►(new)►front►fire►arc.►Physically►rotate►(“pivot”)►

the►unit►to►the►desired►new►facing►(and without MP expenditure, as it is considered an inherent part of the fire attack).►However,►because►

of►this►“targeting►pivot”►[34.121]►its►Op►Fire►attack►suffers►a►-2D►penalty►to►its►attack►dice►(going►from►2d10►to►2d6!).►While►the►pen-

alty►is►heavy,►the►Pz►III’s►front►armor►of►17►is►now►brought►to►bear►if►and►when►the►T-34►would►fire►next—a►definite►improvement.►Note►

also►that►the►T-70►remains►within►the►Pz►III’s►front►arc.

D —The►first►option►is►as►follows.►The►Pz►III►has►a►loose►fire►arc.►It►may►choose►to►maintain►its►current►fire►arc►(the►yellow►tinted►area►in►the►figure)►because►of►other►threats►on►the►battlefield.►In►that►case,►it►can►still►Op►Fire►at►the►T-34►but►it►suffers►the►-1D►penalty►to►its►attack►dice►(going►from►2d10►to►2d8)►for►firing►into►a►hex►within►its►flank►fire►arc.►As►long►as►the►Pz►III►maintains►its►facing►without►physically►pivoting►in►the►hex►(hull is not moving)►it►can►always►fire►at►threats►outside►of►its►front►fire►arc►(turret swivels to face the threat)►by►accepting►this►pen-alty.►However,►in►this►case►the►T-34►has►an►advantage:►for►subsequent►fire►attacks►it►is►firing►into►the►flank►(12►armor)►of►the►Pz►III...►

D

E

F

F —With►the►T-34’s►movement►into►hex►J19,►

the►PaK►38►has►only►one►option►if►it►intends►to►

Op►Fire:►it►must►physi-cally►pivot►in►its►hex►

and►change►its►facing►to►bring►the►T-34►into►its►front►fire►arc.►This►

is►the►impact►of►having►a►“strict”►fire►arc.►It►must►suffer►the►-2D►

penalty►to►its►attack►dice►in►order►to►change►its►

facing►in►the►midst►of►a►direct►fire►attack.►A►unit►can►perform►this►pivot►

when►activated►for►a►Fire►order,►when►perform-ing►Op►Fire,►or►when►

performing►Return►Fire.►Note►that►regardless►

of►whether►the►gun►is►attacked►through►its►

front►or►flank►fire►arc,►it►uses►a►“morale”►defense►

factor►only►(and►it►will►be►attacked►with►“HE”►FP►not►“AP”►FP►by►the►

attacker).►The►key►to►gun►survivability►is►not►necessarily►its►defense,►but►more►the►ability►to►bring►its►firepower►to►

bear►first.

yellow = new front arc for Pz III

blue = new front arc for PaK 38

green = new (overlapping) front arc for both

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC52

e x A M P l e ► 6 ► – ► D I R e C T ► F I R e

A —►A►Fire►order►can►be►used►to►conduct►any►combina-tion►of►direct►fire►and►melee►fire►attacks.►The►inactive►

player►has►the►option►to►react►to►these►fire►situations►via►“Return►Fire”►[34.3]►which►also►uses►direct►fire►or►melee►fire,►as►applicable.►This►example►will►focus►on►direct►fire►

only.►The►Soviet►player►issues►a►Fire►order►(paying►the►Initiative►cost).►With►a►given►Command►Radius►of►2,►he►decides►to►activate►his►two►infantry►units►and►one►gun►

unit►shown►(map #3),►paying►another►3►Initiative►to►do►so►(three►units►at►1►each).►He►could►also►activate►the►out►of►command►T-34,►but►this►would►be►a►waste►of►2►Initiative►

since►the►Stunned►hit►marker►precludes►the►tank►from►being►able►to►fire.►

C — Before►the►ZIS-3►can►be►unactivated,►the►German►player►can►Return►Fire,►and►he►has►some►options.►A►unit►in►a►targeted►hex►does►not►have►to►be►the►

one►that►conducts►Return►Fire:►any►inactive►unit►within►range►and►LOS►of►the►firing►unit►has►the►option►of►being►selected►to►perform►the►single►permitted►

Return►Fire►attack►[34.32c].►Since►the►Pz►III►has►a►better►HE►FP►than►the►StuG►(not►to►mention►the►Initiative►cost►to►Op►Fire►is►less►since►the►StuG►is►Out►of►

Command),►the►German►player►selects►the►Pz►III►to►perform►Return►Fire.►With►a►Command►Radius►of►2,►he►initiates►Return►Fire►with►the►Pz►III►by►spending►1►Initiative.►The►attack►is►at►normal►range►and►within►the►front►fire►arc,►but►with►

the►hindrance►raised►to►2►due►to►the►Smoke►[8.2].►16►HE►FP►plus►a►2d10►Fire►Attack►roll►of►7►(3+4)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►23.►The►attack►is►unhindered►(both►dice►were►greater►than►the►hindrance►value)►and►the►unit►is►not►Spent►

(both►dice►were►greater►than►the►tank’s►ROF►of►2).►The►gun’s►morale►of►11►plus►its►cover►of►4►(building)►plus►a►2d10►Fire►Defense►roll►of►18►(8+10)►yields►a►Defense►Total►of►33,►much►higher►than►the►Attack►Total►so►the►attack►fails.

B —The►ZIS-3►gun►in►hex►Y10►faces►two►serious►threats,►one►in►its►front►fire►arc►and►one►in►its►flank.►The►Pz►III►platoon►in►W11►is►the►greater►threat►but,►due►to►the►gun’s►strict►()►fire►arc,►the►Soviet►player►doesn’t►want►to►suffer►the►-2D►penalty►for►having►to►pivot►the►gun►to►bring►the►Pz►III►into►its►front►arc.►So►the►gun►direct►fires►into►hex►Z7►(where►the►StuG►is)►using►its►AP►firepower►of►13.►To►help►offset►the►StuG’s►tough►frontal►armor,►the►Soviet►player►discards►an►asset►card►from►his►hand►and►declares►he►is►using►APCR►Munitions►[43.1],►a►special►action►signified►by►the►white►letter►“A”►on►the►counter.►APCR►increases►the►gun’s►available►FP:►at►range►4,►it►adds►5►to►the►base►FP►for►a►total►FP►of►18.►A►2d10►Fire►Attack►roll►of►8►(2+6)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►26.►The►default►hindrance►(1)►is►in►effect►so►the►attack►doesn’t►miss►(neither►die►was►equal►to►or►lower►than►the►hindrance►value).►The►StuG►defends►using►its►front►armor►value►of►21►and►adds►to►this►a►Fire►Defense►roll►(defense rolls are always 2d10)►of►6►(1+5)►for►a►Defense►Total►of►27.►This►is►greater►than►the►Attack►Total►so►the►attack►has►no►effect—a►glancing►blow!

D — Because►a►hex,►not►a►specific►unit,►is►always►the►target►of►any►direct►fire►attack,►the►Sighting►marker►in►hex►Y10►also►needs►to►make►a►defense►roll►to►see►if►it►becomes►revealed►or►remains►secret.►Sighting►mark-ers►have►a►“morale”►of►13►when►defending►against►attacks.►The►Soviet►player►adds►this►morale►and►the►hex’s►cover►of►4►to►a►Fire►Defense►roll►of►5►(2+3),►yielding►a►Defense►Total►of►22.►This►is►one►less►than►the►attack►total►so►the►attack►succeeds►versus►the►Sighting►marker.►It►is►revealed►to►be►a►False►Sighting,►and►the►marker►is►promptly►returned►to►the►countermix►with►no►effect.►The►Soviet►player►unactivates►the►ZIS-3.

A

B

c

D

Fighting F

ormations: G

rossdeutschland Infantry Division —

Playbook

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC 53

e —The►Soviet►player►selects►the►DShK►MG►squad►to►perform►the►next►direct►fire►attack.►It►will►shoot►into►hex►W7.►He►hopes►to►eliminate►the►

two►German►machine►gun►units►there►and►thus►free►the►helpless►Soviet►tank►from►the►immediate►danger►of►melee.►Although►the►DShK►MG►is►

neither►a►vehicle►nor►a►gun,►it►is►strong►enough►to►have►both►an►AP►and►an►HE►capability—it►could►attack►a►(weakly)►armored►vehicle!►Since►it►is►firing►into►a►hex►containing►unarmored►enemy►units►but►an►armored►

friendly►unit,►the►Soviet►player►chooses►to►use►its►HE►FP►(12).►The►attack►has►a►hindrance►of►3►(field).►12►HE►FP►plus►a►2d10►Fire►Attack►

roll►of►18►(8+10)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►30.►The►attack►is►unhindered.►All►units►in►hex►W7►with►a►morale►must►defend►against►the►attack—

conveniently►leaving►the►T-34►unscathed►(had the T-34 instead been a Soviet unit with a morale, it too would have had to make a defense roll versus the attack).►First,►the►Suppressed►MG►42►squad►uses►its►morale►of►12►plus►cover►of►0►(field)►plus►a►Fire►Defense►roll►of►12►(5+7)►yielding►

a►Defense►Total►of►24,►lower►than►the►Attack►Total.►Since►the►squad►is►already►marked►with►a►hit,►this►hit►eliminates►it.►Second,►the►Shaken►

MG►42►rolls►18►(8+10)►yielding►a►Defense►Total►of►30.►Since►ties►go►to►the►defender►[34.15a],►the►attack►on►that►unit►fails►and►the►melee►situa-

tion►in►that►hex►continues.

G — Finally,►the►Rifle►squad►in►Y8►fires►at►hex►X8.►Being►short►range►(adjacent)►the►attack►roll►will►be►bumped►up►to►2d12►and►use►the►default►hindrance►

of►1►(the►wall►is►part►of►the►firing/target►hex►so►it►will►be►used►for►cover,►not►hindrance).►The►unit’s►8►FP►is►

added►to►a►roll►of►24►(12+12)►for►an►Attack►Total►of►32!►The►Motor►Recon’s►morale►of►12►plus►cover►of►3►(wall)►is►added►to►a►2d10►defense►roll►of►16►(6►+10)►for►a►total►of►31—almost,►but►not►quite►good►enough.►A►random►

hit►marker►is►drawn►from►the►cup:►Broken.

F —The►German►player►considers►his►Return►Fire►options►and►finds►them►somewhat►limited:►(a)►the►Motor►Recon►in►hex►X8►would►suffer►a►4►hindrance►due►to►the►wall►depiction►on►the►X9-Y8►hexside,►would►be►firing►at►long►range►(-1D),►and►is►Out►of►Command►so►the►shot►would►cost►2►Initiative;►(b)►the►LOS►from►the►StuG►in►Z7►is►blocked►by►the►smaller►of►the►building►depictions►in►hex►Y8;►(c)►the►remain-ing►MG►42►in►W7►is►in►melee►so►cannot►fire►outside►its►own►hex►[34.32d].►He►chooses►to►use►the►–►still►eligible►–►Pz►III►for►another►Return►Fire.►The►Return►Fire►attack►is►at►normal►range,►within►the►front►fire►arc,►and►with►a►hindrance►of►2►(Smoke).►16►HE►FP►plus►a►2d10►attack►roll►of►12►(2+10)►yields►an►Attack►Total►of►28.►The►attack►is►both►hindered►and►the►firing►unit►becomes►Spent►(the►“2”►die►is►equal►to►or►less►than►the►hindrance►and►the►unit’s►ROF).►The►DShK►MG►is►unactivated.

H —The►German►player►decides►not►to►Return►Fire►because:►(a)►the►Motor►Recon►can►no►longer►fire►(due to the circled F on its newly-acquired hit marker);►(b)►the►MG►42►cannot►fire►outside►its►hex►(it is in melee);►(c)►the►Pz►III►is►Spent;►and►(d)►he►doesn’t►want►to►spend►2►Initiative►on►the►Out►of►Command►StuG►(nor does he wish to place an available Mission Com-mand marker on the map at this time)—so►the►Rifle►unit►is►unactivated►and►the►order►ends.►The►Spent►marker►is►removed►and►the►next►order►announced.

PLAY NOTE—The activated side of every unit is devoid of a ROF—an activated unit can fire only once per order, whereas inactive

units belonging to the opponent may continue to perform Return Fire and Op Fire so long as those units remain unspent.

EF

G

PLAY NOTE—The activated side of every unit is devoid of a ROF—an activated unit can fire only once per order, whereas inactive

units belonging to the opponent may continue to perform Return Fire and Op Fire so long as those units remain unspent.

Fig

htin

g F

orm

atio

ns: G

ross

deut

schl

and

Infa

ntry

Div

isio

n —

Pla

yboo

k

© 2011 GMT Games, LLC54

e x A M P l e ► 7 ► – ► R A l ly

e —The►Pinned►Grenadiers►in►hex►E6►are►affected►by►a►hit►marker►with►a►black►target►number►(8),►so►failure►to►rally►will►not►elimi-

nate►the►unit.►The►platoon►is►not►in►cover►(walls only give cover

versus direct fire attacks that cross them, and Smoke acts as a hin-

drance, not cover)►nor►is►it►stacked►with►Command►so►it►receives►no►

improvement►to►the►base►2d10►roll.►The►2d10►rally►roll►is►only►4►(1+3)!►

This►is►less►than►the►target►number,►so►the►rally►attempt►fails.►The►unit►remains►marked►with►the►“Pinned”►

hit►marker►and►is►unactivated.

F —The►remaining►StuG►squad►in►hex►F5►is►affected►by►the►most►difficult►hit►marker►to►remove,►the►“18”►of►being►Immobilized.►The►vehicle►is►in►cover,►but►is►also►In►Column,►so►that►cover►is►reduced►to►0►[24.102].►The►unmodified►2d10►rally►roll►is►a►17►(7+10).►This►is►just►under►the►red►target►number,►so►the►rally►attempt►fails:►the►vehicle►is►eliminated►and►the►hit►marker►placed►back►in►the►draw►cup.►By►deploying►the►StuG►platoon►at►the►start►of►the►order,►he►saved►the►platoon►from►having►to►be►eliminated►for►failure►to►rally,►which►would►have►resulted►in►one►Immobilized►StuG►squad►and►one►fresh►StuG►squad.►Here►we►see►that►having►two►fresh►StuG►squads►(by►virtue►of►deploying►beforehand)►is►eminently►more►desirable.

In►lieu►of►making►the►rally►roll►for►the►vehicle►at►horrible►odds,►the►German►player►could►have►instead►chosen►to►abandon►it►[25]►immediately►after►deploying.►He►would►have►had►

to►make►this►decision►before►making►any►of►the►rally►attempts.►If►so,►the►vehicle►and►its►hit►marker►would►have►been►replaced►in►the►hex►with►a►German►Crew►counter.

D —The►Broken►IG►18►gun►in►hex►F6►has►a►hit►marker►with►a►black►target►number►(12),►so►failure►to►rally►will►not►elimi-nate►the►unit.►The►gun►is►in►cover►(building)►so►it►receives►a►+1D►improvement►to►the►base►2d10►roll.►The►2d12►rally►roll►is►a►15►(6+9).►This►is►good►enough►to►succeed►so►the►hit►marker►is►removed►back►to►the►cup►and►the►unit►unactivated.

C — He►now►selects►the►order►in►which►each►activated►unit►will►attempt►to►rally,►trying►to►roll►greater►than►or►equal►to►the►upper-right►number►on►that►unit’s►hit►marker►[36].►He►begins►with►the►Unconfirmed►Kill►in►

hex►H6.►This►unit►is►affected►by►a►hit►marker►with►a►red►target►number►(14).►This►means►that►if►the►rally►roll►fails►the►unit►is►eliminated►rather►than►there►being►no►effect.►However,►by►placing►the►Mission►Command►

marker►in►this►hex,►the►unit►receives►a►+1D►improvement►to►the►base►2d10►rally►roll.►Additionally,►being►in►a►hex►with►a►cover►greater►than►0,►it►receives►another►+1D—bumping►up►to►2d20!►The►2d20►rally►roll►is►a►

13►(6+7)►which►is►not►good►enough►to►save►the►unit.►The►German►player,►however,►hands►the►Fate►card►to►the►Soviet►player►in►order►to►reroll,►which►results►in►a►14►(13+1):►got►it,►but►just►barely!►The►Soviet►player►is►pleased►to►have►the►Fate►card►back►so►he►does►not►force►another►reroll►facing►2d20.►The►hit►marker►is►

removed►from►the►unit►and►placed►back►in►the►draw►cup.►The►unit►is►unactivated.►

B — He►decides►to►deploy►the►Immobilized►StuG►platoon►as►it►is►being►activated►–►for►reasons►which►will►become►apparent►below►

–►immediately►unactivating►the►two►resulting►fresh►StuG►squads.►

PLAY NOTE—Since none of a unit’s stats are relevant during Rally, there’s really no need to physically flip them over when activated. If it’s obvious to both players who’s been activated, “skip the flip.”

A — After►a►telling►barrage►by►a►Soviet►Rocket►Battery►at►the►end►of►turn►3,►the►German►player►has►the►Initiative►for►the►first►order►of►turn►4.►Before►

choosing►his►order,►he►places►an►available►Mission►Command►in►hex►H6►(map #7).►He►then►issues►a►much-needed►Rally►order.►The►Germans►have►

a►Command►Radius►of►2►so►this►allows►him►to►pay►nothing►to►activate►three►of►the►four►units►affected►by►hit►markers;►the►Pi