[Russia] Dorogobuzh - January 08, 1942

Threat on Heeres-Gruppe Mitte.
Eastern Front By: jdrommel - Last update: 02/10/2022
Axis Player: Allied Player:
x5 x6 x5 x6
    first You play first


Historical Background:
In January 1942, the German offensive on the doorstep of Moscow failed. With the help of "general Winter", Russian forces counter-attacked en masse. German troops lost ground and took refuge in villages and towns. In the wooded area of Viazma, numerous partisan groups attacked the German rear. Stavka, the Soviet high command, sent the 250th Parachute Regiment to reinforce them and disrupt Wehrmacht logistics by blowing up bridges and capturing airfields. The 33rd Russian army of general Efremov joined too. However, German troops also received reinforcements, coming from France. The opposing forces clashed many times over the course of the next two months. No side really prevailed until the arrival of Spring, when the Wehrmacht managed to annihilate the threat and prepared for a new offensive.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis Player [Germany]
Take 5 Command cards.

Allied Player [Soviet Union]
Take 5 Command cards. You move first.

Conditions of Victory:
6 medals.
The Airfield hex is a Temporary Medal Objective for the Allied player. The destruction of the Bridge is a Permanent Medal Objective for the Allied player.

Special Rules:
- French Resistance rules (Nations 1) are in effect for all Allied Infantry units starting with 3 figures. They are Russian partisans. Badges are not required.
- Frozen Rivers rules (Terrain 47) are in effect for the Ugra river.
- Blowing Up Bridges rules (Actions 2, option 2) are in effect, but only when an Allied unit is adjacent to the bridge. If a unit of either side is on the bridge when it blows up, it is eliminated and counts as a medal for the other player.
- Barrage Command card cannot be used by the Allied player with its normal effect. Instead, the Allied player activates one unit of their choice.
- The Allied player can call for up to 5 airborne Infantry during the game. The air drops may happen anywhere on the board, all at once, or on different turns before playing a Command card. Paradrop rules (Actions 20) are in effect with the following changes: figures are dropped one at a time; if a figure lands off the board, the unit is removed at no medal cost. If it lands on an Allied unit, put it in a free adjacent hex; if it lands on an Axis unit, put it in a free adjacent hex and the enemy unit may immediately roll a free attack against it (however, no Taking Ground or Armor Overrun). If there is no free adjacent hex, the unit is lost. Once landed, these units are played as elite Infantry. Place a badge on them.
- No air support was available during this battle: do not use the New Flight Plan expansion with this scenario and remove the Air Power card before beginning the game.

Scenario Bibliography:
- "Les parachutistes, une arme d'élite" - Ed Marabout.
- Militaria Magazine hors-série n°9 - Bataille pour Moscou.
- 39/45 Magazine n°17 - La bataille de Moscou.

Official scenario of FFM44. Played during the tournament in Cergy Pontoise on the 26th of September 2009.

Set-up Order
1
2
1
4
10
4
5
22
1
2
2