{"product_id":"spring-prelude","title":"Spring Prelude","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring Prelude is a stand-alone game of the Second Battle of Kharkov (12-27 May 1942) \u003c\/strong\u003ethe failed Soviet offensive to recapture Kharkov and the subsequent German attack which produced the last great pocket of Soviet prisoners during the spring of 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1-2 Players  |  120+ Mins  |  Ages 14+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures: \u003c\/strong\u003eDice Rolling Hexagon Grid Scenario \/ Mission \/ Campaign Game Simulation Zone of Control\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheme: \u003c\/strong\u003eWargame World War II\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlayers will conduct operations as either Soviet Direction Commander Timoshenko or the German commander of Army Group South von Bock.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe game utilizes the strength chit-pull mechanics originally from the \u003cem\u003eVictory in the West\u003c\/em\u003e series and further refined in its \u003cem\u003eVCS series\u003c\/em\u003e descendant. New rules cover how rain mud and swollen rivers played their part in the beginning stages. Stacking rules use relative unit sizes which are portrayed using white or gray dots. The addition of Headquarters will allow the Soviet command structure to feature in a more accurate way. Air missions are expanded to cover a few more options. Of course what would the game be without the Soviet doctrine restrictions?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBackground work is primarily based on \u003cem\u003eKharkov 1942: Anatomy of a Military Disaster\u003c\/em\u003e 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).\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Second Battle of Kharkov is the perfect situation to entice players into the world of strength chits. One not heavily covered by titles and sporting the fact that during the fighting both sides were attacker and defender. Given this situation a wide variety of outcomes were theoretically possible. Which one will your forces achieve?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINCLUDED SCENARIOS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#1 Northern Pincer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e  This historical scenario uses a portion of a single map as an introduction to the full campaign. The scenario provides the players a look at one thrust of the plan that was designed to capture Kharkov between two forces. The goal of this scenario is to study the true threat to German plans posed by the Soviet forces east of the city. Scenario Duration: Turns 1-6 (12-17 May) northern section of Map E.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#2 Izyum Salient\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e  This is the full historical campaign covering both offensives as the battle flows back and forth across the steppe. You can use all the bells and whistles for this one. Scenario Duration : Turns 1-16 (12-27 May) both maps.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#3 Aggressive Timoshenko\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e  This is a fictional situation that assumes the Soviets are ready to attack on the originally planned kick-off date. The scenario plays the same as the historical campaign but things are shifted 8 days earlier. The initial setup will be slightly modified and some German reinforcements take longer to arrive. Scenario Duration: Turns 1-20 (4-23 May) both maps.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#4 Passive Timoshenko\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e  This is a fictional situation that places the Soviets on a stronger footing. The scenario postulates that Timoshenko did not propose his attack plans to Stalin and the head man himself was more occupied with other parts of the front. In this case Fridericus is launched as planned by the Germans against a dug-in and defensive-minded Soviet force. Will there still be a pocket? Scenario Duration: Turns 1-10 (18-27 May) southern half of Map E.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComponents:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eTwo 22” x 34” Game Maps\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThree Counter Sheets (840 pieces at 1\/2\" size)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTen Player Aid Cards including Scenario Set-ups\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eRules Booklet\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTwo 6-Sided Dice\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBox and Lid Set\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Compass Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44121702760563,"sku":"196852444007","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0987\/8934\/files\/196852444007.png?v=1764594991","url":"https:\/\/gamerholic.com.au\/products\/spring-prelude","provider":"Gamerholic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}