Kampfgruppe manual
- Kampfgruppe
- manual
KAMPFGRUPPE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction..................................2
2.0 General Description...........................2
3.0 Starting the Game.............................2
4.0 Deployment....................................3
5.0 Orders Phase..................................4
6.0 Weapons.......................................5
7.0 Combat Phase..................................6
8.0 Line Of Sight.................................7
9.0 Historical Scenarios..........................8
10.0 Game Length and Victory Conditions............9
11.0 Weapons Notes (not included).................11
12.0 Strategy Notes...............................12
Appendix 3: Terrain Numbers/Type/Levels...........13
Kampfgruppe Scenario Disk One.....................14
Kampfgruppe Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION
KAMPFGRUPPE is a platoon-level tactical game of combat on the Eastern
Front from 1941 to 1945.
1.1 Description of Action:
Each game turn consists of two phases. In the orders phase, the
players, one at a time, give orders to the units which they control. In the
joint combat phase all units carry out these orders, one unit at a time. The
combat phase represents two minutes of action, broken down into four
30-second pulses.
1.2 Talking to the Computer:
To enter a response to the computer that consists of numbers, type the
number into the computer and press the key. To select a routine from
a menu or answer a Yes/No question, just press the desired key. WHERE THE
EXIT COMMAND IS NOT SPECIFIED, PRESS TO EXIT THE MENU.
1.3 Saving a Game:
At the end of the DEPLOYMENT PHASE and at the end of each COMBAT PHASE,
the computer will allow the player(s) to save the game in progress. You will
need a scratch disk to store the save game data. Save game disks may be
initialized for SSI use during a game by following Instructions included in
the game program. Each save disk with hold approximately 4-6 games. Warning:
the program will not prompt you when you have exceeded the disk space on your
save game disk. Once a game is saved you with be able to restart it at the
point you left off.
WHEN RESTARTING A SAVED GAME YOU MUST SET THE CORRECT NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON
THE OPENING MENU.
1.4 The Map:
The KAMPFGRUPPE map is a 60 X 60 square grid with each square measuring
200 yards across. At the start of each game the terrain is randomized in
accordance with parameters determined by the player.
1.5 Starting the Game (Apple):
To begin the game, boot side one and the game will begin automatically.
If you are using an Apple II with Pascal you must first use your BASICS disk.
If you are using an Apple III you must first go into Apple II emulation mode.
if you elect to play a historical scenario, the computer will ask You to
insert side two of the disk so that it may read in the scenario data. when
this is complete the computer will instruct you to reinsert side one for the
remainder of the game.
1.6 Starting the Game (Atari):
To begin the game, boot the Scenario side of Your disk. Before
beginning remove all cartridges from your computer. Owners of the 8OOXL will
have to hold down the OPTION key when they turn on their computer to boot the
game. After you have deployed your forces (or after you have selected to play
a historicaL scenario) , the computer will ask you to insert the Game side of
your disk.
1.7 Starting the Game (Commodore):
To begin the game, insert the game disk into Your disk drive. Type LOAD
"*", 8 and press . When READY appears, type RUN and press .
1.8 Sound:
During the combat phase, players may toggle the sound ON/OFF by
pressing the 'S' key.
2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
2.1 Parts Inventory:
a. Game box
c. 5 1/4" game disk
b. Rule book
d. Data card
2.2 Abbreviations:
Abbreviations used in the game are listed below:
BDE brigade
DET detachment
CO company
BN battalion
MOT motorized
PZG panzergrenadier PZ panzer
JPZ jagdpanzer (tank destroyer)
STUG sturmgeheschuttz (assault gun)
INF infantry
RIF rifle
ART artillery
AT anti-tank
MOR mortar
ENGR engineer
IG infantry gun
HOW howitzer
HMG heavy machine gun
SMG submachine gun
VG volksgrenadier
3.0 STARTING THE GAME
3.1 Determining Conditions of Play:
At the start of the game the player(s) must determine the conditions under
which the game will be played. On the Apple version the conditions may be
changed by entering the following numbers:
(1) NEW GAME or SAVED GAME
(2) 1 DISK DRIVE or 2 DISK DRIVES
(3) SOLITAIRE or TWO PLAYERS
(4) HANDICAP LEVEL
(5) DELAY LENGTH
(6) SELECT SCENARIO
On the ATARI and C-64'" versions:
(1) NEW GAME or SAVED GAME
(2) SOLITAIRE or TWO PLAYERS
(3) HANDICAP LEVEL
(4) DELAY LENGTH
(5) SELECT SCENARiO
3.2 Player Determination:
KAMPFGRUPPE may be played by either zero, one, or two players, and this
is determined by the option selected on the menu. For example, if you wished
to watch a computer controlled German force face a computer controlled
Russian force, you should select the option BOTH COMPUTER.
3.3 Handicap Level:
At the start of the game the players must determine the handicap level
(1-5) . The effects of handicap levels are listed below:
Level 1: German strength reduced 50%
Level 2: German strength reduced 25%
LeveL 3: No reduction
Level 4: Soviet strength reduced 25%
Level 5: Soviet strength reduced 50%
EXAMPLE: At level 1 the number of weapons in German platoons would be reduced
by approximately 50%.
3.4 Delay Length:
The delay length affects messages displayed during the Combat Phase.
The greater the delay length, the longer these messages will remain displayed
during the Combat Phase. A delay length of 1 will speed up the game, but will
cause the messages to be virtually unreadable. A delay length of 9 will slow
the game considerably, but will allow the player maximum time to study the
various reports provided during the Combat Phase. Any integer between 1 to 9
may be entered.
3.5 Selecting a Scenario:
You may select one of 4 historical scenarios (see section 9.0), or you
may elect to build your own scenario. If you select a historical scenario,
the computer will skip the deployment phase and go directly to turn 1. If you
elect to build your own scenario you will be asked several questions (see
sections 3.6-3.9). New players are advised to begin by playing scenarios they
have created. Creating and playing a small meeting engagement is recommended.
Do not attempt to play historical scenarios until you are completely
familiar with the game.
3.6 Building the Map:
At the start of the game the computer will generate a new map. Prior to
generating the map the computer will allow the player(s) to input parameters
that influence the nature of the terrain:
(1) INCLUDE RIVER Y/N
(2) COVER TERRAiN DENSITY (O-9)
If option (1) is answered "Y" then the map will include a river. Option
(2) allows the players to control quantity of woods and broken terrain
included on the map. A "0" would allow no woods/broken terrain on the map; a
"9" would mean heavy woods/ broken terrain density. Any number between 0 and
9 may be entered.
3.7 Selecting the Time Period:
The player(s) may select from eight different time periods. The time
period will affect the type of forces/equipment that may be used in the
battle as well as the command control capabilities of the two armies.
3.8 Selecting the Type of Battle:
The player(s) may select from five different types of battle:
(1) GERMAN PURSUIT
A small Soviet force fights a rear-guard action against a large German
force.
(2) GERMAN ASSAULT
A large German force attacks a medium Soviet force. Both sides may use
off-map artillery.
(3) MEETING ENGAGEMENT
Opposing forces of equal strength advance on the same objective.
(4) SOVIET ASSAULT
A large Soviet force attacks a medium German force. Both sides may use
off-map artillery.
(5) SOVIET PURSUIT
A small German force fights a rear-guard action against a large Soviet
force.
The player(s) must also determine the size of the battle:
(1) LARGE
(2) SMALL
In a "small" battle the quantity of units on both sides will be reduced by
approximately 50%.
3.9 Selecting Forces:
The Soviet player may select either a Tank or an Infantry type force.
The German player may select a Panzer, Motorized or Infantry type force. If
the AUTO-SELECT routine is used then the computer will select a force to suit
the type of battle.
The players have a limited number of selection points (SPs) that they
may use to "buy" various types of companies or battalions. The computer will
only allow the selection of formations that are appropriate for the type of
force selected.
The player(s) will receive 20 victory points for each SP that is not
used to buy combat formations. A maximum of 250 points may be received in
this manner.
4.0 DEPLOYMENT:
When creating a new scenario, the player(s) may arrange their units on
the map before the game begins to optimize their attack or defense. Soviet
units may not be deployed west (left) of their "start line" and German units
may not be deployed east (right) of their "start line ". If the AUTO-DEPLOY
routine is used then the computer will automatically deploy the units on the
map. AUTO-DEPLOY will not provide the best possible deployment; it represents
a "hasty" deployment. If the AUTO-DEPLOY routine is not used, the players
will find their units at the top of the map.
4.1 Combat Formations:
All units in the game are organized into combat formations (CFs). CFs
consist of a headquarters (HQ) unit with from 1 to 8 attached combat units.
CFs are each assigned an identification letter (A-U) . The units attached to
a CF are each assigned an index number (0-9) . The formation letter and the
index number are combined to form the unit ID. EXAMPLE: the 3rd unit in
formation C would have C3 as its UNIT ID.
The HQ unit in all CFs will be assigned index number "0".
4.2 The Map Display:
The map display used in KAMPFGRUPPE is a 60 X 60 square grid. Only a
fraction of the map (20 squares wide by 10 squares high) may be viewed at one
time. By pressing the keys 1-8 the cursor can be moved around the map (1-N,
2-NE, 3-E, 4-SE, 5-S, 6-SW, 7-W, 8-NW). If the cursor is moved to the edge of
the display then the map will scroll to reveal the hidden portions of the
map. When playing an assault type battle, the map is reduced to 60 X 30 (60
spaces east-west by 30 spaces north-south).
4.3 Unit Symbols:
All units on the map are identified by symbols that describe their
function and nationality.
SOVIET VEHICLES are represented by vehicle silhouettes facing west.
SOVIET INFANTRY is represented by symbols of two men underlined.
SOVIET ARTILLERY is represented by an underlined weapon symbol.
SOVIET STACK is represented by two overlapping white squares.
GERMAN VEHICLES are represented by vehicle silhouettes facing east.
GERMAN INFANTRY is represented by symbols of two men (no underline).
GERMAN ARTILLERY is represented by a weapon symbol (no underline).
GERMAN STACK is represented by two hollow overlapping squares.
CONFLICT (opposing forces on same square) is represented by an SU/GE symbol.
4.4 Map Display Menu:
The map display menu lists the following routines:
(1-8) Move cursor.
(9) Build entrenchment (only before ASSAULT type battles).
(0) Use auto-deploy routine.
(A-T) Select unit. Press formation letter followed by unit index
number computer will shift to UNIT ORDERS MENU.
(U) Change terrain in square (see appendix 3 for terrain key).
(V) View. Inverses all squares with a line of sight to the
cursor location.
(W) Move cursor to OBJECTIVE AREA (see 4.6) then START LiNE.
(X) Exit deployment phase.
(Y) Clear units from screen to view terrain.
(Z) Examine friendly units at cursor location.
4.5 Unit Orders Menu:
The unit described at the top of the text Window is the "current unit."
The following routines may be used to adjust the starting location or inspect
the status of the current unit:
(1-8) Move cursor.
(9) Change weapon type of armored vehicle.
(D) Disembark unit. If unit is a vehicle then it will unload all
of its passengers; if the unit is a passenger then only that
unit will unload.
(E) Embark unit. Order must be given to a vehicle unit- the
computer will request the ID of the unit to be embarked.
(L) Look for unit. The cursor will move to the unit's location.
(M) Move unit. The unit will move to the cursor location.
(N) Next unit. The next higher numbered unit will become the
current unit.
(P) List passengers. Will list the units embarked aboard the
current unit.
(Q) Quit the orders menu. Return to the map display menu.
(V) View. Inverses all squares that may be seen from the cursor
location.
(X) Exit the unit orders menu. Return to the map display.
4.6 The Objective Area:
The objective area may be located by pressing the (W) key on the map
display menu. The cursor will move to the CENTER of the objective area. The
objective area is a 19 X 19 square area. In some scenarios the players will
score points for each infantry man, gun or vehicle that ends the game in the
objective area.
4.7 Saving the Set-Up:
At the conclusion of the deployment phase the computer will allow you
to save the set-up on a disk initialized for SSI use (disks may be
initialized at this time).
4.8 Entrenchments:
If the type of battle is a SOVIET ASSAULT or GERMAN ASSAULT then the
players may "build" entrenchments for their units. Entrenchments are built by
moving the cursor over a clear terrain square and pressing the "9" key when
the computer is in MAP DISPLAY MODE. Entrenchment squares will look like and
have the same effect as BROKEN terrain squares.
Players may build a maximum of 50 entrenchments. Entrenchments may only
be built on the friendly side of the start line.
4.9 Off-Map Artillery:
Off-map artillery may be available only during assault type battles.
Off-map artillery will be designated only as LIGHT, MEDIUM or HEAVY
ARTILLERY. When selecting forces the player will receive off-map artillery by
taking the German ARTILLERY DETACHMENT or the Soviet HOWITZER BATTALION,
MEDIUM ARTILLERY BATTALION or LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION.
Off-map artillery will never be displayed on the map. Available off-map
artillery may be inspected after the game has started by using the
BOMBARDMENT routine.
If AUTO-SELECT is used when playing an assault type battle, both sides
will receive off-map artillery.
4.10 Changing the Map:
During the deployment phase, players may use the U key to create any
terrain desired on any square of the map. This allows players to create any
map desired. Move the cursor to the square you wish to change, type U, and
then type the number of the terrain (see appendix 3 for a list of terrain
types). When designing a map, keep in mind that often the computer
intelligence cannot deal with river terrain.
4.11 Changing Weapon Types of Armored Vehicles:
Players wishing to create their own scenarios may change the weapons of
any of the armored vehicles except halftracks. To change a unit's weapons go
to the unit orders menu, type "9", and then type the number of the weapon
desired for the current unit (see section 6.0 for weapon numbers).
4.12 Visibility Level:
At the beginning of the first turn of each game, the computer will
randomly determine the visibility level. The visibility level will be set
between 7 and 20 and will remain constant throughout the game. The visibility
level is the maximum range at which units may spot and direct fire at enemy
units.
5.0 ORDERS PHASE
During the orders phase the player(s) may review the status of their
units and assign movement, bombardment and targeting orders.
5.1 Map Display Menu:
The map display menu used during the orders phase is similar to the one
used during the deployment phase.
(1-8) Move cursor.
(0) End game.
(A-U) Select unit. Press formation letter followed by unit index number -
computer will shift to UNIT ORDERS MENU; the selected unit will be the
"current unit".
(V) View. The computer will inverse all squares that can be seen from
the cursor location.
(W) Move cursor to center of objective area.
(X) Exit orders phase.
(Y) Clear units from screen to view terrain.
(Z) Examine friendly or visible enemy units at cursor location.
5.2 Unit Orders Menu:
Upon selecting a unit from the map menu it will be displayed beneath
the map showing its composition (number and type of vehicles or weapons),
ammunition (shown as A, in pulses of firing remaining), facing (shown as a
compass direction), speed (In movement point rate, it is also miles per
hour), and whether it's loaded (an L is displayed when loaded). The
following routines may be used to assign orders to or inspect the status of
the current unit:
(1-8) Move cursor.
(A)* Advance. This command is only used when the computer is in
all-units mode; the formation HQ will move to the cursor location, other
units in the formation will move in such a way as to retain their current
position relative to the HQ.
(B) Bombard. The cursor location is the target square; the current
unit is the spotter; the computer will list the artillery units eligible to
bombard the target (see section 5.6) .
(C) Center. The map is centered around the cursor.
(D) Disembark. If the current unit is a vehicle then it will unload
all of its passengers; if the current unit is a passenger then only that unit
will unload; unloaded passengers will have a suppression level of 80.
(E) Embark. Order must be given to a vehicle unit - the computer will
request the ID of the unit to be embarked (see section 5.4).
(F)* Change unit facing.
(H) Find unit's HQ. Cursor moves to unit's HQ location; computer
determines if a "command control" link exists between the current unit and
the HQ; the HQ becomes the new current unit.
(I) Inspect. Allows the player to inspect all enemy units that can be
seen by the current unit; allows the current unit to designate a priority
target and/or request a bombardment (with the current unit as the spotter).
Assigning a priority target with the (I)nspect order will cause a range order
to be given if the target is outside of the set maximum range, with the
maximum firing range being set equal to the distance to the new target (see
section 5.8).
(K)* Cancel all orders. Allows the current unit to cancel all movement
and bombardment orders.
(L) Look for unit. Moves the cursor to the current unit's location.
(M)* Move unit. Orders the unit to move to the cursor location (see
section 5.5)
(N) Next unit. The next higher numbered unit will become the current
unit.
(O) Check movement objectives. Moves the cursor to the movement
objective location(s) of the current unit; also lists the command control
delay (see section 5.5).
(P) List passengers. Lists all units embarked aboard the current unit.
(Q) Quit the unit orders menu. Return to the map display menu.
(R) Set maximum firing range at which the current unit will select
targets (see section 5.7).
(S) Set movement speed for the current unit.
(T) Inspect the target that the current unit has selected.
(V) View. The computer will inverse all squares that the current unit
can see with its current facing.
(X) Exit the unit orders menu. Return to the map display menu.
(Z) Shift to all-units mode.
5.3 All-Units Mode:
Certain orders may be given to all of the units of a particular
formation. These orders are followed by an "*" In the listing in 5.2. The
computer may be placed in "all-units mode" by pressing the letter "A" instead
of the unit index number when selecting a unit from the map display menu.
From the unit orders menu the player may shift to "all-units mode " by
pressing the (Z) key. EXAMPLE: If the current unit is C4 and the (Z) key is
pressed, then the computer will shift to all-units mode for formation C.
C-ALL will be shown at the top of the text window and C0 will become the new
current unit.
When the computer is in all-units mode then the current unit will
always be the formation HQ. The computer may not be placed in all-units mode
if the formation HQ has been destroyed.
5.4 Embarking Units:
All vehicle units may embark infantry type units. Only halftrack and
truck units may embark artillery type units. Each vehicle may carry a maximum
of 10 transport points. Listed below are the transport costs for each type of
passenger:
SMG, RIFLE1
HMG2
81MOR, 82MOR3
12OMOR5
IG, HOW, FLACK, AT GUN 10
EXAMPLE: A platoon with 30 RIFLEs would require 3 vehicles to transport.
EXAMPLE: A battery of six 76AT guns would require 6 trucks or
halftracks to transport.
After giving the (E)MBARK command the player must enter the ID of the
unit to be embarked. If the embarking unit is in the same square as the
vehicle then it will embark immediately. If the embarking unit is not in the
same square as the vehicle then the vehicle will move to the square and load
the unit during the COMBAT PHASE. It is possible to instruct a vehicle to
embark all of the units in a formation. Type the letter "A" instead of the
index number of the passenger unit. The vehicle must be assigned to the
formation it is loading in this manner. The vehicle will immediately embark
the units in the same square and then move to the locations of the other
units (In numerical order) and load them during the subsequent COMBAT PHASES.
If a vehicle unit receives new movement (or embark) orders, then it will
cancel any previous embark orders that have not been completed.
5.5 Movement Objectives:
Movement objectives may be assigned to the current unit by moving the
cursor to the desired objective location, pressing the (M) key and then
entering the desired speed.
Each unit may store up to 2 movement objectives. The FIRST OBJECTIVE
will always be the first objective assigned and the SECOND OBJECTIVE will
always be the LAST one assigned. When a unit completes its move to the first
objective location then the second objective will become the NEW first
objective. If a new objective is assigned to a unit that already has two
objectives, then the new objective will replace the old second objective.
Command control movement delays are imposed each time a new movement
objective is assigned. Delays are not cumulative; the new delay will replace
any existing delay.
Movement objectives for the current unit may be reviewed by pressing
the (O) key. Movement objectives for the current unit may be cancelled by
pressing the (K) key.
5.6 Requesting Artillery Bombardments:
Indirect fire artillery bombardments may be performed by all mortars,
off-map artillery, and the German Hummel and Wespe units. Any unit on the map
may REQUEST a bombardment.
To request a bombardment move the cursor to the desired target square
and press the (B) key. The computer will list units that are in range and
capable of performing bombardments. If you wish to assign the displayed unit
to the bombardment mission press the (A) key. If you wish to skip to the next
unit without assigning the displayed artillery unit then press the (N) key.
If you wish to exit the bombardment routine press the (Q) key.
For each artillery unit displayed during the bombardment routine, the
computer will display the DELAY required before the artillery can start
firing. The delay is dependent on the relationship between the requesting
unit and the artillery unit:
(1) If the requesting unit is an HQ and the artillery unit is part of
the same formation, then there will be a 2 pulse delay.
(2) If the requester is a non-HQ but the artillery is part of the same
formation, then there will be a 4 pulse delay.
(3) If the artillery is in the same formation as the COMMAND HQ, there
will be a 6 pulse delay.
If none of the above cases apply, then there will be an 8 pulse delay. If
more than one of the above cases apply, then the one with the shortest delay
will be used. Off-map artillery is considered to be in the same formation as
the COMMAND HQ.
When a unit is ordered to bombard, or when a mortar unit begins to
fire, the unit's maximum firing range is set to zero. Do not change this
until the bombardment is completed; otherwise the unit may cancel its
bombardment.
5.7 Setting Target Selection Range:
Units will automatically select direct fire targets during the combat
phase. The players may prevent their units from selecting targets at extreme
ranges by adjusting the unit's target selection range. The target selection
range may be adjusted by using the (R) routine.
EXAMPLE: A Panther tank unit has its selection range set to 5; the unit
will only select targets at ranges of 5 or less even though the Panther's
weapon has a maximum range of 15.
5.8 The Inspect Routine:
The (I)NSPECT routine may be used to review all enemy units that can be
seen by the current unit. The cursor will move to the position of each
sighted enemy unit and the player will be allowed to request a bombardment or
designate the enemy unit as a PRIORITY TARGET for the current unit.
The priority target feature allows the player(s) the option of
controlling the target selection of their units. If the priority target
feature is not used then the units will automatically select targets during
the combat phase.
5.9 Ending the Game:
The player(s) may use the (0) routine on the map display menu to end
the game at any time. The computer will automatically end the game after turn
30 for assault scenarios and after turn 20 for all other scenarios. Players
who wish to continue playing a game beyond its normal limits may do so.
5.10 Time:
During the combat phase, 2 minute of actions are resolved. The combat
phase is divided into 4 PULSES of 30 seconds each,
5.11 Execution Delays:
When units receive new movement or bombardment orders there will be a
delay, expressed in PULSES, before the orders can be executed (see 5.5, 5.6,
5.12). Units that use the (K) cancel routine will have a 1.pulse delay added.
A delay will be added to a carrier that disembarks units (1 pulse per unit
disembarked).
5.12 Command Control:
Both players will start with a COMMAND HQ unit. For the Soviets this
will be a corps unit with a "xxx" symbol ("xx" on the Atari). For the Germans
this will be a regiment unit with a "III" symbol).
A unit is considered to be "in command control" if an unbroken "chain
of command" exists between the unit and the COMMAND HQ. To determine command
control the computer will examine each link in the chain of command.
To establish a command control link between a non-HQ unit and its
formation HQ, the unit may not be more than 10 spaces from the HQ. If the
unit cannot" see" the HQ, then the maximum distance is 5 spaces.
To establish a command control link between an HQ unit and its next
higher HQ, the higher HQ need only exist somewhere on the map.
EXAMPLE: For an infantry platoon to be in command control it would have
to establish a command control link with its company linked with its
battalion HQ and the battalion linked with its battalion HQ and the battalion
HQ would have to be linked to the command HQ.
To determine the chain of command for any unit, use the (H) routine
from the unit orders menu. Continue pressing the (H) key until the cursor
moves to the command HQ.
Units that receive new movement orders will be delayed a number of
pulses before they start moving. The length of the delay varies with the
time period, nationality, and command control status of the unit.
Listed below are the movement delays for each nationality, time period
and command control status (IN COMMAND CONTROL/OUT OF COMMAND CONTROL) .
TIME
PERIOD GERMAN SOVIET
11/55/9
21/55/9
31/54/8
41/54/8
51/53/7
61/53/7
72/63/7
82/63/7
6.0 WEAPONS
The weapons used in KAMPFGRUPPE are listed below. Armored vehicles are
rated for gun maximum range (MR), gun maximum penetration (MP), gun shell
size (SS), gun accuracy (AC), speed (SP), machine guns (MG), front armor
(FA), back armor (BA), silhouette (SL), and periods of availability (YR).
RUSSIAN
# WEAPON MR MP SS AC SP MG FA BA SL YR
tanks
47 T-70 5 5 2 2 14 1 5 2 2 2-8
28 BT-7 6 6 2 2 21 2 3 1 3 1
29 T-26S 6 6 2 2 12 2 3 2 2 1
30 T34/76A 8 7 4 4 21 2 11 6 3 1-4
31 T23/76C 10 8 4 6 21 2 11 6 4 2-8
32 T34/85 12 15 4 6 20 2 11 7 5 6-8
33 T-28C 6 7 4 2 12 3 5 2 5 1
34 KV-I 8 7 4 4 10 3 12 8 5 1-3
35 KV-II 8 0 6 4 8 2 11 7 6 1-2
36 KV-IC 10 8 4 6 10 3 12 8 5 3-6
37 KV-85 12 15 4 6 10 3 11 7 5 6-8
38 JS-II 15 20 5 6 12 4 16 10 5 6-8
39 JS-III 15 20 5 6 12 4 30 12 5 8
tank destroyers
40 SU-76 10 8 4 6 14 1 5 2 3 4-7
41 SU-85 12 15 4 6 20 0 9 5 3 5-8
44 SU-100 15 19 5 6 20 0 14 5 5 7-8
45 JSU-122 15 20 5 5 12 1 18 8 5 7-8
assault guns
42 SU-122 10 0 5 6 19 0 9 5 3 5-8
43 SU-152 12 0 6 4 10 0 12 5 5 5-7
46 JSU-152 12 0 6 4 10 1 18 8 5 7-8
carrier
HALFTRACK 5 0 1 50 16 0 1 1 3 1-8
non armored weapons are rated for MR, MP, SS, AC, AP, SL, defense(DF) and YR.
WEAPON MR MP SS AC SP SL DF YR
TRUCK 0 0 0 0 11 3 1 1-8
45AT 8 10 2 6 0 1 3 1-8
76AT 10 11 4 6 0 1 3 1-8
76H 15 0 4 6 0 1 3 1-8
50MOR 2 0 3 8 5 1 8 1-8
82MOR 16 0 4 8 4 1 7 1-8
120MOR 28 0 5 9 2 1 5 1-8
HMG 5 0 1 50 5 1 8 1-8
SMG 1 0 1 40 6 1 9 1-8
RIFLE 2 0 1 10 6 1 9 1-8
GRENADE 0 25 1 25 - - - 1-8
FLAMETH 0 30 4 8 - - - 1-8
L-ART 99 0 4 8 - - - 1-8
M-ART 99 0 5 8 - - - 1-8
H-ART 99 0 6 8 - - - 1-8
GERMAN
# WEAPON MR MP SS AC SP MG FA BA SL YR
tanks
0 PZ-IIF 5 4 1 6 12 1 3 1 2 1-5
1 PZ-IIL 5 4 1 6 16 1 3 2 2 4-8
2 PZ-38T 6 5 2 6 12 2 5 2 3 1-2
3 PZ-IIIF 7 6 3 6 11 2 3 3 3 1-4
4 PZ-IIIG 7 6 3 6 12 2 4 3 3 1-4
5 PZ-IIIJ 8 10 3 8 11 2 6 3 3 2-5
6 PZ-IIIL 8 10 3 8 11 2 7 4 3 3-5
7 PZ-IVF1 8 2 4 6 12 2 5 3 4 1-3
8 PZ-IVG 12 13 4 8 12 2 7 3 4 3-5
9 PZ-IVH 12 14 4 8 12 2 8 4 4 5-8
10 PANTHER 15 18 4 8 17 2 15 5 5 5-8
11 TIGER 15 15 4 8 12 2 11 5 5 4-8
12 K TIGER 15 22 4 10 10 2 23 6 6 7-8
tank destroyers
13 SG-IIIB 8 2 4 6 12 0 5 3 3 1-3
14 SG-IIIG 12 14 4 8 12 1 10 4 3 3-8
15 MARDER 12 14 4 8 12 0 3 1 4 3-7
16 NASHORN 20 22 4 10 14 0 4 1 6 4-6
17 ELEFANT 15 22 4 8 6 0 23 8 6 5
18 JPZ-IV 15 18 4 8 9 0 13 3 3 6-8
19 HETZER 12 14 4 8 9 1 14 2 3 6-8
20 JPZ-V 15 22 4 10 16 1 16 5 5 7-8
21 JPZ-VIB 20 27 5 6 8 1 25 9 6 8
assault guns
22 STU-H42 12 0 5 6 12 1 8 4 3 3-8
23 SIG33 10 0 6 6 12 0 3 1 4 4-8
self propelled artillery
24 WESPE 12* 0 5 6 9 1 2 1 3 3-8
25 HUMMEL 12* 0 6 6 12 1 3 1 6 4-8
armored cars
26 SK231 5 4 1 6 22 1 2 1 3 1-8
27 SK234/2 7 10 3 8 22 1 4 1 3 6-8
carrier
HALFTRACK 5 0 1 50 16 0 1 1 3 1-8
* Maximum range of 99 when using indirect fire.
non armored weapons are rated for MR, MP, SS, AC, AP, SL, defense(DF) and YR.
WEAPON MR MP SS AC SP SL DF YR
TRUCK 0 0 0 0 11 3 1 1-8
37AT 6 6 2 6 0 1 3 1-4
50AT 8 10 3 8 0 1 3 2-5
75AT 12 14 4 8 0 1 3 3-8
88AT 20 22 4 8 0 2 3 6-8
88FLAK 20 15 4 20 0 3 3 1-8
75IG 10 0 4 6 0 1 3 1-8
150IG 10 0 6 6 0 2 3 1-8
81MOR 13 0 4 8 4 1 7 1-8
120MOR 28 0 5 9 2 1 5 1-8
HMG 5 0 1 50 5 1 8 1-8
SMG 1 0 1 40 6 1 9 1-8
RIFLE 2 0 1 10 6 1 9 1-8
GRENADE 0 25 1 25 - - - 1-8
FLAMETH 0 30 4 8 - - - 1-8
PZFAUST 0 20 3 4 - - - 5-8
L-ART 99 0 4 8 - - - 1-8
M-ART 99 0 5 8 - - - 1-8
H-ART 99 0 6 8 - - - 1-8
6.1 Special Infantry Weapons:
All infantry PLATOONS in the game are armed with one of the following
Special Infantry Weapons (SIWs): GRENADE, FLAMETHrower, or PanzerFAUST. SIWs
will only be used when firing at ZERO RANGE against ARMORED VEHICLES and will
shoot at the back armor of the vehicle. SIWs will be fired instead of the
platoons' normal RIFLE or SMG weapons. When using SIWs, the number of weapons
firing is equal to NUMBER OF MEN in the platoon (except when using grenades
in which case the number of weapons is equal to the number of men in the
platoon divided by 10). When SIWs are used, the target unit automatically
receives 50% suppression.
PZFAUST and FLAMETH weapons may only fire once during the game after
which they will be replaced by the GRENADE as the platoon SIW.
7.0 COMBAT PHASE
The combat phase of each turn represents 2 minutes of real time. The
combat phase is divided into four 30-second pulses. During each pulse units
may search, select targets, fire their weapons and/or move. Before each
pulse the computer selects one player's units to move and fire first during
the pulse. The side with the lowest command control delay rating will be more
likely to move first.
7.1 Searching:
At the start of each pulse eligible units will attempt to spot enemy
units within their "field of vision". The held of vision is determined by the
unit's facing and its movement status. Moving units have a 90 degree field of
vision in the direction they are facing. Non-moving units have a 180 degree
field of vision in the direction they are facing.
The enemy unit will be spotted if (1) It is within the searching unit's
field of vision, (2) there is an unobstructed line-of-sight and (3) the enemy
unit is within sighting range.
The SIGHTING RANGE equals the enemy unit's SL rating plus 1. If the
enemy unit is in cover terrain then the sighting range is divided by 3. If
the enemy unit is moving then the sighting range is tripled. The sighting
range may never exceed the Visibility Level (set at the start of the game).
Units that previously selected a target will not search if they are
still eligible to fire at that target. Units may be unable to search due to
suppression.
7.2 Selecting Targets:
After searching, a unit will automatically attempt to select a target.
A target must be a sighted enemy unit that is within target selection range
(see 5.7). If there is more than one available target then the nearest unit
will be targeted. If the searching unit has an armor-piercing weapon (MP
rating greater than 0) then it will select the nearest ARMORED VEHICLE, if
one is in range.
Tanks and infantry may fire on the same pulse they select a target.
Assault guns, tank destroyers and artillery (mortars, anti-tank guns,
infantry guns, flak, howitzers, self-propelled artillery) may not fire on the
same pulse they select a target unless they are in the same square as the
target.
Units will select another target if their current target is an infantry
unit with a suppression level of 200 at a range greater than zero. A unit
will automatically change targets in order to shoot at an enemy unit that
enters its square.
7.3 Direct Fire vs. Armored Vehicles:
Direct fire may kill or suppress armored vehicles. Armor-piercing fire
against an armored vehicle will not cause suppression unless the range is
less than 6 and the firing unit is a vehicle with machine guns. Small arms
fire from SMG and RIFLE platoons cannot kill armored vehicles.
The effectiveness of direct fire against armored vehicles is determined
by (1) weapon accuracy, (2) the number of weapons in the firing unit, (3)
shell size, and (4) armor vs. penetration.
ACCURACY: At zero range, accuracy will be (90 + (WEAPON ACCURACY x
PULSE FIRED AT TARGET) SQUARED/100. At maximum range accuracy will be 1 +
(WEAPON ACCURACY x PULSES FIRED AT TARGET) SQUARED/100. Weapon accuracy
ratings are listed in section 6.0. The pulses fired at the target can never
be greater than 4. Accuracy is HALVED if the target unit occupies a TOWN,
WOODS or BROKEN terrain square and has its current speed set to 0. Accuracy
is HALVED if the target is a MOVING vehicle. Accuracy is multiplied times the
TARGET SILHOUETTE/4. When anti-tank fire is used against armored vehicles,
the target silhouette may be adjusted due to range. The following formula is
used to increase the target silhouette when the range is under 6: 6 - range.
This adjustment is added to the normal silhouette of the target, but is not
used when determining the accuracy of special infantry weapons.
KILLS: Armored vehicles are rated for both front and back armor. Front
armor (FA) protects the front 90 degrees of the vehicle (see diagram). Back
armor protects the remaining 270 degrees of the vehicle. When firing at a
range of zero, it is assumed that the fire is directed at the back armor of
the target. Weapons are rated for maximum penetration (MP). MP ratings are
modified by range and shell size (SS) into an ADJUSTED PENETRATION FACTOR
(APF). The formula for APF is: (SS x SS) / 4 + MP - MP x (RANGE / MAX RANGE)
/ 2. The APF may not exceed 2 x ARMOR. If the APF is less than 1.25 x ARMOR
then the ACCURACY is HALVED. If the APF is less than ARMOR then the ACCURACY
is HALVED again. The number of KILLS equals (APF x ACCURACY x NUMBER OF
WEAPONS FIRING) / (ARMOR X 1200).
EXAMPLE: Let's assume that 5 PZ-IIIL tanks and 10 T-34/76C are in clear
terrain exchanging fire at a range of 3, with each target's front armor
facing the enemy. The ACCURACY of the PZ-IIILs is:
= ((((5/8) x 90) + (8x1)) squared)/100
= (64.25 x 64.25) / 100
= 41.28
This accuracy is adjusted by the target silhouette which is equal to 7
(T-34C has a silhouette of 4 which is adjusted to 7 due to the range of 3) .
So the adjusted accuracy is equal to 72.24 (41.28 x (7/4)). The APF of the
PZ-IIILs is:
=((3 x 3) / 4) + 10 - ((10 x (3 / 8)) / 2)
= 9 / 4 + 10 - 15 / 8
= 10.375
Since the APF is not greater than 1.25 times the T-34C front armor of
11, the accuracy of 72.24 is cut in half to 36.12. Since the APF is not
greater than the T-34C front armor of 11, the accuracy of 36.12 is cut in
half to 18.06. The number of kills due to the fire of the PZ-IIILs is:
= (10.375 x 18.06 x 5) / (11 x 1200)
= .071
This means that there is roughly a 7.1 chance that one T-34C will be
destroyed.
If the same calculation was made for the fire of the 10 T-34Cs the
result would be a kill number of .918 which would usually lead to 1 PZ-IIIL
destroyed. Due to the thick armor of the T-34Cs, and the fact that they
outnumber the PZ-IIILs by 2 to 1, an engagement of this type would quickly
lead to a German defeat. If, however, the German player had 5 PZ-IVHs, they
would fire with a kill number of .614 while the T-34Cs would return fire with
a kill number of .937. This is a much better situation for the German player,
although he would still need to bring up another platoon of tanks to win the
engagement.
7.4 Direct Fire vs. Non-Armored Targets:
The effectiveness of direct fire against non armored targets is
determined by (1) weapon accuracy, (2) the number of weapons in the firing
unit, (3) shell size, and (4) target defense strength.
ACCURACY: Calculated the same as in 7.3 with the following exceptions:
(1) when firing at MOVING non-vehicle targets the accuracy is DOUBLED instead
of halved; (2) accuracy is QUARTERED if the target is DEFENDING IN WOODS,
TOWN or BROKEN terrain irrespective of the unit's current speed setting; (3)
accuracy is not affected by the target silhouette.
KILLS: Number of KILLS equals (SS x SS x ACCURACY x NUMBER OF WEAPONS
FIRING) / (DEFENSE x 1000).
If the firing unit is in the same square as the target unit and the
target's suppression level is greater than 99%, then the target will defend
with a DEFENSE of 1, and the attacker s accuracy will be multiplied by 5.
If the firing unit is an armored vehicle and the range is less than 6
then the attacker will add its MG strength to enhance the attack. Each MG is
the same as the HMG listed in 6.0.
If the firing unit is a German SMG or RIFLE unit, the effectiveness
(accuracy) of the fire will be increased by 50%.
7.5 Indirect Fire:
All bombardments and all mortar fire constitute indirect fire. Indirect
fire will not yield reports of kills and suppression; however, it will report
when a unit has been eliminated. The effectiveness of indirect fire is as
determined by (1) the view of the spotter, (2) shell size, and (3) target
defense strength or armor. For indirect fire, armored vehicles have ARMOR
equal to BACK ARMOR + FRONT ARMOR / 3.
ACCURACY: Calculated the same as 7.3 and 7.4 except for the following:
(1) the range is always considered to be the weapon's maximum range for the
purpose of calculating accuracy; (2) the pulses fired at target is equal to
zero if the spotter unit does not have a line of sight to the target square;
(3) the pulses fired at target is equal to 1 if the spotter unit cannot see
an enemy unit in the target square; (4) the pulses fired at target is equal
to 4 If the spotter unit can see an enemy unit in the target square.
KILLS: Calculated the same as in 7.3 or 7.4.
Indirect fire attacks each enemy unit in the target square. If a
friendly unit is present in the target square then the indirect fire mission
will be canceled immediately. If the spotter is unable to see the target
square, or if there are no enemy units in the target square, then the fire
will eventually "drift" into an adjacent square which will become the new
target.
Bombardment fire missions will normally continue firing for 4 pulses
after which the firing units will become available for reassignment.
7.6 Suppression:
Suppression will occur during most direct and indirect fire attacks.
Non-armored targets may receive up to 200% suppression. Armored targets may
receive a maximum of 50% suppression. If a unit is attacked more than once in
a pulse then its suppression will be cumulative. Suppression will not occur
if armor-piercing weapons fire at armored targets unless the firing unit is a
vehicle armed with machine guns and the range is less than 6.
The level of suppression added by an attack is equal to (SS x SS x
ACCURACY x ACCURACY x WEAPONS FIRING) / 200. For suppression purposes the
ACCURACY will always be at least 10.
At the end of each pulse the suppression level of each unit will be
halved.
7.7 Suppression Effects:
Suppression may affect a unit's ability to search, fire or move.
SEARCH: Units with greater than 99% suppression may not search. If
suppression is less than 100% then there is a percentage chance, equal to the
suppression level, that the unit will fail to search. Units will always
search the square they occupy.
FIRE: The effectiveness of fire is reduced by 1/3 of the level of suppression
(i.e. a unit with a suppression of 180% will have its fire's effectiveness
reduced BY 60% (180 / 3).
MOVE: Units with greater than 50% suppression will be pinned down and unable
to move. Note that armored vehicles will never have greater than 50%
suppression.
7.8 Ammunition:
All units will start the game with 40 units of ammunition. Units will
expend one unit of ammunition each time they fire. Units will be unable to
fire if their ammunition reaches zero.
7.9 Movement:
At the end of each pulse, eligible units with movement objectives will
move. Units that fired or were pinned during the pulse will not move.
At the end of each pulse, moving units accumulate movement points equal
to their current speed setting (see 6.0). Units will spend movement points to
ENTER each square on their path. Listed below are the rounded off costs to
enter each type of terrain for each type of unit:
ARM-VEH TRUCK FOOT
clear 13 13 13
road 7 3 10
town 10 5 12
road-slope 10 5 12
broken 20 27 17
woods 20 27 17
slope 20 27 17
ford 30 40 20
bridge 7 3 10
All non-vehicle units are considered to be FOOT units. The SP rating
given to each unit is very close to being equal to the unit s maximum miles
per hour speed in clear terrain (when setting speed for a unit you should
consider the SP rating to be equal to miles per hour).
7.10 Disembarking Under Fire:
When vehicles carrying passengers come under fire they may be forced to
unload during the combat phase. Any vehicle that suffers 1 or more KILLS must
immediately unload its passengers. If a vehicle other than a truck or
halftrack suffers 50% suppression while carrying infantry then it must
immediately unload.
If a loaded vehicle suffers KILLS then some or all of the passengers
may also be killed prior to unloading.
7.11 Combat Reports:
During the combat phase the computer will describe the occurrence of
direct or indirect fire. The computer will report the size and type of shell
being fired and in most instances the KILL and/or SUPPRESSION results.
Listed below are the criteria for describing the size and type of shell
being fired:
SMALL ARMS FIRE: RIFLE, SMG, HMG
LIGHT ARTILLERY FIRE: IG, HOW, MOR, shell size < 5
MEDIUM ARTILLERY FIRE: IG, HOW, MOR, shell size = 5
HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE: IG, HOW, MOR, shell size = 6
LIGHT ANTI-TANK FIRE: AT, shell size < 3
MEDIUM ANTI-TANK FIRE: AT, shell size = 3
HEAVY ANTI-TANK FIRE: AT, FLAK, shell size > 4
OVERRUN ATTACK: moving armored vehicles firing from zero range
FLAMETHROW ATTACK: FLAMETH fired from zero range
GRENADE ATTACK: GRENADE fired from zero range
PANZERFAUST ATTACK: PZFAUST fired from zero range
Armored vehicles with an MP rating of zero are assumed to be firing
HOWitzer weapons. Armored vehicles with an MP rating greater than zero are
assumed to be firing AT weapons. Halftracks are assumed to be firing HMGs.
During direct fire any KILLS or SUPPRESSION will always be displayed.
During indirect fire KILLS or SUPPRESSION will not be displayed.
7.12 Sighting Firing Units:
Any unit on the map that employs direct or indirect fire has a random
chance of being sighted. The chance of sighting is equal to 2 x TURNS FIRED
AT SAME TARGET / RANGE TO TARGET.
7.13 Close-Combat Mode:
Armored vehicle or infantry units that are currently moving and have
their engagement range set to ZERO are considered to be in CLOSE-COMBAT MODE.
If a unit in in CLOSE-COMBAT MODE is fired upon by a unit within 3 squares
then the close-combat unit will attempt to move into the same square as the
firing unit before continuing towards its planned objective.
8.0 LINE OF SIGHT
The ability of a unit to see another unit on the map is affected by the
terrain that lies between them. To determine if one unit can observe another
the computer will follow the procedures listed below:
(1) Determine the straight line path from the sighting unit to the
target unit. This path is the "line of sight" (LOS).
(2) Determine if the range to the target unit is greater than the
visibility level, in which case the unit cannot be seen.
(3) Determine if the LOS is blocked (Preventing observation) or clear
(Permitting observation). If any square on the LOS path contains "blocking"
terrain then there is a possibility the LOS will be blocked.
(4) There are two types of blocking terrain: ELEVATED terrain and
COVER terrain. Elevated terrain is any terrain on the LOS path that has a
higher altitude level than both the sighting and target units. Cover terrain
consists of TOWN, WOODS or BROKEN terrain squares.
(5) Elevated terrain will always block the LOS. Town terrain squares
will always block a line of sight. A LOS may be traced through 1 woods
square that would have otherwise blocked the LOS but will be blocked by a
second woods square. A LOS may be traced through 2 broken squares that would
have otherwise blocked the LOS but will be blocked by a third broken square.
A LOS may not be traced through one forest and one broken square.
(6) If the LOS is not blocked and the two units are on the same
altitude level, then they may observe each other.
(7) If the LOS is not blocked by ELEVATED terrain and the two units
are at different altitude levels, then the following formula is used to
determine if a LOS exists:
LOS is clear if [h - ( d x H / D)] * >= p.
* Rounds off number to nearest integer.
H = height of higher position minus height of lower position.
D = distance from higher position to lower position.
h = height of higher unit.
d = distance from potential obstacle to higher position.
P = height of potential obstacle.
Each square on the path from the higher unit to the lower unit is a
potential obstacle. Cover terrain will increase the altitude level of a
square by 1 additional level when calculating the value of "P" in the above
formula. The following diagram shows the heights of various terrain types on
a typical map. The computer is the final judge in determining LOS. Players
may use the (view key to determine which squares are visible from any
particular square).
9.0 HISTORICAL SCENARIOS
9.1 Meeting Engagement East of Bryansk (July 7,1942):
This is a meeting engagement with a game length of 20 turns. The German
player begins with 60 victory points, and the Soviet player begins with 0
victory points. As part of a major attack toward the Resseta River, the
German 11th Panzer Division ran into a large reserve tank force which was
able to inflict severe losses on the German advance guard.
9.2 Attempted Relief of Stalingrad (December 17, 1942):
This is a German assault with a game length of 30 turns. The German
player begins with 250 victory points, and the Soviet player begins with 60
victory points. The Germans are attempting to break through Russian mobile
formations in order to relieve the beleaguered German 6th Army in Stalingrad.
The Russians have established a strong position around the town of Verkhniy
Kumskiy using tanks from the Third Tank Army. Elements of the 6th and 23rd
Panzer Divisions were repulsed on the 16th but eventually succeeded in taking
the town on the 17th.
9.3 Attack Toward Kiev (November 30 1943):
This is a Russian assault with a game length of 30 turns. The German
player begins with 20 victory points, ant the Soviet player begins with 250
victory points. After crossing the Dniepr River northeast of Kiev, the
Russian units in the bridgehead turned south and attacked the German 68th
Infantry Division. Although successful in clearing the woods of germans, a
last-minute counterattack by German armor prevented the Russians from
reaching Kiev.
9.4 Attack Toward Berlin (March 22, 1945):
This is a Russian assault with a game length of 30 turns. The German
player begins with The German player begins with 250 victory points, and the
Soviet player begins with 180 victory points. After having achieved
bridgeheads over the Oder River both north and south of Kuestrin, the Russians
ordered a tank corps to advance down the main highway to Berlin. Facing the
Russians was a newly formed Panzer division which could only scrape together
55 Panther and Tiger tanks. Fighting over flat terrain, the German tanks were
able to get the better of the uncoordinated Russian armor attacks, despite
being outnumbered by 2.5 to 1. The Panther tank once again proved that it was
the best tank of World War II.
10.0 GAME LENGTH AND VICTORY CONDITIONS
10.1 Ending the Game:
The game will automatically end after 20 turns (30 turns if an assault
battle is being played). Players may also elect to end the game early if they
both agree (use the 0 key), and they may also elect to continue a game that
has ended. If they elect to continue a game that has ended, the computer will
never again end the game as this must be done by the players.
10.2 Victory Conditions:
At the end of the game victory points (VPs) will be awarded as follows:
EACH UNUSED SELECTION POINT........................20
(maximum of 250 due to unused selection points)
FORCES IN THE OBJECTIVE AREA:
ARMORED VEHICLE..................................20
ARTILLERY/TRUCK..................................10
INFANTRYMAN.......................................5
EACH KILL:
INFANTRY..........................................1
HMG...............................................2
50,81,82MOR.......................................3
120MOR............................................5
OTHER ARTILLERY..................................10
TRUCK............................................10
ARMORED VEHICLE..................................10
(Plus FRONT ARMOR)
Only the attacking player receives points for units in the objective
area. When playing a meeting engagement type battle both players receive
points for units in the objective area (both players are considered to be the
attacker).
After the victory points have been totaled the defender's points will
be doubled (points for unused selection value may be doubled to a value no
greater than 500).
The computer will divide the total German victory points by the total
Russian victory points to arrive at a victory ratio. Compare this ratio to
the following chart to determine the victor:
2.00 and above ..German Decisive Victory
1.50 - 1.99 .....German Substantive Victory
1.10 - 1.49 .....German Marginal Victory.
0.92 - 1.09 .....Draw
0.67 - 0.91 .....Russian Marginal Victory
0.51 - 0.66 .....Russian Substantive Victory
0.50 and below ..Russian Decisive Victory
12.0 STRATEGY NOTES
Deployment
When deploying on defense you should entrench your infantry near the
forward edge of the objective area in company size positions. Position your
anti-tank guns and some of your armored vehicles behind this line by 3-5
squares. Place your mortars and main HQ 5-15 squares behind the infantry on
hilltops which have clear fields of vision of probable enemy approach routes.
You are attempting to create a situation in which enemy tanks first encounter
your infantry positions, and then almost simultaneously receive medium range
anti-tank fire. Try to keep at least one company of tanks in reserve,
committing them only once the axis of the main enemy attack is determined.
When attacking place your infantry in halftracks or on tanks and then set up
in a tight formation no more than 5-10 squares wide. Consider splitting off a
task force of one tank company and one infantry company to flank the enemy
defensive positions.
Command Control.
Be sure to protect your main HQ by placing it in the rear, but keep it
on a hilltop if possible so that it can call in off-board artillery with a
minimum delay. Keep your HQ units 1-2 squares behind the units they are
commanding. Russian tank brigade and infantry battalion HQ's and all German
battalion HQ's should only be committed to combat when absolutely necessary.
Getting Your Units To Move
A unit will not move as long as it is firing at an enemy unit. In order
to get the unit to stop firing you must lower the unit's target selection
range. Stop! It is essential that you understand this concept, as your
setting it too high may keep the unit from moving as it fires ineffectively
at distant targets, but setting it too low may cause the unit to continue
moving into an ambush even as enemy units may appear dangerously close.
Firing on the Move
While moving, a unit may begin to fire on an enemy target. If you wish
to keep firing at the enemy while taking advantage of cover terrain in the
unit's square, but you also want to keep the unit s current movement
objective, set the unit's speed to 0. Even if you don't want to keep the
current movement objective, it is better to set the speed to 0 than to use
the (K)cancel command, since the cancel command will eliminate any pulses
fired at target that may already have accumulated.
Trucks
Never drive loaded trucks within range of enemy fire, as this is the
quickest way to lose your guns and infantry. Keep them in cover terrain or
behind hills where they cannot be spotted by enemy artillery observers.
Weapons
At least 50% of the strategy in Kampfgruppe is derived from the
differences between weapons systems. It is essential that you study your
weapons when beginning a scenario, as well as attempt to predict which
weapons you will face. Try to establish at what range you will attempt to
engage enemy tanks. For example if you have PZ-IIIJ tanks and expect to face
T-34/76A tanks, it would be foolish to close to 400 yards, stop and exchange
fire. The sound strategy would be to obtain back armor shots, or close to 0
range. However, if you have some 75 or 88 AT guns, it might be wise to lure
the Russian tanks towards your tanks and then open up with the AT guns at
medium range as you charge forward with your tanks. The key is understanding
under what conditions your weapons have an acceptable chance of defeating the
enemy.
Special Infantry Weapons
Infantry defending in cover terrain cannot be seen until either an
enemy unit enters its square or the infantry unit opens fire. For this reason
it is often wise to set the target selection range of defending infantry to
zero. This will allow the infantry to ambush enemy units that enter its
square. The weakness of this strategy is that each defending square, once
discovered, can be attacked piecemeal. When attacking against the 0 range
strategy, it is best to send Infantry one square ahead of the attacking
tanks, as it is much better to have your infantry ambushed than your tanks.
If you don't have time for a slow infantry advance, be sure to put infantry
on your tanks, for if your tanks are ambushed, at least your infantry will
dismount and fire back in defense of the tanks. Do not allow infantry with
grenades to continue firing at your armored vehicles, for with an accuracy of
25, their ability to hit will triple. This represents the ability of
unsuppressed infantry to eventually climb on enemy tanks and destroy them
with light weapons. Grenades represent Infantry close assaulting tanks, in
which case the thickness of the armor of the defending tank becomes
insignificant; thus grenades have been given a penetration value of 25.
Suppression
In Kampfgruppe, once a unit has been fully suppressed (100+), it may
easily be destroyed by a unit entering its square. The key is to identify
soft-targets, keep them suppressed, and then send in at least one unit to
close assault the defender. Using small arms and artillery fire to suppress
armored vehicles can also be useful, as it can help keep the vehicles from
acquiring new targets.
The Combined Arms Concept
Kampfgruppe rewards those who are able to use combined arms tactics. On
the attack, artillery should be used to suppress and destroy enemy anti-tank
guns, as well as suppress enemy mortar positions. Infantry is needed to
suppress and then assault defending infantry positions, as well as help in
suppressing enemy vehicles. Tanks can be used to destroy enemy vehicles and
overrun suppressed enemy infantry and gun positions. Armored cars and light
tanks should be positioned several squares ahead of the assault elements in
order to spot enemy positions and draw fire from anti-armor weapons, thus
exposing them to the fire of your artillery. On defense, use infantry to
ambush tanks and suppress any units that come too close. Artillery can be
used to keep attacking infantry pinned down, while anti-tank guns attack
vehicles that are mixing it up with the defending infantry. Tanks should be
used as a mobile reserve, fighting off major armored thrusts, or
counterattacking unsupported infantry attacks.
APPENDIX 3: TERRAIN NUMBERS/TYPES/LEVEL
0 Clear (Level 1)
1 Road (Level 1)
2 Road (Level 1)
3 Road (Level 1)
4 Road (Level 1)
5 Road (Level 1)
6 Road (Level 1)
7 Road (Level 1)
8 Town (Level 1/2)
9 Woods (Level 1/2)
10 Broken (Level 1/2)
11 Slope (Level 2)
12 Slope (Level 2)
13 Slope (Level 2)
14 Slope (Level 2)
15 Slope (Level 2)
16 Slope (Level 2)
17 Road/Slope (Level 2)
18 Road/Slope (Level 2)
19 River (Level 0)
20 River (Level 0)
21 River (Level 0)
22 River (Level 0)
23 River (Level 0)
24 River (Level 0)
25 Bridge (Level 1)
26 Bridge (Level 1)
27 Ford (Level 0)
28 Ford (Level 0)
29 Clear (Level 3)
31 Road (Level 3)
32 Road (Level 3)
33 Road (Level 3)
34 Road (Level 3)
35 Road (Level 3)
36 Road (Level 3)
37 Town (Level 3/4)
38 Woods (Level 3/4)
39 Broken (Level 3/4)
40 Slope (Level 4)
41 Slope (Level 4)
42 Slope (Level 4)
43 Slope (Level 4)
44 Slope (Level 4)
45 Slope (Level 4)
46 Road/Slope (Level 4)
47 Road/Slope (Level 4)
48 Clear (Level 5)
49 Road (Level 5)
50 Road (Level 5)
51 Road (Level 5)
52 Road (Level 5)
53 Road (Level 5)
54 Road (Level 5)
55 Road (Level 5)
56 Town (Level 5/6)
57 Woods (Level 5/6)
58 Broken (Level 5/6)
KAMFGRUPPE SCENARIO DISK ONE
Bridgehead Time Period: 1
Barbarossa has begun. Advance units of the Wermacht are striking
swiftly and deeply into Soviet territory. In this scenario, advance German
units are converging to cross the river, capture the road hub in the town on
the opposite side, and save the last unblown bridge, which the Soviets will
destroy after turn 20. Note the bridge hexes already blown. This is a German
pursuit scenario - but do not take this to mean the Soviet side is weak. We
recommend that the computer play the Soviet side.
Berlin Time Period: 8
This scenario recreates April 28, 1945, when Soviet elements of the 3rd
Guards Tank Army made an assault on Berlin's perimeter defended by units of
the 20th Motorized Division. The defensive perimeter is evident, with a clear
field of fire for the defenders. Also note there are strategic areas and a
blown highway that have been flooded by the defenders. Beware of areas with
high-rise buildings. This is a Soviet assault, and we suggest that the
computer play the German side.
Panzer Thrust Time Period: 4
This is a small meeting engagement in which the German commander is
attempting to capture the town in the middle of the map. A Soviet blocking
force has already reached the town and they are expecting armored
reinforcements. We recommend that the computer play the Soviet side.
Eagle's Nest Time Period: 5
This is a Soviet assault on a fortress-like Nazi bastion. We recommend
that the computer play the German side.
Inferno Time Period: 6
This is a German assault on a Soviet urban center. We recommend that
the computer play the Soviet side.
