K42: Manstein Strikes Back: Updated

[Jazman]

I have updated Rick Bancroft's "Manstein Strikes Back" scenario for Kharkov 42. This is the battle of Feb-Mar 1943, the successful counterattack that recaptured Kharkov and created the infamous Kursk bulge.

I have applied Volcano Man's image art and his McNamara DB values. Get it here:

https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards...?tid=48840

The zip is called Kharkov 43, and it extracts to a non-standard directory, so be wary. However, it's not quantum physics.

I have a number of things I want to do to continue development on this scenario. So, I want feedback on the following (dare I call it playtesting?):

1. Is it really worth the trouble?

2. I used Stalingrad 42 as a baseline. I used the pdt from S42. Suggested mods to this are welcome; I've already removed the frozen penalty altogether.

3. Victory points / objectives. As we all know, this is the Holy Grail of game balance. We need to tempt the Russian to stick his neck out, so all the good Generalen der Panzertruppen can do their thing.

4. Additional things, like Trenches, improved positions, etc. As you can see, the Kharkov garrison is in a highly vulnerable state, but apparently Hausser has already ordered the withdrawal.

5. Proofing: if you find any errors, let me know! After a certain amount of time, the eyes start glazing over...

6. Quality ratings of units / HQ.

7. Anything else I haven't remembered.

I have kept Bancroft's OOB as close as possible, with a few small changes. These may not be correct, or to anyone's liking. Let me know, I'm just an impressionable marshmallow. In other words, I do not have enough knowledge on this campaign to speak authoritatively on anything.

I have a new appreciation for what Volcano Man does for us. Thanks, Ed, for all your hard work making the Alt packs.

Also, thanks to Rick Bancroft for the good hard work he did in developing this scenario. It's an interesting campaign, HPS should do the full treatment. Rick, if you're out there, maybe you can help out here!

Also, Bancroft has a couple of other smaller scenarios he's done in this campaign, and depending on how well things go, I may work those as well.

Enjoy!