0624_24a: The Trap at Vitebsk - [HTH] - PzC 16 Minsk '44

Vitebsk, June 24th 1944: Operation "Bagration" had opened on June 23rd, with the Russian forces aimed at the deep objective of Minsk, while isolating the German fortress cities, including Vitebsk. By this time, around Vitebsk, the pincers were already well on their way toward cutting off the German defenders. Hitler had ordered the major towns and cities near the front line to be held, the forces in them to counterattack and restore the front lines between them, while reinforcements were brought up to deal with the penetrations. This was an unreachable goal, do you as the German commander on the scene, retreat toward Minsk, to the southwest, and possible safety? Or, alternatively, can your defenders hold on while the Russians try to eliminate the pocket forming at Vitebsk. [Size: Medium]. Designer Note: This scenario has been optimized for HTH play. There is a German exit hex in the southwest corner of the map. A German player has the option to try and retreat off the map with as many units as possible, thereby reducing the Soviet victory points, or to dig in, and hold, around the fortress town of Vitebsk. The Russian player must try to block the German player from exiting while clearing Vitebsk of defenders.