The Soviet Initial Offensive - Feb 2nd to Feb 19th, 1943.
Flushed with the success of the victory at Stalingrad, Stavka launched Operation Gallop/Star on the day the Paulus surrendered 6th Army in ignominy. The Soviet operation was hurriedly pulled together from the march to take advantage of the perceived disarray of the Axis forces. Report after report was received and it was obvious to Stavka that the Germans were abandoning both Rostov and the Mius River line - just as they had withdrawn from the Caucasus. Pushing both south and west they could trap Army Group South and dwarf Stalingrad. The Soviets satisfied their strategic aim with Star - the capture of Belgorod and Kharkov. With Operation Gallop they went perilously close to capturing both the Dnepr crossings and isolating 1st and 4th Panzer Armies on the River Mius.
(Size, Campaign Game)
Combining Operation Star and Gallop and using the whole map, this is the largest scenario in Kharkov '43. This campaign is a perfect team HTH game. Though the Soviets are strong the distances are significant. The German player will have to decide where to use his reinforcements and his better mobility while preserving his strength for tomorrow. The Soviet player will find that the march routes and supply considerations will be front of mind combined with river crossings and urban fighting.
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Vasili.I.Chuikov
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