Operation Uranus 1942 - War in the East

Historical Outcome: Operation Uranus was the codename given to the Soviet offensive to encircle and destroy the German and Rumanian forces in and around Stalingrad. On 19 November 1942, the Soviet Southwest and Don Fronts (on the northern flank of the Axis forces at Stalingrad) began their offensive. Although the Rumanians were able to contain the first Soviet attacks, by the end of November 20th, the Third and Fourth Rumanian armies were in headlong retreat to the south, west and east. On this same day, the Soviet Stalingrad Front began its offensive in the south. Axis reserves were unable to stop these Soviet spearheads.
By the evening of November 22nd, the attacking Soviet fronts had linked-up at the town of Kalach, thus encircling the 290,000 Germans and Rumanians in the vicinity of Stalingrad. Instead of attempting a breakout, the German OKH decided that Axis forces in Stalingrad would hold in place, and that forces outside the pocket would be assembled to affect their relief. This relief effort, Operation Winter Storm, ended unsuccessfully on 23 December leaving the German 6th Army to its fate.

Play Tips: In this scenario, players are given an opportunity to explore the key events involved with the encirclement battle for Stalingrad. The Soviet player must quickly establish the encirclement. Once that task is complete, efforts should focus on maintaining the encirclement and repelling Axis relief forces. The Axis player faces some tough decisions in the first few turns. Should Stalingrad be held or abandoned? If held, how and where should its defenses be established? From what direction(s) should the relief forces attack? If Stalingrad is abandoned, can sufficient victory points be gained by other means to win the game?