Smolensk: Barbarossa Derailed

Operational Combat Series (OCS) games simulate campaign-level combat from 1900 to the mid-1950s. The series goal is to allow a sophisticated study of historical events while maintaining mechanical simplicity. Every facet of modern combat is modeled. 

Smolensk: Barbarossa Derailed is the latest release in the Operational Combat Series (OCS), covering the campaign along the Moscow highway in the summer of 1941. These actions set the stage for the Wehrmacht’s autumn drive on the Soviet capital, and many historians believe the bitter fighting here ultimately doomed the Axis to failure in Russia.

The game begins on 8 July with Barbarossa still in high gear. In August, the advance stalls as Hitler diverts most of the panzers from the map to forces around Leningrad and Kiev. Soviet counteroffensives will push Army Group Center close to the breaking point by game’s end on 8 September. The asymmetry of the two armies will be familiar to veterans of past OCS campaigns, especially Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II. There is the expected qualitative difference in typical Action Ratings, along with stark contrasts in logistical capabilities and replacement rates.

Smolensk is a small and fairly simple entry in the series, with special rules kept to a minimum. We think players will enjoy the fact both sides must attack and defend. By the end they will learn three things about this campaign: the Soviets are more than just punching bags, the Germans are challenged to hold their early gains, and the road to Moscow will be paved in blood.

Seven scenarios are included:
Intro Scenario: Vitebsk, 1/2 turn, using about 1/4 of the map
Smolensk Campaign, 8 July to 8 September (19 turns)
Late July Start, 22 July to 8 September (15 turns)
1st Counteroffensive, 22 July to 1 August (4 turns)
Early August Start, 8 August to 8 September (10 turns)
2nd Counteroffensive, 8 August to 22 August (5 turns)
3rd Counteroffensive, 26 August to 8 September (5 turns)

• One 22 x 34-inch map
• Four countersheets
  
• Operational Combat Series v4.2 series rulebook
  
• Smolensk game-specific rulebook
• Two OCS charts & tables
  
• Four play aid cards
• Dice