TAHGC, STALINGRAD (1963, 1974)

STALINGRAD is a historical simulation of World War II combat on the Eastern Front. This classic title was originally designed by Charles Roberts (Thomas Shaw and Lindsley Schutz, although generally credited with the design, actually only developed the game) and published by The Avalon Hill Game Company (TAHGC) in 1963. A little over a decade later, the game underwent a minor rules overhaul and was republished in a 2nd Edition version by TAHGC, in 1974.

DESCRIPTION


STALINGRAD is a corps-level simulation of the critical twenty-four month period, between June 1941 and May 1943, when the Germans and their allies fought to destroy the Red Army and to subjugate European Russia. The stakes for both sides could not have been higher: control of the vast natural and agricultural resources of the Soviet Union. An Axis victory would have destroyed the Soviet State and plunged the Russian people into conditions of indescribable misery. A German victory would also have established Nazi hegemony over virtually all of mainland Europe, and vastly prolonged, if not changed the course of the Second World War. It should be noted that, in the years since the end of World War II, many observers have commented that the Russo-German War essentially pitted one murderous scoundrel, Hitler, against another, Stalin. Be that as it may, history also shows that however desperate the condition of the Russian people was under Stalin, it would have become immeasurably worse under a vicious, racist, and exploitative German occupation.

The game begins in June 1941 with the start of the massive German offensive, code-named “Barbarossa,” against an out-numbered and ill-prepared Russian Army. One player commands the Red Army; the other controls the Wehrmacht (German Army) as well as small contingents of Finnish, Rumanian, Hungarian, and Italian forces. STALINGRAD is 24 game turns long and follows a simple game turn sequence: the first player (German) brings in any scheduled reinforcements and/or replacements, and then moves and initiates combat; then the second player (Russian) repeats the same sequence (except that there are no Russian reinforcements, only replacements) ending the game turn. The German player wins by either eliminating all of the Russian units on the game map, or by occupying Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad, at the same time and for two consecutive player turns.

Three design features gave STALINGRAD its own unique flavor when it appeared in 1963. The first was the introduction of replacement rules: units eliminated in combat could now be resurrected — through the expenditure of replacement points — and returned to play. The German replacement rate was dependent on Axis control of Warsaw and was constant. Soviet replacements were dependent on Russian control of three replacement cities: Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad. In addition, the Soviet replacement rate increased on a set schedule as the game progressed. The game's second clever design feature was the introduction of weather rules. These rules incorporated different seasonal effects, and were further enhanced by the introduction of random, die-controlled weather changes during the spring and fall. Weather suddenly had a dramatic influence on the operations of both armies because of its effect on movement, and also because of its effect on the traversability and defensive characteristics of some lakes and rivers during snow months. The third innovation was the introduction of simple (strategic) rail movement rules to augment those of regular ground movement. Virtually all of these rules, seen from a vantage point almost fifty years removed from STALINGRAD’s first appearance, seem incredibly primitive and colorless.

Nowadays, younger players looking at the old STALINGRAD rulebook for the first time are prone to ask: Where are the partisans and where are the planes of the Luftwaffe? Where is the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the NKVD, or the German SS? How about the “special” weather effects for the first Russian Winter? All of these, and countless other history-based embellishments to the rules for games about the Russo-German War, have now become commonplace and, for the most part, these newer games are better for them. But does anyone remember the original source of inspiration for John Edwards’ THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN? No. Here’s a hint: it came from the "Boys in Baltimore". What contemporary gamers seem to forget is that there actually had to be an original game design before subsequent designers could start the inevitable process of improvement and refinement. STALINGRAD, for better or for worse, was that original design.

Some players dismiss STALINGRAD as being a poor simulation (which is certainly true) and being unbalanced (which is also true, although not nearly as much as most people think). I admit that I have played simulations with far more detail and historical accuracy than STALINGRAD, but I have rarely encountered expert play in these other games. That is this classic game’s greatest appeal: a lot of us grognards have been battling over STALINGRAD’s blue-toned and crudely-drawn map of European Russia for an awfully long time. A veteran gamer may not be familiar with every game in a friend’s collection, but I guarantee you that, if he is a long-time player, he will know this one. And although the Standard Game is slightly biased (assuming expert play) in favor of the Russians, it really doesn’t take much tweaking with the replacement rules, or with the game length to transform this old “standby” into a finely-balanced contest between the Red Army and the Wehrmacht.

STALINGRAD offers only the Historical Game. There are no scenarios (although a number have been presented in the pages of the General over the years), and almost no optional rules. Like most of the Avalon Hill classics, the rules to STALINGRAD can be learned in a few minutes, but mastery of this old “warhorse” only comes with study and a lot of practice.

Design Characteristics:

  • Time Scale: 1 month per game turn
  • Map Scale: 33 miles per hex (estimated)
  • Unit Size: corps
  • Unit Types: armor, mechanized infantry, cavalry, and infantry
  • Number of Players: two
  • Complexity: below average
  • Solitaire Suitability: above average
  • Average Playing Time: 2-4 + hours

Game Components:

  • One 22” x 28” hard-backed hexagonal grid Map Board
  • 117 ½” cardboard Counters
  • One 5½” x 8½” Rules Booklet
  • One 6” x 9” back-printed STALINGRAD Instruction Supplement
  • One 5½” x 8” STALINGRAD Battle Manual
  • One 5½” x 8½” back-printed Weather Table and Order of Battle Reference
  • One 8½” x 11” back-printed Turn Record Chart
  • One 8¼” x 10” Combat Results Table
  • One six-sided Die
  • One Avalon Hill combined Order Form and Mailer
  • One 5½” x 8½” sample General Order Form
  • One 5½” x 6½” Customer Response Card
  • One 11¼” x 14½” x 1¾” flat cardboard Game Box

11 comments:

  • Ah... So many valid comments, and so little time!

    Your wrote: "What people seem to forget is that there actually had to be an original game design [snip]"

    So true. In many ways it always annoyed me that, as much as I loved TRC, that Edwards essentially made his name tweaking the AH line. First Stalingrad, then Afrika Korps. Only in Fortress Europa does he really go beyond the original to create something original (D-DAY). Of course, this is simply my humble opinion, of course.

    You wrote: " A veteran player may not be familiar with every game in a friend’s collection, but I guarantee you that, if he is a long-time player, he will know this one."

    The beauty of the early AH games was the fact you could gain an expertise in the play of these games. I admit, playing a pro at these games was a rewarding and exciting experience. Once I was able to begin attending conventions, it was a thrill to sit across the table from people you'd never met, but by their moves recognize their skill level and know you had a fight on your hands. Better yet, to LEARN from them as the game unfolded!

    What a great feeling!

  • What can really be said on the grand daddy of all eadst front games. I think S-Grad has spawned more variants then any other game and I think I have them all.I even tackled my own variants by adding in another set of Russian's and making Militia units for the bif three cities plus Russian Para,Partisan units. I added to that the General variants for starting in 42 and the Turkish forces.

    My favorite outside variant was John Edwards redo in the S&T supplement which became RC

    But as it stands just playing the game "As Is" I think it still gives one of the best ftf matches you could get.Just a great Players game. And with all the flaws so many say it has it still keeps the diehards happy till this day

  • Greetings Kim:

    Poor old much-maligned STALINGRAD; I still enjoy the game and, although I will sometimes go years without even taking it down from the shelf; there will be other times when I will play the game by PBeM non-stop for a month or two.

    Best Regards, Joe

  • I'll simply refer folks to my review "Stalingrad, the Classic: A Revisionist's Review" at http://www.grognard.com/reviews/stalgrad.txt

    It could be even better ... even simpler, even ... and still retain much of the old girl.

    Lou Coatney, www.coatneyhistory.com

  • i'm a old kid at heart with AH "stalingrad" i ordered the game when i was young for my birthday and still have it from the first printing, 1963. But i'm 44yrs old. can't stop getting my german unit cut to pieces with that dam combat chart.

  • Greetings Anon:

    You are not alone when it comes to playing and winning with the Axis in STALINGRAD. However, although consensus opinion holds that the Russians have the edge in this venerable old "classic", a German defeat -- when the Axis are properly played -- is far from a guaranteed outcome.

    If you would like to see and/or participate in a spirited discussion about various aspects of STALINGRAD play, I recommend that you visit the STALINGRAD forum at the "Consimworld.com" gaming site.

    Also, long-time STALINGRAD commentator, George Phillies, is currently putting the final touches on his introductory book on this great old game: "The beginner's Guide to STALINGRAD". When it becomes available inline, I suggest that you consider giving it a look.

    Best Regards, Joe

  • Stalingrad still active on Boardgamegeek. 2018

  • What does 117 1/2 counters mean? How can you have 1/2 counter Thanks!

  • Greetings Carey:

    The counters in STALINGRAD -- like virtually all of the other early Avalon Hill games (excluding JUTLAND, of course)-- are 1/2" in size versus, for example, a number of more contemporary designs in which they are 5/8" or larger.

    Best Regards, Joe

  • can anyone guide me to a downloadable version of the 1974 rules for Stalingrad?

    thelennyglynn@gmail.com

  • Greetings:

    I suggest that you visit the STALINGRAD forums at both BoardGameGeek.com and ConSimWorld.com. I suspect that at least one of regular visitors to these sites should be able to help you out with a PDF copy of the 1974 rules.

    Best Regards, Joe

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