Strike of the Heron: The Approach to Stalingrad Aug-Sep 1942

Strike of the Heron - The Approach to Stalingrad explores the sudden and astonishing breakthrough operation “Fischreiher” (Heron) by the German XIV Panzer Korps and other supporting units, to the Volga River in August, 1942. It sent shock waves all the way up to Stalin and his Front commanders as the Soviets had been able to previously repel German attacks, allowing only a slow advance. This rapid breakthrough and arrival of German units along the banks of Volga River at Rynok (just north of Stalingrad proper) on August 23rd also cutoff chances of a general offensive by Soviet forces on the German’s left flank to the north. This had been part of STAVKA's overall plan but had to be hastily abandoned. The Soviets did react quickly and by Aug. 24th were launching counter thrusts against the base of the German corridor (near the Don), on both the German's right and left flanks. But, like the Germans, the Soviets were also weak. Their divisions were really at brigade strength, with around 4000 men. Their tank corps averaged 50 AFVs, but many times half of these were light tanks. The Soviet euphoric attacks managed to cut the corridor briefly, forcing the Germans to re-supply themselves by air, but had turned into a dire defensive action within a few days. A second Soviet "pincher" offensive against the corridor nearer to Stalingrad was launched from Kotluban' to the north and Orlovka to the south in early Sept. Designed by Perry Moore, Strike of the Heron includes one map with 280 counters. Units are at the division/brigade level for the Soviets while German forces are depicted from battalion to division. Each turn is 12 hours and a hex is around one mile. In terms of game play, the Soviet player must not only ensure sufficient forces escape the intended German encirclement, but then maintain constant pressure on the overextended Panzer Korps with a series of counterattacks from both north and south of the corridor. Maps - One full color 17"x44" hex mapsheet Counters - 280 full color 1/2" die-cut pieces Rules length - 15 pages Charts and tables - 1 page Complexity - Medium Playing time - Up to 4 hours How challenging is it solitaire? - Average —description from the publisher