Dave Shaw
dshaw62197@home.com
Blitzkrieg '41: The Barbarossa Campaign
Command #1

Blitzkrieg '41 simulates the opening stage of the Russo-German war of
1941-45, beginning at the start of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941 and
ending in March 1942. A single map depicts Russia from the Nazi-Soviet
Pact boundary to Gorki, and from Leningrad down to the Maikop oil fields.
Units are corps and armies. 

As Command's first magazine game effort, this game is very enjoyable,
and overall a nice simulation of this oft-revisited campaign.  While the
rules are somewhat lengthy, the game is fairly easy, and is certainly playable
in a single sitting. Game turns for each player consist of supply check,
reinforcement arrival & placement, movement and mobile assaults, and
prepared assaults.  

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the game is the supply rules,
which allow players to trace supply through enemy-controlled (but not
enemy-occupied) hexes. In addition, both sides have to figure varying
lengths of supply lines, or else suffer increasing losses of movement
and combat points.  Combined with the lack of ZOCs, this makes for a fluid,
fortune-reversing contest.

Though at times the supply rules may make the game appear unrealistic,
they in fact force the German player to plan ahead lest the Soviets find a
loophole and escape encirclement; likewise, the Soviet player must be
fully attentive to any slips made by the German. (This requires that players
diligently keep track of who controls what territory; some work
involved, but well worth it.) 

While the territory covered by Blitzkrieg '41 is familiar to most
gamers, the game offers a fast-paced, fun simulation of the opening months of
Barbarossa.  Obviously the game is a little hard to come by, since it is
the first issue of Command. However, most grognards -- and especially
those who relish the WW2 Eastern Front -- will find that it certainly lives up to
the effort (and expense) of finding it.