Operation Conrad
(By Perry Moore for Close Simulations.)
Review By Alan Sharif

In January 1945 massive allied armies were poised for the final
destruction of the Third Reich. Any madman could see that German forces
were exhausted and victory impossible. Hitler, however, some how saw an
opportunity for a major counterstroke in Hungary. The plan was to strike
between Lakes Balaton and Velencei, cut off then destroy Third Ukrainian
Front, then swing North and retake Budapest, relieving the ill fated
Ninth SS Corps beleaguered their. Finally, German forces were to cross
the River Danube and recapture Eastern Hungary! Considerations of
terrain and weather were not allowed to intervene, despite the fact that
the plan included crossing a low-lying swampy area criss crossed by a
multitude of canals and small watercourses. The plans strategic
ambitions were even more impossible than the earlier, and better-known,
Ardennes offensive. Operation Conrad is an operational simulation of the
SS drive to relieve the Budapest garrison. That said, the likelihood of
them achieving this aim is demonstrated by the fact that the City of
Budapest does not actually appear on the map. On a good day the axis
player may get to exit units from the map on route to Budapest. Often
victory depends on holding towns on the map.

The game comprises of a small map, one hundred and ten counters and a
short rules booklet. The game is available both ziploc and in what has
to be the smallest box I've ever seen used for a wargame. The units use
silhouettes rather than standard NATO symbols and often represent
companies or battalions. This leads to some very high stacks that are
awkward to move about the map or look through. Graphically it is nothing
special but quite acceptable.

A game turn commences with artillery barrage. German artillery can also
lend direct support to assaults later in the game turn. Barrages cause
disruption or elimination of target units. Disrupted units defend
normally but may neither attack or move and lose their zone of control.
Surprisingly there is no defensive support by artillery in this game,
which strikes me as rather odd.

Combat follows and is based on differentials not odds. This means most
units have to move adjacent to enemy units in the preceding turn in
order to have combat. The Axis start the game with a heavy advantage in
numbers but the CRT is fairly bloodless with mainly retreats resulting
so attacks must be planned carefully in order to surround and destroy
enemy units. The Soviet's receive a steady stream of reinforcements
throughout the game and the initial Axis impetus will ebb away over a
few game turns. Towards games end initiave will be firmly in the hands
of the Soviet player. One minor gripe I have about the game is that some
axis units have a minus figure for defensive strength. These are usually
units of Tank Destroyers and Assault Guns. Whilst I'd accept that these
weapon types were vulnerable to close assault by infantry, adding them
to a stack of units reduces its total defensive strength. This seems a
little harsh to me so I count their defensive strength as zero, a simple
fix.

The movement phase is standard fare. Units have high movement allowances
but movement costs are high so you won't move as far as you might have
first thought. Units recover from disruption automatically at this time.

Chrome exists in the shape of special rules for SS units. Historically,
the SS made almost superhuman efforts to reach Budapest, all to no
avail. The game allows SS units to attack twice during the combat phase
with SS artillery units able to support both assaults. In addition, from
turn five SS units may spend four movement points between the barrage
and combat phases. From turn six, however, fatigue rules may start to
effect SS units.

This is a small, simple and quick playing game that can also be played
solo. It is not a bad game and certainly worth a closer look by WW2
enthusiasts.