Russian Front (1985)

From The Back Cover

Russian Front is a game that re-creates the ebb and flow of the largest, longest and most costly military campaign of World War II. The game covers the vast theater of operations and the massive forces employed by the Soviet Union and by Nazi Germany and her allies. Only this time, you are in command of alternate scenarios, that start in May or June 1941, in 1942, and 1943, or the Grand campaign from 1941-45.

The Basic rules allow players to quickly start playing the game and mastering the system. The Advanced and Optional rules allow players to choose the levels of complexity and detail that they enjoy.

Scenarios

Included in the game are three scenarios: 1941, 1942, and 1943. The Barbarossa scenario also has an early start option with some historically plausible options for allowing this. The '42 scenario, while historical, is quite imbalanced in favor of the Axis player. Is a great way to practice the Summer '42 turns though so it is certainly recommended. Finally is the '43 scenario. This is imbalanced in favor of the Soviet player and is essentially Barbarossa in reverse. It is very, very important that players practice this one. It is the best way to learn the strengths of the Soviet side.

Consolidated Rulebook

The Avalon Hill Game Company (TAHGC) quickly released a few important errata for the printed game. This was released in GENERAL 22-4. Then, two years later, extensive errata was released in GENERAL 24-1. Both of these are available for download in the 'files' section below. However, a new digital rulebook is available for download with all errata already incorporated. This is also available in the 'files' section.

The Wargame Academy Tournament Rules

Various rules are subject to interpretation. The stated goal of the Wargame Academy is to provide a tournament rulebook where interpretive rules are explicitly stated with only one ruling. This will enable tournament play. Visit www.wargameacademy.org for more information and for a copy of the book.

Map Extensions

Some players through the years desired a bit more space on the map. To that end custom map extensions have been designed by more than one player. The VASSAL module now has map extensions available as an option for play. West to Berlin, Northeast to Archangel, and Southeast to Baku are all included. Later these extensions will be available for download in a printable file.

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.22,No.4
  • Russian Front – “The Russian Front Dissected” (Designer Notes) S. Craig Taylor
  • Russian Front – “Russian Front Plus” (Variant Discussion) James Meldrum
  • Russian Front – “Before the Snow Flies: A Tour of the June-August 1941 Turns of Russian Front” (Discussion) Dan Thompson
  • Russian Front – “Russian Front Errata”
• The GENERAL Vol.24,No.1
  • Russian Front – “East Wall - The Russian First Turn” (Strategy)
  • Russian Front – “Complete Russian Front” (Design)
  • Russian Front – “Russian Front Errata”
• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.2
  • Russian Front – “East Rubble - Shattering the Wall in the East” (Strategy)
• The GENERAL Vol.27,No.1
  • Russian Front – “Onward to Vologda: An Axis 1941 Winter Offensive” (Strategy) John Hyler
• The GENERAL Vol.28,No.3
  • Russian Front – “A Steppe in the right direction-The German first turn in Russian Front” (Strategy) Richard Lanson Miller

BattlePlan Index Article List:

• Battleplan,No.9 1989
  • Russian Front – “Finnish Front - Russian Front scenario", Douglas S. Chinn