PLAYER OPINIONS OF THE SCENARIO
The Russians were slowly worn down until almost breaking. That is when luck stepped in and won the match for the Russians.
This was quite the match. We both got some pretty lucky shots. His ATR was a game-winner. But my Pz III got some pretty good hits, too. In the end, I failed to take the ferry landing by *this much*. Great match!
It was really a nail biter right down to almost the end
After their loss, the Russians held on with just 5 squads.
SETUP and SSR Clarifications
Khopko's Brigade may setup in any hex, including Open Ground, concealed if in woods or building hex.
German units must setup in a building hex, including rubbled.
838s do not have smoke.
SSR3 Russians advance into the ferry hex if occupied by a Ger AFV without functioning armament or a broken Ger unit during the MPh. No PAAMC is necessary.
SSR4 Rubble may be placed in any hex. No vehicle may enter a Rubble hex.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
STALINGRAD
September 15, 1942.
The surrounded and beleaguered forces under Lieut. General Friedrich Paulus launched a fierce counter attack against the Russian 62nd Army in Stalingrad on September 13th, as a prelude to breaking out of the pocket. Seven divisions, including 2 tank divisions, pushed their way steadily into the centre of Stalingrad and towards the River Volga, which divided the city. By September 15th the German forces neared the main ferry landing by which 10,000 troops of the elite Russian 13th Guards Division were about to land from the East bank. At this point Major S N Khopko, comanding a brigade holding the approaches to the ferry landing, hurried into the H.Q. of General Chuikov, commander of the Russian defence of the city. Khopko reported that he had left only one T-34 capable of firing, but not of moving. The brigade was down to 100 men. Chuikov did not waste time on sympathy. "Rally your men around the tank", he told the Major, "and hold the approaches to the port. If you don't hold out, I'll have you shot!"
See larger map here.
Single Round Split Competition
This is a dual competition for the best allied player and the best axis player. This provides a level playing field between opponents and reduces the effect of an unbalanced scenario.
Pace
The tournament is paced for PBEM of a seven turn scenario. Players have fourteen weeks to complete the match or one player turn a week for a seven turn scenario. Scenarios of greater length have the same fourteen weeks and pace must be managed by players. Matches that fall behind should meet face-to-face on VSQL to ensure timely completion.
Rules and Conventions
Generally, all rules are in play unless mutually agreed upon in advance. The Tactical Training Series explicitly state rules in effect. The twelve original scenarios use the rules through those introduced.
The Squad Leader Academy Conventions are in effect, they answer rule questions from prior SQLA tournaments and provide guidance to the Administrators in rule disputes. Players are advised to read them beforehand.
Significant conventions
31B requires passengers to 'bail-out' when an AFV fires or is hit to prevent the 'panzergrenadier' hack. They may not move to an adjacent hex nor fire that player turn.
36B crews may not attempt AFV immobilization.
48B an ATG crew is only effected by a hit on the gun. This is a departure from the example but agrees with the rule.
57A Units may not advance 'up-and-over'. This prevents a unit entering close combat from outside the defender's LOS during the dfph.
The Supplemental Rules of Combat compile rules by firing unit type and target types. Use this to find the related rules in one paragraph and to resolve uncommon situations
Rule disagreements should be resolved in the following steps:
Players should discuss between themselves.
Roll the dice by mutual agreement.
Ask the Administrator, he resolves the dispute to continue play. Please post questions to BGG - Squad Leader forums for quickest response.
Medium
The official medium is VASSAL's SQUAD LEADER module. Players may use another medium upon mutual agreement.
VASSAL version 3.6.19
VSQL version 4.3.7
COD/GIA extension 9.4
Boards version 5 SK
ACTS is the official dice roller, it verifies rolls and it facilitates play-by-email. You can create an account and log in here.
You should use the Squad Leader Series Module in ACTS, a template for our games.
Quick and easy ACTS
Place fire and target counters on VSQL board and type Firepower, modifiers and terrain.
Copy and paste this into ACTS Dice Roll comments and roll dice.
Copy and paste dice roll results into VSQL and resolve shots.
Players not desiring the additional record keeping may use VASSAL's internal dice roller, subject to agreement of both players.