Strategy & Tactics #317: Moscow – The Advance of Army Group Center, Autumn 1941 is a two-player operational wargame simulating the climactic German offensive against the Soviet capital in the autumn and early winter of 1941. Representing one of the most critical campaigns of Operation Barbarossa, the game challenges players to capture or defend Moscow as the weather turns, supplies dwindle, and both armies strain at the edge of endurance.

• Historical Background: In October 1941, Army Group Center launched Operation Typhoon—the final German attempt to capture Moscow before winter. Vast armoured spearheads advanced rapidly, encircling Soviet armies, while Red Army defenders struggled to form new defensive lines around the capital. As freezing temperatures set in, mud and snow bogged down the offensive, and Soviet counterattacks halted the Germans just short of victory. Moscow recreates this desperate campaign, where the fate of the Eastern Front hung in the balance.
• Gameplay & Objectives: The German player must strike swiftly, exploiting mobility and coordination to reach Moscow before the weather and Soviet reinforcements can stop them. The Soviet player must delay, absorb losses, and rally fresh divisions to hold the line. Strategic choices include when to defend, when to counterattack, and how to allocate precious reinforcements. Terrain, weather, and logistics all play decisive roles in this battle of endurance and timing.
• Game System: Moscow uses an evolution of the acclaimed system from Decision Games’ Leningrad, updated to reflect the operational realities of central Russia’s geography and winter conditions. The focus is on maneuver warfare and the interplay between mobility, terrain, and attrition. Players familiar with Leningrad will find this system immediately accessible, with subtle adjustments such as modified stacking limits and weather effects to reflect the unique challenges of the Moscow campaign.
• Map & Scale: Each hex represents 30 miles (48 kilometres), allowing players to command the entire front from Smolensk to the gates of Moscow. Units represent divisions and brigades of both the Wehrmacht and Red Army, with historical orders of battle and reinforcement schedules providing strong period authenticity.

Game Components:

• 1 x 22” x 34” full-colour operational map depicting the Moscow campaign front
• 176 die-cut counters representing German and Soviet divisions and brigades
• Rules featuring weather, logistics, reinforcement, and combat systems
• Low-to-intermediate complexity for quick yet immersive play

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Operational
Hex: 30 Miles (48 km)
Turn: Multi-day (October 1941 – January 1942)

Gameplay Focus: Moscow captures the strategic tension of the Eastern Front’s turning point. The German player must press forward despite logistical collapse and brutal weather, while the Soviet player must coordinate a desperate defence and counteroffensive. Every decision carries weight — the balance of momentum and attrition determines victory.

Strategy & Tactics #317: Moscow – The Advance of Army Group Center, Autumn 1941 delivers a gripping, historically grounded wargame that recreates the drama and intensity of one of World War II’s most decisive campaigns. A must-have for history enthusiasts and operational-level wargamers alike.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s leading source for historical wargames, strategy titles, and military simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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