World at War #77: Winter War is a two-player operational-level wargame that recreates the Soviet invasion of Finland during the harsh winter of 1939–1940. This dramatic campaign — fought in sub-zero conditions and dense forests — saw the small but determined Finnish Army, under Field Marshal Carl Gustav Mannerheim, defy expectations and hold off the far larger Soviet Red Army through superior tactics, terrain mastery, and unbreakable resolve.

• Historical Campaign: The game begins with the Soviet Union’s invasion across multiple fronts, expecting a rapid victory. Players quickly discover the historical challenges — poor mobility, weather constraints, and stiff Finnish resistance — that made this campaign one of World War II’s most extraordinary conflicts.
• Asymmetrical Warfare System: The game captures the vastly different strengths of each side. The Soviets wield overwhelming numbers and firepower but suffer from rigidity and poor logistics, while the Finns leverage their smaller, more mobile forces, local terrain knowledge, and famous “motti” tactics to encircle and destroy isolated enemy units.
• Special Rules & Realistic Detail: The system includes mechanics for unit breakdowns, special forces operations, air sorties, and unique Finnish manoeuvre tactics. Players must exploit their side’s advantages — or be undone by its weaknesses.
• Operational Scale: Each hex on the map represents approximately 21 miles (34 km), and each turn represents 10 days of combat operations. Units range from detachments and battalions up to divisions and corps, providing a detailed yet manageable command perspective.

Winter War challenges players to balance aggression and caution under unforgiving conditions. Soviet players must achieve breakthroughs before winter attrition and Finnish counterattacks erode their advantage, while Finnish commanders must delay, harass, and counterstrike with precision to outlast the invaders.

Game Components & Features:

• 1 x 22x34” full-colour map covering Finland and the Karelian Isthmus
• 176 die-cut counters representing Finnish and Soviet forces, air units, and special operations teams
• Special rules for Finnish “motti” tactics, weather effects, and Soviet command limitations
• Playable in one to two sessions for two players
• Operational-level system ideal for historical and strategic gamers

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Battalion / Regiment / Division
Hex: 21 Miles (34 km)
Turn: 10 Days

World at War #77: Winter War delivers an authentic and challenging simulation of a campaign defined by courage, adaptation, and the extremes of winter combat. With its asymmetrical design and historically grounded mechanics, it offers both strategic depth and emotional immersion into one of the most remarkable defensive wars in modern history.

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

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