Ticket to Don – Map

Ticket to Don — Gamemaster’s notes

Date: Jun 28th, 1942

Time: 0800

Location: East of Harkov, Ukraine

Background: Summer of 1942 in the East Front began with huge Russian losses. In two encirclement operations the Germans destroyed six Russian armies, took 400000 prisoners and material to suite.

This was to follow with the German ‘Operation Blue’, whose operative goals where Stalingrad and the oil

fields in Caucasus. The German 6th Army’s part in this operation was to encircle the Russian units located

around the city of Voroneš, at the river Don.

Unbeknownst to the Germans, the Russian STAVKA had managed to convince Stalin to loosen up on the ‘no

retreat’ doctrine and now, using delaying tactics, the Russians would retreat towards Stalingrad, into which

area they would gather forces.

Designer notes: This scenario is build around the above assumptions. The Russians are supposed to take the edge off the German attack and then retreat in an orderly fashion, while the Germans are looking to

destroy the Russians and make a break through into their lines.

Another premise in this scenario is the Armoured Train. There are several reports where armoured trains

have covered the retreat of friendly units.

How it works: - There is a small possibility where for both sides fulfil their victory objective. This is fine, as it

presents a short term victory (operation Blue advances) for the Germans and a long term victory

(troops avoid encirclement) for the Russians, so effectively it’s a Draw.

- The Soviets have more Big Men than usual; this is to give them more changes to keep their forces on

the move. The Commissar card is missing on purpose as even he knows better than to meddle with

STAVKA’s new orders.

- The Russians are not in any prepared positions as they are supposed to be on the move already. The

only cover is what the terrain naturally provides.

Card Deck Tea Break

Turn Counter

Soviet Cards

Blinds Move

Big Men x 6

Heroic Leader

Dynamic Commander

Rally

Reconnaissance Force

Armoured Train

Tank x 5

Armoured Car x 2

Rifle Platoon x 2

Train Support Platoon

Support Weapons

Support Gun Truck

German Cards

Blinds Move

Big Men x 6

Dynamic Commander

Blitzkrieg

Rally

Rapid Deployment

Recce Platoon

Reconnaissance Force

Panzer Platoon x 3

Rifle Platoon x 3

Pioneer Platoon

AT Support Vehicle

Gamemaster’s map

Ticket to Don - Russian briefing

Date: Jun 28th, 1942

Time: 0800

Location: East of Harkov, Ukraine

Background: Summer of 1942 in the East Front began with huge Russian losses. Marshal Timoshenko’s

counter-offensive at the Kharkov area resulted in the Germans destroying six Russian armies, taking 400000

prisoners and material to suite.

STAVKA has now given a new doctrine; by using delaying tactics, our forces are to retreat towards

Stalingrad, into which area we are gathering forces. Troops are not to engage in prolonged battles with the

enemy.

Orders: Blunt the German attack and exit to the East with half of your force belonging to the 21st Army. For

major victory, exit also your armoured train to the South.

Forces Available Armoured Train Group

Big Men Captain Poezd (1D6)

Sergeant Teleg (1D4)

1 x OB-3 Armoured Train

1 OV Locomotive (4 crew)

1 Tender with Command Compartment (4 crew)

1 Twin 14.5 mm AA gun nest on top of the Tender (3 crew)

2 OB-3 carriage with one T-26 turret (6 crew)

2 OB-3 carriage with one T-34 (M1941) turret (6 crew)

2 Pusher cars loaded with tools and track parts

Rail cars are arranged symmetrically around the locomotive

1 x Recon Platoon

2 BA-10 Armoured Cars

1 x Train Support Platoon Good quality

2 Rifle Squads (10 men each)

Squads may travel in the train

Parts of the 21. Army

Big Men

Captain Povozk (1D6, rides a T-34)

Lieutenant Bodryj (1D6)

Senior Sergeant Uzhas (1D6+2)

Yefreitor Smrad (1D4)

1st Platoon Good quality

3 Rifle Squads (10 men + truck each)

2nd Platoon Good quality

3 Rifle Squads (10 men + truck each)

Support Weapons

2 Maxim MMGs (3 crew each)

1 SU-12 (Zis-6 with 76mm gun) (5 crew)

Tank Platoon

5 T-34 (1942)

Notes: - Due to the train’s communication system, Captain Poezd can activate the whole train on his card.

- Trucks of the Infantry squads are parked in the village that is near the railway station.

- To determine ‘half of your force’, count each tanks as 7 points, each truck as 3 points, and each man

as 1 point. Thus your 21st Army troops are worth 127 points.

Russian Map

Ticket to Don - German briefing

DateDateDateDate: Jun 28th, 1942

TimeTimeTimeTime: 0800

LocationLocationLocationLocation: East of Harkov, Ukraine

BackgroundBackgroundBackgroundBackground: Summer of 1942 in the East Front began with huge Russian losses. In two encirclement operations you destroyed six Russian armies, took 400000 prisoners and material to suite.

Now is the time for the ‘Operation Blue’, whose operative goals are Stalingrad and the oil fields in Caucasus.

Your Kampfgruppe belongs to the 6th Army and your part in this operation is to encircle the Russian units

located around the city of Voroneš, at the river Don. To achieve this, you need to create a break-through in

the Russian lines.

OrdersOrdersOrdersOrders: Destroy 2/3rds of the Russian forces in the area and have mobile forces on the East third of the map.

Forces Available Kampfgruppe von Walze 3rd Panzer Division

Big Men Major von Walze (1D6)

Hauptmann Flanke (1D6)

Leutnant Laufen (1D6)

Feldwebel Grausen (1D6+2)

Feldwebel Stein (1D6+1)

Obergefreiter Mofa (1D4)

Primary Force

Panzer Platoon 1

4 PzKpfw III H

Panzer Platoon 2

4 PzKpfw 38t E

1st Infantry Platoon Good quality

4 Rifle Squads (8 men + SdKfz 251 half-track each)

2nd Infantry Platoon Good quality

4 Rifle Squads (8 men + SdKfz 251 half-track each)

Pioneer half-platoon Good quality

2 Pioneer Squad (8 men + flamethrower team (2 crew) + SdKfz 251 each)

AT Support

1 SdKfz 251/10 (37mm PaK 36)

Reinforcements

Panzer Platoon 3

4 PzKpfw IV F

3rd Infantry Platoon Good quality

4 Rifle Squads (8 men + SdKfz 251 half-track each)

Flanking Units

Recce Platoon

1 SdKfz 221

2 SdKfz 222

2 PzKpfw II F

Notes: - Flanking units’ cards are added to the deck when the Turn Counter card has been drawn 4 times. The units will enter from the

‘German Flank Entry’ line in the next turn.

- Reinforcements’ cards are added to the deck when the Turn Counter card has been drawn 6 times. The units will enter from

the ‘German Entry’ line in the next turn.

German Map