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Scenario Author:
RhinoBones
Map Author:
RhinoBones
Author's E-mail Address:
RhinoBones@aol.com
Last Scenario Revision Date:
November 30, 1999
VERSION 1.1
Background
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German Chief of Staff Falkanhayn was not in favor of the Hindenberg/Ludendorff plan to concentrate the German army against Russia. Their intention was to drive Russia out of the war with one great offensive originating from their sector in East Prussia. Of particular concern to Falkanhayn was the proposal to shift forces from the western to eastern front. It was his opinion that the war would only be won when the Allies were defeated in France. On this point, he was probable correct.
There were other concerns though, which made the eastern front the necessary focus of German attention. The recent offensive by Russia into the Carpathian Mountains had revealed the true weakness of the Austro-Hungarian forces. There was a real risk that Russia might renew the offensive and bring down the government of the Dual Monarchy, thereby, undermining the Central Powers. There was also the question of Austria's failed attempts to subdue Serbia. It was desirable to overrun Serbia, secure the land route to Turkey and free up those forces for deployment elsewhere.
Falkanhayn reluctantly agreed to an offensive against Russia but insisted that limits be placed on the objective in order to prevent the German army from being lost in the vastness of Russia. Hindenberg and Ludendorff made the first move in the campaign, striking out of East Prussia into Courland. There were two objectives to this effort. The initial goal was to draw Russian reserves to the north, away from the bigger offenses coming later in the south. They were not particularly successful as a diversion. The second objective was to win the war in the east by the capture of Riga and Vilnyus. This was also unsuccessful. A good deal of territory was capture, but then the Tsar had plenty of territory for playing poker. Eventually General Gallwitz and the German 12th Army would enter the battle and conduct the drives for Bialystok, Grodno and Baranovitch. By the end of September the Russians have taken terrible punishment, but they are not driven from the field and organize a stiff resistance in front of Riga.
Victory Conditions
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Germans must hold all objectives by the end of the scenario.
Remarcks
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This scenario is designed to be played solitaire from the German side. For PBM games and games played solitaire from the Russian side, the Germans require about a +2 boost in prestige to help balance out the scenario.
Last Update Changes
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v1.0 07-22-99 Initial Release
v1.1 11-30-99 Game length and starting German prestige allotment
reduced to increase difficulty. Updated equipment file added.
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