Von Manstein’s Triumph

Second installment in the wake of “Santa Cruz 1797”. A “big brother” sequel of that little pretty game. With many similarities in mechanics to his elder brother.

The game is a card driven block game of medium size and play length about the final German assault on Sevastopol from June 7th to July 4th 1942, code named Operation Störfang.

One player takes the role of the German Commander in Chief of the 11th Army (Erich von Manstein) and has to take key locations in the Fortress-city of Sevastopol, defended by the Soviet Independent Coastal Army (commanded by Ivan Efimovich Petrov).

As the attacker you will have to plan carefully your assaults to maximize the damage you inflict of the sizeable Soviet forces. The battle, initially, will be a meat grinder of attrition, be careful of earlier penetrations into the Soviet defenses as they are very able to counterattack… So, you have to thin out the Soviet defenders to prepare the way for a breakout and a battle of exploitation that will led you to the Victory Point sites.

As the Soviet player you have to trade men for time. Your main weapon is numbers and the field and permanent fortifications of the outer ring around the fortress. So, you have to contest every inch of ground and slowly give up positions to make the German run out of time: Hitler is watching and he needs troops and assets to begin his Fall Blau summer offensive…

Will you run out of time as assaulting German or will you be able to take the Fortress in time..? It is a race against the clock.

Cards allow players to make troops move, assault, counterattack during the enemy player-turn, influence the combats and make air and artillery bombardments. Romanian troops and Mountain troops will be present as well as the “elite” Soviet Naval Infantry brigades, so often used for counterattacks and shoring up breaches in the line… Even an NKVD regiment with extra motivation for not give up their positions.