Crimea

Several scenarios cover the period of Axis ascendancy during the period September 1941 – July 1942. The Soviet resurgence is represented by scenarios from September 1943 – May 1944. Crimea features a variety of engagements: Manstein’s initial invasion-on-a-shoestring, the surprise Soviet amphibious counteroffensive, the brilliantly successful Operation Trappenjagd offensive that ousted the Soviets from Crimea, Germany’s brutal assault on Sevastopol’s fortifications, the Soviet’s eviction of Axis forces from the Taman peninsula and landings in Crimea, and the final overwhelming Soviet reconquest. The game covers a longer period of the war than any previous OCS campaign, allowing players to experience increasing Russian capabilities and declining Axis fortunes.

A game which portrays such a lengthy time period over varied terrain includes many interesting features: Axis siege artillery (Dora included), the Soviet battleship Sevastopol, huge German Me-323 transports, Soviet torpedo bombers, and the Russian ability to cross the Sivash. Random events cover historical events such as the Axis aerial tramway over the Kerch Strait, German assault boats, partisan warfare, and a geological eruption called a “mud volcano.”

Crimea can be played as a set of standalone scenarios or as an addition to the OCS game The Third Winter, where it considerably changes that game’s southern map boundary. The 1941-42 period was created by new designer Guy Wilde and the 1943-44 scenarios done by Tony Birkett.