The Russian Campaign, 5th Edition, 1941 Play Through, Part 1

This series presents a play through of the opening turns of The Russian Campaign, 5th Edition. Part 1 provides a brief overview of how the game works, and plays the first turn of the campaign. Germany invades the Soviet Union, while the Soviets do their best to react and stem the tide.
The Russian Campaign 5th edition is published by GMT Games based firmly on the original design by John Edwards. The base game is solid, incorporating enhancements into the Avalon Hill release from the 1970's. Play options are also included that tweak the game in various ways; many of which have been used by players for not months, not years, but decades! Certainly one of the most "play tested" games there has ever been! Finally, all components have been brought up to modern standards with 5/8" counters, and a luxurious 2 panel map with nice big hexes to accommodate the counters. No tweezers needed on this one.

[@GrafStorm]

I have the Compass Games version of The Russian Campaign, the 1974 original edition. I like it. I see many similar aspects to this GMT version. Ty!

[@MrFrostyankles]

Excellent video. Clear, concessive, and uploaded at a reasonable volume. Looking to pick up my first hex n counter wargame soon. I think this might be it! Thanks.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hey Mr Frosty! You could do a lot worse than starting with The Russian Campaign. God knows how many have done the same over the last 40+ years, and the current version is the best yet. Enjoy. - Paul

[@Lowecore]

Thx for the video. This game took so long to come out I ended up cancelling my pre-order over a year ago, but now regretting it! My only complaint about the game would be the map art, specifically the rivers. I know it is less artistic but I like it when rivers follow the hex lines so it makes it easy to see what units are benefiting from river defense. I eagerly await the next episode!

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hello Mr Watcher! Yes, it took way to loon for them to release this game. I see some of the components with copyrights going back to 2020. But it was worth the wait and the game is still available on the GMT site for a reasonable price, frankly one of the best values wargaming has to offer in my opinion. at any6 rate, thanks for your comment and stay tuned for more.

[@risajajr]

It looks like you can just observe what hexes attackers are attacking from. If all are from river hexes, the defenders get the river defense.

[@joeyj6808]

I used to play my buddy every year, "when the first snow falls" LOL. Of course, that was the AH version. And, every year I played Axis. And every year I lost. Good memories though! Thanks for showing the new version. EDIT: I really like the way you narrate/explain/teach as you go. That's sadly lacking in most video play throughs, so kudos to you. You have gained a sub

[@theoakenknight1748]

Wow! Thank you Joe. Super nice comment! 😀. - Paul

[@cwcsquared]

This game came out in 1976

[@johnwood2364]

Very clear presentation!

[@theoakenknight1748]

Thank you

[@huronchess4810]

Thank you for this video series. I am playing an old friend this week (first time playing TRC for us both in more than 40 years!). One question: at 11:43 should the defender at k20 have double defense?

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Good picture and sound. Well done.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hello Mr War. Thanks for your kind comment! I'm experimenting with my new playing surface; I think this is the first time I've been able to do a top down shot, and I like. More is coming on this, so stay tuned! -- Paul

[@JJ-yy6rq]

Thank you for your nice teaching. It's a good start for me

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi JJ. Most excellent!! Glad I could help. -- Paul

[@aceshelman]

Great video, you have convinced me to pick this one up! One question though... why do you have tweezers? ;)

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi Alan, You are most correct…, no need for tweezers with this one. The 5/8 inch counters are great, but the hexes are nicely large as well, keeping those stacks nicely separated. As far as my tweezers go, we’ll, some habits are hard to break! 🙄. - Paul

[@cwcsquared]

Stuka placement is decided prior to rolling the first combat result.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hello Mr Squared. Yup, you are right. Thought I did it that way, but sometimes between playing, talking, and recording my brain runs out of cycles and well, stuff happens. Thanks for watching! - Paul

[@curtcovey3874]

One comment on the map, regarding the three hexes of mountain terrain near Lvov. Many players over the years have argued the actual terrain here was more like clear. The 5th Edition acknowledges this opinion (Optional Rule 26.17) and even provides a tiny map overlay to "clear out" those offending mountain hexes. Implementing this option might have allowed the German side to avoid Sudden Death in your play-through.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Agreed, Curt. I have not tried this yet, but I think it is all that is needed to get around the problem. I also found that rerouting panzers South does not work either; there is simply not enough time before the winter hits. - Paul

[@richardfoust1801]

wow.. I was down in my war room last week, sorting thru the oldies but goodies. I found my 1976 version of this game. How this game has changed. Have been looking around to hopefully get this newest one. not much luck finding it without paying 150-185 dollars... I really liked playing that game way back when. looks much better now with all the upgrades... would love to find the new one, but not at the high prices people want now for it... Good video

[@theoakenknight1748]

Well Richard, I believe you are in luck. Last I looked, GMT has the 5th edition for sale for $60, plus postage, etc. May be the best value in gaming right now! - Paul

[@richardfoust1801]

@@theoakenknight1748 thanks for that info. Went to their site and ordered it. I have noticed your tweezers in your video's, that is my next quest. Really like your video's on all the game's. Your gaming table is nice.

[@blitzen66]

Thanks for the walkthru. I have AH 3rd edition ..but i like the 4th edition rail rules and clarifications.....but yeah this new game is more appealing the more i see of the game pieces...I like the odds counters,,,nice reminders and rail counters.....NIce play...Yeah the south can be a real bear.......haha ...russian bear if things dont go smooth at first.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi Mike. I think a lot of guys are rediscovering just how good John Edwards games were…, and still are. I also liked Compass’s modernization of Fortress Europa. Both games are excellent. Now…, I have to come up with a better strategy for handling the South. It’s games like this that hooked me into the hobby so many years ago! - Paul

[@jeffrubes5730]

I tried to follow on my game and I count that Army Group Center has 81 combat factors available for T1, but when I add yours up it comes to 30 (AV)+25(Kaunas5-1)+20(4-1) +11(3-1)=86 combat factors. I am assuming one of those attacks meant to have a Stuka to have 11 combat factors left over for the 3-1?

[@theoakenknight1748]

Sorry Jeff…, I just don’t remember. But that opening attack with AGC is vital, and in my view, has to be doing open field running in the second impulse, so opening a ZOC free corridor is essential. - Paul

[@josealvarollopeznavarro1403]

adoro este juego, WoW

[@theoakenknight1748]

👍👍👍 - Paul

[@huronchess4810]

Answered at 15:02. Thank you.🙂

[@theoakenknight1748]

Okie Dokie. I think the question du jour is whether the sudden death requirement for 1941-42 is too hard. Is it too hard to take Kiev? Your thoughts? - Paul

[@helenaconstantine]

I assume the odd colored unit next to Konigsberg is the Slovaks. Why are they in the AGN sector? Why is the German mountain corps in Hungary? Can it attack out of there on the first turn?

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi Helena. First, thank you for your comment! Much appreciated. I think the "odd colored" unit you refer to is the Italian corps assigned to Army Group Center. I'd guess that it is actually a combination of different nationalities that Edwards lumped together into a single corps; its an ideal unit to absorb a loss because it is less capable, and each minor nation can replace one unit each spring. The German mountain corps is assigned to Army Group South; AGS units are restricted to attacking the Soviet Kiev Military District the first impulse of turn 1, although they can enter other military districts and are not restricted to where they set up, as I mention in the video. But it is allowed to attack any hex of the Kiev district in their 1st impulse of turn 1. Hope this helps. -- Paul

[@helenaconstantine]

@@theoakenknight1748 But the Italians fought with AGS.

[@theoakenknight1748]

@@helenaconstantine Hello again. This was probably a choice made by Mr Edwards some 50 years ago. 🥴. - Paul

[@mikerichardson1549]

There are a number of OB "fantasies" that JE never corrected for whatever reason, e.g., the Bulgarian Garrision. Best to just ignore as it doesn't affect game play

[@OroborusFMA]

It remains too difficult to make progress in the south in 1941.

[@theoakenknight1748]

It is a challenge to be sure. The publisher included a 3 hex overlay to convert mountains into clear, as apparently the area is more hilly than mountainous in the real world. I think that would go a long way toward solving the problem. But the old grogs still want the mountains I guess. - Paul

[@freakyzed8467]

Dont know if you have hadcthe chance to play The Dark Valley, but if you have then how woukd you say this stacks up? TDV sounds like if might follow the actual war too much like a pure simulation to me, without much flexability for gaming.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hello Mr Freak! I played Dark Valley twice. I consider it to be a mini monster - not Fire in the East, but still a much larger and longer playing game. I’d expect the games would each draw a different audience because of the much larger level of commitment needed for Dark Valley. My recollection is that the Germans have a hard time, especially in 1942 when the Russians have a decent defense, and the Germans are still trying to advance. Your mileage may vary…. - Paul

[@mikerichardson1549]

Your defenders in Kaunas should have been doubled on defense making it a 2-1 (25 vs 10)

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi Mike. Thanks for your comment. In this case I believe the video is correct as presented. I know it is hard to tell - the hex outline for a “major” and “minor” city is too close in color. Minor cities kind of a cream color and majors more of a yellow; the city symbols are different but you need to look under the counters to see that! Anyway…, Kaunas is a minor city, and therefore is undoubled. Incidentally, my wife is from there, so I have a special attachment to that hex!! Thanks again…, Paul

[@e-4airman124]

this does differ from the Compass version

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hi E4! That I don’t know. But why do we need 2 new versions after all these years? Kinda goofy. - Paul

[@tommartin7439]

The good old Kaunus stampede is alive and well. Of course, as you alluded, they are going to have to swing south for Kiev.

[@theoakenknight1748]

Ahhh..., the old Kaunas stampede trick....

[@AlbertoLopez-yc4zs]

Noautomatic victory in the second impulse ,,,,you no know the game in deep ....patetico hacer un video explicando algo qu no se conoce en profundidad Ademas jugue yo con tu despliegue ruso inicial y se puede tomar kiev y dnepropetrovsk en el primer turno

[@theoakenknight1748]

Hey Alberto! I do my best; I can always count on you guys to find my mistakes, and I’m a better gamer for it. Thanks for watching and commenting! (Wish I could understand Spanish, but I did my best. Cheers!! - Paul