Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Division’s Battle for Kharkov expands the original Fighting Formations system, following the elite German Grossdeutschland Division through the fighting around Kharkov in 1943 and into the winter battles of 1944.
In the early months of 1943, Soviet armies were driving deep into the German front following the Axis defeat at Stalingrad. With gaps opening across the line, the Grossdeutschland Division was repeatedly called upon to reinforce threatened positions, slow Soviet advances and restore the front. Once the situation began to stabilise, the division switched from defence to attack, taking part in German operations against the Soviet 40th and 69th Armies.
The campaign around Kharkov saw almost constant attacks and counterattacks. Soviet forces captured Belgorod and Kharkov during Operation Star, before Manstein's counteroffensive reversed the situation and German troops retook Kharkov in March. Control of the cities, roads, villages and surrounding high ground was vital, with both sides fighting to maintain their supply routes and establish favourable positions for the campaigns that followed.
Battle for Kharkov provides 10 new scenarios, ranging from smaller, quicker engagements to larger clashes involving armour, infantry and anti-tank forces. One player commands elements of the Grossdeutschland Division while the other controls the opposing Soviet formations.
The scenarios cover actions during 1943 and the winter of 1944, including the Soviet advance towards Kharkov, German delaying actions, Manstein's counteroffensive and later fighting around Kirovograd. Historical situations include desperate defensive stands, armoured clashes, breakthroughs and counterattacks.
The accompanying playbook also provides an updated Grossdeutschland order of battle incorporating equipment introduced during 1943, together with historical notes covering the division's fighting in Ukraine.
The expansion adds new units and equipment to both armies, including:
Soviet SU-76M open-topped assault gun
Soviet SU-85 tank destroyer
T-34C medium tank
T-26b light tank
German Mk VI Tiger I
Panzer III M
7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun
Lower-quality troops representing Grossdeutschland artillerymen pressed into front-line combat
Five double-sided maps provide 10 new battlefield maps, giving the scenarios their own terrain and tactical challenges.
Players: 2
Complexity: Medium
Solitaire Suitability: Medium
Time Scale: 5 minutes per turn
Map Scale: 75 metres per hex
Unit Scale: Platoons and squads
Recommended Age: 14+
1 Double-Sided 8.5" × 11" Player Aid Card
3 Double-Sided 22" × 34" Map Sheets
2 Double-Sided 22" × 17" Map Sheets
½ Sheet of Die-Cut Counters
1 24-Page Playbook
Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Division’s Battle for Kharkov is an expansion and is not playable on its own.
You must own Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Infantry Division to use this expansion.
Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Division’s Battle for Kharkov extends the original game with new battlefields, additional German and Soviet units and ten historically based scenarios, providing considerably more tactical variety for players who already own the Fighting Formations core game.
Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Division’s Battle for Kharkov expands the original Fighting Formations system, following the elite German Grossdeutschland Division through the fighting around Kharkov in 1943 and into the winter battles of 1944.
In the early months of 1943, Soviet armies were driving deep into the German front following the Axis defeat at Stalingrad. With gaps opening across the line, the Grossdeutschland Division was repeatedly called upon to reinforce threatened positions, slow Soviet advances and restore the front. Once the situation began to stabilise, the division switched from defence to attack, taking part in German operations against the Soviet 40th and 69th Armies.
The campaign around Kharkov saw almost constant attacks and counterattacks. Soviet forces captured Belgorod and Kharkov during Operation Star, before Manstein's counteroffensive reversed the situation and German troops retook Kharkov in March. Control of the cities, roads, villages and surrounding high ground was vital, with both sides fighting to maintain their supply routes and establish favourable positions for the campaigns that followed.
Battle for Kharkov provides 10 new scenarios, ranging from smaller, quicker engagements to larger clashes involving armour, infantry and anti-tank forces. One player commands elements of the Grossdeutschland Division while the other controls the opposing Soviet formations.
The scenarios cover actions during 1943 and the winter of 1944, including the Soviet advance towards Kharkov, German delaying actions, Manstein's counteroffensive and later fighting around Kirovograd. Historical situations include desperate defensive stands, armoured clashes, breakthroughs and counterattacks.
The accompanying playbook also provides an updated Grossdeutschland order of battle incorporating equipment introduced during 1943, together with historical notes covering the division's fighting in Ukraine.
The expansion adds new units and equipment to both armies, including:
Soviet SU-76M open-topped assault gun
Soviet SU-85 tank destroyer
T-34C medium tank
T-26b light tank
German Mk VI Tiger I
Panzer III M
7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun
Lower-quality troops representing Grossdeutschland artillerymen pressed into front-line combat
Five double-sided maps provide 10 new battlefield maps, giving the scenarios their own terrain and tactical challenges.
Players: 2
Complexity: Medium
Solitaire Suitability: Medium
Time Scale: 5 minutes per turn
Map Scale: 75 metres per hex
Unit Scale: Platoons and squads
Recommended Age: 14+
1 Double-Sided 8.5" × 11" Player Aid Card
3 Double-Sided 22" × 34" Map Sheets
2 Double-Sided 22" × 17" Map Sheets
½ Sheet of Die-Cut Counters
1 24-Page Playbook
Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Division’s Battle for Kharkov is an expansion and is not playable on its own.
You must own Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Infantry Division to use this expansion.
Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Division’s Battle for Kharkov extends the original game with new battlefields, additional German and Soviet units and ten historically based scenarios, providing considerably more tactical variety for players who already own the Fighting Formations core game.
