Eric Goldberg's

Kursk

History's Greatest Tank Battle

July 1943

Ranked #2,378 on BGG's War-game Ranking.  

SPI 1st BOXED edition, 1980. Unpunched.  Contents Mint: Remarkably flat for a game this old.  Unpunched, Unplayed, un-unfolded, we even have the sheet of paper that was on the back under the shrink.  Box itself is good.  fair bit of shelf wear on the edges.  And some dishing at the top front.  But all 8 corners are tight. See pics.   

Box makes that great sound when shut quickly.  

In July 1943, the German summer offensive in Russia ran into a strongly defended Russian tank army near the city of Kursk. Nearly 1400 tanks and assault guns were involved in what became known as the largest tank battle in history, resulting in the destruction of almost 300 tanks on each side. Although the Russians withdrew, the battle was the final strategic offensive that the Germans were able to launch on the Eastern Front. A month later, the Russians launched a counteroffensive that marked the slow German retreat back to Berlin and the end of the war.

Kursk: History's Greatest Tank Battle, July 1943 is an Operational level board-wargame of the largest tank battle the world has ever known. The finest German armies advanced upon the numerically superior and well-entrenched Red Army, and their might was shattered. Because the war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union is the most important event in recent history, this study of its most crucial battle provides invaluable insight to both the historians and the wargamers,

From the dreaded Tiger I, Panther, Elephant to the SS Divisions & Red Army Guards to Khukov & Von Manstein. it is all present at the Battle of Kursk (Kypckar) !!

Kursk: The greatest tank battle the world has ever witnessed, is recreated with a highly detailed wargame-system that incorporates all the vital elements of the battle - from movement and attack modes to anti-tank units and artillery barrages, from air support to Soviet partisans and German Kampfgruppen. 

Three scenarios are provided:

• Von Manstein's Plan (May 1943): A "what if" scenario based on the original plan of attack that should have happened two months earlier, before the Russians were dug in.
• Hitler's Plan (July 1943): The historical battle.
• The Beginning of the End: The Soviet Summer Counteroffensive, 1 August 1943: The attack that would signal the start of the German retreat back to Berlin by 1945.

Game Inventory:
One 22 x 34" full color map
600 counters on two dual-side printed countersheet (One sheet with 400 1/2" counters and one sheet with 200 1/2" counters)
One rulebook
One giant Player Aid Sheet (German and Soviet-I think you're supposed to cut it in half)

PLUS: SPI flyer, Reply envelope, and the paper from the back of the box.

Complexity Level: Moderate (5.0)
Players: 2 (suitable for solitaire play)
Playing Time: 4 hours +

Designed by gaming LEGEND Eric Goldberg future president of West End Games