Poland, France, and the Low Countries have fallen, Greece and Norway have been defeated and Yugoslavia is no more… Now it’s time for the Soviet Union to suffer the same grim fate. Will the vaunted German blitzkrieg prove its invincibility once again? Or will the Soviet Union endure the onslaught long enough to rebuild its mighty armies and push back the enemy?

Command the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union or lead the Red Army’s defence in Iron Blood Snow and Mud, an accessible two-player strategic wargame covering the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1944.

The Axis begins with stronger forces and substantial air support but must advance rapidly while maintaining increasingly stretched supply lines. The Soviet player uses terrain, partisans and reinforcements to slow the invasion before launching a growing counteroffensive.

Each year is divided into clear weather, mud and snow seasons that alter movement and restrict certain units and actions. Positioning forces in connected chains enables rapid movement, while combat, supply and changing initiative determine whether an offensive achieves a breakthrough or stalls.

• Asymmetric Eastern Front campaign: The Axis begins with superior mobility and air power while Soviet strength increases as the war continues
• Seasons alter available operations: Mud and snow restrict movement, change action efficiency and interrupt carefully planned offensives
• Unit chains enable rapid movement: Connected forces can use convoy movement to reposition across the large campaign map
• Supply lines limit Axis advances: German forces must balance territorial gains against the risk of becoming isolated deep inside Soviet territory
• Partisans disrupt enemy plans: Soviet partisan units can interfere with Axis movement and threaten vulnerable supply routes
• Multiple sudden victory conditions: The Axis can attempt to capture Stalin, while the Soviets can win immediately by taking key German-held cities

Includes:

• Eastern Front Game Board
• Axis and Soviet Unit Counters
• Air Support Units
• Partisan Units
• Stalin Marker
• Control and Game Markers
• Dice
• Player Aid
• Rulebook

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Phalanx
• Category: Board Game
• Subcategory: Strategic World War II Wargame
• Players: 2
• Age: 14+
• Play Time: 60-90 Minutes