Red Sun/Red Star: The Nomonhan Campaign, 1939 (1993)

About this game

Red Sun / Red Star: The Nomonhan Campaign, 1939, is a simulation of the battles fought between the Soviets and Japanese in the barren wastes along the ill-defined borders between Mongolia and Manchuria in May-August 1939. Rules are pretty much standard operational WWII system fare with artillery and air missions. Combat is before movement, although units may make overruns during movement. Combat is defensive fire-offensive fire routine using firepower totals and column shifts. Losses are steps but with excess combat strength kept in a pool for future replacement. Beginners & Solitaire rules are included. 3 scenarios: Japanese initial drive, Soviet counter-attack (with a Japanese free setup variant) and Campaign Game. Game Scale: Turn: 1 to several days (depending on scenario) Hex: .75 mile / 1.2 km Unit: Platoon to Regiment Game Inventory: One 22" X 34" mapsheet One countersheet (240 1/2" counters) One 20 page rules booklet Replacement Counters in Strategy & Tactics #162 and #165 Errata in Strategy & Tactics #161, #162, #163 and #166 Q&A in Strategy & Tactics #168

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.6/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.