Red Parachutes: Soviet Airborne Assault Across the Dnepr (1995)

About this game

Red Parachutes - Soviet Airborne Assault Across the Dnepr, is a game based on the September 1943 Soviet Airborne operation which attempted to force a series of crossings of the Dnepr river near the city of Kanev. 1 22"x34" map, 980 counters, 16 pages of rules plus charts and tables. Scale is 2 km per hex, units are battalions and companies, each turn is about 1/4th of a day (AM, Mid-Day, PM and Night). At the beginning of each day, players receive replacements and artillery ammunition. Players then alternate turns conducting movement, special operations, deploying reinforcements, bombarding, attacking. This is a typical Igo-Ugo system, using an odds-based CRT with many modifiers. There are many special rules covering airdrops, river crossings, artillery bombardment etc. This is a medium-high complexity game with high unit density.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 3.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.