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GSI Products

The new counters are now being produced. We have limited quantites available. Only a few GD are currently available, more in the next month. Please email sales@grognardsims.com for specifics and to request your set. Shipping and tax will be added to these prices.
GD has 7 sheets at $4 per sheet for $28. In Stock again

Shortly you will see some additional low cost model enhancements that will add value to these games for our fans and customers.  These will be low cost, small, but detailed areas of focus for the advanced gamer in this series.  Each package will support play for any or all of the DRK series games.

The first enhancement is available and is priced at $20 with FREE SHIPPING, DOMESTIC USA and $24 with FREE SHIPPING, INTERNATIONAL.  This package includes:

a 2 page supplement to the rules specific to the Combat Service Support - Maintenance rules
(1) Maintenance Table
(1) Maintenance Track
(1) Die-Cut counter sheet (216 counters) with recovery units and wreck markers

The first  enhancement is the Combat Service Support - Maintenance.  It features the need for players to go and recover the destroyed units and bring them back to either their HQ, or maintenance units for repair.  Those repairs will take various times to be complete.  This will provide some additional critical thinking to decide how to recover these wrecks so that they don't get destroyed themselves and where to place them so that they can recover the wrecks in the most efficient manner possible.

The second enhancement is available and is priced at $24 with FREE SHIPPING, DOMESTIC USA and $30 with FREE SHIPPING, INTERNATIONAL.  This package includes:

a 2 page supplement to the rules specific to the Combat Service Support - Logistics rules
(1) Logistics Table
(1) Logistics Example
(2) Logistics Charts
(2) Die-Cut counter sheets (216 counters each) with supply convoys and supply points

The second  enhancement is the Combat Service Support - Logistics.  It features the need for players to provide for the supplies that keep the battle running smoothly.  This will provide some additional critical thinking to decide how to plan for moving supplies from the back to the front where they are needed and used.  It will also allow you to perform operations at full strength even when cut off, at least until your reserve supplies run out.

The third enhancement is available and is priced at $28 with FREE SHIPPING, DOMESTIC USA and $34 with FREE SHIPPING, INTERNATIONAL.  This package includes:

a 4 page supplement to the rules specific to the Fire Support - Air rules
(2) Ground Attack/CAS Tables and Mission Planning Sheets
(1) Airfield Example Chart
(2) Airfield Charts
(1) Die-Cut counter sheet (216 counters each) with air units and mission markers

The third  enhancement is the Fire Support - Air.  It features the need for players to plan their air missions more carefully.  This will provide some additional critical thinking to decide how to plan for troop support and destruction of enemy airfield and air assets.

New sturdier 3" boxes for this game HAVE NOW ARRIVED.

*** Follow the link below to BoardGameGeek.com where a .pdf file was loaded with DRK-GD Examples of Play.  This will provide some insight to the game and what you can expect. ***

More information and pictures will be added over the next few months.  This small sample of the DRK-GD map gives you an idea of what the entire map looks like.  At 330 yds per hex this map is absolutely gorgeous looking.

Map Sample

     kursk_map_sample.gif (66117 bytes)

Death Ride Kursk - Gross Deutschland is GSI's first offering on the Eastern Front. The game focuses on tactical level combat and maneuver during the German attack at Kursk in July 1943. This game will showcase a new game system.

The series group maps for XLVIII Panzer Korps will look like:

drk_maps.gif (10381 bytes)

The game features the Gross Deutschland Panzer Grenadier Division and some supporting XLVIII Panzer Corps units at mostly Platoon and some Company/Battery level and the Red Army (6th Tank Corps, 3rd Mechanized Corps, 67th Guards Rifle Division, 90th Guards Rifle Division, and many other supporting elements) at Company/Battery level. The combat system utilizes combat multipliers that players must use correctly to have the best effect. Each hex is 330 meters.  Turns are 2 hours long during the day and 4 hours at night.   The rules are modeled around the seven battlefield operating systems which make them easily understood and easy to learn.  Unlike other games at this level the rules will not be massive.  This system features extensive use of obstacles (mines, wire, improved positions, and fortifications), a patrol rule, overwatch fire, air and artillery support, and reserve movement.  These obstacles help channel the attack and force the Germans into kill sacks and forcing them to push through the heavy resistance to take ground.  Overwatch is a type of fire that allows the player to move a short distance and then setup to fire suppressive fire at enemy units that might otherwise use opportunity fire.  Reserve movement will allow a player to respond to enemy movement and move more units into a hex to strengthen it before an assault.  Units are modeled to represent the 2 major types of weapons that most units have.  Secondary (usually small arms) and a primary (main gun, machine guns, etc...).  These weapons may fire at different targets if they want.  They also effect targets differently.   Suppression is also handled uniquely in this game.  Units that are suppressed get a defense bonus since they take better advantage of the terrain in the hex, while at the same time they have their other factors reduced.  Units are also modeled as needing transports and get the benefits of movement from them with the vulnerability that goes with it.  The battle follows the divisions actions during the 10 days of the battle.   The division operated with the 10th Panzer Brigade equipped with Panthers.   The amount of armor in this game is astonishing.  Panzer Regiment GD (110 including 15 Tiger I's), Assault Gun Battalion GD (35), 10th Panzer Brigade (200), 6th Tank Corps (180), 3rd Mechanized Corps (210), and a number of assorted assault gun units.   Gross Deutschland has its 2 Infantry Regiments and supporting elements.  The game will also force players to account for Command and Control and Supply.   Maintenance and repair are critical to both sides as this determines most of the replacements that arrive every morning.  Troop replacements are generated by returning casualties to the battle.  Lots of these casualties are minor in nature and both sides worked hard to get these wounded back to the front quickly.  Air-Ground Attack can have a significant effect on the battle and both sides have a capability in the air to affect the battle.  The Germans were eventually bled white and forced to suspend Citadel.

The German attack starts facing only the soft crust and outposts the Red Army put in place to alert them of the assault's start.  The Germans have overwhelming numbers for this first phase of the battle and must utilize this advantage to make every kilometer of progress they can.   As the attack develops the Germans must generate fast movement through this area and break free into the tactical second echelon quickly to keep from getting bogged down.  The Soviets must use terrain and their considerable obstacles to slow down and stop the Germans in their tracks.  The Soviets have 2 Guard and 1 Rifle Divisions, 1 Tank and 1 Mechanized Corps plus their supporting elements to stop the Germans.

A look at a small part of the German Order of Battle elements that were involved in the attack.  The Panzer Regiment GD and the Anti-Tank Battalion GD.

Gross Deutschland Anti-Tank Bn and Panzer Regiment

As so often happens, no plan survives meeting the enemy and must be adjusted.  This game will be no different.  Combined arms play prominently in gaining successful outcomes to engagements.  This game will force the players to make big and small decisions on things such as avenues of approach, advancing through choke points, overtaking or bypassing strong points, and trying to find the operational freedom to reach Kursk and encircle the Soviets before they can launch their own counter-offensive.

For those who will think there is not enough troops or armor present in this battle there will be 2 additional games to compliment this one.  DRK-3Pz is an expansion game and players must have DRK-GD to play it.  And DRK-11Pz which is a complete game in itself and can be purchased alone.  Together the 3 games will make the most intense simulation of the XLVIII Panzer Korps.

There are currently 11 scenarios that represent the battle as it started each day and then the entire 10 day battle.

Game Design by:    Chris Fasulo

Map Artwork by:    Kyle Gebhardt

This game has been released and you can visit us on Follow us on Twitter Share        

Sample German Tank Elements (PzRgt GD)

German Army sample units for DRK-GD.  Most of the line companies of the Gross Deutschland Panzer Regiment showing MkIII's, MkIV's, and even a company of MkVI's.

Some Red Army Units

Red Army sample units for DRK-GD.  Elements from the 6th Tank Corps.   Motorcycle, Armored Car, Infantry, and their transports.  There are also some obstacle counters, specifically wire markers.

Red Army Guard Units

Red Army Guard sample units for DRK-GD.  Parts of the 67th Guards Rifle Division, their transports, and the Second Battalion 1st Guards Tank Brigade.

Check here for some pictures of protoype and then production parts in the near future.

Key Features                                                                    

(14) 11" x 17" game maps of the Kursk area (Butovo to Ivnya)
(4) Full Color Order of Battle Charts
Air Support, Casualty, and Replacement Charts
Rules covering the use and benefit of patrols, reserves and overwatch movement
Rules Written as Battlefield Operating System (BOS) Representations (level of fidelity)
    Maneuver (High)
    Fire Support (Medium-High)
    Air Defense (Medium)
    Mobility and Survivability (High)
    Combat Service Support (Medium-High)
    Intelligence (Medium)
    Command and Control (Medium-High)
Approximately 1700 Die Cut Unit Counters and Markers
Germans at platoon and company/battery level, Red Army at company/battery level
Numerous scenarios that allow play on smaller parts of the battle or the entire affair
Highly detailed without overbearing rules
Excellent Solitaire Play

The price for this game is $125.  TX residents add Sales Tax (8.25%) plus shipping and handling.

Please send all questions about this product to info@grognardsims.com.
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Last modified: April 10, 2012