Kharkov '43, Krasnyy-Liman or Bust AAR

[ComradeP]

The historical result in this case would be a very comfortable major victory for the Soviets in terms of VP's that would be in Soviet hands when the historical rate of advance is achieved, so in that sense the VP distribution seems to be pro-Soviet like you say. Capturing all objectives between the Zherebets and the Severnyy Donets, as well as a single crossing somewhere with a positive casualty point differential gets you a major victory.

The Gallop scenarios and the main campaign starting on February 2nd show the starting positions at the start of February 2nd, when the Soviets are driving through a 40 kilometre gap in the Axis lines in the area where the exit hex is in this scenario.

As with many games, the PzC series has a tendency to exaggerate or amplify certain results/conditions. Snow is a major handicap, which makes it difficult to accomplish historical advances. Looking at the position of the Soviet spearhead at the start of the Axis counteroffensive, it's remarkable how far the Soviets managed to advance with their limited (in numbers and capabilities) mobile forces. Such an advance is very difficult to replicate, which can also be seen in the "the scenario is pro-Axis" reviews of the longer scenarios as the engine makes good units great and bad units worse due to how the mechanics work.

As there's no reason not to defend objectives until the last man and the last bullet in short scenarios as force preservation isn't required, you tend to get epic last stands that wouldn't have taken place historically or piles of units in a handful of locations.

What's not entirely clear to me is how and why 19th Panzer historically ended up where it starts the February 2nd scenarios, as it seems like a strange move to make.