Road to Smolensk - War in the East

Historical Overview: In the early morning hours of the 22nd of June 1941, German forces of Army Group Center crossed the border and headed for Smolensk. Scenario Overview: A good scenario for learning how to cross defended major river lines and how to defend them. To encircle Smolensk the Axis player will have to cross the Dvina to the north and the Dnepr to the south. The Soviet player must salvage whatever mechanised forces he can from the frontier battles and hold them as blocking force on the approaches to Smolensk. The Orsha land bridge, the Dvina river and the Dnepr river are key defensive positions that must be held for as long as possible.