1941: Race to Moscow

Anecdote

The Eastern Front companion to 1944: Race to the Rhine, this game by Waldemar Gumienny for Phalanx transposes the logistical mechanics to Operation Barbarossa and the race toward Moscow in the summer and autumn of 1941. Three players take the roles of Guderian, Hoth, and Hoepner — or the commanders of the three German army groups — competing to reach the Soviet capital before the first snows. The system retains the backbone of the previous entry but adds rules specific to the Eastern Front: snow, mud, rasputitsa, Soviet resistance, and overextended supply lines. A game lasts approximately two hours and delivers a tense experience in which the climatic clock weighs on every decision. The learning curve is smooth for players familiar with the first game, and accessible to newcomers thanks to clear player aids. Gumienny drew on the work of David Glantz and Jonathan House for the modelling of the Eastern Front. The component quality maintains Phalanx's standard with sober illustrations and very readable maps. The game was funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign, reflecting the anticipation surrounding this sequel. The box includes a substantial historical booklet on the phases of Barbarossa, from the opening to Zhukov's counter-offensive. Its 2024 release was welcomed as a long-awaited fulfilment by fans of Race to the Rhine. Critical reception has remained very positive, with the title regarded as a solid editorial achievement. A French localisation is underway through European distribution partners. The influence of the two-part series is evident in the growing wave of wargames incorporating logistics as a central mechanic. It is a title that reminds us that in 1941, the strategic window for taking Moscow was not merely a matter of armour but of petrol and timing. Phalanx confirms with this game its position as a reference publisher in European author wargaming.