Kharkov Battles: Before and After Fall Blau

Kharkov Battles: Before and After Fall Blau is an operational World War II wargame covering the Second and Third Battles of Kharkov using the Fall Blau system.

Players command German and Soviet forces across key phases of the Eastern Front, managing divisions, corps, and supporting units in a system that blends structured combat with flexible decision-making. Combat strength is partially randomized through strength chits, while terrain, combined arms, air support, and fortifications all influence outcomes. Movement and combat are supported by mobile assaults, giving mechanized units opportunities to exploit breakthroughs.

The system emphasizes operational choices rather than strict determinism. Players must balance step losses against retreats, manage supply through headquarters and road networks, and use Support Points to enable key offensives. Mechanized and cavalry units gain additional flexibility in exploitation, creating a dynamic battlefield where positioning matters as much as raw strength.

This volume works both as a standalone game and as an expansion to Fall Blau. It includes several shorter, accessible scenarios focused on Kharkov, as well as the option to integrate with Fall Blau for a much larger campaign covering extended operations into early 1943. This makes it a flexible entry point for the system—whether you want a shorter evening game or a long-form Eastern Front campaign.

Contents include: one 22” x 34” main map, one 22” x 34” expansion map compatible with Fall Blau, one smaller map, three countersheets with approximately 840 1/2” counters, one rulebook, ten player aid cards with scenarios and charts, one 10-sided die, and a box with lid.