Joel’s Stalingrad Themed Tournament Plan with Joel Williams Recently whilst talking to Joel Williams over a quiet beverage he mentioned a Stalingrad tournament plan he was working on. We loved the time and effort he was putting into the plan. We asked him to share his thoughts with the rest of the world.

We look forward to an update some time in the future with information on how the event went and a pile of photos because we think this is going to look awesome! Event Overview The competition is based on the Battle for Stalingrad using the Flames Of War rules system (2nd Edition) and will feature: •    Historically accurate tables with key features such as the Grain Elevator, Station #1 and #2, the Department Store, Red October Factory, Barrikady Factory, Tractor Factory, Mamaev Kurgan, balkas, the workers district and tables to represent battles on the flanks to the north west. •    Army lists restricted to troop types and weapons available at Stalingrad. •    A linked series of Missions over the three days with team based and individual scoring.

How The Event Differs From General Mid or Early-war Competitions In a standard Flames Of War competition, players use lists of the same points value and play a series of individual games on tables with random terrain.  The player with the highest accumulated score is then declared the winner. There is no team play and each game is independent of all others. This competition has a number of differences: •    The tables use pre-set, historically accurate terrain. The terrain features are of high quality and will be visually appealing. •    The table maps will be provided to all players in advance to allow them to plan their attack/defence and overall strategy for the three days. •    The players compete as part of a team and on an individual basis.

•    The games over the three days are linked to each other and contribute to the overall team score.   •    The army lists are restricted to those that fought in Stalingrad. •    The area will be supported by visual aids, such as large posters and maps to add atmosphere.

Who Will The Event Appeal To? Flames Of War players who: •    Have an interest in the historical aspects of the period. •    Are interested in campaigns rather than unrelated individual games. •    Are interested in team games. •    Would like to play on tables with terrain of a high and consistent quality that is visually appealing and also challenging from a game perspective. •    Who are looking for a change from the round-robin event.

Competition Principles The basic principles of the competition are: •    The tables are based on central Stalingrad and some of the battles on the flanks away from Stalingrad. This provides greater variety in the terrain and terrain that is suitable for armour and infantry based army lists. •    The front lines are marked at the end of each game and those lines are the basis of future deployment. •    Players will have the opportunity to play on each of the tables and against different opponents. •    Some tables and terrain features have special influences on the overall campaign.

For example: 1.   If the Germans hold Mamaev Kurgan Soviet forces are reduced (due to the ability of the Germans to observe and interrupt re-enforcements across the Volga). 2.   If the Soviets hold the Stalingrad flank table that represents the land between the Don and the Volga, this will reduce the German forces available in Stalingrad (due to the interruption of German supply lines and/or the diversion of troops to defend the flank). 3.   If the Soviets hold the Tractor factory there is the potential for free additional tanks to roll off the production line straight into battle.

•    Each table will have specific objectives with varying point values (e.g. Railway Station # 1, Grain Elevator, the factories) that contribute to the overall team score. The teams and players will  have the choice of which objectives to strive for as part of their overall three day strategy. Space Requirements •    One 18’x4’ table (i.e. three 6’ x 4’ tables joined on the short edge). •    Five 6’x4’ tables. •    Plus one for the organiser/umpire. Number of Players The competition will cater for a maximum of 16 players. Sponsorship Sponsorship by a manufacturer of wargame terrain pieces is confirmed. The sponsor has also offered to create and manufacture terrain pieces specifically for the event (to be decided, but most likely Soviet apartment buildings and destroyed workers cottages). ~ Joel.

Example of the Table Layout for the Event

Examples of 'In Progress' Shots of the Terrain