Why Cold War Warsaw Pact Tactics Work In Wargaming

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gradenko2k
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:08 am

Why Cold War Warsaw Pact Tactics Work In Wargaming

Post by gradenko2k »

An interesting article that reflects my own experiences finding the Soviet side easier to learn and play with multiple games: Unity of Command Red Turn, War in the East, Korsun Pocket, TOAW 3 and the likes.



https://20thcenturywargaming.wordpress. ... wargaming/

"The only problem is that just like real life, it takes the wargamer time to learn and practise NATO type tactics.

By contrast, Russian tactics are straightforward and can be learnt in an afternoon by reading a good book on their tactics. My suspicion is that given two novice wargamers, the novice commanding the Russian side would win as their tactics are easier to learn."



"Russian tactics are excellent at encouraging concentration of fire. Russians units had less artillery observers than western counter-parts, which encouraged Russian divisional commanders to use the maximum of artillery when a target was identified. Russian tactics are very clear about the value of positioning forces so the maximum number can engage the enemy at the same time."



"On the wargaming table, the rapid ‘close to contact’ minimises the NATO advantage in weaponry. Advantages, such as superior NATO weapon sights, matter little if tanks and AFVs are firing at targets at less than 200 metres."



"Whether playing alternate or simultaneous moves, after the initial plan, it normally takes moments for the Russians to move all of forces compared to the NATO side. While NATO is planning the position of each smallest unit, the Russians simply decide the correct Axis of advance and then all the armour lines up behind the lead vehicle. It can be very disconcerting for a player to find their opponent finishes their move in a fraction of the time they need. To work, NATO tactics take more time and effort to apply on the table top, just as they do in real life. The combination of speed, concentration of armour and artillery support and sheer numbers, seems to undermine the other players."
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