Stalingrad: The Leather Factory

Stalingrad: The Leather Factory, 2nd ed. is a solitaire strategy game depicting the battle of Kuporosnoye, September 13-15, 1942 between the German 29th Division and the Russian 35th Guards Division at the beginning of the epic battle for the city. This area was at the southern edge of greater Stalingrad, with a large leather factory along its north side. In the game, the player (Germans) tries to capture objective hexes and headquarter locations from the Russians (played by the game system).

The game uses a solitaire system that reflects the historical situation but includes enough variability and uncertainty to enhance the fog of war feeling to foster replayability. The standard game is suitable for novice wargamers. There are advanced optional rules presented that contain rules that may be “plugged in” as desired to the standard game, to provide a more detailed and challenging game for veteran players. Designed by Gary Graber.

Tactical, company-level, 300 yard hexes, 100 counters, 8.5"x11" color map, 16-page instructions, designed specifically for solitaire play, stresses high playability and historicity. The game puts you in command of elements of the German 29th Division, pushing towards the Volga.

This second edition offers newly revised rules, optional rules, and components.

---

1st edition description

This is a solitaire design based on the early September, 1942 German assault on Kuporosnoye at the far south of Stalingrad. The player controls the German 29th Division, and the game system handles the Russian 35th Guards Division defenders. The game includes 8.5" x 11" cardstock map, set of uncut, color unit counters, and full rules. This game is presented as a simple "standard game" suitable for novices, to which several advanced options can be added. The game stresses "uncertainty" for the solitaire wargamer, which is provided by hidden Russian units, random reinforcements, variable "daily orders" from HQ, and imprecise victory conditions. Published in Panzer Digest #3.