Kampfgruppe
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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A platoon-level tactical game of armored warfare that encompasses almost all ground weapons used on the Russian Front from 1941-45. The Game puts the player in command of either a German or Russian battle group. Kampfgruppe provides four historical and an infinite number of randomly created scenarios.

The historical scenarios: "Meeting engagement east of Bryansk" (July 7, 1942), "Attempted relief of Stalingrad" (December 17, 1942), "Attack toward Kiev" (November 3, 1943), "Attack toward Berlin" (March 22, 1945).

The game will automatically end after 20 turns (30 if there is an assault battle being played). However a game may be ended earlier or continue after it has ended if all sides agree. At the end of the game victory points will be awarded which will determine whether the battle was a draw or a marginal,substantive or decisive victory.

Trivia
Kampfgruppe was named #101 overall among the “150 Best Games of All Time” by Computer Gaming World Magazine (15th Anniversary Issue--November 1996).

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Description from the packaging:

The expanse of land dotted with lifeless rubble is quite still… except for the distant clankings not unlike the sounds of wind-up mechanical dolls. Soon, however, it becomes a crescendo of gears straining against gears, of giant treads crushing rocks into dirt. For these are no toys, but nearly 46 tons of steel commanded by mere pounds of flesh to become the pride of Germany's armored force… the Panzerkampfwagen V- the dreaded Panther.

As powerful as this juggernaut may be, the tank commander peers anxiously into his binoculars, knowing something is waiting for hum out there. He hopes for impotent SU-76 Russian tank destroyers, but he fears they may be the SU-100, whose shell even his 80mm of glacis plate armor cannot withstand. Let the battle begin...

For the advanced wargamer who has been waiting for a superior tactical game of Eastern Front armored warfare, Kampfgruppe is it. Spanning 1941-45, it puts you in command of either a German or Russian battle group.
Incredible detail. Although each unit symbol represents a platoon of armored vehicles, infantry or artillery, the computer resolves combat and damage down to individual tanks, tank destroyers, anti-tank weapons, or soldiers.

All weapons from 1941-45. What wargamer can resist a game that not only includes but instantly calculates the hit probability of practically all ground weapons used on the Russian Front. Every weapon is historically rated for combat effectiveness as well as its time period of service.
At the disposal of the German Kampfgruppe commander, the game offers the following weapon types: 13 tanks (from the PZ-IIF to the Panther); 9 tank destroyers (including the awesome Jagd-Tiger), 2 self-propelled artillery (Wespe and Hummel), 5 anti-tank guns, and assorted assault guns, half-tracks, trucks, mortars, infantry guns, field artillery, flame-throwers, machine runs and rifles.
For the Russian commander, you'll counter with 13 tanks (from the early BT-7 to the T34 series and JS-II), 4 tank destroyers, 3 assault guns, 2 anti-tank guns, and all the less glamorous but equally vital paraphernalia or war.

Innovative rules. The game incorporated Headquarters Control that determines how fast a unit will respond to your movement orders. Kill and suppression points are included. Calculation of line-of-sight is simplicity itself: Press the "V" (for view) key, and all the squares a given unit can see are instantly highlighted.

Although each symbol represents a platoon, the computer keeps track of individual tanks, artillery or soldiers. A cursor highlights one of Russian K Company's platoons, which contains five SU-85 tank destroyers with 40 ammunition points, facing west and immobile (speed=0).
An example of the "View" display- a push of the "V" key lights up every square the SU-85 platoon can see. This advanced yet simple feature eliminated convoluted line-of-sight calculations to help make Kampfgruppe a sophisticated and eminently playable wargame.
German Tank: Panther

Gun maximum range: 15 Gun maximum penetration: 18 Gun shell size: 4 Gun accuracy: 8 Maximum speed: 17 Machine guns: 2 Front armor: 15 Back armor: 5 Silhouette: 5 Period of availability: Late 1943 to early 1945.

German tank destroyer: SG-IIIG
Gun maximum range: 12 Gun maximum penetration: 14 Gun shell size: 4 Gun accuracy: 8 Maximum speed: 12 Machine guns: 1 Front armor: 10 Back armor: 4 Silhouette: 3 Period of availability: Late 1942 to early 1945.

Russian tank destroyer: SU-100
Gun maximum range: 15 Gun maximum penetration: 19 Gun shell size: 5 Gun accuracy: 6 Maximum speed: 20 Machine guns: 0 Front armor: 14 Back armor: 5 Silhouette: 3 Period of availability: Late 1944 to early 1945.

Russian tank: T34/76C
Gun maximum range: 10 Gun maximum penetration: 8 Gun shell size: 4 Gun accuracy: 6 Maximum speed: 21 Machine guns: 2 Front armor: 11 Back armor: 6 Silhouette: 4 Period of availability: Early 1942 to early 1945.

Weapon types include tanks, tank destroyers, assault guns, self-propelled artillery, armored cars, half-tracks, trucks, anti-tank guns, howitzers, mortars, machine guns, field artillery, anti-tank rifles, panzerfausts, flame-throwers, submachine guns and rifles.
Four historical scenarios and the ability to create an infinite number of new scenarios covering fighting from 1941-1945.

Over 45 armored vehicles, each rated for front and bank armor, silhouette size, speed, number of machine guns, gun range, gun penetration, gun accuracy and shell size.
Resolves combat losses down to each vehicle, gun, and infantryman.
Ability to save a game in progress for later play.

Kampfgruppe was designed by Gary Grigsby, whose other works include SSI's North Atlantic '86, Carrier Force, War In Russia, and Reforger '88. Playing time 1-3 hours. Advanced level.
