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Bitter End Wargame

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Bitter End
designed by Richard Spence, published by Compass Games

$44.95      Add Game to Shopping Cart
Save $10.05 off list price of $55.00!
5 hours for 2 players     Availability Info
Condition: New

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Game Contents
2 maps (each map is 34" x 22", so with a 1 inch overlap the playing surface is 34 x 43), 2 full sheets of 9/16" counters (456 counters, printed both sides), 3 full color play aids 11" x 17" printed both sides on cardstock, 3 full color play aids 8.5 x 11" printed both sides on cardstock, 1 rule book (24 pages - black print only - with full historical notes and an example of the combat system), 1 6-sided die, all in a box approximately 12" x 9" x 2.1"

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Box Description
Take Part in the Last Blitzkrieg of World War II

Hungary: January 1, 1943: 80,000 Axis troops are cut off and surrounded in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, now 35 miles behind the Soviet front lines. Under constant bombardment and infantry assaults, the German grip on the city is crumbling. Soon the street-fight will begin, something the battle-hardened Red Army knows all too well from its defense at Stalingrad. Low on food and ammunition, exhausted, and besieged by two well­ supported Soviet armies, the Axis garrison is braced to fight to the Bitter End...

But overnight, the German 96th Division crossed the frost­ covered Danube River, and by morning has established a bridgehead only 25 miles Northwest of the city. Their goal: to disrupt the Soviet front lines and spread terror and confusion in the rear. Simultaneously, the German IVSS and III Panzer Corps launch a surprise attack on the Soviet front lines. The Attack to Budapest has begun!

Will the panzers arrive in time to relieve Budapest or will the Red Army swarm into the city before help arrives? You decide the outcome of this compelling battle by assuming command and leading your troops to the Bitter End.

Bitter End is a tense, hard-fought, operational-level simulation of the German attempt to relieve Budapest in January 1945. With over 80 combined divisions, players can recreate the last German Blitzkrieg in the closing stages of World War II.

As the German, can you rescue the trapped defenders of Budapest? As the Soviet, can you clear the west bank of the Danube?

Complexity: Medium

Games in a Box Notes
More info from the Compass Games website...

Budapest, Hungary, January 1945

79,000 Axis troops belonging to the IX SS Mountain and 1st Hungarian Corps are surrounded and being pounded by two Soviet armies, the 46th and 7th Guards. The situation is grim. The Soviets are well- supported by heavy artillery and the German line has been steadily retreating, leaving Budapest in grave danger.

On January 1st, the German IV SS and III Panzer Corps launch a surprise attack to recapture the city and rescue the defenders. By January 12th the attack is stalled in the rough terrain to the west of the city. Hitler shifts the focus of the attack from the west to the south-west and continues the attack on January 18th. Although progress is made, Soviet reinforcements pour into the area and the offensive grinds to a halt.

Hitler calls off the attack at the end of January, and by February 14th, after seven weeks of grueling combat, Budapest falls.

Can YOU do better?

Bitter End is an operational-level simulation of the German attempts to relieve the encircled Hungarian capital of Budapest, besieged by Soviet forces, in January 1945. Compass Games brings to you this hard-to-find classic in a new, upgraded deluxe edition!

By January of 1945 Nazi Germany’s military fate was sealed. There was nothing the German forces in Hungary could have achieved that could have substantially delayed or even mitigated this defeat. That did not deter the German attempt to relieve Budapest. Hitler’s goal in ordering the attack toward Budapest was not the rescue of its garrison, but rather the recapture and retention of the city. The garrison was in fact ordered not to break out but instead to hold and await relief. Few commanders on the German side took the idea of the retention of Budapest seriously, however. Had the relieving German forces gotten to within a few miles of the city, a breakout probably would have been attempted.

Bitter End lets the players explore the historical possibilities with two scenarios. In addition, players can test their skills with several viable historical alternatives, with the inclusion of forces that could have been available to the respective commanders, allowing a large variety of options. Bitter End is VERY suitable for solitaire play!

Included in this deluxe edition of a classic, Compass Games has increased the size of the map to include two 22x34 inch sections, 456 back-printed die-cut counters (we increased the size of them too!) a rulebook complete with scenarios and historical commentary (for the first time available in English), example of play (not previously available) set-up charts and tables on three full-color cardstock play aids (graphically upgraded and improved!) all combine to provide sumptuous game experience and a virtual time machine to explore this compelling Bitter End…

Buy Bitter End Game


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