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S U D E T E N L A N D A boardgame style, operational level DOS computer game of a hypothetical German invasion of Czechoslovakia in October, 1938. Copyright 1996 Forgotten Fronts Simulations Table of Contents ----------------- I. Program Shareware License and Disclaimer II. Game Introduction III. Computer Operations IV. General Game Information V. Game Elements VI. Victory Conditions VII. Program Registration I. PROGRAM SHAREWARE LICENSE AND DISCLAIMER This package is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with others, but you may not give it away altered or without all of the file. The purpose of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you continue to use this program after a trial period of 30 days, you must make a registration payment to Forgotten Fronts Simulation (see Section VII). Users of this package must accept this disclaimer of warranty: These programs are supplied as is. Forgotten Fronts Simulations disclaims all warranties expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. Forgotten Fronts Simulations assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of these software programs. You are encouraged to pass a copy of this package along to other computer wargamers. Please encourage them to register their copy if they continue to use it past the evaluation period. II. INTRODUCTION A. Game Overview Sudetenland is a simulation of what military operations might have been like if there had been no "Munich agreement" and Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938. In this shareware version of the game you command the Czechoslovakian armed forces against the computer-controlled German forces committed to the planned operation ("Case Green"). The game covers the period of October 1st through 30th, 1938. The objective of the German player (computer-controlled) is to quickly overrun western Czechoslovakia (Bohemia and Moravia) while minimizing losses. Your objective, as the Czechoslovakian player, is to maintain the Czechoslovakian army as an effective force while holding as much territory as possible. The computer wins the game through the destruction of Czechoslovakia as an independent, political entity. You win the game by denying the computer-controlled German player victory. Note: The registered version of the game allows you to play each side against the computer and also provides a 2-player module and a play-by-Email module. B. Strategic Plans Germany German plans developed by the Nazi administration envisioned a two-pronged invasion of Czechoslovakia. One force would assault the major fortifications at Ostrava while another would cross the river line south of Brno. After penetration of the Czechoslovakian border defenses by infantry divisions, the mechanized units would advance westerly to Praha, in effect overrunning the enemy's rear. By the fall of 1938, this plan was altered significantly by the General Staff. The fortified positions at Ostrava and south of Brno were deemed too strong to be taken quickly by frontal assault. Accordingly, the main axis of advance was set along a line originating at the far western frontier of Czechoslovakia, then running easterly through Plzen and Praha. Subsidiary attacks were slated for the mountain passes north of Praha, and near Ceske Budejovice in southern Bohemia. The German objective was to overrun Bohemia and Moravia as quickly as possible to present the French with a fait accompli in the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. (The Germans hoped that the quick destruction of the Czechoslovakian armed forces and the occupation of western Czechoslovakia would facilitate the creation of a friendly state of Slovakia by Slovak nationalists, in effect destroying Czechoslovakia. Hitler believed that if Czechoslovakia was removed quickly from the European scene, France would take no military action against Germany.) To accomplish its mission, the German General Staff assigned virtually the entire active duty army to operations against Czechoslovakia. The western frontier with France was guarded by only 4 active army divisions supported by 13 reserve divisions. Of major importance to the German government was that Czechoslovakia be taken with minimal German casualties. As noted previously, a great deal of the Nazi government's popular support came from its ability to achieve foreign policy objectives without military conflict (and the casualties that warfare would entail). A costly campaign in Czechoslovakia could adversely affect both civilian and military morale which in turn might necessitate a dampening of Germany's aggressive foreign policy. Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakian plans called for an active, forward defense of the frontier until a German breakthrough was achieved. Once the "crust was cracked" the army would consolidate and conduct a fighting withdrawal eastward into the mountainous area of Slovakia. The objective of this strategy was to keep the army intact and the state viable until Czechoslovakian allies (most notably France) and other European nations (Britain and the Soviet Union) could pressure Germany into accepting an armistice and a withdrawal of German forces. The Czechoslovakian government also hoped for immediate military assistance from the Soviet Union, primarily in the form of air support. III. COMPUTER OPERATION A. Game Files The shareware version of Sudetenland consists of multiple files. The program files are not copy-protected and you may make as many backup copies as you feel necessary. Please see the software license regarding use of the program files. The program files are as follows: dpmi16bi.ovl DOS extender overlay and runtime module necessary rtm.exe for the running of all program files (*.exe). redsud.exe Executable game program file for playing the Czechoslovakian side against the computer opponent. Requires data from red_sud.fil and redunits.fil, or saved game files (*.sav). red_sud.fil ASCII data files for starting a new game. redunits.fil sud_map.pcx Graphics file which contains the gameboard map. You should copy all of the above program files to their own subdirectory on the hard drive. These files are necessary to the running of the game. The subdirectory to which you copy these files may be given any name. Other files included in the shareware distribution package are described below: see.exe Freeware file reader from Pinnacle Software. readme.bat Batch file for using the "see" program to read and print the readme.fil file. readme.fil Description of the program, system requirements, and general game instructions. manual.bat Batch file for using the "see" program to read and print the manual.doc file. manual.doc File containing this material (the instruction manual). order.fil Order form for registration. vendor.doc Information for shareware distributors. file_id.diz Program description in BBS format. amaze.doc Advertisement from Pinnacle Software (not affiliated with Forgotten Fronts Simulations). amaze.txt Order form for Pinnacle Software offer. B. System Requirements The game requires an IBM compatible PC with a 286 or faster CPU (386 or faster recommended) and VGA color display. The game runs under DOS version 4.0 or later and Windows 95 (DOS Prompt Window). The game requires 4 MB of total random access memory. See the "readme.fil" for important installation and configuration information. C. Program Operation Using DOS commands, log the computer to the subdirectory which contains the program files. To start the game from the menu program type redsud then press the <Enter> key. In response the runtime module and program files will be copied into memory, program execution will begin, and the opening menu will be displayed. Select between starting a new game or loading and continuing a saved game, and using limited intelligence or full intelligence. The default selections are new game and limited intelligence. Use the <N> and <S> keys to toggle between (N)ew and (S)aved game, the <F> and <L> keys to toggle between (F)ull Intelligence and (L)imited intelligence. The asterisks indicate the selected option. Also at this menu you may select the difficulty level by the pressing numeric key 1, 2, 3, or 4. 2 is the default difficulty level. Press the <Enter> key when you're ready to start the game. Intelligence Options Under the full intelligence option all units, including opposing player units, are always displayed. Under the limited intelligence option the computer displays enemy units if any one of the following conditions is met. A German unit is adjacent to a Czechoslovakian square with a supply level of 7 or higher. Note: A supply level of 0 is the lowest supply level, a supply level of 9 is the highest supply level. The enemy unit is adjacent to a friendly unit. The enemy unit is uncovered through air strikes. A German unit is in a Czechoslovakian city or town. A German unit is in Leipzig, Wien (Vienna) or Dresden (Czechoslovakian intelligence agents in place). A Czechoslovakian unit is in Praha (Prague), Plzen (Pilsen), or Ostrava (German intelligence agents in place). A Czechoslovakian unit is in Germany and away from the German-Czechoslovakian frontier. A Czechoslovakian unit is uncovered through air reconnaissance. Saved Game Option If you select the saved game option the program will search the logged subdirectory or floppy disk for map data files having the extension of "sav". All such files will then be displayed. If there are no "sav" files the program will continue the opening menu display. The saved game file naming convention is as follows. The first character of the file name indicates the player who saved the game, "r" for red or Czechoslovakian, "b" for blue or German. The next two characters (both digits) indicate the game turn which was saved. For example, a file named "r12.sav" contains the game data saved by the red player during move 12, while the companion file "r12units.sav" contains the unit data saved by the red player during move 12. Select the game data file by typing its name. The program is not case-sensitive, so you may enter upper-case or lower-case letters. You need not type the extension name. For example, to resume play with "r12.sav" just type in "r12". To correct any mistakes use the <Backspace> key then retype. Press the <Enter> key to continue. If you type a name for a file which does not exist the program will not advance. Type a new file name over the displayed erroneous name. Use the space bar to erase extraneous characters. You may return to the opening menu from the saved game selection menu by pressing the <Enter> key when no file is selected. Use the <Backspace> key or spacebar to clear a file name from the file selection field. Difficulty Option When playing against the computer you may set a "difficulty" level to improve play balance. The standard setting is 2. Setting 1 makes it easier for you to win the game. Settings 3 and 4 make it more difficult for you to win the game. Play balance is altered through changes to the combat results calculations, air force effectiveness, unit recovery models, and unit resiliency. For example, under a difficulty setting of 2 or 3 an attack by the human player at 3:1 odds may be treated by the program as an attack at 2:1 odds. IV. GENERAL GAME INFORMATION A. Units The playing pieces for Sudetenland are icons representing six types of combat units (panzer, mobile, light armor, motorized infantry, infantry, and mountain) and headquarters supply trains (referred to as HQ or supply units). Czechoslovakian units are red, German units are blue. Combat units are divisions or division equivalents. The combat capabilities of higher echelons, such as corps and field armies, are abstracted by distributing such combat capabilities among the divisions. The components of units are total troops, infantry (and infantry equivalents), tanks, artillery guns, anti-tank guns ("ATGs"), and armored cars ("ACs"). PANZER. These are German armored divisions. Each division starts the game with 352 tanks, of which half are light Pz I tanks, and 12,000 troops, of which only 2,800 are infantry or infantry equivalents (such as combat engineers). Panzer divisions, like all other units, have integral artillery. Panzer divisions are "mechanized" units. MOBILE. These are Czechoslovakian armored divisions. Three of the mobile divisions start the game with 144 tanks and 13,000 troops, of which only 3,800 are infantry or infantry equivalents. One of the mobile divisions (Slovakian reserve) starts the game with 96 tanks and 12,000 troops. Mobile divisions are "mechanized" units. MOTORIZED INFANTRY. These are infantry divisions with enough integral motor transport to motor-march the entire unit. German motorized divisions have 16,000 troops (5,000 infantry) while Czechoslovakian motorized divisions have 14,000 troops (6,100 infantry). Motorized divisions each have approximately 30 tanks attached. Motorized divisions are "mechanized" units. LIGHT ARMOR. These are reduced-strength German motorized infantry divisions reinforced with a substantial complement of tanks. Each light armor division has 88 tanks, of which half are light Pz I tanks, and 11,000 troops, of which only 3,500 are infantry. Light divisions are "mechanized" units. INFANTRY. Infantry divisions are the basic foot-soldier units though, like all other divisions, they include artillery. Some infantry divisions have tanks attached to them. Czechoslovakian infantry "divisions" include Defense Groups and Frontier Sector Divisions. Infantry divisions contain anywhere from 10,000 to 18,000 troops (5,000 to 8,000 actual infantry or infantry equivalents). MOUNTAIN. Mountain divisions are German infantry divisions specially equipped and trained for operating in mountains, hills, and rough terrain. Mountain divisions contain 17,000 troops of which 5,800 are infantry. HQ/SUPPLY. These units represent the logistic support provide by field army and army group echelons. They also contain the combat capability equivalent to an infantry brigade (approximately 2,000 infantry and 12 artillery pieces). HQ/Supply units are not units per se; they simply represent the ability of the headquarters' supply train (logistics organization) to provide supplies for offensive operations. Throughout the manual these units may be described as either HQ units or supply units. Each unit has a combat factor, a strength factor, and a movement factor. The combat factor represents the unit's combat capability, the strength factor represents the unit's relative manning/equipping level, while the movement factor represents the unit's movement capability (how far it may move in a given turn). The combat factor represents a unit's basic combat capability, both offensive and defensive. The combat factor is first derived from the number of infantry, tanks, guns (artillery and anti-tank), and armored cars existing in the unit. It is then modified by the unit's equipping level (the number of heavy weapons in infantry units, caliber of artillery pieces, etc.) and the unit's capability level. The strength factor represents a unit's manning/equipping level relative to its authorized strength. All units start the game at full strength and the initial strength factor is 10 (which is displayed as "F"). As a unit incurs casualties and equipment losses, its strength factor declines. For example, a unit at approximately 80% of its starting "combat strength" will have a strength factor of 8; a unit at approximately 60% of its starting "combat strength" will have a strength factor of 6. When a unit's strength factor falls to a predetermined strength "shatter point" (anywhere from 2 to 7 depending on the unit) the unit becomes susceptible to being "shattered" and removed from play. The movement factor represents a unit's maximum movement capability (movement across clear terrain). For example, a unit with a movement factor of 3.0 can move through 3 clear terrain squares in one turn while a unit with a movement factor of 6.0 can move through 6 clear terrain squares in one turn. When the program identifies a friendly unit these factors, are displayed as a set of three numbers. For example, the unit information display may show 4-8-3.0 for a German infantry division. This indicates a combat factor of 4, a strength factor of 8 (80% of initial combat strength), and a movement factor of 3.0. B. Map The gameboard is a map consisting of 1,148 offset squares representing western and central Czechoslovakia and adjacent German, Polish, and Hungarian territory. The gameboard includes the "major" cities of Leipzig, Dresden, Praha (Prague), and Wien (Vienna). Each square represents an area of approximately 8 by 8 miles (which is about 13 square kilometers). The squares are offset so that each borders on six other squares. The squares are identified with "x" and "y" axis numbers. The x-axis represents columns which are numbered left to right from 2 to 42. The y-axis represents rows which are numbered top to bottom from 2 to 29. Column 1 and row 1 contain map edge squares which are not playable. Following is a descriptive example of the map layout and numbering system. Map squares are distinguished by terrain icons and in the case of clear terrain, a small black dot. Map square lines do not appear on the computer display. The x,y coordinates for the cursor map square position are displayed in the lower-left area of the computer screen. Terrain features are generally identified by symbols. Off-white map squares with only a small black dot contain clear terrain (plains, crop land, and fields). Minor city squares are treated as clear terrain. Brown bordered, blue lines along square edges represent rivers. Terrain affects movement, combat, and in the case of mountains, supply. Terrain types in the game are woods, hills/rough, hills/woods (combined woods and hills), mountain, and major city . WOODS. Woods terrain affects both combat and movement. HQ and mechanized units must expend 2.0 movement factors to enter a woods square. The combat effectiveness of tanks in woods squares is halved. The overall defensive value of units in woods squares is increased, after the tank factor reduction, by 50%. HILLS/ROUGH. Hills/Rough terrain affects both combat and movement. HQ and mechanized units must expend 2.5 movement factors to enter a hills/rough square. Infantry units must expend 1.5 movement factors to enter a hills/rough square. The combat effectiveness of tanks in hills/rough squares is halved. The overall defensive value of units in hills/rough squares is increased, after the tank factor reduction, by 50%. Mountain units attacking hills/rough squares have their combat effectiveness increased 100% (doubled). HILLS/WOODS. This terrain is the equivalent of both woods and hills/rough. HQ and mechanized units must expend 3.0 movement factors to enter a hills/woods square. Infantry and mountain units must expend 1.5 movement factors to enter a hills/woods square. The combat effectiveness of tanks in such squares is one-third of their regular capability. The overall defensive value of units in hills/woods squares is increased, after the tank factor reduction, by 50%. MOUNTAIN. Mountain terrain affects movement, combat, and supply. HQ and mechanized units may not move into mountain squares. Infantry units must expend 2.5 movement factors to enter a mountain square. Mountain units must expend 2.0 movement factors to enter a mountain square. Only one unit is permitted to occupy a mountain square. The combat capability of tanks attacking into, or defending from, mountain squares is 0. The overall defensive value of units in mountain squares is increased, after the tank factor reduction, by 100% (doubled). Mountain units attacking mountain squares have their combat effectiveness increased 100% (doubled). Units which must retreat after combat may not retreat into mountain squares. Supply lines may not run through mountain squares. MAJOR CITY. Major cities affect combat only. Like with mountain squares, the combat capability of tanks attacking into, or defending from, major cities is 0. The overall defensive value of units in major cities is increased, after the tank factor reduction, by 30%. MINOR CITY. Minor cities have no effect on combat or movement. Minor cities are treated as clear terrain. Rivers, as stated previously, are represented by brown bordered, blue lines running along square sides. Rivers affect movement, combat, and supply. HQ and mechanized units must expend an additional movement factor to cross a river. Infantry and mountain units must expend an additional half of a movement point, 0.5, to cross a river. German mechanized units may not cross rivers during the second movement phase. Units attacking across rivers have their combat value halved. Units which must retreat after combat may not retreat across rivers. For supply-line interdiction and movement purposes, a unit's zone of control does not extend across rivers. Towns are represented by black crosses surrounded by round-cornered black squares. Town squares retain their basic terrain characteristics. For example, a hills square containing a town is a hills square for all purposes. Neutral territory, Poland and Hungary, is colored dark gray. No movement is permitted into neutral territory. Movement is also not permitted across Lake Neusiedler in Germany/Austria. The railroad transportation network, used for supply and unit rail movement, is shown by solid, dark gray, straight lines. Combat engineering features are forts and prepared positions. Only Czechoslovakia has such features. FORTS. Czechoslovakian forts are represented by purple diamonds. Fort squares retain their basic terrain characteristics plus have additional features which depend on the extent of the fortifications. Fort squares increase a unit's defensive capability. Units defending in level 4 forts have their combat strength doubled; units defending in level 3 forts have their combat strength increased by 50%. Units defending in forts of all levels also benefit from a 2-column combat odds shift. For example, a 3:1 attack against a fort square becomes a 1:1 attack, while a 2:1 attack against a fort square becomes a 1:2 attack. Units in major fortifications (level 3 and 4) exert a "zone of control" which blocks German supply lines. Major fortifications also provide occupying units with supply. Fort squares without units have an intrinsic defense value which depends on the fort level. As forts sustain losses through combat, their fort level decreases. When the fort level is reduced to 0 the fort is destroyed. PREPARED POSITIONS. Prepared Czechoslovakian positions are represented by purple hash marks in each of the square's corners. Czechoslovakian units in prepared positions have their defense strength increased through a combat odds shift. For example, a 4:1 attack against a unit in a prepared position becomes a 3:1 attack. Prepared positions are destroyed when entered by a German unit. The unit that destroys a prepared position expends all of its remaining movement factor upon entering the prepared position square. C. Keyboard Controls Game operation is controlled by the keyboard and, if connected, a mouse. Cursor movement, unit movement, and combat operations are controlled by the numeric keys 7-9, and 1-3 or a Microsoft compatible mouse and mouse driver. Presence of an active mouse will be detected by the program. If no active mouse is detected then the NumLock function key will be activated and movement will be controlled by the numeric keys. If an active mouse is detected the NumLock function key will not be enabled and you will not be able to use the numeric keys for movement and combat operations. Functions other than unit operations and cursor movement are controlled by the alphabetic keys. Following is a description of all key functions. M MENU. Brings up a menu of play options. Movement phase options are end move (advance to air combat phase), save game, game status, and quit (exit to DOS). O OVERVIEW. Displays the full map showing square possession. Functions during the movement phase only. The city squares of Leipzig, Dresden, Wien, Praha, Plzen, Brno, Ostrava, and Bratislava are represented by solid black squares. The Czechoslovakian frontier is represented by a white line. P POSSESSION DISPLAY. Toggles on/off the display of square possession markers. It is selectable during the movement phase only. Czechoslovakian possession is shown by a red dot, German possession is shown by a blue dot. T TRANSPORTATION NETWORK DISPLAY. Toggles on/off the display of the rail transportation network. During the rail movement phase squares that are part of the unit movement network are shown with a circle. During the unit movement phase, squares that are part of a player's supply network are shown with a circle. V VIEW UNIT. Brings up a detailed display of a player's units (troops, tanks, guns, etc.). To view units place the cursor over the selected unit then press the <V> key. Q W E AREA DISPLAY. These keys change the display by quickly A S D moving the cursor to a different section of the Z X C mapboard. For example, the <Q> key moves the cursor to the upper-left section of the map, the <C> key moves the cursor to the lower-right section of the map. Keypad UNIT/CURSOR MOVEMENT. The numeric keys move the cursor 7 8 9 one square at a time. The cursor is usually a black box 1 2 3 which outlines the highlighted square. When a unit or square is selected with the <Enter> key the cursor color changes to yellow. The numeric keys move the cursor as follows: 7-NW, 8-N, 9-NE, 1-SW, 2-S, 3-SE. If an active mouse is detected then these keys are disabled. You may either use mouse unit/cursor movement or keyboard unit/cursor movement but not both. U UNDO. Cancels, or "undoes" the movement of a unit. The unit is returned to its starting position and its movement allowance is restored. You must undo a unit's move before you select another unit for movement. The undo feature can't be used for units which moved adjacent to enemy possessed squares. The undo feature does not apply to rail movement or the German player's second movement phase. Alt-Q QUIT. During any phase when you press the <Q> key while holding down the <Alt> key the program will terminate and exit to DOS. D. Mouse Control To move the cursor (usually a black square), position the white mouse pointer over the square to be selected. Press the <LeftMouse> button and the cursor will move to the selected square (the square on which the mouse pointer rests). To examine or "select" the square on which the cursor now rests, press the <RightMouse> button when the mouse pointer is on that square. (In effect, the <RightMouse> button functions the same as the keyboard <Enter> key.) Note: To choose between two friendly units in a selected square, use the <LeftMouse> button to select the top unit, the <RightMouse> button to select the bottom unit. To scroll the map, place the mouse pointer on a fully displayed map edge square (about 1/2 inch in from the map edge) then press the <LeftMouse> button. E. Play Sequence Each game turn represents 36 hours and consists of a German (blue) turn and a Czechoslovakian (red) turn. The game begins with the Czecoslovakian player's turn. After completion of all phases of the Czechoslovakian player's turn, the computer controlled German turn begins. The game advances a full game turn after completion of all phases of the Czechoslovakian player's turn. The first full game turn of a new game represents October 1/2. The second full game turn represents October 2/3. The game continues, with alternating blue and red turns, through October 29/30, 1938, game turn 20. Each player turn consists of several stages called "phases." The phase sequence is as follows: supply/unit recovery, rail movement, unit movement, air strike, ground combat selection, combat resolution. The German player gets a second movement phase which takes place after combat resolution. Supply There are three supply states; attack-supplied, general- supplied, and unsupplied. Units in attack-supply attack and defend at full strength. Units in general-supply attack at half strength and defend at full strength. Unsupplied units both attack and defend at half strength. The computer determines each unit's supply state at the beginning of each player's turn. A unit is in general-supply if there is a continuous line of friendly squares from the unit to a supply base. Supply bases for the Czechoslovakian player are Plzen, Praha, Brno, Ostrava, and Bratislava. Supply bases for the German player are the north, west, and south map edge squares. A supply base square does not function as a supply base while it is possessed by the opposing side. Also, for Praha to be a supply base both Praha squares must be possessed by the Czechoslovakian player. In addition to unit supply, there is also map square supply. Each square has a supply value of from 0 (the lowest value) to 9 (the highest value). A square supply value of 3 is needed for a unit in general-supply to be attack-supplied. Unsupplied squares have a supply level of 0. At the beginning of the game there is an exception to the general supply rule. For the first four turns all units are in attack-supply. This reflects the supplies carried by divisions at the commencement of hostilities (approximately 1-week's worth of munitions, fuel, food, etc.). When a square changes possession it is assigned a supply value of 2 less than the supply value of the square from which the occupying unit moved. For example, when a German unit moves from a square with a supply value of 6 to a square possessed by the Czechoslovakian player, the Czechoslovakian square changes to a German square and is given a temporary supply value of 4. Supply is not reduced during movement to less than 1 unless the moving unit started out unsupplied. During the supply phase each square which is cut off from a supply base has its supply level set to 0. Each square which is in supply has its supply level increased by 1, up to the maximum of 9. This increase in supply level represents the clearing of roads and the repair of bridges and railroad track. The maximum supply level of a square is determined by its location in relation to the possessing player's rail transportation network. Unit Recovery Unit recovery is performed by the program after completion of the supply phase. During the unit recovery phase damaged tanks are restored to units and certain units have their combat capability improved. Rail Movement During this phase the Czechoslovakian player may move up to two units by rail. Movement During this phase players may move some, none, or all of their units. There are some unit movement restrictions. The on-map Slovakian reserve units, 3rd Mobile Division and the 9th, 15th, and 39th Infantry Divisions, may not be moved by the Czechoslovakian player until a square southwest of square 34,19 is in German possession. Also, you may not move unsupplied Czechoslovakian units that are in fort squares. Air Strikes After completion of the movement phase, the moving player may conduct air strikes up to the number of air attacks allowed. Air strikes cause ground unit casualties, reveal undetected enemy units (if using the limited intelligence option) disrupt the Czechoslovakian (but not German) rail network for unit movement, and reduce an attacked square's supply level. Combat Selection After completion of the air strike phase, the moving player selects which if any units will attack enemy units. All attacks are at the option of the moving player. Combat Resolution After the moving player completes the combat selection phase, the game advances to the combat resolution phase. The computer handles the resolution of all combat (losses, retreats, and advances into vacated squares). The result of each battle is displayed as a representation of the attacked square and the six adjacent squares. Information displayed includes the designation of the units involved in combat, combat odds, combat results, and casualties/losses incurred by both sides. Note that attack odds greater than 7:1 are treated as 7:1. Also, attacks at odds of less than 1:4 are canceled unless the defender is in a fort square. German Second Movement After combat resolution, the German player may move mechanized units (panzer, light, and motorized infantry) one square regardless of movement cost. The only restrictions are that mechanized units can't cross rivers or enter mountain squares. This feature represents the limited and untested blitzkrieg capability possessed by the German army in 1938. V. GAME ELEMENTS A. Czechoslovakian Morale The basic morale level of the Czechoslovakian forces is set through the difficulty level selection made at the menu screen before the start of the game. In addition to the initial morale setting, morale of the Czechoslovakian ground forces will fall when both Praha is taken by the Germans and Czechoslovakian total casualties (killed, wounded, captured, and missing) exceed 100,000. Note that both conditions must be present for this general decline in morale to occur. This general decline in morale increases the shatter factor of Czechoslovakian units by an additional 10 points. B. Supply General supply determination takes place prior to a player's rail movement phase. Attack supply determination takes place after the moving player's movement phase. As previously stated, a unit is in general supply if there is a continuous line of friendly squares from that unit to a supply base. An exception to this rule is that supply lines cannot be traced through mountain squares and squares within an enemy zone of control. Czechoslovakian units in level 3 and 4 forts and all mechanized units exert a zone of control which blocks enemy supply paths. The zone of control consists of the six squares adjacent to the unit exerting the zone of control. The exceptions to this rule are that zones of control do not extend across rivers or into mountain squares. Unsupplied units have their combat factors reduced 50% when attacking, and 50% when defending. Units in general supply, but not in attack supply, have their combat factors reduced by 50% when attacking. During the first 4 game turns, all units in general supply are automatically in attack supply. Beginning with game turn 5 (October 8/9), a unit is in attack supply only if at the time of combat it is in a square with a supply level of 3 or higher. A HQ unit may be used to increase the supply level of all friendly, supplied squares within 2 squares of the HQ unit. After the completion of a player's movement phase, all friendly squares with a supply level of 1 or 2 which are within two squares of a HQ unit, have their supply level raised to 3. In other words, HQ units are used to provide attack supply for units that are otherwise in general supply only. Keep in mind that supply lines to HQ units may not be traced through enemy occupied squares. Isolated Czechoslovakian Units An isolated, unsupplied Czechoslovakian unit more than 2 squares from another friendly unit "dissolves" if it becomes adjacent to a supplied German unit. A dissolved unit is one that falls apart through desertions and the formation of guerrilla bands by more stalwart soldiers. Though dissolved units are removed from the map, the Czechoslovakian player incurs no casualty costs. Bases Supply bases for each side are described in Section IV. E., Play Sequence. Once a supply base square is occupied by an enemy unit that square no longer functions as a supply base. The square will again function as a supply base if it is reoccupied by a friendly unit. Supply bases that are part of the transportation network have a maximum supply level of 9. Transportation Network and Maximum Supply Supplies are moved from depots to units by railroad, truck, and animal-drawn carts. Supplies move through a pipeline-like network consisting of railroad lines. The closer a unit is to this "pipeline" the faster it can receive the supplies necessary to conduct operations (munitions, food, and animal fodder). These logistics aspects of the campaign are embodied in the transportation network rules. The rail transportation network is represented by solid gray lines. The maximum supply level for squares in this network is 9. Maximum supply is attained when the square is part of a friendly network reaching back to a supply base square. The maximum supply level that a square can have decreases by 2 for each square it is distant from the transportation network. For example, a square that is one square from the transportation network has a maximum supply value of 7. A square that is two squares from the transportation network has a maximum supply value of 5. Squares that are four or more squares from the transportation network have a maximum supply value of 1. Forts Czechoslovakian units in major forts (levels 3 and 4) always have a minimum supply level of 3. End of Game Supply Determination At the end of the game supply levels are recalculated for both German and Czechoslovakian forces. Unsupplied units are eliminated and unsupplied squares change possession. For example, if at the end of the Czechoslovakian player's final turn (game turn 20) the German 7th Infantry Division is unsupplied in square 20,13, then the 7th Infantry Division is eliminated and possession of square 20,13 goes to the Czechoslovakian player. C. Unit Recovery During the program-controlled unit recovery phase certain German units may "recover" their ability to hold positions when they would otherwise be forced to retreat after being attacked. German units eligible for "recovery" are the panzer divisions, the motorized divisions other than the 9th Motorized Division, and the 1st Mountain Division. In addition to the above-described German unit recovery, both Czechoslovakian and German units may receive recovered tanks (previous losses) during the unit recovery phase. In order for a Czechoslovakian unit to receive recovered tanks it must be in a square with a supply level of at least 5 and not adjacent to an enemy unit. Approximately 20% of Czechoslovakian tank losses may be recovered. Tanks lost due to the destruction of a unit, however, are not recoverable. Tank recovery begins with game turn 6. On that turn and each subsequent turn up to 20% of the tanks in the recovery pool may be returned to units eligible to receive recovered tanks. D. Rail Movement All units are capable of rail movement. Rail movement takes place during a player's rail movement phase. Units which move by rail cannot be moved during the regular movement phase. Note: You may "undo" a rail movement by returning the moving unit to its starting position. Czechoslovakian Rail Movement The Czechoslovakian player may move up to two units by rail. In order for a unit to be moved by rail it must be on a transportation network square with a supply value of 9. Also, the unit cannot not be adjacent to an enemy unit. To move a unit by rail place the black cursor on the square containing the unit. Select the square with the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button. The cursor color will then change to yellow. Move the unit along the rail transportation network. Note that if the supply level of a transportation network square was reduced to below 9 due to German air strikes, you cannot move a unit into that square. Also, you cannot move a unit into a square adjacent to an enemy unit or into a square containing two Czechoslovakian units. After you have moved the unit to its destination press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button. The cursor color will change to black and the rail movement will be completed. E. Unit Movement (Regular) After completion of the rail movement phase, the game advances to the unit movement phase. All units may be marched (foot, vehicle, and horse movement). Each unit has a movement allowance called a movement factor. Movement points are expended from the movement factor as a unit moves across map squares. After the movement factor is exhausted that unit can no longer move. It costs 1 movement point to move into clear terrain and city map squares. It costs HQ and mechanized units additional movement points to move into hills, woods, and hills/woods squares. It costs infantry units additional movement points to move into hills, hills/woods, and mountain squares. It costs mountain units additional movement points to move into hills/woods and mountain squares. All units must expend additional movement points to cross rivers, 1.0 for HQ and mechanized units, 0.5 for all other units. Note that HQ and mechanized units may not enter mountain squares. Enemy unit zones of control also affect movement. During the movement phase all enemy units exert a zone of control on squares adjacent to the one in which it is in. The only exception to this rule is that a zone of control does not extend across a river. Whenever a unit moves into an enemy zone of control an additional 1.5 movement points are subtracted from the remaining movement factor at the end of the move. For example, a German unit with a movement factor of 2.5 moves into a clear terrain square adjacent to a Czechoslovakian unit. The German unit expends one movement point to enter the square leaving a movement factor of 1.5. This remaining movement factor of 1.5 is then reduced to 0 after completion of the move. This reduction is the 1.5 point subtraction for entering a zone of control. Czechoslovakian prepared positions affect German movement. After a German unit enters a Czechoslovakian prepared position that unit may move no more that turn. Other German units, however, may move through the now former prepared position without any additional movement cost, other than the normal terrain cost. Generally, a unit must have a movement factor sufficient to enter the map square into which the player wants to move that unit. (Note that zone of control "cost" doesn't affect movement into a square, only subsequent movement.) The exception to this rule is that if a unit has not moved during a movement phase it may move into any square by expending all of it's movement points. For example, an infantry unit with a movement factor of 2.0 may be moved across a river into a mountain square (movement cost of 3.0 points) so long as it is the first move for that infantry unit during that movement phase. To select a unit for movement, move the black cursor to that unit's map square then press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button. The cursor color will change to yellow to show that the map square has been selected. If the map square contains 2 units then select either the top unit or bottom unit for movement by pressing the <T> key / <LeftMouse> button or the <B> key / <RightMouse> button. Unit movement is accomplished by using the numeric keypad keys (1,2,3 and 7,8,9) or the mouse pointer. To move a unit using the mouse, place the mouse pointer over an adjacent square then press the <LeftMouse> button. If the selected unit is unable to enter the desired map square, then the cursor color or mouse pointer will blink and the unit will not be moved. To de-select a unit from movement press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button. In response the cursor color will change from yellow to black. F. Air War and Air Strikes Air warfare (air force attrition) is handled by the game program. Each side incurs aircraft losses as the game progresses; however, the German side will achieve air supremacy. The size and capability of each player's air force (and for the Czechoslovakian player the number of friendly cities controlled) determines the number and effectiveness of ground "air strikes" players may make during their air strike phase. Air War As stated above, the air war is handled by the game program. At the start of each turn losses are incurred by each side based on the relative capabilities of each force. The Czechoslovakian air force, smaller and less modern than the German air force, will sustain more losses than the German air force. Losses to each side are also affected by the Czechoslovakian morale level and the game turn. At the end of the Czechoslovakian player's turn, the results of air warfare are displayed on the "Changing Sides" screen. Shown are the number of currently operational aircraft, losses for the turn, and cumulative losses. Air Strikes After the movement phase and prior to the ground combat selection phase, each player has an air strike phase. During this phase you may attack from 0 to 9 squares by air, depending on the number of air strikes available. The number of available air strikes in turn is determined by the number of serviceable aircraft available. During the first game turn the German player gets to make five air strikes, the Czechoslovakian player gets to make two air strikes. Note that air strikes are not combined with ground unit attacks. This separation of air strikes and ground unit attacks simulates the low level of air/ground attack coordination that existed during 1938. (Remember, Sudetenland is in many respects a World War I game played with World War II toys.) Air strikes cause targeted units to incur losses, reduce the supply level of a square by 2, and, if playing with the limited intelligence option, "uncover" enemy units which were previously "invisible." Note that the supply level reduction will disrupt Czechoslovakian rail movement if a Czechoslovakian rail transportation network square is the target of an air strike. The effectiveness (ability to cause enemy casualties and equipment losses) of each air strike is determined by the number of serviceable aircraft available, the game turn (effectiveness declines as the campaign continues), and for the Czechoslovakian player, the number of Czechoslovakian cities controlled. The effectiveness of Czechoslovakian air strikes is reduced 20% cumulatively for each Czechoslovakian city, major and minor, in German possession. For example, if one city is possessed by the German side, then air strike effectiveness is reduced by 20% (80% of what it would have otherwise been). If two cities are possessed by the German side, then air strike effectiveness is reduced by 36% (64% of what it would have otherwise been). Generally, each air strike is equivalent to an attack by an infantry division (combat factor of 2 to 5). To make air strikes, move the black cursor to the targeted square then press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button. The selected square will become outlined in bright green indicating it has been targeted. Continue selecting squares for air strikes until no further air strikes are available. You may de-select or cancel an air strike. To de-select a targeted square place the cursor over that square; press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button; then press the <Y> key to select the cancel attack option. After all air strike selections are made, display the menu by pressing the <M> key, then press the <Y> key. The game program will then determine the results of the air strikes and display the total casualties and losses incurred by the attacked side. G. Combat The combat phase of a game turn follows the air strike phase. During the combat phase, the moving player selects friendly units to conduct attacks against enemy units and forts. The moving player may select some, all, or none of the friendly units to participate in attacks. Also, more than one unit may attack a target; however, a unit may not attack more than one enemy target. To end combat selection, display the game menu by pressing the <M> key then press the <Y> key in response to the "end selection" question. After attack orders are issued, the computer calculates combat odds and resolves combat. Combat Selection To select a unit to conduct an attack, place the cursor over the chosen unit; then press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button (in response the cursor color changes to yellow). Next select the attack direction by using the numeric keys or the mouse and the <LeftMouse> button (attack arrow displayed on the screen). Then press the <Enter> key or <RightMouse> button to store the combat selection. Note: You may not attack any map edge squares (columns 2 and 42, rows 2 and 29). To de-select a unit from attacking, place the cursor over the chosen unit; press the <Enter> key or the <RightMouse> button; then press the <Y> key to select the cancel attack option. An attacked square is defended by all of the units in that square. The combat value of both units are taken into account in the determination of the combat result. Also, if the attacked square contains a fort, the fort's intrinsic defense value is also taken into account. Combat Resolution The computer program resolves each attack taking into account unit strength, terrain, defender entrenchment level, and Czechoslovakian morale. Results are displayed separately for each attack. Up to six of the attacking units and all defending units are identified in the combat resolution display. Combat values are modified for terrain and supply conditions. Odds are rounded down in favor of the defender. Attacks at odds of less then 1:4 are canceled unless the attacked square contains a fort. As a result of an attack, a defending unit may be forced to retreat. Retreats are handled by the computer. Retreats are not permitted into mountain squares, attacked squares, squares adjacent to attacking units, or across rivers. If a unit is forced to retreat and there is no available square to retreat into, the unit is destroyed (removed from play). If a unit is destroyed then 80% of the surviving troops surrender while all of the unit's equipment (tanks, guns, etc.) is lost. Another result of combat is that an attacking or defending unit may be shattered. A unit is shattered when its remaining strength falls below a level set by the game program. For Czechoslovakian units this level may be altered by changing the morale setting at the start of play. A shattered unit is considered no longer capable of combat operations and is removed from play. If a unit is shattered then 40% of the surviving troops surrender while 50% of the unit's artillery pieces and anti-tank guns are lost; the shattered unit's tanks are placed into the recovery pool. If an attack against a fort square is successful, then the fort level of that square is reduced. For example, a level 4 fort, if attacked successfully, may be reduced to a level 3 fort or to a level 2 fort. If the fort level is reduced to 0 then the fort is destroyed. Units in fort squares, however, are never forced to retreat. If an attacked square is vacated due to the shattering of the defenders, destruction of the defenders, retreat of the defenders, or in the case of an unoccupied fort square, the destruction of that fort, one attacking unit will be advanced by the game program into the attacked square. The only exception to this rule is that a mechanized unit will not be advanced into a mountain square. Preference for the advancement of units is first given to top units of two-unit stacks. Preference is then given on a clockwise basis (i.e. first to attackers north of the attacked square, then to attackers northeast of the attacked square, and so on). Tank Superiority Odds Shift If an attacked square is a clear terrain square (which includes minor cities), then combat is subject to the tank superiority rule. Should the combat strength of the attacking tanks (excluding Pz I tanks) be 2.5 times that of the combat strength of the defending tanks (excluding Pz I tanks) and anti-tank guns, and the total number of attacking tanks (including Pz I tanks) exceeds 75, then the combat odds are shifted 3 columns in favor of the attacker. For example, if the odds are 2:1 in favor of the attacker and the tank attack conditions are satisfied, then the odds for the attack become 5:1 in favor of the attacker. Combat Resolution Display After the resolution of each individual attack, the game displays the results of that attack. The combat resolution screen shows a small portion of the map (the attacked square and surrounding squares), identifies the attacking and defending units, shows the aggregate combat factor for each side along with the calculated odds and whether there was an odds shift, and displays total casualties and equipment losses suffered by each side. The combat resolution display will also identify units shattered or destroyed as a result of the combat. H. Entrenchment As units remain in place they dig-in and improve their overall defensive capability. Each unit is assigned an entrenchment factor which reflects the extent of such defensive preparation; 0 being the lowest level of preparation, 9 being the highest level of preparation. A unit's entrenchment factor is displayed alongside its combat, strength, and movement factors as a single digit in parentheses. A unit's entrenchment factor increases by 1 each turn it is not moved. Whenever a unit is moved its entrenchment factor is reduced to 0. An entrenchment factor of 2 increases defensive capability by 10% while an entrenchment factor of 9 increases defensive capability by 60%. The entrenchment level of units in forts, however, has no effect on defensive capability. I. German Second Movement To reflect the nascent blitzkrieg tactics of 1938, as well as the capabilities of German mechanized units, the German player gets a special mechanized unit movement phase following the resolution of all German initiated combat. During this movement phase the German player may move any or all mechanized units (panzer, light, and motorized infantry) one square. The only restriction is that units may not cross rivers. J. Fort-Frozen Czechoslovakian Units Unsupplied Czechoslovakian units in forts cannot be moved. K. Slovakian Reserve The Czechoslovakian 9th, 15th, and 39th Infantry Divisions, as well as the 3rd Mobile Division are part of the forces assigned to defend Slovakia from either German or Hungarian attack. The Czechoslovakian player cannot move these units until a German unit crosses the Danube River or penetrates south of the squares having the coordinates 34,19 through 38,19. L. German Strategic Reserve Should the Czechoslovakian forces threaten the capture of Wien or Ratibor, German strategic reserve divisions will appear to defend those cities. Four Landwehr (second-line reserve) infantry divisions are available for the defense of Wien, while three of such divisions are available for the defense of Ratibor. VI. VICTORY CONDITIONS As stated in the Introduction, the objective of the German player is to quickly overrun western Czechoslovakia while minimizing losses. The objective of the Czechoslovakian player is to maintain the Czechoslovakian army as an effective force while holding as much territory as possible. A "sudden death" German victory occurs if at the end of any player turn after turn 13 Praha and three of the four minor Czechoslovakian cities (Plzen, Brno, Ostrava, and Bratislava) are possessed by the German player. If German dead and wounded total fewer than 100,000, then the victory is a "strategic" victory. If German dead and wounded total more than 100,000 then the victory is an "operational" victory. If no sudden death victory occurs, then the game results are evaluated at the end of turn 20 as follows: German Strategic Victory The German player attains a strategic victory through possession of Praha and three of the four minor Czechoslovakian cities. Brno, Ostrava and Bratislava are each treated as "possessed" by the German player if there are three or more German units at the "rear" of those cities (squares 30,15, 31,15, and 31,16 for Brno; squares 37,8, and 38,8 for Ostrava; squares 36,22 and 37,22 for Bratislava). The German player must also incur no more than 100,000 dead and wounded to obtain a strategic victory. German Operational Victory The German player attains only an operational victory if the geographical requirements for a strategic victory are met but the total of German dead and wounded exceeds 100,000. The German player may also achieve operational victory by possessing Plzen and Praha, having more than seven German units east of Brno and having on the map more than twice as many units as the Czechoslovakian player. Czechoslovakian Strategic Victory The Czechoslovakian player attains a strategic victory if all Czechoslovakian cities remain in Czechoslovakian possession. The Czechoslovakian player may also attain a strategic victory by meeting all of the following requirements: Brno, Ostrava, and Bratislava are in Czechoslovakian possession. There are fewer than four German units east of Brno. There are 35 or more Czechoslovakian units on the map, German dead and wounded exceed 100,000, and French forces are positioned to invade Germany (see the Game Status display). Czechoslovakian Operational Victory If none of the other victory conditions are met (German strategic, German operational, and Czechoslovakian strategic), then the Czechoslovakian player attains an operational victory. Remember, unless the German player wins by "sudden death," victory is determined at the end of the game (after 20 game turns). After the 20th game turn is completed, all unsupplied squares (including city squares) "fall" to the enemy player. The last game turn is October 29/30. After full completion of the 20th turn, a final game status report will be displayed. The display shows the winning side and gives a plausible politico-military result. Keep in mind that casualties and unit losses affect the extent of a victory. If the German player destroys Czechoslovakia at too high a cost then the German victory is simply "operational." If the Czechoslovakian player loses too many units a "geographical victory" can turn into "political defeat." For comparison purposes, shown below are the approximate casualties incurred in the German conquest of Poland (September, 1939 - 32 days) and the German conquest of the Netherlands, Belgium, and France (May-June, 1940 - 46 days): Germany Poland 16,000 Killed 66,000 32,000 Wounded 134,000 32,000 POW/MIA 587,000 * * Captured by Germany. The Soviet Union captured another 200,000 Polish troops. Western Germany Allies 27,000 Killed 107,000 111,000 Wounded 243,000 18,000 POW/MIA 1,950,000 VII. PROGRAM REGISTRATION Though this shareware version of Sudetenland is a complete game, it has been presented for evaluation purposes only. If you enjoy the game and wish to keep it for more than 30 days, under the terms of the shareware license you must register. There are benefits to registration as the registered version is a full-blown, commercial-style game provided to you at a price far below that of traditionally marketed, commercial wargames. Features included in the registered version are described below. 2-Player Game: You play the game against another person on the same computer. One person plays the German side, the other person plays the Czechoslovakian side. E-Mail Play: You play the game against another person at a different location. After each person plays a turn, an encrytped ASCII file is created. This file is then sent on disk by mail, or electronically (E- Mail) to the person playing the opposing side. German Game: You play the German side against the computer which plays the Czechoslovakian side. Variable Setup: For the 2-Player Game and E-Mail Play each player may redeploy the available units prior to the start of the game. Registered users also receive an instruction booklet and printed map of the gameboard (suitable for photocopying). To register, simply complete the form provided at the end of this manual and send it along with the registration fee of $28.00 to Forgotten Fronts Simulations, PO Box 635, Vienna, VA 22183. (The order form is alos in the file "order.fil".) The registration fee includes sales tax for Virginia residents. There is no extra charge for "postage and handling." Payment must be in U.S. funds by check drawn on a U.S. bank or by money order. Do not send currency. Foreign subscribers may make payment by international postal money order. Prices quoted are in effect through December 31, 1997. If you wish to register after this date, please write to Forgotten Fronts Simulations to get the current prices and information on all available games. Other games currently available from Forgotten Fronts are: August, 1914: A corp/division level game of the first 3 months of combat on the Western Front of World War I (France, Belgium, Great Britain and Germany). East Front, 1914: Similar to August, 1914 but covers the Eastern Front (Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary). Serbia, 1914: Introductory, brigade level game of the first 3 weeks of combat on the Balkans Front of World War I (Serbia against Austria-Hungary). ORDER FORM Name ______________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ___ Send me Sudetenland, the DOS computer wargame that | | simulates a hypothetical German attack on Czecho- |___| slovakia in October, 1938. $28.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ___ Send me East Front, 1914, the DOS computer wargame | | of the first 3 months of combat on the Eastern Front |___| of World War I. $28.00 ___ Send me August, 1914, the companion game to East Front | | 1914 that covers the first 3 months of combat on the |___| Western Front of World War I. $28.00 ___ Send me both East Front, 1914 and August, 1914 at the | | discounted price. $48.00 |___| ___ Send me Serbia, 1914, the DOS computer wargame that | | cover the first 3 weeks of combat on the Balkans Front |___| of World War I. $20.00 ___ Send me all three World War I games (August, 1914, | | East Front, 1914, and Serbia, 1914) at the special |___| discounted price. $65.00 Forgotten Fronts Simulations P.O. 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