In late 2021, we posted an interview with Tony Birkett as designer and Chip Saltsman as Developer covering his The Third Winter from Multi-Man Publishing, which covers the third winter on the Eastern Front during World War II and deals with German Army Group South as they retreat to the Dnieper River and then the Carpathian Mountains. They were both very helpful and shared lots of great insight into the game and its makeup. I recently noticed Tony was again working on a new Operational Combat Series game called Crimea: Conquest & Liberation that was being promoted as a low-counter density, small OCS game with only 560 combat units and just one 22″ x 34″ map. I reached out to Tony, and after a few months of delay on my part, was able to connect and bring this interview to you.

Grant: First off Tony please tell us a little about yourself. What are your hobbies? What’s your day job?

Tony: I had several global Blue-chip roles most of my career, with the last being as an Associate Partner at EY LLP, a global transaction, audit and restructuring company, focusing on Healthcare and Pharma. I also spent 20 years at GSK (GlaxoSmithKline). I run, play golf and play wargames and have 2 wonderful grand daughters.

Grant: What motivated you to break into game design? What have you enjoyed most about the experience thus far?

Tony: An OCS player for decades, John Kisner, at the time OCS Honcho, encouraged me to design one, The Third Winter was the output. I enjoy putting into practice ideas and themes I have had for many years. It has also led to meeting great folk in the hobby and developing worldwide friendships and the teamwork is excellent.

Grant: What is your upcoming game OCS Crimea: Conquest & Liberation about?

Tony: A joint design which covers the 1941-42 campaign by a designer called Guy Wilde and my 1943-44 campaign, including the Taman retreat. It also can be linked to The Third Winter as the next installment of my total East Front OCS Series, OST Front.

Grant: Why was this a subject that drew your interest?

Tony: I am an Eastern Front historian and thus it naturally drew me to these interesting battles in the south. With Guy I believe we have a great package in one box.

Grant: What is your design goal with the game?

Tony: I want this game to introduce gamers to the Operational Combat Series (OCS) in a smaller game package with many varied scenarios. For the more experienced player, the linkage with The Third Winter, it transforms the southern flank of that game. Also to ensure a fun, challenging game with great replay value. Finally a race against time to fully conquer the Crimea in May 1944.

Grant: What period of the war for the Crimean Peninsula does this cover?

Tony: The game covers both 1941-42 and 1943-44 campaigns. The goal was to cover all of the Crimea, including the fighting on the Taman peninsula as far east as Krimsk, as well as southern Ukraine from Kherson to Mariupol. The 1941-42 period was created by new designer Guy Wilde and the 1943-44 scenarios done by me.

Grant: Who is your design partner Guy Wilde? What skills does each of you bring to the design?

Tony: We have corresponded but not met as of yet. Guy had his 1941-42 game on the go for several years, but was waiting for someone to complement it….and that is where I came along and well here goes. I think that we both have a passion for the OCS system and the East Front which really made this a good partnership.

Grant: As a game included in the Operational Combat Series, why does the Crimean campaign fit into the system?

Tony: This game is a much smaller scope than many of the other OCS games as it has much lower counter density with just 560 combat units and a single map. But it still deals with supply and combat with stretched supply lines and offers an excellent introduction.

Grant: For the uninitiated into OCS, what are the basic hallmarks of the series?

Tony: Mobile warfare with fluid ZOC’s, differing national characteristics, supply and command challenges. It has stood the test of time in the hobby for 30 years with nearly 20 games. A true operational system, at 5 miles to the hex in the east and 3.5 in west.

Grant: What is most important to model from this portion of the East Front of WWII?

Tony: The growing Red Army capability, weaponry and units must be modeled to get a true feel for the situation as well as the declining German infantry quality and the use of mobile defense as a major operational tactic.

Grant: How does the game deal with increasing Russian capabilities and declining Axis fortunes?

Tony: OCS has an excellent system built around AR = Action Rating. The scale is 0-5 and reflects everything from Militia = 0 to Elite Troops = 5. This is used extensively to model the decline and rise of various armed forces. The rating effects surprise, combat and other areas. 1943-44 is a key period when the Red Army reaches parity and passes the German army in quality in many areas.

Grant: What must players understand about each side to appropriately play?

Tony: The great thing about OCS is, once you know the Core rules 4.3, all you need to go through with any new game is the Exclusive or Campaign Specific rules. In Crimea, these are short and punchy. You can then begin to play.

Grant: What portions of the Crimea does the map cover? What key features are highlighted?

Tony: The whole of the Crimea and the Taman peninsula. the latter is where the Germans begin as they retreat back from the Caucasus in late September 1943. The Sivash, the Kerch straits, fortifications are all represented in the game(s).

Grant: What strategic pinch points are created by the terrain? What basic strategies must each side take advantage of to be successful?

Tony: The key pinch points are the entry into the Crimea in the north and the narrow Sivash entry avenues. The Kerch area and then the narrow isthmus to the west. If these fall then the retreat gathers pace back to the Sevastopol Heights near the city.

Grant: What is the scale of the game and force structure of units?

Tony: 5 miles to the hex, Battalions to Corps, with the latter represented by the formation component units.

Grant: What special units are included to tell the story? What about things like Axis siege artillery, the Soviet battleship Sevastopol, huge German Me-323 transports and Soviet torpedo bombers?

Tony: ALL you mention are represented in the game…and more! Flame tanks, coastal artillery, naval transport rules and more.

Grant: What roles do Random Events play? What specific Random Events are included?

Tony: Random Events are both tactical and operational. They are very varied and can focus on unit’s arrival to change in strategy around the Romanian army and or reinforcements. They mean that whilst influencing a gem they don’t put it off kilter, yet they do help create excellent replay value and a bit of the unknown.

Grant: How can the game be played with OCS The Third Winter? What special rules govern this?

Tony: It can be played directly with The Third Winter and specific rules to do so are included and these will be expanded upon as the series of games that will form the OST Front 1943-44 are released. Crimea creates a whole new dynamic on the southern flank of The Third Winter, with new challenges and opportunities for both players

Grant: As a low-counter density, small OCS game, is this a preferred introduction to the system?

Tony: Indeed and with a multitude of scenarios, many that can be played in one sitting it is an ideal introduction to OCS. But, the game also is very interesting for veterans as well and should not be looked upon as lesser. The situation in the Crimea lent itself well to this size and scope and will be an interesting puzzle for anyone to try and crack.

Grant: What various scenarios are included? Which of you designed what scenarios?

Tony: Here is a look at each of the scenarios with a summary of its timeline:

  • Rite of Passage (Initial German offensive, 28 turns), 26 Sept 1941 to 26 Dec 1941.
  • Tiger by the Tail, (Soviet counteroffensive, 20 turns), 26 Dec 41 to 1 Mar 42, can be combined with Rite of Passage scenario.
  • Eviction Notice (Operation Trappenjagd, 4 turns), 8-19 May 42.
  • Operation Störfang (Assault on Sevastopol, 10 turns), 5 June 42 to 5 Jun 44.
  • Cross of Iron (Taman peninsula, 36 turns), 26 Sept 43 to 22 Jan 44, also the setup to combine with The Third Winter, 26 Sept 1943 campaign start.
  • Sword of Damocles (Crimea setup for combining with The Third Winter, 26 Jan 1944 campaign start).
  • The Liberation Offensive (Soviet reconquest, 11 turns), 8 Apr 44 to 12 May 44.

However Guy and myself designed several of these scenarios but also Chip Saltsman, OCS Honcho, designed a great number as well.

Grant: How is combat handled in the design?

Tony: OCS combat has both overrun, assault and barrage effects, plus air. It is a true integrated operational warfare system.

Grant: Who is your artist? How has their style helped solidify the theme of the time?

Tony: Chip and I do the counters, etc., Dean Essig and I do the maps, Nico Eskubi does the box art. This approach has worked well for us and fits into the established formula for the OCS games.

Grant: What are you most pleased about with the design?

Tony: The ability to create so many differing levels of OCS games in one package. Chip Saltsman is to be credited with achieving most of this. The aim now is to have smaller releases interspersing the large OCS volumes.

Grant: What has been the response of playtesters?

Tony: We are very fortunate to have a very loyal and willing OCS cadre of avid playtesters. The reception has been very positive.

Grant: What other games are you currently working on?

Tony: My next OCS release will be The Forgotten Battles, Army Group Center’s campaign and battles in late 43-spring 1944. This will be a stand alone and also can be played with The Third Winter and Crimea.

I am also the designer on Decision Games’ Battles in the East Series. Volumes 1 (Bagration Stopped and Sandomierz Offensive) & 2 (Uman Pocket and Guderian’s Final Blitzkrieg) have just been released with 2 more volumes coming in 2024.

I am also reviewing a Battles in the West Series…….so plenty going on to keep me busy!

Thank you for you time Tony as you are a busy man! We appreciate it and want to apologize for taking so long to get back with you after our initial contact.

If you are interested in OCS Crimea: Conquest & Liberation, you can pre-order a copy for $74.25 from the Multi-Man Publishing website at the following link: https://mmpgamers.com/crimea-p-388

As it currently stands, the required pre-order number of 650 has been surpassed with 720 pre-orders.

-Grant