Reds are Better Dead - America in North Russia, January 1919

Please note that this is a DTP (Desk Top Publishing) game designed on a desktop computer and all components, including the counters which will have to be cut and mounted, are printed on paper. These are designed by some very well-known designers and are a low cost alternative to today's professionally produced games. On rare occasions, some of these games are reproduced by other companies with higher quality components including die-cut counters but most of them are not. If you believe this game to have a professionally produced version, please contact us with your inquiry and we will help you to locate it if it does indeed exist.

Reds are Better Dead covers the Bolshevik attack of the Americans 200 miles from Archangel, Russia, during secret allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. The American 339th Regiment had been sent to North Russia to help the British and French advance down the Dvina and Vaga Rivers to threaten Moscow, where Lenin Commanded.

The British had the Americans advance deep into uncharted territory and the furthest allied advance ended with Company A occupying the small outposts at Nijni Gora, Ust Padenga and Visorka Gora. Up until January, 1919, much of the combat was sporadic and weak from the Bolo red soldiers. Thus, the Americans in Company A were stunned when up to 1500 of them began an offensive directly aimed at them. The Americans had only 160 men plus a few hundred of unreliable White Russians who were a temperamental lot.

While the white snow ended up being red because Reds are better dead than alive, the Americans suffered dearly as well as they stood and then hauled ass back to the main base at Visorka Gora, which was under attack as well. By the 22nd, the British ordered the Americans to retreat back to Shenkursk, about 20 miles upstream. The problem was, the Bolos were all over the area and closing in on that town, as well.

The map scale is about 75-100 yards per hex. Each combat unit a platoon (20 to 30 men), one leader. A game turn represents six hours of time. Heavy weapon units are squad or battery. Snipers are 2-3 men, Aircraft equal one airplane.

Contents:

One 11" x 17" mapsheet depicting the terrain the battle was fought over along with charts and tables and Terrain Key

One set of 280 1/2" playing pieces

One Rulebook