A Muddy Road hex is a dirt road hex that has been converted, at least in part, to muddy ground. In Russia it represents the effect of the Rasputitsa, which is a Russian language term for two periods of the year (or "seasons") when travel on unpaved roads or across country becomes difficult, owing to muddy conditions from rain or thawing snow. The word "rasputitsa" is also used to refer to the condition of roads during both periods. The term is applied to muddy road conditions in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, which are caused by the poor drainage of underlying clay-laden soils found in the region. On the Eastern Front during the Second World War, the months-long muddy period slowed down the German advance during the Battle of Moscow (October 1941 to January 1942) and may have helped save the Soviet capital from German occupation. The advent of motorised warfare had the disadvantage that while tanks could operate effectively in summer or in winter, they proved less useful in spring and autumn, when the functioning of an efficient railway system really came into its own.
Paved roads hexes cannot be Muddy Roads hexes.
A Muddy Road hex may not be created during the play.
Muddy Roads are not obstacles or Hindrances to LOS, although other terrain in a Muddy Road hex may be.
A Muddy Road hex devoid of other terrain features is considered Open Ground for all purposes except movement across the Muddy Road hexside.
The other terrain in a Muddy Road hex determines any TEM of that hex.
Infantry and all Vehicles may cross any Muddy Road hexside at a cost of one MF (two MF if move is to higher elevation).
Vehicles with only wheels spend 1MF to enter a Muddy Road hex.
