So what's my problem? It's this. Either the proof readers are cobblers or Empire Press are cynically intending that you need to purchase a copy of Empire IV to play. Unless I am blind, and I've read through the book three times now in an effort to find them, I cannot discover where exactly the definitions for artillery are. They are: Old Guard, Class I, II, III; in that order.
Clearly the first is obvious, but as for the others. Should I guess? Also, what the hell are DUB cavalry. Dutch-Belgian? I don't think so. They have their own sections on the cavalry charts, yet nobody tells me what they are. Needless to say there is no reference in the unit lists, as indeed there isn't for which units can skirmish, with or without the need for a solid company to fall back on. Now I know that the answers to 1 and 3 are in Empire IV, as is probably the answer to DUB cavalry. But I haven't got Empire IV, and I'm not bloody well buying them. So come on Empire, how about supplying corrections (free of charge, I suggest) to the wargaming press so that we can play your rules properly.
Nofi and Waterloo
Whilst I'm on the subject of inconsistency, has anybody else read Albert A. Nofi's book on Waterloo. Thank God I only borrowed it from the library. Yes, it's Monthly Moan time. In various parts of the book Mr. Nofi states that Grouchy (Marshal of this parish) never commanded
PBM
Right, back to wargaming. The PBM campaign is livening up already, although the players may not be aware of it yet. Lobau has turned up after six days AWOL (and is still receiving dispatches from his mistress) and the Duke of Brunswick is being most difficult - rumours that his personality is based on Peter Hofschroer's are pure fiction). More on this campaign soon, I suspect.
I made a bit of a cock-up thinking that we'd put a game on at Sheffield, as somebody moved the event and it was over before I knew it. We will definitely be at the First Empire Trouser Fest and hopefully at Colours in Reading, should I ever get a reply from the organisers.
Well, that's about it for another column. Thanks to all those who popped in at the Napoleonic Fair to watch five year old-ish Elliot Ashby - possibly the 21eme's youngest member? - beat me (damn!) Congratulations to Sandra Moffat (what's the Marinella bit?) and Peter Digby (allegedly winner of the Foot Guards' Worst Wig competition) on their impending marriage. I'm not sure which one's the braver!
An Answer in Dispatches (issue 29)
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Is it me, or is Empire Press a bit cheeky? What am I talking about? Chef de Bataillon ® as it happens. Why? Well, I went a bit mad and went out to buy these new rules, thinking that they might be ideal to use as the basis for the new NA wargames collection. And they are. If you read David Commerford's review of them you will have a pretty good idea. If you didn't, now's the time to dig out issue 25 and check it out.
a) a brigade
prior to being given his baton. These comments are all palpable guff. To my certain knowledge Grouchy commanded cavalry formations of all these sizes, and damned well too. Sure, he might have had less experience with infantry, but if that's what you mean, then say it. Come on Al, get a grip.
b) a division
c) a corps
Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #28
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