The Charge Project 7YW Wargaming

The Charge Project

7YW Wargaming

By Bill Protz

It is my pleasure to report that The Charge Project is certainly thriving. Nearly 20% of our membership has expressed an interest in it and most are now raising troops for service in the Charge Empire.

For those unfamiliar with the purpose behind the Charge Project, see past Newsletters; Volume 1 - No. 5 December 1983 and Volume 2 - No. 1 June 1984. Please write to the Editor if interested.

In the last issue I promised to provide a few rules changes. These follow:

1) Basing System: All miniatures are based singly. Foot: 1" x 1", Horse: 2" x 1" while cannons are unbased. Base sizes for limbers and wagons are up to each owner. We encourage participants to use this system so we can have uniformity. However, some already have sizeable collections based differently and do not wish to change; we have experimented with ideas to accommodate frontage differences.

2) Light Infantry: These units will become "Understrength" when suffering 50% casualties rather than a 66% loss.

3) Grenadiers:
A) Grenadier Battalions become "Understrength" after suffering 66% casualties rather than 50%.
B) Toss one die per 8 miniatures rather than 10 in melee.

4) Cavalry:
A) All move at a rate of 24".
B) Mounted officers, couriers and vedettes may move up to 30".
C) Armoured horse casualties due to melee are saved (do not become casualties) by tossing a die per miniature with a result of 6.

5) Artillery:
A) Cannister effect at a range of 1 - 2 feet is halved.
B) Halve casualties for targets under cover.

Now to give you another look at the Charge Project, read on.

1) This past October at the 6th Milwaukee Historical Wargame Weekend much of the Empire was infuriated by what appeared to be the imprisonment of the newly-elected Emperor, Joseph I (Joe Gepfert), upon a friendly visit to Raschstein. The Prinz von Raschstein (Bill Protz) claimed that the Emperor was a guest and that the iron barred windows and guards posted by the Emperor's apartments in the unfortunately cold and damp citadel in the capital, Protzdam, were merely precautionary measures to protect the Emperor from a plague of bandits marauding the countryside. At the time the Royal Army had only one squadron of Hussars and this was insufficient to remove the bandits. Moreover, the Prinz denied that the alleged imprisonment had anything to do with failures in overseas trade in precious metals into which the Emperor and Pr inz had entered together. No amount of protesting would assuage the complaining parties and so Hesse-Fluegel (Kurt Donzelli), Liptonstein (Dave Stone) and Saxe-Glockenspiel (Rob Oldenburg) mobilized to invade Raschstein. Coming to Raschstein's aid were Kilblarney (Todd Kauderer) and Hesse-Fizzenpop (Bruce Bretthauer). An invasion did occur and on October 7 an inconclusive battle was fought south of Protzdam. Negotiations which followed found the Emperor being escorted out of Raschstein by Hesse-Fluegel horse.

2) This past year arch-enemies Ardoberg-Holstein (Gary Comardo) and St. Maurice (Mike Covell) have been at war with the latter expending much effort invading the former.

3) The winds of war seem to abate only briefly in the Empire. As you read this report, the Princes of the Empire continue to raise troops and are arranging alliances for the coming campaign season. The first opportunity will be at the Second Annual Seven Years War Association Midwest Meet in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on March 30, 1985, the second at the national convention Origins in Baltimore, Maryland, in July, I believe, and the third at the 7th Historical Wargame Weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 5-6, 1985.

4) The Charge Empire is going to have its own newspaper so important matters can be related therein. Gary Comardo of 195 Huffer Road, Hilton, New York 14468, recently volunteered to serve as editor of same and intends to call it "The Ardoberg Enquirer," so named because Gary already produces a newspaper of the same name for his petty Charge State. Thank you sincerely, Gary! We certainly need such a publication to tie us together so this Newsletter can retain its original purpose and not become the voicebox of the Empire. To be sure, we will continue to mention the Charge Project here, but only briefly.

During the past two years I have had the distinct pleasure to receive occasional copies of "The Ardoberg Enquirer" and feel that the style, wit and humor Gary has imparted in each issue will be enjoyed by all Charge Project participants in the Empire version of same. The content Gary wants to receive from us includes anything that has to do with the Charge Project. Gary says, "I would like to see articles about army organization, history of the various states and the means our Princes have devised to bring their states to life." Additionally, there could be editorials, gossip, scandalous reports, advertisements, news of events in the Empire or an individual state, perhaps illustrated with photocopied pictures, entertainment, sports, battle reports, diplomatic intrigue, etc. Pick up any newspaper and numerous ideas will spring to mind to further the cause of honourable or "yellow" journalism. Send material under various bylines, too. I intend to send all of the marvelous material some of you have sent to me for Gary's use, plus the Empire Map.

The first deadline is March 1, 1755 (1985 that is!). Kindly support Gary in his project and send $1 to defray costs for the time being. This kind of entertainment cannot be beat as anyone will certainly attest who has been part of a similar venture. 7 am looking forward to the first issue with enthusiasm and trust you will support Gary for the result will truly be fun. Kindly write to him very soon.

5) New participants (there are over 30 now) include

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