Peter Wilson

I enjoyed your account of Dettingen. I refought this several years ago and had the same trouble trying to work out the French order of battle. The book by Michael Orr, which I'm sure you probably know, lists the units, but does not indicate which were in Grammont's corps. Your article inspired me to take down a book from my shelf, like many there it has remained unread through lack of time. This has a good account of the battle and indicates the organization of Grammont's corps. It is Die Pragnuitische Armee 1741 - 1743. Eine alliierte Armee im Kalkirl des Osterreichischen Erbfolgeurieges, (Schriftenreihe des Militargeschicutlichen Forschungsamtes, vol.30 published by R. Oldenbourg Verlag, Munich 1991), by Wolfgang Handrick. He gives the total French strength as 69 battalions and 68 squadrons. Of these, 26 bms. and 44 sqds. totalling 30,000 men were on the right bank under Grammont. The force consisted of the infantry brigades Auvergne, Touraine, Noailles, Gardes, and Orleans, with 16 guns. One brigade with 8 cannon was detached to guard the two pontoon bridges by the village of Grosswelzheim. The cavalry comprised the Maison du Roi, Brigade Carabiniers, Brigade France-Royal, plus I I sqds. of dragoons and 6 sqds. of hussars. The cavalry had crossed by a ford near the two pontoon bridges, due to the hot weather, the water level of the Main was low. An additional 3 brigades (Irish, La Marine, Brancas) were at Aschaffenburg. The Allies totalled 27,098 foot and 8,004 horse with 98 cannon. Incidentally, George II wore the same hat, coat and sash that he had worn at Oudenarde in 1708. I thoroughly enjoyed the Journal and look forward to the next issue. Keep up the good work!

[Editor: thank you Peter, for taking the time to look up this additional information about the French forces at Dettingen. It came in handy when I was organizing my wargame version for HISTORICON and I'm sure that other readers will find it useful as well.)

Michael Becher

I am really impressed with the job you have been doing with the SYWA. I like the new look of the Journal and heartily approve of the European emphasis. I am really enjoying your series of articles on the War of Austrian Succession and like the practice of giving tentative outlines of future journals. The articles in the most recent journal about the action in the west, with the French standing off the motley allies and the Battle of Dettingen were especially interesting. The War of Austrian Succession always seems to get overlooked in the English-speaking world. The mid 18th Century is probably my favorite historical period, even though I seem to only wargame it at Historicon. However, I think that I have managed to convince one of my Napoleonic friends to give the SYW a try. Maybe I'll be able to get some regular 18th Century gaming going in the next year. The news that Old Glory is moving into the SYW is some of the best figure- related news that I have heard in a long time. I can hardly wait for the release of the Austrian figures! I also wanted to let you know that you are absolutely right about Napoleonics being "the Dark Side" of wargaming. Once you start, you just can't stop. I know this from experience. I have hordes of Austrians and it never seems like I have enough. Keep up the great work. Maybe I'll see you at Historicon.

[Editor: Michael, you'll be glad to know that Old Glory will have its Austrian infantry and cavalry plus Prussian cavalry available in time for Historicon. Also glad to hear that you are making some headway in converting other gamers to 18th Century enthusiasts]

Brian Vizek

Just thought I would drop you fellow SYW fanatic a line and let you know what's up in Cheesehead Land. Well, with the conclusion of the SYW convention things have been very busy. My painting has slowed to a trickle, but I've always found that I need to commit myself to running a game using figures I have yet to paint. My next big game probably will not occur until October, so I guess that there is no rush.

Now, on the brighter side, my SYW book collection--since the convention I have acquired a first edition of Carlyle's Frederick the Great, a first edition Fortesque, as well as two more books on the Ottoman Empire. In addition, I have been actually making some headway in reading most of these books. I am also working on getting some additional information on the Ottoman Empire during the 18th Century. Last year l acquired some great information on uniforms. Also, I received some addresses in Turkey where I can send for more data. Time is my biggest problem; it seems to take forever to send off a letter. I currently have about 20 pages of information typed up, but I feel that it is just the tip of the iceberg. Hopefully, I can gather sufficient information to put togeather an in-depth article for the SYWA.

[Editor: I am prepared to devote an entire issue to the Ottoman Empire in the 18th Century, at some time during the new volume year. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have been able to dig up on the Ottoman Turks. Can anyone else help out Brian, in terms of providing him with information about battles or other subjects germane to the 18th Century Ottoman Turks?]

Donald Cox

I now have all available copies of the SYWA Journals (back issues). In going through them I found that the organizations of the Prussian Army is not to be found. I wonder why the Prussian units were omitted since they were one of the major participants in the war? Are there copies of unit organizations for gaming the Prussian army of Frederick? Finally, in reference to the converged Grenadier Battalions, it seems that it is assumed that one would have all of the battalions needed to wage war. But if not, would there be a gaming battalion group and then to this be added the castings from the fine battalions, if so what would the units look like?

[Editor. Don is referring to a series of articles in some of the early issues that depicted the number of musketeers, musicians, nco's, officers etc. that were in each country's regimental organization. This was then translated into the number of wargame figures required to portray a battalion at a 25 to 1 scale for a particular set of rules. I was not aware that the Prussians had not been covered, but we will take care of this oversight in the near future. Any volunteers? Meanwhile, Don, you might want to look at a copy of Duffy's book about the Army of Frederick the Great. This book contains the sort of information that you seek. As for the Grenadier Battalions, here is a very short answer: each Prussian infantry regiment contained two battalions of about 850 men, divided into 5 companies of musketeers and I company of grenadiers per battalion. Thus a regiment had two companies of grenadiers , each containing 114 rank and file and 7 or 8 ordinary supernumeraries (NCO's and musicians, etc.) . The two grenadier companies were then amalgamated with two companies from another regiment and this unit took the name of the senior colonel or "inhaber" who commanded the converged grenadier battalion of some 480 men. Tactically, the infantry regiment operated without its grenadiers, so in battle, a regiment would consist of two battalions, each of 5 companies. Accordingly, your Prussian wargame units should not include grenadiers with the rank and file musketeers, since the former would have been detached as mentioned earlier. I hope that this helps you in the short term. We will cover this topic in more depth during the next volume year.]

Paul Petri

Just dropping you a line to say what a great job you and your "staff" are doing with the newsletter. I saw that comment in a letter in the last issue and I had a good laugh, I hope you did too. I am sure that the author of that letter does not realize that you are the staff. You have much more dedication than I would ever have.

My latest project has centered around rules and the adaptation of Napoleon's Battles to the SYW. I gave it a try at the last Little Wars convention with fairly good success. There were, however, a few glaring changes that needed to be made. The Prussians won the game by staying in column and rushing around the flank of the stationary Russians. What bothered me was the fact that the Prussians stayed in column and attacked the flanks of the Russians, winning three close combats and the game. I failed to penalize players enough for units in column in close combat. I had also fooled around with the ground scale, but decided to leave it alone and change the movement rates back to the original 15mm scale and 1" equals 100 yards game rate.

The only changes I have made to the rules themselves are as follows: I made it one figure equals 50 men instead of the huge 120:1 in the original rules; this allows me to field battalions and regiments and not abstract brigades. I also included flanks and rear so they can be attacked. I waived the form emergency square when attacked by cavalry since this was not common practice in the 18th Century. These are basically the only changes that I have made. The rules are fast and seem to portray the SYW very well. I had the opportunity to talk to Bob Coggins, the co-author of Napoleon's Battles at Little Wars and he told me that they were originally intended as a SYW rules set. Go figure. Anyway, I am writing a much more in-depth article on the variant and will send it along when I have finished it.

[Editor: hmmm, I can just picture all those "Empire " and "Legacy of Glory" afficionados chortling and saying I knew it!" over that kernel of information that Napoleon's Battles came into the world as a set of SYW rules; actually Paul, you should contact Michael Montemarano, who conducts wargames using a rules set known as "Battles of Frederick the Great". I understand that these are the SYW version of NB and perhaps Michael has solved the problems that you have encountered with your adaptation. As long as we're looking to steal or borrow ideas from other rule sets, why not take a serious took at "Tactica". Seriously, Tactica has a lot of good ideas that are very applicable to 18th Century warfare, ie keeping the integrity of the battle line, and allowing only forward movement once a unit has deployed from column into line formation. 77te similarities are rather amazing. Finally, Paul, your letter points out the difficulties that one encounters when trying to adapt rules from one period to another. Sometimes, the slightest change can have a profound effect on the action.]

David Clay

David A. Clayton would like to announce that as of April 1, 1993, he has left the employ of Modelers Mart, and is no longer associated with that business in any way.

Richard Davidson

I am selling my video of the BBC serialized version of "The Last of the Mohicans" . Five hours on two video tapes for $50.00 (color). I have several copies. This is not the ghastly 1977 American version. I am also selling my video of the 1920 version for $35.00; I also have the film "Culloden" available for $40.00.