Once again I would like to thank Peter Lenders for his well-researched and highly informative review of the Dutch Army in the 18th Century. Part I appeared in Volume VIII No. 2 and the second part, which focuses on the uniforms, flags and regimental organization of the Dutch infantry, cavalry, artillery and support units. Armed with this information, plus a short article on suitable miniatures for the Dutch units, it is now possible for members to field Dutch army units for War of Austrian Succession wargames.

In retrospect, I have been very impressed with the quality of articles that members are submitting for publication in this journal. It seems that each issue breaks new ground in terms of new information obtained from translations, or well-researched articles (such as the SYW in India, the Ottomans,etc.). A case in point is the two-part series that Peter Lenders has submitted on the Dutch. In my readings of the War of Austrian Succession, I always wanted to know more about the Dutch army and its point of view. Likewise, Peter Wilson has unearthed articles on some of the lesser-known conflicts, such as Hennersdorf and Domstadtl (next issue), using German-text books. Without his efforts, most of us would never be able to read about these battles for the simple reason that we can not read German.

Likewise, Jim Mitchell's analysis of the Louisburg Campaign of 1745 , Brian Vizek's painstaking research on the Ottoman Turks, and Tod Kershner's look at the SYW in India have all shed new light on topics that receive minimal coverage in the mainstream publications on 18th Century military history. And finally, Dean West has done a credible job in convincing me that the French armies of the mid 18th Century are not the historical patsies that everyone seems to make them out to be. Again, well-researched articles, whether they draw on original archieval material or analyze existing information, are always welcomed in this Journal. So bottom line, if you hear anyone saying that we are merely rehashing old stories, grab them by the collar and have them read a recent copy of the Seven Years War Association Journal.

I would like to make a brief announcement regarding the fact that I am changing my address once again. Effective November 1, 1995 all correspondences should be sent to 3127 Park Place, Evanston, Illinois 60201. The move was prompted by my recent marriage and the need for a larger house and possible family at some point in the future. The new house is only a few blocks away, so my telephone and fax number should remain the same. Hopefully, this will be my last house move for some time.

One nice bonus is the fact that I will now have a finished basement with lots and lots of room for wargaming. There is even a nice workbench area suitable for priming and painting figures. Oh, the rest of the house is nice too, but obviously the basement influenced me as much as the large kitchen appealed to my spouse.

Our next issue will feature the long-awaited Kleine Kreig issue that has been in the works for several years. Peter Wilson has uncovered some highly detailed information on the action at Domstadtl in 1757 which includes orders of battle and tactical maps. Peter also submits an article about an attempted plot to kidnap Alte Fritz during the Mollwitz campaign. These articles will be augmented by other related.goodies that you will find both interesting and entertaining.

I am also compiling an impressive amount of articles that readers have submitted about the Italian Campaigns during the War of Austrian Succession. This material will appear early in Volume IX in 1996. This will undoubtedly prompt me to want to paint Spanish, Piedmont and Neapolitan troops; that is, after I complete a huge Dutch force.

My War of Austrian Succession project had been in dry dock of late, due in large part to my continuing interest in the Battle of Waterloo. So I put the little men in tricorne hats away and set about the task of completing my French Old Guard units for Waterloo. My intention was to have a battalion of infantry represent a brigade, thereby reducing the number of figures on the wargame table, but still maintaining the overall look of large battalions in double ranks.

Mass on the Tabletop 

I've always preferred the look of mass on the table-top. At any rate, this kind of figure scale makes almost any historical battle achievable, in terms of being able to field enough painted figures.My interest in the brigade system was also fueled by playing the ACW rules called Fire and Fury. I had never played " F & F " but I was able to understand the game mechanics within several game turns and this illustrates the appeal of these rules as far as I am concerned. I am contemplated using a modified version of these rules for SYW. Has anyone else tried this concept? If so, I'd like to hear from you.

Over the Labor Day weekend, my wife and I visited Tim O'Connor out in Maryland. Tim is the Journal's Assistant Editor and resident computer guru who helps me out of difficult jams when my PC gets ornery. Tm has been working on a rules system for the SYW over the past several years and so I was eager to play test his efforts. Tim also believes in the two-ranked infantry stand, and in fact we both ended up basing our 15mm figures in the same manner: 24 figure battalions on four stands of six figures; basically this is Age of Reason basing at a figure ratio of 25:1 rather than the 12 figure 50:1 ratio. The visual effect of Tim's system is superb.

We played a scenario whereby a brigade of British infantry was defending a bridge and providing a rear-guard action against the French. I got to play with the redcoats and I had to hold on for several turns until the rest of the Allied army of Prussians, Hanoverians and Hessians could march to the front. I had more than I could handle against overwhelming numbers of French, but then I was able to bring up some cavalry and stabilize my line. I managed to drive all of the French cavalry from the field with few casualties to my troopers. What remained was a cavalryman's dream: nothing but exposed flanks of infantry between me and the next county. So off they went on a joy ride of death, shattering and scattering white coats left and right. Gee Tim, these are really great rules !

I think, however, that I would have enjoyed the game and the rules regardless of the outcome. One important effect that the game had on me was to rekindle my enthusiasm for painting little men in tricorne hats and mitre caps. When I returned home, the 25mm Napoleonics were all boxed up and put away and it was back to the Dettingen/Fontenoy project in 15mm. Well, at least not yet. I always make myself put the figures and paints away whenever I am doing the layout work on this Journal, because I know how tempting it is to take a break here and there and paint Hanoverians or French. If the figures are out of sight, then the wargame devil doesn't tempt me and the readers get the next issue of the Journal sooner.

To make a long story short, my visit to Tim O'Connor's house and the articles on the Dutch army in this issue have rekindled my interest in painting SYW figures. I am hopeful that I can finish enough units to try this new system out at next year's SYW convention.

Eventually I'd also like to create dedicated terrain boards for Fontenoy and Dettingen. Now that I face the prospect of having a new basement with lots of built in storage space, I can afford to think along these lines. I wonder if anyone knows of a way to get ahold of topographical maps for some of these battlefields. If so, please drop me line with the information.

I am still trying to find information about Austrian converged grenadier formations and their inhabers. Any clues, insight or other information would be greatly appreciated.

Convention

Please take notice of the announcement on page 54 for next year's SYWA Convention in South Bend, Indiana. The convention dates are March 29 - 30, 1996 and once again we are honored to have Professor Christopher Duffy as our featured speaker and guest. For those of you who were kicking yourselves for not going to last year's convention, you now have a second chance to join the fun and to meet Professor Duffy. Paul Petri and Brian Vizek are this year's convention organizers and they asked me to make a special appeal to members to make hotel reservation now. See page 54 for hotel details. It doesn't cost a cent to reserve your room with a credit card now, now, now.... and right now. A fair number of people procrastinated and found that there were no rooms at the inn, nor at any other hotel in South Bend that weekend. Please take heed.

Next issue will be mailed in December 1995 and we will return to the 72 page format, as opposed to the 64 pages in this issue.