Courier Dispatch

Magazines

By Dick Bryant

Battlefields is a new effort from Partizan Press. This is a glossy with a couple of 4-color pages inside, intended by its editor, Ben Wilkins, to center primarily on scenarios, with historical analysis (focussed on the tactical level) and discussions of the construction of wargames. The initial issue has a history of Aliwal (Sikh War), games based on the Son Tay prison raid (players against the umpire), Ocean Pond, Florida (1864), Clifton (Jacobite tour of 1745) on two duplicate tables with scurrying umpire, Mortimers Cross (War of the Roses), Auldearn (ECW), and the Falaise Gap. Some of these are nearly straight-up histories, with an OB and a paragraph on a possible game. The Falaise Gap game, on the other hand, is only loosely suggested by the historical event. Quality of the scenarios is variable, and they have a definite British wargaming magazine flavor to them. Oh yes, there is a game by Paddy Griffith illustrating seiges in Spain 1811-14: no choices to make, just roll the dice and read your result. 38 pp, $6.00 / issue from On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terrace, Hopewell, NJ. (609) 466-2329.

Chakoten is the journal of the Danish Military HIstory Society. The issue in hand is part of their 50th anniversary celebration, and is, of course, primarily in Danish, limiting what I can tell you about it. There is one article in English, the first of a multi-part treatment of the Assault on Stralsund in 1809, reprinted from an early 1970s issue of Tradition. There are articles on the Battle of Hanau (1813), what appears to be a description of Danish artillery in the mid 19th centry, with re-enactor illustrations, figure andbook reviews, and a number of shorter pieces. Chakoten, Skolebakken 13, 2820 Gentofte.

Combat Simulation is subtitled A Journal for Gaming Small Unit Actions during the Second World War. It is produced by the authors of Battalions in Crisis. The issues in hand have a scenario for the rules, one or more vehicle charts, a column on playing the rules, a reprint from the War Departments Small Unit Actions and another article, either a unit TO&E or historical analysis. 60 pp, 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 format, $22.50 / 4 issues from Phoenix Military Simulations, 12633 Carrington Hill Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20878-22349.

Lone Warrior, the journal of the Solo Wargamers Association, has begun publication of a North American edition, printed and distributed in the U.S. This is highly recommended for the solo gamer, covering primarily miniatures, but with computer games and board games mentioned. The April-June issue included a scnario for the Medieval battle of Shrewsbury and one for feudal Japan along with assorted reviews, letters, and fantasy/science fiction topics. 38 pp , $20 / 4 issues fromSolo Wargamers Associaiton, 1707 Ridge Rd, Leavenworth, KS 66048.

English Civil War Times is the glossy incarnation of Partizan Press ECW Notes and Queries, complete with color covers. The first issue has articles on Sir Stephen Hawkings Regiment of Foot, some muster rolls from 1640, an account of the battle at Gainsborough (1643),an article on period firelocks, an analysis of battle plans of the period,an article on Beeston Castle during the war, and an assortment of shorter pieces. $6.00 an issue from On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terrace, Hopewell, NJ. (609) 466-2329.

Savage and Soldier will be getting a new editor: Milton Soong is being replaced by Andrew Preziossi of the Heliograph.


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