Kriegspiel

Rules

Reviewed by Arnold Hendrick

By B. von Reisswitz, published 1824. Translated, edited, and annotated by Bill Leeson, 5 St. Agnells LN Cottages; Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7NJ, England. Republished 1983. Price: £ 9.85* (UK).

From 1812 to 1824 Lieutenant von Reisswitz of the Prussian Army worked on a wargame system for training military officers. Accepted and published in 1824, subsequent editions and updates appeared in Prussia and England through 1870. All editions were based on the tactics, techniques, and experience gained during the Napoleonic Wars. Therefore these rules are the original "Napoleonic" wargame rules.

Troops were metal blocks (one block for half a battalion, or a cavalry squadron), terrain was a large, detailed tactical map (about equivalent in size and scale to modern boardgame "monster game" maps such as "Wellington's Victory"). The rules were not unlike modern miniatures, including the use of measuring devices, tables, and dice.

Bill Leeson's translation and re-publication of those old works is an important addition to any wargamer's bookshelf. This volume includes not only von Reisswitz's original rules, but also updates and modifications by other writers (in italics). In a plastic envelope, cardboard equivalents of the original blocks are included, as well as charts, tables, measuring devices, and a sample map in the proper scale. In short, the package is a playable game, as well as an important insight into how real officers wargamed during the 19th Century.

The game rules use 2-minute turns, and presume an umpire who sets up the scenario and adjudicates the game (including handling all hidden units). Throughout the rules, reference is made to normal military practice - something modern gamers may not understand very well. Although Mr. Leeson includes some information on this subject, gamers are unlikely to arrive at a realistic interpretation of the movement rules without consulting George Jeffrey's "Tactics and Grand Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars" (available through The Courier). In many other areas gamers without "period experts" to act as umpires will need to develop interpretations and understandings on many topics. However, the degree of ambiguity is no greater than many modern Napoleonic rules!

No specific guidelines for translating the blocks and map scale to tabletop use is given. However, an enterprising gamer with a pocket calculator can easily develop a system (hopefully The Courier will receive some of these, and publish them).

Needless to say, by defining your own conversion, you can arrange the game to fit existing figures and stands.

This volume is invaluable as an insight into "professional" Napoleonic style wargames of the middle 1800's. Since most wargame rules are based on other wargame rules, designers will find this book a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration. Serious Napoleonic gamers will certainly want to try this game. Local groups will undoubtedly generate a body of interpretations, understandings, and modifications to the original game. of course, this is usually required with any rules, so why not start with the grand-daddy of them all? About the only gamer likely to be daunted by this volume is the novice wargamer. Some wargaming experience is recommended before you attempt to use this book in your own gaming. Mr. Leeson is also offering an 8 sheet set of 1/7500 scale maps of Waterloo for use with this game. Also available are "Conduct of the Wargame,1884"; "Infantry Fire Tactics, 1895"; & "British Minor Expeditions, Part I" with more to come. All of these will be available from THE COURIER. See Advt. elsewhere in this issue.

The Reviewing Stand

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