Gleanings: Magazines

Courier Dispatch

Reviewed by Dick Bryant

The Magazine for Wargamers (A.L. Dumelow, 70 Ferry Street, Stapenhill, BUrion-on-Trent, Staffordshire, 6 isues/year 4.50 pounds though U.S. rates unavailable at present): This interesting wargaming publication has in the pao been devoted entirely to historical wargaming with miniatures and has Wd some quite entertaining articles on the Dark Ages, Napoleoni(~, and the modern period, among others. in the May, 1986 (917) issue, I'ditor Andy Dumelow includes an introductory article on Fantasy wargaming and although I know I am biased, I personally feel there are more than enough fantasy magazines out there and too few histori(al miniatures publi(ations. However, perhaps this is a possible means of narrowing the gap between our respective facets of the hobby. Nonetheless, this isa highly readable 16-20 page publication which I have always found enjoy,ible. Copies can be obtained stateside through The Reiter, 3440 South Monterey Drive, New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151.

PW Review (Wally Sirrion, 12905 Layhill Road, Silver Springs, MID 20906, monthly $10.00): PW is, to my knowledge, the only monthly publication devoted to historic,il wargaming with miniatures. It is a twenty page xeroxed production ably manned by Wally Simon, Skirmish Editor for THE COURIER and consistently contains interesting articles on rules developments, play-testing,and scenarios. The June '86 issue (ontainsa complete rules set for the Seven Year's War, Wally's latest interest, as well as an interestingartii: le on thoughts behind the rules set. if you enjoy reading articles concerned with rules discussions, you'll love PW!

Savage and Soldier (23902 S.F. 42nd St., Issaquah, Washington 98027, quarterly $15.00): The April-June, '86 issue contains articles on Guantanarno from the Spanish-American War, a wargame report on a South African campaign which was most interesting and a role-playing game in which players are asked to place themselves in the position of a British officer purchasing camels in the Sudan in 1885. In addition, S&S provides Valuable inforniation to the Colonial gamer on books, magazines, etc., containing articles on the era as well as new figure releases. The Colonial wargamer would he well advised to subscribe to S&S for the wealth of historical information available, frequentlycovering little known Colonial peroids of history. Although the articles do not usually contain direct references to wargaming the concerned subject, such information can quite easily be obtained from the text. A publication well worth supporting.

A Call To Arms! (NIGA, Inc., P.O. Box 11133, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46856, bi-monthly,$5.00): A Call To Arms! isthe publication of the Northeastern Indiana Gaming Association centered in Fort Wayne, and is making another appearance following a brief interlude. it is a perfect example of what a "club" newsletter should be, consisting of roughly 12 pages in length, containing news regarding upcoming club events; a regular column by the editor, this one being devoted to observations on recent conventions; as well as several articles on wargaming. Although this issue was devoted to historical wargaming with miniatures, previous issues have contained articles on fantasy gaming as NIGA is a mixed-bag club. Anyone thinking of publishing a club newsletter should obtain a copy of A Call To Arms! for ideas.

Lone Warrior (Ron Moore, 32 Buce Hayes Close, Highcliffe on Sea, Dorest, England BH235HJ,bi-monthly,10.75 poundsfrorn U.S.): LW isthe publication of The Solo Wargamers Association and is a 44 to 50 page publication full of ideason solowargaming. Italsocontainsa play-by-mail section which appears to be quite popular. I have found the articles interesting with good applicability to the wargames table. The July, 1986 issue contains articles on solo skirmish gaming, a well-written piece on solo campaign rules, a solo naval system as well as several battle reports. In addition, LW features a stimulating letters to the editor column and reviews of wargaming items.

Arquebusier (David Scott, Flat 2, 102/104 Stockingstone Road, Luton, Beds, England, unsure of publication rate - subscriptions are 7.50 pounds surface mail to U.S.): Issue #4,1986, contains articles on Javanese Warfare in the "Kidung Sunda" in Java (1357), Wargaming with an Aztec Army, Marston Moor (1644), and the Siege of Leyden (1574). Interesting reading and it is quite common for specific wargaming information regarding the historical battles discussed to be included in articles. Well written publication which should be of considerable interest to Pike & Shot wargamers.

Military Digest (P.O. Box 5526, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, monthly, $19.95): May, '86 issue on hand for review. As mentioned previously MID now devotes most of its space to WWII/modern subjects and although it still attempts to serve the wargamer, it appears to be much more concerned with the military historian and/or military professional. This issue features a discussion of the division cavalry squadron in the modern U.S. Army, modern Marine Corps armor, and three WWII articles; the eastern front, light tank action, and one on glider infantry regiment organization. Historical miniatures wargamers who are heavy into WWII or the modern period would more than likely find something of interest in Military Digest.

Seven Years War Association Newsletter (Bill Protz, 5690 West Glenbrook Road, Brown Deer, W1 53223,5 issues/$10.00): The March'86 issue of this delightful, informative magazine devoted entirely to the Seven Years War features an in-depth article on Wurttemberg as an army and a state; Part three of a series on cavalry warfare of the period, this one being concerned with French cavalrycluring the Warofthe Austrian Succession; an interesting piece on infantry formations utilized in the Seven Years War; a continuation of a series on visits to SYW battlefields; SYW organization and wargaming application for Russian line cavalry; and a lengthy "news" section written by Editor Bill Protz, my favorite section, concerned with Association news as well as news of new figure releases, book stores/ca ta log ues/etc. Based on the success of this well-done publication specifically centered on the SYW period, I am surprised that someone else has not initiated a newsletter/magazine to serve historical miniatures wargamers who are interested in other periods, such as the ACW.

SAGA (890 James Road, Rochester, NY 14612, six issues/$10.00): SAGA has improved its physical appearance considerably by adopting the format used previously by THE "old" COURIER and more recently by the SYW Association and Midwest Wargamers' Association Newsletters. The editors haveelected toexpand theircoverageto includethe Renaissance period up to and including the English Civil War. This should, I would think, expand their readership as well. The June-July '86 issue is devoted to the Anglo-Saxons 450-1066 A.D. and features articles on the use of the standard in dark ages warfare; a wargaming report in which the author chooses to utilize an "historical" description ofthe game - I much prefer battle reports to discuss how the rules played a role in the course and outcome of the game; single figure based Dark Ages wargaming; a complete set of rules for Dark Ages naval wargaming; a battle problem presentation for the Battle of Taginae (552 A.D.) utilizing the WRG set of rules; an historical discussion of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the Norman conquest; and a Dark Ages English Army list for 600-950 A.D~ based again on WRC. In my opinion SAGA possesses a great deal of potential.

Miniature Wargames (Available at hobby stores, monthly, $3.50 per issue): Number 38 of MW features a very good mix of wargaming historical periods. There is a fine piece on shieldwalls in the Dark Ages; Middle Ages wargamers are provided with an article concerned with the Battle of Northampton (1460); modern period gamers are served with articles on solo Vietnam gaming and an in-depth look at the Armies of the Gulf War; the Piuke & Shot period is represented by an article on the Army of James 11; Horse & Musket devotees have the Battle of Arklow (1798) and the cavalry battle of Liebertwolkwitz (1813): and Colonial gamers can read part three of Ian Knight's dissertation on the Matabele Wars. I've always enjoyed the fact that MW articles consistently include wargaming applications for historical presentations. The ads are another plus, in my opinion, as they appear to be more encompassingas time goes on as regards providing the reader with up-to-date figure releases. Highly recommended!

Breakout (Military Simulations Pty Ltd., 134 Cochranes Rd., Moorabbin, Victoria 3189, Australia; quarterly, US dollars $3.50 per issue): May '86 (#21) on hand for review. This was my first look at Australia's foremost wargames publication and I was previously under the impression that it was a miniatures publication. This issue, according to the editor, represents a more "professional" approach in regard to print quality and he reported they are planning a "push into the US market". Breakout reports they utilize the "theme" approach in each issue encompassing, apparently, all facets of the overall hobby of gaming, i.e., role-playing, miniatures, computer gaming, boarclgaming. The next issue was reported to be concerned entirely with miniatures, although it was not clear whether they meant historical miniatures or miniatures in general. Nonetheless, this issue featured articles concerning reviews of boardgames and computer games, convention reports, role-playing, play-by-mail games and club news. I have some doubt as to how well this publication will do on the US market as it seems as though role-playing, boardgaming, and computer gaming are very well served already with quality publications in this country. A publication utilizing the "theme" approach, in my opinion, [ends itself to single issue purchase as opposed to subscriptions, and coupled with an already adequate US list of publications, Breakout, despite being a fairly good quality publication, may end up being purchased only by the magazine "collector".

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