French and Indian Wars
1744-1766

Bill Protz jr Bio:
Theme Editor

by Bill Protz

Bill's introduction to historical miniatures wargaming began in the mid 1960s when he sent for a Jack Scruby miniatures catalogue. Upon discovering that toy soldiers could wage war across model terrain with rules books, he began collecting 20mm Seven Years' War miniatures. Following graduation from the University of Nebraska in 1971 with a BA in History, he branched out into other periods such as Napoleonics, Colonials, The Age of Sail and The English Civil War. I n 1974 he published "Wargamer's Guide To The English Civil War" with a second edition in 1977.

The Seven Years' War has remained a strong interest and, combined with his enthusiasm for research and writing, in 1982 Bill founded The Seven Years'War Association. The purpose of the organization is to provide an informational newsletter with historical and wargame articles plus hobby news germane to the middle of the 18th Century. The Association holds an annual meet so members can share their common interest by wargaming and socializing.

In 1984 upon revisiting Fort Ticonderoga, a favorite stomping ground in New York, he rekindled his interest for that portion of The Seven Years' War in North America known as The French and I ndian War, 1754-1760. Since that time he has been researching this war and has visited the Musee de la Armee in Paris plus historical sites of the times; Fort Niagar Fort William Henry and Fortress Louisbourg. Future plans include more touring for research. As a result of this, he began writing a wargame rules book entitled "Drums of War Along the Mohawk" (available in late 1987) specializing in quasi-skirmish or brigade-sized wargaming.

Other areas of interest include promotion of historical miniatures wargaming via The Milwaukee Historical Wargame Weekends and as President of HMGS-Midwest. His collections consist of 25mm miniatures with a 50/50 split of large scale 25mms and 30mms for the French and Indian War. He is also highly interested in modular terrain of model railroad quality to beautify the tabletop. in the coming years he hopes to author other works on the French and Indian Wars, one of an informational nature and the other, a three part novel.

More French and Indian Wars: 1744-1766

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