With mixed feelings and curiosity I stood silently and watched as thousands of soldiers clashed below sabers gleaming and cannon ready. Commanders would convert in subdued voices and plan the next attack. Hillsides would be watched, trajectories would be calculated, regiments dispatched and the battle would begin again. Mounted lancers charged, while some distance away there would be a skirmish. As each side encountered the other, sporadic melees would breakout. Suddenly a silent cannon would send it's payload crashing amidst a regiment of infantry, killing some, wounding most and taking an officer. After a body count, moral and the percentage of combat effectiveness decide the best move is retreat; their comrades fate has been decided by the roll of dice. Elsewhere in still immaculate uniforms, the battles continue. Sides win, sides lose, advance and retreat. The beauty of this sight is considerable. In this war an officer is always in dress, his mount groomed and appropriately outfitted, his men never covered by the grime and blood of battle. Troop movements resembling those of chess in their orderly fashion, make for much thinking and planning and fascination in this this my first Wargame. As an artist my first sight of a table set for a game was mindboggling! The color and intricacy of each figure is something; a sight to behold! As a curious being, the Wargamer brings back memories of my tomboy childhood and playing "war" in the dirt lot. Only here there is "adult" tactics and strategy. I find it a facinating and challenging pastime. My understanding of it at the moment is quite superficial, but it is my hope to learn it's intricacies. So few people have even heard about 'Wargaming', they're missing quite a lot! It's not for everyone but if you like a mental challenge and a visual experience -- it's all in the Wargame. Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 1 No. 21 Back to EEL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1978 by Jean Lochet This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com