Stephen Joske

With the Europa Collector Series off to an impressive start, I am looking forward to the release of updates for Western Desert and The Near East. While the counter mix, OB, and rules for IND have undergone considerable refinement in the pages of TEM and ETO, I think there is serious need for more consideration of the maps. The IND and NE maps are eritirely adequate for simulating history as it occurred, but they have limitations when play proceeds in other ways.

While playing "War in the Desert" many times I have often encountered an Axis breakout into the Nile delta. With the present maps, the British then retreat to Iraq, and if forces and time permit, the Axis follows the transportation lines through Syria and aims for Basra, the only British supply source in the region. In reality, when Rommel broke through to El Alamein, the British formulated a plan to retreat up the Nile, not across the Suez Canal. These plans were prepared by General C. Richardson, and described in his book Flashback (Kimber, 1985). For Europa, this requires extension of the maps at least down to Sudan, and preferably to cover the area represented in Africa Orientalis down to Mombasa.

Another problem is the narrow corridor on the way from Transjordan to Iraq between the Syrian border and the map edge. At present, if the British attempt to evacuate forces from Palestine to Iraq in the face of an Axis advance, and do not wish to attack Vichy Syria, the narrow corridor may hamper Axis attempts to outflank the retreat. The map could easily be expanded to overcome this artificial restriction.

From a Grand Europa point of view, the most serious problem is that the maps stop at Kuwait. If the Axis does gain control of the oil fields in Iraq and Iran, it is likely that the Allies would give a high priority to an assault up the Persian Gulf to retake the area. Simulating this possibility accurately requires mapping all the key ports in the Gulf region.

Improving map coverage in the Persian Gulf and Transjordan would not involve a large increase in playing area, and in any case outlying naval and air bases could be represented by holding boxes. Doing the same for the Nile valley down to northern Kenya is obviously a large task, but the entire area could be presented in an expanded remake of Africa OrientaIe.

Howard Christie

In James Broshot's letter in "EXchange," Europa #15, he states that the M11/39 Italian medium tank was equipped with MG turret and a 47mm gun. This is not so. The M11/39 carried a small turret with two 8mm MG, plus a medium velocity 37mm gun in the right superstructure. Only 100 M11/39 tanks were built.

Twenty-four were sent to Italian East Africa where, as the medium tank company (Compagnia Speciale Carri M), they served in the East African Armored Task Force (Raggruppamento Corazzato Africa Orientale). Another 70 M11/39 tanks comprising the I and II Medium Tank Battalions (Battaglioni Carri M) were sent to Libya in the summer of 1940, but by early February 1941 all 70 had been destroyed or captured by the British. I agree with John Astell's and James Broshot's idea to substitute 2x 1-6 Arm II 1M and 2M for the 1x 1-6 Arm III 41, but I would not adapt the Italian tankette formations to a brigadesize element. This would just not show the true historical deployment of Italian armored formations at this point in the war.

I would like to throw in my vote in for an Europa module covering Italian East Africa. I feel that Europa would not be complete without this theater of action. This module would cover the historical campaign, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, and a scenario which would tie it in to "War in the Desert". This area does deserve some attention, due to the large Italian forces and land mass. Is there anyone else out there who would be interested in such a module?

Obviously, the answer to that question is "Yes'.

I suspect James was thinking of the M13/40 tank, which (according to Eric Grove's WWII Tanks) was configured per the description in TEM #15. -RG

John Phillip Souza

I enjoy Europa immensely, but there are some things that have been on my mind.

First, if normally a single player would handle an army, army group, or air force, why is there no centralization of support? An army or army group commander would not be responsible for the use and/or deployment of separate regiments, battalions, or other small groups.

An army group commander would handle those units one level down (corps) and be aware of units two levels down (divisions), but his corps or divisional commanders would be in charge of the "ants". I have noticed that too much time and effort is spent trying to find novel uses for these ants, and this detracts from what should be my proper responsibility as an army group commander. I am trying to work out an allocation system per army and army group to reduce logistical and tactical strain.

Secondly, I would like to comment on airborne assets in Europa and the use thereof. Airborne forces are used tactically to implement a strategic decision. For example, we lay down a carpet of airborne troops to cross the Rhine or we seize the island of Cyprus in order to gain direct access to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

What I am trying to say is that airborne forces are a strategic asset and shouldn't be wasted on a minor river crossing or cutting a rail line. I realize this is pretty hard to put into a rule. Perhaps there should be some time limits after a drop when airborne forces must be withdrawn in order to take on replacements and retrain, as was the case historically.

For my third and final point, Supermarina is great, but my experience theater-wide is that while adding the naval warfare added dramatically to both the flavor and the strategic decisions of play, it tripled or quadrupled the playing time per turn. I first tried a theater-wide naval system in 1977 with War in Europe and even after somewhat abstracting it to suit my tastes, it made turns extremely lengthy. The results made it worth the effort, but just barely.

By the way, what is the address of the company that is remaking War in the Pacific? I would like to see that in print again-it was a lot of fun. And since Europa is German for Europe, what is Japanese for Asia? Keep up the good work.

My latest information is that the remake of War in the Pacific will be entitled Eagle Against the Sun, to be published in the not too-distant future by the Fresno Gaming Association (a.k.a. FGAHG). They may be reached by phone at (209) 252-3867 or (209) 299-3081 or via FAX at (209) 252 3874. -RG

Jerry Anderson

I have just received my order for the Kasserine Crisis and Torch rules and charts and wanted to let you know that I have am very pleased with the products. I am glad that I sent for them, the only negative thing I can say is that I think you short-changed yourself in what you charged. After what you have to pay for shipping and materials, I don't think you left yourself much of anything for your time and effort. You might think of that next time you make this sort of offer.

I hope that you and the others involved with Europa can take a break after Second Front is published to have some time to yourselves.

Thanks. While the Kasserine Crisis rules and charts and the exclusive Torch rules are still available for $2.00 each, I do think a higher price tag may be in order for future offerings of this nature, due to the time required to service the orders.

Scheduling our next break to occur after the release of Second Front should keep us hard at work for quite some time-but it's the thought that counts. -RG

Russ Jennings

Issue #19 seemed like cotton candy to me--a lot of fluff that left me still hungry and not satisfied. I can't really tell you why either, as I look forward to and enjoy the magazine. An exception is the covers which still leave quite a bit to be desired; most are amateur at best. They aren't what is needed to entice a buyer to pick the magazine up at the hobby store and thumb through the pages to see what it is about.

Mr. Pitcavage's article raised some interesting points which have troubled me since the publication of Marita-Merkur, how will the entire campaign/war come together. The small, Greater Europa modules have a lot of appeal on that account. Otherwise we are left with the old science fiction time travel enigma: If someone from the future changes the past, how can the future have turned out in such a way that time travel is possible?

We all realize some of the major mistakes the Axis made during the war. After all, a few panzer divisions made up of Panthers in 1940 would certainly aid in The Fall of France. Some historical balance needs to be struck and I don't envy the person struggling with it. However, I also demand the right to invade Spain or Turkey, so have at it.

On a more personal level, I have to speak out on the price of the games now being issued. I read Winston's response a few issues ago in #17 to the gentleman from Australia who accused him and GR/D of wild profiteerism. I also realize that in capitalism, profits are what make things work and GR/D is indeed working. Games are being reissued and there is clearly life in the Europa system. I have no beef with any of that.

However, it is highly unlikely that we are going to get any beginner to lay out forty bucks to start learning how to play. Heck, you ain't gonna get me to spend that much for First to Fight and I'm interested. My mind boggles at what Second Front is going to set us back. What are those of us who aren't "collectors" supposed to do? How about a cheaper "player's" version in a zip lock for those of us who just want to play?

Along these same lines, I feel there is a bias in the magazine and GRD and many of the players toward the Russian front. I do realize it's where most everyone started, but-to see that both Russian games are to be reissued before The Fall of France is hard to handle. I mean the dang Russian front games have already been reissued twice for Pete's sake! I demand a recount.

In spite of my opening remarks, I fully enjoy the magazine. Some of the upcoming previews have me mentally calculating when to start watching the mail box. The "Spanish Torch" game report really whets my appetite: Now there is a game to introduce a beginner to! It was/is affordable, can be set up and played within a reasonable time, and is definitely challenging to both sides. Unfortunately, it requires some FoF counters to really enjoy it. (Hint, hint.)

Steve Eschner

Europa magazine just keeps getting better and better!

I am very pleased with the Balkan Front game and now have sent in my order to GRD)for First to Fight. With two mapsand over 1200 counters, it is now approximately the same size as the monster game Their Finest Hour! But I think that one more thing should have been added--a map fragment, another half-sheet of counters and a scenario for Czechoslovakia 1938.

Work has been started on this project for quite a while, as I read that A.E. Goodwin trounced someone as the Czechs at a Europafest. Gary Stagliano's "Nuts and Bolts" also had some good material on it. I recently read Moravec's Master of Spies. The former chief of Czechoslovakian intelligence seemed to think that they had a good chance if they had resisted. Perhaps this would have been a good game? First to Fight, with its geographical location, 1939 German 0Bs, etc. would have been the best place for its inclusion. The Czechs might have been the First to Fight. I'm not sure it will stand alone as a boxed game and its inclusion in the Europa magazine would be difficult. What do you at GRD have in mind for this possible module?

Mark Pitcavage's remarks on Grand Europa and Greater-Europa brought up some disturbing thoughts which have plagued all of us at one time or another. As I understand current plans as presented in TEM #15, stages one and two of Grand Europa should not pose too many difficulties. I don't think that Europa enthusiasts really want Grand Europa to put us in a straitjacket as far as play options are concerned. Of course, ahistorical play, ahistorical options and missing factors will cause the play of Grand Europa to differ from history. I see no way out of this.

"Leningrad 1941" is a terrific idea! I've never played my copy of FitE. This gives me a chance.

I'm eagerly awaiting Second Front, A Winter War, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. And of course, Europa #21. Thanks for doing a wonderful job.

Current plans for Peace in our TIme envision a boxed game with one map and two counter sheets. The title Czech '38 is also under consideration. -RG

James Parmenter

Compliments on issue #19; the scope of coverage rates at least a mention. I wish to call attention to a book I picked up for a quarter at a yard sale. Central Blue: The Autobiography of Sir John Slessor G.C.B., D.S.O., M.C., Marshal of the RAF, 1957, Frederick A. Praeger, Inc., LC# 57:5288.

I suggest this book is "must" reading for the serious student of the Europa system. I expect others to point out its weaknesses as a reference source; however, it contains an invaluable narrative of the critical impacts of air power on the Western Allies' grand strategy.

As Marshal Slessor says: "it is better to be wise after the event than not wise at all, and wisdom after one event may lead to wisdom before another." As Mark Pitcavage's article on Grand Europa illustrates, the level of abstraction in historical games necessary to compress time will always leave room for debate on the relevance of single factors. Example: Was petroleum the single factor most important to simulate supply effects? Or do we rely on the design team to achieve a balance of factors?

Indeed, it might be the Luftwaffe declined because of obsolescence of its equipment due to the weakness of its command structure. I seem to recall reading John Astell's comment that supply could be a game itself, but it would never sell.

If we have so much difficulty with cause-and-effect events in history, how much more difficult it is to predict the effect of an action decision. Sir John's book gives one a healthy taste of such events. I see a few of the important messages to Europa students to be: Bomber Policy, including some very interesting accounts of the training establishment and limitations of bombers as battlefield weapons; and The Battle of the Atlantic, identifying critical elements as centralized command and the technology of H.F./D.F. and ten-centimetre vs. one-andone-half-metre A.S.V. (rather than "Ultra").

A tiny toot on my own tin horn--I suspect the owners of Balkan Front have noticed some confirmation of the Yugoslavian Mobilization from current events. Things change slowly in our socalled "Nation States". Sad to say, Woodrow Wilson did no better in the Balkans (and elsewhere) with creation of new countries than he did in the US Senate with obtaining radification of the League of Nations. Does anyone have a guess what is going to happen to the strange little S.S.R. carved out of East Prussia? SORRY-no more current events. (BUT, now that the "Fulda Gap" is obsolete who will come out with the firt game of the next German-Polish war?)