Since designing EBM I have wanted to give the system a workout that I suspected would show me if there were any problems in real-time play. I got the opportunity to test it when I was approached by someone who offered to play Narvik using EBM. This was a perfect choice since Narvik is the most unusual Europa game of the series. It was also nice since of all the Europa games, Narvik is my favorite. I have played the game many times. It is the best solitare game I have ever played.

So, in the next few issues of TEN we will report on progress and problems that we encounter (I also get to show off my secret plans, oh boy!), and we will generate a current errata sheet for EBM.

In this first article there are some charts developed to give you a graphic demo of the first turn from the German side first. At the time of this writing I have yet to receive the Allied response (I believe he fainted) so I will give the report for what has been completed.

The overall objective is to maximize all the available German forces for a one-two punch on Norway. The first wave is to seize the difficult ports with the follow-up wave attacking the southern ports.

Every German air unit has a specific mission to accomplish, even the lone float Ju52.

I decided to punch Narvik as hard as possible so I used the He 115s to transport a 3- 5 Mtn arty unit. I utilized the 2-1-4 artillery units to cover a broad front on the follow-up wave. Tromoso landed okay, but the remaining units did not make ft. If you fail to land these units you do not suffer much in the way of point damage, maximum of 2 south of the A weather line; if you land you take up space and deny ports to the Allies.

Using the EBM kit proved helpful. I used the Air Mission Chart, Combat and Movement Charts, Eliminated Units Chart and the Random Number Analog. The most difficult time was with the air missions. I suspect that the nature of the game had something to do with this, but in most Europa games air units may perform more than one mission so the system may need some fine tuning. The combat portion ran easily enough, but there is only one interceptor available on the invasion turn. The Air Mission Chart should be laid out so that multimission aircraft can show their progressive mission in a better format with a results column for the combat. I am working on this. Improved charts I publish will be mailed to members in subsequent newsletters.

Turn 1 ended for the Germans as shown in the "Narvik Report" below.

After the first turn was completed I reviewed the charts and process of using Kit 6. Overall I found the kit worked well with the exceptions noted above. As this game progresses I will continue to report on how the kit works and what changes are contemplated. I must comment on Kit3, Narvik. I designed this kit first and I recommend it to anyone playing the game. The off-map air display and distance chart really help speed the play of the game. (Shameless display of self promotion, I know, I know.)

EBM Air Mission Chart (slow 98K)

Letter to Editor: Negative Reaction to Cartoon (EUR4)