The Reader Always Gets the Last Word

Alan Conrad, Illinois

For years I have wanted to play many of the scenario games published in the Europa magazine. But for various reasons I never got around to any of them. But "The Long Left Flank" (TEM #52) got me started. The reasons were that I have been researching the MARKET GARDEN situation for a possible Europa article, so I was interested in that area. And when one looks at the situation: s1x+ corps against... it looks like nothing. So I had to try it out.

I do have some questions:

1.) the 6th LW para div cadre is listed twice, at Mons and at 16A 1120. This is not a great problem since the Mons units are automatically eliminated on turn one, but might mean the unit in play should not be there.

2.) What is the state of the Axis airfields? The rules cover the railroad damage but not airfields. I've played that all the fields in France & Belgium are at maximum damage and have to be fixed.

3.) What is the state of the minefields? Since the Allied player is given a small naval force one expects that he is allowed to use it. But if the minefields as in the start of SF are still there and the German's can lay more there is no point in even thinking about using ships. I've played that the seas are free up to Den Heider (16AO321) but no movement is allowed beyond that. The Allied capability is small enough to only keep the Germans in Holland honest, but I don't want them invading Hamburg either.

The game is interesting and can be a good learning tool since it forces one to use and learn many Europa points (first time I've had to look at massive flooding, in two SF games I've played no Allied units have come close to Holland), yet the game is small and is quick moving, at least to start.

[ Given the convoluted development process that "LLF" went through, I'm surprised those are the only questions that you have. I bet you rind more. Below are some corrections and additions. - FW]

"Long Left Flank" Errata

6th Parachute Cadre. Portions were destroyed at Mons; portions made it back. Apparently, we never made up our mind. Perhaps the unit should have been in a broken down state. For simplicity, place the unit in 16A: 1120 deployment; the German needs all help he can get.

Axis airfields. The airfields are left pristine for simplicity, but if you wish, roll a die for each Axis airfield in France and Belgium (but not the Netherlands) with a capacity greater than one. Divide the result by two, round down, and apply that number of hits.

Minefields. The SF minefields are omitted for simplicity. Limit all planning for Allied amphibious operations to beaches within 5 hexes of an Allied owned hex and save the trouble of mines.

Rich Velay, British Columbia

This issue's Rules Court Ruling #233 covers initiation of CAP missions. For an alternate system, albeit an unofficial one, you could try what we use in our games. We have the non-phasing player initiate missions first in each phase, allowing the phasing player some measure of initiative in that the phasing player gets to react to enemy placements. We also initiate missions in the order they are listed, which again is totally unofficial and simply a house rule for convenience; that is we fly all CAP then all harassment missions and then place units on naval patrol. Since both players can fly CAP during multiple phases during each game turn, we've never found it to be a problem for either side.

Dana Rudko, Alberta

My buddy and I who battle the frosty winters of fitE/SE in the frosty winters of Alberta, Canada were wondering if by chance somebody out there in the great vast area of Europaville had done up a 1944 setup for SE. We both liked the "Clash of Titans" but due to space limitations want to cut down our involvement to just the final death throes of the Reich ... Gotterdamerung! I understand there supposedly is one in development but we were curious if someone has one available now for perusal or playtesting. Anyway, love the work you guys do, keep pumping it out and we will keep buying it.

[Tom Johnson, developer of the "Master Europa" alternative rules set you have seen advertised in TEM, has used a 1944 SE/SF setup as a demonstration game at Origins. He has, however, never submitted it to TEM for publication.

I did some preliminary work on a Destruction of Army Group Center baffle scenario right before I became editor, but those duties pushed that project off the schedule. Maybe in the future... - FW]

Steve Carey, California

It has been over 20 years since I've looked at let alone actually played, a Europa title (it was I` edition Narvik). On a whim, I recently purchased a run of Europa magazines going back to issue #8. The fantastic blend of history, game strategy, and general discussions immediately hooked me. I haven't enjoyed reading a run of game magazines so much since the mid-70s and Rodger MacGowan's classic Fire & Movement. We have been truly fortunate to have such a talented cadre of writers and editors that have contributed their efforts to Europa these past years.

It has taken me a long time to shrug off the insidious collectible card games and a plethora of ultimately disappointing computer games, to finally return back to my roots of boardgaming. I do not yet have any of the games you've issued because I own some of the titles in their original GDW incantations. Frankly, at this early stage, I prefer the simpler (relatively speaking) rules-as-written format of the GDW productions to the endlessly tweaked GR/D creations. Nonetheless, it is still thought provoking to be exposed to all the debate and attempted refinement of the Europa system.

The grand behemoth known as Grand Europa holds no attraction to me whatsoever. I can't imagine this beast having more than a passing interest to all but a few groups of hard core gamers. I know that because of past commitments, your company has to inexorably advance in this direction; so be it.

Second Front is a monster game in the true sense of the word. Did you ever consider issuing separate games on the invasion of Italy and the events surrounding D-Day? These separate products would have been much more manageable (and affordable).

[Duplicate components and costs -charts , maps, many units in both theaters, boxes, rules and OBs - plus double shipping, storage and a difficulty of forecasting two accurate print runs means SF in one box is considerably more affordable than it would have been in two. - FW]

Considering that board wargaming is hardly a boom industry nowadays, I am glad that we still have companies like GR/D around to satiate our traditional needs. Europa magazine is a cherished gem, and the legacy of the Europa gaming system is without equal. I look forward to your future efforts.