Europafest is the annual reunion of the Europa family. It is dedicated to giving the "hardcore" Europa player a chance to mingle with the people who produce the system, and others who share their interest in the game system.

The test was a resounding success in this, attracting guests of honor John Astell, Frank Chadwick, Winston Hamilton, Arthur Goodwin, Paul Dunigan, Dennis Dubberley, and Gary Stagliano. All the people present had the chance to attend seminars, participate in playtests, play their favorite Europa game, and mingle informally with honored guests; who were as willing to chat and game as the rest of the attendees. Everyone left with a better understanding of the who, what, and when of Europa and a great sense of family.

In addition to gaming and seminars there was a book store and game shop (oddly enough heavily loaded with GDW products) set up for the benefit of those attending. The seminars ranged from design detail, to fascinating eyewitness accounts. All of them were packed.

On Thursday night LTC Karl Moessner (Ret.) spoke to us about his experiences during the war. Karl was sent to England in the spring of 1943 to work on the plans for the invasion of France. When he arrived he was given the entire COSSACK plan to study, and worked under British General Morgan. When the SHAEFE HO was established he transferred to it, and from there to staff of the US 12th Army Group. His presentation gave us all insight into the planning and execution of the second front. Karl also interviewed FM von Rundstedt concerning the Battle of the Bulge. He showed us maps and documents published by 12th Army Group HQ after the war including the histories and after action reports of the headquarters. LTC Moessner was the Provost Marshal charged with all POW activities in the Army Group.

Friday brought us Gary Stagliano's seminar that dealt with Winter War, The Russo-Finnish Conflict. He reported on the development of the game and the special features that will make an appearance in ft. Results of the playtesting done at the test proved that this will be an interesting simulation of this pre-WWII campaign that tested the Red Army and directly affected its ability to fight in harsh winter conditions.

Friday evening Paul Dunigan held a seminar on air forces of Europa. Paul described in great detail the procedures and parameters used to set up the individual aircraft counters and group allowances for the games. Paul also responded to questions by listing the factors and numbers for aircraft coming in Second Front. The system he uses is detailed and involved, but ft accounts for the slightest variations in types of planes.

Saturday afternoon John Astell game us a good long look at Second Front, describing the rules, counters, maps, and length of the game. The game will pick up the course of the war with the final defeat of the Axis forces in Tunisia, '43 and carry it through to the Battle of Berlin. Special options will include making the invasion in '43 in several different locations. John told us the playtest kits should be ready in two months, so the scheduled release for next year is viable.

After John's talk, Rudi Braun spoke on his experiences during WWII as a German soldier. Rudi served with Panzer Group Guderian on the East Front in '41 -'42, was discharged for illness and redrafted. After being drafted again he volunteered for Panzer Armee Afrika.

During his tour in Africa ('42-43) he was captured and toured the POW camps of the Allies, eventually ending up in Wisconsin. After the war he was sent back to Germany (East Germany). He was informed that he could not be employed by the government due to his long stay in POW camps in the U.S. He was also informed that he could not enter the army for the same reason (unreliability). At this point he commented that he was less than heartbroken at the fact he could not serve in a German army again.

During his life in pre-war Germany he related an experience where he would march for the Communist Party during the day (depression era) and the NSDAP at night. The Communist Party paid him 250 to march, the NSDAP paid him 500, but he had to carry a torch.

While serving in Africa he met FM Rommel. Rudi was under a truck fixing the drive train when someone stepped on his feet. He started to yell at the individual but saw a red strip on the trouser leg and "decided not to do that". The red stripe belonged to Rommel who was apologetic for stepping on Rudi.

Many questions followed in this most interesting personal account about life in Germany, his escape to the west and his family.

Saturday evening we had a sit down dinner. During the dinner we were entertained by Winston Hamilton who presented awards to Frank Chadwick, John Astell and Gary Stagliano. Frank received a beautiful plaque marking both his and GDW's achievements with the Europa game system. John received a silver pin crafted in the word "Europa" and Gary received a certificate of appreciation for his early work in publishing "Nuts & Bolts" and other Europa work. Winston then went into a general discussion of the masterplan GR/D and GDW are working out for Europa and what the future will bring for products and the magazine. He also held a trivia quiz to see how many of us could give the exact number of screw-ups on the box cover of The Urals. "But, you gotta start somewhere." he said.

Later that evening Arthur Goodwin conducted a seminar on the maps. He gave a briefing on the hows and whys of terrain, map projections and the "new" map that will be issued in the Collectors' Series. Arthur also displayed the Soviet Asia test maps (which include the islands of Japan) and indicated that we were, indeed, moving into the big pond. Arthur has taken on a huge project in mapping for the Europa system and demonstrated why he got the job with a very fine seminar. The new wave maps will have high and low density rails, ports (several types) printed on the map, named rivers, lakes, and seas, reference point cities and historical points of interest for Europa.

Dennis Dubberley followed Arthur, talking about The Urals and the mapping projects. He also told of his experience in designing and developing the game.

Another part of the fest was the daily drawing for a free copy of Second Front. The winners were Paul Pigulski, Jeff Goereke, Chris Sweet, and Rod Severson.

The gaming went on throughout all of this. Everyone had a hand in the gaming, even John Astell and Frank Chadwick (who seemed to be giving Winston a hard time at Narvik, so reports go).

[Publishers comment here: It matters not how an opponent ends a game, but that the spirit of the game, and the Europa series, be carried forward. Besides, Frank kept attacking me at one to one and blowing me away (damn die).]

The other games going were two 1941 SE games, one 1943 SE game, a War in the Desert, a FOF and a Narvik. Some combinations of MM and the desert were observed as well. More Europa per square foot than any time in history (except for the real thing, of course).

The entire crew of Europafest extends thanks and appreciation to all those who made the event happen; the speakers, the guests of honor, and the Europa players, one and all who gathered to have a great time. I also want to extend a special thanks to GR/D for helping with the advertising, printing, promotion, games, and a sympathetic ear when this project first got underway.

Finally, to those who helped run the convention and made sure that what needed to be done, was done, thanks.

Next Europafest - Dallas '90? We are working on it!

Europafest (and GenCon) in Photos (very slow: 420K)