Irregular Miniatures have a Boxer Rebellion range with Legation Siege battleset, similar to their Alamo one. Terry Hooker has released the second "El Dorado" booklet... "The Revolt in Texas Leading To It's Independence From Mexico, 1835-36."
John Smith (West Midlands) mentions his local show... Sandwell Skirmish... "now in its second year, it's totally different from Derby ... ten traders, half a dozen demo & participation games plus a similar number of reenactment societies. Two War of the Roses Soc's. both Yorkist (I knew I shouldn't have worn my Lancastrian livery badge - a souvenir of Bosworth) were mingling with the crowd; as well as manning stands., The Company of the White Boar took part in conjunction with other groups. Their equipment seems fairly authentic, not a Doc Marten in sight, perhaps a little much plate and not enough lightly equipped men (& women) for a WOR band, but reenactors always tend towards the glamorous end. The other lot were a great bunch, really friendly, they've done some film work: excellent recruiters, they wanted me as a halberdier despite my Lancastrian tendencies.
"Two things stuck out at SS which were probably related ... first was the obvious number o 'non-wargamers' present: the even seemed to attract a lot of people 'off the street, including younger teenagers and ethnic minorities; who were more heavily represented than usual ...the second factor was publicity. Many larger shows could learn a lot from SS. The local council is heavily involved, which proves how an effective PR campaign can work (the council's own propaganda sheet plugged the show as well as the local newspaper) ... Given a bigger venue, more trade support and perhaps a better date (than late Nov); then SS could be a real showcase for the hobby".
Adler Miniatures (6mm Napoleonics, ACW & SYW, 129 Bonchurch Road, Brighton, BN2 3PJ) current list no.25 mentions new SYW figures & more importantly; a major project for 1994 being the Wars of the Revolutionary Period (1792-1800), starting with the French and Prussians. My sample casting of a 1756 Prussian musketeer was near perfect: no more heads like 'Elephant Man'. I reckon you could get away with SYW cavalry standing in for 1792 types. I sent Adler six SSAEs so I can be forwarded new lists: they also do a "Guide tc the Painting of Miniatures" (1.60 pds incl postage), with 6mm specifically in mind; though the system can be used for 15/25mm.
A novel which deals with the 1917/18 Palestine campaign is "The Last Crusade" (ColinSmith 15pds, ISBN 185619 0765, 355pp), don't buy it as it's a glorified espionage story. Charles Nurse made inquiries about this book & his letter is worth printing in part..."of particular interest as my old regiment (the Warwickshire Yeomanry) was in the charge at Huj...the charge took place without artillery preparation. They destroyed Turkish Infantry, German machine guns & Austrian artillery, but at terrible cost ... strangely enough the Regiment did another 'Death or Glory' charge at El Alamein... We had just lost our horses & got tanks. We formed up for the charge as if we were still horsed, i.e. squadrons in line, trool leaders one tank's length ahead, squadron leaders two lengths ahead. We knew it was a deathride, anyhow; we got into the salient & shot up everything: then sun came up & we were silhouetted against the light ... our casualties were so heavy that there was talk of disbanding us, though it was decided to make us up to strength. However, it was not the same regiment."
Charles may be interested in..."Palestine 1917" (R. Wilson, 1987, ISBN 07104 30345, 175pp, 9"x6", 15pds reduced to 13pds)...tells the story of the last hurrah of the British and ANZAC horsemen from the diaries of an officer. If this sounds dull reading: it should be mentioned that the book covers the everyday 'nuts and bolts' of campaigning in a cavalry regiment (thus shattering some preconceived ideas we have on mounted warfare) along with humorous escapades encountered by both rank & file.
Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall & Robocop 1) is directing a film called "The Crusades" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. If you want a taster of Verhoeven's 'historical' films, try and get the video "Flesh and Blood" (Europe 1505, with Rutger Hauer as a rogue mercenary).
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© Copyright 1994 by Craig Martelle Publications
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