Please note that I have included my work email address for anyone who does not want to wait a week or more for my home email address reply. At work I check it twice a day, at home may be once every two weeks. So take your pick we'll see how long that lasts.

A big THANK YOU to Ron Lizorty for his help on several past and future covers for the Heliograph.

I have finally finished with my Franco-Prussian War campaign, the German's held on to French Territory only by garrisoning a town and lost everything else to the French troops, a very blood campaign. The rules I developed based on TSATF will be published in a few issues. I received from Shaun McLaughlin, the Foundry Convention Centre Manager, Thank You Shaun, a set of Franco-Prussian War Rules entitled "La Defense Francaise" by Evianski and Krakian.

While I did not use these rules they seem to be a very good set based on command and control decisions, using points based armies. The rules are intended for 25mm figures but can be scaled. I had a couple of minor problems with the rules, but felt that I might try them next time around for the Franco-Prussian War.

The booklet includes historical background, OBs, tactics and scenarios. They appear pretty sound along the lines of Principles of War. The Foundry also has similar rules for the Crimea and Indian Mutiny. With 75 pages of information this set is well worth having if you are into the Franco-Prussian War.

I didn't use They Died For Glory (by Bob Burke et al., see Bob's ad) simply because I don't have a copy. According to the back cover:

"They Died For Glory is a complete set of miniature rules for the Franco-Prussian War. Intended primarily for 15mm figures, the rules also make provisions for larger and smaller scales. Players can build a division, a corps or entire armies from the detailed orders of battle provided with the game.

There are eleven scenarios, covering a variety of different battles fought during the war. Each scenario is a separate game and provides all the information a player will need for setup and play. There are also guidelines for designing your own battle scenarios.

"They Died For Glory is a thoroughly enjoyable set of wargame rules that offers you many hours of hobby pleasure."

While I do not have a copy, I really don't play the F-P War even though I have two armies for it, I have seen They Died For Glory and it looks good to me. If someone would like to review They Died For Glory that would be useful. Especially since Clash of Empires seems to have disappeared.

For the past year I have resisted Greg Blake's attempts to change my mind about the 'Irish' problem being part of the British colonial scene. However, just recently learning that my birth name (I was adapted at four months old) was Stephen James Donovan, I have also found my birth family and it is turning this Christmas into the best ever!!!) and I'm therefore, Irish. I have rethought my position. No politics please. But, policy has changed and any articles using the 'Irish' problem as a colonial period skirmish, scenario or other such article will be welcome from either side. I'm not doing this to please Greg and his beautiful figures, see the review, rather I base my decision on history.

This issue contains the first of two rules sets by Larry Brom--Volley Fire--which is printed here with the very kind permission of Patrick Wilson at By Jingo. Thank you Patrick and Larry.

I have begun collecting the various parts and pieces needed for my upscale scenery attempt that I mentioned last issue. I hope the weather will be sufficiently foul, not fowl over the Christmas break that my son and I can begin making my NW Frontier valley. Since I do not have a table saw and am not known, by my wife in particular, for straight cuts with a circular saw, I will have either Lowe's or Home Depot, which ever I buy it from, cut my masonite into 1 x 2 foot rectangles. At least I know they will have square edges so they will butt together well.

Finally, on of my best friends has won a scholarship to Cambridge University to pursue a PhD in History. His topic is on the Thuggees, if you happen to have any useful, obscure information I will be happy to pass it on. [He's also looking for ECW figures in 25mm, so if you know who manufactures them (I haven't a clue), or want to give a few away, pass them on to me for him.]