Who ate the strudel?
by Steve Straub

Saturday night at 7 pm, 10 gamers gathered to enjoy a Seven Years 15mm game at Drums 2. These folks had not gamed together as a group before, and the rules were new to most of them. After a short speech on how to command the "Lead Heroes," the battle began. The French and Prussians were after the beer and strudel that the Austrians and Russians were "protecting" (read gorging themselves on). The table was about 6'x12' and the lines were anything but evenly set up. The Prussians attacked the Russian gun line (Pickett's ancestor was this Prussian commander and it seems to run in the family to... CHARGE THE GUNS!!!)

The French disregarded their orders to capture the food and beer in order to attack some croats with coats in the woods to their left. A grand cavalry melee swirled in the right center as "Yoda" faced his Austrian infantry back to back to take on all comers. The Prussians attacked George Nafziger's Austrians and were to suffer the bad luck of George finally getting his head on straight and firing the guns. (This refers to a game George participated in several years ago where the model of his commander lost his head). The French and Prussians tossed in the towel when they saw three long columns of Austrians advancing towards them from the right flank. The Russians fought very well and held out against great odds against them. Good work, John!

My thanks to Ted Bender for allowing the use of his SYW troops. Over 1000 figures were in the battle! We concluded the game in about 3 hours and still had time to eat Jim's donuts! Yum! For those folks who played, my thanks for joining me in enjoying a fun game.

Armor at Montelimar
by Ray Garbee

It's 1944 and United States armor is on the move in Southern France. Unfortunately, they moved right into the gunsights of the 11th Panzer division!

This Battlefront game featured an abysmal performance by the U.S. players. Though their plan was sound, their dice were horrible. Tasked to support a frontal attack by the infantry company, a U.S. 155mm howitzer battalion was out of radio contact for the entire game.

Lacking their artillery "hammer," the U.S. armored flank attack was hit by concealed panzers in good positions. Though having superior numbers, the Shermans were caught in the open and rapidly pinned. The sole German tank loss was the result of a desperation close assault by an infantry platoon. Even the late intervention by tactical air couldn't reverse the situation.

American Civil War Naval
by Ray Garbee

Action on the Mississippi River was at a fever pitch as two large squadrons fought for control of the river delta and to lift the blockade. Our not-so-historical game featured four rebel ironclads with gunboats attacking the pride of the Union navy, USS New Ironsides and Galena with four wooden frigates in support. The game was characterized by the general high level of play on both sides. After several hours of play, only two vessels had sunk -- both minor gunboats. The Confederates had rammed New Ironsides three times -- but for their abysmal dice and the Union vessel's heavy armor, they would have surely inflicted a heavy loss to Mr. Linclon's Navy.

In the end, this very close game was decided by one early mishap in Confederate shiphandling -- a collision between the Manassas and the gunboat McRae resulted in damage which would have forced them out of the game. Aside from this one incident, all players fought their ships with skill and valor.

Pirates Off Madagascar
by Chuck Scholit

On an island near Madagascar, four ships met seeking riches beyond their wildest dreams. Berek's Sea Dogs, Xu Xin's Chinese pirates, Kheirid-Din's slave traders and Blackbeard's crew searched the islands for treasure. The player with the most gold at the end of the time period would win. Gold was attained by digging up treasure, capturing an opponent's ship or killing an opponent's captain.

All four players made a mad dash to the main island where the "big" treasure would be found. But they sailed with guns -- and rockets -- blazing. A Chinese rocket landed dead on the Arab Galley, killing three crewmen. Blackbeard's and Berek's ships exchanged volleys with minor casualties. Kheirid-Din's crew, however, had trouble hitting with their huge, and potentially very destructive, bombast (mortar).

Attempting to skirt the big island and not run aground, Blackbeard sailed toward and collided with Berek's ship! Fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued, but not before Berek's crack gunners get off a shot at the Arab Galley. A critical hit dismasted the galley, causing three more casualties to the Arab crew. Fighting between the two English ships resulted in the death of Blackbeard -- 1,000 gold to Berek! Meanwhile, the Chinese found a few small treasure chests and killed the Arab captain.

Three crews reached the main island, but no one found the big treasure before the time period ended. Because the Chinese had slightly better luck finding treasure than Berek, he was able to claim victory by only 100 gold pieces! The game used modified "Pirates!" rules from Flagship Games.