The Seven Years War Association held their annual convention on March 22-23 in South Bend, IN. The show was its usual smashing success, with a most excellent time had by all who participated.

There were 115 attendees who played in more than 30 games, all dedicated to the Lace Wars period of history (1700-1783). Games of particular note were a Russo-Ottoman game from the Last Square, a stylish western theater game by Dean West, and the two winners of the "Pour le Merit" award -- Jim Purky and Jude Becker. Attendees were also regaled by our fearless leader, Jim Mitchell, and his rendition of Frederick the Great, sung to the tune of Henry the Eighth I am.

Professor Duffy as usual gave his lecture, this time before the banquet, on the subject of gaming the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. He poked holes in a number of widely held opinions, such as the Pretender was a fairly good military commander with a sound strategy and grasp of realities, at least until the decision to turn north and retreat. The Earl of Perth was the most able Jacobite commander and that the Jacobite army was organized on a conventional European model, which acquitted itself very well indeed against the two extremely poor English commanders. Cumberland was, on this campaign, an efficient, well organized commander who took measures to see to the welfare of his troops and paid careful attention to the advice given by Sir Humphrey Bland.