Published by Partizan Press
Available from: Partizan Press Magazines, 816-818 London Road, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 3NH. £2.25 per copy (subscription £12.75 inc. postage).
US Distributor: On Military Matters
This is Number 0 Preview Issue March 1995. The cover gives a résumé of the contents: Mortimer's cross, 1461; Auldearn, 1645; "Back to Back" Wargaming, Clifton 1745; Peninsula Sieges, 1811; Aliwal, 1846; Olustee, 1864; Falaise Gap, 1944; and Son Tay, 1970.
Editor Ben Wilkins predicates a case for another wargaming magazine to complement rather than compete with existing ones. The main plank is that we wargame because it's fun in the best sense i.e. Serious research, new ideas, challenging scenarios and a good "Write in and argue" column. It'll be stuff you want to know so you can get your troops on the table and get on with it. No room for rule lawyers or "1500 point super armies no one can beat." A plus for me is that no particular rule sets will be pushed - write your own if you want to - "Definitive" = Dead! All the research will be thorough with the aim of leading to the table top, none of this - "I read it in the original Greek, (subs. Japanese or Eskimo to taste) therefore everyone else is WRONG!"
I rifled through the magazine to begin with, just for a first impression. First off, great maps. At, or near, the end of each article ORBATS for both sides. Terrain comments and special rules to help the scenarios. Also a "Further Reading" list for you to follow up or fill out what historians or Rules writers had to say about these particular battles. Comments I liked in the text:-
- "If you disagree with any of this, please feel free to change it. None of it is set in stone." [Auldearn]
- Though inevitably some of the details of the rival Orders of Battle must be conjectural, the suggestions which follow are both reasonably historically accurate, and will give a good "feel" of the battle." [Mortimer's Cross]
- Practically all "Back to Back " [Clifton] could be quoted cf. Don Featherstone and H.G. Wells for "Fog of War" ideas.
- "Hopefully much of the pleasure from this game should be in taking part rather than the 'winning' but..."[Son Tay]
- All "Peninsular Storming". a) It's by Paddy Griffith b) You can solo it with the mechanics provided!
40 pages including the cover. Well set out in 3 column format. Wargaming clubs, individuals, Capt. Uncle Tom Cobley and all should buy this magazine to ensure it lasts. It deserves to. I remember when Battle came out and it's being "eaten" by another wargame glossie. Battle is still eagerly sought after - buy Battlefields and have years of fun.
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