Some years ago, in the pages of LONE WARRIOR, well known wargamer Paddy Griffith presented a thought provoking piece entitled "Uncomfortable Wargames". In this article Paddy considered the viability of a hypothetical wargames 'Blacklist', consisting of games which should not, for 'moral' reasons, be played under any circumstances. Paddy suggested, with supporting reasons, various campaigns and wars from history which might possibly feature on such a list.

In true SWA tradition members responded vociferously to the questions posed in the article, and thus was born the great 'Ethics Debate', which ran for several months in subsequent issues of LONE WARRIOR, generating much passionate argument and counter argument.

Over the many years I myself have been wargaming I have gradually formulated my own 'Blacklist' of episodes from history which I find I can no longer satisfactorily wargame. However; my reluctance to re-create these wars upon my wargames table is not from any 'moral' repugnance I might hold them in. Rather that, for a variety of reasons, my capacity to 'set a fair game' in these periods is impinged.

Medieval Era Example

Take, for example, the Medieval era, and in particular the Scottish Wars of Independence of the early Fourteenth Century. As a setting for a wargames battle or campaign this has a lot going for it; relatively small but colourful armies operating over a restricted geographical area.

As I say, ideal for wargaming, except that I can't. Being myself a Scot ( admit it - with my surname you thought I was Welsh ), with an inherent bias towards all things Scottish renders me incapable, as a primarily solo wargamer, of re-creating upon my table-top any situation whereby a Scottish army might be defeated, or even suffer heavy casualties. Such an unrealistic, self-blinkered approach forces me reluctantly away from attempting such wargames.

I have tried to overcome this bias, but upon the few occasions I have attempted a solo Anglo-Scots game the English army is invariably sent fleeing in ignominious rout by the Scots, my prejudices allowing for nothing less, no other outcome.

Recognizing and reluctantly accepting this state of affairs my solo-wargaming excursions into the Medieval era have instead been mostly English versus French confrontations. My position as a 'neutral Scot' ( I am aware of the considerable Scottish assistance given to the French at this time, but choose to ignore it for wargaming purposes ) means that the 'Crecy, Poiters, Agincourt' syndrome has no potency for me, although I am curious as to whether English wargamers are unduly affected by national pride when trying to re-create 'Bowmen of Olde England' actions upon the table-tops? ( Don Featherstone - where are you! ).

I have tried wargaming battles from the Wars of the Roses - no good. I discovered a hitherto unsuspected streak of pro-Lancastrian feeling within myself which scuppered that idea.

It must be said of my bias-induced reluctance for such games mentioned above manifests itself only when attempted as a solo venture. Played against a live opponent all such qualms disappear. The element of competition, upon a personal level, thus engendered would seem to have a considerable effect upon my perception of the game.

Present Day Examples

Coming nearer to the present day; The American Civil War is another conflict I no longer attempt to re-fight solo, although a few years ago I did successfully fight a series of ACW campaigns with a close friend and fellow wargamer.

From a historical perspective I am quite willing to concede the numerous faults, in such they may be termed, of the Confederacy - social, political and economic as well as military. Nevertheless, when those 15mm high boys in gray are a-marching across my table there ain't no way I am going to let them be whipped.

Again; as with my Scottish medieval games, in ACW Games against a live opponent ( why do I keep saying 'live' - I've never played a wargame against a dead opponent ) things are different. If I am participating in a wargame as a Confederate 'General' and I lose, then I can accept such a result quite happily ( well, perhaps 'quite happily' is not the most apt phrase, but you know what I mean ). As before; I believe it is because such a wargame is less between 'The Blue and the Grey', but rather between myself and my opponent.

These then, are some of my wargaming prejudices ( there are others ). Perhaps other readers find similar reluctance when attempting to game certain battles and campaigns from history, not because they view their participants as 'wrong', morally or otherwise, but because they believe one side's cause to be so 'right', that any set-back, or heaven forbid, defeat resulting to it not to be countenanced?

My answer has been to confine the bulk of my solo wargaming activities to events in SKYMIR, my mythical fantasy campaign continent, which has a loosely medieval setting, my favourite wargaming period. Within SKYMIR I am creating, not re-creating history. Any bias shown by me towards a particular Skymarian state can thus be rationalized as only the manifestation of 'the Favour of the Gods'. Must go now - I have a few thunderbolts to hurl. [Op Archives].