We have been hearing about the Y2K problem for years, and how the resultant chaos could last for days or even weeks. We've been warned about how to cope when there's no heat, no lighting, no refrigeration, and no computers. You can't go to your job, because they're having problems there, too. This article is directed toward the metal miniature wargamer, so that he will be prepared when this opportunity breaks upon us in the near future. You must announce to your wife that all honey-do lists will have to wait until the electricity returns to power your super electronic gizmo. While everything that's powered by electricity, or uses a computer chip, is susceptible to failure, it is a happy thought that metal miniatures, regardless of size, will not be affected. Flocked and mounted, they will stand up to the crisis. All modem communication systems are subject to failure, and the window of opportunity may be brief It is best to have a plan already in place. Just like the two pincers of a double envelopment maneuver whether employed by Hannibal, the Great Khan of the Mongols, or Guderein's Panzer Army you should arrange in advance where you are going to meet your friends in case an opportunity for a game should arise. Plan to meet during daylight, though miniatures by candle light would nostalgically remind you of gaming in the old Distlefink. It has been said that captains study tactics, but generals study logistics. In order to not be caught by the interruption of basic human needs-your hobby shop might be closed- it is important to lay in a supply of spray primer, paints, brushes, glue, flocking, and your favorite basing material. You will notice I didn't mention metal miniatures. You're a wargamer, right? That means you have enough unpainted lead sitting about to last you until the Y3K crisis. Books may be another matter. Set aside enough for a week's reading, and if you haven't enough unread books that have been sitting around, pick up some new ones before the crisis hits the publishing industry. Wargamers do not live on paint and primer alone, so lay in a good supply of beer and junk food. You won't have to worry about the refrigerator not working to keep the beer cold. It'll be January. We may be able to learn a little from the English, who did without central heating for eons. They developed Vintage Port to keep warm, and Stilton cheese on crackers, to get washed down by the velvety Port.. You'll also need a pair of thin gloves. Why, you ask? Have you ever handled 15mm while wearing mittens? It'll be winter, and the heat will fail. Make it part of the game. Charge with Charles XII and his Swedes through a blinding snowstorm right at the center of Peter the Great's Russian entrenchments at Narva. Tenaciously hold on with Marshal Ney and the French rear guard as they struggle out of Russia. Join the British and try to escape with more men from Kabul, Afghanistan than the one lone historical survivor. Join the Russians in massive counter attacks in that first winter in front of Moscow. Play the game in historically accurate climatic conditions. Of course, you can always try reverse psychology, and play a hot war. March with Crassus and his ill-fated legions across the deserts of Arabia to fall, skewered by Parthian arrows. Drive a self-propelled oven across the Libyan Desert with Rommel in his great duel with the 8th Army. Or play the Mother of all Battles. But who wants to play the Iraqis, who are only strong enough to bench-press a white flag. As Y2K approaches, set up your gaming table, line up your troops, flex your tape measure and warm up your dice, for an excellent metal miniature wargaming opportunity awaits you in the midst of the chaos. Back to MWAN #102 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1999 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com