My friends, I sit here very somber writing this on 11 September, as I watch the tragic images of Washington and New York on my television. On the one hand, gaming seems trivial in comparison. On the other hand, it reminds me of the tragedy of real warfare. While most of our games involve a lot of camaraderie and enjoyment of competition, at least some of us reflect on the seriousness of the task of warfare, and use gaming to try to accurately model the many factors of warfare so that we might recreate the experience of directing battles and achieve accurate results, To all my armchair general comrades, to my fellow Americans who lost their lives today or lost friends or family, I offer my salute.
Dave Bennett dropped me a line to tell me about his group, the University Military History Gaming Society in Austin, Texas. The meet weekly on Sundays at noon in Room 284 of the Sanchez building on the UT campus, as well as some Saturdays in the Dobie Mall cafeteria. Mostly students, the 31 members play a variety games and periods, and their website gives out their upcoming events, past campaigns, links to many rules sets you can download (very useful--I chose Colonial DBM and Howard Whitehouse's Science vs. Pluck, but there are many more. Try their website at http://utgaming.homestead.com, or contact Dave at Greathall Games at (512) 505-0055.
My friend Kevir Rounsaville wrote to tell me what my old game buddies in the Secret Society of Miniature Wargamers are up to out in California. First, they are putting on a Fire & Fury game at the HMGS PSW con in October. They are also ginning up an ACW campaign using either Volley & Bayonet or F&F. They are also trying to drum up players to start a 200-point mini DBM/DBR tourney-maybe with prizes. Sounds fun.
Paul Elkin, one of my comrades from NOVAG and now a member of HMGS Mid South dropped a line to tell me about the l0th annual Siege of Augusta convention planned 18-20 Jan next year. Of course he'd like me to come out and run a game (would be fun) since he's the POC for the event at the Augusta Sheraton. If you want to sing up or run a game, use the HMGS Mid-South website below.
Speaking of NOVAG, the new Bombard newsletter showed up in my mailbox. Editor Dave Luff put together his final draft as he will step aside as editor. NOVAG is celebrating its 15th year this month-hopefully others will take over the reigns as do as well as the fine gents who have run it for the past decade and a half I'm still waiting to hear how their Gamecon went in August.
Bill Harting, editor of the HM GS Mid-South Dispatch, recently suffered a mild stroke-we send prayers for his health. Other tidbits of interest over the last two issues were Blake Walker's Battle of Kadesh history, and another discussing the effect of morale in ancient warfare. A book review made Battles of the Bible by Chaim Herzog and Mordechai Gichon sound very interesting. Bill Hogan wrote a very odd but interesting piece on the use of dog-mounted mines by the Soviets in WW2. Bill Gray added a detailed article on Swedish Napoleonic flags, and Theron Kuntz added a piece on naval craft in the ACW. Finally, a reprint from the May Car & Driver describing the authors two-day joy ride at NTC in an M-1 Abrams--I was jealous.
Well, I received my flyer for HMGS East's Fall In! convention in November, I'd love to go as that is my favorite of their three big cons, but cross-country is too tough for me. According to the recent newsletter, there is new leadership at East, with Jay Hadley running things along with David Bonk, Mitch Osborne, and Richard Egtvedt. Charley Elsden wrote two entertaining pieces-one reminiscing about Sunday afternoon events he's enjoyed, and another covering a 54mm. gaming in general. Cleo told us how she and the East Recon Team recruited a bunch of '37 grads from Hood College (her classmates? Doh! Just kidding my darting!)
The latest HMGS South Rebel Yell continues Jon Laughlin's Random Army Generator series with ancient Greek, Italian, and Garbaginians. There was also a length and detailed St. Vith scenario for Battle of the Bulge fanatics. The scenario was played at RECON and looks quite challenging for both sides.
I once again enjoyed the pages of The Herald from HMGS Great Lakes. Convention reports tell of success at Origins and Drums Along the Mohawk, as well as a plug for this weekend's Advance the Colors. Joseph Cairo wrote a fascinating article detailing the development of the fur trade that sparked several skirmish ideas in my head. Mike Demana's humorous style made the account of the opening of his new Roman campaign quite an enjoyable read. Dennis Frank penned an interesting review of Scruby's Table Top Talk discussing concealment in wargaming. Still the best.
The Camino Real Post has 14 events scheduled for the next quarter, plus four area conventions to support, 14 opponents listed to contact. Lots of pretty color pics of GameDay 2K1 in this issue.
Historical Gamers of Indianapolis continue the Tuesday/Saturday schedule of games. Upcoming for October is Advanced Squad Leader (always), WWII airplanes, AWI, ACW using Fire & Fury, Napoleonic Shako, and Nap's Battles.
The Citadel from Northwest HMGS arrived filled with goodies. First, I fished out my new membership card, Then, I avidly read through Brian Cantwell's US/German Spearhead scenario for Gremecy Forest. It was nicely presented with thoughtful team briefings, OBs, clear deployments and victory conditions, and reference charts for both sides. Kevin Smyth reports that Enfilade was a nice success (I was there, playing Columbia Games block games), Wes Rogers details a battle from his email and face-to-face Napoleonics campaign in Bavaria 1809checkout the details at www.angel fire.com/wa/rogerswhome/napcampaign.html. Eric Stejm adds some fun ideas for introducing airpower to your armor games. See you at Breakthrough in November!
Keep it coming folks!!!
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© Copyright 2001 Hal Thinglum
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