Well, the US post office just raised mail rates, and the rippling effects are starting. With other costs rising as well, expect price increases for your favorite magazines as it costs more to print and post issues. That's somewhat of a shame. Technology isn't quite there for delivering page-sharp monitor screens in a portable format. I know, I know, this sounds somewhat odd for a guy whose life and business is wedded to technology, but I am somewhat of a realist when it comes to such things precisely because I've seen the first efforts crash and burn.
However, such things are coming. I remember reading about or seeing on TV a digital 8"x11" notebook that is as thin as a legal pad of paper--great idea, sharp text and graphics, battery-powered, and the ability to turn sideways (portrait or landscape mode). It's light, portable, and readable. It's also $2,000 and is attached to a docking station to create a real computer--i.e. much more than a simple reading device. I don't recall the specs for the "monitor" portion, but you have to remember that the typical PC monitor puts out about 75 dots per inch, while the typical laser printer is 300 or 600 dpi, the typical glossy magazine 1200dpi, and the high-end art catalogs and so forth is 2400dpi. That doesn't mean unreadable, just that I believe it better to read higher dpi than lower dpi.
Ideally, and I'm putting on my futurist hat, we need a lightweight and cheap displayer of roughly 8.5x11" screen size (well, maybe A4 or perhaps legal size to be on the safe side, but letter size is acceptable) that needs some sort of operating system/browser, a couple buttons to "flip pages," a couple of connection ports (LAN/USBs), and either battery-backed RAM like a Palm Pilot or micro-size hard drives like an iPod. The point is not to duplicate a computer, but create a simple gadget to allow you to download and read material--including plugging into the Internet (either directly or via your desktop/laptop system) or from kiosks in malls, bookstores, train stations, cafes, airports, etc. Eventually, once wide-area wireless systems work out the security issues, you might just be able to plug a cellular modem in, turn the thing on, run a pre-created script, and walk/drive down the street with this gizmo automatically downloading and storing data. Otherwise, you plug this gadget into your computer (USB) or kiosk and download what you want from an account (like MagWeb.com) or on a per-piece basis (kiosk with credit card swiper).
Now, I figure the cheapest handheld PDAs are around $100, a video game system costs $200, a dirt cheap PC sells for about $500, and an entry level laptop runs $1000, so one of these single-purpose readers should be somewhere within this price range. A Blackberry is about $400-$500 retail, but includes a built-in keypad and integrated wireless connection (although the actual e-mail service is $40 a month extra)--things the cheap and simple reader would not include.
I suspect some company somewhere is developing such a device and probably debuted it at the Consumer Electronics Show, but I haven't heard of it. No doubt I will.
I don't know about you, but even though I spend an awful lot of time in front of the computer reading, coding, etc. and am quite comfortable with it, I rather enjoy reading a magazine or book in my favorite easy chair, and when the weather is nice, outside. I've used a laptop, of course, but it really is not that convenient a form factor. And if you've run out of battery juice, you might as well stick to a desktop for large screen clarity.
This winter, I read my first book on the computer screen--it's only available as a slow-downloading PDF file--and I didn't really want or need to print out 240 or so pages. That was fine, for as I noted, I'm comfortable with long sessions in front of the computer screen. However, I would rather have the option to download such a tome into a simple, flat, and lightweight reader and head for the reclining chair. And I believe that would work for magazines, too.
Of course, the ability to get content to read depends on its availability. It may be that we purchase book or magazine content in some sort of USB-equipped cartridge like a Nintendo game. I find that the worst possible approach because it adds the cost of cartridge production to the price of the electronic content. "E-books" have been around for quite some time--I remember reviewing a few back in the late 1980s on CD-ROM. Some of you may be familiar with the Official Civil War records on CD-ROM for about $70 or so (versus the $2500 or so in book format or the "free" [depending on how you value your time] advertising-supported site on the internet that allows you to retrieve the work on-line).
You may have noticed that the US Supreme Court just upheld the "Disney" copyright law--I call it Disney because that's the example cited most often--which lengthened copyright holding. Plenty of other popular icons of various media of the past were getting to the point of being in the public domain. The 1998 law allows protection of corporate copyrighted items for 95 years (up from 75) after first publication. Author's works are now protected for 70 years (up from 50) after the author's death. The original copyright law (1798 or thereabouts) was for 14 years.
Online Content
You may have also noticed the results of the Online Publishers Association's Q2/Q3 U.S. Market Spending Report for paid online content. It noted total paid online content (that includes MagWeb.com, although I did not fill out a survey although I recall a telephone survey of one sort or another from quite some time ago--perhaps this was it?) in the U.S. grew to $361.4 million for the third quarter 2002, about double from Q3 2001.
Through the first three quarters of 2002, U.S. consumer spending for paid online content totaled $975 million, versus only $670 million for the full-year 2001. The report also found that the number of U.S. consumers paying for online content in Q3 2002 nearly doubled to 14.8 million from 7.9 million in Q3 2001, with more than 1 in 10 online users now paying for some form of content online.
Now, I suspect a lot of that is newspaper archives, library spending for scientific journals, etc. And I don't know if that amount includes porn, which is probably the biggest chunk of on-line content revenues. And only the limitations of bandwidth are constricting photographs, movies, music and so on--although the late Napster and other current non-compensating pirates have pushed the bandwidth envelope as time is less important to teenagers than cash.
But the number I am looking at is the "1 in 10" paying for some sort of on-line content.
So you have a number of converging events occurring in the on-line world with regard to content: lengthening of corporate copyright (vast centralized control of media), increasing number of people willing to pay for the convenience and flexibility of electronic on-line content, the crash of advertising-supported and other sites of dubious revenue streams, acceptance of on-line transactions, and the merging of ever sophisticated technological delivery mechanisms (i.e. broadband cable and DSL).
Now, don't get nervous. A reader gizmo is years away, if at all, and a cheap one with effortless delivery mechanisms is further on. But if you apply other market mechanisms to on-line content in general, and magazines in particular, you can start to see an emerging pattern. Sign up for cell phone service and you get a free, if basic, phone (sounds like razors and razor blades, eh?). Fast food is not fast enough, we need drive-through windows. Stores are open 24 hours a day.
One consumer behaviour that needs modifying, and this is a tough one, is the physical aspect. We like to touch and feel and use an object. I read consumers bought 5 millions DVD players during the holiday season in 2002--I see the simple, cheap models are $70 retail. No doubt consumers also bought tens of millions of DVDs--and I bet a lot of them replaced existing videotapes. Delivering books and magazines and other printed content via the web does not have the same feel as cracking open a new one or the same comfort as settling back into your recliner, even though the information within is identical and the format easier to manipulate if you needed to use it. I suspect a lot of us wargamers like to read for pleasure and knowledge, but that we also enjoy tinkering--rules based on events, OOBs, scenario maps, etc.
And the other consumer behaviour -- "everything on the web should be free" -- is changing, according to the above survey. The Internet crash showed that a professional revenue-less site is a dead site, because somewhere, somehow, somebody has to pay for things--access, hardware, software, insurance, banking fees, personnel, and so forth.
The main corporate fear, as witnessed from the Napster "crisis," is that once you have a digital file, you can duplicate and triplicate and quadruplicate it ad infinitum. Of course, you can do the same thing with the office or local business photocopier. So they copyprotect it and you end up getting annoying restrictions (can play a CD or DVD in a CD or DVD player but not on your computer) that penalize the legitimate consumers. The cost is not in the phyiscal object, CD or DVD, which big companies in large runs can produce for well under a buck in basic hard-shelled, packaged form. The cost is in the creation of the content--the $100 million to produce a movie or $5-10 million for an hour of music. If you have a pirate service (ooops, sharing service) like Napster, with 35 million registered users trading content around without the music company getting any cash out of it, it certainly didn't take long for the corporate accountants to scream to the executives who scream at the lawyers. And frankly, I can't blame any of them.
However, the corporate behaviour needs to change as well. Prices have to drop to a realistic level. An an example, a newspaper archive will charge $1-$3 per article, which I consider a bit much for a small piece of an original 50-cent newspaper. And the consumer "returns" ("that article was of no use--take that $2 charge off my card") must be appalling, which of course drives up the per article price to cover all the business costs.
If you remember back about 20 years ago, the first videotapes cost $75 or so. Sales were small. Then, the price dropped to $25 and sales skyrocketed. Now, most are in the $10-$20 range, just like DVDs. Consumers seem to accept the price. If my economics guesstimates are correct, that would make today's content cost about $5 in 1980 dollars.
Content is valuable, but the point of electronic delivery is that it should be less expensive than paper/mailing, and the prices charged consumers should be adjusted accordingly. I believe it has to go away from "per item" and towards "one price for all." The price you pay depends not just on the amount of content within, but how long you get to romp through it. It's not fighting over the slice, but growing the pie that counts.
Of course, businesses have to survive long enough for the pie to grow. If cell phones and DVDs are any indication, the technology needs a critical product at a critical price point to push it over the top. For on-line magazines and books, I believe a simple inexpensive reader is just the ticket. Then the consumers will follow.
The Magazines
Before my future technology can take hold, you'll have to do with existing ones. I usually ignored back issues of magazines because they were hard to get, but I figure I will include such issues that I know are available via MagWeb.com. Some of these are electronic only versions. In most cases, the information contained within is just as valid today as yesterday, and you'll be surprised how many wargaming concepts and ideas are available--no need to re-invent the wheel so to speak.
After Action Review
After Action Review (November 2002) reappears after a few month hiatus with articles on Panzeri's return to the US, Origins 2003 info, Borodino 2002 recap, and GM Awards at Fall In 2002.
After Action Review (June 2002) brings news from around the world. Items include: Will We See You There? Origins and Borodino, What's a Military Family Worth? Entitlement Mentality, A German Attack on America? WWI Plans, U.S. Army Wants You To Play Their Game, Black Death Not Bubonic Plague Medieval, Roman Army Tactics and Organization, Kadesh AAR Egyptian vs. Hittite Wargame, The Cavalry On The Plains August 22-24 2002 Kansas City, Wargame Ethics Acceptable Hobby, Designing a Modern War Game Thoughts, India Wargamers Hot Site, Response to BHD Issue Specs and Stats, Wind Talkers Movie Review, and more.
Art of War
Art of War 31 (Autumn 2002) reappears after a two-year hiatus. Inside are articles on The Waterloo Medal, Treason and Rumors Thereof in L'Armee Du Nord, 1777 The Year of the Hangman, War Without Mercy 1942 Scenario, Pancho Villa Dead or Alive! Scenarios, Chariot Lords Scenarios, Napoleon at Leipzig With Aide De Camp II: Replay and Improvements, Real Weapons...At Last (news), and other Clash of Arms information.
BattleTechnology
BattleTechnology, although long gone, back issues 6 and 7 (September and December 1988) take us into the far future with more sci-fi tales built around the BattleTech universe. A pair of back issues offer up stats on weapons, scenarios, character bios, and more. The key theme running through both is the outbreak of war.
BattleTechnology 4 and 5 (April and June 1988) takes us into the far future with sci-fi tales built around the BattleTech universe. A pair of back issues offer up stats on weapons, scenarios, character bios, and more.
BattleTechnology 2 (Oct 1987) and BattleTechnology 3 (Feb 1988) probe the final frontier with a magazine covering the BattleTech system. Although gone, you can re-live the adventures in the sectors of space of the far future. Articles include: The Red Duke, Submachine Guns, Nekekami Spirit Cats, Black Luthien, , Technical Readout: Devastator DVE-5B, Mark III, BattleMechanics Combat Salvage, and some fiction. Also, scenarios: NightShadow: A MechWarrior Scenario, Hide and Seek, Save the Dragon, and Dagger's Edge.
NHMGS Citadel
NHMGS Citadel (Fall 2002) bring us up to date on the organization's events. Also, 15mm city ruin terrain tips, Scots-English tabletop battle 1307, Dragonflight 2002 and Museum of Flight reviews, Larry Leadhead Cartoons, On-going events, The Double-Blind Bind, and more.
Citadel (Summer 2002) brings information about activities of the the Northwest Historical Miniature Gaming Society with articles on: Dalton Gang: Part 2, Bosnia-Herzegovina: History and Modern TO&E, Enfilade 2002 Trumpeter Salute 2002 and Game Faire 2002 Convention Reports, Tolien Dilemma, Fire & Sword Hobbies, a pair of Larry Leadhead Cartoons, and more.
Command Post Newsletter
Command Post Newsletter 7 (1992) covers Command Decision WWII rules with history/OOB info: 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, German Tiger Battalions, 1st Luftwaffe Flak Corps, and part II of the ever-popular "Bathtub Europa" (France, Germany, Greece, and Hungary 1939). Also, 3rd Indian Motor Brigade 1940-1943 History with multiple scenarios including Battle of Mechili: April 7, 1941 and Battle of Point 171: May 28, 1942, Cold Wars Report 1992: Products, Barbarossa 25 Updates: German and Soviet Views, lots of rules Q&A and more.
Command Post Newsletter 6 (Fall 1991) supplements the Command Decision Rules with lots of OOB information. Note that the OOBs are slugged to one OOB infantry = 1 platoon and 1 OOB vehicle = 5 vehicles. Articles on: French Army 1939-1940, German Alpine Corps 1915-1918, The Siberian Rifle Division 1941, United States 90mm AA Battalions 1943-1945, Introduction to Bathtub Europa: Reduced Armies for Game Play, WWI, WWII, and Modern Miniature Figures, and more.
Command Post Newsletter 5 (Spring 1991) may no longer be with us in print, but here's the electronic back issue. Articles include: Goose Green and Darwin Falklands War, Stalemate Before Tunis Axis Counterattack Begins, Battle of El Paso: July 17, 1919, Gulf War Allied Order of Battle: D-Day, The T-72 Family: Soviet Tank Design, Kings African Rifles in WWI: Battle of Tanga, 79th Armored Division Part II, Modern Soviet Naval Infantry Brigade, German Cavalry Brigade 1944, British Royal Marine Armoured Support Group 1944, Unique American Units of WWII: 175th Field Artillery Bttn 244th Field Artillery Bttn Cannon Companies 90th Div. and 5307th Composite Unit, plus lots of Command Decision and Combines Arms rules modifications, interpretations, and house rules.
Competitive Edge
With winter upon us, a little Stalingrad is sure to perk you up. Competitive Edge 12 (1996) offers two games: Der Kessel (solitaire Stalingrad) and a futuristic Battlechrome (mecha robots). Other articles include industry news, commentary, a number of FRP module reviews, and more.
CounterAttack
CounterAttack no. 2 (May 1988) offers up extensive coverage of Robert E. Lee's invasions of the Union in 1862 and 1863 and the Mediterranean War 1940-1943.
Courier
Courier 85 (2002) is now posted on MagWeb.com. This mixture of war and wargaming includes articles on: Imperial Russian Navy: 1792-1815, Snippets from History, Civil Disorder Wargame: Rules for Civil Disturbance, Treatment of Wounded on the Wargame Battlefield, Infantry and Armor for 28mm WW II Combat: Part I - Infantry, Vietnam Conversions for Battleground Rules, Marching into Zululand: Wargaming Campaign Structure, Guerrilla Warfare and the Wargamer, Variable Length Bound Napoleonic Rules Design, lots of product reviews, new releases, and more.
Courier vol. 8 no. 6 (1989) offers up more Horse and Musket information with articles on: Uniforms of the British Army (1754-68), Royal American Regiment of Foot, The Second Battle of Quebec 1760, Battle of Blenheim 1704, Touring the Continent (Napoleonic museums), Military Science on the Game Table, Tactica, Defense of Plessbach WWII scenario, Incident at Broken Knee Creek scenario, Rules for the US-Mexican War 1846-1848, Losing Control in Solo Wargaming, and the usual massive mix of news, product reviews, and more.
Courier vol. 8 no. 5 (1989) offers up extensive Horse and Musket information with articles on: Action at La Belle Famille and Pontiac's Rebellion. Other articles include: Command Decision's Barbarossa 25: WWII Campaign Notes, Control Rules for Skirmish Wargames, The Sword and the Name (lists), New Approach to Ancient Wargaming, Lykian Infantryman Conversion, Confessions of an Ancients Wargamer, and the usual massive mix of news, product reviews, and more.
Courier Vol. VIII No. 2 and 3 (1987 and 1988) pick up on the theme of the French and Indian War with articles on: Jumonville Skirmish and the Battle at Fort Necessity 1754, William Smith's Paper on Frontier Warfare 1765, Woodlands Warfare America East of the Mississippi, British Amphibious Operations in North America 1758-1762, Virginia Provincial Regiments 1753-64, French and Indian War Rules, and related products. Also, Danish-Norwegian Uniforms: Colors and Standards of The Great Northern War 1709-1720, Crecy August 24 1346, Generalship Napoleonic, Wake Island, Let's Make an WWII Army, Let's Make a Modern Army (1987), Small Unit Wargames, Bibliography for the Boxer Rebellion, Use of Napoleonic Artillery, John "Jack" Scruby Obituary, Courier Index Vol. VII, and the usual plethora of product reviews, news, and other interesting items.
Cry Havoc
Cry Havoc 40 (November 2002) is the military history special interest publication of MENSA. Articles include: The Lure and Lore of Model Ships, G.I. Joe Has Returned (Collectible), Typhoon Cobra, and several reviews.
Cry Havoc 39 (August 2002) offers up a pair of comprehensive articles: Halsey's Typhoons: A look at the three typhoons that hit the fleets under Adm. Halsey's command during WWII, and Will the Real Vasco de Gama Please Stand Up: an examination of his first voyage to India. Also included in the issue is: New Call for Fire Procedure for the Army of One (humor), member news, and more.
HMGS Mid-South Dispatch
HMGS Mid-South Dispatch (November 2002) is the directory issue for its members. MagWeb.com does not include the membership lists, so it is a thin issue otherwise, but it includes contact information for the entire southeastern US.
HMGS Mid-South Dispatch (October 2002) brings us up to date on the organization's events. Also, lessons from a sergeant in Afghanistan, brass monkeys, statistical analysis in Wargame Design, short history of HMGS, humor, and more.
HMGS Mid-South Dispatch (September 2002) bring us medical updates on on Pat Condray and Don Featherstone, a look at the Vietnam generation, Tet Offensive story about NVA Col. Bui Tin, tabletop battle reports, upcoming conventions, and more.
HMGS Dispatch (August 2002) offers an article on the Russian Army at Austerlitz, numerous humor items of a military nature, and other recaps of interest.
Dispatch (June 2002) and Dispatch (July 2002) bring you up to date on HMGS Mid-South with HMGS news and articles on: Did Napoleon's Troops Shoot the Nose off the Sphinx?, See Here Von Moltke! (US ACW "Armed Mobs" vs. European Armies) with comments, Confusing Army Induction Messages, Guantanamo Bay, German Kaiser Planned to Take New York in WWI, Rorke's Drift, US Military Enlistment Oaths (humor), and more.
Experimental Game Group
Experimental Game Group 10, 11, and 12 (1990-91) brings us a wealth of philosophical ideas on gaming from psychologist Chris Engel. Articles include The Family Game: Matrix Games and Psychotherapy, Matrix Games and Miniatures, Another Way to Look at Games: Wargame Developments, Solidarity Matrix Game, Attack of the Flesh Eating Romero Zombies Matrix Game, The Peninsula Campaign: An MG Campaign, Descriptive vs Prescriptive Rules, System Shifts in Wargames, The Geology of Wargames, and more.
Europa
Europa 19 (May/June 1991) offers up WWII information and Europa wargaming support with articles on: The Caucasus Raids: Anglo-French Plans Against the Soviet Oil Fields, Italian Divisional Histories, Facts Behind the Counters, A Fix for Arkhangelsk, The Flames of Baku: An Europa Air Scenario, Poland 1939 Europa Map and Sample Counters, Grand Europa: The Myths and the Realities, news, rules interpretations, and more.
Europa 18 (March April 1991) supports the Europa system with articles on: Italian Third "Julia" Alpine Division, Europa Counter Symbols, Tunisian Thunder: Operational Plan for Kasserine Crisis, Europa On Line, Planning the 1941 Invasion of the USSR, Plan Y: Italian Invasion of Yugoslavia 1939, Grand Europa Charts, Rules Court, letters, news, and more.
Europa 16 (Nov-Dec 1990) and Europa 17 (Jan-Feb 1991) captures the mix between military history and Europa series board wargames with articles on: Gottscheer Hochland in the Balkans, Balkan Chronology March 1939 - June 1941, Balkan Front Designer's Notes and Play Notes, Answers to Unit Symbol Test, A Lexicon of Europa Terms, Narvik: Errata Addenda and Rambling Commentary, Balkan Front: The Making of a Wargame, System-wide vs. Game-specific changes, letters, and more.
First Empire
First Empire 68 (Jan/Feb 2003) kicks off its 12th year of publication with articles on Napoleon's Cavalry Commanders (# 12-14), Battle of Kolozab (1806), Battle of Aldenhoven (1793), Battle of Aix-La-Chapelle (1793), Prussians in 1806: Dispelling the Myths Part Vb: Jena, In Search of Napoleon's Marshals (Parisian Burial plots), Napoleonic News Desk, and more.
First Empire 67 (November - December 2002) offers an issue containing articles on: Battle of Stockach: 25 March 1799, Action at Borkowo: 24 December 1806, Napoleon's Cavalry Commanders, A Belle Alliance: The Battle About Books About the Battle, Another Bitter Feud: The Relationship Between Lannes and Bessieres, Recreating History on the Tabletop, Napoleonic News Desk, and more.
First Empire 66 (Sep-Oct 2002), that pillar of Napoleonic publishing...Now completing 11 years of continuous bi-monthly publishing! Articles in this issue include: Soult's Last Stand: Battle of Toulouse 1814, Battle of Ostrach: 21 March 1799, Napoleon's Imperial Guard 1800-1815 (part 1), Napoleon's Cavalry Commanders: The Top 20 (part 1: 1-5), The Prussians in 1806: Dispelling the Myths Part Va - Tactics, Nelson Collection for Auction, and more.
Frontline
Frontline Vol. 3 no. 1 (2002) comes in with the current issued filled with articles, including: Afghanistan 2002: US and British Uniforms and Equipment, Chinook Down Afghanistan, Italian Paratroopers on the Eastern Front, Pillbox Information Source, British Armour 1940, SDKFZ 234 Puma, Bocage, French Aircraft in WWII: Collecting 20mm Models, 30 Years War Flags, East German 1980s Strategy, Painting SS Camoflage Pattern, Italian Bersaglieri Regiment 1918, and lots of WWII, Cold War, and Modern wargaming. Plus, web sites, reviewws, and more.
Heliograph
Heliograph 134 (December 2002) brings us Fighting the Baluchis: Sind 1842, Kerreri Hills: The Narrow Escape of Egyptian Camel Corps, Balloon and Airship rules for The Sword and the Flame, reviews, news, and more.
Heliograph 133 (October 2002) brings great information about the Victorian Colonial Era with articles on: Dahomey War Part 2, Mammalian Mayhem rules review and scenario, Heliograph’s Quick Guide to [miniature] Manufacturers (28mm, 25mm, 20mm, 15mm, 10mm, and 6mm), and lots of product news.
Heliograph 132 (August 2002) brings great information about the Victorian Colonial Era with articles on: Dahomey War Part 1, Zanzibari Slavers vs. Masai Villagers Scenario, Rorke’s Drift Books, Colonial Campaigns: Ethiopia 1887-1896 review, a trio of figure reviews, Campaign Scenario 1920, and lots of product news.
The Heliograph 130 (April 2002) and 131 (June 2002) bring us up to date on Victorian Colonial Actions and Products from around the world. Articles include: Nemea 1822, Expeditions Asia 1911, Jungle Patrol (Phillipines) Part 2, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, South African Travelogue, plus lots of reviews of Pulp Figures, Copplestone Castings, Castaway Arts, and Spiros Koumousis, lots of book reviews, and plenty of product news.
HMGS-GL Herald
HMGS-GL Herald 50 (November-December 2002) hits the big 5-0 in number of issues. This issue includes a short history of the Herald, another chapter in the Roots of Wargaming: Wargaming Literati, 1806 Battle of Maida, Visit to NY's Fort Niagara, 1st Century B.C. Campaign, Cleaning Your Miniatures Before Painting, Regional Gaming Organizations and Clubs, Conventions, news, reviews, and the usual mix of HMGS-GL doings.
HMGS-GL Herald 48 (July-August 2002) and 49 (September/October 2002) bring us up to date on the organization's events. Also, articles on Featherstone, 1st Century BC Campaign, Black Powder skirmish rules, ACW 1865 Naval Scenario, reviews, and more.
Junior General Report
Junior General Report 1 (December 2002) is the 106th publication to appear on MagWeb.com, and is geared to schoolteachers wishing to use historical miniatures simulations in the classroom. Written by the always creative Matt Fritz, a schoolteacher and advisor to an after-school history club, you'll find not only advice on introducing military history in the classroom, but also quick, easy, and fast play rule sets to use with students.
The debut issue, available exclusively on MagWeb.com, offers articles on: Historical Miniatures in the Classroom, Simulations 101: Basics for Beginners, and How to Keep Paint on Plastic Figures. Fast play rules (with historical background) for: Battle of Isandlwana (1879 AD), Battle of Hastings (1066 AD), Battle of Hattin (1187 AD), Battle of Agincourt (1415 AD), Battle of Liegnitz (1241 AD), and Medieval Castle Siege. Also, the whimsical Fiendish Plot of Fu Manchu, "steampunk" Le Grande Cirque des Pyramides, and Mon Petite Chou (The Four Musketeers) are also within. Plenty of photographs accompany the articles.
Junior General Report joins the growing list of small, laser-targeted newsletters covering aspects of military history and related topics. Written by experts, these appear alongside the other magazines within MagWeb.com and offer members superb insight in a specific topic or area. Welcome, Matt Fritz!
King or Parliament
King or Parliament 3 (August 2002) offers up information about the English Civil War with articles on: Battles of Marston Moor, Cropedy Bridge, Naseby, and Edgehill; bios of Ireland: The Marquis of Ormonde, Robert Devereux (The Great Cuckold), and Black Tom: Head of the Roundheads; Hidden Personality: Charles I the Real King; and the results of the KorP Interactive Poll regarding the beheading of Charles I...and a new poll regarding Cromwell.
Lone Warrior
Lone Warrior 140 (October - December 2002) tackles the solo life with articles on health, kites in warfare, Scouting and Grand Tactical Manoeuvre for C17th Campaigns, WWII Burma, Spanish Fury: Battle or Pistolado! (rules), Retinue (ancient/medieval rules), Decimo campaign rules part 2, Warhammer ECW Rules reviewed, Science Fiction Steamships, Military Axioms: Humor, letters, reviews, and much more.
Lone Warrior 139 (Jul-Sep 2002) from the Solo Wargaming Asso provides an examination of military history with solo-based wargames. Articles include: Let Jesse Rob the Train: Jesse James, Naval Wargaming: Battle of the Falkland Islands: December 1914, Battle of Britain, Battle of Pontesbury 661AD, Tell Yourself a Story: Campaign Narratives, How I Returned to Solo War Gaming, Solo Systems of Maneuver, Kraken: Solo or Multiplayer Game Against the Terrors of the Deep, Solo Hidden Movement, Decimo Campaign Rules, and more.
The Messenger
The Messenger (November 2002) from HMGS/PSW offers a pictorial tour of Aberdeen Proving Grounds' tank destroyers/self-propelled guns, Iraqi Incursion Scenario, Napoleonic 12 Pounder Cannnon, The Great Debate: Recruiting New Blood, chapter business, and more.
The Messenger (August 2002) provides a good article on the WWII Battle of Gembloux: A French Victory, WWI A-7 German tank, an analysis of spear effectiveness in DBA 2.0, Wargaming Widow humor, and news about HMGS-PSW.
MicroMark Modern Army Lists and TO&Es
Another 17 lists covering the Modern era from Israel, Iraq, India, Greece, and Germany. There are a total of 112 Modern MicroMark lists on MagWeb.com, with hundreds more going back to the Napoleonic period.
IS1M : Israeli Regular Armored Brigade 1985-1992 Israel IR2M : Israeli Reserve Armored Brigade 1985-1992 Israel IR3M : Israeli Corps Support 1982-1992 Israel IR12MA : Israeli Golani Brigade 1989+ Israel IR5M : Iraqi Infantry Division 1982-1992 Iraq IR6M : Iraqi Mechanized Division 1986-1991 Iraq, Kuwait IR8M : Iraqi Infantry Division 1982-1992 Iraq IR12M : Iraqi Republican Guard Armored Division 1986-1991 Iraq, Kuwait IN7M : Indian Armoured Division 1969-1972 India IN8M : Indian Armoured Brigade 1969-1972 India IN9M : Indian 1st Armored Division 1965-1966 India IN10M : Indian Armoured Brigade 1965-1966 Asia IN11M : Indian Infantry Division 1965-1966 India GK8M : Greek Naval Infantry Brigade 1986+ Europe G116M : West German Panzer Grenadier Brigade 1968-1975 Germany G125MA : German Airborne Brigade 1995+ Europe G126MA : German 23rd Mountain Brigade 1995+ Europe FN4: Finland Infantry Division 1940-1941 Scandinavia FN6 : Finland Armored Division 1944 Scandinavia FN7 : Finland Tank Brigade Feb-June 1942 FN8 : Finland Armored Division July-Dec 1942 Scandinavia G47 : German Infantry Division: Operation Sealion Aug-Nov 1940 Europe G48 : German Corps and Army Support for Operation Sealion Aug-Nov 1940 Europe G53 : German 5th Light Panzer Division March-May 1941 North Africa G54 : German Mountain Division Operation Sealion August-November 1940 G62 : German Panzer Division 1942 East Europe G67 : German Panzer Grenadier Division 1943 East Europe G94 : German Panzer Division Supports 1942 East Europe GK5 : Greece Free Greek Infantry Brigade Oct 1942-1943 North Africa H4A : Hungary Rapid Corps June - Nov 1941 East Europe H6 : Hungary Light Infantry Division 1941-1943 E. Europe H7 : Hungary 1st Armored Division October 1942 - March 1943 East Europe H8 : Hungary Cavalry Brigade 1939-June 1941 East Europe H12 : Hungary H12 Divisional Support and Notes for Hungarian Rapid Corps June-November 1941 Russia IT17 : Italy Armoured Division Apr-Dec 1942 North Africa G1N Kingdom of Westphalia 1808-1813 Europe G5N Kingdom of Saxony 1805-1815 Europe G6N Duchy of Berg 1806-1813 Europe G7N Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt 1803-1815 Europe G8N Duchy of Nassau 1803-1815 Europe G10N Confederation of the Rhine 1806-1814 Europe G12N Prussian Army 1813-1815 Europe G13N Army of Hesse-Kassel 1792-1815 Europe
MWAN
MWAN 120 (Nov-Dec 2002) closes out 2002 with another 192 pages of great articles including: Hungarian War of Independence: 1848-1849, Carius in Action: February 1944, Bagration vs. Lannes (Shako Austerlitz), Battle of Villers-Bretonneux: 27 November 1870, Astounding Tales Rules, Historicon 2002 and Cold Wars 2002 recaps, How To Make Great Looking 1/285th Scale Deciduous Trees, Iowa Graybeard (ACW Buildings), Fort McHenry Demonstration, lots of product news and reviews, and more.
MWAN 118 (July - August 2002) and 119 (September - October 2002) catch us up on Hal Thinglum's doings, not to mention almost 400 pages of MWAN. Articles include: TO&E for 1812 Americans and Canadians, American Civil War Music, Napoleon Bonaparte: The Black Powder Hitler?, Suvorov's Italian and Swiss Campaigns 1799 (Uniform guide), and Wargame rules for Seven Years War, Horse and Musket, American Revolution, Boxer Rebellion, Banana Wars 1901-1934, Greek War of Independence, and WWII. Also, scenarios for Boxer Rebellion, WWII Rear Area Raid Winter 1942, Siege of Athens 1820, Assault on the Gifu! December 1942 - January 22, 1943 (Guadacanal), 1809 Napoleonic Campaign, and ECW Campaign. Lots and lots of product reviews and news, Host of Islam army list, Biblical army list, Internet Information, Packing Figures for Shipment Suggestions, Wargaming Clubs of the World, Larry Leadhead interview with artists, Wargame design philosophies, terrain ideas, Simple Bomber and Fighter Stands, Fielding a Prussian Army for the Waterloo Campaign, and much, much, more.
Naval Sitrep
Naval Sitrep 23 (October 2002) pumps in the naval perspective with articles on: The 21st UJ-Flotille: Part 2, Magazine Explosions in WW I, Fight for the Fjord 1940, HMS Nottingham Runs Aground, Military News 2002, and a number of reviews, changes to Harpoon naval rules, and more. Of note is the creative use of modern naval miniature rules to "re-fight" Godzilla vs. Tokyo--just like in the movies.
Naval SITREP 22 (April 2002) covers 20th Century naval warfare, predominently modern, but with some WWI and WWII as well. Articles include: Kursk: Russian Sub Salvage, U.S. Navy Changes the Rules: Cooperative Engagement Capability, US Navy DD(X) Stealth Destroyer Design, Joint Strike Fighter Selected: JSF/F-35, Thermobaric Warheads, "Afghani Tornado," Soviet Aircraft Carrier Varyag to China, Alerts: Military News 2002, Battle of Valparaiso: February 17, 1916 Scenario, 21st UJ-Flotille: German WW II ASW Operations in the Mediterranean, WWII Battle of Cape Spada, book reviews, product news, Harpoon stats for British Mosquito (all variants), various jets, and ships, and more.
Operations
Operations 43 (Summer 2002) is the magazine from MMP and The Gamers, to offer historical background, scenarios, and news relating to their products. Articles in this issue include: Legion des Volontaires Francais: WWII Vichy French Unit in German service, Napoleonic Organizational Structures, Austrian Columns in Aspern-Essling, Subunits in Wargames, OCS Sicily As A History Lesson, Battle of Belgium: A Drive on Paris Scenario, Sicily Invasion Plans, HomerCon 2001 report, news, errata, and more.
OSG News
OSG News (January 2003) fills us in with the progress of Sun of Austerlitz, Zucker's new Napoleonic battle boardgame to be published on February 4. Plus recent books, letters, and more.
OSG News (November 2002) catches us up on OSG's Napoleonic efforts, including Sun of Austerlitz and 1813 Quad. Also, a tantalizing map about Spanish roads.
Pakistan At War
Pakistan At War 4: (October 2002) brings another historical event, this time of the bravery of Rashid Minhas (Nishan e-Haider) of the Pakistan Air Force on that fateful day in 1971.
Panzerfaust
Panzerfaust and Campaign 72 (Mar-Apr 1976) and 73 (May-Jun 1976) bring us back to the heyday of that marvelous mix of military history and board wargaming with articles on: The French War in Algeria 1954-62, Battle Of Breitenfeld 1631, Wargaming in Britain, and plenty of game analysis and strategy articles covering Solitaire Panzerblitz, French Victory in France 1940, Bar Lev, Adding Nazgul to Siege of Minas Tirith, Defending Omaha Beach, A Look at the New Blitzkrieg, Strategic Notes on AH's 1776, A Strategic Analysis of Drang Nach Osten, War at Sea German Game Strategy, Ancient Conquest, and More Thoughts on CRTs. Also, a plethora of board game reviews, miniatures reviews, book reviews, and other product reviews.
PW Review
The March, April, and June 1987 issues, now gone, still comes back to haunt us with the sharpened wit of Wally Simon. Articles cover a variety of wargame systems and wargame ideas, including the initial testings of Fire and Fury, a Paddy Griffith game on Arms Dealers, Trireme, 7 Years War, Play By Mail Renaissance Game, American Civil War, Medieval, and more.
PW Review (January 2002) follows the sharp-eyed, and equally sharp-tongued, Wally as he continues his quest for truth, justice, and anatomically-correct rules writing. Articles cover a wide range of commercially-available rule sets, home grown ideas, and internet-available fan sets, all covering a wide range of historical periods.
PW Review (Aug 1994), (Jun 1995), (Jul 1995), and (Aug 1995) offer a kaleidescope of wargaming opinion: the good, the bad, and the ugly of transforming military history into tabletop battles. Articles include: Battles of the Diadochoi, Renaissance Battle, Drums Along the Alcohonka: American Colonial Indian Skirmish, Medieval Skirmish, American War for Independence, Zombies in 54mm, WWII Armor Rules, The Great Napoleonic 2-inch Square Game, Vivo El Cristo Rey: Spanish Civil War, The Klunkies: American Civil War, a pair of Historicon Convention Reports, and more.
PW Review (Dec 1981) and (Sep 1989) feature the pen of Wally Simon and friends. Articles include: Masquerade, Multiple Stress Breakdown In Modern Warfare, Innovation in the Design of Wargame Systems, Firing Procedures in Modern Skirmish Games, The "Liberal Move" Wargame Fast Movement Technique, Historical Miniatures Gaming Society Started, Gunsmoke in Gunslick: Wild West Skirmish, British/Zulu Tabletop Battle, William the Conqueror 1066: A Boardgame Review, Samurai: A Boardgame Review, UK Wargaming, Yorktown 1981 Re-enactment, Some Thoughts on Modern Rules: Or Sometimes They Work and Sometimes Not, A Japanese-Chinese Encounter Sirk Style, It Isn't Easy Being Green: A First Look at The Soldier's Companion, and more.
Also uploaded: July-December 2001. Great Taste. More Filling.
Saga
Saga 89 (November 2002-January 2003) is the current issue and offers articles on The Land of War: Part 3 1169-1400: Lords of Ireland, Gempei War 1180-1185, Scipio Africanus bio, Tactics With Teutonic Knights, Saga at Fall In 2002, reviews, and more.
Saga 88 (September-October 2002) offers a split between medieval and ancient military history with articles on: The Rise and Decline of the Medieval Anglo-Irish Colony: 1169-1400, Battle of Lewes 1264, German Tribes, Mything Links: Ancient Sources and Reality, Ancient Warfare and Medieval Warfare Rules comparisons and amendments, The Roman-Judaeo War 66-74AD (review), Crusader Miniatures 28mm Norman Foot (review), Redoubt 28mm English Civil War Figures (review), Skraelings: 7-12th centuries, and more.
Saga 87 (July-August 2002) focuses on medieval military history for this issue with articles on: Campaign of Bouvines Part 2: The 'War' of Bouvines (1202-1214), Rise and Decline of the Medieval Anglo-Irish Colony: 1169-1400, Campaign for England: Wargaming 1066, and plenty of Medieval Warfare Rules questions and answers. Plus, a look at Death of Achilles ancients game at Historicon, a Historica 2002 Convention Report, and more.
Saga 86 (May-Jun 2002) and Saga Vol. III No. 6 (Sep-Oct 1989) bring a wonderful mix of ancient, dark age, and medieval military history and wargaming. Articles include: Battle of Bouvines Part 1: The 'War' of Bouvines (1202-1214), Somerled: Lord of the Isles, The Early Israelites 1641BC-1006BC, Battle of the Allia Romans vs. Celts 390BC, Agricola's Conquest of Scotland, Crassus and China, Ancient Warfare Armies: The Greek Wars Part 3, The Weight of Arms in Medieval Warfare Part 2, Terrain Use, Thistle and Rose Vikings and Slavs, Ship and Hussite Wars, Deploying the Feudal Host: Medieval Warfare Techniques, plus Historicon 1989 coverage, letters, and more.
Saga vol. 4 no. 6 (December 1990) is a back issue and offers articles on The Crusades, Hoplite Warfare, Danish Kings of England, Battle of Arqulon 1099 AD, Cavalry Wedges (WRG), Rochester Historical Simulations Group, Contexts of Dark Ages England, MigsCon XI and Simcon 1990 Convention Report, letters, and more information.
Saga Vol. VI No. 3 (July 1992) takes us back 10 years, but the history is as fresh as ever with articles on: Italo-Normans 1041-1088 A.D.; Roman Sites in Germany; Romans, Slavs, and Avars; Military History of Acre; Northeast Woods Indians 600-1050AD; Lusianan Cypriote 1197-1510; Spartacus of Thrace (movie and game); Beginners Guide to Tactics Under WRG 7th; and various news, book reviews, and more.
Seven Years War
Seven Years War Asso. Journal vol. 12 no. 2 (Spring 2001) brings us the British siege of Havana 1762, Don Carlos III of Spain bio, a brilliant compilation: Notes Relevant to the Simulation of Seven Years War Scenarios, Grun Loudon Battalions, more Journal of Horace St. Paul 1757: Part 5 The Combat at the Jakelsberg, quotes, news, and more.
Seven Years War Asso. Journal Vol. VII No. 3 (Spring 1994), offers up a back issue filled with information about the battle of Hastenbeck, 1757, including maneuvers prior to the battle, the battle itself, and a piece of visiting the battlefield. Also, articles include: Hessian Army of the 7 Years War, Hessian Colors and Standards: 1740 - 1748, Influence of Disease on the Mid-18th Century British Expeditions: Flanders and Germany, SYWA Activities and Events, New Products, and more.
Sharkhunters KTB
KTB 142 (Sep-Oct 1999) brings submarine history to the fore with articles on: Oblt. Otto Giese, Capture of the U-570, WWII German Radio Network Operations in South America, U-Boat and Submarine Factoids, IJN Submarine Tenders - Jingei Class, Finnish Submarine, U-Boats of World War I, USS Nautilus (SS 168) Profile and History, U-168 Profile and History, German Phonic Alphabet (Buchstabiertafel) for Inland, 1999 Patrol in Germany: U-Boat Tour Report, Fritz Frauenheim, and lots of Sharkhunter news, bulletins, and much more.
KTB 164 (Nov-Dec 2002) and KTB 163 (July-August 2002) tackle the world of U-boats and other submarines with articles on: U-189, U-190, U-191, and U-192 profiles and histories; WWII Italian Navy; US Senate Hearings on Gas/Oil Companies; Spy for Germany (Chapters 12 (I) and (II)); interview with Kapitän zur See (a.D.) Kurt Diggins and Vize Admiral Horst von Schroeter; profile of Admiral Ernest J. King; Memories of the U-Boat War; WWII Italian Navy; Dr. Walter, U-358, and French Workers; Ritterkreuztrager: Knights Cross Medals; US Blimps vs. German Subs; German Freighter Antilla; Captain Siegfried Koitschka; USS Sturgeon (SS 187) and USS Sargo (SS 188); WWII Germany and Soviet Union Cooperate; Engines for US Submarines; lots of Sharkhunter news, bulletins, and much more.
KTB 138 (Mar-Apr 1999) tackles the world of U-boats and other submarines with articles on: U-166 Profile and History (with US Coast Guard Reports), Erich Topp U-boat Ace, US Merchant Marine SS Benjamin Bourne, Kapitanleutnant Otto Kretschmer, The Royal Navy Defending Greece, I.J.N. Submarines Kaidai Type 6b (I-74 [174] Class), Axis Submarine Losses June 1943, The U-Boats of World War I Austria, 29 U-Bootflottille, U-Boat and Submarine Factoids/Q & A, Future of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Force: On Controlling SSBNs, Kimmel and Short: Pearl Harbor Scapegoats, lots of bulletin board news items, and much more.
Strategikon
Strategikon 4 (May 2002) offers a scholarly approach to ancient history with articles: History of the Munus Part 2: Gladiatorial Contests, The War against Spartacus, Ancient Greek Cavalry, and more.
Strategist
Strategist (various: 1998) fills in some gaps in the archive on MagWeb.com. The cornucopia of articles includes a significant number of game reviews, game news, web site suggestions, game analysis, game strategy, and more for historical and non-historical games: computer games, boardgames, card games, miniatures, and so on. Most are short pieces, some are long, and all are at the sharp end of analysis and information.
Strategist (various: 1998-2002) gets an octet of issues posted on MagWeb.com. The cornucopia of articles includes a significant number of game reviews, game news, web site suggestions, game analysis, game strategy, and more for historical and non-historical games: computer games, boardgames, card games, miniatures, and so on.
Strategist 315 (May 1998), 318 (September 1998), 320 (November 1998) and 326 (May 1999) offers a potpourri of news, reviews, and other information about wargaming. Articles include several on Hasbro-Avalon Hill, Board Games from Essen: A Variety of Family Games, Economic Victory in Axis & Allies (Game Strategy), Notes on Scotland the Brave, Twilight Imperium Expansion and Game Analysis, Tactical Reserves in Empires in Arms: Game Strategy, Better Gaming Through Computing, Serenissima Blues: Game Strategy, Miniature Terrain: Forest Choices, Successors: Changes from Hannibal, and much much more (82 articles in all).
Time Portal Passages
Time Portal Passages (Winter 2003) continues to illuminate little-known eras of military history with articles on: Chosun: The Isolationists of East Asia (1340-1700), The Safawid Dynasty of Persia Powerhouse of Central Asia (1488-1747), and Persia: Central Asia's Powerhouse During the 1700s.
Time Portal Passages Fall 2002 yields another treasure trove of pure research. Topics this issue are: Military History of Burma 200-1600AD including Ethnic Groups and City-States, Chronology of Military Conflicts, Military Tactics and Organization, Dynasties, Burmese-Siam Wars 1412-1599, and more; and another chapter in Our Place in the Sun about the American Indians: this time, the Native Nations of the Texas-Southern Plains Region 1600s-1800s.
Wargamer's Newsletter Trio
Wargamer's Newsletter 95 (February 1970), 141 (December 1973) and 143 (February 1974) takes us back 30 years to see what was hot and not in military history and wargaming. Articles include: Vietnam 1969 memoir, Napoleon's War Maxims, French Military Information 1900-05: Marching and Visibility, Austrian Grenadier Regiments 1807, Marshal Saxe Military Theories, Julien's Speech 357AD, Renaissance Turkish Infantry, Aid to Map Campaigning, New Look at Morale and Casualties, U.S.Army History and General S.I.A. Marshall, French Revolutionary War, Bibliographies for Wargamers, T.V. and the Crimean War, What Makes a Wargamer Tick?, Triangle Campaign System, Flexible Napoleonic Artillery Effect, New ACW Musketry Firing Method, Map Moving, book reviews, and much more. The earliest Wargamer's Newsletter yet on MagWeb.com. Special thanks to Pat Condray for allowing MagWeb.com to borrow the issues.
Wargamer's Newsletter 162 (September 1975), 163 (October 1975) and 165 (December 1975) takes us back over a quarter century into the history of wargaming. What was hot -- and not -- back in 1975. Articles include: Irish Regiments of 18th Century Spain, British Anti-Terrorist Exercise 1975, Toronto Museums and Forts, Grenadiers at the Coronation of James II, Mekong Delta Campaigning, Napoleon's War Maxims, British Royal Marines Museum, Battle of Kalach Bridge: 22 November 1942, Thoughts on the Roman Army, Poitiers Military Venues, D-Day Commando Game, Assessing the Effects of Musketry, plus several columns devoted to new products, magazines, and books. Special thanks goes out to Terry Gore, editor of Saga and owner of Saga Publishing, for allowing MagWeb.com to borrow these priceless issues.
Wargamer's Newsletter 156 (March 1975) continues our look into the essens of wargaming a generation ago. Articles include: Some Medieval Battles: Morlaix to Auray, Eban Emaul: An Unusual Affair, Setting up Wargames For The Sudan 1881-1898, An Outdoor ACW Wargame: Gaines Mill, Tanks in the Western Desert, First Wargames Convention 1961, Sea Lion: Book Review, lots of 1975 product news, and more.
WWII Newsletter
WWII Newsletter 7 (September 2002) offers four articles: Taranto: British Carrier Planes Bomb Italian Fleet, Guenther Prien, U-47, and Royal Oak: The Bull of Scapa Flow, German Stealth Aircraft of WWII: Horten and Gotha, and German UFOs of WWII: Victor Schauberger's Creation.
WWII Newsletter 6 (July 2002) offers an overview of the Russo-Finnish War of 1939.
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© Copyright 2003 Hal Thinglum
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