From Rich Smethurst
Congratulations on another fine issue (#40); the letter comments on the Alamo, Texas/Mexican War, and Mexizan/American War were interesting and stirred some nostalgic memories. I too spent countless hours refighting the Alamo with my Marx playlet, though Fess Parker's Crockett was my inspiration. An unusual Mexican account of the battle of the Alamo was written in the diary of sapper battalion Lieutenant Colonel Jose Enrique de la Pena. Entitled WITH SANTA ANNA IN TEXAS: A PERSONAL NARATTIVE OF THE REVOLUTION, its English translation was published by Texas A&M University Press in 1975. This narrative includes a March 4th council of war at Santa Ann's quarters where a massed artillery bombardment proposal was discarded in favor of a direct assault, and the costly interpenetration of General Cos's attack column with two other columns causing a disorderly mass at the north wall. Lt. Col. de la Pena also asserts that the "naturalist' David Crockett and six others were put to the sword in the presence of Santa Anna after surviving the carnage of that battle. I always thought Davy went down swinging old "Betsy". 'Recuerda el Alamo!
From Barry Wallace
It's hard for me to identify with many of the concerns voiced by some of my fellow subscribers with regard to ancient rules debates, the nature of wargaming, "black" wargaming, etc. This is probably because I don't belong to any club or organization because (A) I am not aware of one in my area, and (B) I'm simply not a "joiner". My experience at different organizations in the past has been that very often they are so caught up with the idea of being a club that the reason for forming a club in the first place becomes almost secondary to the official functions. Consequently, I game alone and like it very much. I can spend as much time as I like with my figures and terrain (as the look of the game is critical), dabble in this and that (heaven knows how many projects have never reached fruition), and just generally enjoy myself without worrying about whom I may be pleasing or offending. I attend conventions when I can, buy most of my figures through the mail since stores are few and far between in my locality, and keep abreast of what's new and interesting via publications such as MWAN. Some would probably say that my outlook is rather narrow, and they may be right, but it works for me and I take immense pleasure in my own level of involvement with this hobby.
To me, the purpose of any hobby is enjoyment, in whatever form you find it. I like to give each figure a detailed paint job, you don't. You enjoy producinq a newsletter while the idea terrifies me. The point is that we can both enjoy different facets of our hobby while maintaining a common ground for sharing our knowledge and that's great. How people can take things so seriously is an amazement to me. It's fine to say we're interested in military history, tactics, uniforms, etc., but we express chat interest by moving small solders around a table and to most of the world that is a child's game, no matter what sort of rules you use to play it. I work in a factory. If I ever need a dose of reality, all I would have to do would be walk into the lunch room and describe my hobby. My perspective would be quickly regained. I don't think I'm alone in my live and let live attitude.
The overall tone of MWAN seems to be an eagerness to share new ideas and methods fox making our nobby more enjoyable in a practical sense. It is the small group of writers who want to improve us morally or philosophically that cause things to get sticky. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy discussion, even when, as often happens, I turn out to be wrong. I don't enjoy being wrong, but such is life. My complaint is when two or more people who are positive they are right allow a discussion, especially in a public forum, to degenerate into something only slightly above the "your momma!" level. Rudeness and intolerance, whether it is couched in intellectual sounding phrases, Latin, or plain English, is nothing more than poor manners and I find that totally undesirable.
For this reason, I support your new policy regarding controversy. It is an unfortunate necessity, but no editor should have to apologize at the end of an article for the contents of that article. If other editors followed the same policy, perhaps these unsilenceable individuals would not be encouraged to parade their ideas endlessly through almost every wargames publication we pick up. I don't agree with censorship, but short of getting all of these literary adversaries together somewhere at dawn and handing out baseball bats, I don't see another solution! So that's my parade of ideas. As far as interviews and honors, my introduction to wargaming took place in 1973 or 74 when the Christmas issue PLAYBOY described some of MINIFIGS USA's products under a "Gifts for the Man Who has Everything" heading. So I owe my involvement to Hugh Hefner, but I'm not sure that's exactly what you had in mind!
Editor's Comments: Thank you, Barry, you put your ideas together much better than I could. One item should be made clear. The editor (me) does have a responsibility to ensure that what is printed is going to steer clear of occasions when people attack each other and I have a history of falling short in this important area and am more than willing to admit it. Failure to act as an "editor" on my part does, in effect, throw some of the blame my way. Thanks for your well articulated thoughts! Re your introduction to wargaming, I assume you purchased PLAYBOY only for the articles. With such worthy wargaming information being published in PLAYBOY, I shall have to pick up a few issues to closely inspect them for information re new wargaming product releases so as to present them in BITS & PIECES!
From Stephen Lawrence
Thanks again for your Herculean efforts which are put into this newsletter. Your actions are truly above and beyond the call of duty for any gamer. And, many thanks to your wife and family for sharing you with the entire gaming community; this is truly giving of them. God bless you and them for this sharing. Now for the meat. Hal, keep up the good work and don't let the fools rule. We, in the hinterlands of gaming, need MWAN. Always keep foremost in your efforts, the main thrust of gaming as most of us see it, good times with good friends while gaming. If this is no longer possible because of petty tyrants and childish threats, then (and God forbid this comes to pass) I say you should just pack it up. As the editor of MWAN, you are the one with the final choice of what will be published and who. If there are those among the gaming community (and aren't there always) who must try to force their will on all of us by childish threats, petty, tyrannical behavior, idiotic commentary (I know all about this one), or simple inflammatory statements, then simply don't publish their work. I have a list of those, who by similar behavior, I will not permit to participate in convention or group games which I judge (Thankfully, the list is very short). This may seem to be a hard line to take, but it is often necessary when considering the needs of the many. MWAN is a gratis publication (not for profit) and a gift of your love for your hobby and those who participate with you. If there are those who are determined to be petty tyrants, or just a hassle through childish outbursts or threats, quit. It isn't worth one moment of worry, personal or family happiness to continue if the continuation will only cause trouble. To those who participate in such acts of terrorism, past, present or future, I say the following: PLEASE, grow up! Learn some compassion and self-control. If this is not possible, then go find another hobby, preferably one where you don't have to have any contact with human beings. MWAN has always tried to have an open policy towards free speech (remember free speech, the U.S. Constitution?), and it would be a tragedy to see a few ruin this for so many. The editor has always been lenient and forgiving (I know from experience) and we owe at least this much in return. Don't fly off the handle and make stupid threats because you are offended by an article in MWAN. You threaten the enjoyment of all of us by such actions. Perhaps we, the readership, should be given the names of any such offenders so that we may take appropriate actions. But this would be vigilantism and would be just as bad. To potential authors for MWAN, try not to word your articles in such a way that they seem to be personal attacks. For an example of what not do, just see my attack on Dr. Paddy Griffith concerning Black Wargames. We must also show compassion in our writing. We must refrain from categorizing other gamers as unknowledgeable, or stupid when writing articles for this is guaranteed to cause anger. Simply accept that there are many sides to history, and everyone must make a choice when trying to come to decisions on what was and what wasn't. There is not exact science in the field of history or rules writing either. There are even several reasons why people participate in this hobby. Each is acceptable and "right" in the proper context and situation. State your point, don't get up on the soapbox. Remember Adolf Hitler started on a soapbox too. In closing, don't attack an editor for the words written by another. Direct any anger toward the person involved in writing the article. Hal has perhaps been too lenient with us (witness my own outburst at Dr. Griffith over "Black Wargames") and we have become spoiled. We have a duty and an obligation to give Hal both respect and consideration, to the fullest measure. If an article offends, be angry with the author and contact that person, and perhaps, you should take a closer look at yourself also. Maybe, the author was more correct than we would wish to be made to see. So "Be excellent to one another" and "Game on, dudes!"
Editor's Notes: Thank you, Stephen, for your most kind remarks! Again, as in my response to Barry's letter, I am responsible for what is printed in MWAN due to being the editor and can accept shortcomings in this area of my expertise. To address several other points Stephen made, the work involved in MWAN has been greatly reduced by the addition of those individuals who type articles; the many regular column writers; John Butler who provides mailing labels; and the many individuals who write articles and letters. These many individuals, as well as those who support it via subscribing and advertising, deserve a goodly percentage of the credit.
MWAN is a profit-making undertaking though it hasn't always been. If I did not make a profit, at this point of publication (over 500 subscribers), I could not afford financially to take a chance of publishing 108 pages each time. I am aware that there are those within the hobby who feel that the word "profit" is a four-letter word and that all efforts should be carried out "for the love of the hobby." I don't agree with this as I feel people should be reimbursed appropriately (or semi-appropriately!) for their efforts. I don't think I can retire on the "profits" gained from MWAN though it does allow me to provide additional income for my family which in turn provides my wife with a better outlook regarding my expenditure of time with MWAN! Lastly, I've stated it before, but if there is one thing I admire in people, it is the ability, as Stephen and others have exhibited, to see both sides of an issue and admit that perhaps they were too hasty in their prior remarks. This hobby is simply that, a hobby, and how we conduct ourselves as individuals, or "men" (to use a growingly forgotten term), is far more important!
From Derek Robertson
I have been involved in wargaming for at least 12 years, 8 of which I have been a member of the SOLO WARGAMERS ASSOCIATION. My favorite periods are the Jacobite Rebellion of '45, the ECW, the Seven Years War, and I would like to get into many other periods (if the wife allows!). I have quite a library of books on the Jacobite Rebellion era and would be happy to advise any of the MWAN on the period if they required help. If I can be of any help, please let me know.
Editor's Note: Thanks, Derek, for your kind offer. I have enjoyed your articles in LONE WARRIOR and I suspect, a number of MWANer's would enjoy a few articles on the Jacobite Rebellion. Hope to hear from you soon!
From Don Morse
Attended my first ORIGINS two weeks ago; great fun! Amazing what a large club can do with terrain. The group doing Frank Chadwick's WWII rules had a lot of ideas. One small example: base the two horses in Airfix German mountain infantry for use in representing horse-drawn artillery and wagons in WWII. Germans and Russians were heavily dependent on horses. When I got home, I bought a couple more of these figure sets. Also, your advertiser, STONE MOUNTAIN, gave some good painting tips. Bought some of their haystacks and they look nice. Also ordered some WWII packages in their catalog including "sangars" as used for defense in the North African desert, also tank and vehicle "dressing" including sandbags, I assume. Anxious to see how they look when I receive them. They also have a lot of the HOVELS beautifully painted. I want to wargame the Spanish Civil War 1836-38 and their 15mm Spanish buildings look very suitable for 20mm or small 25mm. Also, some nice Japanese buildings in the HOVEL range; look good for wargaming China in 1920-45.
From Lind Pratt
I'd like to see an article on painting tips and techniques that people use, both for speed and detail. I'm not a good or fast painter, and since we probably spend as much time painting as we do gaming, I would be interested in hearing short specific things various people have learned that have helped them. Not a rehash of basics, but maybe people could send in their own ideas. The flag detailing article in MWAN 40 was an excellent example. We need to share with each other as much as we can to help others.
From Mark R. Booth
Have been meaning to contact you re map printing/publishing companies in the U.S. I have tried two companies (Rand McNally and Mosa) without any success so was wondering if you could provide me with any more. Basically, I am after a map of Vietnam with the provinces and a military grid imposed over it instead of the blank and glossy one I have from a map company over here (BasthoCormew). Any help you can provide would be gratefully received.
Editor's Note: Don't know, Mark, but maybe someone else can help you. Hope so.
From Christopher Parker
Would like to tell my customers that I'm still in business. Our address is above. To all our old customers in the Northern New England area. THE TOY SOLDIER LTD is alive and well in West Newbury. Drop in during our hours (Saturday and Sunday 12-5 PM) to play a game, chat or pick up your gaming supplies. Our inventory is not the largest in the area now but we stock all the popular games, figures and magazines. And we can special order most products on the market. Can't make it in, we'll mail it to you. We also can make sales by appointment. Just call.
From Bill Stewart
Thanks for another great issue. I have especially enjoyed a VIEW TO A KHARKEE by Stephen Lawrence. If I was going to (or is that able to) write an article on a gaming period, that is how I would like to do it. Some of us around here are starting to dabble in 15mm American Revolution. Those new MINIFIGS, mixed with FREI KORPS, STONE MOUNTAIN, and FRONTIER, can make interesting militia units. There is some interest brewing in a small campaign using the GREENE'S SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN scenario from AVALON HILL'S 1776 boardgame. The tactical rules are an old Bet of 1:20 horse and musket rules written by Larry Brom (not Sword and Flame), imported from the Portland, Oregon gamers. The inspiration for the campaign, and a good deal of the 15mm figures, comes from my good friend, Wes Rogers. He may be tinkering with 25mm figures (as mentioned in his letter in MWAN #40) but he still paints a mean figure and plays a good game in 15mm. Back in MWAN #37, you mentioned in your editorial that you and Greg Novak played two games - a 25mm pirates game and a 15mm Major Dundee game. Would it be possible to get more information about these games? Maybe a short article even, covering rules, figures, scenarios, etc. Both of them should be very interesting.
Editor's Note: Glad you enjoyed Stephen's well-done article, Hill. Re Greg Novak's pirates and Major Dundee games; both use home-grown rules written by Greg though I think I recall him saying that his pirates rules were based on MINIFIGS LIMMEYS AND SLIMMEYS simple rules sets. Maybe Greg can be talked into sharing them with MWAN ,if he is not going to publish them. What do you say, Greg?
From Henry Wirth
Enjoyed Mr. Thomas' article. However, one point; the Russian infantry battalion described appears to be that current from 4-30-1802, not that current from DeTolly'e Reforms of 1810/1811.
From Fred Haub Jr.
I have a question for the readership. What is the small unit organization for WWII German and Russian infantry, all the way down to the squad level and what weapons they carried? I have been unable to find this information in the literature available to me. Names of good reference works concerning unit organization would also be a big help.
From Jules Glanzman
The Fred Vietmeyer article on standard rules for chess and wargames was great!
From Geoff McHarg
Gaming is going great here in Colorado Springs. We have a club that meets once a week. At least one miniatures game is played at each meeting. Last week we had a fair sized Seven Years War battle and two ancients games! Charlie Clay (published in the distinguished MWAN) and I have been blowing up WWII armor using COMMAND DECISION. It's quite a good set of rules in that conflict for the brigade-regimental level. Next month Charlie and I hope to start an ACW campaign using the SHENANDOAH rules. I think we will use an adapted set of ON TO RICHMOND for the battles. I was disappointed that I missed the SYW Association get-together this spring. Dave Parker and I are organizing a Rocky Mountain Regional SYW Association dinner this fall.
From Hal Thomas
Until recently I have done little wargaming spending my time on painting mostly 90mm figures but the terrific Samurai Dixon and Wargames Foundry figures along with GEO-HEX terrain and HOVEL buildings have lured me back. Although I subscribed to the British magazines the one magazine I missed the most was yours, similar to the way I felt about Scruby's old TABLE TOP TALK or Don Featherstone's WARGAMERS NEWSLETTER.
From Allen Curtis
I must keep my word to Paddy Griffith. In January, I was at Sandhurst for two and a half weeks to visit the Soviet Studies Research Centre. Stayed in the mess in Old College; every morning I stepped out of my room into a hall decorated with Ackerman uniform prints from 1854 and original watercolors from the Crimea, presented to the Academy by Louis Napoleon. Pestered the poor ladies in the library something awful, making photocopies. Three meals a day surrounded by French cuirasses from Waterloo. A weekend in Portsmouth at the Naval Museum (and Southsea Models), another in London at the National Army Museum Reading Room. Gaming with Drs. Griffith and Duffy. Heaven! I only embarrassed myself once. The Major from SSRC who greeted us and showed us around the grounds on our first day took us to the Indian Army Museum (all that's left of the NAM at Sandhurst) and the Academy's chapel. After I got done explaining to him who all the people were in the portraits in the Museum, and pointing out who wasn't buried in the chapel from various battles such as Isandhlwana, he took us to the Staff College - another trove of militaria (original Lady Butlers in the mess). From that point on, his standard introduction to diverse colonels on the directing staff included the caution, "Don't get him started on our Army's history. He Knows more than we do." Blush, blush. Anyway, after a couple of days we (I and the U.S. Army Major who was paying for this raiding expedition - an avid Napoleonic buff) found out that the gentleman we'd been chatting up each lunch and dinner in the mess was, in fact, one Christopher Duffy. He invited us to that week's WARDIG (War Studies Discussion Group) meeting; the topic was to be the Bicentennial of the French Revolution. We accepted with alacrity and pleasure. On the appointed evening, we presented ourselves at the meeting room, and met a small group of academic-looking citizen and citizeness wearing crepe paper caps of liberty. Hmm, must be townies; well. at least they brought the wine. We sat down. We drank the win (Yugoslav?). We heard Dr. Duffy present a witty resume of the French government's bungling of its Bicentennial preparations. We listened, in tolerant and superior amusement, as the "citizen" refuted Dr. Duffy on a number of points, employing revolutionary rhetoric. We followed along outside to the parade field, where the "citizen" celebrated the Revolution by launching small fireworks into the drizzling sky (causing no small confusion among the Academy's cadets on guard duty). During the impromptu and somewhat tipsy fireworks display, we discovered, to our shock, that the "citizen" was none other than Dr. Patrick Griffith, compatriot of Dr. Duffy in the Department of War Studies, at his iconoclastic best!
The next morning, a phone call to War Studies gamered us an invitation to Paddy's next committee game, based on the conquest of Algeria from 1830 on. You can figure out the general idea from the enclosed materials, but let me add a little. We had players for all the committee members listed, with Paddy as "the Spirit of France" - the source of all direction and information from "back home", and another gentlemen who (absolutely brilliantly) played "the Spirit of Algeria" - the native interface - with a towel for a burnoose. Chris Duffy played the CinC, I played Berthezene, my companion played Clauzel. Other Brits played the other committee members, with outstanding characterizations. De Bourmont fled to Spain, Denise embezzled millions and fled home, and the rest of us failed to make any headway in solving the problems of Arabs, colonists, and so on. We got up to about 1845 by the end of the evening, with the assistance of a lot more Yugoslav red. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. I asked Paddy for the materials to forward to you; whether you run them as a scenario in the magazine or just enjoy them is up to you. Finally, comments of MWAN's new look; I LOVE IT!
Editors Note: Thanks for the materials from Paddy's game; shall run it soon as I can. I have suspected for a long time that Paddy has contributed far more to the historical miniatures toy soldier end of the hobby than he, or most people .imagine via his "committee games". Howard Whitehouse ran a masterful committee game at LITTLE WARS '88 which I took place in and, as you experienced yourself, Allen, I enjoyed it greatly! Paddy has some great ideas which I think we can steal and use to the advantage of the "toy soldier" facet of the hobby.
From Rick Lindenmeyer
I'm in the process of building my first ever wargames table - 4' X 10'. It's very exciting as I will now, at times, have people over to my house to game. I've also found that it is easy to overextend oneself in the painting area. The hands can't keep up with what the eyes see and purchase and there is never enough time in the day to be able to work, devote time to the family, paint, wargame, sleep, eat, bathe, etc. What a mess! I'm in the middle of finishing up a 15mm Minifig Napoleonic Austrian Corps and waiting in the wings is the balance of an early French Renaissance Army (15mm Minfig); 1/285th W> German modern micro (130 GHQ vehicles); nine 15mm Minifig French Napoleonic battalions; 24 25mm Ral Partha Brotherhood of the Axe Dwarfs and assorted odds and ends. I have promised my wife to finish painting all of this before buying anything else. However, on the horizon I see 25mm Napoleonic figures from Connoisseur.... MWAN continues to amaze me with its diversity, good organization and commitment to the hobby. Well done, indeed! Kudos to Anne for devoting her time to "stick-on" all those labels. My oldest daughter, Kate, age 7, has started helping me paint some of my 25mm figures. She roughs in the flesh colors and I do the detail work. Great fun to work with her. My youngest is five and loves horses. Do I see cavalry units in my future? Editor's Note: Your activities, Rick, sound like many other wargamers I know. We never have enough figures, do we! Your mention of your daughter's involvement with painting is very nice indeed and I am sure the activity is enjoyed on both sides (Father and daughter). Our hobby can function, unless we watch it closely, to separate us from our families and it's always nice to hear family members being a part of it.
From David Nesbitt
I have been in the hobby for eighteen years and look forward to seeing your product on a regular basis. My personal interests lie in 5/6mm wargaming and look forward to reading some material on this popular (?) scale. I am also interested in writing a few articles myself; what guidelines and formulas would you wish me to follow?
Editor's Note: David, re guidelines, I include within each issue under the contents section, guidelines for submissions to MWAN. I'd be interested in an article, by you, on the 5/6mm gaming world. Your doing so may scare up some interest in that scale. Looking forward to hearing from you!
From Dave Nelson
I've never written an article for publication; but some friends and I are doing a campaign game here based on the German defense of the Mius River in July, '43 in 1/285th scale using COMMAND DECISION rules. Actually there could be enough for several articles - battle report - critical review of rules system - evolution of our (un-named) group's play from boardgames to miniatures. We get together most Friday nights but I expect it will be the end of the year before this game is over. I'll send an outline then to see what you think.
Editor's Note: Articles) sound great, Dave. I'm sure MWANer's would enjoy a campaign report!
From Dave Latz
Just purchased two Dixon "Age of Marlborough" 15mm army packs; French and British - with assorted additions, because I like the way they look. So far, the only thing I know about this period is what I've read in the rules books I've been able to find - MARLBURIAN WARFARE 1702-14 by Stuart Asquith. It would be appreciated very much if anyone with suggestions on reading material (particularly on Marlburian engagements, uniform and painting guides, and other rules sets) would get in touch.
Editor's Note: Good idea, Dave; if any MWANer has ideas for an article for MWAN on the subject(s), sure would be good to see them in print! By the way, Dave, thanks for your quality typing for MWAN!
From Wayne Downey
I'm writing to tell you about another MAN ON HORSEBACK. Like you, I believe the hobby is greatly indebted to the many people who give of themselves to improve or further in some way wargaming (in whatever form). People like Mike Montemarano, Bob Marshall, Hank Martin, and Bob Coggins (to name only a few) who take the time and responsibility to help organize conventions and/or host games at conventions are invaluable to the hobby and should be recognized and thanked for their efforts. Another such person is Bob Watts, a good friend of mine since childhood. Bob assisted in the organizing and running of COLD WARS '89 and is now in the process of establishing a wargames club for the Baltimore-Annapolis area. In addition, he is trying to establish a database (or "clearing house") containing names of gamers in the Baltimore/Washington Metro area, their addresses, and their interests. Cross-referencing interests (such as period, scale, etc) and address will hopefully help people find new gaming partners. To this end, Bob recently contacted a local newspaper and arranged (i.e. arm-twisted) an interview accompanied by color photographs. This is exactly the sort of thing that can be done most anywhere and I encourage other gamers to do so if at all possible. Bob is also going to contact a local PBS station and see if he can generate a little interest in doing a short spot on wargaming. Bob's efforts are to be commended and hopefully they'll inspire someone else to similar action.
Editor's Note: Thanks, Wayne, for taking the time to recognize the efforts of the forementioned individuals! This is the sort of thing I would like to see more of within MWAN - i.e. MWANer's recognizing the efforts of others - so feel free to write in and outline accomplishments of those you feel have given much of themselves! Some very good ideas are presented in your letter, Wayne, for increasing interest in our hobby. I personally know hundreds of individuals within this great hobby of ours and am frequently tempted to mention an individual's accomplishments within MWAN and at times, I do so. However, Wayne's fine letter has convinced me that it is a good idea to identify one individual whom I feel has made such contributions and mention them within each issue's editorial. Thanks for the push, Wayne!
From Wes Rogers
I can't fathom how anyone could paint 5600 figures, as you did for the ACW (15mm). I've been painting Napoleonics for over ten years and I have perhaps 3,000. Do you have any special techniques? I also took your statement about folding tables to heart. My wife, Margo, has a "Price Savers" card, and I saw they had two and a half foot X six foot or eight food folding tables for $35-40 each. After some budget inspection I bought four of the two and a half X six foot types. With the two 2' X 6' tables I already have, this allows me a space of up to 6' X 16' if I want to get really crazy. It also allows combinations of 5' X 6'; 5' X 7 and a half feet, 6' X 10' and 5' X 12'. I still need to make the sides (which now seem to be indispensable). Since the commercial tables are all exactly the same height, my Geo-Hex works much better. Margo also likes them to steal for her own projects. Almost done with the 25mm's I've been working on - now I think I'll do some 15mm AWi. Several of my friends are planning to do Cornwallis, southern campaign. I'm planning on doing some highlanders and several Tory units - De Lancey's, the Florida Rangers, the N.C. Volunteers, and the S.C. Volunteers. The nice thing about the AWI is that units can be quite small, even at a 1:20 scale. At 10:00 today I'm going over to Bob Mackler's house for a Franco-Prussian War battle. Bill Stewart and several other gamers will also be there. We are going to use a set of rules by Bill Koch for the period. This set uses no figure removal - which has never really appealed to me; but Bob and Bill are four-star painters, so I love to play in their games. I'll see if I can get organized and write a battle report.
Editor's Note: Would like to see the battle reports; the Franco-Prussian War is tempting to me! Re my painting techniques; I did an article on the subject sometime ago in MWAN and will redo it shortly. Firstly, my painting is only average wargames quality; nothing special. Since I paint so many figures, I am more concerned about getting them finished than I am about doing a first class paint job. I find that motivation to paint is very important to me. I keep track, in a ledger book, of the number of figures that I paint each day and keep month by month and yearly totals. I'll set goals for myself; i.e. ten figures a day, if I am really working hard on a period. I paint in groups of from ten to forty figures, many times of the same pose so that I know all of the characteristics of the figure pose which makes it easier to paint faster. I prime hundreds of figures at a time - now I spray paint while priming; dash on the coats for perhaps 10 to 40 figures and usually by the time I am finished with the last coat (I use water colors as they dry quickly), I can start on the trousers of the first figure. Being compulsive and a little crazy also helps!
From John Greer
Only "discovered" MWAN about a year ago - now it's my favorite WG publication. A lot of subscribers before me have likened MWAN to Donald Featherstone's WARGAMERS NEWSLETTER in style and approach and I heartily agree - don't know how you attract the writers - but your format and the overall content is the freshest breeze today in the hobby. Well Donel Am very sorry re your editorial and how even in our hobby, small and seemingly innocent, law suits are threatening any and all. A sign of the times perhaps, but a very sad one. You start realizing that you're advancing in years when things like a 31st anniversary in the wargaming hobby hits youl Even further I guess if you include things like the Marx Bets ALAMO, ZORRO, CAPTAIN VALIANT(?) OF THE FOREIGN LEGION, and who can forget the BLUE AND GRAY battle set? How many of us spent summer afternoons in the movies seeing classics like HELL IS FOR HERDS (Bobby Darin and Nick Adams), THE HORSE SOLDIERS, and eagerly seeking out the WWII movies on T.V. COMBAT and THE VALIANT MEN on TV was nirvana and who can forget the first viewing of SPARTACUS, ZULU, or WATERLOO? As we grew and discovered AVALON HILL games who didn't try to teach the games to any friend who would sit still long enough? I remember my good friend John in Brooklyn, in high school, and how on occasion we would "cut" class to go to his house and indulge in D-DAY and WATERLOO. No one ever knew. Anyone else remember all the military model kits of the late 50's and mid 60's? I probably bought them all - or at least as many as I could - fell in love with ONTOS, Revell's Sherman, jeep, armored car, howitzer, etc., all to the same scale (a rarity back then). Renwall's tank line and Monogram's WWII Navy aircraft and Frogmen Pick-up boat (Anyone got one of these boats? and want to part with it?). As we grew, I guess everyone's parents thought we'd grow out of the hobby - to their collective chagrin, we didn't. Times changed, the world changed, but our love for the military and history didn't. Even Vietnam didn't change it (at least for me). Anyone else out there a combat veteran? Not many in the hobby - would like to hear from vets - we share a bit of a different "style of wargaming" (mine was 69-70 Army,m infantry and MI, records, 9th Division, 5th Bn 60th). Can remember finding a book on heraldry in a Cu Chi, Vietnam Post library, teaching myself the language and then going on to years of one hundred years war and War of the Roses wargaming. Life is really strange sometimes. The 70's introduced SPI and hundreds of board wargames; the real wargames figure explosion; the start of wargame conventions before commercialism hit with a vengeance and took the "soul" out of the affair (my opinion again).
Conventions used to be gatherings of diehard enthusiasts who could get to know each other in a relaxed environment - small, and maybe a bit "quaint" to today's standards of bigger and showy. The first Ancients convention in the US were organized and hosted by local groups, SF and LA, California and really didn't number more than about 50 people. Competition games took place - to the S of A format using WRG 3rd Edition(!) but for the most part, the games were only friendly games emphasizing comrraderie, with much discussion and "BS-ing" taking place. At night we all went to a local pizzeria having secured a whole room for the group - and beer and pizza lasted to the wee hours. The last day, a "mega-game" was organized by the hosts - which all attendees took part. A fine cap to a nice experience. In LA in the 70's, the group I played with (there were many groups in the LA area) mostly played Ancients and Napoleonics - but with the advent of KINGMAKER, things changed a little. First, I loved this game and second, I went a bit crazy. One, I needed Scotland and Ireland - I added them to the game. Then, after two years of research, we began a KINGMAKER campaign - a new map, historically correct lineage and families, accurate heraldry (remember the book from Cu Chi), and Minifigs new Wars of the Roses line.
Over 50 players played in this postal campaign - some from a distance of 400 miles, met for actual "Parliaments", and played for some two years continuously, even spawning a "spin-off" - IRELAND that lasted another two years, and two annual "reunions" in which the players met and exchanged stories and boasted of their contributions to the hysteria. My moving to NY in '79 put an end to my medieval gaming - weren't many gamers in eastern LI - but finally we have a group of about eight who game mostly ACW, Ancients, and now, AWI. Having visited the Lake Champlain area extensively (Ft. Ticonderoga, etc) I, FIRST love Saratoga and second, went crazy, and now have an extensive campaign in progress involving Burgoyne's North Campaign (including the Mohawk). My library's fairly complete in the subject, and I'm regularly in correspondence with park officials and local historical societies in the regions, so my information is mostly accurate. The two sides are playing a postal game "blind" - they turn in their moves to me, and I advise each side if they've located any enemy by sighting or encounter. Should prove very realistic and enjoyable - both teams are eager to better their historical counterparts strategies. I just realized how much I've been rambling - but I'm so taken with MWAN and how you've taken a new tack on presenting the hobby in your pages that I wanted to reminisce with you a bit - funny but I feel like I know you a little and I'd like to meet a lot of the writers to MWAN.
Editor's Note: Thanks, John, for your interesting letter and kind remarks re MWAN! Enjoyed your letter greatly; the mention of monogram brought back some memories of the plastic 1/35th WWII figures that I collected and "tried" to paint! Also your letter made me recall the time that my family went camping in upstate NY and stopped at Ft. Niagara (an amazing place!). I must have been about 12 years old and my parents bought me a set of French Old Guard Grenadiers (I didn't know what they actually were at the time) 54mm's rubber figures. I still have them - actually they represent the only "toy soldiers" I still have from my childhood! They fought in many battles representing many different armies and I still take them out at times and "fondle" them. I just love it when someone writes in and discusses their introduction to toy soldiers as John has done in his letter. From letters received from MWANer's, I know the majority of you feel the same ways What a hobby! John, would like to hear the mechanics of your current campaign and anything else you'd like to write about. Re your comments re MWAN and Donald's WARGAMERS NEWSLETTER - nothing could warm my heart more as I LOVED Don's WN and the high point of my wargaming life was meeting him and spending time with him at the '88 ORIGINS GENCON convention! Hope to hear from you again soon!
From Joe Gretsky
Got my ACW 15mm figures from THE STANDARD BEARER of Charlottesville, VA. This is a very good place to shop for your gaming needs. It is owned and operated by a fellow wargamer, Dan Beattie. His service is fantastic) I've got 11 units of infantry, three artillery and one cavalry for each side. These are about 90% Stone Mountain and a few emitterings of Minifigs. I'm also sending for six units of infantry by Frontier. I've never seen any figures by Frontier by from what I've read, I can't wait to get my hands on them. I would like to get a few units of Essex, Alliance, Friekorps, etc., for variety. My unite are 12 figures, two to a 1"X1" stand, plus a command stand. My cavalry are single based figures of six to a unit. Sometime soon, I may do a battle report as I'm sort of hard pressed to write about something that would be interesting to the readership.
From Gerry Prokopowicz
A change I will be sorry to see in MWAN is the omission of controversial topics due to the fear of lawsuits. I practiced law in Chicago for a few years and I can assure any potential plaintiffs that they will be spending a lot of money and a very long time before they get anything approaching a result, at least in Cook/McHenry counties. Really, this demonstration of the chilling effect of the threat of litigation is a serious disappointment. It is similar, on a smaller scale, to the flag-burning controversy: A object to people who are disrespectful to the flag, but I object even more to the government telling me what I can and cannot say, especially when the political process already insures that anyone dumb enough to burn a flag and alienate 99% of the public has doomed whatever cause he or she was demonstrating for in the first place. I understand that in a hobby publication like MWAN, we seek relief from the discordant world around us by communicating with people who share our interests, and too much controversy interferes with that. But I would like to think that most wargamers are mature enough to express and accept disagreement in a friendly and mutually respectful way, so that we can enjoy the stimulation and progress that new and provocative ideas bring, without the harmful side effects of hurt feelings, personal attacks, or the threat of legal action. Keep up the good work)
Editor's Note: You make some very good points, Gerry; points which emphasize why I always wanted MWAN to have an open forum for discussion as I too believe that much can be gained by discussion and disagreements. Normally, I would not like being "scared off" by threats from unreasonable people but I strongly feel that this issue must be viewed, by myself, in a realistic fashion. Publishing MWAN is an extension of my hobby; doing so takes a great amount of time and energy and takes time away from my family; my wife, for years, has worried about lawsuits coming out of publishing MWAN; if one couples these facts, it becomes very easy to "accept" threats of a law suit and to "back down" from "jerks" as it simply is not worth itl If the issue is raised to the level of my livelihood then I can't back down but continuing on with MWAN depends upon my wife's blessing and me feeling that I am not endangering my family's financial state. Good to hear from you, Gerry.
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© Copyright 1989 Hal Thinglum
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