From Rich Barbuto: Well, it has been two years now since we opened a chapter of the Solo Wargamers Association here in North America and I wanted to give your readers an update on our activities. The SWA is in its twentieth year and has always had North American members but the time was ripe to provide association services a little closer to home. The experiment has been a great success as membership increased considerably. This probably had to do with the dramatic decrease in the cost of membership because we now print here in the U.S.

The association has been pleased to enjoy the services of George Knapp of Buffalo Books who hawks Lone Warrior, our quarterly journal, at conventions. The first issue of Lone Warrior printed in North America was LW 109 and we just distributed LW 116. As membership increased, so did the number of contributions for publication and I am pleased to say that our editor in the United Kingdom, Kenn Hart, has a constant flow of material.

The SWA always had a dozen or so play by mail games going on with players on all continents. These games were headquartered in Europe. Now, two folks on this side of the pond are game masters of play by mail games and their games are open to all SWA members. Jon Laughlin runs an ancients campaign centered on the nation of Volci while George Arnold runs Shenandoah, an ACW campaign. Both Jon and George are learning the ropes of running a game at a distance and I will soon publish their campaign reports in LW.

The SWA runs what is perhaps the largest wargaming lending library in the world. SWA members receive a five page list of holdings and can send for books, magazines rules, and newsletters for the cost of postage. However, this library was located in the UK and North American members could face stiff postage charges. Well, now we have a small branch library in the U.S. Kenneth Van Pelt is our librarian and loans out material for a month at a time. Some members have donated old magazines and club newsletters to the cause and I expect this service to be well used.

Our next initiative is to publish The Best of Lone Warrior. This volume will have articles which were published in the European edition that have not seen print in the North American edition. I hope to have this on the street in January.

As I close, I want to thank you public!, Hal, for your advice in setting up publication of Lone Warrior. My thanks also to Russ Lockwood for his candid reviews. It has all been helpful in making our venture Successful.

From Leo Walsh of TACTICAL CONFLICT SYSTEMS: To HMGS Board of Directors and other interested persons: This is a letter to bring to light an opportunity that we, as historical miniature gaming proponents, are missing. This is also a proposal for us to address this gap. Having attended conventions and shows that are too numerous to count over the years, I realized this summer at Origins and especially at Gencon that there is a huge "seed" gaming community that needs to be shown our gaming medium. Over the years I have run historical miniature events at "fantasy" oriented conventions and have always had full tables (and many extra players as well). Most of these players were not miniature players and the few who were, not mostly historical players. About half of the players were under the age of 18 and many of them were primarily card or boardgame players. All enjoyed the games they played and many tried others.

It has been my experience that my role in putting on the games was not only to sell products but to let new players experience a different type of gaming than they normally dealt with at home. Now, like most of us, I was a player long before I became a manufacturer or dealer. I have played in and run games for years and at these shows, where they charge money for players, I run them for free or take no money myself. I enjoy putting on games as do many others of our groups.

At Origins they usually do a good job of getting miniature games put in a good location or at least having demo games in a visible location. This year, however the majority of miniature games were held in a really nice room but in an out of the way area. We did not experience the pass through of numbers of spectators that we had seen in the past. I did have good full tables of registered and generic players, however. At Gencon it became obvious to me that there was a definite lack of miniature games this year and the main miniature gaming area was in a "way back and left out" location. There was virtually no spectators passing by and the area was crowded. I began to look at other ways to bring our gaming to the front.

The answer was found in the exhibition hall. That is where the big companies do it right. They know how to promote what they want to sell. I realized that is what I needed to do and in looking at the mix of other historical miniature gaming groups and manufacturers in attendance, I realized that is what we in HMGS needed also. We need to show our wares to the ever expanding hobby market. Those card players, role players, computer and boardgamers will at some time be interested in other gaming. If they know we exist and that our type of gaming is fun, interesting, and no more expensive than their current games we may add them to our ranks. This is the target group we need to address, not the general population alone.

With that in mind I spoke to Chris von Fahnestock of Outland Games, another proponent of historical miniatures and we began to poll the other dealers in historical miniatures that were in attendance at Gencon. We all would like to see HMGS have a presence at these shows to attract more and newer people into historical miniatures.

What I would like to propose is that through HMGS National we coordinate our efforts. It would make a tremendous impact if we could have demonstration games going on all during the time that the exhibition hall is open and at any time during the gaming periods. We should also "tag" any games we run with a "sponsored by HMGS" notice. In the area that the demonstration games are being held, HMGS should have handouts of old programs from Cold Wars, HISTORICON, and any of the regional cons that have been held to show what we are all about. We should also have any promotional fliers and announcements of future events (Fall In... ). We should have displays of miniatures and armies, photographs, posters, videos, etc. And we need people that will represent HMGS to talk to the throngs.

To completely grasp the effort we need to put out all we have to do is look at what companies like Games Workshop, TSR, and those card companies do to promote their parts of the hobby. They are very successful in getting the attention of the masses. We need to fight fire with fire instead of taking the leftovers and accepting the gradual decline of miniature gaming. The way to do this is to combine our efforts into a solid coalition of HMGS, gamers, and dealers.

I have already had all positive words from all who I have contacted and they are willing to do their part. I would suggest that HMGS National work with the regional groups to make this successful. Herb Gundt has told me that the HMGS group and gaming club from his area are very willing to work with us in this venture. Manufacturers such as Simtac, 19th Century Miniatures, Goblintooth Miniatures, GHQ, Outland Games, as well as TCS and others are also willing to help. There will be a financial outlay, of course, for the booth space, printed materials, and other additional factors, depending on how far this would be taken. I know that the people at Origins and at Gencon are interested in better participation with HMGS, but we need to be ready to work with them when the time comes. I know that all of the HMGS regional groups do not always coordinate well but in this effort it will benefit all of us, as these two conventions are national and even international in attendance.

This effort could be done in many ways but I would like to suggest how such an operation could be done as a starting point for discussion:

HMGS National to contact all regions to organize interest and to coordinate efforts.

HMGS East to provide seed money for booths, etc. The biggest return should be in bringing new people to Cold Wars, HISTORICON, and Fall In.

The Regional HMGS groups to provide displays, promotional material for their activities and general manpower at the booth to talk to the masses. With the purchase of the booth we would receive a good number of free badges.

Through the Regions and National we should select or find volunteers to run various demo games of a wide variety in the booth. These games should have the absolute best visual dismays, easy to understand rules and have gamemasters and helpers with open positive attitudes. We need to cover a lot of territory here and we don't need to compete with each other over scales and rules. I'm sure that many, if not all of the manufacturers and publishers can be counted on to provide needed items. It might be good for one regional group or one club to handle this coordination.

Other miniature games should be run in the gaming areas and I know some of the manufacturers will have their own demo tables at their booths as well. If possible it would be a good idea if the dealers and manufacturers try to locate their booths in the vicinity of the HMGS demo area to make a greater impact.

Manufacturers could supply needed display materials and other support. Many of them have contacts of persons to put on great demo games too.

There should be at least an HMGS booth with as many as 4 or 6 demo tables.

There are probably many other suggestions that could be made. I will continue to promote this hobby through demo games and by word of mouth. This kind of effort is nothing compared to what we can all do when we can all speak together then we will be heard. I hope that we can get something going along these lines.

Please feel free to contact me. To coordinate this effort we need to be very timely as Origins and Gencon will begin their efforts for 1997 very soon. Origins has already sent out their 1997 packet and GenCon will be along soon. Booth space generally costs about $500.00 per booth space. Part of that cost could be kept down by running demo games at Origins in the special area they usually have just outside the dealer area.

I will be sending copies of this letter to other HMGS members, newsletters, and interested persons to see what kind of feeling there is towards such a project. From Glenn Bianchi: I know you are busy with MWAN and your own affairs, but since your periodical deals with miniature wargaming and you know a lot of people in the hobby, and you are from Illinois, I thought I would let you know my thoughts on the hobby to stir some ideas out of you.

My background. I have been in the realm of miniature wargaming for about 15 years. I'm now 30 and am having the hardest time finding a group to game with. At one time I was completely thrilled with the Emperor's headquarters and their Monday night wargame college. The college was where wayward players like me could meet and play a game and feel like we were really part of the hobby (thanks to Tony Adams). When the Emperor's headquarters stopped doing that I was back to not playing at all. I think my main point is - the Monday night gaming session should have been a recruiting ground for gaming clubs.

I have often read in you periodical about people saying that Sci-fi/Fantasy is where the wargaming hobby should recruit new members from. I feel the hobby should recruit within itself. Look at me. I have been collecting armies, and painting, and dreaming, and planning for 15 years. Mind you I enjoy this. Its just that after a while a person wants to play with their toys. I dream of joining a club where everyone's resources are pooled together for everyone's enjoyment.

I appreciate all the information contained within the pages of MWAN. I like reading the letters. I like reading the product reviews. Yet so far, I have yet to see any information on wargaming clubs in Illinois. I would think that with the Emperor's headquarters in Chicago, the Chicagoland area would have lots of clubs. I have gone through the whole list of 60 clubs that were mentioned by John Stafford in his reoccurring "Wargame Clubs of America" article. Where is Illinois???? This brings up more thoughts. If the wargaming hobby is so concerned about membership, why are clubs (if there are any) not advertising themselves to new members? I know you might say I should join HMGS, but I would like to hob-nob with a club first. I would hate to join HMGS and find out that there truly are no clubs in the Chicagoland area. I would be back to square one.

I've often wondered where the revered leaders of our hobby game are. An excellent case in point is Todd Fisher who is heavily involved with the Emperors Headquarters. He must game, but where does he game and with who? I would think there should be a huge club associated with Emperor's Headquarters but there isn't.

Back to the Monday night War College, which could have been a proving ground where wargamers could show their dedication to the hobby and their desire to belong in a club. Yet, I've mainly seen small groups of people playing in the back who are not part of any club or are they? I never notice any flyers for clubs or information about clubs.

Which brings up my last thought. I feel the wargaming hobby (at least locally) is full of good old boys who do not want to introduce new people into their groups. I'm sure that if a group of old grognards were playing they would invite bystanders to play but I do not think they would follow that up with an invitation to return another day or play with them constantly as a club member. I guess this is why I'm writing.

I'm frustrated. I'm tired of running into dead ends. I'm hoping that with your vast resources and connections, I may soon get into a club as exciting as the ones that report to your periodical with their clubs happenings. If not I guess I could move someday.

Maybe after writing this my chances of getting into a club in Chicago are about nil anyway. Thank you for reading this. I hope you do care about these feelings. I would also hate to think I'm the only one out here who feels this way. If possible I would like to know your thoughts. I've enjoyed the insights you have expressed in your editorials. I can also be contacted at 847-286- 1056 between 8Am and 5PM pr 847-675-7339 after 6PM. You may use my letter if you'd like to stir some conversation/debate in your magazine.

(Editor's Note: Well, Glenn, you do seem to possess some frustration, no doubt about that. I'm sorry you are at this stage. I think you have a good point stating that "the hobby should recruit within itself " As regards wargaming clubs in Illinois, well, I don't know quite what to say. It is really up to individuals to decide if they wish to send information to John Stafford concerning their wargaming groups/clubs; I don't really know why their aren't more clubs in the Chicagoland area who wish to recruit members.

Regarding your statemnet about the "revered leaders of our hobby game" I feel strongly that no one has an obligation to do anything they don't wish to do in this hobby in which we play with little toy soldiers. I don't understand you taking the "revered leaders of our hobby game " to task for the problem you describe yourself as experiencing.

Personally, I ~used to hold games at my house weekly for a long time, and then I started a wargames group at the hospital where I am employed. It grew to a quite large group and it was enjoyable, but I did get tired of the responsibility of running the group and ~turned it over to someone else. It lasted a few more years and then just died a natural death.

In the last four years or so, I have had one game at my house and that has been the only wargame I've participated in. Sometimes I think would enjoy having more, but there just isn't the time to do it. I suspect that many other hobbyists are in the same position. They may have found a few friends over the years whose company they enjoy and share a common interest in periods/scales as well as sharing a philosophy of gaming. Who can blame them for being satisfied with reaching that stage within the hobby? I sure can't. I don't think they owe anything to anyone as regards "spreading the word.

If I were you, Glenn, I would take the initiative to start a group on your own. Put up a sign at THE EMPEROR 'S HEADQUARTERS, invite people over your house for a game on a regular basis; the 'revered leaders" went through that for years and may be tired out. It may be someone else's turn now. Run an ad in MWAN looking for interested gamers; offer to sponsor a game at your local hobby shop or library; there are many ways to get a group together. Give it a try and let us know how it works!)

From Karl Gaarsoe: I read a Don Wolffs copy of MWAN; someday I will have my own subscription. Wargaming in New Mexico is incredibly sterile. I attempted to run a DB, tournament at the latest excuse for a con ("Gaming Conspiracy"), June 28-30. All miniatures provided hauling sixteen armies, terrain & etc in to try and recruit gamers to the hobby. No one bothered to show up, and I had sent email and letters to all the people I know of who might have been interested. Two of my regular opponents were playing in a CCG tournament running at the same time. I did have an army to award as a prize, courtesy of The Quartermaster (Falcon Figures). Kudos to Steve Quinn for his assistance.

The matter at hand is I saw a note on a catalog received from "Falcon Miniatures" of Medford MA in a recent issue. A couple of issues ago there was a half-page ad. Well, I'm still waiting for the figures I ordered from them. Hell, I'm still waiting for an army I ordered three years ago. Could you furnish me with the address of the UK manufacturer.

(Editor's Note: Karl, thanks for your letter; won't do any good to give you the address of the UK manufacturer as the figures are produced by FALCON in the US. I shall send your letter on to FALCON and ask them to address the situation).

From Larry D. Amiin: I must admit to being a frequent reader of MWAN for several years, but always on Bill McHarg's dime. However, because of a happy event that occurred from a letter in your last issue, I feel it is my honor and obligation to subscribe as a way of saying thanks. A reader recommended Articles of War as an excellent source of books, and included their e-mail address. I figured "what the heck" and fired off a request for a 2 volume set of books I've been seeking for at least 10 years. I got a phone call from Larry at the store the next day, saying he had them! Well, needless to say, I had them less than a week later and I am one happy camper!

From Paul Hannah: You have encouraged readers to share with others stories of outstanding customer-service. Here's a recent success-story which deserves mention. I called in an order to OUTLAND GAMES in Ohio for 15mm "Rank and File" Russo-Turkish War figures I'm painting (to be used with PIQUET rules). The order included not only a selection of packs, but also sixes-of-this, twos-of-that. etc., making it a time-consuming order to fill. The order was placed on a Tuesday. It was in my mailbox, across country in Seattle, on Friday of the SAME week!! (I had not requested rush- service.) Everything but a special-backorder was included, as requested. The figures may take me months to paint, but this speedy service has already prompted me to call in another small order. Excuse me, Hal, while I go check my mailbox! --Thank you, Chris and Gloria, for your superb service.

From Bill Hogan:I have been following the MWAN for several years with much admiration. I'm glad you made the decision to continue. You should get burned out more often if this is the result.

You may be asking "Why don't I subscribe if I follow the newsletter? Well, it gives me a reason to go down to the gaming shop every so often and browse. With two teenagers you just need to get out of the house. I read the magazine cover to cover even though I don't game in all the periods. The rule sets are great as well as the thought pieces. This is the only forum where a philosophy of gaming is developed. The final bonus is the newsletter has a market value for trade or sale long after I've used the material. Keep up the good work.

From Wilbur E. Gray. National Coordinator. Historical Miniatures Gaming Society. National Board of Directors, 2727 Duke St.. Apt 1106. Alexandria, VA 22314: I read with interest Steve Verdoliva~s (National Representative, HMGS Pacific Southwest) proposal in your last MWAN. The document had already been circulated to the National Board and I am happy to say that most of Steve~'s concerns have either been allayed or overtaken by events.

First, I would like to note that HMGS East, while flattered and sympathetic to Steve's initiative, believed the proposal inappropriate and declined his suggestion to run HMGS national affairs. However, many positive changes have taken place and continue to do so. As this memorandum indicates one of those changes has been my appointment as National Coordinator (properly National Communications Coordinator) vice Clay Smith who resigned for family and work related reasons. Clay recommended me (or Major Bill Harting of HMGS Midsouth) as a replacement due to my work on the HMGS East Board as Secretary and Newsletter Editor, positions which I still retain. I was approved for this position, which has been designated as an impartial and nonvoting administrative position, at a National Board meeting held at HISTORICON on 19 July 1996.

At this same meeting many issues were resolved. The provisional admission of a Florida based group as HMGS South was amicably concluded. Also, Dick Sossi of HMGS East was given authority to investigate the purchase of national liability insurance coverage for all HMGS sponsored events. As National Coordinator, the Board specifically tasked me with several projects, to include the publication of a monthly information report for all Board Members,investigating an increased Internet presence for HMGS National and a complete revision of the National Board's Bylaws. Jeff Howard of HMGS Tornado Alley and new Board Chairman has also suggested formal meetings more than once a year with a possible option of a Board meeting this November at the HMGS South Hurricon Convention.

Jeff would like to see an expanded role for National, to include such areas as charitable contributions to promote the hobby, centralized membership and hobby shop databases, as well as at least quarterly reports to all HMGS Chapters for Newsletter inclusion. All in all the National Board seems to have taken a big step by putting aside past differences and indicating a willingness to more actively contribute to serving the hobby. Certainly many challenges remain, and performance (not words) will be the final arbiter as to whether we triumph or fail, but the entire National Board is eager to be tested in this regard. ~

We hope all HMGS members and potential members will keep a close eye on us as we "begin the march," and we invite any and all suggestions as to how we might serve the hobby better. Thanks for allowing me to address some of Steve's concerns in your fine magazine. Take care, please keep in touch and (always) watch those flanks!

From Brent Oman: It seems that it has been some time since I have written a letter of any length - so here goes! First of all, I have to applaud the continuing great job you do with MWAN. I can only imagine the amount of work it must take to prepare each issue. The color cover really makes a great impression! I do have to confess to missing the "old days" somewhat, though. MWAN used to feel like a hidden treasure that only a lucky few knew about! With word of mouth and constant positive reviews in other publications, the "old days" appear to be long gone.

Don't get me wrong - new blood is always vital to keeping any endeavor alive - I just miss the articles by Novak, Glidden, Dake, etc.... My shelf full of MWAN issues is one of my most prized possessions! Any time I need a'spark" for an idea or inspiration, I'll just pull out an old issue and see what pops out. I'm never disappointed.

I'm enclosing a few pictures of some of my 25mm collection showing my basing technique. I've refined it a bit since I sent in the article regarding basing techniques. I no longer use Acrylic Gel Medium. I have a Tupperware container that has a mixture of sand and varying coarseness of model railroad ballast. I first glue on different sizes of Talus (model RR "fake" rocks) to add the more dramatic rocky effects. After that has set up, I thin down some carpenter's glue with water and paint it on the base. A quick dip into the sand/ballast mixture completely covers the stand and thoroughly hides the figure's bases. After allowing the glue to set for a few hours, I can then proceed with the usual painting, drybrush highlighting twine for grass clumps, and flocking. I receive more comments on the bases than ever before. Actually, I look forward to finishing painting the figures for a unit just so I can move on to finishing the stands. It has become my favorite activity!

I'm also enclosing a reduced size photo copy of the cover of the book "Touched with Fire". Knowing of your interest in the actions in the South Pacific (New Guinea, Buna, etc.) this book will probably really fire you up! I just purchased it, but the first third that I have read (and a quick overview of the other contents) is very interesting. Just the thing to make me want to start a collection and game a new period! I'm not sure which way I would go - 15 or 20mm. For Western Europe I am using 15mm Old Glory, but since the Pacific battles were primarily infantry actions, I'm toying with the idea of using 20mm for a little more visual impact. I'm currently about half way through my 25mm Austrian SYW collection. I'm exclusively using Old Glory's figures - just a fantastic variety of poses and character. I'm aiming for 8 battalions of Austrian musketeers, 2 combined Austrian grenadier battalions, 4 Hungarian musketeer battalions, I combined Hungarian grenadier battalion, 3 to 4 artillery batteries, I or 2 Grenz battalions, and 2 each of hussars, cuirassier, and dragoons. Obviously, this will take me a while to complete, but I've really been enjoying this project. All of the battalions will have 12 figures, all cavalry regiments will have 8 figures, and all artillery batteries will have 2 guns, 6 gunners. At some point before I finish the Austrians, I will probably start a companion Prussian army of similar proportions.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?), ones attention always strays to the next project and period. I will probably be doing 15mm WWII (Germans/Russians) next, but I've been thinking about the next "project" I'd like to attempt. I'm leaning pretty strongly towards the Sikh Wars. The beautiful Wargames Foundry range and the large numbers of magazine articles that have recently been published have really been catching my eye! Also, it would give me a reason to do my terrain hexes a second time in a more desert/colonial theme.

The Sikh wars strike me as having a nice balance of the horse and musket and colonial period feel all rolled into one period. I would probably do 3 or 4 English battalions, 9 or 10 native battalions plus supporting arms. The Sikhs would have roughly the same number of regulars, plus 3-5 units of irregulars, and also more artillery batteries. I'd be interested in hearing more about your Sikh war project. Other gamer's projects always serve as inspiration! Other potential projects awaiting my attention are 25mm Romans/Gauls (Old Glory), 25mm ACW (Old Glory, Ist Corp, Firing Line), 25mm ECW (Redoubt), 25 mm Napoleonics (Elite), and 25mm AWI (Old Glory).

I put on a Piquet: Hallowed Ground game at the CMH club meeting this past Sunday afternoon. I used my 25mm Franco-Prussian figures (Wargames Foundry) and hex terrain. The Prussian force was tasked with seizing a crucial crossroads town from the defending French. The Prussian CIC played the part perfectly, shelling the French for a scale 2 hours! After taking losses without dealing out much damage, the French CIC launched an attack towards the Prussians (leaving his cover and town behind!) After a fierce firefight, the Prussians prevailed and eventually seized the town. We played with 19 Prussian units, 16 French units, and had a definite conclusion in 3 hours. Well it appears that I have managed to fill up some paper so I will stop using up your valuable time! Remember, any time you are in or going through the Denver area - let us know! Bob Jones, Ed Meyers, and myself would love to take you out for dinner and a game of Piquet!

From George Johnson~: The dust has finally settled after our return from HISTORICON leaving time for a written report. Rick Caras, his son and I left two days early to give us time to tour Antietam, Harpers Ferry and Gettysburg again. This gave us enough lead time for me to arrive at the Con and get set up as a dealer hours before the show started. There wasn't a lot of new stuff to peruse, although I managed to buy a pair of European churches from Architectural Buildings out of the Carolina's. The Gurnsey Foundry figures were every bit as nice as all of the rave reviews they have received. Fire & Fury Eastern Scenario book was top notch, which is what we have come to expect from Rich Hasenauer and crew.

Our friends, Steve and Steve, at 19th Century Miniatures seemed to be doing a brisk business selling the 15mm BATTLE HONORS figures in Pewter at the new lower prices. They also came to the show with a new line of resin cast of 15mm ACW gunboats and ships.

"Talon" computer games got shut out for a booth, but have both the new Shiloh and Waterloo games available.

On Friday night I hosted a 15mm ACW game, the Union right flank at Stone's River. This was my first opportunity to put cut the new acrylic river sections, and they really did look great with underbrush and lichen along the banks.

Bruce Meyer from Hong Kong was the guest of honor for the second annual Hong Kong memorial ACW' battle.' He and a fellow member of the Hong Kong Wargamers group, William McIntyre, teamed up with Rick Caras to soundly whip the Union players. As usual I failed to take along a camera to record the festivities.

Attendance looked very well, with many people parking on the hotel lawns on Saturday. Tom Wirsing made the long drive down from Normal, IL. with his son, and he is my number one salesman. Tom hopes to enter the mail order market with newly painted 15mm pewter WWII figures by the end of this year. With the introduction of the new OLD GLORY line of 15mm WWII, we feel that there should be a real increase in interest in gaming WWII in 15mm.

From Joel Gregory: It has been a long time since I have written to MWAN, or read the newsletter, since I had to let my subscription lapse (with #58)- Oh! foolish fellow that I am. But, I am back at it again, since I picked up one of the new issues at Little Wars this last March, and just recently purchased some back issues from Rick Gates, a gentleman for whom I paint figures. Hal, the new look is great and it is time to subscribe again. But, despite the faux pas of letting my subscription lapse, I have been able to experience some good things in the wargaming hobby.

First, I was able to attend several different conventions over the last few years: Origins, HISTORICON, and Little Wars. I really enjoyed the latter two, but all three did generate painting for my painting service, which is what keeps me wargaming and able to attend the convention. The real plus of attending the conventions is the meeting of new people from all over the United States who share the same interest, meeting the different vendors from whom we mail order these wonderful figures, and seeing all those various products that put us into a tail spin of a new time period or enlarging the one we already have too much but greatly enjoy. The last Little Wars convention was something to remember. I did not have much of a chance to game, (having a dealers' table but there were many other things to remember.

First, my middle son really enjoyed participating in the Battletech games. Now, he and his younger brother play Battletech with their friends, with the younger having a growing interest in historical games. Second was meeting a gentleman for whom I have painted figures in the ~past. We renewed acquaintance and I am again seeing his figures in the my mail. Plus, it was nice to talk to~ some individuals who said, "I played in your game last year and really enjoyed it!", after which we talked and got to know one another better.

Basically, I agree with Featherstone and others who state that "Wargaming is more about camaraderie between gamers than winning or losing." This last year our American Civil War gaming group has almost vanished, due to three fellows that believe winning at all cost - which means our opponents figures must die while ours march across the table - is all that really matters. Those who made my trip to Minneapolis worth the time to participate in this monthly event have left the group, thus it has been a several long months since I have participated in a ~ACW game.

But, not to fear, another gamer from the group and I have started to play War Paint and other skirmish level Old West games in 25mm. The other fellows just march on arguing with each other over the same rules, wondering why is the group getting smaller and we're not there to game with them. Oh, well!

The third thing that took place at Little Wars this year was my meeting those fine two Steves from 19th Century Miniatures. Their booth was behind my table. We talked some during the weekend, but on Sunday I showed them a series of ACW ships that I did for 15mm gaming. They asked me If I could make some masters for production and resale since they have had many requests for ships in that time period and scale. The ships went on sale at HISTORICON in July. Right now there are nine ships available: Monitor, Double turreted Monitor, Osage, Union gunboat, James River Gunboat, Double Ender, Large Confederate Gunboat/Ram (Side wheel), Smaller Gunboat/Ram (side wheel), Six gun casemate Ironclad. Plus there will be several more released this late fall. (P.S. - If they do not sent you any ships for review, let me know and I will make sure that you get some).

The most interesting part of Little Wars was the trip home. My son and I left Chicago about 1 PM headed back to North Central Minnesota. We had heard that they had experienced Ice and Snow the night before and that predictions were for more on Sunday night with the storm headed for the Chicago area. We booked it on out of there and by late that afternoon were almost to the western edge of Wisconsin when we ran into the storm and were forced to a snails pace with several short delays. Then, about 4 miles from the Wisconsin/Minnesota border, we came to a dead stop for about an hour, watching small icy snow drifts turn into large icy snow drifts. It was a long trip from the border to the Twin Cities, but there we found shelter at my mother's place. The next day was sunny, but we still had about 50 miles of icy roads to pass over going north before we would be out of what was the storm center. I hope to go again next year, but hopefully there will no snow - a chance we take.

The other project that I have been working on lately, is a card system via Featherstones' idea for solo wargaming, (due in part to the distance that I have to travel to game) with the option of also using it to create an element of chance (the unknown) into a game. The idea is to create two types of cards: (1) Major happenings and (2) Minor things. A major happening might be something like a flank commander falling to carry out attack/retreat orders for so many turns. A minor thing might be something like a wheel breaking on a limber via a random die roll. Now that broken limber wheel could become a more major item if it is at the front of a column, thus hindering a more rapid movement of the troops behind. But, than that is the nature of war. The major cards are only drawn once every three or four turns. The minor cards are drawn every turn. In multiple player games, the minor cards are drawn by all, whereas the major card is only drawn one per side, either on the same game turn. What I am still working on is more ideas to put on the cards, especially the minor cards, related to ACW.

From Henry Thomson: I'm still proofing the game system I'm working on. Hope to have it ready within 6 months. I just finished a medieval- fantasy (magic spells, dragons and monsters) game. It's an all day campaign game for eight players, for our convention here in Portland Oregon this October. It's for people who never played wargames before, mostly for the younger fantasy players. It's to let them see what wargaming is about. The campaign allows players to enter, drop out later, and still re-enter again. Knowing that I never saw any articles about fantasy playing in MWAN before, I hope that maybe you'll make an exception. The campaign/convention game is solely designed to give new blood into our hobby. (Editor's Note: Thanks for your letter, Henry; would be glad to run an article on your game system as long as it isn 't a fantasy system. I feel strongly that MWAN should consistently concentrate on historical miniatures wargaming; there are many publications catering to fantasy already.)

From K. Kearney: While perusing MWAN #80, I noticed David Luff's listing of rules from MWAN. There are many interesting titles from issues that I never read, but I'm not going to order all those back issues. Have you considered publishing a book of MWAN rules? I'd certainly buy it! (Editor's Note: There are not many back issues of MWAN available anyway; I have thought about doing a special issue on either rules published in past issues of MWAN or doing a special issue on back issues. However. this would be very time consuming to put together. I wouldn't be able to scan very much so it would require typing hundreds of pages. I've had a number of requests to copy rules for people from back issues and l try to stay away from this as it is very time consuming and I don't have the time to even think about it. Will give it some more thought after I finish this issue)

From Jeff Baumal: I love the new MWAN, not that I didn't love the old one. Please keep my ad running; the response from MWANers was great. I've met some new people through the mail and over the phone. What a great bunch of guys these MWANers are! Our wargaming group, THE LAST PANZER, has a new address, listed above. Phone number is 954- 925-2877 or 305-658-8441. Our club will be doing a battle in North Africa, 1941 on the road to Sollom. The battle is about the British trying to seize an Arab village (garrisoned by Italians) and an old FFL fort - also held by Italians - with Matildas, Australians, British, Gurkas, and a jock column. All interested are welcomed to attend.

From John Mumby: We just had our September convention - TACTICON - The Mexicans won the battle of Palo Alto! We used MANIFEST DESTINY from the COURIER and MUSKET MINIATURES figures. Everyone had a great time as the battle went back and forth. A recent archeology magazine had a great article by Charles Haecker concerning Palo Alto. Larry Armin gave us a great lesson in how Confederates can beat Yankees in FIRE AND FURY (MUSKET MINIATURES figures again!). After hosting two games on Saturday, Terry Shocky and I ran our DBA Generalship and Killer Army tournaments. This year we had 15 gamers. These were our smoothest running tourneys yet. Attendance was close to 1,000 again this year. We are looking forward to GENGHIS CON in February.

From George Dullaghan: I'm enjoying the new MWAN; just a few thoughts about some movies I've seen recently. THE BRUCE by Cromwell pictures has a 25 minute battle at the end (Bannockburn) which is excellent. Next year they are planing a movie about the entire Zulu War written by Ian Knight according to a brochure they sent out. Should be excellent. I found a movie called THE LAST STAND which is about the Maori Wars. The Maoris build a pa and it is above average. I read Montcalm and Wolfe by Parkman. He is a genius from the last century and his work is stirring. I also finally read Howard Whitehouse's book about a man who was an engineer in the Zulu War - A WIDOW MAKING WAR. It was quite touching and brought home to me that war is always wrong if one man dies.

How did you lose the 50 pounds? Congratulations on giving up the tobacco. One cigarette per day increases heart attack risk by 1600%.

Here's how I game the Sikh Wars in 15mm. Dixon makes"Mutiny" figures. The Loyal Sikhs can be painted in red or white coats and look fine for the Sikh regular infantry. Minifigs makes Sikhs for early and late Indian wars that can be painted with red coats and Old Glory French Guard artillery could be Sikh cannoneers. It would be fine to use any "Eastern" 15mm horsemen without a bow as a Sikh cavalryman. The same is true for the irregulars which could be Ottomans or Afghans. For the British, I just use Napoleonic British from Essex and say that they aren't wearing their Havelocks that day. An alternative is to paint a Mexican-American with a redcoat and white cap. Sepoys can be made from Dixon 15mm or Mining Sepoys. All in all, a very colorful mixed bag on the table.

Much fun can be made from self important role playing such as "The Sikhs are brave and fierce but can't stomach the cold steel of our lads in a bayonet charge" or "80th Bombay are good blokes as long as their Officer are there to steady them." Such is the lore of Empire. I'm still trying to get my armies organized by the end of the year but those Adowa figures are beckoning. My Spanish Civil War is done; PETER PIG and MINIFIGS.

Right now I'm reading about the war between the Chinese and Japanese from 1937-1941 and I'm using Chuck Cook's QUALITY CASTING figures for the Korean War as well as WWI Germans (the Germans trained Chiang's army) and WWII British as the Chinese had a polyglot army. There were millions of casualties in this unknown war. I was also surprised recently to read that the Taiping Rebellion was the second largest war in Man's history! So I'm having Boxers painted as substitutes. I'm turning 45 soon, Hal and thanks to you and Orv Banasik's writings, I'm going to try and finish my collections in the next year and after this, just have special units and command units painted. (Editor's Note: I like to hear how gamers put together armies for periods in which there are no clearly defined figures, George. Sounds good to me! I lost sixty pounds by jogging five times a week and watching what I eat, George. I have really grown to enjoy running - I don 't run fast - 10 minute miles, but am working up to eight plus miles. Unfortunately, I have fallen off the wagon with the smoking, much to my dismay! It is something that haunts me!)

From Bill Widrick: I'm sitting here on the couch watching my ten year old son play with some 25mm French Napoleonics I gave him for his birthday. The figures I had been sitting in my closet for about ten years. Watching him play with them is the most enjoyment I ever got from them myself. I had purchased a few packs of Minifigs and then decided to go to 15mm. Hadn't realized how much I missed MWAN until I got the back issues. Got me all fired up to play with my tanks again. My, how things have evolved over the last couple of years. Lots of new distributors/suppliers; new names in the letters column and articles. Great to see some of the old names as well including David Bonk and Howard Whitehouse, whose columns I have always enjoyed immensely.

From John Bertolini c/o Mike Nesemann: Before my recent departure for Europe, I had the good fortune to spend a week at the home of a very good friend of mine, Marc Storch. He is also a MWANer and during my visit to his home, I was able to enjoy several back issues of your magazine. I wanted to write to you concerning a few things that I thought you and your friends might find of interest. Hopefully, my comments won't seem dated. I enjoyed the running debate in MWAN concerning the most preferred scale and period of wargaming. In that discussion, I recall a passing reference to a certain "John Laing" as the inventor of the 15mm scale. Actually, his name is Peter Laing and he lives in a quiet part of Hereford called Sutton St. Nicholas. His figure line is called "Minden". I had occasion to visit him once and have corresponded with him occasionally since 1989. I think it is true in fact that he is originator of the 15mm scale. By comparison with todays 15's, his are a bit smaller. I'm not sure when he modeled most of his figures, but I would guess it was in the 1960's. Most hobbyists whom I have met who are familiar with his figures don't have much good to say about them being as they are probably more accustomed to the super-detailed 15mm's of the 1980's and 90's.

It is important to note though, that sculpting and the figure business were quite different then and for people like Peter, it was more a hobby, at least in the beginning. This is not to say that Peter does not have a following, as indeed he has. I include myself there for several reasons...#l - When I was buying figures directly from Peter by mail order between 1980-88, he was the only manufacturer who offered completed lines in the eras I preferred... chief amongst which was the 1914 campaigns. I loved the scope of this range. Peter offered Russians, Germans, British, French, Austrians, Belgians, Serbs, Turks, MG crews, great field guns, field howitzer, bicycle troops..there were a lot of possibilities including a complimentary range to game the 1919-21 campaigns in Poland and Russia.

The other era that Peter covered that few others did was the 1859-70 wars, including a basic number of Austrians. His catalogue truly covered just about everything from 3000BC to WWII.

Another reason I liked Peter's figures was because they were inexpensive. At a time when 15mm foot were going for .25/.30 per figure, Peter's went for 12-16 cents; he was also prompt, if enjoyable whimsical. If you ordered 120 figures or one sort, he might send you 126 and throw in something totally unrelated, just for fun, with a 1914 French order, he once sent me a sampling of 1914 British figures - perhaps he didn't want their part in the Battle of the Marne to be forgotten..

I liked them too, for their paintability. When Peter made his masters, he worked mostly with wire, a small sodder gun and a file (These were, I think, the days before A-B Epoxy putty and other marvels) hence they had a smooth rounded surface well suited to quick painting. I have always liked, for one reason or another, figures with a bit of the toy soldier about them. I have 600+ Scruby Franco-Prussian figures which I adore and on this trip, I have found a store in Vienna which sells painted sets of the Joseph Kober 30mm Demi- rounds which were first produced before 1900. They are a bit pricey for me, but what a joy to look at!

And truthfully, I'm not sure what the point of finely detailed 15mm's is, especially when gaming the 1860-1914 era. There are a lot of eyebrows to paint in a 16 battalion Russian division of 1914. I guess I like a figure's detail to match my painting skill and purpose. Peter's figures were well suited to the massed armies of the second half of the 19th century up to 1914 and initially, I think that was the thrust of the 15mm scale - being able to put massed armies on the table. I must add that I am not a particularly bad painter. On that bell-shaped continuum, I am, as are most others, about average. When I contemplate, say, Wargames Foundry figures, I am filled with a sense of awe and...hopelessness. They are small Works of art. But to contemplate painting a division to the standard they deserve? May I have live so long. Maybe if I had the money I would pay someone..but then again, do they offer 1914 Serbs?

It is the old conumdrum - time, money, aspirations. But in 1980, for me it was mute question. Peter was the only guy I knew who was making Chasseurs Alpins in a big beret and an Alpenstock stuck in their pack...and then he turned out to be such a great guy. Traveling about England in 1989, I decided on a whim to go to Sutton St. Nicholas and look him up. As a result, I spent a beautiful Easter Monday at his house. He invited me for dinner with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. It was my first lesson that cooking that was English was not necessarily bad. Roasted beef, potatoes, carrots, and gravy. Plum sauce and red wine and for desert - apple pie in a bowl with cream on it. For someone trampling around on bread, butter, canned beans and cadbury fruit and nut bars, it was a welcome respite.

Peter turned out to be a wonderful person. In 1989, he was close to 70, I would say. Tall, slender, very active and possessed of a quick and funny wit. He was a retired mathematics teacher and I imagine he was a good one. No teenager alive could have been quicker at verbal repartee than Peter. The whole time I was there he kept us all in stitches. He showed me old books of photographs from WWI and we talked history a bit.

He took me into his garage/workshop. It was quite small and only moderately cluttered. Round moulds were stacked about, each numbered for easy reference. His inventory of figures were stored in plastic trays and from these he showed me several examples. I remember feeling like a kid - wanting to see and feel all the Malburians, all the Crimean War, all tht 1914-16. Peter told me he had made his living casting figures for 15 years. Lately, he told me interest in them had dropped somewhat. He still had his regulars and new customers like me. But the 15mm market had exploded and sculpting material had changed making detailing undreamed of before possible. Peter was from the generation of make-do garage hobbyists. Self taught mostly.

He showed me his revolving index-card file of customers. He looked up my name.."There you are. John..The fellow from Wisconsin who liked the 1914 French and the 1866 campaign in Bohemia." He ran his finder down the hand written list of every purchase I had made. "I see you are dabbling with the 1904-05 campaign in Manchuria.." He turned towards me and looked over his reading glasses, "I imagine you have some interest in the Balkan Wars? The 1914 Russians make passable Bulgarians you know..Put them together with the Serbs and Turks..?" He could read my mind. Who cared if this strap or that bayonet cord was left out. We were dreaming of Empire here. Time, money, aspirations. He opened one of the plastic trays. "Let me see here.." He took a small waxed envelope and filled it with 1904 Japanese infantry. "There you go. A little token of your visit and a very pleasant Easter Monday."

When I had visited Peter, my intention had been to place a very large order that would complete my 1914 aspirations. I postponed placing the order for some reason and as it turned out, it was a mistake. At that time, Peter was in the process of selling his business to a man in Wales, David Miller - a fellow into computers. So when I sent my order from Wisconsin in the following autumn, it was to David Miller and not Peter Laing. Mr. Miller had offered a special deal to kick off his new venture by offering all Peter's old customers one-half off on all orders over $100. I promptly ordered $250 worth - at 0.8/foot- over 1800 figures. I never heard from David Miller again. I did though, hear from Peter.

When he was made aware of Mr. Miller's dealings, he wrote to me; and I suppose to others who had been stiffed by Mr. Miller, apologizing for what had happened. He explained that Mr. Miller had not been forthcoming with money owed him for the purchase of his business.. and that he was setting out to reacquire his moulds by taking legal action. He wrote to me from time to time keeping me posted on his legal fight and also on the more technical aspects of his sculpting and casting techniques. I have some wonderful letters from him from this time complete with drawing and diagrams and loaded with his "Ho to" knowledge.

Personally, though- at this time - I was a bit disillusioned with the hobby. $250 isn't a lot of money in the larger scheme of things, but it was the icing on the cake. Figure lines came and went, service was spotty, my favorite eras were tough to find, rising costs. Yet by 1990, what I wanted was becoming more available. The 1870 craze had started and Minifigs had come out with its 15mm WWI line. The big drawback was the cost. .25/35 for 15mm foot; .70 plus for 25mm foot. It seemed like a lot. I liked the mass armies. I like the rifle and sabre era. I liked the obscurity of Lemberg 1914, Lodz 1914, Plevna 1877, Nachod 1866, Virton, Ethe 1914. And I was, dare I say it, cheap.

It was a hobby, not part of my household budget, so, with Peter's inspiration and the discovery of epoxy putty and RTV rubber, I tried and failed and tried again and now make my own not-too-bad 25mm figures. I have a 1:40 division of 1904 Russians in white gymnestvekas, a division of 1904 Japanese (not completely painted), loads and loads of 1914 Germans, Belgians, and French - not too well organized as yet or painted, but piling up each time I cast. I am doing 1866 Austrians, Saxons, Bravarians and Prussians to complement my Scrubys. Last winter I made a 1:40 brigade of 1866/to Bravarians for my friend Marc including two regiments of cavalry plus of ricers and gunners. Guns I can make, but I've yet to master the gravity casting of spoked wheels. In total over 200 figures for about .6 a figure in salvaged tin and lead and RTV rubber. Plus lots of time that was fun. I only hope Marc finds time in his busy schedule to paint them, in which case it would definitely be a case of the paint job being better than the figure.

So that is what I know of Peter Laing. I hope he is in good health and enjoying his garden. Perhaps I will start buying some of his figures again. Last I heard, he had won his legal fight with the despicable Mr. Miller and the "Minden" line was back in production under the tutelage of one of Peter's old friends and loyal customers. When I get back from this present ramble, I will look into it. This brings me up to the present.

I am writing this letter in the bus station in Olsztyn, Poland, or as it was better known in August of 1914, Allenstien. I am waiting for a train back to Poznan. I have spent the last two days on rural buses and on foot south of here. Down the road a bit is Losztynek (Hohenstien), then Waplewo (Walpitz). West of there on the other side of Jez Mielno (Lake Mielno or the Muhlensee), is dark and bloody ground. The woods are inky, quiet and somber; the fields, open and green with young grain. The country people are busy getting in their gardens and the children tend the milk cows. It is in every sense of the word bucholic. I walked along long tree lined roads. There was an old man and a barefoot boy. The old man milked a tethered cow by hand into a wooden bucket. I wave. The boy waves back. The old man, his hands busy, smiled a toothless smile. "Dzien dobry" he said. Beyond Mielno to the west is Stebark, a town whose German name is almost forgotten, Tannenberg. Beyond Stebark the ground rises gently to a commanding rise before descending to the hamlet of Gn~nwal. I will write about this ground later and of the creaky, wonderful old library in Roznan where there are books in existence you wouldn't believe.

P.S. ~The postcard set I am including is from the West Poland Military Museum in Poznan. A treasure trove of stuff, really. Enjoy them. They cost one zloty. About .38 for the set! (Editor's Note: Six weeks later, we hear from John again/) My wife and I have found inexpensive lodgings, an amazing baker, and a slightly crazy wine merchant, so have decided to stay awhile in this sleeping little town in southern France. I thought I would take this opportunity to write to you again about some things you might find of interest.

I had planned to write to you concerning my explorations of the 1410/1914 Tannenberg battlefield and the wonderful first hand accounts I found in the University Library in Poznan, Poland. I Unfortunately, in our haste to catch a train, I left my notes in a friend's apartment. He is, hopefully, ~ forwarding them to my next stop after France, which incongruously enough will be Dakar in Senegal. In lieu of writing you of Tannenberg at this time, I would instead recommend several museums for those interested in military history and metal soldiers. First stop is the army museum in Vienna. It is located in the old Arsenal Building and is indicated on almost all city maps. This is a must ~see. At 40 shillings ($4 US) it is a bargain. The campaigns of Prince Eugene are well covered as is the Thirty Years War and the Siege of Vienna.

Oddly enough, at least from my perspective is that the SYW era was not as well represented. There is "stuff" from Maria Teresa's time nonetheless Napoleonic aficionados will suffer palpitations of ecstasy upon entering that particular wing. The artwork from this wing is worth a one-day visit in itself, to say nothing of the uniforms and captured eagles. For myself, it was the 1848-1918 section that I found most captivating. This is of course, a personal prejudice and in no way should detract from your estimation as to how much I enjoyed the rest of the Museum. The artwork was superb. Upon entering this section, you are confronted with two immense paintings from the 1866 War - each, I would estimate, 30' X 30'. One depicts the clash of cavalry late in the day on the plains south and west Of Chlumn, the other - the violent struggle at the battery of the dead. These two pictures are stunning and I think I passed at least a half hour contemplating them.

Again, as in the Napoleonic section, the uniforms and artwork are beautiful. There is a particularly wonderful set of oil paintings depicting all troop types and uniforms of the Austro-Hungarian Army circa 1895. The Great War section is again, superb. Highlights for me included uniforms...Serbs and Italians included, a beautiful selection of paintings, an indoor housed collection of artillery pieces..including huge steel plates on which the big Skoda's were tested. Then perhaps, there is the most emotive display, a room dedicated to the events of 28 June, 1914 in Sarajevo. Franz Ferdinand's blood stained uniform is there as is the motor car in which he was shot. There are numerous photos of the Archduke and his wife taken on that fateful day and an incredible sequence of photos showing the apprehension of Gavrilo Princip. For me, it was a somber thing to stand in that room and imagine the spark that inflamed the course of events that sent Europe on its crash course with Fascism, Stalinism, and all that has followed. All in all, a spectacular museum.

For those, like myself, with an unabashed fascination for "Zinn Figuren" there is another museum west of Vienna, that is a must see. The town of St. Polten is about one hour west of Vienna on the main rail line. All trains that travel in or out of Vienna in this direction stop at St. Polten, so it is a trip easy enough to arrange. It would be better to stop off here, if possible on your way in or out of Vienna, because by train this is an expensive day trip from Vienna ($30-40). The museum is located in the Schloss Pottenbrun about 7km from St. Polten. When you exit the train station, you will find to your right the post bus #1520. This will take you to within walking distance of the Schloss Pottenbrun (brochures are available in the train station). The first floor of this charming little museum is dedicated to the last Kaiser, Karl I. This section is fascinating in its own right, and features rare film footage of the last days of the dual monarchy. The upper two stores of the chateau are dedicated to "tin" soldiers. If you like figures and you like dioramas, don't miss this place. Two whole floors of dioramas depicting the military history of Austria. Thousands upon thousands. The siege of Vienna (two or three versions), Lobositz, Wagram, Nordenfeld, Liepzig, Wagram, Custozz, Montebelio. Truly a cast of thousands...oops. And what is more, is a display of figures currently being produced in Austria and S. Germany..mostly flats, as are the dioramas. The names and addresses of the artisans and their shops are given as well.

I would mention a few more places briefly, in Mons, Belgium~ - amazing collection of 1914 Belgian uniforms and equipment in the Municipal Bid. At the central square. It will take some work to find this. Trust me, it is worth it. Uniforms of each calvary regiment that trotted off in August, 1914, amazing, rare blue tunics and examples of each czapatka, photos, amazing!

In Compiegne, outside Paris (where the armistice was signed), a figure museum par excellence. Next to tourist office, if you like the French Army in miniature. Between~ Verdun and Metz.. the sleepy little town of Gravelotte. Small, but excellent museum dedicated to the 1870 battle. Three beautifully done dioramas. You need a bicycle or car to properly see this battlefield. It is virtually unchanged.. the lanes are still poplar lined. And if you think Pickett contemplated a sour proposition the afternoon of 3, July, 1863 - you should see the ground the German Guard Corps tried to cross.

I hope to write you in the future about a couple of places I visited in the Czech Republic. Oh yes, the Czech Republic...land of good, good, cheap beer, bread dumplings and pork. And certain unspoilt landscapes.

Traveling is a good thing, though at times, it is hard. One feels restless, adrift...moments of epiphany are counter-balanced with those of ennvie. I miss my books, my sculpting, painting figures early on Sunday morning while I listen to CBC Sunday morning. If any expansive wargamers care to write concerning their hobby or battles or history, send me a note.

(Editor's Note: Thanks, John, for a fascinating letter! Greatly enjoyed the portion on Peter Laing as well as your travels. Would like to hear more from you in the future/)

From Mark Johnson: Greetings from the "East Coast" of Missouri. After prolonged procrastination and extended dithering, the historical miniature gamers in the vast (OK, half-vast) areas of surrounding St. Louis have gotten together to form a subchapter of the Heart of America Historical Miniature Gaming Society (HAHMGS). Initial moves by Bob Stusse and Joe Shaffer resulted in MEGACON at McKendree College this spring. An organizational meeting in August saw HAHMGS leaders recruit many Metro-St. Louisans into the parent chapter, and with national HMGS representatives, the ground work was laid.

Interim officers met on August 25th to set the agenda for the subchapter's first business meeting on September 5th at GAMES, CRAFTS, HOBBIES & STUFF, one of the area's sponsoring businesses. At that meeting, the following officers were elected: President - Joe Schaffer, Secretary - Tom Sparhawk Vice President - Bob Stusse, Treasurer - Bill Doelling. The October 3rd subchapter meeting will be at THE HOBBY SHOP, another center of gaming activity. The main focus of the October meeting will be to establish bylaws and give the subchapter a name. We plan to establish monthly "Mini-cons" and an annual MEGACON for the St. Louis/Bi-State. A newsletter will be initially published as a page in the HAHMGS Communique But when the subchapter grows into a full-fledged HMGS chapter, we will, of course, send out our own publication. Send any communications to me a the address above.

From Jonathan Aird: Received MWAN's 78/79 from CALIVER BOOKS and it has taken a bit of time to get through both of them! MWAN is looking very professional in its new format and #79's color cover was excellent - please stick to "game in progress" shots rather than ultra- professional "posed" shots, I find the latter a bit off putting, as they imply a terrain standard that is impossible to achieve (all that sawdust hiding the bases, and so on). A plea - no more rulesets, I'm too easily tempted! The Charge of the Light Brigade rules in #78 had some very good ideas in it and I liked having the designer's notes, as they made a system which at first glance seemed a bit odd both understandable and reasonable.

I notice that GAMES WORKSHOP (GW) recently opened their 100th store, I think around a dozen are in the States. In the UK, GW runs a vast mail order service, but I don't know if this is duplicated abroad. Anyway, enclosed is a set of artillery dice. The scatter direction dice should be used with a standard 6- sider to give inches off in the direction shown. The Up/Down and Left/Right dice are used in GW games to find hit locations on large vehicles/monsters, but they are also handy for navy or siege games. For example, draw up a ship silhouette and overlay a grid. Determine if the gunnery is on target, if it is, nominate a hit location on the silhouette (i.e., bridge or gun turret). Roll the up/Down and Left/Right dice and apply the result. A shot at a turret, which is on range, will miss if the Up face of the die comes up; if Down, Left or Right are shown then the shot will lie in a different grid position and will have hit a different part of the vessel than that originally aimed at.

There has been some speculation recently that GW may move (back) into historical games, perhaps with an Ancients version of their WARHAMMER fantasy rules. With 100 shops, mostly in the UK, I'd imagine that this would give them a sizeable chunk of the miniatures market if they can pull it off.

Agreed fully with the in-depth review of FIELDS OF GLORY in MWAN #78. As far as I can make out, Chris Hahn isn't making a mistake with his artillery in this game, they seem to have been programmed to be reckless. When a cavalry or infantry unit is ordered to assault an enemy unit they will pursue if the opposition flees, and their morale is OK. Artillery do not assault, they target a unit and take their order literally. If the enemy unit breaks, the artillery will pursue it until it comes back into range. If this takes them into the middle of the enemy line, well, so be it! The only way around this is to keep a very close eye on artillery, and if they show signs of foolishness, then change their orders from target to hold/unlimber.

I've recently returned from a holiday in Cyprus, a very nice place and full of inspiring historical landmarks, from ruined Roman racetracks and Greek temples to crusading castles and Venetian fortifications. I'm restraining the urge to buy a crusading army and a Cypriot force of the period of the conquest of the island by Richard the Lionheart - going on vacation is almost as risky as reading!