By Hal Thinglum - BATTLE GROUP FIGURES 25MM WWII - BATTLE GROUP FIGURES, 17 Rotunda Rd., Eastbourne, BN23 6LE, UK (Phone 01323-735417) is a new company providing excellent25mm WWII figures joining FIRST CORPS in that effort. Owned and operated by Trevor Body, who responded very quickly and efficiently to my request for information, they currently offer 12 packs of British infantry and 13 of German infantry. All groups are available in a choice of four heads: plain helmet, netting on helmet, camouflaged helmet, and random mix. Packs usually contain three figures and range from 1.75 pounds (for two-figure packs) to 2.00 pounds for the three-figure packs. Both groups offer command (officer, NCO, radio operator); riflemen advancing, running & firing; Bren gun/LMG (for Germans) moving & firing; Assault Pack (grenade thrower, flamethrower, and rifle grenade-British or panzerfaust-Germans); mortar firing and moving (2"-British; 50mm-German); Piat prone & moving; Panzerschreck moving & firing; and casualties (light wound, serious wound and dead). Trevor reports he will be releasing the first of the American Infantry in November/December with American Airborne in January/February. These will be followed by US Marines and Japanese. He plans to add a Vickers HMG, MG42, and .50 and .30 Cal Brownings. This line is available from MINIATURE SERVICE CENTRE, 1525 Bridge St., #163, Yuba City, CA 95993. Trevor sent along 15 British and German samples which I find to be outstanding. They are the same height as the excellent FIRST CORPS line and just a little thinner than FIRST CORPS. However, there is no problem in matching them together in a collection. The figures are well detailed with no flash and are well animated with lots of equipment! My favorite is a German officer in cap and overcoat with MP40 who is pointing with his left hand. These figures would paint up very well! A highly recommended line for skirmish wargaming. Trevor also included AT THE SHARP END, Infantry Skirmish/Close Combat Rules for WWII by Trevor Body and Peter Helm. This is a 16-page rules book with a cardstock rules reference sheet included. Trevor writes ' These rules were designed specifically to reproduce the kind of bitter, close combat fighting that resulted when the enemy had to be driven from a position where armour or artillery was either not available or was ineffective at 'winkling them out' They are designed to provide a sense of the stress and violence of close combat fighting, with a high level of casualties and can be used with a variety of scales. " One move equals approximately 20 seconds and there are eight phases to each move (suppressing fire, movement, defenders acquire targets, defenders fire, attackers acquire targets, attackers fire, close combat, and morale). They are easily understood and look very interesting and sell for 3.50 pounds.

My good friend, Clem Clemens, gave me a call last night after having received MWAN #83. He chewed me out for my request for information pertaining to 1/48th WWII vehicles from BANDAI as several years ago, he showed me his collection of such vehicles and I had forgotten about them! I jumped in the car, made a stop at the coffee shop and was soon in Clem's garage with four boxes of assembled and painted German and American vehicles in my hands! As usual, I have more than enough - there must be about ten Tiger tanks! I tried to take only one, however, Clem was insistent that I take them all - thanks very much, Clem, but I really can't use more than one Tiger tank. There is another German vehicle I can use - a large German vehicle - sorry, I can't find it in my WWII German vehicle book - designed to carry infantry. There are also a bunch of American tanks. All of the vehicles are quite attractive - I would love to see a catalog of 1/48th scale WWII vehicles - if anyone has one, please let me know! I'd like to find some smaller WWII vehicles for use with 25mm WWII games. I really believe 25mm WWII figures have a future in the hobby in the area of skirmish gaming!

By Hal Thinglum - SUN-RAY SCENICS - While at THE EMPEROR'S HEADQUARTERS several weeks ago, I picked up a pack of "Boulders" in a grey color (product #4320) for $2.79 which I plan on using for my Northwest Frontier games in 25mm. This is quite sizeable bag of lightweight boulders which should be very useful and look effective strewn about the wargames table.

By Hal Thinglum - OLD GLORY 25MM FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION AND SAMURAI RELEASES - Russ Dunaway of OLD GLORY, Box 20, Calumet, PA 15621 (412-423-3580) sent a bunch of 25mm FFL and Samurai from their new lines - oh, my gosh! There are 17 bags of FFL figures with the usual 30 foot/$21.00. They consist of Legion command, marching, advancing, and skirmishing; three packs of dismounted Arabs attacking with swords, spears, and rifles; four of mounted Arabs consisting of command, swords, spears, and rifles; one of Arabs on camels; a FFL mounted mule company; mounted Chasseurs d'Afrique; packs of FFL and Arab dead and wounded; and a Gatling gun w/crew. Also listed is "Fort Zinderhoff" - described as a complete FFL fort cast in high density foam for $125. Our own Stephen Lawrence wrote "Sons of the Desert", a set of FFL rules complete with scenarios, which is due to release soon. The samples included onluy FFL foot figures- Russ called later to say that the Arabs would be on the way soon! Simply outstanding figures in greatcoat and fatigues- just the mix that I always like for the Legion! As usual, with OLD GLORY, there is a wide variety of poses including three poses each of foot officers, buglers, and NCO's. There are two excellently done figures with rifle in left hand and throwing a German-type stick grenade with reight hand! I an identify five different marching poses; four firing; two loading; and two advancing as well s a mounted Legion officer. Outstanding stuff! I can't wait to see the Arabs!

The FFL in greatcoats all have heavy equipment such as packs. Another perfect "skirmish" period for the wargamer! Now the SAMURAI Katana range consisting of 16 packs along with "Katana", anothe set of rules by Stephen Lwrence. There is one pack of Samurai foot command; single packs of foot swordsmen, spearment, and archer; mounted command and mounted swordsmen, spearment, and archers; Ashigaru spearment and archers; peasant infantry, monks, Ninjas; "The Seven Samurai;" High Command; and infantry with Naginata. I know nothing about this period, but I do know quality figures when I see them; again, excellently and beautifully done! Tremendous variety of poses; highly detailed; extremely well animated. It would appear as hough the spearment have separate weapons, which were not included. there are six differenly posed horses for the cavalry. Several of the figures have banners, inluding one kneeling bannerman, which is very attractively done! Highly recommended and congratulations to Russ Dunaway of OLD GLORY for several outstanding new lines! By the way, Russ reports they are now making an average of 100 new figures per week! density foam for $125. Our own Stephen Lawrence wrote "Sons of the Desert", a set of FFL rules complete scenarios, which is due to release soon. The samples included only FFL foot figures - Russ called later to say the Arabs would be on the way soon! Simply outstanding figures in greatcoat and fatigues - just the mix always liked for the Legion! As usual, with OLD GLORY, there is a wide variety of poses including three each of foot officers, buglers, and NCO's. There are two excellently done figures with rifle in left hand and throwing a German-type stick grenade with right hand! I can identify five different marching poses; four firing; two loading; and two advancing as well as a mounted Legion officer. Outstanding I can't wait to see the Arabs! The FFL in greatcoats all have heavy equipment such as packs.

Another "skirmish" period for the wargamer! Now the SAMURAI Katana range consisting of 16 packs along with "Katana" another set of rules by Stephen Lawrence. There is one pack of Samurai foot command; single packs of swordsmen. spearmen. and archers; mounted command and mounted swordsmen, spearmen. and archers; Ash spearmen and archers: peasant infantry. monks, Ninjas: "The Seven Samurai;" High Command: and infantry Naginata. I know nothing about this period. but I do know quality figures when I see them; again, excellent! Beautifully done! Tremendous variety of poses; highly detailed; extremely well animated. It would appear as th the spearmen have separate weapons, which were not included. There are six differently posed horses for cavalry. Several of the figures have banners, including one kneeling bannerman, which is very attractively. Highly recommended and congratulations to Russ Dunaway of OLD GLORY for several outstanding new lines. By the way, Russ reports they are now making an average of 100 new figures per week!

by George Dullaghan. 15mm Tin Soldier and 15mm Museum Miniatures. I phoned SOLDIER in the UK when I saw their ad for the figures available for the 1896 Battle of Adowa in 15mm. Italians are excellent and include line, Bersaglieri and Askaris. The Ethiopians are excellent and including Emperor, Masai's and Sickel armed warriors. The people on the phone were very courteous. The order arrived just eleven days by credit card purchase. Including the phone call and postage, the figures cost less than I have here in the USA at a convention. A beautiful catalog was also sent with all the figures shown in photographs. Highly recommended; this is a Godsend for the colonial gamer who needs opponents for his Mahdists!

I enjoy Knights on the table. For some reason, I like foot knights best of all. I sent away to MUSEUM MINIATURES OF TEXAS for their foot knights in 15mm. Afler the first batch, I ordered all of their foot knights as I was favorably impressed. The order arrived quickly and they take credit cards. The proprietor wrote "Thank you" on the receipt and this is always gratifying! I now have a batch of battles to be mowed down by longbow and to seek their revenge on revolting peasants and evil infidels and the like. Very good figures that go well with Essex knights.

by Hal Thinglum WARGAMES FOUNDRY The Foundry, Mount St., New Basford, Nottingham, NG7 7HX. UK has released some fantastic figures! Early Imp Roman Emperors and Praetorian Guard AD40-100 and Napoleonics Prussian infantry and Reservists in 25mm. of all, there are four mounted Roman Emperors (each for 3.40 pounds); Claudius w/two lictors; accompanied by a senior tribune and provincial legate; Trajan escorted by two tubicens blowing trumpets; Suetonius Paullinus questioning a standing centurion and kneeling British captive. There are also twelve Praetorian Guard figures most of whom are wearing segmented armour and crested helmets. They consist of a Centurion marching, Aquilifer, Signifer, comican, and seven Guardsmen. Four of the Guardsmen need separate weapons that need to be purchased separately. Figures are .70 pence each. My favorite is FR167 Aquilifer standing bearhead/skin over his head with his right hand on his sword. The figures in togas are also very well done with folds. Should paint up beautifully! Ancients gamers will want the Emperor's sets for command figures and for the accompanying figures which are very useful! I can't believe the variety and quality of WARGAMES FOUNDRY! Highly recommended!

For the 25mm Napoleonic wargamer, WARGAMES FOUNDRY offers Napoleonic Prussian infantry reservists (1813-15). The FOUNDRY reports "These infantry may be used as either Musketeers Grenadier Fusiliers except where stated, as the only difference is the short sword which is partly covered with the food bag. There are 32 poses of Infantry and four of Reservists, which are in shell jackets and peaked caps (officer, drum march attack w/8 head variants and advancing w/8 head variants, The Prussian infantry have a mounted Col; three musketeer/grenadier offcers; three fusilier officers; two standard bearers; two drummers; two fusilier hornists one NCO: and 18 poses of infantry, including four of them with eight head variants. Included in this listing are a dead and wounded infantry as well as a bizarre figure NP731 "hit in the head by round shot" - departed at the moment of impact! Very interesting - how about a battalion of these for your wargames table! I have always been tempted by Napoleonic Prussian infantry figures from this period, for some reason, and these are outstanding! Highly recommended!

by Thinglum - FRYING PAN & BLANKET AMALGAMATED 20MM FIGURES - FRYING PAN AND BLANKET, 2283 Apache St., Mendota Heights, MN 55120, is a lesser-known producer of quality 20mm figures; MWANer Charlie Prosek has a huge collection of their American Revolution War figures. They offer an extensive selection of American Revolutionary War figures (58 boxes); Wayne's Legion (7); War of 1812 (16); Great Plains 72 (6): and the 1740-70 period (8). First of all, the American Revolution - for the British, there are line; lights; fusiliers: highlander line, grenadiers and lights; artillery crews and officers are used interchangeably for both the British and Americans. The Americans include line; hunting shirt line, light, and artillery crews. Germans include fusiliers, artillery crew and mounted officers. There are British, French and American guns, howitzers, mortars, i er carts. Conestoga wagons, baggage carts, caissons, limbers, wagons, pontoons, and team horses/drivers. British include Hussars, fusiliers, chasseur/grenadiers; artillery crew, mounted officers. Cavalry include British light dragoons, Continental light dragoons, German dragoons. There are also woodland Indians for this period. Wayne's includes line infantry, skirmishers, light infantry, rifles, artillery, cavalry, and mounted officers. The War of 1812 has US. British and Canadian infantry and gun crews as well as militia infantry. There are a number of guns types and fortifications (gabions, fascines, and chevaux de frise). The Great Plains 1860-72 range includes cavalry and command, Plains Indians, mountain howitzers/teams/crews, and a light escort wagon. For 1740-70, are British, Austrian, French and Russian line and grenadier infantry. All together, an extensive 20mm line many items. such as the wagons, etc., which would be good for other periods of history. Each box has 24 foot cavalry w/horses. two guns/limbers/4 horses; 24 crew; and metal stands for $9.95. Individuat foot figures are ith musicians/colors at .50 and horses at .90. Cannons are $2.00; limbers are $2; wagons are $2.50 and carts at $2.00. They sell three differently sized metal stands 1"x 1/2" (.10 each); 1"x1"(.20); and 1"x3"(.30). Their rules, THE COMPLETE BRIGADIER, includes two rule books and tables which are designed for North American at the battalion and brigade level and cost $15.00 plus $5.00 shipping. The guns/limbers/artillery horses are well done! I am drawn to artillery and limbers, I guess, and these are very impressive with lots of detail! Artillery crewmen are very well done as are the infantry; figures have cast on flags with good detail! Most wargamers are very attracted to 20mm metal figures and this line would offer you a great deal! Drop line - include a dollar for a listing. Highly recommended and good to see this line!

by Hal Thinglum RANK & FILE ISMM FIGURES FROM 19TH CENTURY MINIATURES - 19TH Cent. RANK & FILE 15mm line, which they now have the rights for. First of all, they have done what they did the BATTLE HONOURS line, that is to go to 100 figure packs and reduce the cost to $20.00 for the Crimean. They included a bag of IRC 102-Russian infantry in helmet marching with command. These are very good figures with better quality/detailing than the RANK & FILE Franco-Prussian line, which is still good, but the Crimean War figures are better. They feature cast on flags and are nicely done! There is also a late medieval line 15mm with multi-posed figures with separate weapons. A 48-figure foot pack costs $10.00; 24 figures for $6.00 2 mounted figures for $8.00. Again, these are nice figures; the knight's horse is beautifully cast with flowing cloth. Highly recommended figures! The Steves at 19th CENTURY MINIATURES deserve a lot of credit and our support for picking up these fine lines and making them available at very competitive prices! Good luck to the two!

by Hal Thinglum Outland Games, 1061 Bertram Ave., Dayton, OH (513-276-2336) has released three interestingly done rules sets for 20/25rnm figures - "Shot Heard Round the World' - American Revolution War rules; "Fast & Furious" for the ACW; and "The Bleeding Ulcer" for the Peninsular War during the Napoleonic period. All three are seven to eight page books with color covers and laminated reference sheets. They share a "common" rules system with special rules written specific to each of the periods of history. The rules are at a "tactical" level with the basic unit being the regiment and/or battery. Scale in 15 with one inch equals 25 yards. There are seven phases to a turn and the game features a playing-card type system and commanders are allotted a certain number of "action-chips", which are utilized to activate units. They are presented well; well written; easily understood; and would provide interesting wargames. I am not aware of the price.

By Hal Thinglum - GOBLINTOOTH ENTERPRISES HOSTILE AIRCRAFT RULES FOR AERIAL COMBAT 1915-20 - GOBLINTOOTH ENTERPRISES, 46 Highland St., Reading, MA 01867 (617-944-5883) has released the 2nd Edition of HOSTILE AIRCRAFT - miniature wargaming rules for aerial combat 1915-20 by Brian Reddinton-Wilde ($36.00). This is a most impressive effort being a boxed game with rule book of 96 pages; two playing dice; five cardstock reference charts; two very well done adjustable plane stands with metal stands; plane decals; and two model aeroplanes in metal (very well done, I might add). Also included was a bag of four English Airco D.H. Planes ($8.50) and two German Gotha G.IV Bombers ($8.50); a German Fokker Dr.I (four for $7.50); and English Sopwith Camel (Same price). These are quality metal planes and come from a list of seven French, 13 German, 11 English, and two Italian planes. There is also a pontoon ($2.50), Balloon )$12.00), and Bessonneau Hangar ($ 12); four types of stands; and many decals from a variety of nations. Brian reports " The rules now cover 306 types of frontline aircraft, including 93 single seat fighters, 121 two-seaters, 35 multi-engine bombers, and 57 seaplanes, along with new aeroplane lists for Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Red Hungary." One turn equals 15 seconds; one "speed point" is about 6mph equaling 1" of tabletop movement; 1" tabletop equals 44 yards. The game was designed for 1/285th scale aircraft. If you are new to this aspect of the hobby, purchase this rules sets as it offers a great deal of information about what is available in the hobby! There is an extensive bibliography; a lot of information on the planes; an interestingly written section for designer's notes; and much, much more in this excellently effort! My congratulations, Brian, on a complete product! If you have the slightest interest in WWI aircraft, get a copy of these rules! Most informative!

By Hal Thinglum - "ADVANCED ARMATI" & "WHERE THE IRON CROSSES GROW" from WARGAMES of TRIAIDELPHIA, WV - Johnson Hood, of WARGAMES, Box 278, Rt 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059-0278, was kind enough to send these two new rules sets to MWAN for mention within this column. First of all, ADVANCED ARMATI - New Army Lists plus Advanced Rules; Variable Army lists; and Campaign Rules & 10 Campaigns, by Arty Conliffe, which also includes ECW and 30 Years War rules and lists (price unknown). Our good friend Arty states "Advanced Armati is for gamers who want greater flexibility in composing their armies, increased tactical realism, and historical settings for waging campaigns. " The aim is to develop and improve Armati without compromising its historical accuracy and easy of play. " This is a 35-page professionally printed effort which has a very nice look to it! Arty reports that "each army has a Core Force which must be used entirely as indicated, followed by a number of Bonus Units (and terrain) which augment it. " He then goes on to provide Army Lists for nine periods of history: Biblical, Antiquity (two different phases), Triumph of Cavalry, Age of Chivalry. Early and Later Renaissance, English Civil War, and Thirty Years War. In addition, he offers a set of rules for the ECW/TYW encompassing one page, maneuver rules, melee break-off, troop types, rules clarifications, and a campaign system (five pages) in which he provides sample campaigns for 12 periods of history. Looks very interesting! Congratulations, Arty!

WHERE THE IRON CROSSES GROW - Eastern Front Scenarios for SPEARHEAD WWII RULES by Hans Johannsen, assisted by Arty Conliffe. There are twenty-one scenarios, divided into three different sections. Firstly, "Getting to Know You" features scenarios taking place during the opening days of Barbarossa through the second German summer offensive; "Ride the Tiger" feature scenarios in which the Germans are quite strong, but "often in tactically awkward situations or else are confronting Russians in great number." "Heart of Darkness" features small well-armed German groups against well-armed Russian forces. Each scenario offers a map; historical overview; orders of battle; and victory conditions. An extremely interesting and well-written effort. Highly recommended! I admit I find this scenario booklet, along with the SPEARHEAD rules and organization book, very tempting. If you consider the amount of equipment and figures that are available in 15mm for the WWII period from OLD GLORY and QUALITY CASTINGS, it would be a very interesting period of history to game!

By Hal Thinulum - PREZIOSI PUBLISHING ENTERPRISES PUBLICATIONS - Andrew Preziosi, 11011 SW 125th Ave., Miami, FL 33186 (305-274-9745) has released two books: VIVE RADETZSKY: The 1849 Novarra Campaign and The War between Denmark and Germany, 1848-50. First of all VIVE RADETZKY: A Guide to the Battles, Uniforms and Armies of the Campaign of Novara 20th-23rd March, 1849, by Nigel J. Smith (1996 Pickelhaube Press) - no price listed - this is a 49-page effort providing an historical background on the period; information on the Army of Piedmont and the Austrian Army of Italy; a section on the campaign; the Battles of Mortara and Novara; operations along the Po; the Storming of Brescia; uniform information for the participants; and a complete Order of Battle for the armies involved. Interesting and valuable information on this little known period of history!

THE WAR BETWEEN DENMARK & GERMANY, 1848-50 by Major E. Delmas, is a 72- page MWAN-sized booklet which has been reprinted from the original. It encompasses an introduction to the 1848 and 1849 campaigns; eight battles of the period; information as to the Danish army organization; and a highly "stereotypic" description of the "Qualities of the Danish Army." Cost is $16.00 for this interesting little book. Also included for mention was Andrew's PALLAS ARMATA catalog (cost is $1.44 apparently) containing a wide assortment of booklets.

BY Hal Thinglum - 25MM SIKH WAR LIMBERS FROM LYZARD'S GRIN - LYZARD'S GRIN, PO Box 14522, Oklahoma City, OK 73113, offers the wargamer a great many difficult to locate items for the Colonial period. I recently wrote to Richard Houston asking for assistance in obtaining Sikh War limbers for the Sikh and British. Richard responded, as he always does, and I have the needed equipment items in hand. Set #23 (see Richard's ad on page 60) British Limber and Set #11h Sikh artillery limber share the same basic limber but the portion of the limber where the ammo is carried is different for the two countries. I plan on using oxen for the majority of limbers for the Sikh War and Richard has these as well. Send him a few dollars for his complete listing of Colonial 25mm; ACW and 1870's period ships; 20mm WWII equipment and figures (including artillery crews for many countries); and much more! Prices are most reasonable; highly recommended!

By David Barnes - (1) - REVIEW OF "AT THE SHARP END"INFANTRY SKIRMISH/CLOSE COMBAT RULES FOR WWII - by Trevor Body and Peter Helm; available from 17, Rotunda Rd., Eastbourne, E. Sussex, BN23, 6LE at 3.50 pounds plus .50 P&P. These rules have been well play-tested; 14 pages plus a card resume and sample order sheet you can photocopy. Tables include movement: run, running crouched, walk, walking crouched, and crawling. Acquiring Targets. Acquiring Firing Target: this means what you can hit where when firing HMG/LMG, small arms, bazooka or flame throwers, in the open or in various cover: There are no defined base sizes (rule writers are finding that interested wargamers may be put off if they are stuck with one designated system of basing. Common sense, really). Generally, these rules are designed as PBI battles where Tommy and Fritz or whoever else has to get stuck in eyeball to eyeball (as my infantry Trg Sgt said to me: "If you do that ti 'im and he still gets up - you better not be there!!"). These rules can be used for 54mm, 25mm, 20mm, and 15mm using the adaptations outlined. One must two percentage dice (i.e. marked one to 10 or nought; tape measure and some markers 20mm X 20mm made out to indicate the movement rate of the figures. Also needed are markers to indicate wound status (one can actually use the casualty figures supplied by most manufacturers these days for this! ). An aspect of these rules I like is that examples are given to illustrate them a la "Charge". I've done a couple of sets of WWII rules myself and these look worth a go. Very good illustrations by the way - Gary and Tony Fever. I recommend these rules.

(2) THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BATTLEFIELDS OF BRITAIN, WITH ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPS by David Smurthwaite, 1994, new edition with color maps. A mermaid Book (12.99 pds UK). Not a new book but a good un' - a comprehensive survey of British battlefields - including the sky! (Battle of Britain). The book ranges from the Roman Invasion to the First of the Few. Detailed plans of battles and guides of how to get there and what it is (they are) like now. When he wrote it, David was Assistant Director and Head of Museum Services at the National Army Museum in London. Obviously a bit wedge on Romans and ECW but also a lot of the Wars of the Roses that I hadn't realized lasted so long (1450-1550). Probably ought to be in most libraries.

(3)1745 - A MILITARY HISTORY OF THE LAST JACOBITE RISING -by Stuart Reid, published by Spellmount at 18.95 pounds. Brand new - unusual purchase for me! Rest assured this is not a romantic rerun found among the tartan packed petticoattail shortbread. The armies are examined carefully and their tactics. Eye witness accounts have been dug out. Derek Stone has done his usual clear uncluttered maps for the book. There are photographs of the grounds fought over and houses, fort, etc., plus some reproductions of portraits of the protagonists.