We received the following press release.--RL

TwisterCon No. 7 Announcement

I would like to inform you or remind you about a upcoming historical gaming convention in Oklahoma City, OK. In particular, I would like to invite you to consider attending so you can play in a very large historical replay of the Battle of Smolensk (styled "Napoleon at the Gates of Smolensk").

If you think you might be interested, please read on...

ABOUT THE SCENARIO

SCENARIO TITLE: Napoleon at the Gates of Smolensk - 1812
GM: D. M. Dodson
WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 1999 from 8am to 5pm
WHERE: TwisterCon #7 in Oklahoma City, OK.
RULES: Napoleon's Battles
# of PLAYERS: 10-14
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Six experienced players needed, but novices are welcome
SCALE: 15MM Miniatures (provided by the game master)
DESCRIPTION: In 1812 Napoleon's infamous "Continental (embargo) System" is failing in part because Russia refuses to enforce restrictions on commerce with Great Britain. In anger Napoleon invades Russia with the largest allied European army ever massed intent on a quick victory over the scattered and poorly organized Imperial Russian Armies.

The stoic Russian foe robs Napoleon of quick victory, but at last at the gates of the ancient city of Smolensk, Napoleon discovers the Russian 1st and 2nd Armies of the West have turned to fight. Confident of victory, Napoleon quickly concentrates his masses to crush the covering Russian armies and wrestle from them their holy city of Smolensk.

Assume leadership as one of the many colorful personalities on both sides of this collossal struggle for power in the 19th Century, take on the personae and then fight ferociously for your life and your nation.

PRIZES

SMOLENSK PRIZES AT TWISTERCON:

The three levels of prizes will be:

1. Both Napoleon and Barclay de Tolly as overall commanders on each side will receive a set of French Marshals and Russian Generals provided by the owners of Imperial Armies at the completion of the game. (The position of Barclay de Tolly is still open)

2. ALL "Smolensk" players present will receive a coupon worth 15% discount on their next purchase from Imperial Armies (at the convention or via mail order) at the conclusion of the game.

Visit the Imperial Armies booth in the Dealers Room. Imperial Armies is a full-service mail-order gaming store with its home at 270 Eldorado Blvd. #1207 Webster, TX 77598 281/286-6599 w.shows@worldnet.att.net (In case you're wondering, I am not affiliated with Imperial Armies except as a loyal customer.)

3. Last, but not least, the Game Master (that is I) will personally provide my usual "relevant-to-the-particular-scenario" prizes. I always reward the most valuable players who are elected by each team at the conclusion of the game with something that will help them remember the event. One or two players always seem to standout on each side as the "heroes of the day."

Prizes aren't the most important part of a game, but I sincerely appreciate the participation of the players at these large events. I make no financial gains off these games. My sole reward is in seeing the colorful panorama of war played out before me for a day with many many times as much entertainment value and surprise as one would receive from a good war movie!

NEED MORE RUSSIAN COMMANDERS

Seeking:

Barclay * (overall commander of the Russian armies);
Baggovout * (largest Russian corps and attached cavalry);
Tuchkov * (another large Russian corps and attached cavalry);
Constantine * (commander of the Russian Imperial Guard);
Docturov * (an additional large Russian corps and attached cavalry)

TIME MACHINE: As we travel back in time, the battle of SMOLENSK took place BEFORE the more famous Battle of Borodino. Barclay de Tolly was in command of the Russian Army of the West, and the more famous General Kutusov (who commanded at Borodino) was still in retirement. The Russian forces were more fresh at Smolensk. If all the Russian forces had engaged at Smolensk, the Russian army would have been larger than the one that fought later at Borodino. The Russian army that fought at Borodino had suffered many casualties at the battle of SMOLENSK and during the subsequent retreat to Borodino. In our TIME MACHINE, the outcome of the replayed Battle of Smolensk will determine whether the more famous Battle of Borodino is ever fought! So, the Battle of Smolensk is mammoth, colorful and exciting. If you know of folks who can play these FIVE key Russian roles, please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

CURRENT COMMAND ASSIGNMENTS

FRENCH

A. Grande Armee

1. Napoleon * (overall French command)
= Steve Tinsley from Oklahoma City, OK USA at SteveLeeT@aol.com

2. Davout * (largest French corps)
= Gerry Lane of Oklahoma City, OK, USA at gerlane@email.msn.com

3. Poniatowski * (very large Polish corps)
= OPEN

4. LeFebvre * (French Imperial Guard)
= OPEN

5. Bessieres (French Imperial Guard cavalry)

6. Ney * (large Wurtemburg and French corps)
= Manny from Oklahoma City, OK USA at manbecaguilar@worldnet.att.net

7. Junot (independent Westphalian corps)
= John Whyatt from Oklahoma City, OK USA at benandjohn@msn.com

8. Murat (overall cavalry wing commander)
= Jerry from Oklahoma City, OK USA at jerrymt@aol.com

9. Monbrun

RUSSIAN

B. 1st Russian Army of the West

1. Barclay * (overall commander of the Russian armies)
= OPEN

2. Baggovout * (largest Russian corps and attached cavalry)
= OPEN

3. Tuchkov * (large Russian corps and attached cavalry)
= OPEN

4. Tolstoi

5. Constantine * (Russian Imperial Guard) = OPEN

6. Docturov * (large Russian corps and attached cavalry) = OPEN
7. Uvarov
8. Depreradovitch
9. Kakhoffski
10. Korff
11. Pahlen 12. Platov

C. 2nd Russian Army of the West

13. Bagratian * (over-sized corps and attached cavalry)
14. Raevsky
15. Borosdin
16. Knorring
17. Sievers

D. Independent Russian Commands

18. Wassilezikov
19. Ferentonpov

KEY NEWS FROM JEFF LAWRENCE, TWISTERCON CONVENTION CHAIRMAN

TWISTERCON # 7 - Update JAN. 25 ,1999
Visit Website- http://home.swbell.net/josevz/index.htm

GAMING CONVENTION - Fri. Mar. 19; 1:00 pm to 12:00am, Sat. Mar. 20, 8:00am to 1:00am.& Sun. Mar. 21, 8:00am to Noon. 6 SESSIONS- Friday,2pm - 6pm.& 7pm. - 12am. Saturday, 8am.- 12pm., 1pm. - 5pm; (Auction/ dinner break, 6-8pm) & 8pm. -1am. Sunday, 8am - noon.

Location: Tradewinds/Best Western Hotel, 1800 East Reno (off I-40E), Oklahoma City, Ok. 73117, (405) -235-4531 Fax:(405) 235-1861 Rates: $47.32 all rooms (1-4 occup)
Entry fee= $20.00 for 2 days, $10.00 for 1 day. Hotel reservation cut off is Mar. 8th. Rooms will be subject to availability after then.

EVENTS- The con will include all eras of Historical miniature games,and Non- Historical miniature games.. There will be DBM, and Warhammer tournaments.

Jeff Lawrence is the convention P.O.C. at (jlawrence@citrinecyberstation.net) or for preregistration send Check or Money Order to- 2806 Speedway Ave., Wichita Falls, Texas. 76308; 1-940-767-3699 PLEASE!!!! Call between 4 & 8pm.

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