David L. Arneson

Sir:

Locally our Wargame Club has gained the recopnition of the University of Minnesota as a student group entitling us to use rooms on campus for our meetings and all the tables we could ever use. Since then the University of Minnesota Military History Club (us) his fought several battles in 1:1200 Fletcher Pratt, one of which used large floor ranges and had a series of land battles in which the "End of the World" was replaced by an unlimited number of small tables. At first our battles were typified by wide outflanking movements, but since that time our actions consist of the lines being covered by Cavalry while the infantry and Artillery mash it out in the Center. All in all, it has been quite interesting particularly one rearguard action that lasted 88 turns and travelled 27.8 feet!

Our group would like to extend an invitation to anv wargamers that pass through our area to visit with us and if we have some warning, we will try to set up a battle.

Ed. Sounds like an interesting, if not always practical solution to the problem. Readers passing through will take note of the address. How do you determine terrain character for new boards?

Lombard's Round Shot Table 1809
4 pdr and 8 pdr

1. A 4 pdr. using a charge of 1 lb. 1 oz. of powder with an estimated muzzle velocity of 1381:

Raise in Elevation Range
0" 270 yds. (pt. blank)
.09" 534 yds.
.44" 640 yds.
.79" 748 yds.
1.07" 855 yds.
1.43" 964 yds.
1.96" 1068 yds.

2. An 8 pdr. using 2 lbs. 8 oz. of powder with an estimated muzzle velocity of 1356.

Raise in Elevation Range
0" 270yds. (pt. blank)
0.9" 534 yds.
.44" 640 yds.
.79" 74P yds.
1.15" 1955 yds.
1.60" 964 yds.
2.04" 1068 yds.

12 pdr table (v2n4)

William McGeown

I wonder if you could inform me where I could get a set of W.W.I rules--or one just prior (1912)?

I am embarking on a series of little ware in South America based on infringements of the Monroe Doctrine (such as a small German landing in Venezuela to be met by American regulars and British Marines). However, most of the rules I find are either lacking in entrenching systems or rely on trenches as in. late World War I. Also they visualize too many men--as would be the case in Europe, however, I use a 1 to 5 ratio of man and a single battalion (plus or minus a company or two) so formation movement is a bit rediculous. Perhaps some colonial war rules would do, so I hope to get your advice on where to get some.

ED. You might try Don Featherstone. He has a set of colonial, or World War I in the Desert rules which are, I believe, geared for 1 to 1 - no, to movement without bases. I still think 1 to 5 will give you trouble. For example, in a single line, roughly equivilent to a double line, you may be able to get 3 to an inch. A German company ran towards 250 men, a battallion just over 1,000. With a company front of 15" instead of 125 yds. (one yard per front rank soldier) a 600yd. rifle range (almost point blank for Mauser, Springfield, or Enfield) your running towards 6ft. on the table for the shoulder arms, 12 ft. for a tripod mounted machinegun. A company in open order would occupy up to 75" in 1/5 density. Shorten the rifle range and you are going to upgrade your units in propottion--you may call it a battalion, but it will fight like a division or at least a regiment.

T. D. Rey

Dear Pat,

As I have read in Armchair renewal you use a great deal of "flats." Personally I have two sets of Neckel flats of Napoleonic vintage, but I would like to know where you get yours and approximately how much they are per set.

I am interested primarily in two fields, firstly, the Napoleonic Campaign of 1812 and secondly the Swiss vs everyone else period from 1315-1400.

My ancestors were members of this Swiss Infantry Army and I hope to forward a wargame organization for this period in the future.

Ed. A more direct reply has been made to this inquiry. However, having never worked with the pre-1500 period, I'm none too clear on the true scope of flat coverage though dioramas of Mortgarten seem to be a feature of many great European collections. For readers interested in that epoch try Hafer or Beck. Napoleonics abound in Hafer's catalogue, those of Heinrechsen, Ochel, and Neckel, Schirmer (20mm for the most part) and to a lesser extent Tobinnus. These will be covered as soon as we receive confirmation from the firms involved.

Several Neckel figures are available (including) the famous "Retreat from Moscow" Series from "The Soldier Shop."