Mike Blake "I read your Editorial in Newsletter No. 96 (March) with intereat -- how bloody true! I'm one of the real oldies who liked the Newsletter better when it was duplicated, and on contents - for wargames news and views - its still a winner. I do agree with much Fred Vietmeyer says in Canister Comment though - the hobby must cater for all tastes, much as I deplore the computer approach. Have you even considered an emblem or such like for the Newsletter? the following occurred to me whilst idly doodling. The connections being, I hope, obvious, i.e. the military aspect in the flag, and the unique Newsletter element in the envelope divisions of the field. I offer it for your consideration -- a 'theme' or 'motif' for the Newsletter." Andrew Barton "I and a friend here tried as an experiment, pitting a 15th century Mediaeval Army against a Seven Years' War army using an adapted version of the Research Group rules. The Mediaevals won, not, oddly enough, because of the long-bow, but by use of cavalry, light bobs to knock a hole in the line and knights to keep off the dragoons. I contend now that Mediaevals will beat any army up to and including the American Civil War of equal points value. This result raises an interesting question, why did muskets supersede longbow? I believe there was a move during the Napoleonic Wars to revive archery -- perhaps it should have been put into effect." Clive Darke "Thanks for a good magazine as usual. I was interested in the letters in answer to Mr. Dunn. I think my opinion is obvious by just saying that I am 20 years of age. But please, please don't let us give the hobby another subject for argument, we have too many splits among wargamers as it is, without adding another. All I can say is, let us play with whom we want tog and if over 22's don't like young'uns then fair enough, don't fight us! Saw the section called "Make your Own Army". A great idea. Incidentally, there is something or other in one's bloodstream which makes it very difficult to paint small details when it is hot, I have noticed this and asked my local witch doctor about it, still I suppose you know about that in your job!" Brian Marlow "I would like to take up a point you made regarding the size of our figures which I feel may be misleading, particularly to newcomers to the hobby. On checking the figures in the Airfix range I find infact that the majority of these are the same size as our own, namely approximately 20-21mm tall (without headgear). It should also be borne in mind that not all of the Airfix figures themselves are made to a constant size, and I feel fairly strongly that, particularly when one considers the implications of the Trade Descriptions Act, that if one advertises 20mm figures for sale, they should in fact be 20mm tall and not 25mm or more which often seems to be the case at present with many manufacturers. I should be interested to hear your observations on this point which I feel is important." Mark Goldberg "Did you know that the Chicago Public Library has two copies of WARGAMES in their Social Science section, TACKLE MODEL SOLDIER THIS WAY in their Fine Arts department on another floor, and Joe Morachauser's MINIATURE WARFARE book in the Science and Technology department? Despite the fact that all four books had been in the library two weeks before for the annual inventory, I could not find any of them!" Roger Moores "The highlight of last year was the visit of the B.B.C. in early September. They gave us a good, unbiased interview and told us it would be shown on the first day of "Nationwide". And it was, but unfortunately only the East Anglian edition. Anyway, I expected thousands of eager Wargamers to come flocking to the door (we also had coverage in two local papers) as a result of the publicity, but all we got was ONE! The one we got, though, (Bob Winward) is very keen, and has been thoroughly converted to the hobby. Quality is better than quantity! Since then our numbers have slowly increased, and when I have a do on a Saturday we can count on between 10 and 12; too many for my small room, so we are thinking of booking a room above, preferably, a pub. Regular attendees include Geoff Kelker (the old timer!), Ron Marshall, Mick Terri Bob Winward, Peter Amey from Ipswich, and Bruce Anthony and Peter Edwards of the Horse Gunners, currently stationed here, but unfortunately soon to go to Germany. Last week I paid a visit to the North London Group at East Finchley and came away green with envy at the flourishing set-up there. It was good to see Brian Baxter again. His Bon Richard is now of a great height and producing really top class figure and conversions in World War II period. There were about 30 Wargamers there, with 4 games going on, and they told me it was a quiet night. As for our own group, we are beginning the scheme you did at Southampton by each having 2 regiments + 1 gun, and fighting English Civil War. It looks as though it will be fun, as I suspect one or two commanders are going to feel free to change sides without warning. The Newsletter continues to give great pleasure. I was amused by your di 9 Harold Vilson in the last editorial! Seriously though, I think it is possible to enjoy Wargames whatever one's political views are. I've never had a political argument over a wargame. Usually the rules provide enough ammunition for a first class row anyway! With the exception of what you used to call the "Command and Staff" boys, wargamers do it for fun and have the same healthy attitude to it that they have towards football ana sex. If a wargame teaches us anything at all, it shows us just how stupid the real thing is, which is what H.G. Wells says in "Little Wars" much better than I could say it. Back to more sensible matters; our little group is fighting battles in Ancient, Napoleonic (how did you guess?) and World War II periods. We have a fair amount of expertise amongst us now. Mick Terry is an expert on ultra-modern stuff but is also an Archaeologist. He has just discovered something Roman near Clacton. Peter Amey, who writes frequently to you, seems to have an unlimited supply of new ideas, besides being a World War I lace' of great repute. Ron Marshall does the best paint job I have ever seen on 20mm figures. As for me, I just plod on, not learning much, and still as reckless with cavalry as ever." Mike Wall "We held a Model Soldier Competition last Saturday (6th June) which surprisingly attracted 70 entrants. I have listed the class winners below in case you care to use them for the magazine. 20mm - Mr. Wattwood-- Japanese Samurai's (Airfix Conversions). 30mm - Terry Cunnington - Napoleonic Highlander (willie). 54mm - R.Leighton - Old Guard Grenadier (Rose). I have planned another competition for August and will hold a larger more open Competition at the end of September. Perhaps we may tempt you up as a judge! Also planned for July is an all day Sunday Wargame for those who have previously not had the opportunity to play. The response to this has been terrific and I have now had to start a reserve list of players interested." A.C. Cass "I see on pages 6 and 7 (Newsletter) we have 2 gents busy, one with over elaboration of rules the other with remarks about the "fun" player. Anyone can make "elaborate rules", but it takes more brains to produce "simple ones". These sticklers for NON-FUN, are themselves the fools - don't they know that realistic warfare can only be the real thing - one can be realistic up to a certain point, after that, unless one wants boredom, 'fun' must come in. I can tell you one thing for certain none-of-these-table-top-Generals-would survive-in-real- warfare, they are too stereotyped - the good general is he who does NOT follow any set plan, but bides his time. Who.am I to talk, I h.ar you say? in my earlier days I "whopped the living daylights" out of a number of these so called experts, and got the name of "the Old Fox". But, I don't like games of this sort as they become far too personal, that is why I (and P.D.Connett) evolved our rules to stop just this, and let the soldiers play the game themselves -- we just move them it is far more interesting. If anyone wants really elaborate Rules -- I can make 'em, just as well as the next twirp - but ii is NOT clever, and I don't give a damn what anyone says." Derrick Atwell "I did notice, on close reading of "The dashing of the Spears" that, both at Rorkes' Drift and Isandhlwana the Zulus food supply system had completely broken down and that they could not have fought much more without a meal. That may well be a factor affecting Native troops in such-like Colonial campaigns, although it would not affect the immediate battle it would reduce their efficiency in melees. When one thinks about it, it was rather odd that once the Zulu had reached the defensive walls at Rorkes' Drift they were still unable to win the melee and yet they repeatedly reached the walls and were still driven back. Perhaps they weren't feeling all that strong. I was reading not so long ago an account of Garibaldis' campaigns and was somewhat surprised to find how interesting they were. This would make a colourful wargame and a change from Franco-Prussian and such-like periods." Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 101 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1970 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com