Derrick Atwell (Sheffield) I enclose a yearly subscription, which must be about due. You certainly keep up the standard of the Newsletter remarkably well; my own favourites were "The Bomber Succession" and "The Colonel's Table". I really think you would be fully entitled to raise your subscription but, on secoad thoughts the flood of students and sixth-form types who must form at least half the hobby now suggests that you are wise to keep the price down. I enjoyed your receat War Game Campaign book: full of bright ideas and not bogged tows. in too much detail. Your refight of Rolica was of personal interest to me, an I had done it several times myself; it being a neat little battle which sort of grows on you. When you come to consider it, it is the reverse of several of the better known Peninsula battles with the positions reversed ... The French, outnumbered and kholding the crest of a ridge and the British attacking in column (perhaps) and demonstrating that a rapid deployment was the answer: in the early stages, the French musketry seemed quite effective too - perhaps they tended to crack up after a few volleys, as far an a fire-fight was concerned. Also, one couldn't help but wonder why Loison did not arrive to the sound of the guns: evidently this same Loison was a bit of a cruel devil; having massacred the entire population of the village of Evora, not long before." M. Raymond (Nottingham) "I enclose this information in the hope that you may want to pass it on to other wargamers via the Wargamer's Newsletter. I have just seen a book in the local bookshop entitled "The Loss of the Scharnhorst" by A.J. Watts, published by Ian Allan at 25s. -d. This monograph seems heavensent for naval wargamers wishing to re-fight this rather one-sided action. The first part of the book gives the narrative of the action and the events leading up to it are described under daily sub-headings. There are also frequent plans showing the relative positions of the various groups of ships and the cruising dispositions taken up by them. The book is well illustrated with photographs, too, many of which I have never sees before, and including such items of interest as views of various classes of gun turrets. No less valuable (some may find it moreso) is the second sectioa giving all manner of data. Not only are there details of the participating warships, but also a list of merchant ships in convoy JW55B, a comparison of the British and German guns (including maximum ranges - I never realised that the German 11" guns outranged British 14" by nearly 10,000 yards!), a detailed break-down of the firing of "Duke of York's" 14" turrets, numbers of shells fired by the ships (British only), torpedoes fired at "Scharnhorst", notes on British and German gunnery, and details of visibility under various conditions is that part of the world. A list of further reading is also included. From my rather hurried glances I should think there are all the details required for a reconstruction of this action, and I for one hope that this is only the first of a series of books along the same lines from Ian Allan. Since I myself work in a bookshop (not, alas, the one where I saw this book) I was able to discover from a publisher's representative that David and Charles are hoping to publish a reprint of Jane's Fighting Ships for 1939. It is at the moment scheduled for next March, but no price details are yet known. Hoping that you find this information worth reproducing." Archie Cass (London) "I picked up second-hand Scullard's Scipio Africanus (Thames and Hudson) and personally I would not buy it, only it was going so cheap, if one has "Liddell Hart's Scipio Africanus" (as I have also) one does not need Scullard's one - it is merely a re-hask of the older one. Before I close, has anyone any information regarding the differences between the Red Indian Tribes?? In spite of the remarks going around there MUST have been differences - just imagine you were a "Brave" moving through some forest and you saw another brave skulking along - what do you do - go up and say "How" - and receive a tomahawk up your jumper!? The Blackfeet, it is said, were called this because the soles of their moccasins were black - I would like to see someone going up to a fierce locking Indian and saying "beg your pardon, mate," and lifting up his foot to check if he was a Blackfoot! Imagine if he wasn't one!:! Cor, blimey!! Have just heard that a book was re-printed for about 3 pounds 15s by Dial Press, New York in 1959 called - "George Catlin and the Old Frontier" by Harold McCracken - full of coloured plates and line drawings. Catlin was one of the first writers on Red Indians, I saw his original books many years ago in a Library - 2 volumes of mostly coloured plates - Most ixtei-esting." S.Swinburne (Repton) "I enclose herewith my cheque (378.6d.) being for a copy of your latest contribution to wargaming generally "Wargame Campaigns". I must say it puzzles me as to how you find the time for your manifold activities in support of our hobby - writing, personal visits, and I presume an occasional game plus the monthly production of Newsletter must take out much from the daily period wherein the "daily crust" is earned. Only you know whether the financial reward repays your vast labours. I cannot think there can be very much in it for you but I must state that I am (with my son) one who appreciates all you do and have done to further the pleasant pastime which, thanks to you and your friends - T.Bath etc; is a lively "chicken" if not yet the larger "bird". Maybe with me it is old age - but my days are never long enough. Be it as it may, My son's and my thanks for your efforts. I might mention too, the promptness with which the monthly magazine arrives, here again one must give you credit. Being one of your earlier supporters and knowing just how much you have contributed to the hobby over the years, I hope the support you deserve continues to be given you and the continued good health to go with it." George A. Lord (Thunder Bay, Ontario) "I am a lone Canadian in the heart of Canada, and when I go down there, I go to play wargames as I find opponents hard to come by. While there (the IFW Convention at Lake Geneval Wisc. U.S.A.) I tried my hand as a commander in 20mm Napoleonics. This fascinated me last year and I swore to get into it this year. We started at 10-30 a.m. and went to about 4.30 p.m. The game stopped because some players got tired, I personally was truly enjoying every minute of it. The French commander said that he had captured the farm and the bridge, only two good strongholds on that flank and that we did not have a chance. I, as the Austrian commander, argued that he took so many loses getting them it would bleed him to get the end of the road, his objective, plus the fact that if I held one more move I had reinforcements coming. Unfortunately I rolled badly on amount of artillery ammunition. After more arguments, the French insisted they had the thing won, and the referee was about to give them a win when I stated that they had still not gained the agreed objective, so he awarded them a 60-40 win in order to give out the prizes. Anyway, I really had a lot of fun with it. I am collecting 30mm Napoleonics and at the moment am getting figures from Ed Sures. With me it is French versus Austrians. When they are painted they do look lovely. As for being alone, my son will play a few games at times although he plays well, he is not a real nut on the hobby. Incidentally I am using "Column, Line and Square" rules for my Napoleonics. My interests in the hobby are wide spread - from modern and sailing ship naval games through Romans, French Foreign Legion, A.C.W., Napoleonics and Modern." Alan Hansford daters (Braintree) "The Newsletter is still by far the best wargames periodical available and one thing about the recent numbers I like is the return of the friendly human interest material. I am almost as interested in wargamers, their views and their collections as I am in the game itself. I think a lot of wargamers share my opinion and that this to some extent explains the reputation of Wargames Digest and early Newsletters. How about encouraging other readers to write on fields they have visited and what they learned from a personal inspection, how it affected their views of the battle and period? I particularly remember an account of a visit among the Boers in an old Newsletter and an account of Dettingen with photograph. If you do suggest this thol - would also advise that Waterloo and Gettysburg are of little interest! (Not that I have been to Gettysburg, mind ... perhaps it just feels as if I have." Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 105 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