"When you receive this letter I will be in Iran, digging up an Urartian (c.600 BC) Hill Fort near Shahpur in Ajerbaijan. This is an exciting trip for me not only because I enjoy archaeology, but also because Ancient wargaming is my main interest. Urartu is an especially interesting kingdom because it was the only one to success- fully resist the Assyrians at their height. It finally fell before the Barbarian Cimmerian invasions which caused such tremendous devastation in modern Turkey and who Herodotus refers to in his "Histories". I hope to gain much invaluable first-hand knowledge of ancient fortifications grom the dig. Expect a card sometime this summer." --Martin Charlesworth "I am writing to renew my subscription to Wargamer's Newsletter and must congratulate you on prompt and regular delivery of the magazine. I find informed articles on tricky or neglected aspects of wargaming especially rewarding reading, and often manage to integrate such results of original research or ingenuity into my rules. Although at first the novice is apt to gloss over pages not relating to his chosen period, battle reports and campaign sagas seem to possess an irresistible attraction, often due, in my case, to fascinating battle plans demanding that one read on to see whether the potentialities of terrain-were fully exploited. Many thanks for your editorial effort and long may you continue the hobby's chief mentor and enthusiast." --David J. Why of Brighton "I enclose the 2.10 for a 3rd year's subscription to "Wargamer's Newsletter". Although since starting the magazine my interest has swung largely to board games (I am sure my orders to Avalon Hill must put you about no end!), I can only say in all fairness that my present interest and enjoyment derived from wargaming stems almost solely from your magazine. Just one comment -- it would help board-gaming enthusiasts who read this magazine to know about the British board-gaming and Diplomacy magazine "Albion", which you have mentioned only once before (when I found out about it). It is obtainable from D.J.Turnbull, 6 St. George's Avenue, Timperley, Cheshire, for 13P (including postage) issue monthly." --Charles Appleby of Northants "The lapse of my subscription was due to a temporary cessation of wargaming by our group due to Honours Thesises, marriages, etc. However, now that I am settled in a flat with a spare room we are back in business again. Our Napoleonic and Ancient troops (all converted from Airfix) do battle most Sunday evenings -- in fact I am expecting that Great British General Hamiltonus to arrive any moment to command his motley crowd of Gauls and Britons against my legions." --Jim Gandy of Tasmania I am glad to find, according to one of your recent articles, that you have "rediscovered" the joys of wargaming. Though not as involved in writing as you are, I also have found it difficult of late to spend as much time in the actual pursuit of the hobby and get rather "bogged down" in the editing chores of The Courier. I am fighting hard against this trend, however and manage to get in a game every Wednesday night." --Richard L.Bryant of Brockton, Mass, U.S.A. "I must confers the magazine is still as interesting as ever. The game has certainly mushroomed, quite a few boys are playing over here mainly Second World War due mainly to Airfix figures being available. Have been receiving the Military Modelling Magazine - lots of adverts and too much World War II for my liking, still one must be open minded about these things. I think its because of this that the Newsletter is so good, no gimmicks, just straight down the line from one wargamer to another, and one I might say who loves his hobby so keep up the excellent work." --Jim Shaw of New Zealand. "In the July Newsletter you write about the Wargames Research Group Rules. I must say that my two friends and I are most glad of the Rules, both because they cut out a considerable amount of luck and seem to be a lot better than others we have used - an opinion formed by experiences on the wargames table. I was commanding the Romans against a mixed Barbarian army and confidently expecting my first ever victory as my flanking movement was moving better than expected. Thereupon two of the enemy's five elephants came forward and promptly mauled 40 heavy Roman legionaires, my (invincible as I thought) centre. As I only had 20 legionaires left and the enemy had 3 unused elephants I was a little apprehensive to say the least! Also all three of us have known the feeling that the dice are loaded against us. In particular Michael (I can't even pronounce his surname let alone spell it) has suffered and had one battle really spoilt. Getting away from luck and so forth, we have found that in the Horse and Musket period, artillery can so easily dominate a battle under most rules. A couple of good throws and a line regiment is heading back the way it came. But in the Research Group Rules you can have many more guns on the table without spoiling the battle (as I see it anyway!). Also another advantage of the Ancient rules of the 'Research Group is the prolonged melees that take place. These give one time to send in reserves if ones line is wavering - an advantage that seems to be often overlooked. Perhaps time is one big problem (our battles seem to take a long time whatever rules we use!) but I feel that this is outweighed by smaller casualties in steady doses, sensible morale rules, having figures on the table for longer and the advantages mentioned above. All of this gives a more realistic battle both to fight and in appearance." --Peter Tickler of Grantham Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 115 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1971 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