by Don Featherstone
AIRFIX Magazine - July 1976. Very interesting article on Armoured trains by wargamer Terry Wise; Modelling the 25pdr Sexton self-propelled gun in 1:76 scale plus other features of interest to the model maker and military collector. BATTLEFLEET - Vol.9. This magazine of the Naval Wargames Society has some fine articles on navies and naval wargaming and is a 'must' for all who fight battles with ships. THE BULLETIN of the Military Historical Society - May 1976. Contains good authoritative articles on the Army and Scottish Dress; and on the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 plus book reviews, etc. THE COURIER - Vol.2, No.7. This Bulletin of the New England Wargamers Association is always full of interest and contains articles on uniforms and colours; a rules review of wargaming armour and infantry; Cavalry vs Cavalry Melees; Napoleonic Cavalry; The Viking in early Mediaeval Wargames; Notes on Musketry plus reviews and other features. THE GRENADIER. Dealing with the period 1700 to 1840 this is a new magazine published every second month at 35p including postage from P. Morrison, 1 Laithe Field, Branch Road, Barkisland, Halifax, Yorkshire HX4 OAE. Written by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, contains a fine article by Phil Barker Research Findings on Individual Combat 1700 to 1850; Pirates; Cossacks; Napoleon's 1805 Campaign; Cavalry - Its History and Tactics with special reference to Captain Nolan. Trying hard to get on its feet, this deserves support from Horse and Musket wargamers. MILITARY AFFAIRS - an historical quarterly published for the American Military Institute by this Department of History, Kansas State University. Very erudite, the articles are always interesting even when they do not pertain to wargaming. In this issue of particular interest are U.S. Constellation in the War of 1812 and the Calabrian Insurrection 1806-1807. MILITARY MODELLING - July 1976. Beautifully produced as always containing many articles of fringe interest to wargamers but not specifically so-aimed. The features, adverts, etc., are well worth the price of the magazine. NORSEMAN - June 1976. A very good issue, well in tune with what a club wargames magazine should be. Includes TWO sets of rules - Medieval Combat and World War I aerial combat; some stimulating and astringent correspondence and a scathing report of W.R.G. 5th Amendment Ancient Rules (W.R.G. can and these, pages for rebuttal if they like!) PANZERFAUST AND CAMPAIGN - May-June 176. Contains articles on the French post-War II war in Algeria; an American Revolutionary article aimed at board wargamers but of interest to all; a number of articles on board wargaming plus a feature on miniature warfare with models plus correspondence and other features. SLINGSHOT - May 1976. Official Journal of the Society of Ancients (the previous two issues for this year have not been reviewed because I forgot to renew my membership). Fine authoritive articles on Alexander's Issus Campaign; Arabs in wargames armies; Unit histories of the known Legions; the Armoured Slinger; The Parthian Pack Elephant; The Aztec Army and its mode of warfare; plus numerous features, reviews and discussions on the new W.R.G. rules and a heretical but perhaps overdue criticism of the experts who use the pages of this magazine for their arguments. SOLDIER - July 1976. The cover is most inspiring and not a little frightening! Beautifully put out as always and keeps you up-to-date with all that is current in the British Army besides articles on Military Museums, the latest Military L.P's and books, correspondence, etc. SWORD AND LANCE - No.14. Nicely put together contains articles - Convertor's Corner; The Roman Province of Britain; boardgames reviewed; Marshal Murat; The Battle of Han-San 1592 (I bet that is a new one to you); Indian Mutiny Dress of Cavalry and Horse Artillery; Dog-drawn machine guns, etc.; The Brown Bess plus reviews of the latest figures, books, etc. Seems to be slowly but steadily moving away from wargaming interest to general militaria. WAR MONTHLY - No.30. Beautifully illustrated articles on the Nebelwerfer; The Battle for Berlin; The Spanish Foreign Legion; Cantigny 1918; plus a couple of good naval articles. THE WESSEX - June 1976. This is the first of what is hoped will be a regular club magazine of the Wessex Military Society and as it is produced entirely by people well-known to me I find a particular interest in it. If it can keep up the standard and make up its mind whether it is aimed at the thirty or so members of the Wargames Club or for general circulation then it will be fine. Also I trust it will not fall into the usual trap of most club magazines by extending beyond its limitations in trying to print authoritive articles instead of club news and basic material of interest to its readers. Anything that is readily available in professional books should be avoided! This issue contains an article on Infantry Organisation of the Horse and Musket period; a set of rules for the Frencl Revolutionary War 1796 to 1800 by Stephen Douglas whose rules always attempt to break-away from the chess set variety, plus Club Notes and information. Club magazines like amateur dramatics are usually more fun for those producing and taking part than those on the receiving end - but it is possible to cater for all of them! SOUTHERN MILITAIRE - Our report omitted the fine representation at this event of the ROUNDHEAD ASSOCIATION - VEREAUX'S REGIMENT OF PIKEMEN AND MUSKETEERS who, in all their finery, put on impressive demonstrations of period drill and manoeuvres. The North Wakefield Wargames Society have found a permanent home at the Shellon School of Danci Kirkgate, Wakefield, "opposite Tesco". They are looking for new members and meet every Sunday at 2 o'clock. Secretary, Raymond Kershaw, 52 Primrose House, Kirkgate, Wakefield, Yorkshire. Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 173 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1976 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com |