Playing increasingly frequently against a number of opponents in the past few months it occurred to me that we really needed far more regular meetings than were at that time possible and agreement beteeen us on rules instead of constantly playing those of the host. In February this year seven of us got together and outlined plans for a Napoleonic Campaign. A few weeks of this made two things apparent: Firstly the real time - game time gap between the 20 minutes on average it took to play a game move which represented one minutes actual movement was too unreal, and slowed the campaign to a crawl. Secondly group members were not getting enough games and were having difficulty in arranging meetings. Vigorous re-thinking took place and eventually I declared open house on Wednesday evenings to all group members. The arrangement is that I arrange with one person to come definitely, but any other member of the County group, as we call ourselves could come without previous notice. At the same time we moved on to a five minute period which we call a bound, and since this for various technical reasons makes Napoleonic games awkward, we took up the mid 19th Century period. When players arrive they dice as to who they will play with and which side of the table. To give a common thread to the evenings without the need for a lot of planning we are going through the battles of the American Civil War in sequence paying particular attention to accuracy of the battlefield layout. So far, the Group has played 1st Bull Run and Shiloh. The evenings were a success, not least because as one may play Federals one week and Confederates the next, the petty that sometimes spoils gaming is absent, because although the will to win is still there the determination to do so at all costs is absent. Another important feature is that as we are more interested in the technical and tactical aspects of the game. We can play games in which one side has preponderance over the other in numbers without difficulty. During this time we have also gone to LWGC whenever possible but find it a long journey from South or West London. The Wargame Festival in March really set us going, and it became apparent that more wargame activity was possible than was being provided by the facilities then available. However, finance was the big problem. Recently the BMSS confirmed their willingness to support us until a Wargame section became self supporting. As LWGC was not readily accessible we looked for a comfortable room in Central London which could be reached with a minimum of travelling for all. The old venue at the Masons Arms was an obvious choice, and as Thursdays was the only day they could offer us regularly, then Thursdays it has to be. The first Thursday in the month does not clash with the main BMSS meeting or the LVVGC so that was the time chosen, and the BMSS Wargame Section was born. Already Allen Clayton, Don Featherstone, and Andy Sampson have given us their blessing, and the first meeting is on 3rd June. You probably won't hear about this in time so mark 1st July in your diaries and come along then. Initially it will cost 2s. 0d. entrance fee, but if more than 20 come regularly then we can cut this down. You may come once as a visitor, but after that you have to present a BMSS membership card. In return you will be able to exchange and try out new ideas, and there will be articles in the BMSS Bulletin. Each month a modern, a Napoleonic and a Civil War set up will be available for play and we hope to add 7 Years War shortly. All are welcome, and our objects are set out below. I look forward to seeing you. BRITISH MODEL SOLDIER SOCIETY Wargames Section Objects 1. Informal monthly meetings in easily accessible and comfortoble surroundings where those interested can gather to discuss play and tactics, and put new ideas into practice on the tables available. 2. The adoption of a set of standard moves for all periods so that all members may play all other members without the conscious effort of remembering different moves for each group with which they play. These moves to be based on a realistic time - space scale. 3. Detailed research into wargames and actual warfare to ensure by the deliberate comparison of facts that playing conditions are realistic. 4. The exchange of models between members. Note: Meetings will take place on the first Thursday of each month at the Masons Arms (first floor) Maddox Street, London, W.1. Note these dates in 1965: 1st July 5th August 2nd September 7th October 4th November 2nd December Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 40 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1965 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