The General Vol 05 No 3

**** The AVALON HILL THE GENERAL PAGE 2 *. 4

$h ~VA~ON GENEWaL . . . a losing vcnturc published bi-monthly, pretty closc to thc first day of January, Marck, May, July, Scptcmbcr and November. Thc Gcncral ia cd~tcdand published by The Recent surveys administered both by playability. While re capturing esaent- Avalon Hill Company almost solely for the cul- The General and purists among the ually the same overall conditions as tural edification of adult gamfng. (It also helps to war gaming cult Aave produced a rather they actually existed, Stalingrad is not scll Avaloil Hill products, tool) sharp diviaion between adherents to over-encumbered with a myriad of de- Articles from aubscribrrs are considered for realism and adherents to playability. tails. With all of its units, this game Such publication on a gratis contributory bmis. Under the aseumption that a game can- can be played rather quickly. Action articles must be typrwrittcn and not txcccd 700 not be both realistic and playable, con- abounds words. Examples and diagrams that amampany on every turn. Small wonder such articIes must bc drawn in black ink, rmdy sensees favor playability 60-40. While that Stalingrad is still a favorite among for rcproductiol~.No notice can be given regar- it is possible, and the battle games many of the hard-core players even . ding acceptance of articles for publication. seem to prove it, to produce games though it is an "oldu game. Another '

All back issues, except Vol. 1, Nos. 1 & 4, which that are both realistic and playable the game continuing to be a favorite is + are out of $rock, are available at $1.00 per issue. only really successful games have been Afrika Korps. Again, complex- sim- Full-year subscriptions o $4.98. abatractions. We only have to look to plicity is the keynote. In both Stalin- Monopoly to prove this point. ! o I= The Avalon Hill Company, Baltimore, @ and Afrika Korps, a high degree Maryland. printed in U.S.A. While the game-makers over in our of abstraction has been built into their research department axe loath to admit design. They have proved to be the - it, AH'S battle series cannot be con- panacea for all concerned. sidered successes from amass-market Outside the area of battle games, standpoint. However, the true history we have found that it is not possible to COVER STORY: buffs and realism nuts are great enough produce a realistic game that is fun to in number to guarantee a certain de- play. And after all, isn't the important gree of success for any battle game thing about a game how much fun it it that is produced. As a matter of fact, to play? A case in point is a stocb If Ever There Was other game producers who have publish- market game we have been testing for ed battle games of an abstract type have over a year. We designed it too realis- an Unsung Hero. . . failed in their quest to move such games tically. It lacked inter -plaFr com- off the store shelves in profitable num- petition. Although it had re-captured If they ever hand out unsung hero bers. the action of the stock market in its awards in wargaming, Russell Powell However, even with the design staff truist form, it simply wasn't any fun to should win hands-down. at AHoriented toward "realism, " there play. We scrapped the whole idea. With expeditious help from wife is a limit to how far one can carry this The next step down, then, was to philosophy. Jutlandand 1914 are clas- inject some abstraction to get play mov- Donna, Russell Powell. has taken the p spark of an idea that flamed back in sic examples of realism-to-the-T. ing quicker. Also, areas of inter- 11966 and kindled it into the most demo- More detailed research has gone into player competition were injected. As cratic wargaming "league ' I existing to- their design than into all cthir battle we leanedmore and more in this direc- day -- the Spartan Wargamer s. games combined. The research team tion, the game became less and less Although beset with growing pains, of James F. Dunnigan Associates, with realistic from a realistic standpoint. their never-exhausting supply of inside financial crises, and petty bickering The stock market, itself, is no game, typical of many such wargaming organi- dope, has been able to transcend the at least not from the standpoint of one zations, the Spartan Wargamer s have most minute battle detail into excitingly player attempting to outscore his op- flourished while many others Aave realistic battle games. Pardon, we ponent. Unlike the stock market, war either floundered, reorganized, or been mean simulations. Because that's ex- lends itself much more readily to inter- personal ani- actly what we have in JutIand and 1914; consumed by the fires of - player competition because that's what mo'sities. Hardly a wargame club today games so realistic that they are simu- the participants basically are trying to is the same organization it was two lations of the real thing. In fact, it is do - to beat the other guy. At thi years ago. Even such early stallwarts being brought to our attention that these point it is safe to conclude that the de as Red Lions and Aggressor Homeland games are too realistic.. .so realistic gree of realism and abstraction is de have switched names and experienced as to become boring after severaI play- termined by the subject matter of that3 drastic organizational and personnel ings. area of life we are attempting to por- changes. Not so with the Spartans. With Jutland and 1914, we have tray in game format. We are therefore They have experienced a steady growth finally satisfied theappetite of the hard- wiIIing to sacrifice absolute realism in pattern that puts all others to shame. core historical buff. But in the mean- favor of a design that is, first and for- The reason for this is Russell Powell; time, the hard-core game-game fana- most, fun to play. who has been able to stand up above tics have had to "give upN1on these the power -plays and intrigues that often titles because they feel that the intra- Jutland and 1914 are fine games. . slow - undermine the leadership of even the caies of realism the action down ooops. . . we mean simulations. Thei~ most uptight organizations. Russell to a walk. In short, there's too much publication has done much to enhancr complex fun has had to weather such storms by detail for what competitive the quality of the AH image. Thei~ groups of dissidents bent-on taking over can be had. Thus, the game-makers publication has done much to broader club leader ship. Alas, the coups have have come to the conclusion that a wed- our distributional base thus making tht failed mainly on the strength of Rus- ding between realism and playability rest of our line more readily availablr quick sell's loyal friends who realize how results in a rather divorce. to the public. Within this framework much time, effort and money. ..over The alternative is abstraction. -Stal- we are proud of these two titles. Bu ingrad is an excellent example of the we are even "prouder" of what we'll bt (Continued on Page 3) proper combinationbetween realism and introducing next Spring. PAGE 3 THE GENERAL The success of such a strategy rests upon the continuance of your luck and not upon the merits of your tactics. Success Thru Patience In Midway, how tempting it is to by Jared Johnson launch a "devastating',' attack before the time is ripe. (In the iong run, perhaps not devastating to the enemy. What causes the downfall of many Atlantic for a few days, - good wargamers? They are in a hurry! Consider Afrika Korps. How often This is a serious problem with many Granted that time is of the essence in does the German commander conduct wargamers. They are over-anxious, many instances. However, not always. a reckless 2-1 attack against Tobruch too eager to rush in and slaughter the In his fervent desire to annihilate his which wasn't really necessary ,yet? opponent. His means are contradicting opponent, a player often makes rash Suicide charges are fine as a very last his desired ends. A competent general to decisions, and decides most often in resort, but many players just don't knows when let his opponent attempt: favor of the plan which will allow him realize what suicidal tactics they are the bravado tactics. A competent gea- should to act the soonest, usually without employing too early in the game. Many era1 knows when ha be content weighing other merits. Consider the players faced with a tough situation will plodding along at a snail's pace. game of Bismarck. In the long run it make a bad decision in favor of a plan Take heed: All of you power-happy is rarely wise for the Bismarck to that will "break the iceii the soonest; generals who want to cross the Meuse to stay and fight a battle which he can usually, a. series of suicide attacks. by the 25th turn, who want take Bas- withdraw from, even when it ia an easy How tempting it is in Bulge for the togne by the 17th, who want to sink the victory. However, he is overwhelmed U.S. to surround one of those miser- Atago the minute it comes onto the at the moment of conflict by the desire able German 10-5 panzer units at 1-2 board, and who want to pop into port May ta sink the British BB. Likewise, not odds hoping for a D back 2. What hap- the first hour of 26th. a lot of games are played to the time pens when his units are retreated and a You may be better off taking it slow makes waste. I' limit, although it would be to one side's gaping hole left in his lines? but sure, because "haste advantage to do 60. The Bismarck is In Stalingrad, how easy it is to go Patience is often the greatest virtue always anxious to pop into port, when overboard with those 1-2 and 1-1 at- of a successful general. he might fare considerably better in tacks against river positions right after Jared Johnson, 1548 Rochelle Drive, leading the British navy around the you have had a short run of good luck. Chamblee. Georgia 30005. COVER STORY

$100 a month. . .the Powell's have put club, the system it would be run by and having been given out in 23 months), into the league. presented it to the members in the and some free Gamescience games in To fully understand the reason for middle of July. the process of going on the prize lists. the Spartan's growth, let's go back to "It was accepted by a l0Oq0 majority "We have through this League fur- that day in May, 1966 when the Powellt& and then we started recruiting. nished these services for over a year invited a group of neighborhood boys to "In September of 1966 Russell and I now: A monthly report to inform all see wargames for the first time. started the neutral competition League League members of what is going on in "My husband and I, " relates Donna which has existed from then until now. the League. It averages around 30-40 Powell, "were standing around after His League was not readily accepted pagea a month. An arbitration service church one Sunday discussing the topic due to the untrustingnature of the clubs for treaties. disputes, League territorial of hobbies. Russ and had been play- I: already organized. procedures, decisions on AH games, ing AH games for over two years so we ItThe Reichshutzers. Scarf, and Lan- andvariants taken from AH games, etc. immediately started talking about war- cers were the first to join the League. A uniform code of ethics, protocola, gaming. Well, the topic drifted and It wasn't until around the month of De- and laws that governed all clubs fairly bounced and suddenIy Russ found kim- cember that things really looked up. and democratically since the League self sponsoring this club. FOE, the Marauders, the Raiders, and has been formed. "We had no intentions of going nation- the Army of California joined the League, "We keep complete files on all letter^ wide at that time. Ruse bought every along with segments of win Incorporated. written and received and provide these A. H, game on the market and some not Around June of 1967 Aggressor Home- facilities for League clubs references. on the market. He started giving them land, and OKW I1 joined the League. "All in all I feel that in bringing as prizes in tournaments and I knew They were followed in December or good honest, worthwhile, competition right then that something was growing approximately that time by Spectre 17, to the wargamers we are promoting the inside of him but I couldn't put my the newly formed Imperial Guards, hobby to a level never before attained. finger on it. United Wargarners of America, and a We feel our territorial warfare system "Before we were married Russell few local clubs that were notadvertised. (done with maps, forms, and by certain had played a lot of Chess and had played "That had brought the League up to laws) is unmatched by anyone. in a few tournaments. Re had always almost 140 people. Recruitment got "In short may I say that my husband wondered why wargaming had not been heavy in all clubs and shortly after and I only wish to bring this hobby up brought to that level. International Task Force joined this to where it belongs. Equal to or above "On July 4that a picnic whenwe were month, and the creation of the Seabees Masters Chess. talking about the club Russ told me (a SPARTAN club) our League has 185 "To us wargaming is serious. A lot what he was planning. He had decided registered members. of young men want to have fun in their that he would like to see wargaming hobby. We want to give them the best organized like Masters Chess. After "Our League (which is 100yo demo- chance they ever had to have it. discussing this in depth 1 agreed with cratic) has over 35 tournaments running him and after that he was no longer with more than 12 additional about to the same. start. We furnish trophies, cashawarde, Anyone howwhere we can find about "He planned out the basis for his free Avalon Hill games (with over 30 20 more Russell Powells? ? ? THE GENERAL Belgium?- Never How to 'Elim "the Russians in 1914 by Andrew P. Engebretson Lt. Carl F. Knabe has with his by Geoff K. Burkman usual incisiveness laid his finger on the key to German success in 1914 in just one word; attrition. (The General, One of the major problems the Ger- cision the German player must 'make July 1968) man player has in an advanced*game of is whether to add to this number, in- For once, LC. Knabe may not have 1914 is what to do about the Russians creasing his chances against the Rus- gone far enough-- he suggests an on the Eastern Front. He must send a sian armies but lowering his strength allout attack with 314 of the German force that can defeat the Russians or for use against the Allies, or by de- army along the France-German border, at least hold their own, without neces- creasing his forces on the Eastern while readying about 1/4 for a strike sitating the withdrawal of additioxl Front, adding bulk to his Western Army through Belgium. Delaying the thrust forces from the Western Front before but lessening his chances for success of the right wing is recommended be- the French, British, and Belgians have against the Russian. The German must cause, among other things, a corre- been bumped off. The Basic game has weigh the possible results with the pos- sponding delay in the entry of the the German sending 61. points to engage sible risks and then make his commit- British results. the advancing Russian army. The de- ment. But why not go all the way--ignoring Belgium and bringing the entire weight of the German army to bear on the Iine The following table presents the results of each option column in percentage Longwy -Belfor t ? format {with figures rounded off to the nearest whole unit): Obviously this approach avoids spot- ting the Allies the 30 points which they Factors sent to East: gain through a German invasion of Belgium and just as obviously the doubled losses------14% 11% 8% - - - British entry is delayed until at least move 10. Less obvious, however, is the fact that the Allies are not bound to static situation ------11 by the rules emulate their real-life counterparts in committing the bulk of gain 50 VP1s ------the French army to a bloodily futile thrust into Alsace-Lorraine. Instead, gain 75 VPqs------subject to the vagaries of game varia- ZZ tion, the Allies are usually free to gain 100 VP's ------adopt a plan along the lines of "Plan l4 Michel" (as they did in 1940 without pass 1 turn------33 --- calculating the effect of armor on the value of the Ardennes as a defensive pass 2 turns------17 barrier.); if forced to an offensive stance by game variation, they can quickly enough shift units to the North- pass 3 turns------west to correct matters. pass 4 turns------In short, by assuming the strategic defensive and relying on fortifications to hold a weak German left wing, the Some of the results are surprising; Russians. The object of this would be Allies appear to be fully capable of for instance, you have a better chance to get a large number of Victory Points frustrating the whole purpose of the to get 75 Victory Points by sending I75 in the East and hope you can hold what Schlieffen plan, which was to turn the factors to the East than you have if you you've got in the West. This extreme, Allied left flank. The German's failure send 245 factors. Even more astound- as is the other one, involves too much in this regard leaves him at deadlock ing--you can send 75 factors to the risk and chance--the odds are that you with equal or slightly superior allied East and the oddsare that you will sus- will get no more than 50 Victory Points forces, as happened in the actual event. tain no more losses than if you had sent and possibly will get nothing. Not only Dead lock is no use to the German; only 25, and you have a chance to obtain that, it might result in the loss of Metz, "tactical victoryi' likewise only leads 50 Victory Points. It is my opinion something that would scrap any further to ultimate defeat in the war. Decisive that if you are the type who deals with hopes for victory. Thus the bestanswer victory is the only answer for the Ger- all things in moderation, this would be lies in moderation, using 75 or possibly man and piling up victory points by the logical choice. 110 factors in your Russian campaign. seizing iron mines does not suffice. But then there are other strategies, Please do not get the impression that (Invading Belgium and Luxemburg give a too. You could send the bare minimum I reject the possibility of using the ex- the Allies 35 points, which obliges the to the Eastern Front, 25 factors. This, treme methods--there will always be German to amass 175 points to win de- however, is a little too foolhardy--you the time it will pay off--and the German cisively by that means, a most doubtful run the risk of even more losses to the will be victorious, perhaps without even venture. ) and little Russians you will have to do advancing into Belgium. It's an inter- The German alternative is Lt. with the extra units anyway; the front e sting thought. . . hrnmm...... Knabels insight pushed to its logical can become extremely crowded. On Geoff K. Burkman conclusion- -an all-out assault along the the other hand, you could send nearly 7 15 Myrtle Avenue Longwy-Belfort line, while ignoring your entire armed forces to fight the Terrace Park, Ohio 45174 totally Belgium and possibly luxemburg.

THE GENERAL PAGE 6 1900 Variant See How They- Run.. . by Norman Beveridge, Jr. for 1914 What is the most popular sport in No doubt moat of you who bother& the world? Soccer you say? No, for to read this are familiar with Avalon One of the difficulties of the 1914 there is one sport which draws more Hill's fine games of baseball and foot- situation, if not THE chief difficulty, attention from more people that enjoy ball. A few of you may have seen their was the large size of the armies in re- sports than all three types of footbdl Le Mans game, which I believe ranks lation to the amount of front available. combined; Rugby, Soccer, and Ameri- with the other two. A little experience, This was not always so. In 1900 the can. That sport is auto racing. enthusiasm, and a small group of people armies were muchas theywere in 1914. By far the best auto races are the can turn the game into a gala rirnda- The main difference was that they were road races, rather than the oval shows tion of the real thing. considerably smaller. The 1900 Vari- like Indy. And the best road races are However, those few of you who own ant reflects this altered situation. This on the Grand Prix circuit. And of the Le Mans know that the cars provided is alI it reflects. All other elements four classes of cars which race on this with it are dated, and are sports cars, of the game are the same. circuit, the Formula I surpasses For- which do not race in the Grand Prix. mula 11, Formula III, and Formula Therefore, I have done some research CHANGES FOR THE 1900 VARIAN'I Junior (which are emdler cars). This and calcdated some approximate fig- Initial Deployment: forces available is my subject for this article. ures for several F. I. cars: FRENCH GERMAN (gear) down 18 6-10-3 21 7-12-3 car name: speed^: turns: shift: H. B. : 6 6-9-3 10 5-10-3 Hoada I 18-16-14-12-10-6 Z 2 8 3 2-4-3 2 3-4-2 Honda II 19-17-15-14-11-7 2 2 8 2 6-0-2 2 4-4-2 Honda UA 20- 19- 17- 14-10-5 2 2 8 1 1-2-4 2 2-2-2 ATS 21-19-16-13-11-9-64 3 3 5 7 (2)-1-4 2 1-1-2 BRP 20-18-15-12-11-9-5 3 3 8 4 8-0-2 Fe,rrari V6 20- 18- 16- 14- 11,9-6 3 3 8 8 (4)-3-4 rerrari V8 22-20-18-16-13-10-7 2 3 7 Lola 18-16-14-13-10-5 2 2 I0 BELGIAN: one 3-4-2 each in Namur Lotus 25 20-17-15-13-11-7 2 2 9 & Liege. Two 1-1-2's & one (2)-1-3 in Scirocco-BRM 19-17-16-13-11-9-6 3 3 9 Brussels. htua Ford-A 20- 17- 15-12-10-6 2 2 8 BRITISH: two 4-7-3'6, one 1-2-3 and Lotus Ford-B 19-17-14-12-11-7 2 2 8 one (2)-1-4. Cooper Messaretti* 18- 17- 15-13-10-9-7 2 10 The Germans may reduce 305 forts with Ferrari* 17-15-13-12-10-6 2 8 their 210 artillery. They must roll a McClaran Ford* 18- 15- 14- 12-1 1-5 2 8 1 or 2. BRM* 19-16-14-12-11-9-4 2 9 CONDITIONS OF VICTORY: The Ger- Eagle* 18- 16- 13- 12- 11-6 2 8 man marginal victory will now result Repco-Brabham* 17- 16- 14- 12- 10-7 2 8 in a draw. They must win a tactical or Lotus BRM* 18-15- 13-12-11-7 2 8 decisive victory in order to win. All other elements of the game are the (Those with asteri~ks(*) appeared 2) On Moats Carla, one kilometer same. in an earlier General. They are not is 54 squares. The above situation is not an exact re- mine but got me startedonmy research.) 3) One turn on Le Mans is 15 seconds creation of the 1900 situation as this Note: The Cooper ~essaretti turns long. would require too much re-design. It red turns in second, and yellows in 4) One turn on Monte Carlo is 4 is merely intended to ~peedupthe game. third. H. B. .hard brakings. seconds. Both the Le Mans and Monte Carlo Monte Carlo is obviously superior. courses are on the Grand Prix circuit. I was not satisfied with just two courses, The following information is provided and have found it quite easy to copy real Pink and Green turns are easier than for those who find statistics intergst- coursea in any scale or design my own. Yellow turns, and can be safely corner- ing: However, the types of turns are quite ed one gear faster. Blue and Black are 1) On Le Mans, one kilometer is 14 inadequate, so X have added the follow- extremely sharp, and mustbe taken one square B long. ing turns, ranging from slightest to gear slower. sharpest: With these innovations and additions, I have been able to develop this method dry wet dry wet dry wet dry wet of simulation into an extremely realistic ---roll Pink Green Blue Black duplicate to the Grand Prix champion- 1-3 SO ship races, bnd everyone who partici- 1 4-6 SC patks finds it interesting, relaxing and enjoyable. Perhaps if you battle nuts 2 SC SC SC SC 4-6 SU (I am a die-hard player myself) need 1-3 SU 1-3SU some rest from combat you could take 3 SC SC SC SC SC 4-6 SC 4-6 SC su time to delve into this fascinating battle of wits and machines. 4.5.6 SC SC SC SC SC S C SC SC Norman Beveridge, Jr. 4822 Kingfisher PS-pit stop SC-aafely cornered SO- spin out Houston. Texas 77035 PAGE 7 THE GENERAL In a year of reading the General, I paratroopers and get 84 factors against have seen many articles advising the the city to even get 2-1 odds. But if German player in The Battle of the you accomplish this watch out because Bulge, but none giving hints on strategy the German will quickly turn to attack for the ~mericanplayer. I, for one, you somewhere else. Thus you ahould believe that playing the Americans in strengthen your river crossings above Bulge is every bit as exciting as play- Learn Houffalize and in front of La Roche ing the Germans and I offer this article with 82nd Airborn and 9th Divisibn. to beginning American players of Bulge By thia time your north line behind I so that you may learn to say "nuts" to your German opponents effectively, to Say, St. Vith will be crumbling and yournuse This is for Battle of the Bulge with begin counter attacking. Stavelot must all Tournament and optional rules ex- be held (you can use 30th Div) and any cept One Way Traffic: To set up a "Nuts" units you can spare from the south ' strong defense, it is helpful to know should be sent to Vielslm. Also a fortification should be built oa crossroads the German objectives and the routes by David Bush and timetable he must use to achieve DD 24. 1 often use a platoon system them. There are five attack routes here (Vielslm Road) with one or two which the German can use; two in the unita holding the road while a second north, the Elsenborn - Malmedy - you get a chance, build a fortification groupforms a second line behind them. Websrmount route and the St. Vith- (I don't use fortresses in this stage of When the first units are retreated, the Vielsalm route; two in the center, the the game because a doubled factor second ones then are the blockers while road to Houffalize - then north at EE 27 controlling 7 squares is more valuable the retreated units form a new line. and across to LaRoche or straightwest than a tripled factor controlling only If the enemy ia advancing too swiftly, to LaRoche route, and the Clearvaux- one) on EE 27 so that you can block counter-attack1 A 1- 2 surrounded Bastogne route; and one in the south: Houffalize and still be able tc escape attack against strong Panzer stack the Diekirch - Martslange route. The northof the river. Your most crucial offers a 2070 chance of eliminating many enemy factors and even a contact game is divided into three separate defense. however must come on the or engaged is a tactical victory be- time periods; Dec. 16-17; Dec. 18-21 Clearvaux road and here you must sac- cause you force the German to fight for and Dec. 22on. In the first time rifice units to gain time. - Every single a square he otherwise would have had period, the German mus t breakthrough rough terrain square which controls a free. If you can keep the German out your line in force on at least one of the road is priceless. Clearvaux muat be of Manhay and hold La Roche until 3rd five attack routes; in the second period held to the death but I seldom put more Armored arrives on 21 AM he won't he must crack the Ourth River in force than one unit in it since the German can be able to crack the Ourth and you can on at least one of them, and in the third surround and destroy two as easily as beat him. periodhemustcrackthe Meuee and one and the others are needed to cut I 1 have ignored the northern route hold' it. Lf you can deny him any of roads. You must fight for every single I because it is easy to defend and the far these objectives, you will beat him road space but try to prevent your self southern route because the German easily. from being surrounded. If you canhold cannot supply it beyond Martelange In the first period, the Eisenborn out long enough for 10th armd to reach without taking Bas togne. Nevertheless, route is the sasieat to defend and few Bastogne your chances will be greatly if your opponent puts much strength German commanders will make a increased. You must also hold the against them you must block him. The determined attack there. I usually Wiltz road. In the south, try to free a 1 object all along is to shift your strong- ' find the 2nd Division strong enough to unit of the 4th div to help block roads, est defense opposite his strongest hold it alone. On the fir st turn I always and hold Diekirch. You will eventually offense. send at least one unit of the 99th divi- be surrounded and eliminated but this sion to St. Vith and the rest to the will take the German several turns. If things go bad and the German mountain square which cuta the road You muBt be sure to keep the Germans takes the Ourth by the Zlst, you prob- between TT 10 and St. Vith. This out of Martelange until 10th Armd ably wont t be able to keep him from the makes St. Vith very difficult to take, reaches Bastogne, however. , Meuse but you should continue your but, if the German cuts the road fir at, The period Dec 18-21 is your most ( slowing tactics and hope your reinforce- you can still reinforce St. Vith way crucial defense and best chance to stop by ments and airpower get a chance to of Malmedy from the north. When 7th the German. Bastogne will be your stop him. But most important, you armored division arrives, I always first worry so I will treat it first. If must attack his supply lines. As his send at least one 7-4 to 00 15 and the your road cutters have done their job panzers cracked the Ourth and begin heavy ground behind St. Vith and rein- and 10th arrnd reaches Bgstogne, you 1 their mad dash to the Msuss, he may force it with at least one unit of 1 st can put up a stout defense. The two have left pockets of resistance not I division. This way you can hold out 7-4's of 10th Armd and the one of 9th quite isolated and you should attack long, even after St. Vith falls, and Armd make Bastogne a tough nut to I Manhay or Bastogne with them. Even every engagements is an American crack but if your road cutters have been a 1-2 gives some chance of success victory. blessed with an engagement or two so and delays his advance. But if you In the central front, you cannot that IOlst Airborn gets there too, you have fought your earlier battles strong defend the Houffalize road but I always can make it impregnable. By placing and hard the German may find himself pull 9th Arm/ CCA out of Diekirch on the airborn troops and any remaining running short of units at just the key the first turn and put it in Bastogne and road cutters in stacks of one or two on time. Then you can tell him llnutstt send the remainder of the 7th Arm div the hills southeast of town and on the with vigor. to hold the river crossing at EE 27 road square north of and adjacent to above Hoffalize and the remainder of Bastogne with a unit of 82nd airborn 1st div to hold the crossing in front of holding the roads behind it, the German David Bush La Roche. You can be surrounded too will not be able to surround Bastogne 141 E. 15th Ave. easily trying to hold Houffaliee but if and will have to oak off against the Columbus, Ohio THE GENERAL PAGE 8 GENERAL RULES 1) Hidden units within 2 squares of an enemy unit at the end of a turn are revealed as long as they stay within two squares of an enemy unit. Re- "Simultaneous HHidden " Movement vealed units however are concealed when moving until they stop two squares from an enemy unit. by Paul Perla 2) All game rules not affected by these modifications remain in force. I have placed the title in quotes be- battle becomes an engagement. (forests, mountains, etc. ) cause actually, movement under this 3) Now each player is permitted to Although not the best system to use system is neither totally simultaneous bring up more reinforcement8 during this does provide a rathe; simply -corn-- nor totally hidden. Xt is morevor less the second phase, with blue remaining plex method of adding these factors ta a conglomeration of several different the attacker. Battle may be divided a game, and it is not necessary to use ideas, however I have found this to be both simultaneous and hidden rules a;; 1 according to the rules of the game. a comparatively un-complex {notice, 4) Combat is resolved at the end of the same time. Any questions you may not simple) methad of including simul- the turn, with each side revealing the have or any suggestions on how to im- taneous and/or hidden movement in strength of their units for the firsttime prove this method are welcome. Ad- moat AH games. in the battle. dress all correspondence to: As originally developed, 1 intended 5) Second phase battles are carried Paul Perla use to to numbered counters represent out in the same manner, and they are 7205 Schley Court but stacks, as I didn't want things to also resolved at the end of the turn. Pittsburgh. Pa. 15218 get too involved, I decided to just turn the stacks upside down. (This is es- pecially effective in Blitz with its many different sized units..) But for those of you who are real fanatics with time and counters to burn, the first method is a much more fascinating way to play.

MOVEMENT

1) Movement is carried out by re- Wellington's versed stacks or units, and is conduct- ed in phases, two phases to a turn. Player A moves his first phase then Waterloo player B then A again then B. 2) A unit or stack may move up to half its regular allowance per phase and may not carry over any unused fac- (How to Lose a War in a Sing/e DayJ bra to the next tshase. 3) All other movement rules apply. by Tom Storslee COMBAT A soft breeze blew from the west at a struggle within Wellington to compose 1) When a unit moves into the zone the small town of Waterloo. The warm himself. of control of an enemy unit, it must earth glowed with the heat of the after- "What do you mean Quatre Bras has sto,p. noon sun. But the village which was fallen? How did it happen? " 2) The player who moved into com- usually knownfor its drowsy atmosphere The following is roughly what the bat is the attacker and remains so in today vibrated with the news of Boney's messenger should say: that battle for the rest of the turn, no Coming. A soldier on a lathered horse Quatre Bras ia the key point of the matter what other movement is made. raced through the cobblestone streets whole terrain. It's early fall would 3) Once contact is made, the units and pulled up in front of a red brick mean allied defeat. Quartered at the that have contacted each other may not inn. The rider leaped from the saddle northeast corner of the French occupied move until the next phase. and bur st through the door. city of Gosselies was the cavalry and But this was no ordinary inn for horse artillery of the French totaling housed within its humbIe walls was the seven factors. This force was moved COMBAT PROCEDURE Duke of Wellington who had established along the northern primary road toward headquarters there. The Duke was in Quatre Bras. With the road bonus this 1) In the first phase, Blue moves the midst of hisafternoon tea (imported force reached the square circled in the into contact with Red, becoming the of course) when a rude knock pounded diagram. {It is the road and slope attacker. Neither side may move these at his door. The messenger, for such square. ) This strategic taken units during the remainder of the first he was. was let into the commander's during the first turn completely des- phase. The strength of the units re- presence. troyed the natural defenses of Quatre mains concealed. "Quatre Bras has fallen! The sur- Bras. The zone of combat and thewoods 2) Before the second phase begins, viving troops are routed. Most of the prevented the PAA forces from moving Red (defender) rolls die if he wishes to Prussians are deatroyed. The war is to the hiIltop square (labeled X in the break contact. If he rolls a 1 or 6, con- lost ! " diagram). Because of the lack of suf- tact is broken, and he may move his The Duke's face whitened and then ficient troops the FAA forces could not units in the second phase. If not, the flushed in rage. The messenger saw hold the area without the doubled de- PAGE 9 THE GENERA].

What I am offering here is a radical opener for the German commander in Radical Opener - Bulge Bulge. For the most part it is based on By Joseph W. Sunders the percentages for its success, and with the right throws of the die the American player will be left in utter desperation. For those of you who #l.167 Inf. Div 12, 16 rep. play by mail and don1t feel that the PBM odds chart gives you a fair chance, #Z. 276 Inf. Div here is a suggestion. Use the same 352 lr rr 8 rep. stocks figure that you would for PBM, but instead of using the last digit, take #3. 5 para Div the whole number and divide by six. 562 Inf. Reg Then the remainder will be the throw Lehr Pz Gr of the die; no remainder means the 7 Pa Reg 9 CCR equivalent of a toss of six. This way the regular results table can be used. #4. 13, 14 para Reg PP27 The following is my suggested lineup 406 Pa Gr 1111 of attacks, in the prescribed order. 17 Pz Gr PPZ~ You may add or drop at will. 312 Pz Reg fftt 150 Pz Brig ltl! 15 Para Reg 0026 Lehr, 1, 2 Ill1 109 reg

422 reg

#6.9 SS Div TTll 52,123.124Inf.Reg UUlO 51,679,680 rr " UU9 fense factors. If all PAA troops were 36,915,916 lf " TT 9 14 cav 5- 1 concentrated to hold this area, they could be attacked from behind by a 423 reg 1 - 2 cavalry charge (30 to 40 factors) that originally feinted an assault at Tilly. #8.35 hf. Reg 393.395 reg 1-2 8 Pz Reg. This plan would work only if the 154 Inf. Reg commander was bold and reckless. All Peiper French troops had to back the frontal 4,310 Pz Reg attack vanguarded by seven cavalry factors. The seven factors were wiped out but by the second turn the French One out of three times with this of- does more than just cut off the 4 Divi- were entrenched in the hilltop square fense the Amis will be foolish even to sion; there is a good chance to trap a (marked X) and Napolean could proceed try to hold St. Vith, unless they don't regiment there in an engagement, and to destroy the FAA resistance at basic want to see a regiment or two any more. then surround it next turn. As soon as odds, Peiper and the 4 and 310 Pz serve their Monschau is free, infiltrate one to three purpose on the first turn by protecting regiments through the woods there. HERE ARE THE STEPS FOR A SURE several spaces, and then in the second One is enough, for it forces the foe to WIN: turn they are available to displace the cover it with at least one unit. He can defender on 0017. If the Germans have ill afford this one to one coverage. Use 1. Place the seven cavalry factors been lucky, (2 of 6), on the 5-1 attack, this same maneuver SW of Martelange in position on the first move. they will either have the hill at QQ13 and in the woods between Houffaliee- 2. Back up with forces that can or be next to it. Either situation is an and Vielsam. The Americans1 fear of reach position X by second turn. enviable one, and it is well worth the being outflanked will force a move on 3. Feint at Tilly with cavalry (30 one out of six risk of an exchange for his part. One further piece of advice, to 40 factors) then turn toward Quatre the fortress. But there is a one of two probably well lmown. is that most of Bras. (This will either occupy the chance that the Elsenborn-St. Vith road the German Panzer strength should be Prussians or tie up troops to defend will not be cut by that battle, SD a 1- 2 pooled near Houffalize early in the the Quatre Bras rear. ) is necessary to the north. If you think game and thendirected toward the weak 4. Always attack at least 2- 1 odds about it, an attack onNN25 is not really point that is observed. and defeat FAA by sheer numbers and necessary, for only an advance of one For the sake of American players, fierceness of attack. space would be allowed anyway. There- well placed fortresses can mean the I guarantee this plan to work. The fore, save this attack and place one difference in a close game. A fortreas seven cavalry factors are usually lost unit each on 0023 and 0022 to deter him on the road slightly to the east of Marte- hut it is made up later with the basic from taking up position near there. I lange will serve as a capable roadblock. ldds. Move fast and the PAA reim- use attacks 3 and 4 to eliminate my foe. Its placement is determined by a care- forcements will be useless. The game The 8-1 is better against ,the ,109 Reg ful study of the condition in the south. should be won before the entrance of because there is no exchange there. Since the main drive of the Germans the Prussians. Furthermore, an attack on the 8 Reg heads NW after passing Bastogne, and THE GENERAL PAGE 10 the road situationdeteriorates for them, the fortress, garrison i.t with a7-4. delaying battles. use the fortress again. But an import- Then comes the 1lWallll. When the 7 As soon as Brest Litovsk falls your ant observation must here be made. Armored comes in, stop the CCR at powerful Panzers should wheel east Between Bastogne and Rochefort. Bas- DDZ5 to build a fortress. Then build and take Minsk. The infantry should be togne and Marche, and Bastogne and fortresses at CC26, BBZ7, La Roche, up to the Divina and if they were lucky, Hotten, there is not one road by which Y29, Y30, and maybe Y31. Two regi- might even have a bridgehead. In Fin- German units may travel laterally, that ments of the airborne should be used land, retreat toward8 Helsinki, tying is maneuver easily. To the NE of that to build part of the IIWalll'. GGZO and up as many Russian units as possible. only two short lateral roads. exist. GG21 are also good spots fox fortresses. In the deep south, the Rumanians should Haven't you ever been the German play - A fortress at Y38 will help to cover form a defensive line on the Dnestr er and found the pace of your attack the south flank. And if the decision is after crossing the Prut. The German slowing down west of the Ourthe River? in doubt, place a fortress at Y 19. But forces should move North, between the Now you know why - no lateral roada to the real big stopcock should be built in marshes and the northern end of the. maneuver on. Therefore, it is the wise the beginning at JJ23 and 1124; with a Southern Bug. They should then move American player who uses fortresses unit on the hill at 1122 to guard the river. I on Kiev. to block the roads. The first blocking The best counterattacks for the Ameri- As soon as Minsk falls, your power- fortress should be built on DD31. But cans will take place on the northern ful Panzers should turn north, crossing you ask why not on Bastogne. Well, flank of the Germans, as far east as the advancing towards Lenin- build one on Bastogne later, but DD31 possible, but watch out for the entrap- Divina and ia more a hindrance to the movement ment there by breakthrough German grad. The remaining forces should get as close to Smolensk and Moscow as of troops north of Baatogne. To cover troops near Manhay and Aywaille. All possible without overextending them- the road to La Roche, place a fortress comments and criticism should be sent be on BBZ9; since he can not cross the to Joseph W. Saunders, 3708 Yuma St. selves. A defense line should then the river, he might be pressed to attack MW, Washington, D.C. 20016. established running from swamps south of Lake Ilmen to the Pripyat Marshes. In the south, Kiev should be taken and your Panzers must move on Bryansk and Orel, thus forcing the Rus- sians to fall back to a line running roughly from Smolensk to Ore1 or Kursk. Establish a defensive line from Kursk to the Crimea. Your advance on Leningrad will be quite hard to stop due to your powerful armor concentration. Take reinforce- Yes, a German Mary in Stalingrad ments away from the north, if possible, by threatening elsewhere. With proper by Ron Salcedo handling of your forces you will capture Leningrad by late '41 or early '42.

Contrary to what the Stalingrad Bat- Finland to assist the Finns. tle Manual says, a northern campaign On the first turns, the Panzers north in Staliagrad can be quite productive. of Warsaw should attack the flank of the This can be done as followa: Bug River, moving towards Brest Lit- On the presumption that your oppo- ovsk. Infantry, at the same time, nent uses a setup slightly similar to the should hit the Nemunas at V- 19 and at AH one in the Battle Manual, you should Kaunas, with 1- 1 and 1-2 odds. If the set up your 6 most powerful Panzer possible loss involved ifi not too great, Corps in stacks of 3 north of Warsaw. attack Brest Litovsk with infantry only Also put the bulk of Infantry south at the best odds, even before the Pan- of Brest Litovsk. Stack your 3 6-6-6's zers get there. In the south, the rs- south of Warsaw and put as many Ru- maining Panzer and Panzer grenadier manian forces as possible in Rumania. forces should take Lwow and in the deep Also, put the full 8 combat factors in south, a bridgehead across the Prut should be established. In Finland, fight

By now the Finnish campaign will most likely be over and regardless of the outcome there should be little or no Russians left, in Finland. After giving Leningrad a proper garrison, cross the Volkhov or else the Svir, whichever is easier. The infantry should drive as close to Moscow as possible and then establish a defensive line along the Volga area. Meanwhile, the Panzers PAGE 11 THE GENERAL

and the remaining infantry should cross the Kolp and then hit the VoIga in the Yaroslavl area. While all this is going on, what is happening elsewhere? Your other Pan- their zers fihould cross the river at Orel, and I, tuo, have run in to the uninitiatedi s to the providing of services for normal the always cross the Oka south of Vladimir near reaction to first contact members. And there is the option not any all, the Moscow-Stalingrad railway. These with wargamiag. But I immediately of joining club at that You couldn't ask for more choicea than movements should push the Russians attempt to point out wargaming is these, good back from Smolensk to the Ugra, thus merely a mental exercise, only using and choice is a definition of freedom. shortening your defensive line in front a medium which is a little less common You made the charge that a certain of Moscow. Maintain the defensive on then the Scrabble hard or chess. Why (youmean all other fronts unless you get a lucky do you inaist on trying to defend your- neutral club SPARTA) sub- selves in other ways? The problem verted Aggressor Homeland, You go break. In that case, move towards that Stalingrad. now ir that some people have begun to on to say the leader of Aggressor Homeland ia a high-ranking member of Now you must decide whether to at- take it all too seriously. Most of theae quasi-military clubs are stark, raving SPARTA, and then insinuate that he tack Moscow from the east, or starve high and subverted Aggressor Homeland 80 as the Russians out. This decision de- ridiculous. How can echool college gain from pends on the Russians strength. Mos atudeat~possibly pretend to to control of it the outiide. - each Again, you cow must fall before August of 1942 to give each other ranks and address had investigated to uncover other give you a good chance of winning. as if in the service ? I think itis the truth of the matter you would have childish. I engage in the gamecl to found out a number of illuminating facts. both meet people and to pit my mind I am the leader of Aggrearor ~omeland against theira: What fun- is there in that you speak of. I was a long-time playing a game by mail with someone member of Aggra ssor Homeland before who never writes? I'm not looking for I had even heard of SPARTA. I com- a win on the won-loss record;I1m Iook- manded the entire Army of Aggressor ing for a challenge and a friend, win or Homeland at the time I joined SPARTA. lose.. . . And, finally, the leader of Aggressor Homeland at that time, Victor Gervol. B. T. Hoffman gave me the leadership of the club when 266 Carroll Street he retired. I will rupply a photo-copy New Bedford, Maas. 02740 of his letter to me if you would like one. Can't youimagine aperson being in two clubs at once and not trying to harm one or the other? Are you that narrow-minded? But it was in your final propomal that you really surpassed yourself. The following a rebuttal to Mr. Guthrie's provocative letter (Vol. 5, No. 2) on "lack of You demanded that Avdoa Hill not freedom " within the wargaming world. print the advertisements from the clubar After Moscow falls, advance down you mentioned in the GENERAL. Yes, the Railway towards Stalingrad. Now, When I read your letter to the editor you really want to let the wargamers , enjoy their freedom. We certainly are there are no defensive strongpoints due X.really couldn't quite believe you were lucky that you from to poor terrain. Thimadvancewill force aerious. How can these supposedly are here to keep us the Russians back from their defensive totaIitarian wargaming clubs force you falling prey to those clubs. Democracy too much for UB to pbeitions near the Sea of Azov. Mow to be a member of one of them? How would be handle. you simply fight a battle of amihlation can they possibly make all wargamers Bruce Sullivan Russian until until the surrenders or join? The only way one could do so 7873 El Dorado Plaza conquering Stal- your armiea enter would be to be more beneficial to the Long Beach, Calif. 90808 ingrad. wargamer than the other clubs. Total- itarian? With a little investigation. Mr. Guthrie, you wodd have found out that SPARTA ad Aggressor Horne- land elect their leaders. Boldland has Dear Sirs: just merged with LFW which elects its Concerning your article byMr. Sea- leadera. I have no information on Big right (July-Aug. 68) I think it is com- Army, but would not be surprised if it, pletely absurd. Even though he is right too, elected its officers. If there is a about the ignorance surrounding nuclear pattern to be found among these "total- development. I don't believe he i~right itarian" cluba of yours it is a pattern in brushing off the atomic threat as of democracy. "trash. We now have more than One of your main points was that enough nuclear weapovs to de ~Eroythe the totalitarian clubs you mentioned whole world. I think it is high time were conspiring to deny wargamers any for some cool straight thinking. No choice in their hobby. This is com- ignoring or panicking about this prob- pletely lucicrous because the clubs you just cool middle of the road thinking so loudly condamnoffer choices to war- will ~olveit. Ronnie Salcedo garners, not deny them. We now have Stephen Woodruff 78 Charles Street the full range of clubs, from the war- John St. Ext. New Rochelle, N. Y. 10801. mongering ones to ones devoted solely Westerly, R. I. 02891 THE GENERAL PAGE 12 Dear Sir, In an effort to improve the quality of O&bZ A~alonHZ Game CZU~J... the General. AH requests the bi-monthly JJ conte~tentrants to name the headlines The clubs listed below supplement the initial listing made in the Jan-Feb 1966 of the three be st articles in the is sue. issue. Due to space limitations, we have not repeated any prior listings although choosing the three is a chore, because many have forwarded us updated information. The purpose of this listing is simply ' it is often difficult to find three well to provide basic information to those readers looking for new clubs. written columns. Too frequently the reader find^ misspelling, incorrect word usage, illogical construction, and poor punctuation. Regardless of con- CLUB PRESIDENT ME hmERSHIP tent, many of the articles are quickly thrown together and not proofread be - South Alabama Directorate of Pat Knapp a select few fore they go to AH. This must not con- ~nter-collegiate~trategiksts tinue. 137 1 Ridgewood Mobile, Alabama 36608 Occasionally your staff is guilty of these errors. In any case it is the job The Galactic Empire Phil Pritchard of editors to edit. Obvious mistakes 5756 East Seventh Street in copy should be corrected by the staff Tucson, Arizona 85711 before publication. Notations to that fact should be made after the article. The Great General Staff Mark Zumgher One way to improve the quality of the 5723 S. Kenwood work in general is to require the dis- Chicago, Illinois 60637 closure of the name of each author. Anyone with any pride will be loath to East Horizon Duane Clark Fiant sign his name to an inferior product. 1403 E. 77th Indianapolis. Indiana 46240 Contributing writers should use careful, precise wording. A dictionary, 1st Shock Army Patrick Otero thesaurus, or synonym finder is help- 76 1 1 Riverdale Road #3 15 ful in selecting the exact word for its New Carrollton, Maryland 20784 meaning. For improvement of style, the writer should consult any of the good Dual Monarchy T. F. Morin & English cornposition manuals. The best 2713 Urbana Drive Robert Hoess one is probably Strunk and White, -The Wheaton, Maryland Elements of Style. A useful method for theme writing Wargamera Club of America Michael Nicholson followa. It is not easy, but the toil is 52 Gray Street worthwhile if it improves the General. Boston, Massachusetts (1) Briefly outline the points to be made Panzer Lehr James Pulsipher (2) Do all necessary research. R. D. #3, Box 189 Check your facts, and where the material Battle Creek. Michigan 490 17 im not common knowledge, note the source. If you propoae to alter a rule, The Voltiguers (SAC) John Kueckle you should be able to defend the change. 16502 Grays Bay Blvd. (3) Write the first draft quickly to Wazata. Minnesota 5539 1 develop the main ideas. Do not waste time on grammar and form so long as 4th SS Volksgrenadiers Jarne s Anderson you know what you mean. 141 Pine Road (4) Completely rewrite the first Briarcliff, New York 10510 draft. Choose your words carefully, and use them sparingly. Stonewall Brigade atonewall (5) Set the paper aside for a day or P. 0. Box 763 two. When you come back to it your Newbern, North Carolina 28560 mind will be fresh and alert to dktect mistakes. If the narrative flows smo- Imperial Guards (SAC) Bill Gray othly and logically makes its points, the 5712 Wells Circle South essay is almost complete. Proofread Ft. Worth. Texas 76114 for punctuation and spelling. If you have the slightest doubt about a spelling, look Royal Guards Steven SeefeIdt it up. 147 Bloxom Drive (6) Type the final draft, reserving Newport News, Virginia 23602 a carbon copy for your self so you know what you have submitted. A. H. Portuguese Club Antonio Calcada (7) Proofread. Proofread. Proof- Av. Duque de Avila read. Good writing. Lisbon, PORTUGAL Eric Shimsr Illicer 'a Mill Road Bethlehem, Pa. 18017 PAGE 13 THE GENERAL ------OPPONENTS WANTED ADVERTISEMENT I Club Reg/stration I Please print or type your advertisement on the spaces provided below, maximum All Avdon Hill clubs are urged to I (including your name and address) 35 words per ad. register officially with The General. Those who have registered previously - 1. need only to complete the form in the event of an address change. t I 2 3 4 5 6 7 I I 8 0 10 11 12 1 3 14 Club Name I I 15 16 17 18 19 20 2 1 Mailing Address I 25 Name of Newsletter or Mag. (if any) I22 23 24 28 27 28 I I29 30 91 32 33 34 35 WORDS Total Member ship ( All ads are inserted as a free service to full-year subscribers. Only one ad per subscriber per issue is allowed. Ads will not be repeated from issue to issue, President's Signature I I however, subscribers may re-submit the same ad, or new ads, for each succeeding (Check One): I issue. Ads received after the 15th of the month preceding publication will appear - This is a first time registration 1 in the following issue. No ads will be accepted udess printed on this form. - This is an address change registra- ' tion. I ------I Contest No. 27 ------Don't forget to vote on what are the I The IBM 360/30 computer, having just gotten over the indigestion it received three best articIes of thi8 issue. . . re- I from AH'S last survey, is now ready to give it another go. Contest winners will cord your votes where provided on the I be picked at random, the offer of a gift certificate an inducement to get another Contest Entry blank. I large response.

The Best of the Best

The purpose of this survey is to better ascertain exactlywhich areas of tactics, Subscriber Discount.. . I strategy,and playability make for games th3t are fun to play.For each group, assign I "3" to your preference; "2" to your 2nd The Coupon shown below is for the bene- choice, "1" to your third choice. When ~DDENMOVEMENT fit of the full-year subscriber. As soon 1 1 there are only two choices to a group, as you have accumulated 4 such caw- use numbers "3" and "1". pons, 1 each from this and succeeding I As in Gettysburg issues, you are entitled to a $1.00 dis- I ZONES OF CONTROL: count applied to the purchase of any uAs in Guadalcanal AvalonHilL games, parts, play-by- Full zones of control (Stalingrad) mail equipment and the General. As in 1914 (upside-down counters) Here's how it works Partial zones (Gettysburg} Each coupon is worth 25$. But one RETREATS: coupon alone does not entitle you to a No zones (1914) 25t credit. You must accumulate 4 different coupons before taking advant- Allowed thru normally blocking age of the $1.00 credit. When you have ' GRIDS terrain I R accumulated 4 coupons, then you clip U Not allowed thru blocking terrain them all together and send them in with Square Grid - your orde'r for an Avalon Hill game. When ordering in this manner, you Hex Grid STACKING simply send us a check or money-order for $1.00 less than the usual retail value 1 MOVEMENT: nOne Unit maximum (Tactics 1x1 of the game. Stacked according to Units {Stalin- Consecutive grad) Stacked according to combat factors Simultaneous (in experimental 11 (Waterloo) 1 stage, only) 1 SAVE THIS COUPON I 1 1 Headlines of 3 Be st Articles: GOODTOWARDTHEPURCHASE 1 Name I OF ALL AVALON HILL 1 I PRODUCTS ( Address I I city State I THE GENERAL PAGE 14

For the second straight season, the AH Baseball Team Cops Crown Avalon Hill baseball team took top honors in the Baltimore Unlimited Baseball League. A 6 to 0 victory in the final playoff game assured them the top spot and an invitation to the Maryland State Tournament finals.

With essentially the same personnel as last year, but with a new look in the pitching corps, the locals beat down the pressure that had been applied by the rest of the league in their efforts to dethrown last ear's champs.

"The road was much tougher this year, "relates manager Tom Shaw. "When you're king-pin, all the other teams are out to get you. Consequent- ly you face their Eest pitching game after game. " "As a result, the team battingaver- age was down over that of last year. Currently, we've only got hvo . 300 hitters and they're both pitchers. l1 ------1 When asked what the team did spe- COMBAT RESULTS METHOD: VICTORY CONDITIONS: I cifically to overcome such pressure, Shaw replied, "we had to dig deep into i our bag of tricks to stay one step ahead Basic system (Stalingrad) nConditional elimination (Stalingrad) I strategically. " Substitute Counter reduction sys - Point system (1914) "For example; whenever we had a tern (Blitzkrieg) u situation where there was less than 2 out and baserunners at first and third, Step-down reduction system (1914) I I Territorial objective (Bulge) - we always attempted the delayed Written reduction Pad system COMPLEXITY LEVEL: double-steal. . . regardless of the speed ( Guadalcanal ) of our baserunners. What was the Elim- Engaged- Retreat system opposing team to do in this instance ? Tactics I1 - (Bulge) If they threw to second to get the run- ner, our man on third usually made it Stalingrad DIRECTION OF RETREAT: home before the relay. But usually, no attempt was made on the man at Blitzkrieg Dictated by winner second. Thus, we've set up a 2nd and 3rd base situation which negated the Dictated by loser possible double-play. By the time the other team catches on to these tactics, AIR POWER: you're through playing them for the season. " ISOLATION & SUPPLY: D-Day "And, too, we have a home diamond Replacement City system (Stalin- Bulge tailor-made to our attack. Our ahox-t grad) right-field fence is built-to-order for City source system (Blitzkrieg) Blitzkrieg our left-hand pull hitters, and our 'right-hand late swingers. It can work Supply quota system (D-Day) both ways, so 1 was careful to instruct ROUGH TERRAIN FACTORS: our pitchers to pitch the right-handers Line of supply system (Bulge) tight and the left-hander's outside. Combat factors added to defender I This way, most of the opposition hits Supply Counters system (Afrika I would land away from the right field Korps) Combat factors subtracted from at- I sector." tacker "That's all 1'11 tell you now; we I still have the tournament coming up. ARTILLERY: No effect I 14 We were runners-up last year, so I'm reserving our surprise strategy for LUCK ELEMENTS: 1914 system these games. Avalon Hill have its work cut Guadalcanal system Die roll using 1 die out for them. Since the tournament features only those top teams from other Gettysburg square- grid system Die roll using Z dice leagues around the area, its back to H Baseball Strategy for a refresher Waterloo system No dice -use matrix system course for Manager Tom Shaw and his n (Football Strategy) coaching staff. PAGE 15 THE GENERAL St., Tucson, Arizona 85711. just start- ing; The Kommandeur, 844 Ashcomb Drive, Valinda, Cal. 91744, highly informative quarterly publication in 3rd year; The Panzerfaust, Box 280, RD#Z, Sayre, Pa., in its 2nd year covering Our thanks to the 1,000 plus entrants Congratulations to Mark Rudolph allareas of gaming; DasSchwarz Korps, to Contest #25 giving us your survey (east) and Richard Rubin (west) prize 16 Oliver St., Hartford, Conn. 06106, preferences. The 10 prize winners winners in P. 0.W.'s 4th annual PBM two issues; The Spartan, IFW, 2249 N. picked at random have -.been sent gift tournament. A total of 15 prize winners Broad St., Phila, Pa. 19132, bi-monthly certificates for AH merchandise. were announced by the publicity man newsletter approaching 2nd year of pub- Gift certificates have also been sent for the tourney, the only co-sponsored lication, The Spartan Gladiator, 5820 to the following "a~thors'~for their out- competition held in the wargaming Sohn Ave., Long Beach, Cal. 90805, standing articles in last month's issue world. Kudos to the Pennsylvania Or- voice of Sohn Powell & Company cur- of The General. Heading the list is ganized Wargamers and Aggressor rently in series 3 meaning 3rd year (we Carl K. Knabe I1 for Belgium - When?, Homeland for bringing this type of com- assume); The Spartan Phantom, 223 3 followed by Jared Johnson's Peace-In, petition to fruition. Plans for next South Louisvill e,Tulsa, Oklahoma 741 14, Alvin Files1 Togetherness for the Con- year's tourney are being formulated at two issues devoted to "candidus immuni- federates. Sidney Trevethan's On Stra- their HQ, Box 280, RD#2, Sayre, Pa. tus publicus;" Thestormtrooper, noad- tegic Defense, and Richard C. Giberson's 18840. dress, no editor, but interestingarticles; Jutland Play-by-Mail. "Join the common market, " asks Strategy & Tactics, 50 FairfieldAvenue, Continuing our benevolent mood, Bill Dobbins whose organization is will- Albany, New York 12205, most profes- we've also sent gift certificates to the ing to act as mediary for all territorial sional of the lot.. .a must. 10 winners of Contest #26+ Robert claims. A newsletter @ 50$ a throw The ever expanding publication of - Gwinn, San Francisco; Manuel Guarinna, will inform subscribers on all "the fices of S & T (Strategy & Tactics Mexico City; Tom deShong, Washington, action and odds and ends." Queries Magazine) has done it again. Coming D.C.; Gordon Brever, Kansas City, received at 18090 MW Avalon Drive, in the Fall will be a ,highly informative Mo. ; Gary Smith, San Francisco; James Portland, Oregon 97229. one-shot magazine entitled; "German E. Devos, Littlestown. Pa.; Howard New club registrations get stranger Weapons & Strategy," Its publisher, Kingamon, Dallas, Texas; Brenton and stranger. Latest to enroll is -The Project Analysis Corporation, 50 Fair- Anderson, Iowa City, Iowa; Charles Galactic Empire. . .boasting not one field Ave.. Albany. N. Y. 12205, has Cartright, Miami, Fla. ; and Nelson magazine, but two: Spacelanes and gathered the finest historians available Doinger, Chicago, Illinois. Galaxian. not to mention a 20-page for the compilation of this remarkable Manual of The Galactic Empire edited work. As an aside, much of the rea- Here is a TIME-SAVER suggestion at 5756 E. 7th Street, Tucson, Arizona sons for the design of AH'S -1914 is sub- by Jay Bennett, Wyndmoor. Pa., for 857 11 by Paul Pritchard, Sirius Sector, stantiated in the pages of this literary all players of 1914 who find writing Prefect of Centarus, Sol 111. Wierd, effort which is the culmination of over and planning mobilizations troublesome man. 3 years nf doggedly intensive research. using the current system. The only Also on the tournament circuit, this Many surprises await the reader. Many necessary equipment is two boards of one with live talent, the Pacific North- myths have been exploded. A -must for the Football Strategy or Midway or west War Games Assn. announced the the connosur of German military history. Bismarck type. You merely stand them winners of their annual bash in Seattle. The Olympics - 1968. . .not the one up on their edges and use them as Prizes of AH games, S & T subscrip- in Mexico, but the one sponsored by Bcreens. One board has its joint locat- tions, and cold cash were awarded to the Spartan Neutral Competition League ed on square GG-26; one edge runs many including Ben Turk, winner of (see cover story}will commence Novem- north along the GG column; the other the AH division; Doug Baker, winner ber 1, 1968. Registration is required edge runs southeast from square GG-26 of the Diplomacy division; and runners - by October >5th for PBM tournaments (along the Franco-Prussian border). up Richard Shagrin, Greg Long, and featuring all AH and Game science PBM The other board is placed with its joint Doug Beyerlein. Other features of the games. An inquiry. better still, a one- at MM-32; one edge runs south along tournament included displays of table- dollar-bill should be sent to their 5820 the MM column; the other edge runs top wargamingand Fletcher Pratt Naval John Avenue, Long Beach, California southeast from MM-32. With the boards material. The U. of Washington may 90805 address. placed thus, both players can mobilize again be host to the next tournament, Disagreement over the execution of at the same time by placing their units details of which are now available at plans in Wargarner's Clinic precludes in their positions on the board without 3934 S. W. Southern. Seattle, Washing- the inclusion of Exercise #4 in this is- using the cumbersome mobilization ton 98116. sue. As soon as the protagonists emerge from their respective hospitals, charts since neither player can see the Organieational Magazines and News - the series will be resumed. other's side and the screening boards letters on our recommended list num- the Congrats to AH'S baseball team. The run along borders where no one is ber: The Courier, Box 547, Fredericks- league championship secondary permitted to place troops. burg, Va. 22401, the official news was compared to their 4 to 3 destruction of I Still there are two problems: one organ for Boldland, in its 2nd year of early square MM-37, which is completely publication; The Galaxian, 5756 E. 7th Navy at the Academy in August. German territory, is blocked by the "Bring on West Point." we gloat. screen and, in the north, the German- According to Craft, Model &! Hobby COVER CREDITS: I Dutch border can be seen. If the Ger- PHOTO Top-to-bottom; Industry Magazine, Games as a hobby Doug Walker presenting "Spartan of the is 5th down from the top of the hobby man player wishes to place units in Year" award to Marc Herbert; Russell and I these areas, it would be best to make list. In 1st place? Plastic kits, of I Donna Powell at Waterloo; Spartan stalwarts a notation of the squares and units. at award dinner-Herbert, Bill Groover, Ray- course. For every game sold as a I Still the method should prove to be a mond Betts, Larry Dingle, Sieve Sents, hobby, 9 plastic kits are sold. Take greattime- saver in the time-consuming Walker; Herbert and Betts computing combat heart; the ratio is about 1 on 1 between step of mobilization. factors, or writing an article for Life Magazine. model railroads and games.