N... "'0'".. ... '" 2 *The AVALON HILL ic': ~iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiAiiiiiiiViiiiiiiaiiiiiiilOiiiiiiiniiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiilPiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilOiiiiiiiSiiiiiiiPiiiiiiihYiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiPiiiiiiiariiiiiiitiiiiiii9iiiiiiioiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~ GENERAL Has it really been ten years? As I ponder bring­ grognard on any readership. You've suffered long The Game Players Magazine ing this column to life for the 60th time it seems enough at my hands. The opportunity for your hard to believe, but calendars don't lie. Vol. 9, No. magazine to take on fresh ideas under new leader­ The Avalon Hill GENERAL is dediCated to the presenta" 1 was my maiden voyage as editor of THE ship is long overdue. While I am genuinely proud of lion of authoritative articles on the strategy; tactics, and GENERAL, and now a scant ten years later I must the format we have developed for THE GENERAL variation of Avalon Hill wargames. Historical articles are Jncludedonly insomuch as they provide useful background relinquish the helm to another as time marches on. during the past decade, perhaps greater things can information On current Avalon Hill titles. The GENERALis For this, dear reader, is my last issue as your trusty be accomplished from the vantage point of a fresh published by the Avalon Hill Game CompanY solelv fot the (or is that crusty) old editor. perspective. I have been advised from time to time aficionado,rn~the cultural edification of the serious game that mine is a rather opinionated and dry style much hopes ofimpfoving the game owner's proficiency of play and providing services not otherwise available to the Avalon Hill too grating on the nerves of those with dissimilar game buff .. Avalon Hill is a division of Monarch Avalon Yes, I've finally been kicked upstairs into the tastes. Then, again, all too often in recent days, I Industries, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiqry of Monarch Valhalla of fulltime game design/development. Im­ have allowed the hypocrisy and politics in our Avalon, Inc. The shares of Monarch Avalon, Inc.are pUblicly traded on the NASDAQ System under the symbol MAHI. Fo, patient SL addicts wondering where their next hobby to draw me out of the comfortable shadows information about the company write to Harold Cohen.at the gamette fix was coming from stand out as the most of apathy and onto the soapbox that the editorship executive offices of the company, 4517 Harford Rd., compelling reason. Hopefully, this move will allow of this magazine inadvertantly provides. Perhaps it Baltimore, MD 21214. me to deliver the long promised G./. game at is time for a steadier hand at the till. Publication is bi-monthly with mailings made dose to the end of February, Apnl. June. August, Dctoberand ORIGINS '82. Then too, ten years is probably too December. All editorial and general mail should be sentto the long to inflict the opinions and personality of one old Continued on Page 42, Column 3 Avalon Hill Game Company, 4517 Harford Road, a"lnmote, < MD 21214. Dne year subscripllons are $9.00, Two year subscriptions are '$14.00. All domestic SUbscriptions sent via bulk permit. Domestic First Class Delivery ahd all $ubscr'iptitms to Canada and Mexico must pay an additional $9.00 per year postage charge. All overseas sUbscriptions must add "n "dditional $12.00 per year postage charge. Send checks or money orders only. AH is not responsible for cash lost in transit. Those with a current Ameriqan Express, VISA. MasterCard or Choice may call 800·638·9292 toll free to renew subscriptions or order merchandise. Absolutely no complaints or Questions will be handled on this number. Any' business other than a credit card purchase must be handled by mail. Address changes must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance to guarantee delivery. Paid advertising is not accepted, but news of importance to the gaming COm­ munity 'is solicited. Convention announcements must be received at feast 3 months in advance and COn1aininforma­ tion pertaining to AH games in use. Articles from subscribers are considered for publicati-on at the discretion of our editorial staff. Articles should be typewritten, double-spaced, and embrace the tenets ofgood English usage, There is no limit to word length. Accompany- "iog examples and diagrams should be neatly done in black or red Ink. Photograp~s should have caption and creditline written on back., Rejected artkles will be returned whenever possibie. EXECUTIVE EDITOR: DMaid J. Greenwood 'MANAGING EDITOR: Rex A. Martin GRAPHICS: Jean Baer. Dale Sheaffer, Charles Kibler. f(odger MacGowan. Slephanie Czech Cover Art: Badger MacGowan Mastheed Design: Stephanie Czech AREA Technician: Diana Widener GENERAL Subscriptions: GertrUde Zombro Purchases of Games, PBM kits and parts: Christy Shaw FOREIGN DISTRIBUTORS: Dverseas reMers are urged to ON DECK 5 make subscriptJon arrangements with the appropriate agent; The Revision of FLAT TOP AUSTRALIA: Jedko Games. 18 Fonceca St., MordiallClc, By Alan R. Moon 3195; Victoria; DENMARK Jorn Eriksen, Sondertotten 209. DK 2630 TaastrUj); GREAT BRITAIN: Avalon HililUKI LTD. DESIGN ANALYSIS 13 650 High Rd., NOrlh Finchley. London N. 12, DNL; JAPAN; FLAT TOP Errata By Alan R. Moon Post Hobby. 1·38 Yoyogi, Shibura·KU, Tokyo; SINGAPDRE; Wong International Entr., 6 Jalan Sinar Bulan; Singapore FLAT TOP, MORE OPTIONS 15 17;;0; SOUTH AFRICA: Gamma Games Lid. P.D. Box Optional Rules for FLATTOP By Don Gilman 2904, Capetown BOOO; SWEDEN: Target Games, Skogvaktargatan 2, S~:11542 StOCkholm. BRITISH FLAT TOPS IN THE SOLOMONS 19 Rules Questions: R&D, NOTE: all questions should be Introducing British Carriers into FLATTOP By Bob Collman diagrammed. No questions con be answered which ,are unaccompanied by a self-addressed envelope. Questions must be based on rules of play Inot historical or design THE BRITISH FLEET IN VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC 21 matters} and be based on the,current rutes edition. Questions Expanding The British Role in VITP By Jim Davis and R. Hamblen on more than one game must be listed On separate pagesand accompanied by a separate SASE for each game. PRE-EMPTION 24 IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS: Inform us immedialely, Naval Aviation Tactics in MIDWAY By Capt. R. Harmon The Post Dffice destroys magazines even if you leave a forwarding addressi AH ASSUMES NO RESPDNSIBILITY BLITZ JAPANESE 29 FOR ISSUES LQST DUE TO AN INVALID ADDRESS. How to Pronounce Oi, Ise, Hiei, et al. By Chris Roehl and Grace Beard state both your new and old address. NATIVE POLICY IN SOURCE OF THE NILE 31 Analysing the Probabilities in SOTN CoPyri9ht 1982 By Michael Anchors FLEET BOAT 34 Thl! If\ American Pacific Operations for SUBMARINE By Richard Strangman 1117A LO~N HILL-Aff\Y!.J BLITZ IN THE PACIFIC 36 Ganle Company ~O Or Victory in the Krieg By Jim Stahler If\~~ IT IS WRITTEN 43 4517 Harto. rd Road, Submissions to the GENERAL By Robert Harmon Baltimore, Md, 21214 \!J ~ 3 C) II CI) X ~ !CJI ~~ 3-60 3-50 ROMMEL IN THE DESERT, April 1941-November 1942 • Highly fluid campaign PanzerArmee Afrika is a simulation of the North African Campaign between April 1941 and November • Realistic logistical considerations 1942. Battalion, Regiment, and Brigade-sized units • Unusual combat resolution represent the actual forces which took part in the fighting. Included in the game is a Variable Orders-of­ Battle Chart that offers variations in forces to demonstrate how history might have been different. Erwin Rommel and the first small contingents of what PanzerArmee Afrika is basically a two-player game. It was to become "PanzerArmee Afrika," arrived in North is played in sequenced turns called Game-Turns, during Africa in the early Spring of 1941. Although prudence which Players move units on the map, have combat, (and his orders) dictated otherwise, Rommel went on and attempt to achieve certain objectives. Victory is the offensive against the scattered Allied army. In less based upon comparative strength levels at the end of the than two weeks he was besieging the fortress of Tobruk, game and the capture of Enemy bases. and pressing on to Egypt. Each complete Game-Turn represents one month of real PanzerArmee Afrika re-creates the sweeping action of time. The entire game lasts 20 Game-Turns. the desert war-a curious land campaign having many Each hex on the map represents 12 miles of land. Each of the aspects of a naval battle: far-flung actions by Battalion-sized unit represents 600-1000 men. Each relatively small formations, extremely fluid fronts, and Brigade-sized unit represents 2000-4000 men. Each long-distance supply problems. Regiment-sized unit represents 1100-3200 men. The high Movement Allowances of the units combined with the critical supply problems, make for a game of PanzerArmee Afrika is basically a 2-player game for constant surprise and tension (there is rarely a line that ages 12 & up. Rated 4 on the Avalon Hill Complexity can't be flanked or penetrated). Combat resolution Scale (I-easy, 10-hard). relies on "attack superiority" (in terms of Strength Points) rather than the more usual odds comparison. Weak units can be easily overrun and this coupled with PANZERARMEE AFRIKA is available now for $16.00 the German ability to deliberately move out-of-supply from the Avalon Hill Game Company, 4517 Harford presents a constant challenge to the Allied Player. Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. Please add 10% for PanzerArmee Afrika is fast becoming one of the most postage and handling (20% for Canadian orders, 30% popular games largely because of its extreme "play­ for overseas). Maryland residents please add 5 % state ability" without sacrificing authenticity. sales tax. 4 In a remote corner of the universe, a small but Now YOU can join this group of freedom fighters in valiant band of Rebels struggle to withstand the Freedom in the Galaxy, a 2-player game that includes: oppression of an empire bent on total • 140 Character Cards-many beautifully illustrated­ representing many alien races domination.