AHIKS Europe Despatch

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Secretary’s soapbox little spare time. I'll just have Chris Geggus to win the Lottery! Chris Geggus

As we head toward the festive Swan Con is coming up in season (at time of writing), I March (see ad elsewhere in wonder how many this issue) and, once again, boardgames will be appear- highly recommended. Not the ing in Christmas stockings greatest culinary experience this year. To a degree you will ever have, but a good boardgames have been tradi- friendly weekend. For anyone tional fare for many young- who is nervous of trying their sters and some adults over first AHIKS weekend, just pop Picture re- the years, but what about in during the Saturday and moved to mini- nowadays? The success of you'll find a game very quick- mize file size Trivial Pursuit, Mensa Con- ly. We don't bite (I exclude nections and some of the Jackie here as a non-mem- more family-oriented " Ger- ber). If you're not sure, give man Games " has proved to War & Peace show 2004 - A StuG III Ausf G be good news for boardgam- ers in general. We must have brought some new converts me a call. into our hobby. Most people, with any modicum of intelli- We have been reviewing our membership list and have War & Peace Show 2004 A gence, enjoy games on an StuG III Ausf G occasional basis. As long as had to cull a few members for the games are fun, attractive, non-payment of subs for the easy to learn and quick-ish to last couple of years. It is not play, a lot of people will have fair that the payers subsidise a go after a Christmas family a lengthening list of non-pay- lunch or later on during the ers. If you know anyone who school holidays. Can we push has been removed (i.e.. they more games at people and are no longer receiving Des- how? A good way of reaching patch), twist their arm and new audiences would be bring them back into the fold. Contents through schools, but who has A bigger club is inherently the time or the opportunity to stronger. At £10 a year mem- SwanCon 2005 sort out some sort of ap- bership, I hope that money is page 3 proach? My sons' school has not a determining factor, per- haps it's just lousy articles in On the Net a wargaming Club, but this is page 4 simply War Hammer and Despatch by your Secretary. nothing else. At this time my It's just that I have nothing to Membership change boys are not keen to take a say most months, so I simply page 10 new game into school and let my thoughts roam free. Perhaps I should concentrate Lightning War Midway introduce their friends to it. I page 11 would, but I have a job and on writing something more sensible and less vague!

1 AHIKS Europe Committee

REGIONAL DIRECTOR ARCHIVES & DESPATCH PRODUC- Murray Cowles TION 6 Chafford Gardens John Warren West Horndon 49, Prideaux Road, BRENTWOOD Essex EASTBOURNE CM13 3NJ East Sussex BN21 2NE Tel: 01277 811540 Tel: 01323 731792 Fax: 01277 811103 email: email: [email protected] [email protected]

SECRETARY EDITOR Chris Geggus Kevin Croskery 10 Talbrook 4 Beechey Way BRENTWOOD Essex CM14 4PY Copthorne Tel: 01277 261099 West Sussex RH10 3LT email: Tel: 01342 713675 [email protected] email: [email protected]

TREASURER WEBMASTER Barrington Beavis Paul Barrett 16 Pump Close Little Dene, Elvaston Park Road, Leybourne Hexham NE46 2HT WEST MALLING Kent ME19 [email protected]. 5HH uk Tel: 01732 873529 email: GAMING AIDS OFFICER [email protected] Andy Watts "Pandamonium", MATCH CO-ORDINATOR Lelan Meadows, Jeff Hawarden Lelant, St. Ives, 9 Laburnum Road Cornwall TR26 3JS Helmshore [email protected] ROSSENDALE Lancs BB4 4LF rld.co.uk Tel: 01706 210194 email:[email protected] JUDGE Nickolas Frydas MEMBERSHIP RECORDS OFFICER 25 Linden Gardens, Dave Marsden Tunbridge Wells, 65 Westborough Drive, Kent TN2 5QU Halifax HX2 7QL email: [email protected] email: dave_marsden@homelands70. COMMITTEE MEMBER freeserve.co.uk Don Smith 16 Gilchrist Way, Braintree Essex CM7 7SY

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Despatch 2 AHIKS Europe CLUB NOTICE BOARD

SwanCon 2005 18 to 20 March 2005

Back to the Swan hotel in Knutsford for our Spring convention. Knutsford is just off the M6 and is served by train to Altringham, about 5 miles distant. As before the cost of the games room will be met by the society. Room prices are still being negotiated (last year was £46.95 per night, regardless of occupancy, but max of 2) breakfast is extra. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Bookings to Keith Walton 29 Oxford Road Waterloo, Liverpool L22 8QE Telephone 0151 920 3971 Email [email protected]

For the comfort of fellow gamers the games room is strictly non smoking.

Match requests Jeff Hawarden (see page 2 for contact details)

Monty's Gamble - Market Garden (MMP) Leslie King

Fortress Europa (AH) Maj Terence Zuber

We the People (Cyberboard and ACTS) Alan Poulter

Submission deadlines for 2005

Ok, my new year resolution is to get 4 issues of Despatch out next year: you can help me by getting material to me. Thanks Steve Brophy for you review of Lightning War Midway in this issue.

I would like to get the next Despatch out before SwanCon so if I get material by the end of Jan- uary I will publish by the end of February.

Despatch Issue 10-3, November 2004 AHIKS Europe 3 • Ignorant Armies (Strategy & • Rick Young and Jesse Evans, Eu- On the Net Tactics/Decision) – WINNER! rope Engulfed (GMT Games LLC) – • The Lost Battalion (Strategy & WINNER! NEWS Tactics/Decision) • Napoleon at the Berezina (Against Clausewitz Award HALL OF FAME Hasbro and MMP The Odds) • North Wind Rain (Against The Kevin Zucker – WINNER! Hasbro, Inc., has agreed to extend its Odds) exclusive licensing agreement for I think all the above Awards go to former Avalon Hill wargame titles with Best DTP-Produced Boardgame deserving recipients. For more on the Multi-Man Publishing (MMP). The CSR Awards see the official web site: agreement to sell games in the Ad- • Marlborough Man (BSO Games) vanced Squad Leader and the Area • Thunder on South Mountain (Blue http://www.alanemrich.com/ Movement series will run for another Guidon) – WINNER! CSR_pages/CSRawards.htm five years. MMP plans to revive two • Victory in Vietnam II (Schutze more Avalon Hill games: Panzerblitz Games) Origins Awards Announced and Up Front. MMP President Curt • Warplan Dropshot (Schutze Schilling said: Games) The winners of the annual Origins • Zhukov's First Victory (MDG) Awards have been announced: "We're very pleased that Hasbro has shown and continues to show faith in Best Wargame Graphics Historical Board Game - Attack! us as producers of quality game prod- Traditional Board Game - A Game of ucts. We are grateful for their contin- • Ardennes '44 (GMT Games LLC) – Thrones ued support." WINNER! Graphic Design of a Board Game - A • Europe Engulfed (GMT Games Game of Thrones For more information, contact Keith LLC) Gamer's Choice Board Game - A Dalton at [email protected]. • Liberty! (Columbia Games) Game of Thrones • The Russian Campaign (L2 De- Gamer's Choice Historical Board 2003 Charles S. Roberts Awards sign Group) Game - Settlers of the Stone Age • Sun of Austerlitz (OSG Games) Traditional Card Game - Bang! These were announced on August Card Game Graphic Design - Bang! th Best Professional Wargame Maga- Gamer's Choice Card Game - 8 by host Walter Garman at the zine Munchkin Fu 2004 World Boardgaming Champion- Game of the Year: Indy HeroClix ships. A list of nominees and winners • Against The Odds – WINNER! follows: • C3i (GMT Games LLC/RBM Studio) I have heard good things about At- • Paper Wars (Omega Games) tack! and I enjoy playing A Game of Best Pre-World War II Boardgame • Strategy & Tactics (Decision Thrones, so I can recommend these Games) two. • Age of Napoleon (Phalanx Games) • Vae Victis – WINNER! For the official web site see: • Liberty! (Columbia Games) Best Amateur Wargame Magazine • Rise of the Roman Republic (GMT http://www.originsawards.com/ Games LLC) • The Boardgamer (Bruce Monnin) • Sun of Austerlitz (OSG) • Die Manoeverkritik (German His- The 2004 International Gamers • Sweden Fights On (GMT Games torical Society) Award for Best General Strategy LLC) • Panzerschreck (Minden Games) – Game WINNER! Best World War II Boardgame • Simulacrum (John Kula) I would not normally cover these • Ultra awards but this year a wargame won • A World at War (GMT Games LLC) in the two-player category. To quote • Ardennes '44 (GMT Games LLC) Best Game Review or Game Analysis the press release: • Europe Engulfed (GMT Games LLC) – WINNER! Paper Wars, #50, Drive on Stalin- Memoir ’44 earned the award in the • Monty's Gamble (MMP/The Gam- grad, by Adam Starkweather - WIN- 2-player category. Using the system ers) NER! pioneered by designer Richard Borg • The Russian Campaign (L2 De- in the 1999 release Battle Cry, Mem- sign Group) Best Historical or Scenario Article oir ’44 recreates over a dozen battles connected with the D-Day invasions Best Modern Era Boardgame Against the Odds Vol.1 No.4, of World War II. Released by Days of "Napoleon at the Berezina", by Rob- Wonder, the game is filled with over • Ignorant Armies (Strategy & ert Markham-WINNER! one hundred detailed miniatures, and Tactics/Decision) the board itself can be tailored to • Korea: The Forgotten War (MMP/ James F. Dunnigan Award recreate the famous battlefields sur- Gamers) To a Game Designer, Developer, rounding the Normandy landings. • Lock 'n Load (Shrapnel Games) – Graphic Artist or Game for outstand- Easy-to-learn rules and fast-playing WINNER! ing achievement action are coupled with critical • Victory in Vietnam II (Schutze choices and numerous strategies, all Games) • Frederic Bey (Vae Victis) resulting in a game that will be played • Craig Grando (ATO) and enjoyed over and over again. Best Magazine published Boardgame • Bruce Harper, A World at War (GMT Games LLC) While Memoir’44 is not a detailed • Asia Crossroads (Strategy & • Joseph Miranda (for multiple de- simulation its win shows that war- Tactics/Decision) signs) games, if well-designed as games,

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Despatch 4 AHIKS Europe can reach a wide audience. For more gations GRD Games had at the time should have the same toll free tele- information see: of the purchase for all subscriptions phone # (1-800-236-7442) and web to The Europa Systems Magazine address (www.grdgames.biz) as the http:// (TESM or TEM); for all pre-orders for old GRD Games but we will let you www.internationalgamersawards.net the games Wavell's War, Total War, know by separate announcement and Return to Iraq; for all investments when our contact information is final- Rodger B. MacGowan wins Life- in the East Africa Terrain Company; ized. If you experience any difficulties time Achievement Award and for the A Winter War Refit Kit in reaching us, please be patient. previously promised to 1999 sub- From a press release posted on Con- scribers to TEM. Our major goals for the next six simworld: months are to at a minimum publish For those who may not know, HMS three issues of TEM, get Wavell's “Rodger B. MacGowan became the has been working with GRD Games War completed and shipped, and to third recipient of the Ed Blomgren / in various ways for several years. We move Total War along as close to Winston Hamilton Lifetime Achieve- have tried to help the company when- completion as possible so as to re- ment Award for contributions made to ever we could and feel that our work- lease it no later than April 1, 2005. the conflict simulation gaming indus- ing relationship will help us with the try. Rodger was honoured for his transition. It has certainly given us a We want to ask for your continued many years of contribution to the better idea of the work involved in patience and support. GRD custom- hobby during the opening ceremo- publishing these games. ers have been the most loyal in the nies of Consimworld Expo 2004. Past industry. We have all waited years for recipients of this award include Alan Those who have pre-ordered Return some of the games. Now, 'we' are on Emrich and Richard H. Berg. Consim- to Iraq (RTI) will be contacted sepa- the other side, representing the com- world wishes to thank Rodger for the rately. RTI is not a core project for this pany. As owners and publishers, we positive influence and creative force company and it will not be produced will do everything we can to reward he continues to have in shaping the by HMS. Credits or refunds for preor- your loyalty and will continue to im- hobby. ders will be available shortly. prove the quality that drew you and The game is a good one and we hope drew us to the series. The games will Here is an overview of some of the to find a publisher for it but we firmly be published.” milestone achievements by Rodger believe that we need to focus on the B. MacGowan. core Europa, Glory, and The Great Consimworld War game series and what brought 1975 Founder, Arquebus gamers to the old GRD. Consimworld (http:// 1976 Founder, Fire & Movement www.consimworld.com), the discus- 1976 First packaging design (The We have put several other projects sion board for the board wargaming Russian Campaign) on hold (Eisenhower's War, Samurai hobby, has moved to a charged-for 1977 Squad Leader package design Lightning, Bloody Eagles, Partizan!, subscription model, with some free 1982 Hobby Japan Art Consultant etc.) while we concentrate on getting access to company support/ 1986 Founder, Charles S. Roberts back on track with the magazine, discussion forums. There was con- Awards Wavell's War, and Total War. These siderable angst expressed online that 1990 Co-Founder, GMT Games projects are still in the "production this would kill Consimworld (CSW) 1992 Founder, C3I magazine queue," but all work on them by HMS and prove a set back for the hobby. More than 200 Game Package De- staff has been stopped until we have These fears proved unfounded as sign credits!” the magazine caught up, Wavell's over a 1000 people signed up! In a War out, and all components of Total press release, John Kranz, who runs If you have Quicktime 6.x installed War at the printer. In most cases work Consimworld, said: then Rodger's acceptance speech on these games continues "out-of- can be seen at: house," however. For example Frank As a result of the overwhelming CSW Watson and Robert Brown continue Forum subscription activity which is http://homepage.mac.com/ design work on Eisenhower's War already proving to be a great success jcbeckman/iMovieTheater8.html and Partizan; and there are Bloody in building a new and sustainable Eagles and Samurai Lightning business model, we are incorporating GRD Games Purchased by Histori- "playtest commands" established in the following enhancements to the cal Military Services. California and Australia, under Eric subscription plan made possible Pierce and Michael Tapner, respec- thanks to our more than 1,000 new Excerpts from the press release fol- tively, that will continue work on their CSW Forum subscribers. low: respective games. In celebration of this milestone “Historical Military Services (HMS) is We are committed to moving forward achievement and incredible outpour- pleased to announce that it has pur- with the Europa, Glory and The Great ing of community support, the CSW chased all of the assets of GRD War series. Grand Europa will hap- Forum will be providing free and un- Games. The Europa, Glory and The pen in our lifetime. The Europa Mag- limited read access across the entire Great War series, The Europa Sys- azine is continuing and we hope to forum for all, covering literally hun- tems Magazine (TESM or TEM), the expand it in the future. A number of dreds of topics. In effect, guest ac- GRD Games web site games that are out-of-print will again cess will remains in place. This action (www.grdgames.biz) and the Europa be available over the next year. There is being taken based on the high Association List on Yahoo Groups, will be more about these projects in number of subscriptions already re- are under new ownership. The new later announcements. ceived, and to help new visitors expe- GRD owners are Gar Olmsted, Cory rience first-hand the wealth of Manka and Arthur Goodwin. Our immediate priority will be to move information provided at the CSW Fo- the company to Colorado and to rees- rum as we continue to welcome new As part of this purchase, HMS has tablish the web site, telephone con- subscribers. This also helps ensure specifically agreed to accept all obli- nections and set up the inventory. We our partners that all individual game

Despatch Issue 10-3, November 2004 AHIKS Europe 5 topics and support areas can be a company flier. This expansion was freely accessed by all 24/7, to com- I’ve been asked a few times to con- the last project of Lt. Colonel Henry plement their own dedicated market- sider founding and publishing a new C. Meyer (ret), a long-time fixture in ing and support programs. We are magazine to replace the faithful old the Southern California wargame convinced that by providing free, un- “Boardgamer” magazine. In this effort scene, who passed away recently. limited readership access, we not I’ve discussed on a couple of war- only remain THE PREFERRED DES- game websites the methodology of In excerpts from a posting on Con- TINATION for consim gaming for all publication and costs involved. The simworld, Jeffry Tibbetts of Just Plain gaming enthusiasts and partners goal of the magazine is to produce Wargames and publisher of Counter- alike, but it also helps position us to articles on unsupported wargames Attack, explains what is happening: attract new subscribers. and long out of print wargames. Arti- cles on games such as 1830 or Ad- “When there were 11 people working For all who have subscribed already, vanced Civilization will also be here full-time there was a broader we thank you for the tremendous out- welcome, even articles on Sports horizon. pouring of support. We have moved games such as the old Football Strat- to free, unlimited read-only mode for egy will also be just fine. The publica- Some time back, I bit the bullet and all to help support your evangelising tion is not limited to only Avalon Hill changed some things. There is no efforts in support of CSW, which is games. longer a separate CounterAttack something you've told us you want us Articles on games from other compa- Magazine and The Grenadier Maga- to consider. If you subscribed under nies such as West End Games, Clash zine because there is simply no the pretext of wishing to have unlim- of Arms, etc. … are more than wel- longer the staff power to create them. ited read-access only and unlimited come, in fact the goal is to produce posting privileges is not something articles on games that people play What there is, is this. you desire, CSW will refund your sub- and like that are older. scription in full. Furthermore, we have The Wargames are CounterAttack- slightly reduced our annual subscrip- My goal is to produce a publication brand wargames. They have certain tion fee to $1.50 per month starting every 3 months, and if it warrants production values that set them September 1 (or $18 for an annual every other month (one can hope an- above Just Plain Wargames. subscription). Please contact us di- yway). rectly at [email protected] if The magazine is The Grenadier, The you wish to request a refund. For It has been suggested that the maga- Magazine for Wargamers. those who have not yet subscribed, zine begin as an e-mail publication. our introductory offer featuring an an- That is to say begin with the least You who are the few CounterAttack nual subscription of only $15 (a 20% costly method first with an eventual Magazine subscribers - there are 586 savings) remains through end of Au- goal of reaching enough subscribers of you - you will get one CounterAt- gust. that the publication can proceed to tack brand wargame and one The print media. This helps international Grenadier Magazine for each issue Your subscription fee not only helps subscribers as they don’t have to pay remaining on your subscription. ensure our continued success, but it the exorbitant costs of international provides you with unlimited posting postage. And, as someone else Because of the passage of years, that privileges across the entire forum, pointed out, the lack of paper is eco- will cost Pacific Rim something like along with special subscriber-direct friendly. It will be set up so that $24 per issue. You will have paid discounts and promotions that we will subscribers will be able to print off the between $5 and $6 per issue. offer you throughout the year, helping entire issue, or specific articles as you recoup your annual subscription they desire or need. That is a good deal. fee over time. Those opting not to subscribe will enjoy limited posting Subscription costs have not been KOREA 2005, as Issue 4.1, does not privileges in the Game Company worked out as yet. Nor has remuner- accrue nor subtract is regard to your Support, Magazine Publisher Sup- ation for contributors. I'll have to do subscription. It is just an update that port, Game Club, and Game Conven- that soon. But, let's first determine the we have provided to you as a part of tion areas as previously announced, number of people who wish to sub- your subscription. while also being able to access the scribe. entire forum. You may look forward to future Coun- If anyone truly wants to subscribe to terAttack Wargames and The Grenai- Thanks to our 1,000+ subscribers, a publication such as this, please dier Magazines.” Consimworld is strongly positioned to respond to the following e-mail ad- continue to serve as a beacon for all dress, which I’ve set up in order to For more information see: who enjoy historical conflict simula- manage this effort: tion gaming. We are monitoring our http://www.justplain.com forum software difficulties to better [email protected] serve all our valued members and will Microgame Design Group to close provide updates when we are able. CounterAttack 4.1 in November

Rejuvenation for The Boardgamer? Thought extinct after four issues, The Microgame Design Group (MDG) CounterAttack makes a sudden re- is a Canadian DTP publishing opera- The Boardgamer, a magazine dedi- appearance with an issued number tion run by Kerry Anderson. Under its cated to covering old Avalon Hill, 4.1, which contains a Korea 2005 label were published a number of looks like it will close as its editor, expansion update for the Korea '95 notable games, some since taken up Bruce Monnin, is taking over as editor game from issue 4. It contains 20 by other publishers. Kerry no longer of Operations, MMP’s magazine sup- counters, six scenarios on three back has the spare time to run MDG: porting their games. Tom Cundiff is printed cards, 12 pages of rules/ looking for support to start a succes- designer's notes, an OOB chart (on After the release of Byzantium Re- sor to The Boardgamer: the back of the magazine cover), and born, the Microgame Design Group

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Despatch 6 AHIKS Europe will begin closing down. I, Kerry An- NEW BOARD WARGAMES derson, co-founder of the MDG and http://www.criticalhit.com the fellow responsible for production Avalanche and sales, will be taking educational Decision Games leave to pursue a Ph.D. in meteorolo- There are two new products from gy. As studies will require most of my Avalanche in its Great War at Sea Decision Games have gone into attention, I will not have the time to series. overdrive, producing three updates of run the MDG. The target date will be Cruiser Warfare is a game on Ger- classic games, two new card-based November, when I will shut down the man commerce raiding while Dread- wargames and a new board war- web-site. noughts game. Deluxe Trajan (published un- is a scenario book with die-cut and der the Excalibur imprint) is a quad The decision to take educational mounted counters for a variety of game containing the four games in leave was made last Christmas. unusual ships. See: Joe Miranda’s Ancient Wars series Since then I have started discontinu- originally published in Strategy & ing titles as I run out of inventory http://www.avalanchepress.com Tactics, Trajan, Roman Civil War, (MacArthur's War, Mediterranean Fu- Caesar in Gallia and Germania. Al- ry, A Mere Matter of Marching, Clash of Arms though the maps and countersheets Smokejumpers, Trampling out the are exactly as before, there are Vintage, and Vimy Ridge to name a Barons' War covers the two major eleven new scenarios and new few). Note that you can still get these battles of Simon de Montefort - counters. Deluxe USN is an update games from several fine distributors. Lewes and Evesham. Designed by of an even earlier Strategy and Tac- Also, I have given the designers a Rob Markham, in only 12 pages of tics game, from the early days of SPI. chance to find new homes for their rules, the game system takes to new The game features two maps that various titles (such as Brian Train's heights Rob’s command chit system, cover the entire Pacific area of oper- deal with Fiery Dragon). which neatly re-creates the limita- ations and has three counter sheets tions on leaders and troops, fog of with 840 counters. While based on It has been eight years since Brian war, and the chaos of the medieval the original edition’s game system, Train, John Kula and I co-founded battlefield. Rules are also included additional rules and scenarios have the MDG (then called the Microgame for individual unit morale, battle mo- been added. Finally the SPI classic, Co-op). In 1996 we began publishing rale, cohesion, ranged fire, melee, Empires of the Middle Ages has with Land of the Free, MacArthur's and leadership, including special been re-released. The rules are as in War and Smokejumpers. The goal of rules for Prince Edward and his Bat- the original, except that additional the MDG has been to promote aspir- tle. Each battle has a historical sce- and variant rules have been added. ing designers and I believe we have nario and "what if" scenario. See: The map has been redone in area achieved that goal. Brian Train, Paul style, while the cards and counters Rohrbaugh, Hjalmar Gerber and oth- http://www.clashofarms.com have been upgraded. ers are now recognized designers, Peter Schutze is running his own Cool Stuff Unlimited The two new games are Lightning DTP company, and Scott Holmgren Midway and Lightning D-Day. Both is beginning to do artwork for game Cool Stuff Unlimited is a new com- have 110 Cards and just a single companies. pany whose business is to upgrade page of rules. Lightning D-Day is a and republish minor classic games five turn game where both players Personally, it has been a wonderful from the past. An initial print run of fight to control the 5 D-Day beaches experience. I have had a chance to 100 copes of John Hills Verdun (Utah, Omaha, Sword, Gold, & Juno). talk and meet with many people. The quickly sold out so another 100 have Cards represent forces or actions. In contacts and working relationships been printed. These reprints will not your turn you can either activate a have also been great. Don't worry include a coversheet or be individu- force or conduct an attack. Only ac- though, I won't be disappearing from ally numbered, but the map has three tive forces may attack or defend. In the hobby itself. I will continue to town names corrected, along with attacks the highest combat value participate actively on Consimworld one correction made to the CRT. For wins, but before the combat is re- and show up at the odd convention! I more information email: solved both players take turns play- hope to see you there. ing action cards that can modify their [email protected] combat values or the cards played by Paper Wars CD their opponent. Lightning Midway Critical Hit has a nearly identical game system. Finally, Omega Games have pro- Players attempt to control four objec- duced an innovative product. They There are three new games in the tives, which correspond to enemy are publishers of Paper Wars, a Advanced Tactical System, first aircraft carriers. Differences are that board wargame review magazine, seen in Critical Hit’s re-design of To- action cards are divided into several and have put the contents of the first bruk. Darkest December: Battle of types and destroyed forces can re- 26 issues in PDF form on a CD for the Bulge 1944 is a stand-alone enter player hands. both Windows and Macintosh com- game based on an intensely re- puters. For more information and or- searched and detailed historical map The new board wargame is The dering details see: of the battlefield. Panther Line de- Western Front: 1914-1918, the lat- picts squad actions during the Soviet est in the Der Weltkrieg series. It http://www.omegagames.com/ '44 Summer Offensive. Stalingrad is contains six scenarios depicting cam- omega/do/military/paperwars/ an update of the older Combat: Sta- paigns in France and Belgium during AutoForward?forward=pwcdrom.pag lingrad: its map is identical, but its World War I, a grand scenario cover- edef units have been changed for the ATS ing all four years of war and can be system. See:

Despatch Issue 10-3, November 2004 AHIKS Europe 7 linked to the other games in the se- Between them they cover the entire ANZAC Attack is an expansion for ries, which cover other fronts. See: Second World War, in Europe and in Lock N’ Load which adds a page of the Pacific respectively. They are new rules, and new units for ANZAC http://www.decisiongames.com/ mateable and designed to be simple and North Vietnamese forces. See: and quick to play. See: Fantasy Flight Games http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ http://www.greniergames.com index.htm FFG have produced an expansion to . The Game of Kings, called A Clash L2 Design Group Worthington Games of Kings. It contains a new southern map which has a new House, plus New from L2 Design Group, The De- A new company, Worthington Games new types of order markers and more luxe Bitter Woods Expansion Kit first release is Victoria Cross: The detailed rules. See: allows owners of Deluxe Bitter Battle of Rorke's Drift. It is a quick- Woods to continue play of the game playing game and a unique applica- http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ until January, 1945. Included in the kit tion of blocks to tactical level combat. is a new rule book, play aid cards and See: Fiery Dragon a counter sheet. See: http://members.cox.net/ Autumn Mist is a Brian Train design http://www.l2designgroup.com worthingtongames/ on the Battle of the Bulge. It uses a division-level system on a small map Lost Battalion NEW MAGAZINE WARGAMES with ten 2-day turns. Units are acti- vated by randomly drawn corps and Battleships in Action is a board Strategy and Tactics issue #223 con- army HQs. Combat is resolved with a wargame on World War II naval com- tains 1918: Imperial Germany's "Mission Matrix" which gives attacker bat between battleships. Designer is Last Chance. This Joseph Miranda and defender different "mission" S. Craig Taylor, Jr., who has an im- design is a game on Germany's last choices. The intersection of choices pressive list of past naval game de- great offensive on the Western Front. gives the combat result in terms of signs (Wooden Ships and Iron Men, See: modifiers for attacker and defender Ironclads, Flattop, CV, Midway "casualty checks" and fixed Smithsonian And Guadalcanal http://www.decisiongames.com/ advances/retreats. See: Smithsonian). If you order just Bat- tleships In Action, you pay for post- Vae Victis issue #57 contains the http://www.fierydragon.com/ age and get a web coupon for money game, D-Day 1944, covering the first off on a later purchase. If you order it ten days of the Normandy '44 cam- GMT with another Lost Battalion Games paign. product it is free. See: GMT have released two new games. Vae Victis issue #58 contains the Three Days of Gettysburg is the 3rd http://www.lostbattalion.com/ game, Austerlitz 1805, covering the edition of the first game in the Great southern half of the battle. The game Battles of the American Civil War MMP for the other half of the battle will be (GBACW) series. The rules and com- released in issue #64. See: ponents include errata counters and MMP have released a massive new rules corrections for previous edi- game. Three Battles of Manassas http://www.vaevictis.com/ tions. The GBACW series rules book- (Gamers/MMP) is the latest in the let is version 4.5, which indicates an Civil War Brigade Series (CWBS). Note that Vae Victis magazine and update since Gringo! (version 4.4) – Covered are the Battles of Bull Run, games are in French but rules trans- the previous release in the series. the first (July, 1861) and second lations are made available via: The game has six scenarios covering (August, 1862) and a hypothetical the main actions of the battle, includ- third battle that could have happened http://grognard.com/vaevict.html ing two (Herr’s Ridge & Little Round during the campaign in the East con- Top) which use only one map. The ducted by Lee and Meade late in Against the Odds issue #8 features others use all three maps. The 1863. The game uses version 3.0 of the John Prados game design, For- Sword of Rome is the latest in the the Civil War Brigade Series rules. tress Berlin, covering the final days series of card-driven board games, all There are seventeen scenarios in all of the Third Reich. loosely based on Mark Herman’s – six, seven and four respectively for classic We the People. Designed by the three battles. Almost all use two Note that an On to Berlin/Operation Wray Ferrell, cards (for events, army or three maps. See: Eclipse expansion variant for For- activation and support) and a point- tress Berlin will be inserted in Paper to-point map enable up to four play- http://www.multimanpublishing.com Wars issue 56, due in September. ers to recreate the struggles among the Romans, Greeks, Etruscans, R.OC - Le Croisade albigeoise Against the Odds issue #9 contains Samnites and Gauls to dominate Italy the game Suleiman the Magnifi- in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. See: I do not know the publisher for this cent, a Richard Berg design on the game so have listed it under its title. Battle of Mohacs on August 29th, http://www.gmtgames.com/ R.OC 1526 between the Ottoman Empire is a French game on the Albigensian and the army of the Kingdom of Hun- Grenier Games crusade. It has a mounted map, 127 gary. See: cards and 256 round counters. See: Grenier Games are a new company, http://www.atomagazine.com/ which publishes games designed by http://boutique.cathares.org/ Eric Grenier. boutiqueJeuRocD.html Alea issue #29 contains Nordkapp: The first two games are World War II Arctic convoys, which uses the in the West and World War II in the Shrapnel Games game system used in Victory at Mid- East.

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Despatch 8 AHIKS Europe way (Command #14), and is about Brian Train's popular Arriba Espana NEW WEB RESOURCES the 1942 Arctic convoy battles. See: game system. See: New links to revised game rules are: http://www.simtacludopress.net http:// www.microgamedesigngroup.ca/ The Killing Ground (NES) Note that Alea magazine and games http://www.carpatina.com/nes/ are in Spanish but rules translations New from Perry Moore is Operation KG_Rules%20v1.5%20Ed.pdf are made available via: Eisbar 1943 on the land, air and land battle for the island of Kos, in the Links to the latest errata for games http://grognard.com/alea.html Aegean from Sept -Oct 1943. See: are:

NEW DTP WARGAMES http://pweb.jps.net/~perrya Deluxe USN http://grognard.com/errata1/ New from BSO, Richard Berg’s DTP New from Red Sash Games is a re- usndg.txt label are two games. Louisiana Ti- vised edition of Charlies’ Year (on gers is the first game in a new series, the Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland). The Ottomans(S&T#222) the Civil War Tactical System Ian Weir, the designer, explains: http://grognard.com/errata1/st/ (CWTS), on company-level American st222.txt Civil War combat, with a scale of 25 The 2nd Ed of Charlie's Year is an yards per hex. Focusing on a few entirely separate game with counters A Dark & Bloody Ground (Against regiments, it covers the opening skir- and map sheets of its own. I wanted the Odds#7) mishes of the 1st Battle of Manassas. a series of games using the same http://grognard.com/info1/ The heart of the game is in com- basic rule system, but the original dbg2ed.pdf manding companies, issuing orders rules evolved because the Jacobite actively (not reactively), and deter- Rebellion was not a good subject to Highlander(BSO) mining what your units actually do measure "standard" 18th warfare http://grognard.com/errata1/ when given orders. Further games in against. The game we are working on preston.txt the CWTS series will be published by now – Cockpit of Europe – deals with MMP. Highlander covers two battles the War of the Austrian Succession in Empires of the Middle Ages(DG) in the Jacobite Rebellion (Culloden Flanders 1744-1748, and IS a model http://grognard.com/errata1/ and Prestonpans) with simple rules of mid-18th century warfare. The eotma2.rtf descended from past battle games subject also involves the highest con- from BSO. For details email Richard centrations of forces in that war, so if Clash of Empires(MDG) at: the system works here, it should work http:// with all the games (we hope). The www.microgamedesigngroup.ca/ [email protected] theme of CoE also complements the errata/CoEerrata.html Jacobite Rebellion theme in Charlie's Richard Dengel, the designer of Year, and we plan to have a linking New links to rules for forthcoming Rebel Yell, has announced the re- scenario for the two games. Howev- games are: lease of I Fights Mit Sigel, on the er, a rewrite of the latter game – CY2 Battle of New Market Virginia, May – is needed in order to properly Seven Days of 1809(OSG) 15, 1864. This is a hand-constructed match the systems. http://www.napoleongames.com/ wargame limited to 150 signed and Rules/7D09%20Rules_3.27.pdf numbered copies. Its game system is Some people who already have a based upon Rebel Yell, but has been copy of the original CY may not want Sedan(issue #224 of Strategy and given a complete face-lift. You can to fork out for an entirely new game Tactics) email Richard about the game at: on the same subject (these people http://grognard.com/info1/sedan.rtf are obviously not Gamers-OCS [email protected] fans). For them, I'll be cobbling to- 7 Ages(ADG) gether an upgrade kit out of paste- http://grognard.com/info1/7ages.doc New from Khyber Pass Games are board and tinsel. The kit won't include the first two games in its El Cheapo the new counters. If a person wants There is an excellent web site for series. Che: Failed Revolution, Bo- the new counters, they might as well Battle Cry of Freedom (Decision livia 1967 and Castro: The Cuban buy the whole game, since the Games) at: Revolution, 1958-59 are both simple counters are a major portion of the area movement games with short cost. The kit will have a simple refer- http://www.dsmithworld.net/ rules, common to both games. Both ence chart for converting some of the BattleCry1.html are on offer discounted if purchase unit ratings to the new system with other Khyber Pass Games. For (basically just converting a morale and a truly excellent web site (in details see: number into a morale letter). Polish) for GMT’s Paths of Glory at: http://isigames.com/kpg/ Also new is The Highland Quorum, http://www.paths-of-glory.com/ covering the Earl of Mar's Rebellion The last game (see news item above) in 1715. It is an official module for A new, free game is Stalingrad At- from the Microgame Design Group is Charlie's Year, i.e.. you must have tacked designed by Lou Coatney: Byzantium Reborn designed by Charlie’s Year to be able to play it. newcomer R. Ben Madison. The See: http://lcoat.tripod.com/stalatt.htm game covers the Greek and Turkish War, 1920-1922 and is based on http://www.redsashgames.com

Despatch Issue 10-3, November 2004 AHIKS Europe 9 Free versions of SPI’s Napoleon at Has anyone got an idea for a Waterloo and Strike Force One have the updated links below: masthead logo? I’ve used a picture of a Cromwell which I http://www.alanemrich.com/PGD/ used in a Despatch from Week_03/PGD_NAW_rules.htmttp:// www.alanemrich.com/PGD/ 1998, but we need something Week_05/PGD_SF1_rules.htm distinctive for future issues. Ideas to the editor at [email protected]. Alan Poulter

Membership changes

Dave Marsden - 65 Westborough Drive, Halifax HX2 7QL. Dave has promised to stay put for a while this time - at long last!

Bernie Beaumont - 9 Barden Grove, Leeds LS12 3EH. Phone: 0113 279 4148.

Nick Barker - New mobile = 7736 074305.

Terence Zuber - 205 Maple Avenue, New Martinsville. West Virginia 26155- 1266, U.S.A.

Russell Lloyd - G26192, HM Prison, Cornhill, Shepton Mallett, Somerset SA4 5LU.

Tim Alanthwaite - New email [email protected].

Another shot from War & Peace 2004: T34/85

It’s a great show - no serious military buff Picture removed to minimize should miss it. The amount of kit is file size amazing, enough to equip a mechanised brigade. Just give us the ammo!

It takes place in July each year at the Hop farm near Paddock Wood in Kent. See you there!

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Despatch 10 AHIKS Europe LIGHTNING WAR MIDWAY A review by Steve Brophy

My eye was recently taken by the Japanese have 4 carriers b. Put up to 3 force cards on an advert for Decision Games and the Americans 3 and Mid- to the table from your hand, new Lightning War card game way island. Victory is series. In my 35 or so years in achieved by destroying all of or c. Draw more cards to this hobby, I've always en- the enemy objectives. bring your hand up to 9. joyed card games, whether of the Paths of Glory type, To start the game, each To attack, you move one or where the cards are part of a player takes his Country card, more of your force cards that boardgame, or the pure card which lists his starting forces are on the table, to the middle game types such as Modern and the sequence of play. He of the table, and announce Naval Battles or UpFront. also takes his starting Force which objective you are at- The first two offerings in this cards and Objective cards, tacking. The defending player series are Lightning War D and sets them out face up on then moves some of his force Day and Lightning War Mid- the table in front of him. The cards to the middle, and both way. As a naval buff, I de- rules are not clear as to players then begin to alter- cided to buy the Midway whether the Force cards nate playing Action cards. game. It is advertised as a should be face up or face The defender cannot play Ac- fast paced, easy to play card down, but if memory serves, tion cards if he has not com- game, and on the evidence the Q and A on Consimworld mitted at least one Force card of, admittedly, only a few says face up.( It also clarifies to the battle. There may be playings, it seems to live up to the almost inevitable anoma- no more than one Action card the blurb. lies you get in a game where of each type in play on the the rules are this short, e.g.. table at any one time, so if for For your money you get a the text on Action cards is example, the American player game box just over 6"x 5"x1 actioned as they are placed played a Tactic card, the Jap- 1/2" which makes it easily onto the table provided they anese player could play a portable. Inside are 2 packs are not annotated with "After Tactic card and the American of 2 1/4"x 3 1/2" playing cards the Battle", even if they are one would be discarded. The (55 per side) and a rules subsequently discarded due American could then play an- sheet on one side of a piece to your opponent playing a other Tactic card to cause the of paper 11" x 8 1/2", and similar Action card.) The Japanese one to be discard- that's it. No dice, you don't Force cards all represent the ed, or he could play a Leader need them. A suggested lay- aircraft that took part in the or Event card. Some cards out for the cards to play the battle. The starting cards all have an additional bonus. game is on the reverse of the have the letter S in the top Say there is a Japanese rules sheet. right hand corner. The play- Event and a Japanese ers then take their remaining Leader card on the table. If There are 4 types of cards, cards, shuffle them, and deal the American player has the" Country, Objective, Force, themselves 9 cards each as Nimitz" Leader card in his and Action, these latter cards their starting hand. hand, he could play it, caus- being divided into Tactics, ing the Japanese Leader card Events, Leaders and Special The sequence of play is as to be discarded, but in addi- cards. follows, American player first. tion, the wording on the Nim- itz card states that the Each card has a photograph 1. Discard from your hand as Japanese Event card is also in the top half, and the major- many cards as you wish. discarded. You don't have to ity of them have a combat play a card each time, you value and text describing their 2. You may then do only one can pass and let your oppo- effects, in the bottom half. of the following: nent play another one. You They are all marked with their can even trump one of your type (Tactic, Event etc.) to the a. Attack an enemy objective. own cards if you wish. left of the photograph. Each side has 4 objective cards,

Despatch Issue 10-3, November 2004 AHIKS Europe 11 Play continues back and forth can only deploy a maximum The game usually lasts no until both players pass in suc- of 3 cards on your next turn, more than half an hour and cession. At this stage their will you can see that it is impor- only takes a minute or so to be a maximum of 3 Action tant not to over commit your set up, especially if you leave cards on the table, one Tactic, forces to an attack, because the Objective, Country and one Event and one Leader, you may well be left defense- starting Force cards on the You then add up the combat less when your opponent top of each pack when you values of your Force cards, takes his turn. finish playing. add on the combat values of any of the Action cards that Special cards state on them Our hobby is always crying are yours, and compare your when they can be played, and out for games that might at- total to that of your opponent usually involve whether a task tract newcomers to it without who has done the same for force has been spotted or not. scaring them off with 80 page his side. The attacker wins if There is also a rearm and rule books, and this seems to his total exceeds that of the refuel card allowing you to fit the bill nicely. Even an old defender, any other result is a deploy a card from your hand grognard like me, finds it an win for the defending side. If to the table, and a Knockout enjoyable game, fun, simple the attacker wins, the objec- Blow card allowing you to at- yet not simplistic. tive is destroyed and removed tack more than one objective from the game. Some cards in a turn. Some Force cards I hope they bring out a Battle have an After the Battle nota- are dependent on a specific of Britain game. tion on them, and these in- carrier or Midway. Lose the structions are now followed. carrier/Midway and the Force Steve Brophy Any remaining Force cards card is also removed from are returned to the players play. hands, and the Action cards played, discarded. Since you

A couple of sample cards from the game are reproduced below:

Issue 10-3, November 2004 Despatch 12 AHIKS Europe