Warning Order - Issue #16

2006·2.1 MB·English

by  Wasatch Front Gaming Society

Issue #16
Christmas 2006 Boilers & Breechloaders
Although most colonial pressed, as it was actually
wargaming rules usually better than I thought it
have a small section set would be. After looking at
aside for gunboats, they’re the materials I opened the
usually treated as an after- rulebook and began to go
thought, a gimmick, or as a over it.
scenario objective. For
The rules are written in
those gamers who’ve read
a style similar to TSATF.
about the expedition to
In fact, there’s several ref-
save Gordon, watched the
erences to that set of rules,
converted steamer run the
so gamers familiar with
gauntlet of Dervish fire in
TSATF should have no
the film Khartoum, the
problems, meaning that
Sultan shell Omdurman in
you sometimes have to
The Four Feathers, or the
interpret what the author is
climactic battle sequence in
saying or design a house
Y The Sand Pebbles, you’ve
rule or two! The meat of
T always imagined that some game with generalized
E day you could game gun- armament where you roll a the rules is taken up by
I boat operations. D6 for 20 guns and see designing the gunboats.
C Players have a full range of
what the damage result is.
O Now, with Boilers & options here, from beam
Each player commands a
S r Breechloaders from The width, length, and arma-
gunboat and has numerous
Virtual Armchair General, ment, all which are crucial
G decisions to make each
N e you can. Patrick Wilson turn. to determine how many
has designed a set of rules hits the boat can take, crew
I
that makes gunboats take The rules come in a size, handling, speed, and
M
d center stage. Better yet, standard 8 x 11 format, more. In fact, this is one of
A
they are designed to work with a color, glossy cover. the more fun aspects of the
G
with The Sword and The There are several separate rules.
r
L Flame rules, as well as components inside, such as
(cont. on page 13)
A fitting seamlessly into The a player refer-
C O Sun Never Sets campaign ence card, acti-
I game. vation cards
O for the ships,
This is a set of rules
T torpedo count-
S designed to simulate gun- ers, a wind
I g boat operations in colonial gauge, and
H settings, whether that might
several ship
be in China or the Nile.
T n logs for vary-
Each ship is treated indi-
N ing types of
vidually, with separate
O gunboats. So
weapons, crew types, etc.,
R i far, I was im-
so this is no “fleet action’
F
n

H
C Inside this issue:
Special points of interest:
T r
Interview with David Marks 2
A • Interview with David Marks, author of In
S Cold War Commander Future Wars 7 The Name of Glory.
a
A
W Building colonial gunboats 10 • A how to section on building colonial gun-
boats.
W Boardgame Reviews 14
• Reviews of board games, magazines, and
Seven Years War Campaign Report 16
buildings.
Memoirs of a Miniature Gamer Pt. 3 22
• A Seven years War campaign report.
Blast From The Past Pt. 2 23
Interview With David Marks– designer of In the Name of Glory
David Marks is the designer and author of
a new set of Napoleonic rules called In The
Name of Glory. ITNOG, as it’s commonly
known by its fans, has generated a lot of
positive comments. In this interview,
David outlines his thoughts on the Napole-
onic period, wargaming in general, and the
genesis of creating a set of rules.
Editor

How did you get into wargaming
I was about 11 or 12 years old when I
first got into wargaming with figures.
Some friends and I got a wargaming rule-
book by Donald Featherstone from the
local library.
We would take turns setting up in each
others parent’s homes. We used books for
hills, which we placed on the kitchen
table and covered them with a green felt
cloth, which was actually the playing
pitch from a ‘Subbuteo’ football game.
We had a few bits of scenery, but pride of
place was the ‘Waterloo farmhouse’ that
rules, with ITNOG 2006 being the most
Airfix produced, which was a model of What was the Inspiration for IT-
current.
La Haye -Sainte. NOG
The inspiration for the rule’s name ‘In With so many Napoleonic rules
We also used Airfix Napoleonic fig-
ures and I remember that we all got into a the Name of Glory’ was my wife Gloria. already on the market, what do
kind of arms race where you were only The inspiration for the rule’s them- you think makes your rules stand
allowed to table figures that were painted. selves was that our wargaming group out?
It was all quite mad, but great fun. back in the late 80’s, early 90’s were First of all there is no rebasing as the
playing ‘Sound of the guns’. These rules game is dependant upon unit morale and
What are your favourite periods
were great fun to play, but as our knowl- not number of figures per base. If you
and why
edge of the Napoleonic wars increased already have an army painted and based
I have to confess that I am a bit of a
we felt the need to tweak things to suit then just keep them as they are all you
stick in the mud and tend for the most
our newfound knowledge and views, a need is four bases per unit. If base sizes
part to play Napoleonic’s. I have tried
process that continue even now. As a are needed then these are detailed in the
other periods but they just don’t seem to
result of this I came up with my ‘Off to rules.
work for me, with the exception to this
War’ rules. This rule set was based upon
being the English Civil war and more Because the game is dependant upon
traditional mechanics, such as number of
recently the American Civil War. morale each army is rated for a break
figures firing, figure removal etc.
point. When that many units have been
I extensively game Napoleonic’s us-
In 1997 our group was invited to stage destroyed (broken), the game is over.
ing 1/300th Adlers, but I have started to
a participation game at the Napoleonic NOTE: A broken unit is a unit that has
collect 10mm ECW figures, but I may
Fare in London. I found that in order for had its morale point rating reduced to
change these for 15mm. I am also looking
our game to work we needed a much zero.
into starting a 15mm ACW figure collec-
faster rule system, so after much head
tion. Each nation is given its own percent-
scratching I devised what was to become
age break point, which ranges from 25%-
It was the film ‘Waterloo’ with Chris- the basis for ITNOG. The game was a
50%. This is a clear way of telling when
topher Plummer as the Duke of Welling- success and we all really enjoyed the new
the game has finished and stops the game
ton and Rod Steiger as Napoleon that got rule system, so I started to rapidly expand
dragging on unnecessarily. This also
me interested in the Napoleonic period and amend the rules as we played more
forces players to think about reserves as
and you have to agree the uniforms are and more games using them. It was in
they will need to replace their unit with
just great, only surpassed by the renais- April 1998 that the first edition of ‘In the
low morale ratings that are engaged with
sance period. Name of Glory’ was produced. Since
the enemy with fresh troops to stop then
then there have been five editions of the
becoming broken, which will help pre-
Page 2 WARNING ORDER
Interview With David Marks– designer of In the Name of Glory
vent their army loosing the game. scale is universal for 6 to 28
mm figures and is applicable to
A lot of people have told me
all movement and weapon
that most distinctive feature of the
ranges. Although it is generally
rules is the command & control
accepted that the ground scale
system, which uses unit activation
and therefore weapon ranges
counters. In their turn each player
should be amended to suit the
may use ALL, SOME or NONE
figure size, I have found that
of their activation counters to
using the same measurements
activate their units or command-
irrespective of figure size
ers and bring them into play, up to
makes no difference to the out-
the maximum number of activa-
come of the game. NOTE:
tion counters they are permitted to
When using 2mm figures all
play in their turn, which averages
measurements should be
about 60% of the total number of
halved.
units in a players army. A Player
may activate the same unit and/or com- National characteristics: Basic morale
The rules fully consider the possibility
mander a number of times in the same point supplement for 24 nations, 60 lists
that you may have more than one player
turn, by allocating additional activation in total.
per side, and are written to accommodate
counters to the same unit and/or com-
this fact. No figure removal: Until a unit is re-
mander in the same turn. However, an
duced to zero morale point rating it re-
activated unit may either fire artillery/ I have also provided an extensive
tains all its figures and bases throughout
muskets once or fight one round of melee chronology of the period covering a ma-
the game. Once a unit is reduced to zero
but not both in the same turn, irrespective jority of the period from 1769 (birth of
morale point rating then the unit as a
of the number of times the unit is acti- Wellington and Napoleon), to 1852
whole (all four bases), is removed from
vated. Units on the inactive side can re- (death of Wellington), and list of 157
the gaming table.
turn fire or counter-charge if fired upon major battles covering the period from
or attacked. 1792 - 1803 and 805 – 1815 to help peo- Number of figures per base: Not impor-
ple new to gaming or not familiar with tant as the game does not use single fig-
This means that a player can never get
the period to get a better understanding of ure removal. However, the number of
their whole army moving at the same
the Napoleonic era. I don’t know of any figures per base is given if required.
time, because the total number of activa-
other rules that give players this amount
tions allowed per turn is always less than
of background information.
the number of units in your army. This I
(cont. on page 4)
feel is more realistic because no army In addition to the aforemen-
ever moved as a single entity. Players tioned, here is an overview of the
must therefore prioritize their activations rules which I hope provides the
and focus on those units that are the most reader with useful information:
important to the battle. I think this system
The rule system: These rules create
really forces players to get their thinking
a strategic game that primarily de-
caps on, making the game far more chal-
pends upon overall command and
lenging.
control of troops and their morale
The other advantage of this system is and not the actions of individual
that players never see the full develop- figures.
ment of the enemy forces, and vice versa,
Commander lists: 13 nations, 231
so players never really know what each
commanders listed in total.
other are up to, which means that the
rules allow players to out wit each other. Complexity: Easy / Moderate.
The rules also use pre-calculated artil- Counters: All the counters needed
lery, musket and melee tables so you to play the game are provided. How-
don’t have to add or subtract a list of ever, you do not need to use the
factors, just look at the events applicable counters if you wish to use a differ-
to what you want to resolve. Some people ent method of record keeping.
at first are a bit put off by the tables but it
Figure sizes: 2mm, 6mm, 10mm,
is worth noting that you only use a small
15mm, 20mm, 25mm and 28mm.
section of them at any one time, making
them quick and easy to use. Ground scale: 1mm = 2 yards. This
ISSUE #16 Page 3
Interview With David Marks– designer of In the Name of Glory
Scenarios: Arroyo de Molinos, a small a very unsteady platform from which to different sets of Napoleonic rules.
engagement fought in Spain 1811. discuss and agree what are the best rules.
The one thing that I do feel would be a
Tactical level: Brigade or divisional Some players prefer a more rapid play greatly benefit Napoleonic gaming and I
level, where the smallest tactical unit is a system such as Grande Armee, Volley suppose gaming generally would be the
battalion represented by four bases. How- and Bayonet, and ITNOG, others want a standardisation of base sizes and number
ever, these rules have been successfully system that go into slightly more detail of figures per base (applicable to figure
used for playing Divisional and corp. like General de Brigade, Shako, Napole- size). That would be really worth looking
level games by making each unit repre- onic principles of war, Horse, foot and into, but in the meantime if we really
gun, Piquet les gro- must have a definitive set of rules then I
nards etc, etc, etc., and propose that we use ITNOG, but then
for those players who again others may not agree…AAHHH!!
want a great amount of The debate starts all over again!
detail then rules such
One of the most argued about
as Empire will fit the
bill. So Napoleonic topics in Napoleonic wargaming
gamers may not agree is the ratings of various leaders.
on a particular rule set, How do you feel about the subject
but at least they are and who do you think were some
well served with a vari-
of the great leaders during that
ety of rule systems
era?
from which to choose
Commander ratings, this I feel is a
from. With so many
tricky subject and is a very subjective
good rules available,
issue, based on people’s own viewpoint
why should players
and perceptions. I don’t suppose we will
stick with one or two
every really have a detailed and accurate
sets of rules? I know
picture of how well commanders per-
many players who use
formed throughout their careers during
sent a brigade instead of a battalion and one rule set for Brigade level games and
the Napoleonic wars.
replacing unit commanders with brigade another set for playing Corps. level
commanders. games and why not. I think that rules should reflect these
variable factors, so a commanders rating
Turn sequence: These rules use alternate I think you own editorial comments in
should be variable within a given band,
moves with Side A going first. Once side Warning Order No. 14, where you say
after all even Napoleon had his off days.
A has completed their turn it is Side B “Could we inject at least some realism
turn. Once side B has completed their into games” highlights why gamers can- I would like to point out that the pri-
turn it is Side A turn again and so on. not agree on one or two sets of rules. mary reason that I have given commander
Although I do not disagree with what you ratings in ITNOG is so that people new to

say, I think we have to accept that there gaming or the period at least have a start-
What is your theory on why after
are some section of the gaming commu- ing point. For those gamers who have
all these years wargamers can't nity who like rules that only touch on knowledge of the period please feel free
settle on one or two sets of Napo- history and enjoy the games they pro- to amend the commander ratings.
leonic rules? duce; otherwise such rules would not
I personally think that the reason we exist. I feel at times that commanders and
their ability to conduct a battle are judge
cannot agree on one or two sets of Napo- As a rule writer I have found it is very using isolated instances and I feel that
leonic rules is that players all seem to difficult to get a happy balance between other factors beyond the battlefield itself
want different things. It appears to be a historical fact and playability. Some say I have a great bearing on the performance
simple case of “one man’s meat is an- have achieved this balance, other say I of a commander and the troops who will
other man’s poison”. Some players want have not. It is all down to the simple fact ultimately have to carry out the com-
a game without much reference to histori- that I am never going to be able to cater manders orders. As someone once said
cal fact or realism; others want almost a
for everyone’s likes or dislikes. “Soldiers win battles; generals get the
historical thesis, while a majority want
credit for them." and it is these external
something in between. Add to this that I do not believe that Napoleonic
factors that sometimes get overlooked.
everyone has their own idea on how Na- wargaming would benefit if we all agreed
Take the Duke of York, as a field com-
poleonic warfare was conducted, which is to use one rule set, like ancient gamers
mander it is accepted that he was poor,
why so many gamers add their own house use DBA. After all there are currently
but as an administrator he was fantastic
rules to existing rule sets. All this creates many successful Napoleonic champion-
and his reforms I am sure assisted Wel-
ships held throughout the world using
Page 4 WARNING ORDER
Interview With David Marks– designer of In the Name of Glory
lington and other commanders in the At another show I had a cannon ball I think that a well laid out product
British army to achieve the status as field on display and a gentleman asked if he does go some way to get peoples atten-
commanders, that they did. could have a closer look. I said OK, but tion, but more importantly it allows play-
to be careful as it is a 12 lb shot and is ers to easily look things up and get to
With regards to greatest leaders of the
deceptively heavy for its size. I handed it grips with the rules in an easier fashion. I
era, for me this would be an extensive list
to him and he nearly dropped it, saying, do get the impression that many gamers
but to cut things short I would have say
“Wow! That is heavy, how much does it feel that any rules that have been pro-
weigh”, to which I replied “12 lb”. duced to a reasonable standard are done
by large companies with a lot of financial
Odd situations have occurred during
support, which for ITNOG is not the
our games that were not covered by the
case, but hopefully with your donations I
rules. So I wrote new rules to address
will be able to feed and cloth my Wife
these unforeseen situations, which is the
and Children!!!
reason for the different editions of the
rules. With regards to exposure of the rules,
again advertising costs a lot of money

and for the most part it is way beyond my
Your rules have a very profes- budget. Because of this I have found that
sional fell to them. Was this a a great number of gamers have not heard
conscious decision to do them this of my rules, which is a shame as I feel
way and do you think it helps in they have a lot to offer.
today's gaming market to in- What do you think the next big
crease your sales and exposure developments will be in game de-
with a better produced set? sign?
I am glad that you like the presenta- I wish I knew then I would design it
tion of the rules as they are the product of and retire. But on a serious note I think
a lot of hard work. I have always seen the that whatever the development will be I
Wellington; Napoleon; Crawford; Louis publication of the rules as a bit of fun, think for the time being that it will still
Desaix - if he had not died early he would just an extension of my wargaming revolve around printed rules and dice. I
have probably equalled or bettered Napo- hobby. They have never been a commer- did think, like Sam Mustafa said in an
leon and lets not forget the American cial enterprise and the money I get from earlier interview, that computer would
commander Commodore Edward Preble the sale of the rules occasionally helps to have a big impact on gaming. I thought
who defeated the Barbary Pirates. Bet cover my print/production costs. All the that as computer technology was getting
you now get a lot of post saying how adverts in the rules are free, so you can smaller, more powerful and more mobile
wrong I am…hehehe!! see that the rules have been produced on that gamers would utilise computers to
a shoestring budget. I have prepared and run games instead of hard copy books
publish the rules myself using a desktop and dice. At shows held here in the UK,
We know that wargamers can do publishing program and I have strived to the few computer-moderated games that
things that a rules designer would produce the very best product that I can. I are staged are always popular.
never think of. Can you tell us am pleased with the results.
(cont. on page 6)
about some bizarre situations
that you've seen with your rules
being played or unusual questions
that you've received?
I have received a number of very odd
questions from the public and gamers
alike over the years, such as:
“What period games are you doing?”
“Napoleonic” I replied. “That’s funny”
said the man, “there seems a lot of Napo-
leonic stuff going on here and little else”.
“Well this is the Napoleonic fare, did you
not realise this when you bought the
ticket at the entrance”.
ISSUE #16 Page 5
Interview With David Marks– designer of In the Name of Glory
I am surprised that computes have not ting to other interest members of the pub- want to join in the game do not have to
made more impact and am not really sure lic explaining what was happening in our wait, or are left disappointed by being
why they are not used more too moderate game. told that the game is full up and the next
games. Then again programmes for such available slot will be later that afternoon.
“Hi Dave Thanks for the rules and the
game at Colours, It was my 9 year old Finally, what are you working on
sons first show and he was a little shy for the future?
and would not join in with any thing. We
I have recently completed a set of
sat down at your game, he was able to
American Civil War rules, ‘Honor &
pick the rules up and managed to run of
Glory’. These rules can be downloaded,
your cavalry and thrash an infantry at-
free of charge from the following yahoo
tack. The next day we picked up some old
chat group.
Airfix civil war figs at a toy soldier fair,
he is in the process of basing them up and www.groups.yahoo.com/group/honorag
we have down loaded the rules. So thanks
It has been great fun putting these
to your effort the ranks of wargamers has
ACW rules together, which is the result
increased by one. Well done.”
of a sportsman’s bet I had with my good
I think this posting is brilliant and I American friend Brian Casey. Prior to
really appreciate what Tim has written. writing the rules I had little interest in the
ACW period, but writing these rules has
The games that we put on at the shows
use do not appear to be readily available certainly got me hooked on this fascinat-
tend to be big affairs and we run them on
and I personally have no idea how to ing period and I can’t think why I have
a “Game it and go” principle. What I
convert my own rules for computer use. overlooked this period until now.
mean by this is that people can join the
Maybe computers will have more impact
game at any time throughout the show. As for the next big project, first it will
in the future when more suitable pro-
They may play for as long as they like be a booklet on how to make terrain. Peo-
grammes have been written.
and leave whenever they wish and are ple are always asking me how I construct
One thing I am sure of thought is that more than welcome to rejoin the game my terrain plates. So I think as simple
the same old argument about which rule should they want to. If no member of the booklet will help people out.
system is best will still rage on, because public is available to play then we run the
Once that is complete it will be a set
the game you get using a computer will game as a demo until someone joins in.
of English Civil War or 30 Years War
be totally dependant upon the rule system
This system really works well and we rules, but I won’t be starting this project
programmed into it.
all have a great time chatting and gaming. for a long, long time.
A lot has been voiced about the future I don’t know of any other group that runs
Thanks for giving me the opportunity
of historical gaming and how to encour- games on this basis, but I would highly
to discuss my rules and my thoughts on
age new younger players into the hobby. I recommend it. Maybe show organisers
wargaming and I would like to wish you
personally feel that the way forward on should introduce this type
and your readers all the best and happy
this issue is to stop of game on their list,
gaming in the future.
presenting historical rather than the usual Dem-
gaming as a history onstration or Participation Regards
lesson and concentrate game options. We never
Dave
more on the fun aspect win any ‘best demonstra-
of historical gaming. tion game’ or ‘best partici-
pation game’ as the organ-
On The Miniature
isers say that our games
Page, ‘Tim at Front-
can not be both…but our
line’ wrote the follow-
games are. I firmly believe
ing about our meeting
that we are at shows to
at Colours 2006
encourage both experi-
wargaming show and
enced games and those
the game he and his
new to gaming into the
son played using my
hobby and our chosen
ACW rule set, which
period, be that historical,
are base upon my IT-
fantasy or sci-fi alike and our ‘Game it
NOG system. I thought we had played for
and go’ philosophy I believe is a total
about 20 mins, but was later told that we
winner for the public as they really can
gamed for over an hour, while still chat-
have their cake and eat it and those who
Page 6 WARNING ORDER
Cold War Commander: Which War?
This month will see the source for hundreds of scenarios. have very modern equipment, so you
release of Cold War Com- would see a bewildering array of vehicles
Disadvantages: If you like a lot
mander which will take the and aircraft on the battlefield.
of tanks and armored operations,
Blitzkrieg Commander sys-
then move on to another war. Advantages: Lots of scenario possibili-
tem into the Post WW2
ties plus figures are available in all scales.
period. Unlike WW2 where Arab-Israeli War 1967
You could see M-1s going up against
you have some clear cut
OK, this is for masochists only. Merkavas. Certainly there is a potential
choices about which armies
The Israeli advantages are so for large scale armored operations which
and periods to game, the
numerous here that any attempt to is what the rules are intended for.
modern period offers a lot
equalize the playing field will
of confusion! After seeing Disadvantages: Coming up with feasible
result in a total abstraction of
some threads on TMP about backgrounds for your games, given the
history. The fighting in Jerusa-
this subject, here’s some ever changing and volatile situation in the
lem or the push up the Golan Heights are
possibilities with their advantages and Middle East.
the only redeemable scenarios for this
disadvantages.
war. Iran-Iraq War
Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact vs. NATO
Advantages: Plenty of info and figs Strangely enough, other than the Warsaw
1950-1990 available. pact vs. NATO era, this may be one of
the best periods to use the rules for.
This is the potential conflict that kept the Disadvantages: Not much fun for the
There were armored thrusts, large scale
wargaming industry viable in the 70s and Arab player and the war was over pretty
infantry assaults, helicopter deep strikes,
80s. Literally hundreds of scenario possi- quick, so you’ll run out of scenario ideas
and more. The wide open spaces would
bilities involving recon elements, artil- after the first few battles.
make for some great battles.
lery, air support, and more.
Arab-Israeli War 1973
Advantages: Figures are available in
Advantages: Lots of scenario possibili-
Now we’re getting somewhere. From many scales and you have a wide variety
ties, plenty of information available about
armor slugfests on the Golan Heights to of actions to game.
equipment and TO&Es, plus a wide range
massive tank battles around the Canal,
of figures are available in all scales. Disadvantages: Good info is only now
this period has a lot going for it. Plenty
We’re talking large scale combat opera- coming out, plus the operations in the war
of scenarios, desperate fighting, and lots
tions involving all areas of the armed were kind of haphazard on both sides.
of armor.
forces.
Angola 1980s
Advantages: Readily available figures,
orders of battle, and painting info. The This is actually a pretty interesting period
Israeli tactical advantages are balanced that has some potential. Both South Af-
out by numbers on the Arab side. rica and the terrorist armies with their
Cuban support fielded a lot of armor and
Disadvantages: Not many other than
mechanized units. Probably a good pe-
there’s not much room for fictional sce-
riod for 15mm due to the large number of
narios.
low quality infantry units that would be
War in Lebanon 1982 present.
Disadvantages: Not many other than it There were some major armor battles Advantages: Interesting mix of unit
never happened, so you’re essentially with the Syrians, but the war was very types and an unusual theater with good
going back in the past to play a fictional limited and neither side wanted to get scenario possibilities.
war. Some gamers like that, others don’t.
heavily involved.
Disadvantages: OOBs might be hard to
Vietnam 1965-1975 Advantages: Other than being able to come by (continued on page 8)
Again, a lot of scenario possibilities, but use some of your 1973 War equipment
if you’re looking for massed armor bat- mixed with a few new weapons, not
tles then you’re in the wrong period. many.
This would be good for large airmobile
Disadvantages: Very limited scenario
operations, city fighting, and for gamers
possibilities.
who like infantry battles.
Arab-Israeli Wars-Future
Advantages: Again, there is a lot of info
readily available, plus plenty of minia- This could be quite interesting, particu-
tures in all scales. The countless thou- larly if you had Jordan, Syria, and Egypt
sands of books on the subject are the all gang up on Israel again. Both sides
ISSUE #16 Page 7
Cold War Commander: Which War? (cont.)
and after a few games it could start gener- China-Vietnam 1970s to Present Disadvantages: The similar nature of
ating a déjà vu type feeling. both forces’ organizations and equipment
China briefly invaded Vietnam in the late
might get old after the first few games.
Falklands 1982 70s and didn’t fare too well. Relations
have improved since then, but the recent Russia Resurgent!
While this is certainly an interesting op-
posturing by China over the oil rich areas
erational exercise, I’m not sure how it It appears that Russia is trying to get back
claimed by Vietnam and other countries
would do other than in a skirmish type into the superpower fold by increasing its
could erupt into open war.
setting. Once the British got on the main armed forces, particularly upgrading the
island it was just a matter of time. Advantages: Interesting David vs. Goli- navy and air force. Also, political devel-
ath type match up with unusual equip- opments in the region over natural re-
Advantages: Could be done easily since
ment and organizations. sources could lead to several conflicts
it was primarily an infantry battle and
that might even drag NATO forces into a
there’s plenty of info on the war. Disadvantages: Virtually no information
war.
to be found and because of the terrain,
Disadvantages: Very limited scenario
this would mainly be an infantry war. Advantages: A super hi-tech conflict,
options and who wants to play the Argen-
especially if NATO gets involved. Plenty
tine forces? China vs. Taiwan
of combined arms operations and many
India-Pakistan 1971 This has been feared for several decades, scenario possibilities. In 1/300th scale
but has never come to pass. If China ever most of the present day equipment is
This was a full scale war that had several
attains significant sealift assets, they available.
large battles featuring armor and infantry.
might give it a try, depending upon the
Pakistan was in a bad strategic position Disadvantages: Might be too much fan-
world’s political climate. If the Chinese
and India took full tasy for some gamers.
get a foothold on the
advantage of it.
main island, then the Desert Storm/Iraqi Freedom
Close air support,
handwriting would be on
naval strikes, ar- Both of these conflicts pitted a hi-tech,
the wall for Taiwan.
mor, artillery, and combined arms juggernaut against a me-
infantry actions Advantages: Another hi- dium-tech army that turned into a slaugh-
make this an ideal tech conflict that would ter both times.
period for this rules see some sizeable forces
Advantages: Lots of info, maps, scenar-
set. deployed. Plenty of fig-
ios, and miniatures are available. The
ures and info are readily
Advantages: A game would definitely let you use masses
available for this potential conflict.
wide ranging war that has many scenario of figs.
possibilities, plus figures are available in Disadvantages: Limited in scope, al-
Disadvantages: To keep the game realis-
multiple scales. though you could use your Chinese forces
tic, the scenario objectives would have to
for other potential conflicts in the region.
Disadvantages: Painting info and OOBs be so high for the Coalition player(s) that
may be hard to come by. There was a China vs. Russia even one tiny screw up should cost you
good game and articles on this period in the game. Also, not much fun if you’re
This seemed more probable in the 80s
an issue of Strategy & Tactics. playing Iraqis.
and 90s than now, although that could
India-Pakistan Future change. This list is by no means exhaustive.
Currently, Potential conflicts in the Balkans, Greece
This would be a major war with modern,
Russia is vs. Turkey, Egypt vs. Libya, and many
hi-tech equipment. The scenario possi-
the largest others could be covered. Naturally, the
bilities are endless, but you would see a
exporter rules are designed for the use of armored
virtual showcase of military equipment in
of arms to vehicles in combined arms operations, so
use, from SU-27s to T-80 variants.
China, so you should be looking for conflicts that
Advantages: Hi-tech battles with lots of I’m sure feature armies that have them. Although
armor and mechanized infantry backed they don’t want to bite the hand that feeds infantry slugfests can be done with this
with artillery, helicopters and air support. them. This would be a hi-tech conflict set of rules, where’s the fun in that? I do
Figures are available in multiple scales. fought over greatly varied terrain in vast believe that this rules set (based upon a
What’s not to like? spaces with both sides using similar few years of playing the WW2 version)
equipment. will be what a lot of modern players have
Disadvantages: Finding current OOBs is
been craving, namely a rules set where
very tough and the wide variety of equip- Advantages: Lots of scenario possibili-
ATGMs, artillery, air support, SAMs, and
ment within even the same units makes ties, plenty of mechanized stuff, aircraft,
more can work smoothly on the tabletop
this tough to get accurate painting info. and artillery on both sides.
without taking 12 hours for a game!
Page 8 WARNING ORDER
Cold War Commander: Which War? (cont.) Resources
Surprisingly, some of the best re- West End Games:
sources for this period are board games!
Air Cav
In the 70s and 80s modern day combat
was at its zenith for the historical gamer. A tactical level treat-
The NATO vs. Warsaw Pact theme was ment of air cav opera-
the #1 topic for gaming and a whole host tions in a future Euro-
of games, magazines, and books poured pean war. Scenarios can
out on the topic. Many of these spilled Strategy & Tactics #174: India- be easily converted over
over into other theaters and are still good Pakistan to CWC and there’s big focus on delay-
for info even today. Many of these can ing operations, probing attacks, and other
Strategy & Tactics #200: Taiwan
be found on Ebay for under $20 and situations that you rarely see on the table-
could be essential for creating scenarios Strategy & Tactics #215: Iran-Iraq top.
for Cold War Commander. This list will
All three of these games follow a similar SPI: Mech War 2
take a look at a few games that could be
theme, namely operational level treat-
helpful. Another “monster”
ments of modern warfare. The games are
game from the old SPI
Avalon Hill: The at a much higher level than CWC, but the
days with 1600 count-
Arab-Israeli Wars info in the magazines is very useful on
ers, four maps, and
the armies of the combatants and the
Based on the popular several booklets. How-
games are a great background for gener-
Panzerblitz and Pan- ever, there are plenty of
ating scenarios.
zer Leader system, scenarios for NATO/
this game features GDW Phase Line Smash Warsaw Pact plus a
around twenty scenar- dozen or so for the Arab-Israeli Wars.
This is a highly complex,
ios from 1956 to the
solitaire treatment of Opera- Command Post
present. The great
tion Desert Storm that is an Quarterly
thing is that the scale (platoon level) is
outstanding game. The
the same as Cold War Commander, so Not a game, but a
booklet with the notes, or-
you just replace the counters for minia- series of magazines
ders of battle, and after
tures. that were produced in
action reports is worth the
the early 90s in sup-
GDW Team Yankee price of the game itself. Again, great for
port of the Command
generating scenarios and background
Part of the First Battle Decision/Combined
info.
system, this game has Arms miniatures
numerous scenarios Victory Games: rules. The same
about U.S forces engag- scale as CWC so you
Flashpoint Golan
ing a Soviet/Warsaw can easily use the scenarios just by sub-
pact invasion of Ger- A detailed treatment of a stituting CWC stats for all the units. Al-
many. Again, it’s at the future Syrian-Israeli though primarily focused on WW2, there
same scale as CWC, so using the scenar- battle for control of the were several good modern scenarios.
ios is pretty easy. There was also a desert Golan Heights. Great One that was particularly interesting was
version covering the scenario ideas for using the U.S. Marine armor at the Kuwaiti
Iran-Iraq war and Desert the most modern weap- International Airport, pitting their mod-
Storm. ons of both sides. ernized M-60A3s against the Iraqi armor.
GDW Assault West End Games: Final Thoughts
The Assault series had Air & Armor Naturally, this only scratches the sur-
several modules, includ- face in regards to books, Ospreys, maga-
ing Bundeswehr, Boots Another treatment of zine articles, and more. However, many
& Saddles, and a British operational level actions of these games have information that is
module. All of the depicting NATO forces not readily available in other places and
games are platoon based, which again against a Soviet/Warsaw the scenario ideas can be used to provide
means that since the units are the same Pact invasion. Not only unusual and challenging game situations.
scale as CWC you just transfer the units is this a great game, but In future issues I’ll keep adding on re-
into miniatures. More complex than the there are some good scenario ideas here, sources and future conflicts that I’ve
First Battle series by the same company, even if the game is on a slightly higher missed here in this opening article and
but the TO&E info is pretty amazing. level than CWC. feel free to send me your ideas.
ISSUE #16 Page 9
Building a 15mm Colonial Nile Gunboat Workshop
Introduction What is Known? want a stern or sidewheeler? These deci-
sions will impact the design of the boat,
No Sudan game would be complete We do know for a fact that there were
the complexity of building it, and what
without Nile gunboats! The big problem? very few dedicated gunboats and most of
parts you will need. Screw driven are the
Other than the Melik and some drawings those were around during Kitchener’s
easiest, since everything is under the hull
of the Tamai class, there exists very little final drive to Omdurman. Most
there’s no need to build anything extra.
information about colonial gunboat op- “gunboats” were converted passenger or
Sidewheelers take some work, but look
erations on the Nile. This despite the fact freight steamers, with some boiler plate
the best in my opinion. Finally, stern-
that in some operations there were close armor, sandbags, and an assortment of
wheelers are the hardest to build because
to 30 steamers in the combat zone! Not armament. But, this is what makes the
of the exposed paddles.
only that, the Mahdists did have steamers topic so much fun and interesting!
and gunboats of their own, but the only Also, you will need to decide if it will
Choosing a Gunboat Type
reference I’ve seen is the one that was put be lightly or heavily armed, will be ar-
out of action by French forces near Here’s your first big decision. Do mored or use improvised armor such as
Fashoda. Gordon’s forces operated gun- you want a converted steamer or a dedi- mealie bags, crates, etc., and how many
boats continuously during the siege, but cated gunboat? Second, do you want it to decks it will have. All of these need to be
again, little is known about the actual be screw driven, i.e., all of the propellers, decided before you get started as they
combat operations. rudder, etc., under the hull, or do you will seriously impact the construction.
Getting Started
For this project I’ve decided to build First, I used the 1/2” thick foamcore Now, cutting foamcore is not an exact
a Mahdist gunboat. The boat is available from science, particularly any rounded sec-
a converted river steamer with craft stores. tions, so you will have gaps, usually at
sandbag armor, two decks, some You can use the bow and stern. Here’s where a great
antique cannon, and it will be a wood, thinner little product can help you out. By using
sidewheeler. I’ve chosen a sections of acrylic modeling gel(sold at arts and craft
length of about 10 1/2” with a foamcore, or stores near the oil paints), you can fill in
beam of around 2 1/2”. Large other materials, any gaps quickly as it dries clear and fast.
boats such as the heavily armed but I’ve found
Sultan and Melik would be that this works
around 15” long. Although your best. To take
boats will probably be way out care of the foam
of proportion to the ground scale of your sides, cut out 1/2” strips of sheet plastic
land rules, they need to look right for the and glue them over the sides of the hull.
game. You also need to decide if you If you want the bow section to be raised,
want a narrow bow or a wide bow as cut the strips for the front a little higher
well. I’ve gone with a wide bow ending or taper them so it appears as if the hull is
in a point, with a rounded stern. raised a little towards the front.
Large gaps between the hull and
The Main Deck
plastic strips.
Most river steamers and gunboats in about 1” long and 1/8” wide. ments and lightly cut
the 19th century had some type of Use the back of an X-Acto them into the plastic.
wooden or teak deck. This is tough to blade to make the impressions While this method is
model in 15mm as the boards would not on the sheet plastic. This is much faster and looks a
be very long. There’s two ways that I use time consuming, but it comes little better, the only
to make decks for the gunboats and out pretty good. The other drawback is that the
steamers. method is to use scribed sheet decks will be a little bit
plastic available at most thicker than regular
The first is to trace the top of the hull
hobby stores that already has sheet plastic. Paint the
onto some very thin sheet plastic. Then,
the long lines done for you. You just decks tan, then ink them, and drybrush
using a ruler, mark off boards that are
have to mark off the boards in 1” incre- with a lighter color.
Page 10 WARNING ORDER