THE GENERAL

~VA~ON

'LIL~ @EMER&L
1. 2.

The Avalon Hill philomopby - part 8

Latest Scores: N. K o r e a 1, U. S. A. 0 N. Vietnam 37, U. S. A. 3 A r e these football s c o r e s ? O r , p e r h a p s , r e s u l t s in f r o m the Olympic Games ? ? ? Not o n your life. R a t h e r - they a r e s t a t i s t i c s that m i g h t be posted if one decided to keep a s c o r e b o a r d o n w a r . In "game" n u m b e r 1, you have a l i t t l e 6th r a t e country pulling off a c a p e r t h a t the Mafia would be r e l u c t a n t to atterript. So now they have s t o l e n the Pueblo r i g h t f r o m under o u r n o s e s . S c o r e 1goal f o r s t o u t - h e a r t e d N . Korea. "Well, the U. S. A. " p l a y e r s w w e r e n ' t a l l f i r s t - s t r i n g e r s . Our "A" ballclub is down in Vietnam outfoxing the Vietcong." You say. Okay, s o w e ' r e b e hind in that one. But, w e ' r e wearing t h e m down and by the l a s t q u a r t e r t h e y ' l l be too t i r e d to defend. T h a t ' s when o u r f r e s h r e s e r v e s will r u n all o v e r t h e m and pull off another Johnny Unitas' whirl-wind finish. At this writing, nothing h a s y e t been r e s o l v e d i n the Pueblo c a s e . And, a t the r a t e we handle things diplomatically i t i s r e a s o n a b l e to a s s u m e that the situation will be s t a t u s quo a t the t i m e you r e a d this a r t i c l e . (Maybe not. We m a y have a r r a n g e d to exchange i t f o r the E n t e r p r i s e . ) The point i s , andwith the Vietnamese situation, the public (you and I ) is no longer i n f o r m e d of the truth. In fact, i t s getting r a t h e r impossible to even g u e s s a t the truth. F o r instance, if the Pueblo w a s t r u l y 25 m i l e s out i n i n t e r national w a t e r s a s the initial communiques c l a i m e d , then what took the U. S. Navy and A i r f o r c e s o long in coming to i t s r e s c u e ? Some q u a r t e r s c l a i m e d that a l l available planes a t the time w e r e outfitted with n u c l e a r bombs and would not have had t i m e to change a r m ament. What w e r e they doing with nuclear bombs ?. p a r t i c u l a r l y after Washington h a s f l a t l y d e c l a r e d that "under no c i r c u m s t a n c e s will we get involved in n u c l e a r w a r f a r e . " P e r h a p s the t r u t h of the m a t t e r was that the Pueblo was, indeed, within the 1 2 m i l e t e r r i t o r i a l r a n g e of N. Korea, the l a t t e r being p e r f e c t l y within i t s r i g h t to pull off this heist.

.. . a losing venture published bi-monthly, pretty

close to the first day of January, arch, May, July, September and November. The General is edited and published by The Avalon Hill Company almost solely for the cultural edification of adult gamjng. (It also helps to sell Avalon Hill products, tool) Articles from subscribers are considered for publication on a gratis contributory basis. Such articles must be typewritten and not exceed 700 words. Examples and diagrams that accompany such articles must be drawn in black ink, ready for reproduction. N o notice can be given regarding acceptance of articles for publication. All back issues, except Vol. 1, Nos. 1 & 4, which are out of stock, are available at $1.00 per issue. Full-year subscriptions B $4.98.

el887 The Avalon Hill Company, Baltimore, Maryland. printed in U.S.A.

s

COVER STORY:

'1914"- New Game of Battlefield Strategy

We'll a d m i t that t h e RAND C o r p o r a tion (a Defense D e p a r t m e n t backed "thinktank") and t h e U. S. A r m y develope d the concept f i r s t . But Avalon Hill c a n ' t include a c o m p u t e r i n e v e r y g a m e - - which the A r m y r e q u i r e s i n playing the RAND type g a m e s . Thus Avalon Hill h a s done the next b e s t thing. And t h a t ' s by i n c o r p o r a t i n g a l l of the a c t u a l h i s t o r i c a l situations and a l t e r n a t i v e s into t h e g a m e ' s d e s i g n itself. Thorough r e s e a r c h and extensive documentation, coupled with Avalon H i l l ' s u s u a l dedication t o playability, allow p l a y e r s of "1914" t o t u r n b a c k the pages of h i s t o r y i n t h e t r u e s t s e n s e . Now - - p l a y e r s c a n find out, f o r e x a m p l e , what would have happened if G e r m a n y had invaded Holland; o r R u s s i a had had no mutual d e f e n s e a g r e e m e n t with F r a n c e ; o r if Italy had e n t e r e d t h e w a r i n 1914 i n s t e a d of 1915, and on Germafiy's s i d e ; o r if the b a t t l e c r u i s e r Goeben, i n s t e a d of fleeing t o T u r k e y , had sunk the t r a n s p o r t s carrying F r a n c e ' s North A f r i c a n A r m y t o the western front. The game b o a r d , employing a t e r r a i n evaluation s y s t e m developed by t h e U. S. 12th A r m y Group, itself r e l a t e s much of the s t o r y behind the 1914 c a m paign i n the west. The o r i g i n a l b a t t l e plan c a n be u s e d ; t h e G e r m a n "modified Schlieffen P l a n " and the F r e n c h " P l a n 17" a r e just s o m e of the g a m e ' s a l t e r natives providing player s with c o u n t l e s s play v a r i a t i o n s .

7 G a m e s In 1
An Introductory game helps the playe r s into the 3 - 5 hour Standard g a m e . The S h o r t g a m e , however, m a y be played on a lunch hour. TheAdvanced g a m e o n 10 lunch h o u r s . The H i s t o r i c a l Simul a t i o n g a m e allows p l a y e r s t o e x p e r i e n c e the p r e s s u r e s and s t r a i n s of the r e a l campaign. (Not r e c o m m e n d e d f o r h i g h - s t r u n g people who hate to l o s e . ) Then t h e r e ' s'the S o l i t a i r e g a m e f o r those who hate to l o s e . Finally, a n a c c e s s o r y k i t c o n v e r t s "1914" t o a Play-by-Mail game. Available F i r s t i n S t o r e s Packaged in full-color, featuring a n o n - t h e - s p o t sketch showing a G e r m a n machinegun company beating off a probing a t t a c k by B r i t i s h c a v a l r y , "191411 will r e t a i l f o r $6.98. Do not s e n d u s a n y d i r e c t m a i l - o r d e r s . "1914" will b e shipped f i r s t t o a l l AH o u t l e t s w h e r e you will be a b l e t o obtain i t f r o m your f a v o r i t e s t o r e , a p p r o x i m a t e l y A p r i l 10th. All i n q u i r i e s will be a n s w e r e d in the S p r i n g b r o c h u r e ' t o b e m a i l e d next month.

"No s i r , ' I s a y s Washington. "The Pueblo could not possibly have been in t e r r i t o r i a l w a t e r s . I ' But l a t e r , Washington did a d m i t that the Pueblo was only 1 4 m i l e s out. So who c a n we believe and t r u s t ? T h e r e a r e t h r e e types of news r e l e a s e s t h a t c o m e out of Washington: 1) News "Leaks1'. info t h a t a p p e a r s a s if i t i s inside information when i n r e a l i t y i t i s p r e s s - c o n t r o l l e d f r o m within: 2) Acusually by m a v e r i c k s t u a l news leaks. within the e s t a b l i s h m e n t who have v a r ious bones to pick within, and 3) F a c t s info that, due to c h a o s within, finds i t s way p a s t a l l the p r e s s - c e n s o r s h i p within the establishment. The p r o b l e m o c c u r s when the public is no l o n g e r able to distinguish among the t h r e e . W e ' r e not even s u r e , now, who a r e the bad guys and who a r e the good guys. E v e n the Pueblo b i t s m e l l s fishy. S m a l l wonder, then, that "credibility gapM h a s become such a n oft-used phrase. So we a r e o v e r i n Vietnam defending the w o r l d a g a i n s t the s p r e a d of c o m m u n i s m . And, if we don't h a l t i t t h e r e , i t will s p r e a d and finally engulf the U. S. A. Bullfeathers! What a hoax the e s t a b l i s h m e n t h a s brandished o n the public. We didn't stop the s p r e a d o f c o m m u n i s m i n Korea, and w e ' r e n o t stopping i t f r o m s p r e a d i n g i n Vietnam. At best, we've staved off the inevitable if Washington continues t h i s c o u r s e of "gradualism. In the m e a n t i m e , a heckuva l o t of o u r guys a r e getting knocked off. You a s k , "what do you m e a n by 'Graduali s m ' ? " G r a d u a l i s m i s a tactic, usuall y defensive, w h e r e b y you l e a v e the e s calation to someone e l s e , e s p e c i a l l y if

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you're w o r r i e d about world opinion. Hopefully, the o t h e r s i d e a l l eventually w e a r t h e m s e l v e s out being on the offens i v e a l l the time. B e c a u s e i t worked i n the civil w a r , proponents of the s y s t e m have t r i e d to apply i t to e v e r y m a n n e r of w a r f a r e since. completely ignoring the f a c t that i t i s workable only when your r e s e r v e s a r e d e e p e r than the enemy' s. Yes, w e ' r e applying g r a d u a l i s m i n N. Vietnam. We're g r a d u a l l y wearing out o u r f r o n t line m a t e r i a l to the e x t e n t w h e r e a t a x - r i s e , a t the c o s t of shelving domestic n e c e s s i t i e s , will be m a n d a t o r y if only to b r i n g u s b a c k to the s a m e l i n e we held two y e a r s ago. c o m e one of the biggest political footballs of a l l time. I t i s obvious that, with 6th r a t e nations able to push u s around without r e p r i s a l , Washington will have to change i t s diplomatic line. I n s t e a d of being the w o r l d ' s p o l i c e m a n a s w a s G r e a t B r i t a i n , the U. S.A. i s losing such p r e s t i g e that we a r e rapidly becoming, instead, the w o r l d ' s patsy. The question confronting us a l l a t the moment: "How will L B J do i t ? How will he s a v e f a c e f o r himself and h i s administration ?I1 Okay - w e ' r e a l l such h o t w a r g a m e r s , p e r h a p s the solution(s) c o m e e a s y to you all. At any r a t e , The G e n e r a l i s going to give you the opportunity to show how the w a r should be concluded. To those who have played m o s t , if not all, of AH'S battle t i t l e s , your a n s w e r s a r e probably c l e a r - c u t : i n Waterloo, a s the P-A-A p l a y e r , "Gradualism" i s indeed your b e s t t a c t i c while Napoleon m u s t play a g a m e of a g g r e s s i v e a t t r i tion. In Blitzkrieg, one s e e s the i m p o r t a n c e of a n a i r f o r c e . Afrika Korps and Stalingrad teach the i m p o r t a n c e of total commitment. In Midway and Guadalcanal, s u r p r i s e i s a n antidote among o t h e r s . And, i n T a c t i c s 11, the f e a r of Nuclear a t t a c k h a s i t s psychologically devastating effect. Vietnam i s something e l s e again.. but not without many of the p r i n c i p l e s of w a r employed in AH battle gaming. Now i t ' s your t u r n to r u n the w a r . . the Vietnam War. As the s u b j e c t m a t t e r of C o n t e s t #24, s u b m i t your P l a n on how the w a r m a y be ended.. Perhaps t h e r e i s a budding new " S e c r e t a r y of Defense'' sleeping s o m e w h e r e out t h e r e i n g a m e land.

THE GENERAL
commonly known f o r s o m e specific i t e m a s s o c i a t e d with i t f o r example: Schweinf u r t: b a l l - b e a r i n g s , Skoda: munitions, Ploisti: oil, P i l s e n : b e e r , Vichy: puppet government, Metz: a b a s e b a l l team, etc. etc. Now you a r e r e a d y to begin your psychological w a r f a r e . Whenever you bomb a n e n e m y city the meaning i s m u c h d e e p e r than m e r e l y V-18 was >ombed f o r the 6th consecutive turn, no, no, i t i s now: "Coventry was again bombed this month by the Luftwaffe of G r e a t e r Blue now waging t h e i r f i e r c e war of A g g r e s s i o n a g a i n s t the peaceful people of Red. When you take one city f o r m e r l y in your opponents hands you announce the "significance" of it: "The people of the Red nation will have to tighten their belts another notch this winter a s the victorious Blue a r m i e s plunged into a joyful Ukraine l i b e r a t i n g the Red b r e a d basket of Kiev. Joyful p e a s a n t s filled the s t r e e t s throwing g a r l a n d s of flowers o n the tanks i n g r e a t f u l thanks to their benevolent l i b e r a t o r s . I ' Your opponent will probably laugh a t f i r s t , however, his laughter will soon be turned into b i t t e r defeat when your r e c o r d player begins to b l a r e triumphant m a r t i a l m u s i c to the tune of a number of available r e c o r d s . Sugg e s t e d f o r the G e r m a n s a r e : The G e r m a n A r m y C h o r u s Vol. 1 & 2, H i t l e r ' s Inferno a l s o in two volumes and a numb e r of c h e a p m a r c h r e c o r d s . F o r the R u s s i a n p l a y e r , Soviet A r m y Chorus r e c o r d s a r e available a s a r e v a r i o u s patriotic p i e c e s s u c h a s the 1812 o v e r ture. F o r the B r i t i s h a n d F r e n c h playe r a wide s e l e c t i o n i s a l s o available f r o m the M a r s e i l l e s to I t ' s A Long Long Way to T i p p a r a r y . Your opponent h a s now been b l a s t e d both through o r a l propaganda and m u s i c to sooth the savage b e a s t ! F o r f u r t h e r added i m p a c t you now bring out your p i c t o r i a l h i s t o r y of World War I1 and m a k e c a s u a l r e f e r e n c e s to the s i m i l a r i t y in r e t r e a t i n g Italian p r i s o n e r s and h i s m e n and o r the vict o r i o u s G e r m a n s and y o u r s . This should both d i s t r a c t h i m and antagonize h i m if done with tact. But the r e a l i s m i s not y e t finished! You should a l s o e a c h m a k e a number of "General" c o u n t e r s f o r you and your f r i e n d s , whether they be p r e s e n t o r not, and employ t h e m to l e a d attacks, etc. T h i s coupled with existing p r i s o n e r r u l e s , n e u t r a l country r u l e s etc. m a k e s f o r the ultimate i n wargaming, and should add a l o t of laughs to your w a r games. This then i s how to i m p r o v e your w a r g a m i n g through the psychological u s e of sound effects, p i c t u r e s , and running c o m m e n t a r y . I g u a r a n t e e this s y s t e m effective. M i n i s t e r of the Int e r i o r Victor J. Gervol, J r . , 5131 J u n i a t a St., Duluth, Minn.

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Boy - something i s r o t t e n s o m e where. And, M c N a m a r a w a s n ' t a l l to blame. In fact, i t i s to h i s c r e d i t that the w a r h a s been fought a s e c o n o m i c a l l y a s i t has. T r u l y , M c N a m a r a i s one of the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e g e n i u s e s of o u r time. And, we c a n ' t b l a m e the boys out of the officer f a c t o r y o n the Hudson. They've been doing what they've been told to do beautifully. So i t m u s t boil down to one thing: Washington's f e a r of what e s c a l a t i o n m i g h t do politically. Why, this i s a t e r r i b l e p r e m i s e - t r y one o n s o m e m o t h e r who h a s using a son who thought that just 10s t a son. he w a s o v e r t h e r e fighting f o r l i b e r t y and f r e e d o m . What the p h r a s e - m a k e r s m e a n t by t h a t one i s ; " m o t h e r , we've got to send your young s o n away to g e t killed s o that we m i d d l e - a g e d influence peddling d e c i s i o n m a k e r s c a n continue rolling in l u x u r y without f e a r of getting h u r t by s o m e c o m m i e a t t a c k o v e r h e r e . " No doubt the Viet situation will be-

that

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Pyschology in Wargaming
by Victor J . Gervol, Jr. The ultimate in r e a l i s m of w a r g a m e s can be achieved by the w a r g a m e r with imagination and a bit of psychology. My a n s w e r to h a s t e n your opponents end i s the u s e of p s y c h o l o g i c a l w a r f a r e . I will use B l i t z k r i e g a s a c a s e i n point to show what c a n be done to a g r e a t g a m e to m a k e i t g r e a t e r and a t the s a m e t i m e i m p r o v e your win l o s s r e cord. The f i r s t s t e p i s to n a m e the c i t i e s and c o u n t r i e s a c c o r d i n g to the p o w e r s you a d m i r e m o s t f o r t h e i r tenacity and courage a s w a r r i o r s - - - i n m o s t c a s e s G e r m a n y , R u s s i a , F r a n c e , and m i n o r c o u n t r i e s to s u i t your own p a r t i c u l a r t a s t e s , the Balkens, Low c o u n t r i e s , o r i m a g i n a r y nations being suitable. I t i s in m o s t c a s e s suggested that Blue be n a m e d G e r m a n y and Red be named e i t h e r R u s s i a o r F r a n c e ( t h i s being due to the r e m a r k a b l e s i m i l a r i t y between G e r m a n y and Blue, including a P o l i s h c o r r i d o r and a n E a s t P r u s s i a . Your f i r s t s t e p now completed you begin to n a m e the c i t i e s in the c o u n t r i e s according to those f r o m that nation you have chosen, although e a c h individual h a s a g r e a t d e a l of l i b e r t y on this m a t t e r . On the s u r f a c e no r e a l change h a s taken place, however UU-27 once m e r e l y a s e a p o r t o n Lake P i n i s k y now e m e r g e s a s the Yugoslavian f o r t r e s s of Dubrovnik o n Lake T r i e s t e . C a r e should be taken s o a s to choose c i t i e s

THE GENERAL

PAGE 4
you t i m e and keep your good s h i p s i n formation. D e s t r o y e r s : These a r e i m p o r t a n t , e s p e c i a l l y f o r the G e r m a n s . A smoke s c r e e n c a n c u t off the e n e m y ' s f i r e while you deploy o r a t t a c k a section of the line, b e s i d e s covering a r e t r e a t . Torpedoes c a n b r e a k up awell-deployed line, and gain you time and direction. The G e r m a n s should p r o t e c t h i s DD's and t r y a t any opportunity to knock off the ~ r i t i s h DD's, though the B r i t i s h can r i s k h i s a s they don't go down a s easily. This i s n ' t any battle plan, only a h e l p e r to g e t you Landlubbers to s e e the general concepts and possibilities. Once t h i s happens your imagination w i l l c r e a t e battle plans b e t t e r than any of m i n e and hopefully, the e n e m y ' s . . B i l l Haggart, 9627 Maryknoll, Whittier, California 90605.

Jutland for Land-lubbers

by Bill H a g g a r t A r e you t i r e d of long drawn-out f i g h t s ? O r j u s t having a m a s s of c a r d board i n the middle of the f l o o r , i n s t e a d of divisions, s q u a d r o n s and f l e e t s of a Naval B a t t l e ? ? Maybe this a r t i c l e will help you tank s t r a t e g i s t s with s e a w a r fare. Organization: Divisions (four s h i p s ) a r e the b a s i s f o r m a n e u v e r i n g and f i r ing. Don't think of the s h i p s individually, but a s divisions. (You wouldn't think of the r e g i m e n t s of a division i n D-Day, would y o u ? ) The F l a g Ship i s always i n the lead, so put a p l a s t i c headkd pin o n i t s o i t won't g e t l o s t i n m a n e u v e r s . Divisions, f o r s i m p l i c i t y and f i r e power, predictably, should be of the s a m e c l a s s o r model s h i p s . On Page 26 of the Battle Manual, you will notice the G e r m a n s have done this: such a s ; Division V h a s the f o u r M a r k graf c l a s s s h i p s , e t ~ . They have done this s o well, i n f a c t , I would follow i t a l l the t i m e . The B r i t i s h w e r e n ' t a s wise, so y o u w i l l have to o r g a n i z e y o u r self; such a s , a l l the "I" s e r i e s (Infatiguable, Inflexible, e t c . ) in one o r two divisions. Now you c a n look a t one and know the f i r e p o w e r and damage c o n t r o l of the o t h e r t h r e e . It will h e l p you look a t the whole f l e e t i n a l a r g e r p e r spec tive. Maneuvering: The i d e a of m a n e u v e r ing i s to get c l e a r fields of f i r e f o r a s and f r o n t to flank t u r n s a r e the two m o s t i m p o r t a n t m a n e u v e r s you will w o r k with. M a s t e r these and you will have a g r e a t advantage o v e r your opponent. The f r o n t of flank m a n e u v e r c a n , f o r i n s t a n c e , gain 6 , 0 0 0 y a r d s between you and the opposing f l e e t in two t u r n s , u s ing i t twice a s in the figure. T h i s i s how you gain the advantage. Now, what i s the advantage ? T a c t i c s : Capital Ships: C r o s s i n g the "TI1 i s the m o s t accepted t a c t i c f o r gaining s u p e r i o r i t y of f i r e . I t i s in r e -

em-

TIIE'T*

IN

LINE

Plan 11890"Prelude to '7914"

by S t e w a r t C. McLeish

ality, a flanking m a n e u v e r , f o r the s i d e of the ship i s the s t r o n g e s t having the m o s t guns to b e a r o n the e n e m y i n cont r a s t with the bow o r s t e r n with only the f o r w a r d o r a f t t u r r e t s to use. But, f o r the B r i t i s h , the " T r a f a l g a r " t a c t i c s

The latest to join the "commeraderie" is this McLeish chap. His many jaunts in life range from bull-pen catcher for the '29 Braves to performing diving operations on the William B. Allison to human life preserver aboard the U . S. Endymion. There's also a way-back kinship to Archibald McLeish which, in itself doesn't necessarily qualify him as an author. What does qualify him is his thorough knowledge o f war plans . . . reams of it . . . that is now yellowing in the myriad of his own guargantuan personal historical files. Besides - he's somewhat responsible for getting AH games into the plush Jordan Marsh stores around Boston.
When I bought the f i r s t AVALON HILL War G a m e I did not reckon with the consequences. I bought another. Then, studying the g a m e s , I r e m e m b e r e d an old w a r - p l a n volume that had been among s o m e two hundred volumes I had p u r c h a s e d a t a c h a r i t y b a z a a r many y e a r s ago. I a l s o r e c a l l e d the "seventh copy" of a w a r damage r e p o r t , Naval, that1 h a d d i s c o v e r e d i n the pages of a Navy Manual of instruction that I had p u r c h a s e d i n 1942, a t Boston. The e x t r a copy I had m a d e c o m p r i s e d t h i r teen p a g e s , and m a d e with the thought of possible d e s t r u c t i o n o r l o s s by a c c i dent, o r e n e m y action. While d i s c u s s i n g the action of World War I1 with a Boston publisher two y e a r s ' ago, he s a i d , "Interesting, but you could have typed t h i s up l a s t w e e k . I ' I grinned a t h i m , "I think I've r e a d a t l e a s t one volume published by your Company r e g a r d i n g investigative work. If you don't know if, and w h e r e a r e a sonable e s t i m a t e of the paper and typing of the r e p o r t s might be checked you

many s h i p s a s possible. A single line i s b e s t , but if you have one a l l of the time, you would be e a s i l y out-maneuvered. So the t r i c k i s to have a f o r m a tion in which you c a n e a s i l y m a n e u v e r to gain position, then move into the battle-line. T h i s f o r m a t i o n is the c o l umn of divisions. Looking o n the m a neuver c h a r t you will s e e you c a n go e a s i l y to battle-line, if you l e a v e ENOUGH SPACE between columns. The f o r m i n g into battle l i n e s f r o m columns

w o r k s if you have beenout-maneuvered. This will gain you a drawn-out, piecem e a l battle of f i r e power which the B r i t i s h want, and, of c o u r s e , the G e r m a n s don't. If using this tactic, be s u r e to s e n d DD's i n to b r e a k up the opposing line with torpedoes before going in. When you have s t a r t e d firing, the B r i t i s h (and G e r m a n s to s o m e extent) will find that you have a l o t of e n e m y s h i p s floating a r o u n d with no f i r e power. Don't w a s t e good capital s h i p s on them. Leave t h e m to the weak C A ' s o r B ' s and torpedoed o r p a r t l y damaged s h i p s to f i n i s h off. Go a f t e r the e n e m y ships that c a n s t i l l h u r t you. T h i s will s a v e

PAGE 5
should r e a d one of your own books when you have time. " The plan of battle a s contemplated by the G e r m a n High Command, 1890, was a s follows: A name f a m i l i a r to those who w e r e involved, o r reading, i s Ardennes. In the plan Ardennes i s d e s ignated a s the chief communications point f o r the G e r m a n High Command. P e r h a p s an AVALON GAME e n t h u s i a s t now r e c a l l s i t a s the location w h e r e a surrounded American F o r c e answered the G e r m a n c a l l f o r t h e i r s u r r e n d e r with one word, "Nuts." Knowing o u r A r m e d F o r c e s , I wonder if that C o m manding Officer did not add a few e x t r a w o r d s to h i s r e s p o n s e . The G e r m a n High Command had a t i t s d i s p o s a l 20 A r m y Corps. Of this f o r c e , i t w a s planned to s e n d seven c o r p s to the E a s t e r n F r o n t . The shifting s a n d s of polit i c s , the Balance of P o w e r theory, and mainly the R u s s i a n C z a r ' s jealousy of England's " P l a c e in the Sun1', m a d e the G e r m a n s confident that, in the e v e n t of w a r , G e r m a n y could s a f e l y c o n c e n t r a t e H e r m i l i t a r y f o r c e s i n the West. The G e r m a n Main c a v a l r y g r o u p s , and t h i r t e e n r e g u l a r a r m y c o r p s w e r e to be used in a G e r m a n s m a s h t h r o u g h to the North Sea. It i s in this s e c t i o n of the G e n e r a l P l a n one c a n r e a d , " A r dennes and E i f e l afford fine protection to communications. ' I Continuing, i t w a s decided to r e q u e s t " p a s s a g e through Luxembourg, I t utilizing the T r e v e s B r u s s e l R a i l r o a d to Arlon. The G e r m a n A r m y would then move to the F r e n c h f r o n t i e r between the F o r t r e s s of Montmedy and Sedan, thus c o v e r i n g the communications of the Main A r m y . H e r e , i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g to note that the G e r m a n High C o m m a n d had decided to "request" Belgium f o r p a s s a g e through that country, m a k e doubly s u r e of a d e quate supply, and a n e x c e l l e n t s y s t e m of communications. Such a move would make i t i m p o s s i b l e f o r F r a n c e and England to fully mobilize before the G e r m a n m a i n a r m i e s r e a c h e d the Sea. The shifting s a n d s of E u r o p e a n polit i c s , Belgium's r e f u s a l to s u b m i t to the G e r m a n d e m a n d s c o s t the G e r m a n A r my a valuable four d a y s , Liege i n p a r ticular stalling the G e r m a n A r m y with a h e r o i c defense. The political s i t u a tion in E u r o p e had s o changed in the period between 1890 and 1914 that Italy quit the T r i p l e Alliance, that c o m p r i s e d G e r m a n y and the Austro-Hungary E m p i r e , R u s s i a s u p p o r t e d F r a n c e , and with England the s i d e s w e r e chosen. Italy w a s l a t e r to join the Allies. So c a r e ful w a s the plan t h a t i t w a s fully effective a t l e a s t twenty-five y e a r s l a t e r . Stewart C. M c L e i s h , 87 G a r l a n d S t r e e t , E v e r e t t , M a s s . 02149.

THE GENERAL

Put a Llttle lmagination in Guadalcanal

by Ray Johnson

I f you've never known a real live weather man, meet Ray Johnson. He's also an Air Reserve officer whose hobbies include wargaming. S o involved is he in the "sport" that we smuggled him into the Chicago Hobby Show last February because he's about the only one we knew who could provide first class opposition in the play of AH games. He's also the only one we knew who had a Playboy Club Key. Ray's literary gems can also be read in Strategy & Tactics. Y o u can get just about everything you need by reading his regular column "Wargamer's Notebook" . . . euerything, that is, but his Playboy Key.
Guadalcanal, although one of m y f a v o r i t e AH g a m e s , s e e m s to be l e s s popular among w a r g a r n e r s than many of the o t h e r s . I have h e a r d t h r e e m a j o r c r i t i c i s m s l e v e l e d a t it: ( a ) The J a p s have too g r e a t a n advantage; ( b ) The US h a s too g r e a t a n advantage; ( c ) The game c o n c e n t r a t e s too heavily around Henderson F i e l d and the action bogs down into a s t r a i g h t slugging m a t c h t h e r e , the r e s t of the board being u s e l e s s . I p r e f e r to play the T o u r n a m e n t v e r s i o n with optional r u l e s e x c e p t Hidden Movement, Psychological Effects and usually A r t i l l e r y Range Difference. This, I find m a k e s f o r a playable, b a l anced game, and with skillful play, a l o t of action i n o t h e r a r e a s than n e a r Henderson Field. The l a s t c r i t i c i s m h a s s o m e validity, e s p e c i a l l y with a n u n e n t e r p r i s i n g US p l a y e r , but not m o r e , I feel, than i n s o m e o t h e r AH g a m e s ; e. g. the c o n c e n t r a t i o n that often o c c u r s around Tobruk i n Afrika K o r p s , Q u a t r e B r a s in Waterloo o r B r e s t Litovsk in Stalingrad. B e t t e r and m o r e imaginative play by the US p l a y e r with it's r e s u l t a n t c o u n t e r - m o v e s by the J a p a s outlined below should open up the battle. When I'm playing with the J a p a n e s e f o r c e s , I look with delight o n a c o m p a c t huddle of M a r i n e s around H e n d e r s o n F i e l d ; they a r e usually t o r n to b i t s by the 30 O c t o b e r t u r n and i t i s too l a t e f o r the r e i n f o r c e m e n t s to affect the outcome. Japanese Tactics The f i r s t p r o b l e m confronting the J a p a n e s e p l a y e r i s h i s p l a c e m e n t of initial units. T h e r e a r e two viable positions: ( a ) J J - 2 7 , 28; (b) MM29. The f i r s t position h a s the advantage of a complete doubled defense a g a i n s t a t t a c k and of not p r e s e n t i n g a r e a l l y worthwhile t a r g e t to a r t i l l e r y f i r e . I t c a n be e n -

veloped, however, and a competent US player c a n annihilate the two battalions in 2-3 m o v e s ; but with r e a s o n a b l e luck, should take s o m e l o s s himself. The second position p r e s e n t s a t a r g e t to a r t i l l e r y f i r e but c a n be r e a c h e d o n the f i r s t t u r n only by the t h r e e f a s t e s t US units. The J a p p l a y e r c a n expect to l o s e about 1 unit with no l o s s to the US (except a m m o ) , but to g e t the o t h e r away. I r e c o m m e n d the l a t t e r when playing a good US player. I do not r e c o m m e n d t h a t the J a p s land his f i r s t available troops, even a t the strong position a t H4-14 until the l a s t o f August unless he l a n d s them along the w e s t c o a s t e. g. G18 and move t h e m inland to a position s o u t h e a s t of Mt. Austin. He should land and a t t a c k o n the 4 Sept. t u r n and continue to a t t a c k without l e t up whenever he c a n g e t 2-1 o r b e t t e r odds. With r e a s o n a b l e precautions, he need not f e a r US c o u n t e r a t t a c k o n 4 Sept. with the t h r e a t of the 11 Sept. J a p f o r c e s . The J a p a n e s e should f o r m a t h r e a t a s soon a s possible f r o m the a r e a of the h e a d w a t e r s of the Lunga and T e n a r u (the r e a s o n f o r the invasion a t G18) i n o r d e r to f o r c e the US to have to defend four s i d e s of a q u a d r i l a t e r a l ins t e a d of three. Also, the defense positions a r e p o o r e r and i t tends to back the M a r i n e s a g a i n s t the sea. While keeping a b a r r a g e of a r t i l l e r y f i r e on any s t a c k of 5 o r m o r e ( o r o v e r 9, if offered), the J a p should d e s t r o y the s m a l l e r units, e s p e c i a l l y a r t i l l e r y , if drawn into the f r o n t line. The US i s vulnerable to a c r i t i c a l s h o r t a g e of a r t i l l e r y units. He should likewise guard his own a r t i l l e r y f r o m a US a t tack (e.g. by 7th M a r i n e s ) . R a t h e r than f o r c e the US f r o m Henderson, the J a p should t r y to h e r d them around it. w h e r e they c a n b e d e c i m a t e d with the s e a a t t h e i r backs. The J a p should not a t t e m p t to withdraw too soon but hope to w e a r down both s i d e s with fewer units l e f t to evacuate. When possible, units of o t h e r than the 1s t Marine Div. should be hit. A r u l e of thumb i s that the J a p s should have a 50-75 point advantage by 30 O c t o b e r to win.

US S t r a t e g y The f i r s t r e a l c o n c e r n o f the USplaye r i s the p l a c e m e n t of h i s units awaiting a t t a c k o n 4-11 September. Before then, h e should m a k e a n y a t t a c k offered of 3 1 odds o r g r e a t e r so long a s h i s units c a n r e t u r n to the H e n d e r s o n F i e l d a r e a

THE GENERAL
by 4 Sept. He should m a k e a s t r o n g eff o r t to keep the J a p s off Mt. Austin and f r o m the a r e a south of Henderson. The initial defense position should be along the Matanikau and T e n a r u r i v e r s a s well a s the coast. Do not f o r g e t to put a s m a l l unit a t GG21 to p r e v e n t infiltration there. After the J a p a t t a c k s , the US should withdraw if n e c e s s a r y , and maintain a n i n t a c t defense line. Make l i m i t e d c o u n t e r - a t t a c k s , if offered, e s pecially a t a r t i l l e r y . An i m p o r t a n t point i s that the US should always back up any defense l i n e in the jungle a s the T o u r n a m e n t r u l e s allow c o n s i d e r a b l e movement a f t e r c o m b a t and o t h e r w i s e the US m a y find s e v e r a l J a p battalions f a r to the r e a r of a b r e a c h e d defense line with insufficient f o r c e s to a t t a c k t h e m without fatally weakening a n o t h e r s e c t o r . Instead of bunching -up a r o u n d Henderson F i e l d to a defense to the death, the US should b r e a k away and e s p e c i a l l y if a t the abandon the F i e l d s a m e t i m e i t c a n a t t a c k a weak flank of the J a p s . I t c o s t s the US about 8 points a t u r n to l o s e Henderson about 3 f a c t o r s - e x p e r i e n c e shows that they will l o s e f a r m o r e by staying, e s p e c i a l l y to a r t i l l e r y f i r e . In g e n e r a l , the US should avoid c o m b a t until 30 Oct. ; avoid s t a c k ing m o r e than 9 f a c t o r s p e r s q u a r e ; h o a r d a r t i l l e r y p i e c e s (but not a m m o ) , keeping t h e m out of the f r o n t l i n e ; and a t t a c k J a p a r t i l l e r y o n e v e r y occasion. If f o r c e d f r o m ~ e n d e r s o n k ' i e l d ,a t t e m p t to r e g a i n i t a s soon a f t e r 30 Oct. a s possible and m a k e e v e r y f a v o r a b l e a t t a c k bf 3 - 1 o r g r e a t e r . P r e v e n t J a p withdrawal by holding c o a s t a l villages.

Take a s many of the c a s u a l t i e s f r o m the 1 s t M a r i n e Division a s possible. I t m a y be noted that the r e s u l t o f application of the s e t a c t i c s l e a d to a cons i d e r a b l e amount of m a n e u v e r ; f i r s t , with the J a p a t t e m p t to gain the a r e a south of H e n d e r s o n and the US m o v e s to f o r e s t a l l them and l a t e r with the US a t t e m p t to keep a path open to b r e a k away f r o m Henderson, usually to the e a s t , and the J a p a n e s e e f f o r t s to c l o s e it. I would a p p r e c i a t e hearing f r o m o t h e r s o n t h i s and a m always looking f o r opponents, e i t h e r i n p e r s o n o r by mail. R a y Johnson 324 P r a i r i e s Avenue Lake Zurek, Illinois

Blocked Retreat Routes- Realistic or Ridculous?

by F r a n k A. Chadwick & A l a n R . Monson T h r e e divisions of V a n d a m m e ' s T h i r d C o r p s have b r o k e n through i n the P r u s s i a n F i r s t C o r p s s e c t o r and have o c cupied Tilly. The r e m a i n s of the P r u s sian F i r s t and Third Corps countera t t a c k f r o m the e a s t and m a n a g e to m u s t e r 3 - 1 odds on the F r e n c h fifteen s t a c k . The F r e n c h c o m m a n d e r s t i l l h a s a one t h i r d chance of surviving c o m b a t , however, until S o m e r s e t ' s c a v a l r y b r i g a d e a t Q u a t r e B r a s r a c e s t o the r e s c u e and s u r r o u n d s the F r e n c h unit. The A n g l o - P r u s s i a n - A l l i e d p l a y e r r o l l s a four; defender b a c k two. But since t h i s would r e q u i r e t h e t h r e e F r e n c h i n f a n t r y divisions t o r e t r e a t a c r o s s the ground held by S o m e r s e t ' s c a v a l r y b r i gade, the F r e n c h u n i t s a r e eliminated. Thanks to the intervention of a B r i t i s h c a v a l r y unit, t h r e e of Napoleon's c r a c k infantry divisions, totaling fifteen t i m e s the s t r e n g t h of the B r i t i s h c a v a l r y , have been wiped out. Wait a m i n u t e ! F i f t e e n t i m e s t h e i r s t r e n g t h ? You m e a n to say that t h r e e F r e n c h infantry divisions w e r e pushed back a g a i n s t one c a v a l r y b r i g a d e and, a s a r e s u l t , a n i h i l a t e d ? I d o n ' t buy i t . Now obviously, the r e t r e a t i n g F r e n c h . f o r c e s a r e going t o b e a t a disadvantage. Having been defeated by a f o r c e t h r e e t i m e s t h e i r own s t r e n g t h , t h e y ' r e p r o b a b l y a t l e a s t g r e a t l y d i s o r g a n i z e d , if nothing e l s e . However, the idea that one c a v a l r y b r i g a d e could stop t h i s r e t r e a t i s still h a r d t o a c c e p t . The f o l lowing two s y s t e m s c a n somewhat a c count f o r t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . The s i m p l e s t way of solving t h i s i s just t o allow t h e c o m m a n d e r of the s u r r o u n d e d unit to choose a unit of the surrounding f o r c e s and a t t e m p t to f o r c e h i s way through. T h i s i s conducted like a n y o t h e r battle, except the surrounding u n i t ' s defense f a c t o r i s doubled. If the 1-3 1-2 1-1 D. e l i m . A.adv. 1 D. exch.* A.adv. 1 D. back Z* A. adv. 1 A. elim. A. e l i m . A. elim. 2- 1 a t t a c k i s s u c c e s s f u l and r e s u l t s in the opening of a hole g r z enough f o r a unit t o p a s s through, the surrounded unit m a y r e t r e a t i t s two s q u a r e s through the b r e a c h . If t h e a t t a c k i s not s u c c e s s ful, o r d o e s not culminate i n a suffic i e n t b r e a k i n the e n e m y l i n e s , the s u r rounded unit i s removed f r o m the b o a r d . All of t h i s i s considered p a r t of the original a t t a c k e r ' s move, a s a n y o t h e r r e t r e a t a f t e r battle. A second, m o r e complex resolution of battle l i e s in t h e u s e of a different combat r e s u l t s table. The surrounding u n i t ' s defense f a c t o r i s s t i l l doubled, but the battle i s d e t e r m i n e d by the "Breakout T a b l e " shown below. 3- 1 D. e l i m . A. adv. 1 D. e x c h . * A. adv. 1 D. b a c k 2+ A.adv. 1 D. b a c k 2 A. adv. 1 exchange D. e l i m . A.adv. 1 4- 1 D. e l i m . A.adv. 1 D. e l i m . * A. adv. 1 D. e l i m . A.adv. 1 D. back 2 A.adv. 1 D. back 2 A.adv. 1 D. e l i m . A.adv. 1 5-1 D. e l i m . A. adv. 1 D. e l i m . A. adv. 1 D. e l i m . A. adv. 1 D. back 2 A. adv. 1 D. elim. A. adv. 1 D. elim. A . a d v . 1.

1 D. back 2 D. back 2 A.adv. 1 A.adv. 1 2 A . e l i m . D. back 2 A.adv. 1 3 A. e l i m . A. e l i m . 4 A. e l i m .

A. e l i m .

5 A . e l i m . A. e l i m .

D. e l i m . A. adv. 1 D. exch.* A. adv. 1 D. back Z* A. adv. 1 D. back 2 A. adv. 1 exchange

A. e l i m .

6 A. e l i m . A. e l i m .

6-

One of the innovations of t h i s t a b l e i s the "Defender Exchange". In this c a s e , the defender r e m o v e s half of h i s f a c t o r s and i s r e t r e a t e d two s q u a r e s , the a t t a c k e r advancing one. The a s t e r i s k signifies that the s u r rounded piece h a s indeed b r o k e n out, but l o s e s half of i t s a t t a c k f a c t o r s d u r -

ing the next move. T h i s i s only f o r the next move, and d o e s n o t affect t h e u n i t ' s defense. T h i s t i m e p r e s u m a b l y would b e n e c e s s a r y f o r the regrouping of the unit. In the c a s e of a n exchange, a l l defending u n i t s a r e eliminated with a like amount of attacking f a c t o r s being taken

PAGE 7
off. However, the a t t a c k e r does not advance, and, aS a r e s u l t , i s e n t i r e l y eliminated. Odds of w o r s e than 1 - 3 a r e not allowed and odds of 6-1 o r b e t t e r r e s u l t i n a n a u t o m a t i c b r e a k o u t with t h e surrounding unit under a t t a c k e l i m i n a t ed. Once a g a i n , the breakout i s p a r t of t h e o r i g i n a l a t t a c k e r ' s t u r n , and t h e unit w h i c h h a s succeeded i n b r e a k i n g o u t m a y now move i n i t s own t u r n . F r a n k A. Chadwickand A l a n R . Monson, E r i c k s o n R e s i d e n c e C e n t e r , Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill.

THE GENERAL

Bring Ivan to His Knees

by Ted H a r p h a m When you s i t down to play a game of Stalingrad and you to be the G e r m a n s , do you e v e r a s k yourself s o m e q u e s t i o n s ? "Why m e ? " Do you s a y to y o u r s e l f , "I m a y be the G e r m a n s this time, but he will be them the next t i m e , so who c a r e s if I l o s e ? " O r do you s i t down, g r i n d your teeth and t r y to win o r a t l e a s t t r y to give a good showing. I hope the third. By attacking the following objectives and having a little bit of luck you m a y c a u s e Ivan's knees to r a t t l e and maybe even win a v i c t o r y o r two. B e s i d e s the a t t a c k s o n d e l a y e r s the following types of a t t a c k s should be used: The 3-1 a g a i n s t objectives that a r e key that turn. The 2- 1 a g a i n s t objectives that a r e needed, but b e t t e r odds cannot be gotten. The 1- 2 against objectives t h a t a r e key to the Russian defense, but you do n o t need them that turn. F i n a l l y the 1-3 a s d e m o n s t r a t e d by R i c h a r d Shagrin i n Vol. 3 No. 5 of the General. The i m m e d i a t e objective of A r m y Group North i s the breaking of the Nemunas R i v e r o n the f i r s t o r second turn. This i s accomplished by s e r i e s of 1-2 a t t a c k s along the f r o n t o r against R18 o r 518. The o t h e r immediate objective of A r m y Group North i s the c a p t u r e of B r e s t Litovsk. If a 3-1 i s not possible the f i r s t t u r n then t r y a 1 - 2 a g a i n s t AA15 o r Z16 a s long a s no m o r e than ten f a c t o r s a r e u s e d in e a c h battle. If this f a i l s , a 3-1 cannot be stopped the second turn. A r m y Group C e n t e r should a t t e m p t to c r a c k the Bug River. This i s a c complished many t i m e s by 1-3 a t t a c k s a g a i n s t BB15 if the R u s s i a n f o r g e t s about t h e m o n the f i r s t turn. The o t h e r objective of this A r m y Group i s the capturing of G G l 2 and the linking up with A r m y Group South a s soon a s possible. A r m y Group South should b r e a k the P r u t R i v e r by attacking a t the b e s t possible odds a g a i n s t NN14. Only infantry should be used i n this attack. Objective number two i s the linking up with A r m y Group C e n t e r . This i s accomplished by placing twelve f a c t o r s on MM8 and MM9 a t the s t a r t and attacking J J l 2 a t 3-1 odds on the second turn. In phase two the m o s t i m p o r t a n t objective f o r A r m y Group North i s the r a p i d c a p t u r e of Minsk. A 2-1 o r bett e r should be used h e r e . Many t i m e s if you win t h i s key battle the Dnepr R i v e r will f a l l soon a f t e r because i t i s e a s y

Le Grande Armee
Originally F r e n c h o f f i c e r s u s e d the P r u s s i a n l i n e a r s y s t e m , although i n a rough f o r m , and developed t h e i r own t a c t i c a l s y s t e m f r o m it. T h e s e e a r l y f o r m a t i o n s c o n s i s t e d of battalion c o l umns c o v e r e d by s k i r m i s h e r s ( t h e s e s k i r m i s h e r s w e r e c o m p o s e d of whole deployed battalions i n the pre-1803's). If sufficient t r o o p s w e r e available two columns would be f o r m e d and deployed in c h e c k e r b o a r d fashion, thus having one column to the r e a r and outof range. C a v a l r y and a r t i l l e r y could then f i r e and move t h r u the i n t e r v a l s . The chief advantage of t h i s s y s t e m w a s i t s flexibility, t h e r e w e r e no r e a l specific " r u l e s of conduct" and t r o o p s adopted t h e m s e l v e s to t e r r a i n e n e m y position a s needed. T h i s s y s t e m , the halfengaged, h a l f - m a s s e d f o r m a t i o n , t e r m e d the mixed o r d e r , b e c a m e Napoleon's favorite. In application, the skirmishers moved up taking advantage of a l l p o s s i ble c o v e r , laying down a continuous f i r e on the e n e m y l i n e ( a r t i l l e r y backed them up, although i n the e a r l y b a t t l e s , the s k i r m i s h e r s w e r e m u c h m o r e often used). Under c o v e r of this s k i r m i s h i n g f i r e battalion c o l u m n s moved up. Once within s t r i k i n g d i s t a n c e , the c o l u m n a s s a u l t e d the e n e m y l i n e c r u s h i n g i t t h r u s h e a r f o r c e of impact. During this p e r i o d the s k i r m i s h e r s continued to shoot, d i s t r a c t i n g the enemy. Since the attacking columns w e r e r a t h e r l a r g e t a r g e t s and had little opportunity to r e t u r n f i r e , i t w a s e s s e n t i a l that the e n e m y be engaged until the l a s t p o s s i b l e moment, thus making the job of s k i r m ishers very important. The s y s t e m gradually changed a s the F r e n c h a r t i l l e r y i n c r e a s e d i n effectiven e s s ; a f t e r 1805 the job of the s k i r m i s h e r s had been taken o v e r , to a l a r g e extent by the a r t i l l e r y . When on c a m p a i g n a l l c o r p s moved within m u t u a l supporting d i s t a n c e with a s c r e e n of c a v a l r y scouting and c o v e r ing the advance. Upon contact, the vanguard s e i z e d the m o s t f a v o r a b l e position, engaging the e n e m y while friendly f o r c e s moved up and r e i n f o r c e d the flanks. In o r d e r , the l i g h t infantry, a r t i l l e r y , and c a v a l r y moved in fixing the e n e m y f o r the l a r g e - s c a l e infantry a t t a c k s which followed t h e i r deployment. ( T h e s e infantry a t t a c k s

b y E t e k

could be i n line, mixed o r d e r , o r column, the l a s t being p r e f e r r e d f o r a t t a c k s o n s t r o n g ~ o i n t s ) .Simultaneousl y s k i r m i s h e r s and s o m e a r t i l l e r y a l s o moved up providing covering f i r e along with a r t i l l e r y b a t t e r i e s o n higher ground. If s e v e r e r e s i s t a n c e w a s s t i l l encount e r e d , opponents m i g h t s i t down and begin a f i r e - f i g h t although the n o r m w a s bull your way through. L i t t l e attention w a s given to well planned defensive t a c t i c s . Usually a line o r mixed o r d e r w a s s e t up o n the c r e s t of s o m e convenient r i d g e o r f o r w a r d slope, thus displaying a l l f o r c e s available. Wellington's introduction of r e v e r s e slope t a c t i c s rightly puzzled the F r e n c h . Until 1813, the F r e n c h regulation infantry line w a s t h r e e r a n k s deep, even though the middle r a n k could h a r d l y f i r e effectively. After the battle of Leipzig Napoleon adopted the s t a n d a r d E n g l i s h two m a n line. C a v a l r y t a c t i c s w e r e based on shock action, the mounted c h a r g e with s w o r d and lance. All c h a r g e s w e r e m a d e a t p r o g r e s s i v e l y g r e a t e r speeds. If the distance to be c o v e r e d w a s 600 y a r d s , the f i r s t 200 would be a t slow t r o t , the n e x t 200 a t full t r o t , the next 150 a t the gallop and the l a s t fifty y a r d s a t the dead run. C a v a l r y units had to be well trained. F o r e x a m p l e , a c h a r g e a t too g r e a t a s p e e d m i g h t t i r e the h o r s e s s o a s to l o s e m o m e n t u m when s t r i k i n g the e n e m y line. When attacked by C a v a l r y infantry f o r m e d s q u a r e s in achelon of battalion s i z e . Napoleon did however u s e division s q u a r e s , with a r t i l l e r y and baggage inside, in Egypt. In s u m m a r y , the Napoleonic battle w a s a n a f f a i r of disabling l o c a l a t t a c k s designed to b r e a k up and weaken the e n e m y line. After a c e r t a i n amount of a t t r i t i o n N a p o l e o n s e l e c t e d the point f o r h i s m a i n attack, concentrating h i s a r t i l l e r y and whatever troops w e r e to m a k e the a s s a u l t . A r t i l l e r y moved in to l i t e r a l l y blow holes in the e n e m y line. His shielding c a v a l r y drivenoff, the e n e m y , off balance, w a s h i t by the full weight of the m a i n attack. Breaking t h r u the infantry r o l l e d up the flanks while the l i g h t c a v a l r y r o d e off i n p u r s u i t of e s caping units. A d d r e s s a l l c o r r e s p o n d e n c e to: Dan Mrotek, 619 North Ninth S t r e e t , Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220.

THE GENERAL
for the R u s s i a n player to be out of position. Objective number two i s the b r e a k ing of the Divina River. This m u s t be broken by a 3-1 s o m e w h e r e along the r i v e r line. The breaking of this r i v e r line i s a l m o s t a s key a s the fall of Minsk because Ivan will have to send some of h i s r e p l a c e m e n t s to stop you. The m a i n objective of A r m y Groups South and C e n t e r i s the elimination of enemy units. If they eliminate enough units the R u s s i a n will have m o r e trouble defending the Dnepr R i v e r and he might even w o r r y about h i s s o u t h e r n f r o n t falling a p a r t . P h a s e t h r e e i s the linking up of your f r o n t s and a steady d r i v e towards his cities. If Minsk fell e a r l y then this might be s i m p l e o r a t l e a s t a little bit e a s i e r . Once your f r o n t s a r e linked up you m u s t kill, eliminate, o r s n e a k off the board a s many enemy c o u n t e r s a s possible until his line b r e a k s o r your luck stops. When you a r e n e a r the c i t i e s a t t a c k a t the b e s t m e a n s open to you, but c u t the supply rate. If a l l e l s e f a i l s "Benzai !I' If you a r e crunched because of "A Elim" on 2- 1 battles o r continuous "exchanges" on 3- 1 battles r e m e m b e r one thing - He i s the G e r m a n the next time. Ted Harpham, 4th Reich HQ, 207 ROWland P a r k Blvd., Wilmington, Delaware 19803.

PAGE 8

Tournaments Galore..

Talk about professional college students, this Dotson is the ultimate. He claims that he has been teaching Renaissance History at Loyola College in Montreal as of last summer. Before that, he was on a sabatical in Italy preceded by two-year post graduate study in history at Johns Hopkins U here i n Baltimore. A t that time, Dotson was plying his time as a member of AH'S consumer panel testing Midway. Despite his travels, he has not lost his ardour for AH gaming.. . nor us for his enthusiasm.
Have you e v e r had t o suspend a game of Jutland f o r a l i t t l e while only t o r e t u r n t o find that your dog h a s eaten t h r e e battleships a n d a d e s t r o y e r flotilla and s c a t t e r e d the r e s t of both f l e e t s a l l o v e r the North S e a ? Do you l i k e the idea of Jutland, but s o m e t i m e s s e t t l e f o r a quick hand of Gin R u m m y because, in the w o r d s of the B r i t i s h A r m y song you '!get c o r n s on your k n e e s f r o m that crawlin' a b o u t t t ? Have you e v e r played a n opponent who, relying on g a m e s m a n ship whenhis intelligence had obviously failed, "slipped" and put his foot through your f o r m a t i o n s just when you w e r e about to send h i s whole f l e e t t o the bott o m ? P e r h a p s I have a n a n s w e r f o r you. Do you know w h a t a flannel-board i s ? It i s a l e c t u r i n g d e v i c e u s e d t o hold figu r e s , c h a r t s , etc. upright f o r i l l u s t r a tive purposes. By using a n e n o r m o u s flannel-board you can get your Jutland navies up off the floor onto a v e r t i c a l o r near-vertical surface that makes the game infinitely e a s i e r ( f r o m a phys i c a l , not a mental point of view. T h i s should put u s o l d s t e r s on m o r e l e v e l footing with you younger p l a y e r s , we can t u r n o u r minds f r o m o u r aching knees and backs t o the game. )

All you will need i s s o m e flannel (blue m a k e s a nice, ocean-colored playing s u r f a c e ) and a s u r f a c e t o f a s t e n i t to. A wall will do, if you don't mind a flannel-covered wall in your pad. You could a l s o u s e a piece of masonite o r b e a v e r b o a r d , the s i z e depends on how much r o o m you have. A convenient s i z e would be 4 ft. by 8 ft. since t h i s i s a s t a n d a r d s i z e f o r masonite panels. This you could hang on the wall, l e a n a g a i n s t it, o r put up on s o m e s o r t of e a s e l a r rangement. It might a l s o b e a good idea to hinge i t , s o that i t would fold up f o r storage. a 4 ft. by 8 ft. ''thing" can be p r e t t y unwieldly when you have finished the game. Your s u r f a c e , whatever you decide on, should then be covered tightly with flannel. It would probably b e b e s t if i t w e r e glued, but don't soak i t down with glue, keep the s u r f a c e soft and fluffy. You could probably s t r e t c h i t tightly and thumb-tack i t in place on a wall f o r a l a r g e t e m p o r a r y s u r f a c e . The next s t e p i s t o back a l l your p i e c e s with flannel. Glue t h e m on and t r i m t h e m neatly. Don't worrjr you will s t i l l b e a b l e to play with t h e m on a r e g u l a r table-top o r floor. The effect will be like felted c h e s s - m e n , much m o r e pleasant t o move and l e s s prone to slippage. When t h i s i s done you will find that the pieces will cling f i r m l y t o the f e l t of the playing s u r f a c e , enabling you t o put i t up in a v e r t i c a l position, like the plotting b o a r d in a m i l i t a r y game o r tracking room. Of c o u r s e , the pieces won't slide, you will have t o lift each one and put i t down in i t s new position. But then you will get u s e d t o t h i s quickly and i t i s m o r e than compensated f o r by the f a c t that they won't s l i p out of position accidentally v e r y e a s i l y e i t h e r . . John E. Dotson, 4 J e r v i s Bay, Pointe C l a i r e , P . Q . , Canada.

Pennsylvania's Organized Wargamer s a r e pleased t o announce t h e i r biggest tournament e v e r . P. 0. W. would like t o e x p r e s s i t s thanks t o the following w a r gaming publications who have donate d p r i z e s f o r the winners: Mercenary, S & T, P a n z e r f a u s t , S t o r m t r o o p e r , PNWWEA, and the C o u r i e r , and of c o u r s e the General f o r c a r r y i n g this announcement. At t h i s writing other s p o n s o r s h i p s w e r e s t i l l up in the a i r and m a y b e added t o the p r i z e l i s t l a t e r on. The p r i z e l i s t contains o v e r $50 worth of valuable w a r g a m e merchandise including 10 magazine subscriptions. g a m e s , trophys, etc. P l a y t h i s y e a r will be conducted und e r a 3 divisional set-up. T h e r e will b e 3 classifications - a g a m e r may e n t e r any o r a l l of the divisions if he h a s 2 of the g a m e s in that division. He will have t o pay a s e p a r a t e e n t r y fee f o r e a c h division, however. Each e n t r y will r e c e i v e a n instruction booklet with a l l r u l e s and h i s f i r s t opponent a f t e r h i s e n t r y i s received. To e n t e r m e r e l y w r i t e P. 0. W., Box 280, RD#Z, S a y r e , Penna. 18840 and enclose $1 for each division e n t e r e d , a stamped, self-add r e s s e d envelope, and a l i s t of games to b e played. The c a t e g o r i e s a r e : Classical T a c t i c s I1 Waterloo Gettysburg Confrontation Conventional D-Day '61 Afrika Korps Stalingrad Vietnam

Modernistic Guadal canal Blitzkrieg Battle of the Bulge D-Day '65

The Second Bakersfield Invitational The F i r s t Memorial Bakersfield Invitational in m e m o r y of Dan Kuszynski h a s been a g r e a t succes's. Out of 100 invitations, 47 p l a y e r s replied and a total of $29 was collected in donations. including subscriptions t o Boldland's " C o u r i e r " and A g g r e s s o r t s "Stormtrooper. " T h i s a r t i c l e i s t o announce the 2nd Bakersfield Invitational Tournament in which a l l + e a d e r s of the ' l G e n e r a l " a r e invited. It will be a single elimination a f f a i r with the winner receiving $5 plus a l l donations. T h e r e will be no e n t r y fee. H e r e a r e the r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r e n t r y t o the tournament: 1. All e n t r i e s m u s t be received within one month of t h i s publication.

Tournaments Galore.. .
2. All e n t r a n t s m u s t P B M a t l e a s t 3 AH land b a t t l e g a m e s . .3. All e n t r a n t s m u s t pick s i d e s they wish to play i n g a m e s .

4. All e n t r a n t s m u s t abide by the r u l e s f o r P B M outlined in J a n u a r y ' s "General". 5. All c o r r e s p o n d e n c e t o m e m u s t be accompanied by a s e l f - a d d r e s s e d , s t a m p e d envelope. Questions o r e n t r i e s a r e t o b e s e n t t o Dan Evans,3405 W e s t c h e s t e r , B a k e r s field, California 93309.

Happiness Is...
by Geoff Burkman

Achieving Surprise
While a brand new edition t o the General's list of contributory writers, Dr. Pournelle is no stranger to wargaming. He is associate professor of history and political science at Pepperdine College, Los Angeles, teaching military history and national security policy among other subjects. AH games and Diplomacy have been used as teaching aids in his classroom instruction, finding them "excellent" for such purposes. Now, he wishes that we do "Ploesti," (whatever that is.)
Although t h e r e have b e e n many p r o p o s a l s f o r adding the e l e m e n t of s u r p r i s e to b o a r d g a m e s , many of the Avalon-Hill g a m e s a l r e a d y contain a n a c c e p t a b l e method of doing so, and a l l could be modified t o allow i t . I think t h a t I have s e e n t h i s method r e f e r r e d to a s the "matchbox s y s t e m " i n o t h e r l i t e r a t u r e , although i t w a s a n independent invention by myself and f r i e n d s i n the l a t e ' 5 0 ' s . Under t h i s s y s t e m , a n envelope o r matchbox i s obtained f o r e a c h H e a d q u a r t e r s piece allowed in the game. ( T h e s y s t e m w a s f i r s t d e v i s e d f o r Gettysburg and T a c t i c s 11). At a n y t i m e , a p l a y e r m a y place f r o m one t o t h r e e units i n the envelope. They a r e then c o n s i d e r e d t o b e l o c a t e d with the matching h e a d q u a r t e r s unit. Naturally, in o r d e r to place t h e s e units with the h e a d q u a r t e r s piece, they would have had to be a b l e t o r e a c h that piece on the move i n which they went into "hiding". The H e a d q u a r t e r s piece i s then moved a t the r a t e of the s l o w e s t piece i n the group. All units a r e c o n s i d e r e d t o be even with o r behind t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s piece which r e p r e s e n t s t h e m . When a n e n e m y unit e n t e r s the zone of control of the Hq., the hidden units m u s t b e deployed. (In g a m e s which allow s t a c k ing of units, they a r e a l l c o n s i d e r e d to be in the s q u a r e with the Hq. ) Whenever two Hq. units a r e brought to adjacent squares, pieces may be t r a n s f e r r e d f r o m one Hq. to a n o t h e r , s e c r e t l y . Units m a y be added t o the envelopes a t a n y t i m e they c a n r e a c h the Hq. piece, if doing s o d o e s not exceed the l i m i t a t i o n s of hidden pieces

BY p r o f . J. E. P o u r n e l l e

allowed. It should be obvious t h a t judicious t r a n s f e r of p i e c e s f r o m one Hq. t o a n o t h e r will soon produce a s i t u ation in which the opponent cannot possibly know the s t r e n g t h of a f o r m a t i o n containing Hq ' s . T h i s r u l e allows r a t h e r complete s t r a t e g i c s u r p r i s e , and l i m i t e d t a c t i c a l s u r p r i s e . I t ' s m a j o r value l i e s in the s t r a t e g i c r e g i m e : p l a y e r s cannot be s u r e which concentration of f o r c e s r e p r e s e n t s t h e i r opponent's m a j o r t h r u s t , and which i s a feint o r r e c o n n a i s s a n c e in f o r c e . To a l e s s e r extent, t a c t i c a l s u r p r i s e plays a r o l e , a s the e n e m y a t t a c k s what a p p e a r s to be a lightly a r m e d feint only to l e a r n t h a t he h a s r u n into a n e n t i r e a r m o r e d a r m y .

. . .invading P a s de C a l a i s in D-Day and not even losing one unit! . . .winning your f i r s t P B M tournament g a m e f o r your new club and getting a promotion! . . f i n a l l y getting t o u s e those 25C coupons f r o m the Avalon Hill General! . . .inventing your v e r y own w a r g a m e ! . . .winning a n Avalon Hill Contest f r o m the General! . . . conducting a s u c c e s s f u l Finnish campaign in Stalingrad !

. . . keeping your L a b o r and Defense B a t talion units i n Guadalcanal a l i v e , even tho the A m e r i c a n s h e l l s t h e m e v e r y t u r n that he c a n ! . . . getting Jutland and finding out that your anti-Avalon Hill g a m e f r i e n d s love it ! . . .putting a n a d i n the "Opponents Wantedr' section of the G e n e r a l and getting a n a n s w e r t o i t ! . . r e a d i n g about s o m e new crackpot plan f o r Waterloo a s the F r e n c h , and then using i t on one of your f r i e n d s and winning !

Under t h i s r u l e , t h e r e i s n e v e r a n y question of "honesty" o r "trust", which should not, I believe, be built in t o a n y w a r gaming situation. It i s not that I do not t r u s t m y usual opponents, but r a t h e r t h a t the chances of m a j o r e r r o r s in m e m o r y a r e v e r y g r e a t if w r i t t e n r e c o r d s a r e not kept, while the n u m b e r of hidden units which can effectively b e u s e d i n r e a l play i s v e r y s m a l l if r e c o r d s a r e made. F u r t h e r , judicious v a r i a t i o n of t h e s e r u l e s allows a d j u s t m e n t s of hidden f o r c e s , a s y m m e t r i c a l situations, e t c . The r u l e s a l s o provide a genuine value f o r h e a d q u a r t e r s , and m a k e s t h e i r elimination painful f o r a p l a y e r , a s , without t h e m , he cannot hide h i s f o r c e s . Finally. I believe these rules a r e more o r l e s s realistic. in that a n e n e m y usually knows that you have s o m e f o r c e s i n a n a r e a , but not which o n e s and in what strength. Obviously, i n those g a m e s i n which t h e r e a r e no H e a d q u a r t e r s pieces, blank c o u n t e r s c a n be u s e d t o c r e a t e t h e m if t h i s s y s t e m i s t o b e employed. I recommend that serious players t r y this method, giving s o m e attention t o fitting the e x a c t n u m b e r of hidden f o r c e s allowed t o the g a m e i n which the r u l e s a r e t o be employed. I find t h a t i t a d d s r e a l i s m and c e r t a i n l y i n t r o d u c e s the e l e m e n t of s u r p r i s e without o v e r l y complicating the game. D r . J. E. Pournelle, 12051 L a u r e l Terrace, Studio City, California 91 604.

Misery Is...
. . . a r r a n g i n g f o r a c r u c i a l 3- 1 in D-Day, a n d , when the t i m e c o m e s to r o l l f o r that battle, finding a n odds-lowering r i v e r that w a s n ' t t h e r e b e f o r e ! . .when y o u ' r e just about t o s m e a r your opponent's units r i g h t off the b o a r d , and your l i t t l e b r o t h e r c o m e s along a n d knocks the whole g a m e on the floor ! . . . moving your s h i p s i n Midway to a s u p e r - i m p o r t a n t a t t a c k rendevous and then a gust of wind blows the s c r e e n over ! . . . h a v i n g no one to play. Bulge with bec a u s e y o u ' r e too good a t i t ! . . . l o s i n g s e v e r a l p i e c e s t o your f a v o r i t e Avalon Hill g a m e and not having a n y blanks t o r e p l a c e t h e m ! . a n a n g r y f r i e n d who r i p s your b o a r d b e c a u s e he folded it the wrong way!

..

. . . l o s i n g your P B M opponent's a d d r e s s ! . . .making a 5- 1 in b a s i c Bulge against

t h e town of Bastogne and getting a blankety-blank engaged ! . . . h e a r i n g f r i e n d s mutilate the p r o nunciation of the v a r i o u s Japanese n a m e s i n Midway and Guadalcanal ! . . .getting a m a s t e ~ p i e c e of a n a r t i c l e l i k e t h i s one into the G e n e r a l and then not r e c e i v i n g even one vote of commendation on a n Avalon Hill Contest E n t r y Blank ! C o m m e n t s to: Geoff K. B u r k m a n , 715 M y r t l e Ave., T e r r a c e P a r k , Ohio 45174.

..

PAGE 10

Wargamers' Clin
M. R. Brundage, e d i t o r
uri th
7.

/r
&j

- ".-

M. Kohn M. J . F r a n k w i c z

Our man in Chicago has done it again. W e can state here. without fear o f bias. that the "Clir,ic"series will be as entertaining and informative as were the "Principles of War" . . . probably more so since this series is designed to get the reader more involved.
With the conclusion of the P r i n c i p l e s of War s e r i e s we a r e beginning a r e a d e r ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n clinic. The p u r p o s e of the clinic will be to provide a n a l y s i s while being able a t the s a m e t i m e to p r a c t i c e i t under c o n t r o l l e d l e a r n i n g conditions. Basically, the clinic will be conducted i n the following m a n n e r : We will give a s t r a t e g i c o r t a c t i c a l situation a s it a p p e a r e d in a n AH game along with a synopsis and h i s t o r y of e v e n t s t h a t l e d up to the situation under discussion. We will then p r e s e n t a n a n a l y s i s of the situation and the a l t e r n a t i v e s the p l a y e r s have i n f r o n t of them, showing which a r e the b e s t and why. We (the c l i n i c ) will then p r e s e n t to you (the r e a d e r s ) a situation and a s k you to a n a l y s e it. We will then invite you to s e n d i n your analysis. T h i s situation w i l l then be placed in a following a r t i c l e along with the c o m m e n t s f r o m a n a l y s i s of the r e a d e r s and the way we the clinic look a t it. Note: The r e a d e r s a r e invited to send into the clinic a n y situation which they w i s h f o r the Clinic to analyze. C l a s s i c situations f r o m the r e a d e r s will be placed in f u t u r e a r t i c l e s , d i s c u s s e d and analyzed.

-"

Imp. Grd. Imp. Grd.

0-39 1-45

2-4

Williamson Cav. Batt. Somerset Ponsonby Estorff Clinton Balton Anthing Stedman 1st D & B Colville Hawker Cole Bruckman

Q-28 J-34 K-32 H-41 N-32 Q- 28 Q-28

L'Heritier Chastrel Domont Soult Subverie Stroltz Bachelu Jerome Girard P i r e (Cav)

S-28

1-6 7-4 1-4

1 p . m . June 17

N-46

5 p. m . June 17

Allies R o s t e r Blucher Steinmetz Brause Borcke I (ft. a r t y ) I1 (ft. a r t y ) Hac ke Ryssel Lo s thin Hiller Sydow Schwerin Watzdorf IV (ft. a r t y ) IV ( h r s . a r t y ) Mt. St. J e a n 0-32 L-35 K-35 0-31 N-32

To those not c l e a r o n w h e r e the c o - o r dinates f i t the board. View the following d i a g r a m :

Due on 7 a.m. June 1.8 Ed. Note:* All o t h e r units n o t l i s t e d w e r e killed p r e v i o u s to 11:OO a m June 17. HISTORY The F r e n c h f o r c e s have c o m e a long way i n a s h o r t period of time a t a high cost. They won a battle a t St. Nivelles which opened the r o a d to Mt. St. Jean. They poured down the r o a d and w e r e attacked on the flank by f r e s h oncoming B r i t i s h units. They w e r e stopped & s u r r o u n d e d a t Hill M-33 by the r e m a i n d e r of B l u c h e r ' s r e t i r i n g A r m y , which was in withdrawal f r o m Q u a t r e B r a s , and f r o m the new B r i t i s h units which

At Waterloo To begin t h i s s e r i e s we will s t a r t by offering a situation which o c c u r r e d in a g a m e between one of the m e m b e r s of the clinic and Glen T a r a s & P a u l P a w l i c k of Chicago, Ill. I t i s 11:OO a. m . , June 17th & the F r e n c h and Allies a r e alined a s follows: French Roster Napoleon HQ 6-4 Duhesme Friant Habert Hulo t Lefol Pecheux Simmer MM-25 ( G o s s e l i e s ) N-38 M-33 S- 28 R-34 1-43 1-43 Q-35

Wellington Perponcher G ~ Y Trip Chigny I1 C a v Jaquinot Merlen Brunswick P i c ton Alten

At Wate r l o o 0-34 0-29 0- 29 0- 29 N-46 BB - 29 0-29 0-29 R-28 R-28

5-4

THE GENERAL
had c o m e into the battle f r o m the Northwest. The F r e n c h won a b r i l l i a n t b a t tle o n the Tilly Road by flanking & i s o lating the P r u s s i a n s t h e r e ; defeating t h e m i n d e t a i l b e f o r e they could r e t r e a t a c r o s s the Byle River. Leaving the F r e n c h f o r c e s i n the s e c t o r & unopposed r o u t e to v i c t o r y conditions i n t h a t northern sector. So f a r l o s s e s n u m b e r 129 F r e n c h f a c t o r s l o s t out of a p o s s i b l e 193, a s c o m p a r e d to 66 P r u s s i a n out of 97 & 33 B r i t i s h out of 140 o r 99 o u t of 237. Mathematically i t would a p p e a r to be in f a v o r of the a l l i e s , but b e c a u s e of s o m e of the E n t r e e t i m e s of l a t e r Allied f o r c e s & the position of the F r e n c h i t would a p p e a r to be a d r a w g a m e which could swing e i t h e r way. O r Could I t ? SYNOPSIS Presently, three French are

Question Box
Afrika K o r p s If a unit u s e s h i s e n t i r e r o a d bonus and ends on a r o a d / e s c a r p m e n t s q u a r e , m a y i t continue o n r o a d / e s c a r p m e n t s q u a r e s using i t s n o r m a l m o v e m e n t rate ? A. Y e s , but i t m u s t stop o n the f i r s t non-road e s c a r p m e n t s q u a r e i t m o v e s to.
Q.

Bulge

s u r r o u n d e d o n Hill M- 33 by 3 P r u s s i a n
& 2 Pr.

m&3 Britishm -

m.

On the E a s t e r n flank, poised to r e s cue a r e a l i n e of 3 Fr.

& 1 Imp. Grd.

Q. In a situation w h e r e the U. S. h a s G e r m a n units completely s u r r o u n d e d , m a y these units p a r t i c i p a t e i n an a t t a c k by units f r o m outside the e n c i r c l e m e n t ? A. Yes. If any of the units in a n a t t a c k a r e supplied, a l l o t h e r s engaged i n that p a r t i c u l a r a t t a c k a r e c o n s i d e r e d to be supplied ( a s p e r t a i n s to the supply limitations o n attacks). NOTE THAT THIS A P P L I E S TO BULGE, NOT TO AFRIKA KORPS.
Blitzkrieg

While o n the Southwest flank a r e 3

B .
2

~r.m

--

4 Br.

m -to

1 Br.

--

poised

counter-attack.

Also, o n the southwest flank a r e 1 Fr.

E$?I

; s u r v i v o r s of a previous battle.

Between the r i v e r s Dyle & L a L a s n e a r e 3 Fr. G r d . a

--

1 Fr.

& 1

Imp.

heading t o w a r d s the Bridgehead.

Wavre Farther

Road - L a L a s n e

back o n the Thil, Dyle, & Genappe Rive r i n t e r s e c t i o n s a r e 1 Fr.

& 2 Fr.

Blocking the Wavre Road-La-

L a s n e Bridgehead i s 1 B r .

Due o n f r o m H a l of the 1 p.m. 17th a r e 2 B r .

& 1 Br.

0 d.

June

You the r e a d e r m u s t examine the evidence, " C h e s s - B o a r d " the m o v e s a f t e r 11: 00 a. m . and analyze what you think the only outcome could b e ? L e t ' s s e e if your f i r s t g u e s s i s a r i g h t one.

All correspondence relating to the "Clinic" should be sent directly t o Myron Brundage, 2437 W. Sunnyside, Chicago, Illinois

Q. Situation: Blue f i g h t e r s i n t e r c e p t a bombing a t t a c k while R e d i s attacking a l l possible landing b a s e s with r a n g e of t h e s e fighters. Some of these a t t a c k s a r e a t soak-off odds. A r e the Blue f i g h t e r s eliminated f o r l a c k of a n undisputed base a t which to l a n d ? A. No. In this specific situation, Blue m a y hold the f i g h t e r s until a l l b a s e r a i d s a r e resolved, then land if he h a s a b a s e under undisputed c o n t r o l (no e n e m y within one s q u a r e ) . If no such b a s e i s available, the f i g h t e r s a r e eliminated. Q. J u s t what i s a "friendly" m i n o r country c i t y , and how d o e s s u c h a s t a t e effect a i r t r a n s p o r t , supply, etc. ? A. A "friendly" city i s one t h a t m a y be used f o r supply, a i r and s e a t r a n s p o r t , a i r b a s e , e t c . All Major Country c i t i e s a r e c o n s i d e r e d "friendly" when they a r e c a p t u r e d and under the complete control of one o r the o t h e r side. C o m plete c o n t r o l m e a n s that no e n e m y units a r e in o r adjacent to the city. P h y s i c a l c a p t u r e of a Minor Count r y city d o e s not n e c e s s a r i l y m e a n that city b e c o m e s friendly. & c i t i e s in a p a r t i c u l a r Minor Country m u s t be c a p t u r e d (with the Minor Country City Capt u r e Table) in o r d e r f o r any of t h e m to be c o n s i d e r e d "friendly". Which side c a p t u r e s the c i t i e s does not b e a r on whether o r not they c a n be c o n s i d e r e d friendly. EXAMPLE: On B l u e ' s f i r s t t u r n he c a p t u r e s V20, M14, U11, and X27. of t h e s e c i t i e s m a y be cons i d e r e d "friendly" a t t h i s point since

CC15 was not captured. Red, in h i s turn, c a p t u r e s CC15 with the a i d of a i r mobile and invasion troops. On the next t u r n , a l l c i t i e s in that m i n o r count r y a r e f r i e n d l y to the side occupying them and c a n be used f o r s e a movement, a i r t r a n s p o r t , supply, and a s b a s e s f o r a i r units. BUT, if R e d had only invaded the a r e a around CC15, not capturing the c i t y itself, none of the c i t i e s held by Blue would be c o n s i d e r e d "friendly" o n the next t u r n (The government of that m i n o r country i s being kept alive by Red). F u r t h e r , the Blue occupied c i t i e s could not be used until CC15 is reduced (using the city c a p t u r e table) by one side o r the o t h e r . Note that, once c a p t u r e d , a city m a y always be used f o r ground movem e n t doubling c o m b a t f a c t o r i n defense. The only things affected by the above a r e Sea Movement, A i r T r a n s p o r t , Supply and the u s e of the city a s a n Air Base. Q. If I c a p t u r e and isolated e n e m y city with 1 2 of m y a i r b o r n e f a c t o r s , m a y I a i r t r a n s p o r t 12additional f a c t o r s to that city on the n e x t t u r n ? A . Yes, but i n doing s o you overload the supply capacity of your a i r h e a d and m u s t e i t h e r c a p t u r e additional supply c i t i e s o r e l i m i n a t e f a c t o r s on the t u r n following the o v e r l o a d to "balance" your supplies. EXAMPLE: 12 f a c t o r s of Blue a i r b o r n e t r o o p s c a p t u r e 00-40 on t u r n #3. 00-40 i s behind Red l i n e s and no supply route e x i s t s to a friendly p o r t o r supply line; thus, the Blue a i r h e a d h a s a supply capacity of 12 f a c t o r s (one c i t y s q u a r e ) . On t u r n #4, Blue a i r l i f t s 1 2 f a c t o r s of infantry to 00-40 to supp o r t his a i r b o r n e t r o o p s , thereby o v e r loading the supply capacity of the a i r head by 1 2 f a c t o r s ( h e r e we a s s u m e Red h a s just been watching this happen to himself, and h a s not eliminated any Blue f a c t o r s ) . Blue now h a s one turn to ( 1 ) c a p t u r e a n o t h e r city s q u a r e to supply the additional t r o o p s , o r (2) move them out again by a i r l i f t . If he a c c o m plishes n e i t h e r a t the end of h i s portion of turn #5, he m u s t e l i m i n a t e f a c t o r s until only 12 r e m a i n in the a i r h e a d ; this b r i n g s h i s supply situation t h e r e back into balance. To s u m up: a p l a y e r always h a s one t u r n in which to r e c t i f y a supply i m balance, b u t supplies f o r e a c h "overloaded" a r e a m u s t be balanced by the end of the t u r n i m m e d i a t e l y following the t u r n in which the imbalance o c c u r s .
-

one

Q:

Must a n e n t i r e m i n o r county be sub-

THE GENERAL
dued in o r d e r to r e c e i v e supplies f o r the conquered c i t i e s ? A: Yes Q: Can you a t t a c k e n e m y u n i t s At S e a ? A: No!

Oficial Avalon Hill Game Clubs...

The clubs l i s t e d below supplement the initial l i s t i n g made i n the J a n - F e b 1968 i s s u e . Due to space l i m i t a t i o n s , we have not r e p e a t e d any p r i o r l i s t i n g s although many have f o r w a r d e d u s updated information. The p u r p o s e of t h i s l i s t i n g i s simply t o provide b a s i c information t o those r e a d e r s looking f o r new clubs.
CLUB PRESIDENT F.A. Webster MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER - MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Kommandeur Memberehip i s Limited to persona over 24 y e a r s of age, who will maintain a t leaaf one prompt Pbm game a t a l l t,mes, and who value a prbmpf, well played game over a v1ctory. ~ggreaaor offers the benef'itr of some nine game variant*, consfaof tournament offers. a greatly under-priced magarine, and membership i n the League, in which Aggressor can win games and other p r i z e s in Pbm foumamenttl. Organired and competitive wargaming, inter-club tournaments, and access 0 historical literature, excellent opporfunlfies to advance Non-discrimination of the sexes; we have 2 girl member* and I husband-wife team1 Adult games with little fuss f o r most P b m games. We arc interested in playing wargames as often as possible. we hope to develop our skill while engaging in compeflfion with fellow wargamers and clubs. Good, wholesome, competitive wargaming. the fame of AH around the nation.
We spread

Q: May a Nuclear a t t a c k be u s e d a s a n interdiction a t t a c k i n s t e a d of the 4 SAC factors normally required for a n interdiction? A: Yes Q: During P r e p a r e f o r P l a y , m a y eithe r side place units i n a t s e a boxes that are not adjacent to t h e i r Home Countries? A: Yes Q: May u n i t s t h a t have e n t e r e d At Sea zone B on t h e i r p r e v i o u s t u r n a t t a c k a beach i n A t Sea zone C on t h e i r next turn ? A: Yes May units that have invaded a b e a c h withdraw through t h a t b e a c h on a s u b sequent t u r n ? A: Only if the u n i t s a r e R a n g e r units.
Q:

AHIKS Berkeley. Calif. 94715

~ h Aggressor c Homeland 7873 E i Dora& P l a z a Long Beach. California 90808 Leibsfandarte 5050 Coldwater $308 Sherman Oaks. Calif.
AH Club

Bruce Sullivan

54

if^^
Zeifachriff

21

The Asphait Soldier

L. R.Valencourf

---------. . . . . . . . . ---------The Mafhom Sun and The Mines Tirifh Evening star Battle Drill

630 Capitol a rail Newark. Delaware Cobra 6003 Wynnwood Wa.hington. D. C. 20016 Imperial 5th Reich 319 N.W. Syrcle Warrington. Ela. 32507 Nco-Numenorians 3437 summ,t Ridge Doraville, Georgia 30040 G r i m Reapers 387 Harold Street Crystal Lake. Ill. 60014 Dennis S ~ h u l f . Kit Bigler 6

Grey Paul

10

25

A letter writing bunch of Tolkien fanatics; a small wargaming clique; the magazines print 60 pages on a variety of subjccfrr. Teaching and instructing trial members until they can become regular m e m b e r s at age 17. Rapid advancement to command positions but only according to abilmty. in the a r t of wargaming.

Oregon Wargaming Confederacy T e r r y Paul 206 South 8th Street Oregon, Illinois 61061 WarGamesInveotor'aGuild 234 F i r Street P a r k F o r e s t , Illinois 60466 The man I831 Hobson Road Fort Wayne. Indiana 46805 G.H. C.G. L. 8215 S. Lynn Seymour, Indiana 47274 The Host of the Wcat 722 Indian Ridge Road Louisville, Kentucky 40207 La Societe de l a strategic 26388 Dundcc Huntington Woods. Mich.48070 Black Death 465 Woodland Hills Philadelphia.Miss. 39350 Reichswehr d e r Wehrmacht 2105 Jannefte Drive SL.Louis. Miaaouri 63136 Oberkommando Mjttleweat 6 Clydehurat Drive WebaterGroves.Mo. 63119 21 Paozer Divieioa 62 Falcon Road Livingston. N. J. 07039 Rcichswehr 109 Heather Lane Camillua. N.Y. 13031 The Minutemen 98-15 Horace Harding Blvd. Flushing, N. Y. 11368 SS T o t c n b p f 79-10 34th Avenue Hghts.. N.Y. 11372 ~ackson Avalon Hill I405 Coburg Road Columbus, Ohio 1st SS Stormtroopers Army 1785 18th Street CuyshogaFalle.Ohio 44223 Thrush I611 3rd Avcnve Altwna, Pennsylvania American Armageddon 47 Scaradale Drive Camphill. Penna. 17011, P.O. W . Box 280, R.D. 2 Sayre, Penna. 18840 United Wargamsrs of America 3200 M c G r a ~ c k Donelson. Texas GrantNabie

-.----....Friendly c o m p t i t i o n among those who are truly interestad

23

The Artisan

Close affiliation with the I F W (many Guild m e m b e r s are in it) f o r the e x p r e s s purpose of designing, modifying & limlfed productions of games. The eimplr enjoyment of wargaming as a hobby netween m e m b e r s of our s m a l l and adult group without taking ourselves too serioul1y. Ciasaed gaming, m w game designs, instructions and an information department contain,ng g r e a t stores of information o n armlea, tanks. a i r c r a f t , ships. weapons and uniform*. Club offera various types of competition, organination of t e a m games, development of new games and variations, and genera dlscussioos.

Patrick B a r r y

---------Kampfgruppe

Q: May A i r c r a f t land i n a city that w a s just c a p t u r e d and may u n i t s a t s e a land in a p o r t t h a t h a s just been c a p t u r e d ? A: No, you cannot c a p t u r e and u s e a city i n the s a m e t u r n . Q: If a Unit u s e s t w o u n c o n n e c t e d r o a d s in i t s move, m a y i t c a r r y o v e r uncompleted f r a c t i o n s of r o a d m o v e s f r o m one move t o a n o t h e r ? A: Yes Q: If a l l t h e c i t i e s i n a m i n o r country f a l l on the t u r n i t i s f i r s t violated, d o e s the v i o l a t e r s t i l l l o s e 2 f a c t o r s ? A: No

Steveo L. Jones

47

Charles E. Wright

Palavtir

Lawrence F i s h e r

Vernon J . Stribling

w e can beat any man in any land for any amount that he can count at any game that he can name.

RUSS Meek

our conlltihltio.

i s complete and offers many benefits to i t s members. We are planning a wargaming convention in St. Louis. we conduct tournaments for prize*.

Tom Raco

Inter-club mvrnaments as well as tournaments with other clubs. A new, small, teenage club, open t o new members and ldeaa. Giving local wargarners a chance to improve their tactical skill and expand o u r sphere of influaoce. Advancing f a s t according to games won with following games: Midway. B d g e . AK, Stalingrad, D-Day. Bismarck, Jutland and Guadalcaoal. "Organized" fun k game. f o r one and all. l n d i v i d v l & inter-club challenges accepted or kept on file until they can be accepted. Getting together oo weekends, holding mcctiogs, playing wargames, and actually mak'ing wargames. EX: Baffle of Britain Sinat 1956.

Doug Booforte

Mark p e t e r s

David J. Jacok

Robert Champer

FOOTBALLSTRATEGY Q: How d o e s the Offensive t e a m P u n t ? A: A Quick Kick m a y be c a l l e d o n any play, including 4th Down. Thus, the Offensive p l a y e r , o n 4th Down, h a s a choice of s e l e c t i n g e i t h e r the Quick Kick o r the P u n t play a f t e r the Defending P l a y e r h a s c o m m i t t e d h i s defense.

Mark Ely

More money m the Avalon Hill company.

~ohn ~vston

1 s t SS s t o r m troopers Army

Touroamenfs, new friendships. promotions to higher ranks, insights into new strategy. (If in Akron call 9289617). Exciting competition (amall but powerful); friendly but deadly maneuvers; lasting friendship. A close kolf club with opportunity for rapid advancement playing ofher clubs and m e m b e r s by mail o r face-0-face. A oautral board of Pa. wargamers whose only goal i s m improve wargaming by the sponsorship of national. pbm tournaments. Membership ,B fluent and non-restraining. w e a r e f o r m e r I.M.L. w e are democratic. Polnta and possibly c a s h are awarded at year's end. Touroamenfs f o r f r e e priree. A closely coordinated group of.a"perior wargamers which are admitted to the clvb only after they have proven themselves superior tactician*. Newly formed, f a s t growing club, with endurance, strategy '"d aggressivenee..

Ronao T. Adams

J i m Cochran

Donald Greenwood

Mark Dvmdei

L e Mans

Gestapo 1106 Greenbriar Arlington. Texas 76010 Golden Horde 7815 Briatoo Drive Annandalc. v1rgioia

0 . May a c a r a t t e m p t i n g to m a k e a pit stop d r i v e through o t h e r unoccupied pits i n o r d e r t o r e a c h h i s own? A. Yes, but the incoming c a r m a y never '#pas s-through" c a r s a l r e a d y i n the pits t h a t m a y be blocking t h i s route.

PAGE 13

THE GENERAL

Mnners - Contest "23

Again, a s in C o n t e s t $22, t h e r e w e r e m o r e p e r f e c t e n t r i e s than p r i z e s available. The following w e r e d r a w n a t r a n d o m f r o m the 155 p e r f e c t e n t r i e s . The 1,100 n e a r - m i s s e s blew t h e i r c h a n c e s when they failed to pick out the two battles that w e r e not battles. Still o t h e r s stumbled o n t r i c k y Guadalcanal battle situations. B e t t e r l u c k n e x t time. Meanwhile, f r e e gift c e r t i f i c a t e s have been s e n t to those who w e r e not deceived. 1. Kevin Kelly, K a n s a s City, Mo. 2. F r e d King, Russelville, Ark. 3. P e t e r D. S u m m e r 1 1 1 , Birmingham, Ala. 4. C h a r l e s Hoch, St. F r a n c i s College, San Diego, Calif. 5. K l a a s T a d e m a 111, Houston, Tex. 6. M a r k Weitz, L i t t l e Neck, N.Y. 7. C h a r l e s E. Johnson, Lincoln, Neb. 8. Dr. P a u l Bushman, B a l t i m o r e , Md. 9. B r u c e T. K l e m m , W e s t Allis, Wisc. 10. O m a r DeWitt, Williamsville, N.Y. Don't f o r g e t t o vote on what a r e t h e t h r e e b e s t a r t i c l e s of t h i s i s s u e . . r e c o r d your votes w h e r e provided on t h e Contest E n t r y blank.

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Please print or type your advertisement on the spaces provided below, maximum (including your name and address) 35 words per ad.

2 9

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All ads are inserted as a free service to full-year subscribers. Only one ad per subscriber per issue is allowed. Ads will not be repeated from issue to issue, however, subscribers may re-submit the same ad, or new ads, for each succeeding issue. Ads received after the 15th of the month preceding publication will appear in the following issue. No ads will be accepted unless printed on this form.

CONTEST 24
Check off the "methods" you f e e l would b e s t s e r v e in the i n t e r e s t s of ending the w a r . Then - i n 50 w o r d s o r l e s s - s t a t e r e a s o n s f o r your s t r a t e g y and what you think the e n e m y ' s r e a c tion would be. Winners will be s e l e c t e d o n the b a s i s of objectivity, c l a r i t y of p u r p o s e and feasibility a t the d i s c r e t i o n of a n i m p a r t i a l judging tribunal of m e m b e r s of

Subscriber Discount.. .
The Coupon shownbelow i s f o r the b e n e fit of the f u l l - y e a r s u b s c r i b e r . A s soon a s you have accumulated 4 s u c h cmlpons, 1 e a c h f r o m t h i s and succeeding i s s u e s , you a r e entitled t o a $1.00 d i s count applied t o t h e p u r c h a s e of a n y Avalon Hill g a m e s , p a r t s , play-bym a i l equipment a n d t h e G e n e r a l . H e r e ' s how i t w o r k s Edch coupon is w o r t h 25$. But one coupon alone d o e s not entitle you to a You m u s t a c c u m u l a t e 4 2 5 $ credit. different coupons b e f o r e taking advanta g e of the $1.00 c r e d i t . When you have accumulated 4 coupons, then you c l i p t h e m a l l together and s e n d t h e m i n with your o r d e r f o r a n Avalon Hill game. When o r d e r i n g in t h i s m a n n e r , you simply s e n d u s a check o r m o n e y - o r d e r f o r $1. 00 l e s s than the u s u a l r e t a i l value of the g a m e .

the r e s e a r c h and d e s i g n department. The c o n t e s t a n t s who submit the " m o s t sensible1' plans will be awarded $6. 00 gift c e r t i f i c a t e s . E n t r i e s , m u s t be p o s t m a r k e d no l a t e r than A p r i l 10, 1968. E n t r a n t s m a y s u b m i t copies o r photostats - one to a s u b s c r i b e r , only. All e n t r a n t s m u s t l i s t what they p e r s o n a l l y f e e l a r e the t h r e e b e s t a r t i c l e s in this i s s u e . This selection h a s no bearing o n the c o n t e s t r e s u l t s , but e n t r i e s not containing this information will be voided. DE-ESCALATION: (Check one o r m o r e )

I ESCALATION:

, (Check one o r m o r e )
Step up a e r i a l b o m b a r d m e n t of m a jor cities. A complete blockade of a l l e n e m y supply p o r t s . D e s t r o y a l l e n e m y supply p o r t s by: Conventional a e r i a l b o m b a r d ment. Guided M i s s i l e s -Nuclear Weapons

[7

Maintain c u r r e n t m i l i t a r y policy hope f o r wearing down of enemy. Continue with "Gradualism" but begin slow withdrawal of U. S. Troops.

[7

GO to conference table a t any cost. F o r c e ultimatum f r o m U. N. - a b i d e by any subsequent U.N. decision. P u l l out altogether - l e t Vietnamese fight i t o u t among themselves. (Your P l a n )

All-out invasion of N. Vietnam.

I
I
I

Unleash n u c l e a r a t t a c k o n s e l e c t e d m i l i t a r y t a r g e t s - give 24 hour warning. (Your P l a n )

SAVE THIS COUPON

GOOD TOWARD T H E PURCHASE O F A L L AVALON HILL PRODUCTS

Headlines of 3 B e s t A r t i c l e s :

Name Address City State

MAR-APR 1968

THE GENERAL

PAGE 14
defense w h e r e a l l of your units a r e c o m m i t t e d to denying the e n e m y a c c e s s to c e r t a i n t e r r a i n f e a t u r e s . A s can be r e a d i l y s e e n , the a r e a def e n s e i s b e s t suited to infantry units, while a r m o r units a r e b e s t used in the mobile defense. Granted, many AH p l a y e r s a r e well v e r s e d i n this. But what happens when the e n e m y launches a d e t e r m i n e d offensive ? In m o s t instances p l a y e r s l e a v e t h e i r a r m o r doc t r i n e smoldering in the burnt out tank hulls of their des t r o y e d a r m o r units. But a player who i s a r m o r minded, though even o n the defense and being f o r c e d to r e t r e a t , will have the b e s t change of eventually defeating the e n e m y drive. When f i r s t f o r c e d to abandon the offensive and go o v e r to the defensive, you m u s t choose a plan. T h e r e a r e usually two: You c a n e i t h e r defend in place (and probably be d e s t r o y e d ) o r use r e t r o g r a d e o p e r a t i o n s . The types of r e t r o g r a d e o p e r a t i o n s a r e the withd r a w a l and the delay. A withdrawal i s a f l a t out run. You t u r n your e x h a u s t to the enemy and head back f o r s o m e e a s i l y defendable piece of t e r r a i n , leaving the e n e m y have everything in between. The o t h e r choice i s the delay. This i s w h e r e you make the e n e m y fight f o r e v e r y piece of t e r r a i n , slowing h i s m o v e m e n t down and throwing h i s timetable out of whack. By using the five fundamentals of the delay, a s put o u t by the A r m o r School a t F o r t Knox, you c a n make your a r m o r units the m o s t effective defensive units of the board. F i r s t , m a k e m a x i m u m u s e of "cent r a l i z e d c o n t r o l - - d e c e n t r a l i z e d action. " In s h o r t , don't put a l l of your a r m o r e d eggs in one b a s k e t that can be e a s i l y i s o l a t e d o r by p a s s e d . Keep them s p r e a d out, but with enough power to deal effective defensive blows. Second, and a s e v e r y w a r g a m e r knows, m a k e m a x i m u m use of t e r r a i n f e a t u r e s . But r e m e m b e r to leave yourself with good r o u t e s of withdrawal. T h i r d , f o r c e the enemy to deploy and m a n e u v e r . You can make him

I N REVIEW: Christopher Wagner (at left) with editorial staff reviews final prototype version of "1914" . . . one of many services offered the itinerant wargamer by Stategy & Tactics, the monthly publication devoted to reporting all the news on all the gaming fronts throughout the world. Now in its 2nd year, S & T is available both on newstand and t h ~ u subscription, Box 11-187, Loudonville, New York 12211.

Armourfor the Defense

by 2/Lt. Kenneth L. Benton While m u c h h a s been w r i t t e n on the use of a r m o r in the "blitzkrieg" o r "panzerblitz" o p e r a t i o n s , v e r y l i t t l e h a s been s a i d about the use of a r m o r in r e t r o g r a d e situations.

By applying c e r t a i n m a x i m s of the US A r m y A r m o r School to s u c h g a m e s a s Bulge, B l i t z k r i e g , Stalingrad and D-Day, we c a n c o r r e c t many of the f a t a l a r m o r e r r o r s c o m m i t t e d whenone i s f o r c e d o v e r to the defensive. F i r s t of a l l , a r m o r o r mechanized units a r e capable of conducting two types of defensive operations. They a r e the mobile and the a r e a . The mobile defense i s the m o s t p r e f e r a b l e , and i s w h e r e you place a m a j o r i t y of your f o r c e s in r e s e r v e . The a r e a i s a s t a t i c

Club Registration
All clubs a r e urged to r e g i s t e r with Avalon Hill. A c o m p l e t e r o s t e r will be published in the next i s s u e with supplem e n t a l l i s t i n g s added in e a c h s u b s e quent edition. P r e r e q u i s i t e in tbe r e g i s t r a t i o n of bonafide c l u b s i s the information r e q u e s t e d below. T h e r e i s no r e g i s t r a t i o n deadline. However, ~t will be to e a c h c l u b ' s advantage to r e g i s t e r a s e a r l y a s possible. The only absolute r e q u i r e m e n t i s the listing of n a m e s and a d d r e s s e s of t h r e e club o f f i c e r s and the affidavit t h a t t h e r e a r e a t l e a s t 6 p e r s o n s with m e m b e r s h i p in the s a i d club.

W e play:

f a c e - t o - f a c e , only

0 PBM,
3.

only

Both

M e m b e r s h i p d u e s ( ~ any) f are:
We: We:

Age L i m ~ t a t i o n s :

are

m a r e not a c c e p t ~ n g new m e m b e r s .

conduct

0do not conduct t o u r n a m e n t s between o t h e r clubs.

published e v e r y

W e publish a n e w s l e t t e r l m a g a z l n e e n t ~ t l e d

for $
We:

0would 0would not be i n t e r e s t e d in t r a v e l i n g to attend a

club o f f e r s the benefits of:

gaming c o n f e r e n c e .

W e f e e l that

Club Name Mailing A d d r e s s

(50 words o r l e s s )

Off~cer's Names AFFIDAVIT: C u r r e n t membership

1s

now-

persons.

( A n officer's s i g n a t u r e )

Because of the e v e r - i n c r e a s i n g numb e r of Opponents Wanted a d s r e c e i v e d e a c h month we will be f o r c e d to s t i c k t o the r e q u i r e m e n t s ( s e e caption page 1 3 ) that a l l a d s must be submitted o n the f o r m printed o n that page. No photocopies permitted. If you do not wish to mutilate your magazine, you m a y obtain these f o r m s by sending u s a self-add r e s s e d envelope containing f i r s t c l a s s postage. P l e a s e specify Opponents Wanted F o r m .

PAGE 15

THE GENERAL
Magazine" (Box 280, RD#Z, S a y r e , P e n n a . ) Long's home i s Linglestown, Penna. ( a l i t t l e geographic n e p o t i s m h e r e ) but i s c u r r e n t l y s e r v i n g a b o a r d the C a r r i e r S h a n g r i - L a . A complete d e s cription, plus many o t h e r f e a t u r e s including news of a m e r g e r between "The Tank. " of M. I. T . , and " P a n z e r f a u s t " m a k e s t h e l a t t e r a n informative w a r g a m e and s p o r t s magazine. A 39 page "magazine. " making i t the l a r g e s t of i t s kind a m o n g w a r g a m e publ i c a t i o n s , h a s been r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e S p a r t a n s . While i t s title page i s m i s s ing, t h e r e a r e plenty of goodies contained t h e r e - i n . . . a t l e a s t what you c a n r e a d of i t s m i m e o g r a p h e d pages. C a r toons, p e r f e c t plans, e d i t o r i a l s , not t o mention a sketch of Hans K r u g e r suita b l e f o r f r a m i n g , a d o r n t h i s factual 'zine. Look f o r a big purge developing within the S p a r t a n s . Save your confederate money, t h e South shall r i s e a g a i n . On the r i s e , a t l e a s t , i s t h e amount of new pamphlets o n t h e s u b j e c t now a v a i l a b l e f r o m : Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. To get t h e m on Antietam, Chickamauga, F o r t S u m t e r , Bull Run, P e t e r s b u r g , Shiloh and Vicksburg, send just 25$ t o the D.C. address. -A g g r e s s o r Homeland, o r w h a t ' s l e f t of i t , i s being bombarded f r o m a l l s i d e s . L a t e s t b r i c k a b a t s a r e found in "Das S c h w a r z e K o r p s , ' ! b r a n d new house o r g a n f o r the 4th SS. (16 Oliver S t r e e t . Hartford. Conn. ). According t o t h e i r e d i t o r i a l policy, t h e i r magazine "will devote half to factual propoganda d i r e c t e d a g a i n s t e n e m i e s of the 4th SS.. " So you c a n imagine what they have p r i n t ed about a r c h - e n e m i e A g g r e s s o r Homeland. A f e a t u r e i n t h i s magazine i s the l i s t i n g of a "Polish Campaign T o u r n a ment. " The t o u r n a m e n t h a s been held up somewhat - the player taking the p a r t of the P o l i s h G e n e r a l h a s n ' t a s y e t figu r e d out how to unfold the playing b o a r d Language i s no b a r r i e r when i t c o m e s t o playing w a r g a m e s . Witness a c a s e in point. Dwight Eisenhower, when P r e s i d e n t , s t a r t e d a n organization known a s P e r s o n - t o - P e r s o n i n Kansas City. By sending t h i s outfit your n a m e and a l i s t of hobbies, they would f u r n i s h n a m e s of t h r e e f o r e i g n e r s of like int e r e s t s . Our c o r r e s p o n d e n t , Robert S. he r e B r e n n e r , did b e t t e r than that. ceived the n a m e s of a Major in the Indian A r m y , a C o r p o r a l i n the B r a z i l i a n A r m y , a n d a s e c r e t a r y ( f e m a l e ) i n jolly old England. M r . B r e n n e r , naturally, saw to i t that we dispatched a D-Day game t o the l a t t e r (gad, a blossoming r o m a n c e o v e r a soak-off). M r . B r e n n e r a l s o intended t o engage the Indian and B r a zilian i n Play-By-Mail but, a s yet, a suitable d i e - r o l l resolution s y s t e m had not b e e n w o r k e d out. (AHIKS take note). The r e a l p r o b l e m w a s i n the f a c t that t h e B r a z i l i a n C o r p o r a l did not have that g r e a t a c o m m a n d of the English language. Undaunted, B r e n n e r paid a n Angol i a n student $55.00 t o t r a n s l a t e the r u l e s into P o r t u g e s e . What B r e n n e r d o e s not r e a l i z e i s t h a t h e will probably be engaging the B r a z i l i a n G e n e r a l Staff plus t h e C o r p o r a l . Maybe t h e r e ' s s o m e Significance i n the f a c t that we have just r e c e i v e d a r u s h o r d e r f o r AH g a m e s f r o m M r s . F r i d e l l of t h e B r a z i l i a n E m b a s s y i n Wash., D.C., f o r o v e r s e a s d e l i v e r y . Words of encouragement can b e s e n t t o B r e n n e r a t h i s s u i t e 304, 300 E. L a n c a s t e r Avenue. Wynnewood, P a . 19096 a d d r e s s .

The Infiltrator's Report

Recently, NEWSWEEK Magazine r e p o r t e d o n " g a m e s executives play. " The l a t e s t f a d in g a m e s i s CLUG. It t a k e s 6 h o u r s t o play; d e m a n d s t h e vision of a n u r b a n planner, t h e financial a c u m e n of a bank p r e s i d e n t , t h e t a x e x p e r t i s e of a CPA and t h e m e m o r y bank of a c o m p u t e r . And i t only c o s t s $125.00. So you thought Avalon Hill p r i c e s w e r e high. CLUG, a n a c r o n y m f o r Community Land Use Game, i s t h e l a t e s t addition to the growing l i s t of m o d e l s designed to s i m u l a t e complex, r e a l - l i f e p r o b l e m s . Down a t the Pentagon, the w a r i s being plotted by s t r a t e g i s t s playing AGILECOIN, a highly sophisticated simulation of g u e r i l l a w a r f a r e i n Southeast Asia. The P r i c e Waterhouse people play MERGER-ACQUISITION which t e l l s t h e m whether o r not a company (any company) t r u l y h a s the w h e r e - w i t h - a l l t o expand production a n d / o r gobble up competition. M e m b e r s of the A m e r i c a n Institute of B a n k e r s l e a r n how t o a l l o c a t e t h e i r promotional d o l l a r s by playing ADMAN. To play a l l of t h e s e "toys" i t helps if you happen t o have a n IBM 1130 in your den. The v e r y f i r s t e l e c t e d " W a r g a m e r of the Month," i s P e t t y Officer J a m e s R . Long a s r e p o r t e d by " P a n z e r f a u s t b r e a k down those heavy a r m o r s t a c k s by using c e n t r a l i z e d control--decent r a l i z e d action. Make h i m c h a s e you, l e t h i m s p l i t h i s s t a c k s in vain a t t e m p t s to s u r r o u n d you. Then, a f t e r you have f o r c e d h i m to do this, move out, l e a v ing h i m i n c o m m a n d of e m p t y t e r r a i n . A f t e r . y o u have f o r c e d h i m to deploy and m a n e u v e r , and you have vacated, don't move s o f a r o r f a s t a s to f o r g e t about the f o u r t h p r i n c i p l e , which i s to maintain c o n t a c t with the enemy. If you don't m a i n t a i n contact, the e n e m y c a n isolate you. But don't l e t yourself become d e c i s i v e l y engaged. T h a t i s the fifth principle, and p e r haps the m o s t i m p o r t a n t of a l l c o n c e r n ing defensive o p e r a t i o n s with a r m o r units. Never allow t h e m to become decisively engaged. Once thus engaged, the tank is usually fighting a l o s i n g battle. H e h a s l o s t h i s m o v e m e n t and h i s f u r t h e r ability to c a r r y out the p r i n c i p l e s of the delay. R e m e m b e r , the a r m o r e d unit i s a n offensive weapon, and if the e n e m y c a n decisively engage you in a defensive battle, y o u m i g h t a s well begin the game by turning in a l l your a r m o r e d units f o r infantry and not w o r r y i n g about it. Z/Lt. Kenneth L. Benton, E. 203 M i s sion #24, Spokane, Wash. 99202.

..

..

According t o a s u r v e y taken by J a r e d Johnson, Chamblee, Georgia, C h e s s i s not c o n s i d e r e d a s i n t e r e s t i n g a s m o s t w a r g a m e s , s o s a y 8070 of AH fanatics. Now we know why our Nieuchess ( p r o nounced N e w - c h e s s ) g a m e bombed out. All we have t o do i s to find out why A i r E m p i r e was a lemon.. .. Subscribers were in general agreement o v e r the excellence of a l l a r t i c l e s f o u n d i n the J a n - F e b i s s u e of t h i s magazine. The top five, i n the c l o s e s t r a c e of a l l , w e r e l e d by Ralph W. S c h u l z ' s "Victory With S u p e r i o r F o r c e s , I ' followe d by B a r r y K. B r a n c h ' s "ThinkSmall, " the F r a n k w i c z - B r u n d a g e s e r i e s completing " P r i n c i p l e s of War, Thomas W e b s t e r ' s "Really Big Red, and J a r e d Johnson1s " O r d e r Out of PBM Chaos. A five-spot h a s been sent to the above. According to o u r "Survey" eliciting c o m m e n t s on t h e e d i t o r i a l makeup of t h i s magazine ( J a n - F e b i s s u e ) , r e s u l t s showed a n overwhelming vote of confidence w a s due o u r magazine e d i t o r s . Only two c a t e g o r i e s produced negative * r e s p o n s e s : t h e "Dealer Listings" and " A r t i c l e s on Non-AH g a m e s . " Many thanks t o the r e a d e r s who took the t i m e to send u s t h e i r opinions.

B r i a n Libby, once a prominent figu r e i n the advancement of wargaming, h a s announced h i s " r e t i r e m e n t ' 1 in "The S t o r m t r o o p e r " (38 S a n g e r Avenue, Waterville, Maine 04901. ) Now a student a t Johns Hopkins U., Libby m a y v e r y well be working in s e c r e t with Hopkins' D r . J a m e s Coleman who h a s been working t h e r e on a r e s e a r c h g r a n t involving g a m e s a s i n s t r u c t i o n a l a i d s t o s e c o n d a r y l e v e l education. "Graphic Aids to Blitzkrieg" in the Nov. -Dec. i s s u e failed to indicate the ( t ) plus s i g n s in the equations. The equations should read: S (A-B) t (C-D) o r S = ( A t C ) ( B t D ) S = total supply f a c t o r s needed A = total a t t a c k f a c t o r s o n b o a r d ( - F T R S ) B = aircraft factors on board ( t F T R S ) C = a t t a c k f a c t o r s in d e s e r t D total defense f a c t o r s of BRKTH