Verdun 1914

The Opening Moves

by

Christina Holstein

 The first major battle on the Western Front in 1914 was called the Battle of the Frontiers. The French threw their troops with abandon to reconquer Alsace and Lorraine. Unfortunately, they fell right into a German trap. The German High Command had believed for years that this is what the French would do. This book shows those early battles on the southern and middle of the Western Front in 1914. It also shows how close Verdun and all its forts almost fell at the beginning of the war. While this would not have been a mortal blow to France, it would still be a large propaganda victory for Germany and a blow to French morale.

 The first part of the book (pages 1 - 64) are a history of those first battles. The author takes you through the Battle of the Frontiers and the Battle of the Marne. The book then goes into the actual fighting for the forts and Verdun in 1914. As an overview of the early war battles it is an excellent primer. The amount of maps that you can peruse, and actually read, is an excellent change from many military history books. It is also full of pictures of the various points and of the soldiers that the pages discuss. You will be shown the Verdun salient and the reasons behind the German attack in 1916. 

 This is the first Battleground book from Pen & Sword that I have reviewed. From page 65 onward, the book becomes a tour guide for all of the areas of the fighting in 1914 along with all of the numerous memorials, gravestones, and other points of interest. However, in those pages there is still a ton of history that you will be taught. The tour portion of the book also has maps and the stories behind all of the things you will be seeing.

 I must admit that I was a little hesitant when I received the book. I had hoped to visit the Verdun area at some time for its early history and for the 1916 campaign. However, when I saw that more than two thirds of the book was about the different tours that you should take, I was a bit nonplussed. I was interested in reading a military history of the area during the early battles of WWI and not a sightseeing tour. I am not ashamed to admit that I was totally wrong in my snap judgement. This book is as good a military history book that I have read. Yes, it does focus on touring the area but every page has a lot of history for the reader. You get maps of not only what tours you should take, but it has even more maps about the fighting in the areas that you would visit. If you do plan to visit the Verdun area, this book is a must have for your trip. If you are just interested in the history behind the 1914 battles you cannot go wrong with getting this book, even if you never plan on visiting. The incredible amount of maps and pictures of the area alone will help you to understand the fighting that raged here. Thank you, Casemate Publishers, for allowing me to broaden my horizons with this Battleground book.

Robert Peterson

Book: Verdun 1914: The Opening Moves

Publisher: Pen & Sword

Distributor: Casemate Publishers

Stalingrad Eastern Front 1942/43

Expansion for Old School Tactical Volume I

by

Flying Pig Games

Designed by

Shayne Logan

 Stalingrad, the name conjures up some of the worst warfare in WWII. We normally read about sweeping military maneuvers. There are none inside the battle for this city. We also read about certain points on a battlefield that are taken and lost several times by each side. This is one of the very few where we read about fighting for different floors inside of each house. The city that was lived in, more like survived in, by the two armies was as badly destroyed as if it was the 13th century and had been attacked by Mongols. It stands to reason that a city named after a murderous maniac, and then attacked by another one, would be turned into hell on earth. 

 

 The expansion comes with:

a 30" x 41" historical mounted map

a full sheet of OST counters

a scenario booklet with EIGHT scenarios

a beautiful new box to store everything in

This is an expansion. You must own Old School Tactical Vol I to play Stalingrad.

 This expansion for Old School Tactical Volume I has been as hard to find as hen's teeth. Luckily for us, the Propellered Porcines have finally been able to reprint it.

 The map is the usual massive, mounted type that we have become used to from Flying Pig Games. It is really just a cavalcade of broken houses, torn up ground, and indiscriminate rubble that the actual city did look like after and during the battle. The immersion factor of the map is definitely a 10 out of 10. The counters are also what we have become used to from Flying Pig Games in The Old School Tactical Series and many of their other games. They are big and hefty. A full countersheet comes with the expansion. You get a cavalcade of different tank models. These include:

Marder II

Panzerkampfwagen VI E

StuG III B

Panzerkampfwagen IV (E, F, F2)

T 34

T 34/ 85

KV I

 The Russians get Guard units along with NKVD. The Germans have Assault units along with Pioneers. The Soviets also get three counters of Ampulomets. This was a makeshift Soviet weapon used in 1941/42. Think of a British PIAT, sans the spring, and with a black powder charge. It fired a glass container of phosphorus and Sulphur that ignited when exposed to air. It was one of those weapons where you have to guess if it did more damage to friend or foe. A simple Molotov Cocktail seems a lot more user friendly. This just shows Flying Pig Games, and Shayne Logan's, attention to detail, and historical accuracy. The series was designed by Mark H. Walker.

 The expansion comes with eight scenarios. These are:

Rattenkrieg - 7 Turns

Siberians - 9 Turns

The Nail Factory - 10 Turns

Desperation - 11 Turns

13th Guards Sacrifice - 12 Turns

Factory to the Front - 9 Turns

The Forsaken - 12 Turns

Death of the 6th Army - 16 Turns

 My favorite scenario is Desperation and the German drive for the Volga's riverbank. 

 A question was just posted online asking if the OST games came with a scenario editor or creator. The short answer is no. However, you physically own a boardgame. What I mean is that unlike a computer wargame where you would have to learn how to code and then mess with a games code, you have everything already at your fingertips in a boardgame. So, in actuality even with the scenarios provided you have a myriad of choices. Do you think that one scenario is too much in favor of one side, then switch it up. You could add or subtract units at your pleasure. Give the Russians Guard units instead of regular infantry, or you could swap a German pioneer unit for a normal infantry. In reality, even small tweaks like this give you an unlimited choice on each scenario. You could change as much or as little as you feel comfortable doing. Is it possible to 'break' a scenario by doing this? The answer is a definite yes. However, you can rethink your changes and start from scratch. We play wargames not just to be amused but also to use our minds. So, my suggestion is use yours and go for it. In the larger context this works for all games. I have seen far too many posts from people who print that a single rule ruins a game they just bought, and they are going to sell it or hide it away. If you do not like how a rule works tweak it to your hearts content or just ignore it. The rant is over, and I am stepping of the soapbox. 

 Thank you, Flying Pig Games, for allowing me to review another excellent part to the Old School Tactical family of games. OST Volume 5: Battle for France is on KickStarter right now. The game was funded in seven minutes, but you can still get in on the fun. The link will be below

Robert Peterson

Stalingrad Eastern Front 1942/43

Old School Tactical

Flying Pig Games

OST Volume 5: Battle for France KS

 Wings Over the Reich Expansion 'The Battle of France'

by

OBD Software

  OBD Software has been around for a long time. They hit the big time with their first game, 'Wings Over Flanders Fields'. Originally, it was really just a mod from the Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3. Wings Over Flanders Fields has garnered many plaudits over the years since it release and is in many of the 'top 20-25 simulations of all time' lists. This is what OBD Software has to say about Wings Over the Reich:

"‘WOTR’ is an immersive WW2 Combat Flight Simulator for PC, that brings you full-on immersion in the greatest air battle that has ever been, the ‘Battle of Britain’, and now with WOTR Expansion, the earlier ‘Battle of France’ too! Immerse yourself via the new dynamic campaign systems, all developed by OBD specially for WOTR uniquely for both for BoB and BoF Be thrilled and absorbed in the frantic dogfighting in early WW2.Choose to fight for Britain, Germany or France (with the BoF expansion), in desperate fights to stop the early German advance!  With stunning immersive WW2 environments, OBD’s unique unmatched single player dynamic campaign system, beautiful lighting and scenery, superb unique weather systems, and the finest WW2 Artificial Intelligence pilot system for thrilling air combat! Now with the incredible “Battle of France" Expansion to take it further WOTR aims to be the definitive BoB and BoF WW2 flight simulator for PC! WOTR is unashamedly designed for single player, because gameplay matters!"

Curtiss H-75A2

 This is their thoughts on the expansion The Battle of France:

"Invasion Begins: Experience the intensity of 1940's blitzkrieg warfare as Germany launches a surprise attack through the Ardennes, catching the Allies off guard. You are at the heart of the action in an unprecedented dynamic campaign crafted by OBD, known for their record-breaking work in combat flight simulators. Dynamic Campaign System; Choose your side - Germany, Britain, or France - and immerse yourself in a rapidly changing battlefield. Our new campaign engine brings to life the swift and tumultuous Battle of France like never before. Witness history as the Germans carve their path along the Somme valley, bisecting French forces and cornering the BEF and French 1st Armies at Dunkirk. Evacuation of Dunkirk; Take on a pivotal role in history, flying Spitfire squadrons from England to assist in the famous Dunkirk evacuation. This is where heroism meets strategy. Seamless Integration: Your journey doesn't end here. Seamlessly transition from the Battle of France to the Battle of Britain, continuing your pilot's career across these iconic campaigns. It's one continuous war story. New Additions:Scenery: Explore new airfields, admire the updated grass textures, and marvel at the detailed Dunkirk area, complete with landmarks like the Mole and the Lighthouse. Flyable Aircraft: Test your skills in the Curtiss Hawk 75-A2, BF109E3, and others. For Battle of Britain enthusiasts, the cannon-armed Spitfire MkIb (Early), Spitfire MkIb, and Spitfire MkIIa await.AI Aircraft: Engage with the Bloch MB152, Morane MS406, Potez 63.11, Fairey Battle MkI, and Blenheim MkIV. Ground Realism: Witness German tanks advancing into France, capturing bridges and airfields. Observe the main armies moving across the battlefield in a real-time simulation of war. More to Explore: Dive deeper into the game's features in the 'News' section. Please ensure you check the 'Requirements' on the Support page before purchasing, to fully prepare for this unparalleled combat flight experience. For WOTR Fans: With numerous enhancements and additions, this is a must-have for any enthusiast of the series. Wings over the Reich: Battle of France offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and immersive gameplay."

 So, as you can see, Wings Over the Reich has a lot of pedigree in its DNA. About the only gripe that flight simmers have had about WOTR is the fact that originally you only had three planes you could fly. The Battle of France expansion adds a lot to the mix, and not only in the plane department. This is a list of the flyable and AI only planes in WOTR with the addition of The Battle of France:

British Flyable

Hurricane MkIa

Spitfire MkIa 

Spitfire MKIb (early)

Spitfire MkIb 

Spitfire MkIIa

British AI only

Fairey Battle MkI 

Bristol Blenheim MkIV

French Flyable

Curtiss H-75A2

French AI only

Potez 63.11

Bloch MB.152 C.1

Morane M.S.406 C.1

German Flyable:

BF 109-E3

BF 109-E4

German AI only:

JU88-A1 

JU87-B1 

Do17-Z2 

He111-H2

Bf 110 C4 

 Now I know that some German plane lovers might be upset about the flyable list. However, OBD Software is all about historical reality in their games. In the air war over the Western Front in 1939 and 1940 the plane list is completely correct for the time. This is for single seat fighters only at the moment. A big caveat to the list is what they have done with, and continue to do, Wings Over Flanders Fields and all of the plane and other additions that have come down the pike. So, I completely believe OBD Software when they say that more goodness is on the way. Please remember, this is not a big PC game studio like Microprose was and might be again. This is really two dedicated flight sim enthusiasts, with some help at times. I must stress that the biggest thing to me in both of their games is the length that they will go to make sure of their historical accuracy. We have had tons of combat flight sims over the years that gave us only eye candy with nothing underneath. OBD Software is really different. Yes, they have beautiful eye candy, but underneath the tip of the iceberg is the real meat and potatoes of the games.

 I have to say that I do drool over flying a FW 190 of any kind in these digital skies. I would also cut off a finger for a flyable BF 110 in WOTR. However, I truly believe that in this case good things will come to those who wait.

 Battle of France, to me, is another step forward for OBD Software to catch up WOTR with its older brother WOFF. The addition of the Battle of France in 1940 gives the flight simmer a new and huge amount of history to immerse themselves into. Now the Curtiss H-75A2 is not in any way shape or form near a Dewoitine D.520 (although Eric Brown did describe the Dewoitine as "It was a nasty little brute. Looked beautiful but didn't fly beautifully."). While flying your Curtiss you are slower and rather weaker than your direct counterparts the BF 109s. However, you do have maneuverability on your side. The 1940 versions of the German bombers are easier to handle than their beefed up later versions. Use your maneuvering capability to evade the BF 109s and get at the German Stukas or other bombers. If you are forced to fight a BF 109, do it on your terms if possible. Your turning rate is much better, and your climbing rate is pretty good. The Curtiss reminds me of a Japanese KI -43 Hayabusa. The Curtiss is really maneuverable, and relatively easy to fly, but it lacks any armor and has a pretty weak punch. In other words, it is very historically accurate. 

 Please take the above advice with a large salt lick. I have been flying computer flight sims since the early 1980s and have all of the bells and whistles that come with the hobby. Name a PC flight combat sim and I have flown in it. Unfortunately, my abilities as a pilot in no way equals my love of the genre and knowledge of the actual history of air combat. I can state that WOFF and WOTR are two of the most immersive flight combat sims ever produced. Just flying around in them is a pure joy.

 Thank you, OBD Software, for allowing me to review this excellent expansion for WOTR. Unfortunately for you, it has really only sharpened my appetite for what else you have in your rabbits' hat.  

 All of the pictures were from WOTR with The Battle of France expansion added.

Robert Peterson

Wings Over the Reich

The Battle of France Expansion

Wings over Flanders Field

These are links to two reviews that we did on Over Flanders Field and its expansion Between Heaven and Hell:

Wings Over Flanders Fields Between Heaven & Hell II by OBD (Old Brown Dog) Software - A Wargamers Needful Things

Wings Over Flanders Fields UE Review - A Wargamers Needful Things

 Science of Arms

The Art of War in the Century of the Soldier 1672 - 1699

Volume 2

by

Stephen M. Carter

 This volume continues where Volume I left off. Here, there are 146 pages of an idiot's guide to cavalry during this time period. From its duties in the army as a whole to its use on the battlefield and everything in between is shown the reader. The book even has insights into how to quarter your cavalry for the winter. Training your troopers is gone into in depth.

 The next 50 pages or so goes into, and just as in depth, about how to train, handle, and use your artillery. This part goes into all of the myriads of different artillery sizes and guns that were in use at the time and each one's specific use. For the military modeler and wargamer this information, as is the two volumes as a whole, is invaluable.

 The last 140 pages or so was, to me, the best parts of the book. This takes the reader and explains exactly how to use your army. This goes from the mundane to how to fight a campaign. The chapters in this part of the book are:

Starting the Campaign

The Army Command

Maxims on Moving the Army

Maxims on Lodging the Army

Maxims on Forcing Passages

Maxims for Defensive Marches

Maxims on Standing Camps & Garrisons

Maxims on Guarding Places

Maxims on Offensive Marches

Giving Battle 

 The last chapter also has a two-page illustration of an army in the line of battle with all of the frontages of the different troop types. It not only informs you of what to do if you won the battle, but also how to deal with a defeat. 

The frontpiece also has a wonderful picture or engraving of Louis de Bourbon Prince de Condé (The Great Condé). 

 This is a marvelous two book series on the complete ways that armies were raised, trained, and fought in the late 17th century. The author has done so many of us a wonderful service by releasing these in a clear and easily read manner. These volumes are for any reader who is interested in military history, a wargamer, or someone who does historical modeling. Thank you, Casemate Publishers, for the chance to review this excellent addition to the military history genre. 

Robert Peterson

Book: Science of Arms: The Art of War in the Century of the Soldier 1672-1699 Volume 2 

Author: Stephen M. Carter

Publisher: Helion & Company

Distributor: Casemate Publishers

 

1793 Patriots & Traitors

The French Revolution, Year II

By

Sound of Drums

 To get us into the correct mood, here is a compilation of songs from Marat/Sade by Judy Collins:

Judy Collins - Marat/Sade

 The above is a paean of praise to Jean Paul Marat. He was a central figure in the early years of the French Revolution. At times, he was forced to hide in the Paris sewers from the Old Regime pre-revolution. In doing so he contracted a nasty skin disease that not only covered him in sores, but he also released a very malodorous odor in the area around him. Apparently, modern science has stopped the debate of what it was by analyzing some of his blood. Thank you, Charlotte Corday; more on her in a minute. It appears to have been a fungal infection with a secondary bacterial infection. They believe it might have been Seborrheic Dermatitis. Whatever it was, even his friends in the National Assembly kept a wide berth from him. 

 The French Revolution was the first of its kind in the Western World. Wait, you say, what about the American Revolution. Sorry, they were completely different animals. The American Revolution was more about taxation and representation than about real freedom, thanks to the Magna Carta and Charles I for losing his head. Englishmen, and the American Colonials, had much more freedom than in other countries at the time. The French Revolution happened because of basic human rights that the average Frenchman did not have. They effectively were all chattels to the Crown and nobles. Just as Sam Colt made every man in the United States equal, the Guillotine made every Frenchman equal. Oddly, it was designed by a man who did not like the death penalty and was looking for something much more humane. So, back to dear Charlotte Corday. She removed Marat from his suffering with a large knife to the chest. She was absolutely fearless at her trial in the National Assembly. She had struck down Marat because she felt he was guilty of the death of the most prominent Girondins, moderates that you can play in the game. When she was brought to the Guillotine by Charles-Henri Sanson, first the royal executioner and then the high executioner during the Revolution, he tried to shield her from its sight. She asked him to please move out of the way because she was naturally curious about the machine. When Sanson was asked who was the bravest soul to meet the Guillotine, his answer was always Charlotte Corday. I happen to like Mr. Sanson very much. He ripped off the bandages on Robespierre's face before relieving him and that young Angel of Death Saint-Just of their heads (my apologies if the designer is somehow related). 

 I know that I have jumped around a bit and only scratched the smallest surface of the French Revolution. My love for the subject and some of the personalities is unbounded. My disgust toward Robespierre and his cronies also knows no bounds. So, as you can see, I do know a lot about the historical period and have some strong biases towards the events and people. Which leads, finally, I know, to this game in question. I am pretty giddy about having in my hot little hands a game where I can try to right all of the wrongs, in my eyes, that happened during the Terror. This phrase the Terror was for the longest time associated only with the French Revolution. It has only been in the latter half of the 20th century that the phrase has been associated with many more horrible historical happenings and periods.

 So, what comes inside the box:

1 Paris board (62x 62cm)

1 France board (30 x 30cm)

5 faction sheets

10 location tiles

150 wooden influence cubes

95 Tarot sized playing cards

47 customized wooden pieces

1 multiplayer rules manual

Solo / 2 player rules manual

4 player Aid Sheets

5 Cotton bags

 This is what Sound of Drums has to say about the game:

Hist. period: French Revolution

Game length: 30 – 120 minutes+

Players: 1 – 5 players

Age: 14+ years

Complexity: 5 / 10

Solitaire: yes

"For more than three years now, the banner of Revolution has been fluttering over France. Sure, the old structure has fallen but still the people clamor for change. There is a shortage of bread and on the borders the Austrians and Prussians are ready to invade. The press has become mighty popular, publicly denouncing traitors and calling the populace to arms. There are some that believe that the Revolution has gone far enough, but for others it has yet to begin. The land bubbles with intrigue and unrest. These are dangerous times. Now that the monarchy under Louis XVI has fallen who will dare to take the reins as the nation crumbles? 

1793: Patriots & Traitors recreates the chaos that tore up France in the years 1792-1794 as it has never been done before! 

Each of the players belong to a political faction, each with their own objective. Although engaged in a brutal political tug-of-war, they WILL have to work together to prevent the armies of Austria, Prussia and Sardinia-Piedmont from reaching Paris, thereby crushing the Revolution and ending the game prematurely…for everyone!

1793: Patriots & Traitors is a very compact CDG game that makes use of multi-functional playing cards to allow the players a broad range of decisions…and rest assure that every decision made has its consequences. With them, the players will be able to influence a number of areas in Paris (National Convention, Palais-Egalité, the Paris streets…) or the provinces. Each controlled area offers certain benefits…or will help them to perform a Coup d’Etat or Civil War if things turn for the worse…  

Also included are the various revolutionary protagonists such as Robespierre, Danton, Marat, Brissot who can help their faction to achieve their objective IF they are not arrested or assassinated in the meantime! 

Core mechanic is the possibility of making of laws for the new Republic which will change the game rules or even alter the board…of course: it’s a Revolution! 

Be prepared for a warm and asymmetrical game of high replayability that will allow you and your fellow patriots to relive the French Revolution: from the heated discussions in the National Convention to the angry streets of Paris and from the cheering crowds around the bloody guillotine to the gun smoke filled battlefield of Fleurus!

1793: Patriots & Traitors is a true aristocratic banquet for 1 to 5 lovers of history by the hand of Jason St. Just.

Marc von Martial, one of the best graphic artists in the business, is in charge of the artwork. Gamers can expect beautiful era style maps and beautiful customized wooden meeples! They will not be disappointed by his skills and love for the detail."

Three of the five different player boards of the factions

 So, we have a CDG (Card Driven Game) that has definitely been manufactured in the Eurogame fashion. I mean it actually has meeples. How much more Eurogame can you get. 

 The Map/Board is really a rather bland street map of Paris at the time and is mounted. The top of the board has two circles marked Oui!/Non!. These are for voting in the 'Convention Nationale'. Across the bottom of the board is the turn record track. This is a stylized calendar with the new months of the Revolution. These are a series of circles with period pieces of art inside them. The track 'Tracé du Temps' starts with the Month 'Frimaire' (November/December) to ' Thermidor' (July/August). There is a total of 21 months in the calendar. Next up is the ten Location Tiles that fit into the Paris board. Two of these are marked as the Convention Nationale and the Place de la Révolution (the place where the Revolution split both hairs and necks). These tiles are placed on the board due to gameplay and setup. They all have a very nice period artwork of each respective area. Once these are added to the board it really spruces up the board. There is a smaller mounted board with a map of France and some cities near it from the time. This is used for the various attempts of the other European states and their royals to end the Revolution and put a fat Bourbon back on the throne in France. 

 Then we have the five mounted Faction sheets. These give all of the pertinent information the player needs to know about each faction. The factions are:

Jacobins (Radicals)

Royalists (Ultra-Conservatives)

Cordeliers (Ultra-Radicals)

Girondins (Moderates)

Feuilants (Conservatives)

 The game comes with two Rulebooks. The first is for one to two players and is 12 pages long. It is in full color and the rules are typed in double columns. It also comes with a good number of play examples. The second Rulebook is for Multiplayer games. This one is 32 pages long. In all respects it looks like its smaller sibling. 

 There is a Leader card Players Aid that strangely shows all of the Leader cards and their effects etc. For those of a historical bent these are some of them:

Marquis de La Fayette (Yes, that one)

Jacques Brissot

Camille Desmoulins

Mme Roland

Joseph Fouché (Yes, that one)

Georges Danton (Yay!)

Louis de Saint-Just (Boo!)

 There is a three-page fold out that lists all of the Action Cards and their uses. There is a two-page fold out that lists all of the Law Cards that you can vote for or against. The Paris Board Player Aid shows all of the Paris Location Tiles and their benefits. There are five bags of colored wooden cubes (red, gray, yellow, blue, purple) that are used to show influence in the different boards. The 47 other wooden pieces represent everything else needed to play and even include a balloon. Then there are five cotton bags to keep all of the pieces from the separate factions.

 The 95 'Tarot' sized cards are a sheer pleasure to behold. These include the Laws, Actions, and Leaders cards that are used to play the game. The cards are nice and large. They also come with either a period piece of artwork or the portrait of the Leader they represent.

 This is most definitely a Eurogame and you can see and feel it in the wonderful production standards of all of the game pieces and boards.

 

This is quite a hand of historical cards. You have Robespierre(ugh!), Marat (sans his odor), and even Napoleon.

 One thing about the game that you should know before playing is that it does have a 'sudden death' feature that makes every player lose without any recourse. This is true if you are playing solitaire, two-player, or multiplayer. If any of the reactionary armies surrounding and attacking France take Paris, the gig is up. I assume the reason being is because of the actual historical situation that France found itself in this time period. France was split by many parties with many different agendas. It was also surrounded by almost the entire continent of Europe who declared war on France to stifle the Revolution before any of its horrible ideas (at least in the other Royals eyes), were exported into the other countries of Europe. Kings and Queens are like that, they are none too fond of revolutionary ideas and the like that could possibly make them lose not only their fortunes but also their heads. The historical situation was extremely volatile for both the citizens of France and Europe as a whole. Only the complete ineptitude of the anti-revolutionary armies, and some extremely good luck, allowed the Revolution to continue. So, the chance of the Revolution being squashed by reactionary forces was in reality pretty high. This was probably put in by the designer to try and make the game as accurate as possible. Considering the lengths he took to be historically accurate in the rest of the game leads me to this conclusion.

Aww a cute little Guillotine

 It does help with a game like this to have a grounding in the actual history of the period. To attempt to make this game friendlier to a wider audience would mean that it would have to, in essence, be dumbed down. If you do not know who Ms. Corday is, or what 'The Mountain' in the Convention Nationale was, would put you behind the eight ball while trying to play this game. There are CDG games that are very simple and only scratch the surface of what they are representing. Please be aware that this game is not one of them. 

 So, the entire essence of the game is to put your faction into power. However, as mentioned, you also have to defend France's borders. Becoming the first faction means nothing if the Prussians or Austrians are marching down Paris's streets. Above all in the game do not lose your head both literally and figuratively. The game gives you myriads of ways and decisions that you can make to win. It can also be a harsh mistress and back you into a corner.

 After the 21st turn victory is determined by the player who has the most influence in the Convention Nationale, Caserne/Champ de Mars, and in the Provinces. 

 Victory is automatic in one of three ways. These are:

Paris is overrun by one of the Coalition Armies.

The Royal Family is saved which results in an immediate win for the Feuillant player.

One of the players has initiated a Civil War or Coup d'Etat and also emerged victorious.

Handy little tote bags to carry your swag from the Revolution home

 Besides being as historically accurate as possible this game is also fun. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon or evening than destroying your enemies and seeing their heads presented to the crowd? You get to pass laws, or defeat them, to hem your enemies in before the final blow. You can dress like a Roman and pray to the Goddess Virtue. Okay, you cannot really do that. Unless of course the other players have no problem with it. I am once again enthralled by a game that gets history correct and makes it enjoyable while doing it.

 Thank you so very much, Sound of Drums, for allowing me to review this seemingly simulation built into a CDG. The game to me is a wonderful labor of love from Mr. St. Just. Even if it does stick in my craw that I have to congratulate someone with that name. If at all possible, in your playthroughs make it so Danton, even though strictly a Jacobin, and the Girondins live through that prig Robespierre's and Saint-Just's Terror.

Robert Peterson

1793 Patriots and Traitors

Sound of Drums

This is a link to my review of Sound of Drums game Eylau 1807: Battles of Napoleon Volume I:

Eylau 1807 Battles of Napoleon Volume I by Sound of Drums - A Wargamers Needful Things

 Science of Arms

The Art of War in the Century of the Soldier 1672-1699

Volume I: Preparation for War and the Infantry

by

Stephen M. Carter

 

 For those of us who are very interested in the history of warfare this book is a Godsend. This is not just the author's idea of what took place or was thought of about both the preparations and how the infantry worked in the last years of the 17th century. As the author states:

 "This Science of Arms series is based on the original French military treatises and the translated versions published in London by Charles Bill, Henry Hill and Thomas Newcomb in the 1670s and 80s. These cover more than formations and weapons drill. They explain the military practice of the age and when combined, we gain a fresh perspective on warfare. By comparing the details held in the treaties to battle plans and eye-witness accounts, the reader can plug the unsaid gaps that were taken for granted but long forgotten."

 The book has a large amount of information, from preparing your magazine, to the artillery of the time and even its construction, and what you should seek to find and see in your Captain General, General Officers, and your General Staff. At this point we have only gone through half of the book! Then we go through a whole section on 'modeling' your infantry, cavalry, and artillery. The book uses the word modeling to show the formations, usage, and even the costs incurred with these three types of arms.

 The last part of the book is all about the infantry. From weapons, various exercises, and even to the duties of Sergeants etc. it is all here. It will show you how to advance the 'Swedish way' and how to correctly 'volley attack with your grenadiers'. 

 So, if you happen to have about 50 friends, and the money, you can equip them and then the book will show you how to put them through the paces. You can teach them all of the steps to arm and fire their muskets and how to use their pikes correctly.

 The book is a gold mine for both the military history lover and the wargamer. Thank you, Casemate Publishers, for allowing me to review this excellent addition to my library. I will have a review of Volume 2 of the series coming up.

 

Robert Peterson

Book: Science of Arms: The Art of War in the Century of the Soldier 1672-1699 Volume I: Preparation for War and the Infantry

Author: Stephen M. Carter

Publisher: Helion & Company

Distributor: Casemate Publishers

 SONG FOR WAR

MEDITERRANEAN OPERATIONS

FROM 

INVICTA REX

In 2023, I had the good fortune to encounter Invicta Rex games and their prototype for their first game, Song for War: Mediterranean Theatre.  I was able to experience the game through play with the designers on Tabletopia and reviewed the game here on the blog.   

I followed their progress and initial Kickstarter, which I immediately pledged for, and was majorly disappointed when it didn't reach its target goal. 

Fast forward two years and the expected and heralded new launch on Kickstarter rapidly passed its target and unlocked several goals.  This time there has been the opportunity to select one of two pledges.  The major pledge is for a revamp of the original game with its massive two mounted boards.  This has been greatly augmented by including two closer focused Operational scenarios: North Africa and Italy.  Each of which is played out on individual maps, each printed on the reverse side of one of the main maps.  If I say that each single map is 31"x27", you get the size of the two-mapper main game. 

Italy Map

It should be no surprise to those who've read my previous review [click here if you haven't], that I've immediately pledged for the full package.  

However, a second pledge has been offered in the new Kickstarter, which gives you just a single mounted board with the map for the North Africa scenario on one side and the map for the Italy scenario on the other.

Invicta Rex have kindly provided me with a prototype copy of this smaller game and that is what I shall be reviewing here today.  It's differentiated from its Song of War big brother by having the sub-title Mediterranean Operations.  As would be expected, it embodies all the component qualities of the massive Mediterranean Theatre game.  This starts with the stunning and vibrantly coloured maps.  Italy you can see above and below is North Africa.

North Africa map

The counters too are the identical stylish wooden pieces that cover a wide range of air, sea and land units, embracing destroyers, cruisers, naval transports and even an aircraft carrier, fighters, heavy and light bombers, AA guns and artillery, infantry, tanks and trucks. Each of the four nations featured in the game has its own attractive compartmentalised storage box making sorting and organisation an easy task. 

British Units Storage Box

Below is what you see when set up for play of the North Africa scenario.  Normally in the full Mediterranean Theatre  scenarios, the blue units are Great Britain and the green units are United States, whereas here blue and green represent Great Britain's XXX and VIII Corps.  

This is most noticeable at the start in Alexandria, where units from both Corps are located, one in the northern sector and one in the southern sector.  However this distinction does not have to be maintained here, nor in anywhere else on the map as the game progresses.

Opposing them are the Germans (red) and the Italians (yellow).  Obviously, this allows for four players, but these Operational scenarios easily facilitate play by two players, especially as both sets of units on a given side move and have combat simultaneously.  The only feature not to be seen on map is the Hidden Fleet marker which in the North Africa scenario is the German fleet.  As can be seen below, it contains two troop transporters, one containing 2 tanks and 1 infantry units, the other tank, infantry and AA, which are guarded by an aircraft carrier ( with a fighter and light bomber aboard) a cruiser and a destroyer.

All the vital information, not just for set up but play, is contained on a single double sided Play Aid; one for each player.  There is a substantial amount of information to be absorbed, which is greatly eased when playing in teams of two.  When playing two player - which is my normal situation, outside conventions -  I would strongly recommend overlaying the Set-Up Play Aid with the Standard Units Play Aid.  This allows you to see all the ability explanations for the symbols used on the unit display chart.

Again when first getting started, I found it well worth while to spend some time simply taking each group of units: land, sea and air and separately practising their movement and combat factors and abilities a few at a time.  These displays differ from those in the massive Theatre game by being much more monochromatic and this is particularly reflected in the change from the accompanying coloured dice to white, grey and black ones.  I'm unsure whether this change reflects the final intentions for both this new Operational version and the original Theatre version of the game.  If so, I personally preferred the use of the coloured dice and the matching colours on the Combat part of the Play Aids which I found greatly helped my understanding of the combat process.  My only other concern lies with the very small print (seen on the left most panel above) which explains the symbols used.  These I did strain to read.

What remains identical is the multi-stepped movement and combat process that I would describe as the signature feature of the game system.  It is this feature that absolutely sold this game for me and recent details from surveys conducted by Invicta Rex confirms that the game system is far and away the key element for the vast majority of those who've pledged to Song for War.  It is that incremental movement and combat aspect that gives the game its defining quality and its engrossing game play.  Each player is immersed in the action as it switches back and forth from player to player with none of the lengthy ennui of observing and waiting for someone else's turn to be completed.  

It is a richly layered experience significantly enhanced by the visual splendour of the maps and the tactile enjoyment of manoeuvring your equally colourful wooden units.

In short, Song for War: Operations gives you everything that can be experienced in the even larger scope Song for War: Mediterranean Theatre, but with a more specific and localised geographic focus.  In stepping down from the wider picture of the Mediterranean Theatre to these two specific Operational fields, only a single stage is omitted - the National Support Phase. This tech tree element brought to the wider conflict the possibility of purchasing cards to influence the development of your war whether in terms of new weapons, upgrades, significant events or strategy.  With the shorter time scale and narrower focus, it is an appropriate omission.

I know that purely from the point of view of having the time to get Song for War: Operations easily to my gaming table, I shall see much more play of Italy and North Africa individually, but for those longer periods offered by residential conventions Song for War: Mediterranean Theatre awaits.