* * * *

The AVALON HILL

Published First Day O f Every Other Month

SUBSCRIPTION $4.98

VOLUME 1, NO. 6

Publication Office: 210 West 28th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211

THE "BULGE"
is

New Battle Game Bein r Featured at New York General M Auliff e Added c Toy Show, March 8-13 to Advisory Staff T h e week of M a r c h 8 - 13 a big
one f o r t h e toy and g a m e people. It is t h e week d u r i n g which e v e r y o n e t h a t is anyone i n the toy b u s i n e s s c o n g r e g a t e s i n N e w Y o r k t o s e e w h a t ' s new f o r 1965. P r o b a b l y 114th of t h e y e a r ' s toy buying will b e done d u r i n g t h i s week-long Fair. T h e -is not open t o the g e n e r a l pubFair lit, h o w e v e r , a s i t i s s e t up t o b e a s h o w c a s e f o r m a n u f a c t u r e r s and publ i s h e r s exhibiting t h e i r new w a r e s t o w h o l e s a l e and r e t a i l b u y e r s . T h u s , t h e Toy F a i r b e c o m e s t h e show c a s e f o r Avalon H i l l ' s l a t e s t b a t t l e g a m e , l l B a t t l e of t h e Bulge." I t s i n troduction m a r k s t h e completion of a n o t h e r c y c l e i n the wild world of g a m e designing. It is now on d i s p l a y i n r o o m #455 of t h e 200 Fifth Avenue Building. Cvcle G a m e D e s i e n i n e is a 5 - S t e ~ T h e r e a r e f i v e m a j o r sbeps along t h e d e s i g n path f r o m i d e a s t a g e t o i i n i s h e d product. F i r s t , the s u b j e c t on which to b a s e t h e new g a m e m u s t b e c h o s e n . Secondly, t h e background and h i s t o r i c a l d a t a f o r t h e c h o s e n s u b j e c t is r e s e a r c h e d . T h i r d l y , a roughed out prototype is playt e s t e d i n t h e office by t h e d e s i g n staff. Fourthly, mock-ups a r e printed and office t e s t e d by m e m b e r s of t h e cons u m e r t e s t panel. And fifthly, final a r t w o r k on a l l p a r t s i s p r e p a r e d f r o m which a f i r s t r u n of finished g a m e s i s printed, ready for distribution to the w h o l e s a l e r s and r e t a i l e r s . Why "Battle of t h e B u l g e ? I t Well, g a m e f a n s . . . you s e l e c t e d t h i s s u b j e c t ; by your s u r v e y r e p l i e s ; by your r e g i s t r a t i o n c a r d s u g g e s t i o n s ; a n d through r e a m s of s u g g e s t i o n s v i a r e g u l a r , unsolicited c o r r e s p o n d e n c e . SO, we l i s t e n e d . O u r R e s e a r c h a n d Design staff then s a t down and had a hexagonal t a b l e d i s c u s s i o n . S i n c e the "Bulge" had been a m o n g the m o s t r e q u e s t e d t i t l e s , being s o t i m e l y a s u b j e c t ( 2 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y ) , it b e c a m e a n a t u r a l choice a s t h e next b a t t l e g a m e f o r Avalon Hill.

- UNVEILED AT TOY FAIR

When one e n t e r s the Army-Navy Club in Washington. D. C., one is i m m e d i a t e l y i m p r e s s e d with t h e quiet m a j e s t y of t h e place. Browsing a r o u n d a b i t one s e e s m i l i t a r y p i c t u r e s , paintings a n d documents on walls, e n c a s e d in g l a s s a n d bound i n a l b u m s j u s t about e v e r y w h e r e f o r t h e c a s u a l e y e t o obs e r v e . T h e r e is a m o m e n t a r y excitem e n t a s one b e c o m e s suddenly a w a r e of t h e m i l i t a r y g r e a t n e s s t h a t is o u r national h e r i t a g e . . a greatness that i s a l l too often f o r g o t t e n by t h e a v e r a g e American. O u r f i r s t m e e t i n g with one of t h e s e g r e a t s w a s s o m e w h a t paradoxical. We m e t G e n e r a l Anthony C. McAuliffe in a l i t t l e , n o n - d e s c r i p t wing of t h e Club. T h e G e n e r a l , a solidlv b u i l t m a n even twenty y e a r s a f t e r the event, still r e f l e c t e d h i s m i l i t a r y b e a r i n g a s h e looked u s s t r a i g h t in t h e eye. We f e l t a subconscious compulsion t o s a l u t e . Instead, we introduced h i m t o D-Day. We showed h i m t h e m a p b o a r d and t r o o p c o u n t e r s a n d went about "teaching" h i m a l l about t h e g a m e t h a t r e - c a p t u r e d t h i s g r e a t invasion of which h i s l O l s t A i r b o r n e Division had taken s o monumental a part.

MARCH 1965

GENERAL ANTHONY C. M c A U L I F F E In D e c e m b e r 1944, then Brig. G e n e r a l , h e p a r a c h u t e d into F r a n c e with h i s l O l s t A i r b o r n e Division. H i s defiant r e p l y of I1nutsfto the G e r m a n s u r r e n d e r t d e m a n d w a s t h e s t i l l - r e m e m b e r e d ins p i r a t i o n t o h i s e n c i r c l e d f o r c e s at Bastogne who h e l d out a g a i n s t o v e r whelming odds

.-

Needed

...a

Concept Change

Normally, t h e n e x t s t e p would b e t o put a junior m e m b e r of o u r r e s e a r c h staff on a b u s a n d pack h i m off t o t h e L i b r a r y of C o n g r e s s f o r a few d a y s . w But i n t h e c a s e of t h e l l B u l g e l r e f e l t that a l i t t l e r e s e a r c h a n d d e s i g n change w a s needed, if only t o k e e p f r o m b e coming s t e r e o t y p e d . T h u s , we c a l l e d upon s o m e additional design h e l p t o inject s o m e f r e s h , exciting a p p r o a c h e s t o t h e b a s i c Avalon Hill play concept. (Continued o n P a g e 12)

C o m m e r c i a l i s m Not O u r Intent At t h i s point the G e n e r a l waxed somewhat n o s t a l g i c a s i t b e c a m e c l e a r t o h i m t h a t Avalon Hill w a s m o r e than j u s t a c o m m e r c i a l v e n t u r e . H i s initial General r e s e r v a t i o n s about u s ("I, McAuliffe, think Avalon Hill t a s t e s good b e c a u s e . . It) d i s a p p e a r e d and h e b e c a m e imbued with t h e i d e a t h a t h e r e w a s a dandy way t o r e - e d u c a t e t h e publ i c o n t h e h i s t o r i c a l i m p o r t of t h e a c t u a l B a t t l e of t h e Bulge. T h e G e n e r a l m a d e i t quite c l e a r t h a t Avalon Hill w a s not t o m a k e h i m o u t a h e r o figure. A f t e r a l l , t h e Bastogne incident w a s j u s t one s e g m e n t of t h e e n t i r e A r d e n n e s campaign and, too, t h e r e w a s a long list of unsung h e r o t y p e s i n h i s c o m m a n d t h a t will n e v e r

"Bulge" Available April 1

Battle of t h e Bulge will not b e r e l e a s e d to t h e public until A p r i l 1 s t . A t t h a t t i m e , t h i s g a m e will be found a t m o s t of your l o c a l o u t l e t s o r d i r e c t l y f r o m Avalon Hill. Mail o r d e r s r e c e i v e d p r i o r t o t h i s d a t e cannot b e p r o c e s s e d until t h i s t i m e .

(Continued o n P a g e 2)

THE GENERAL
outstanding c o u n t e r - offensives f o r the B r i t i s h . But of a l l the many, many l e t t e r s r e c e i v e d , no two pedple had identical .plans. S e v e r a l of t h e m o r e "stirring" letters a r e re-printed elsew h e r e in t h i s i s s u e . A l s o , e l s e w h e r e i s o u r second f e a t u r e entitled "Staling r a d Re-played. "

PAGE 2
s t a r t allows f o r a s t r o n g f o r c e in Finland t h a t will e l i m i n a t e the m a x i m u m n u m b e r of G e r m a n Units allowed i n Finland within 4 t u r n s . Units not shown below will b e a s s u m e d t o be i n Finland. Note that m o s t of the f a s t e r moving R u s s i a n Units a r e placed in Finland a t the s t a r t .

. . a bi-monthly magazine mailed pretty close to the first day of January, March, May, July, Septen~berand November.
The Avalon Hill General is edited and published by the Aralon Hill Company, Baltimore, Maryland.
Copyright 1964 T . A . H. C. Baltimore, Maryland. Printed i n U S . A . .

RUSSIAN ORDER OF BAllLE

Stalingrad Re-Played
S t a l i n g r a d , introduced in 1963, h a s proven quite popular a s a g a m e of g r a n d s t r a t e g y . However, once p l a y e r s b e c o m e f a m i l i a r with i t , the R u s s i a n p l a y e r u s u a l l y h a s t h e b e s t of it. T h e German player must either catch his opponent napping o r t e a r into t h e R u s s i a n s with r e c k l e s s abandon r i g h t f r o m t h e s t a r t . The f o r m e r possibility is unlikely between top-flight p l a y e r s . But t h e l a t t e r , shown in a s e r i e s of r e capped m o v e s below, produced a f a i r l y e a s y G e r m a n v i c t o r y i n one of the m o s t s t a r t l i n g g a m e s e v e r w i t n e s s e d down i n our testing catacombs. Attack a t 1-2 In m o s t g a m e s the G e r m a n p l a y e r plods along t u r n a f t e r turn, attacking a t 3-1 o r b e t t e r . P l a y b e c o m e s s t e r e o typed a s Stalingrad and Moscow f a l l with t i m e running out b e f o r e L e n i n g r a d c a n be t a k e n f o r a G e r m a n victory. How, then, c a n the G e r m a n p l a y e r w i n ? One solution is in the unusual a p p r o a c h shown below. The G e r m a n p l a y e r a t t a c k s viciously - a t 1-2 odds m o s t of the time. S u r p r i s e d ? So w a s the R u s s i a n p l a y e r a s h e saw h i s defensive l i n e f o r c e d b a c k in m a n y p l a c e s t i m e after time. H e r e a r e the f i r s t 3 t u r n s of one of the m o s t unorthodox s c h e m e s e v e r s e e n on the S t a l i n g r a d gameboard: Official G r i d S y s t e m Since c u r r e n t S t a l i n g r a d M a p b o a r d s do no contain a n y g r i d n u m b e r s , we m u s t acquaint you r i g h t off w i t h o u r new s y s t e m . ( L e t t e r s A through WW r u n along the e a s t and w e s t e d g e s ; n u m b e r s 1 through 57 r u n along t h e n o r t h and south e d g e s . The l e t t e r s r e p r e s e n t the r o w s of s q u a r e s that r u n d i r e c t l y e a s t and w e s t s t a r t i n g in t h e n o r t h e a s t c o r n e r while the n u m b e r e d s q u a r e s a r e angled s o u t h w e s t e r l y ; lowe s t n u m b e r s beginning a t the southwest c o r n e r of the b o a r d . E x a m p l e s ; Sofia i s T T - 3 , W a r s a w i s 2 - 1 3 , Helsinki i s J-26, L e n i n g r a d i s K-31, Moscow i s S-34 and S t a l i n g r a d i s HH-36. ) Now, on with the g a m e . At the S t a r t F o r g e t about Finland. The d e f e n s i v e s e t u p f o r the R u s s i a n player a t t h e

McAuliffe Added to Staff

b e a c c o r d e d the plaudits they s o r i c h l y deserved. But t o check o v e r the g a m e f o r h i s t o r i c a l a c c u r a c y - y e s - he would b e m o s t happy t o do t h i s . T e s t - G a m e Not 100% A c c u r a t e On succeeding visits, General McAuliffe checked o v e r a l l t h e g a m e p a r t s . To o u r e m b a r r a s s m e n t h e found a n e r r o r i n t h e l i s t i n g of division i n h i s own command. He a l s o gave u s a l i t t l e known insight into the t r u e G e r m a n a t t a c k timetable. T h i s n e c e s s i t a t e d a sweeping change t o t h e T i m e R e c o r d C a r d and a change i n the conditions of v i c t o r y a l r e a d y s e t f o r t h in t h e prototypes being t e s t e d a t t h a t t i m e . He w a s a l s o quick to point out s o m e excellent source material for troop dispositions t h a t h e , h i m s e l f , w a s not a w a r e of a t the t i m e . T h e r e i s a good d e a l of outstanding s o u r c e s a v a i l a b l e a t public l i b r a r i e s on t h e Battle of the Bulge. After consulting m u c h of i t and tieing the conflicting ends together with G e n e r a l McAuliffels a i d we a r e a s confident of t h i s g a m e ' s a c c u r a c y a s we w e r e with Midway u n d e r the guidance of R e a r A d m i r a l C . Wade McClusky.. . who now i s joined by G e n e r a l McAuliffe on Avalon Hill's Technical A d v i s o r y Staff.

June 1941 - G e r m a n T u r n All F i n n s a n d 8 Attack F a c t o r s of G e r m a n Units a r e placed in Finland t o s t a r t . T h e s e Units will not b e l i s t e d below.

GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE

A Critique "Afrika Korps Re-Played"

In the November i s s u e we began a new f e a t u r e that r e c a p p e d a s e r i e s of m o v e s f o r A f r i k a K o r p s culmonating with a m a j o r d e c i s i o n r e q u i r e d on t h e p a r t of the G e r m a n p l a y e r . We a s k e d f o r - decision - a n d , man, we got your 'em. G e r m a n s Must A t t a c k T o b r u k The c o n s e n s u s of opinion w a s 62% i n f a v o r of attacking T o b r u k i m m e d i a t e l y . S e v e r a l s e n t i n excellent a t t a c k p l a n s , while quite a few c a m e up with s o m e

T h e G e r m a n player fights along e v e r y f r o n t . He g e t s t h r e e a u t o m a t i c s a g a i n s t t h e 2 - 3 - 6 ' s ; fights 12, 1-2 batt l e s plus one, 1 - 1 battle. According t o t h e l a w of a v e r a g e s the G e r m a n p l a y e r should l o s e half of a l l Units i n combat a t 1-2 while eliminating 116th

THE GENERAL
of the enemy and pushing back another 116th. The German player elected not to attack a t 1-1 for s e v e r a l reasons; he could only fight half a s many battles and his own elimination probability would s t i l l be the s a m e a s a t 1-2. While the German player engaged the Russians a l l along the front, he did not commit too many Units in the South. Units can really be tied up in this a r e a and a d v e r s e battle r e s u l t s can hamstring maneuverability h e r e . The North-central a r e a i s m o r e difficult to defend f o r the Russians thus a g r e a t e r concentration of German effort i s directed here. In fact, the only 1-1 battle being fought i s against Square U-20. And you will notice the clever tactic of including 4 Attack F a c t o r s ext r a (5th C o r p s ) than i s necessary. In the event an exchange o c c u r s the 5th Corps can c r o s s the r i v e r onto U-20. Battle Results, s t a r t i n g with the a t tack against R-18, a r e : (die r o l l s in parenthesis) 1. ( 1 ) Russian 24th r e t r e a t e d to P-20; German 3 r d c r o s s e s t o R-18. 2. ( 4 ) German 43rd, soaking off against Russian 28th. r e t r e a t e d to T-16. 3. ( 4 ) German R-4 and 26th r e t r e a t e d to U-16. Too bad because a victory h e r e (die r o l l of 1 ) would have enabled Germans to surround the Russian 28th a t S- 18. Attack $4 gives Germans another shot a t it. 4. ( 5 ) GermanR-Cavand 3R eliminated. Again, too bad - 2 chances to surround the 28th "shot. I ' 5. ( 1 ) Russian 65th r e t r e a t e d to S-21; German 53rd moved a c r o s s to U-20. (Movement of a l l 3 German Units would have left them open to becoming s u r rounded i n the event of a Russian counter-attack. ) 6. (6) German R-5 and 5R eliminated. 7. Russian 2-3-6 Unit automatically eliminated. 8. ( 3 ) German 49th and 10th r e t r e a t e d to X-14. 9. (3) German 9th and 30th. attacking Russian 8th in the stack, r e t r e a t e d to 2-13. 10. (4) German R- 1, soaking off against 1l t h , i s eliminated. 1 1. (6) German 13th. soaking off against 3rd, i s eliminated. 12. (2) German 8th and I l t h a n d R u s s i a n 29th eliminated in a n exchange. 13. (3) German R-2 and 6th r e t r e a t e d to CC-12. 14. Russian 2nd automatically eliminated. 15. (6) German R11 and 2nd, attacking Russian 37th in the stack, a r e eliminated. 16. (1) Russian 35th r e t r e a t e d to JJ-17. 17. ( 2 ) German4th a n d 4 3 r d a n d R u s s i a n 14th eliminated in a n exchange. 18. ( 5 ) German 29th and48th eliminated. 19. Russian 15th automatically eliminated.

PAGE 3

Total kill; Germans l o s t 50 attack fact o r s ; Russians l o s t 23 defense factors. June 1941

- Russian T u r n

RUSSIAN ORDER OF BAITLE

Now the overall effectiveness of the German gambit becomes apparent. The Russians a r e hurting a t the Nemunas River s o that they cannot even u s e i t another time a s a doubled-up defense line unless - t h e y counter-attack. The alternative is to pull a l l the way back t o the Divina River Minsk line which would mean giving up a n awful lot of t e r r i t o r y right a t the s t a r t of the campaign. But by attacking a t the Nemunas River, the Russians will give up l e s s ground. In addition, they can s t i l l cont r o l the pivotal position a t Brest-Litovsk. In the 21 t o 4 attack, the German 53rd is eliminated on a die r o l l of 6. Unfortunately, a die roll of 5 eliminated the Russian 24th in the 1-3 soak-off against the German 5th and 41st Units.

July 1941

German Turn

most s u r e l y pull out of there in his next turn anyway. The Russian position in the south i s becoming untenable especially since the Germans a r e allowed to move into Hungary on this 2nd turn. In this German turn, the Russians will l o s e a t l e a s t 12 defense factors, probably more. And from this point on, h e will be hard put to find enough Units to defend along the entire front. This p r e s s u r e put on in these f i r s t two turns might force the premature t r a n s f e r of Russian Units f r o m Finland which, in turn, will enable yet undefeated German and Finnish Units i n Finland to cause the German player a g r e a t deal m o r e h a r r a s s ment in that a r e a than expected. Battle Results, starting a t Riga, are: 1. (3) German 3 r d and 10th. attacking Russian 12th. r e t r e a t e d to P20. 2. (5) German R-4 and 26th. attacking Russian 64th, a r e eliminated. 3. ( 5 ) German 5th and 43rd andRussian 65th eliminated in an exchange. 4. Russian 27th surrounded and automatically eliminated a t 5- 1 odds. 5. ( 5 ) German 49th. soaking-off against Russian 3rd, i s eliminated. 6. (6) Russian 16th i s eliminated; German 12th and 23rd occupy GG- 12. 7. (3) German 1R and R-3 retreated to LL- 14. 8. ( 2 ) German 34th and 54th andRussian 9th a r e eliminated in an exchange. Even with the die r o l l s slightly against the German player, he has acquired much ground. Both sides have considerable l o s s e s with such situation hurting the Russian player much m o r e than the German player a t this -point. July 1941

GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE

g e ; g4 q ; q 9 4-4 m @ 4 p
EI&~ JA3 c a
~1

- Russian Turn

JL5 5 2

WI

RUSSIAN ORDER OF BAmE

T h e r e is a slight let-up i n t h e ferocity of the German attack plan. It i s not n e c e s s a r y to force the i s s u e west of the Bug River in the Brest-Litovsk a r e a because the Russian player will

The Russian player can no longer think attack h e must fall back in a way that delays German advance with l e a s t l o s s to h i s own. Since i t will be two turns before replacements come on, the Russian player can ill afford to throw out delay Units with reckless abandon. Thus he gives up considerable t e r r i t o r y in the north which i s now his weakest a r e a .

Aueust 1941

- German Turn

In his 3 r d Turn the German player cuts down on the ferocity of his offen-

THE GENERAL
sive; predicated mostly on the fact that the Russian player hasn't offered h i m much to attack.

GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE

The laps Have the Best of it In Midway

by John E. Curtis A m e r . fleet m u s t get off the f i r s t a s s a u l t , must do s o without having been previously discovered when h e was within range of the Jap fleet, m u s t do s o just before nightfall, and m u s t s u s tain a minimum of l o s s e s t o himself while inflicting a t l e a s t a s i x point l o s s upon his opponent. If this i s successfully done, the A m e r . fleet can afford to l o s e Midway island to the Japanese. But, the A m e r . fleet m u s t then continue to elude the Jap f l e e t f o r the r e m a i n d e r of the game, unless the f i r s t and subsequent dusk r a i d s have reduced Jap. a i r power by a t l e a s t one half, preferably two-thirds. It i s therefore essential that the A m e r . fighter f o r c e r e m a i n a t full strength, since i t i s nearly impossible f o r the A m e r . fleet to avoid a carefully placed Jap. c r u i s e r s c r e e n . Summary: The A m e r . f o r c e s a r e forced to r e l y upon luck to find the Jap. f l e e t ( s ) without being themselves detected during the day. On the other hand, if that Jap. contingent which comes on during the f i r s t d a y l i g h t t u r n s can avoid A m e r . r a i d s during the f i r s t day, the Jap. fleet c a l l s a l l the shots during the second day, and can deal out a s much a s i t r e c e i v e s , which i s disa s t e r p u s for the A m e r i c a n s . In other words, t h e r e i s need f o r something which would allow the A m e r . f l e e t to hide during the day, like weather, f o r instance. I haven't gone to the trouble of outlining a blow by blow description of how to defeat the A m e r . fleet, but I a m c e r t a i n that the Jap. fleet can make judicious u s e of a i r c a l l s and c r u i s e r screening to ( a ) elude A m e r . a i r calls, and ( b ) discover the A m e r . fleet. This inequality may not apply t o those who don't get a s involved with the games a s much a s the m o r e avid fans do, but i t i s , to u s e analogy, a s bad a s the initial inequality of the Afrika Korps game bef o r e that game was modified.

Battle Results, s t a r t in a t U-22, a r e : 1. Russian 42nd i s automatically eliminated a t 7 - 1. 2. (1) Russian 17th i s eliminated a t
3-1.

'-

3. Russian 1l t h i s surrounded and automatically eliminated a t 5- 1. 4. ( 2 ) German 7th and 35th and R u s s i a n 22nd a r e eliminated in an exchange. 5. ( 1 ) Russian 37th r e t r e a t e d to GG-18; German R - 3 and 1R move a c r o s s the r i v e r to ii- 17. Suddenly the G e r m a n picture in the south looks much b r i g h t e r . The key battle was #5 above. But even if that battle had been l o s t , where a r e a l l the Russ i a n Units? Thus in just t h r e e t u r n s , t h e R u s s i a n situation h a s disintegrated. And a s the game turned out, the G e r m a n player p r e s s e d h i s advantage in the south eventually taking Stalingrad f i r s t . The Russian player brought Units out of Finland and halted the G e r m a n advance in the north t o a s n a i l ' s pace especially since the G e r m a n player changed to a conservative offense. The Russian player went c r a z y switching h i s Units between f r o n t s and finally called i t quits in September 1942 with but a half dozen Units on b o a r d and Stalingrad and Moscow in enemy hands. Sure-fire Plan? In r e t r o s ~ e c we do not f e e l that the t luck-of-the-die was with the G e r m a n if anything, i t went against player him. I s this approach, then, the s u r e f i r e plan f o r winning with the G e r m a n ? Experimentation will produce a b e t t e r s t a r t i n g Russian set-up but r e g a r d l e s s of where they a r e placed, the German player should attack in the s a m e ferocious manner a s shown above. T r y i t and see. Maybe YOU can come up with the fool-proof Russian plan that countera c t s the s u r e - f i r e G e r m a n plan.

4 ) Immediately g a r r i s o n C8- 16 with units f r o m my IV Corps and replacement units, a s well a s my second a r m y headquarters missile. 5 ) Position my 11-C units on the East side of C19-27, and my 111-C on the West side of C27-29. 6 ) Seize 3-28 by paratroop a s s a u l t and g a r r i s o n i t with a few units f r o m my r e p l a c e m e n t units. 7 ) Advance my I-C toward my capital f o r a n eventual s e a a s s a u l t . 8 ) P r o t e c t my a r m o r e d division in the Red Capital by landing amphibious units a t 11-3 to prevent a counter attack by R e d ' s I-C. It i s a l s o imperative to s e a l the bridge e n t r i e s to the Red capital. Thus the f i r s t move ends with four Red cities captured and s e v e r a l valuable pieces destroyed o r captured. WherevGr Red attempts to counter a t tack, my I-C i s ready to augment my troops. If R e d ' s m i s s i l e i s captured, mopping up h i s I-C becomes easy, and then his 13-16 becomes f a i r l y easy to attack on the next turn. Once his island a r e a i s s e c u r e , my a r m o r e d units coll e c t e d t h e r e can b e rushed by s e a , if n e c e s s a r y , t o overcome any counter attack which might b e aimed up the middle. Usually Red can never r e cover f r o m the initial s u r g e and makes a final stand in t h e SW s e c t o r . Any comments you maywish to offer may be a d d r e s s e d to: Ronald Lininger, 3592 R e a l i s t i c Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Make These Schools Your Choice

In answer t o many of you who thought that l a s t i s s u e ' s bit on colleges was a jolly thing to do, we a r e listing additional schools and the n a m e s of Avalon Hill people with whom we have been in recent 'Ontact: John S. P i t z e r a t U. of
Wisconsin. Madison; Stephen Barnett a t Williams College, Williamston, Mass; Cadet B r i a n Clevenger #81 a t Penn. Military College, Chester, P a ; Arthur L. McClure a t Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, Maynard Calick a t N. Y. State University College, New Paltz, N. Y. ; Robert Dieli a t Boston College, Boston; Robert M o r s z a l e n a t Norwich U., Northfield, Vermont; William P. Flanagan a t North Georgia College, Dahlonega; Tim McGarry a t U. of Maryland, College P a r k ; George D. J. Phillies a t M. I. T., Cambridge, M a s s ; Gerald Swanson a t Michigan State, E. Lansing; Michael Humphrey a t S h i m e r College. Mount C a r r o l l , Illinois; Cadet Richard Thoden, West Point, N. Y.; John M. L. Yount, Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn; William R. Douglas a t Utah U., Salt Lake City.

A Blue First Move

in Tactics II
by Ronald Lininger 1 ) Position a l l my a r m o r n e a r a s possible to C43-43, the capital and C28-51, in the initial s e t up of my pieces. 2 ) Seize C8-16 by paratroop assault. a f t e r destroying Red's 1 s t Headquarters. 3 ) Attack Red's F i r s t A r m y Group Headquarters with 3 a r m o r e d units (giving m e 6- 1 and a 50% chance of capturing the valuable m i s s i l e .

THE GENERAL

PAGE 5
Q: Can Jap Battleships that a r e on the Midway square use their surface combat factors to reduce Midway's relative fortification strength? A: No, their surface combat factors screening factors a r e of no value against Midway. The only effect their presence has in reducing Midway's relative fortification strength i s a t the r a t e of 1 point f o r each battleship for each turn. Q: Is i t legal to attack a position, and after learning what's there, call off the dive bombers and torpedo planes and send them home without attacking, but engage in a fighter dual? A: Yes.

AFRIKA KORPS: Q: Suppose movement after combat, say onto an escarpment, places the attacker adjacent to any enemy Supply Unitat the end of the turn, does he capture that Supply Unit? A: No. Capture cannot occur after combat h a s been resolved. Q: Can you move directly from E-18 to F-19? A: No. In addition, attacks between opposing Units on these squares i s not allowed. Q: Suppose a German 4-5-6 Unit a t tacks two Allied 2-2-6 Units doubled up in Tobruk. Odds a r e 1 to 2 and an exchange occurs. Should one o r both Allied Units be removed? A: No.. remove just one 2-2-6 Unit. The rule of thumb is: the weaker side removes a l l of his Units. If the weaker side was the attacker, then the stronger side removes Units whose defense fact o r s (computed a t b a s i c , double o r triple depending upon t e r r a i n ) total a t l e a s t that of the weaker side's attack factors removed. If the weaker side was the defender, then the stronger side r e moves Units whose attack factors total a t l e a s t that of the weaker s i d e ' s defense factors (computed a t basic, double o r triple depending upon t e r r a i n ) removed. Q: If a Supply Unit i s adjacent to a friendly Unit and an enemy combat Unit places itself adjacent to the Supply Unit but not to the combat Unit, i s the Supply Unit captured? A: Yes, and i t can be moved and used in combat in that s a m e turn.

&
Question Box

o r

sTALINGRAD: Correcting a n e r r o r in the January issue the question is repeated: Q: If a stack of two Units has been s u r rounded and the top Unit has been eliminated but the bottom Unit survived, can the surviving Unit move one square to get better odds in his forced attack ? A: No. He must attack where he is unless -it i s possible f o r him to move completely out of enemy zones of cont r o l in which case he may re-enter that enemy zone f r o m a different square. Q: Can Rumanian troops be started in Poland o r Finland? A: Yes, either place.

CONTEST NO. 6
The "General" completes i t s f i r s t full year of publication with this issue. The enthusiasm generated by subs c r i b e r s for this publication has been overwhelming. As s o r t of a bonus feature, especially for those whose subscriptions run out with this issue, we a r e making contest #6 one of a "general" nature s o that all will have an equal chance to win. Are Youa Typical AvalonHill G a m e s t e r ?

popular, "2" next to the second m o s t popular, etc. How To Enter This contest i s f r e e to all subs c r i b e r s . Simply fill in the Sales Popularity F o r m and mail to; The Avalon Hill Company, 210 W. 28th Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21211 - - Contest Dept. Entries m u s t be postmarkedon o r before April 4, 1965. P r i n t your name and address clearly and make s u r e you l i s t the Avalon Hill game you wish as winning prize. Those of you who do not want to mutilate your magazine may send a copy o r photostat. Naturally, only one to a subscriber allowed. Ten Winners Ten (10) winners will be named. T i e s will be broken in favor of the ent r a n t s who come closest to guessing the total number of Midway games that have been sold up to December 31, 1964.

If you think that you a r e the average Avalon Hill player, this contest will be a snap to win.. all you have to do i s to select which of the Avalon Hill games you thinkwere the most popular in 1964. We have listed every game in alphabetical order. Tothe left state their o r d e r of popularity by placing the number "1I' next to your choice for the m o s t

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-CUT

HERE-

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Q: Can a 7-7-10 Unit that i s isolated attack a 1 1-6 Unit to break out of the isolation?. A: Yes; because this attack c r e a t e s an automatic victory situation which in turn eliminates the 1- 1-61 s zone of control which in turn c r e a t e s a c l e a r path from the isolated 7-7-10 Unit to a Supply Unit outside the isolation.

SALES POPULARITY
I I

Afrika Korps

I
I

Baseball Strategy Bismarck

U-Boat Verdict I1 Waterloo

MIDWAY: Q: Suppose a player attacks a ship with say, 12 Torpedo Squadrons. Does he have to use a T-12 counter o r can he break it down into two o r m o r e counters totaling 12 squadrons ? A: Yes. However, r e m e m b e r that one screening ship may f i r e at all of those counters providing they a r e attacking the same ship f r o m the s a m e rectangle. Q: If a ship i s sunk before all a i r attacks on it have been resolved, can the remaining sqtiadrons shift their attack to another ship? A: No. Once the commitment h a s been made, all a i r c r a f t sqiiadrons must go through with the attacks.

I I

D-Day Dispatcher

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I

TIE Breaker: Midway Games sold up to December 31, 1964.

Football Strategy Gettysburg (all versions) Le Mans Management Midway

NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE Avalon Hill P r i z e

Stalingrad Tactics I1

THE GENERAL
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--letters,

Yes We Get Letters.. .

Sir: Afrika Korps-Re-played and Rehashed requests, a t the tail of the article, comments f r o m the 'armchair generals1. What would I, a s Rommel do a t the end of the May 2 t u r n ? Cry ! The a r t i c l e might better be titled, "How to lose the Africa Korps in Four Turns. l 1 Without bothering to send a full situation r e p o r t we shall go to the Allied May 2 turn. The Knights bridge 'Gap1 a t J-25 allows the allied to encircle the majority of the Korps and the movement of 7A-2 to R-25 prevents even a single counter move in the June 1 turn for the Germans. The f i r s t requirement for any good general, a r m c h a i r o r otherwise, i s a thorough appreciation of the strategic and - tactical situation. This i s a wargame a n d a s such i s different f r o m War presenting a different situation. 'It doesn't happen Arguments that.. that way in r e a l life. ', a r e merely excuses for failing to recognize and J a m e s G. appreciate a situation.. Smith, 3219 Chadwick Dr., Los Angeles Calif. 90032.

PAGE 6

New Mail Play Equipment

Play-by-Mail Pads a r e now available for D-Day, Stalingrad, and Waterloo. As on the Tactics I1 and Gettysburg Pads, introduced l a s t year, both Army's Order of Battle sheets a r e on the same Pad. Thus it is only necessary to purchase one Pad regardless of which side you take. Pads for all 6 of the Play-by-Mail games a r e 50$ each, postpaid in the United States and Canada. Instructions, sufficient for all games, costs 15$. New Play-by-Mail Pads for Afrika Korps a r e also available. These, too. have both Army's on the same Pad. When playing Waterloo, D-Day and Stalingrad by mail it will be necessary for you to establish your own gridsystem a s grid coordinates have not a s yet been printed on the mapboards of these particular games. We will eventually have them printed a s soon a s it becomes necessary to print new mapboards. Play-by-Mail m a t e r i a l must be ordered directly from us. it i s not available in any r e t a i l outlets. F o r speedy delivery, add 65$ Special Delivery Charge.

more of a (pardon the pun) Korpse than anything else. Let me now unfold for you what I call, for want of a better name, Plan Gotterdamerung. The f i r s t phase of the plan will entail the destruction of the Germans immediate source of supplies. This will be accomplished by the 31 Motorized Brigade, the 3 1st will move down to KnightSbridge and then a c r o s s Rommel's HQ and out to the road, i t will proceed up the road, destory the German supply and block the pass on square F-18. This i s the main blow, the r e s t i s something of a n anti-climax, although just a s important. Next the pass below Mechili will be blocked to prevent the r e s t of the German supply f r o m being brought into play. Also, the German Infantry unit and Recon Battalion below Tobruck will be surrounded. These moves a r e : 7A/1-L26 4115-N-25 7A/2-M-22 4117-1-26 9A/20-G-25 41111-M-30 Pol- J-28 Supply #1-G-25 22 Gds-J-20 Supply #2-1-28 7131-F-18 Supply #3-K-62 Now that I have tipped my hand i t ' s your turn. F e s s up now! You werenF t serious when you published that article, o r were you? Whatever the answer i s I would certainly appreciate a reply. James F. Dunnigan, 85 12 Fifth Ave. , Brooklyn 11209. AH Note: Ve giff op!

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Discount Offer
The Coupon shownbelow i s for the benefit of the full-year subscriber. As soon a s you have accumulated 4 such coupons, 1 each from this and succeeding issues. you a r e entitled to a $1.00 discount applied t o the purchase of any Avalon Hill game. Here's how i t works Each coupon i s worth 25$. But one coupon alone does not entitle you to a 25$ credit. You must accumulate 4 different coupons before taking advantage of the $1.00 credit. When you have accumulated 4 coupons, then you clip them a l l together and send them in with your o r d e r for a n Avalon Hill game. When ordering in this manner, you simply send u s a check o r money-order for $1.00 l e s s than the usual retail value of the game. Coupons a r e valid only when ordering games by mail directly from The Avalon Hill Company. Coupons can not be redeemed a t any retail outlet.

Sir: In reference to your January i s s u e of the "The General", come now, you must be joking. When you said that the original British move could have been improved upon, you became guilty of the greatestunderstatement of the year. When I, a s the British Commander, get through with the Afrika Korps i t will be

Contest #5 Ends in 11-Way Tie

Congratulations a r e in order for the following who a l l turned in identical winning entries. The criterion was based on lowest effective ratio taking into consideration Chance Table probabilities and the fact that each l1hitl1 against the C a r r i e r Akagi was worth twice that of the Mogami in points earned. The winning entry showed: Those submitting the above entry, in o r d e r of receipt a r e : , Carlton Lett, 5 Minetta Street, N.Y. , N.Y. Laurence Rusiecki, 34 Sharon S t . , Brooklyn, N. Y. Ed Blackmore, 1032 Colgate Drive, Tucson, Arizona. Thomas Fancher, 26 River Street, Sidney, N. Y. John Nichols, 5606 23rd Parkway, Hillcrest Heights, Md. Mark Maxim. 71 Hillcrest Drive, Spencerport, N. Y. Richard Horvath, 12306 Shady Oak Blvd. , Garfield Hgts. Ohio. Lawrence Uzzell, 42 P r e s c o t t St., Garden City, N. Y. 9. Charles Hickok, Windy Hill, H a r r i s burg, Pennsylvania. 10. Michael McCabe. 1460 N. W. 61st Ave. , F o r t Lauderdale, Fla. 11. Norman A. MacDonald, 3110 Washington St., Boston. Mass.

TZ

Haruna

SAVE THIS COUPON

GOOD ONLY WHEN APPLIED TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF AVALON HILL GAMES

THE GENERAL

PAGE 7
eagerly gobbled up by the Summit Conference, a club started in Illinois, and after practical rule maneuvers, the f i r s t m. c. p-b-m game was born in the f o r m of a Tactics I1 game which is, a t present, running smoothly. This f o r m of game was a non-complicated, fun method f o r fourteen persons. With the Summit Conference s e t of rules, a turn would take about a month, longer than dual play-by-mail games. but shortest possible for almost any other kind of m. c. p-b-m games. Also with these rules, an ultimate idea in wargaming i s born--Armies ! Armies a r e a group ofAH players in one club. I have noticed advertisements for several clubs of play-by-mail fans already and this i s ' a step in the right direction, yet these a r e clubs where members play against each other. I propose a club where members play with each other against other clubs! Any present club that wishes may write to m e about this m. c. p-b-m advantage. If asked, I could send a l i s t of a l l persons to whom I have sent instructions and these will be a r m i e s to challenge. I suggest that no more than 12 memb e r s be in a club, otherwise i t becomes l e s s personal and l e s s fun, however. a l a r g e club could boast of four o r five a r m i e s which play other clubs o r even each other. All who wish to s t a r t their own m. c. p-b-m a r m y and be able to play in one of the f i r s t m.c.p-b-m games simpl y write to m e at: 6235 S. 75th Ave., Argo, Ill. I will send a copy of the Summit Conferences's m.c.p-b-m rules. To British Western Desert Force: be located in thevicinity of Fuka (K-53). 7thArmDiv(two 4-4-7's and the S.G. ) 4th IndDiv(four i- 1- 6's ) Ind InfBdes(tw0 1-1-6's) Italian F o r c e s : - Divided into three groups: Tenth Army: Locate in the vicinity of Bardia(H-32) in Lybia. Five InfDivs(two 2-2-4's and three 2-3-4's) ~ i ~ TankBns(Use Folgore but r e h t duce to 1-1-6) Corps: - Locate about Gazala (G-21) Three InfDivs(one 2-3-4 and two 22-4-'9) Corps: Locate about Benghazi (H-2)

Play-by-Mail Table for Afrika Korps

The l a t e s t instruction revision to Afrika Korps incorporated a German Supply table that necessitated a die roll for supplies a t the beginning of every turn. F o r those playing this game by mail i t i s necessary t o provide a Playby-Mail Results Table t o determine whether o r not the German player i s due supplies a t the beginning of every turn. The German player automatically receives one Supply Unit a t the beginning of the game. But a t the end of the Allied f i r s t turn, the Allied player selects a Stock for Supplies in the s a m e manner he does when conducting a t tacks. Upon receipt of the Allied turn, the German player checks the Stock t r a n s action r e s u l t s to s e e if he gets a Supply Counter a t the s t a r t of his 2nd turn. F o r all April 1941 through June 1941 turns, last-digit r e s u l t s of 1. 2 and 3 "sinks" the supplies; July through November 1941, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 sinks supplies; December through the end of the game. 1 and 2 sinks supplies. The above procedure i s followed by both players, a t the end of every turn of the game.

Wargameis Newsletter
Donald F. Featherstone's Wargamer's Newsletter s e e m s to be getting thicker a t each printing. Obviously, the word i s spreading about the v a s t amount of interesting a r t i c l e s included in this periodical. While it c a t e r s m o r e to the devotee of ''sand box battles1' nevertheless we recommend it because of the lengthy discussions of battle tactics and strategies that can very well be applied to Avalon Hill wargaming. In addition, there i s always a recommended book l i s t plus many and sundry articles of i n t e r e s t on the use of r e a l i s tic models of t e r r a i n features and soldiers themselves. F o r complete information, write to: Wargamer's Newsletter, D. F. Featherstone, Editor, 59 Hill Lane. Southampton, England.

9 December 1940
By Albert A. Nofi The 9th day of December 1940 is the opening day of S i r Richard O'Connor's brilliant d e s e r t offensive which resulted in the virtual annihilation of Marshal Rudolfo Graziani's far superior--in everything but equipment--Italian a r m y in Lybia. When Afrika Korps was issued many may have noted, a s I did, that the game begins in April 1941 with the a r r i v a l of Rommel in the deserts. There a r e most excellent reasons historically. and probably also production-wise, a s to why this was so, however such a truly brilliant operation a s O'Connor's was should not be ignored. F o r those interested in trying their hands a t generaling in this campaign. I offer this scheme for converting the Afrika Korps equipment into material for use in duplicating the e a r l i e r campaign. - Mapboard: - As in Afrika Korps in a l l particulars.

Two InfDivs(one 2-2-4 and one German InfRegt but reduce to 2-3-4) The play should follow a l l Afrika, Korps rules except these governing supply units. Such pieces a r e to be excluded from the play for no other reason than that I a m unable to figure out how to include them (Help? ). To be isolated a unit must be cut off from i t ' s home base. The opening turn will be the f i r s t week of September 1940 giving some fourteen bi-monthly turns before Romme1 a r r i v e s in April 1941 a t which time the game ends. If the Italians avoid defeat by the l a s t March 1941 turn they have won. Otherwise the rules for victory a r e a s in Afrika Korps. The British player, though numeric- . ally inferior, has the better troops and equipment and i t i s upon him that the main burden of play falls since the weakness of the Italian forces precludes really active Italian participation until the lighter British forces have been eliminated. Comments and suggestions should be directed to Albert A. Nofi, 85-17 9 l s t Avenue, Woodhaven, N. Y. 11421.

Naval Affairs
1
t

Walter Guerry Green I11 P . 0. Box 621 Burlington, N. Carolina

- B %

3,

Bismarck Modified
by Walter Guerry Green, I11 L a s t i s s u e I promised to write on some of my ideas for the modification of Bismarck. Accordingly. I will s t a r t with some of the simpler ones and devote a l a t e r a r t i c l e to my more complex theories. All of the changes included h e r e a r e of such a nature that they require no r e a l modification of the set.

Multiple Commander Play-by-Mail Game

by Donald Paul Balla As f a r a s I know, multiple commander play-by-mail (m. c. p-b-m) games originated in idea in California by the Woodland Hills club. This idea .was

THE GENERAL
E n e l i s h Channel Can B e Used T o s t a r t off with t h e b o a r d , I allow movement i n both t h e I r i s h S e a a n d t h e English Channel, both of which a r e out of bounds on the n o r m a l b o a r d . F o r p r a c t i c a l r e a s o n s I d o not allow t h e G e r m a n s t o u s e t h e I r i s h S e a , but both s i d e s m a y u s e the Channel. T h i s is f i r m l y b a s e d on r e a l i t y a s one m a y s e e e a s i l y by studying t h e f a m o u s G e r m a n Channel Dash of F e b r u a r y 1942 when the b a t t l e s h i p s S c h a r n h o r s t and Gneisnau a c c o m p a n i e d by t h e c r u i s e r P r i n z Eugen r a n f r o m B r e s t u p t h e Channel t o B r u n s buttel, sustaining only m i n o r m i n e d a mage. I deny t h e G e r m a n s u s e of t h e I r i s h S e a b e c a u s e h e r e they would b e without a i r c o v e r and exposed t o t h e full f o r c e of RN light c r a f t a n d R A F B o m b e r and C o a s t a l C o m m a n d s . A second change is t h a t I allow Rodney -t o u s e h e r s e c o n d a r y guns f o r s t e r n f i r e , which is only l o g i c a l when one considers that i t was possible to bring 8 of h e r 12 6" guns t o b e a r i n that direction. Iri f a c t if m y s o u r c e s a r e c o r r e c t , s h e w a s designed e s p e c i a l l y s o t h a t h e r s e c o n d a r i e s could i n s o m e way c o v e r t h i s v u l n e r a b l e a-rea. Convov R e s t r i c t i o n s R e g a r d i n g convoys I h a v e m a d e i t i m p o s s i b l e t o h a v e and therefcfre t o a t t a c k convoys i n a r e a s 8 A , B. C, D, E , F, G, H a n d 7 F , G, H. It is inconceiva b l e t o m e t h a t convoys would b e found i n t h e s e a r e a s when i t w a s known t h a t a n e n e m y capital v e s s e l w a s a l s o c l o s e by. Even o t h e r w i s e i t is difficult t o i m a g i n e finding a full s i z e B r i t i s h convoy a t t h e e n t r a n c e t o St. N a z a i r e , although Chan-n e l convoys w e r e quite common.

PAGE 8

New England
T h o m a s S. L a F a r g e Groton School Groton, M a s s a c h u s e t t s EDITOR - New England covering Maine, V e r m o n t , New H a m p s h i r e , Massachu-. s e t t s , Connecticut and Rhode Island.

would b e somewhat l e s s deadly if a S t a t e - l e v e l championship w e r e r u n off f i r s t , b e c a u s e then one would b e handl i n g s i x t o u r n a m e n t s , e a c h with r a t h e r m o r e manageable quantities of people. State Champs v s S t a t e Champs Then e a c h of the s i x s t a t e Champions would play each of the o t h e r five, b e s t two g a m e s out of t h r e e , and the one with the m o s t v i c t o r i e s would be The New England Champion. The one d r a w back to this i d e a i s that i t would r e p r e s e n t much m o r e of a n a c h i e v e m e n t t o be M a s s a c h u s e t t s Champion, s a y , that it would t o be Rhode Island Champion, b e c a u s e , judging f r o m t h e S u b s c r i b e r s ' D i r e c t o r y , t h e r e a r e m o r e Avalon Hill f a n s i n t h e f o r m e r s t a t e than in the l a t t e r . However, I ' m l e a v i n g t h i s one up t o t h o s e who want t o e n t e r . Another p r o b l e m , t h a t will involve s o m e e f f o r t on the p a r t of the c o n t e s t a n t s , is the a r r a n g e m e n t of m e e t i n g s f o r play-offs. 'ILivet' m a t c h e s a r e p r e f e r a b l e t o Play-by-Mail s i n c e not everybody h a s a P l a y - b y - M a i l s e t , a n d s i n c e they t a k e m u c h l e s s t i m e . Hopefully many of t h e f i r s t s e r i e s of m a t c h e s c a n take p l a c e between f r i e n d s and n e i g h b o r s , s u c h t h a t only r e a s o n a b l y b i g w i n n e r s m a y have t o go out of t h e i r w a y s , and I r e s p e c t f u l l y s u b m i t i t m a y b e worth t h e i r while a t t h a t level. If you c a n s e e a b e t t e r way of a r ranging NEMESIS, o r ways of ironing out one o r a n o t h e r p r o b l e m , p l e a s e s e n d it in. But i n a n y event, g i r d yourselves; sharpen the swords, oil the m a c e , polish the a n c e s t r a l a r m o r , and shoot in your p o s t c a r d s . T h i s is a Call t o A r m s : NEMESIS s t r i k e s f o r speedy mobilization. Eventually, and t h e idea is d e a r to o u r h e a r t , t h e r e m a y be a National T o u r n a m e n t , and we m u s t have o u r m a n r e a d y t o plunge into t h e f r a y . Gentlemen of New England, NEMESIS c a l l upon you t o s t a n d up and be counted when the t r u m p e t sounds.

A Call to Arms
by T h o m a s S. L a F a r g e Gentlemen of Maine, of New Hamps h i r e and V e r m o n t , of Connecticut, M a s s a c h u s e t t s , a n d Rhode Island, I b i d you r i s e t o g r e e t the advent of a G e n e r a l T o u r n a m e n t designed t o s e t t l e the p r e s s ing question of Championship in t h i s c o r n e r of the country: the New England M i l i t a r y E x e r c i s e s Sealing Interyankee Solidity. Gentlemen, (with g l i t t e r i n g w i n e - g l a s s r a i s e d high in t h e a i r i n a n attitude of s a l u t e ) I give you NEMESIS. The time has come for a hero to a r i s e , t o defend t h e honor of New England against all comers. T h e way I conceive of t h i s plan, NEMESIS will b e r u n l i k e a tennis m a t c h , t o wit, a n individual b a t t l e will b e fought and the winner will move up t o the next s t a g e - w h e r e t h e r e will only b e half a s m a n y c o n t e s t a n t s a s i n the l a s t s t a g e , t h e s e being t h e w i n n e r s i n t h a t s t a g e a n d play s o m e o n e e l s e , and the winner of t h a t will move up, and s o on through - s e m i - f i n a l s a n d f i n a l s t o t h e Championship. If you have the g r e a t good f o r t u n e t o b e a New E n g l a n d e r , a n d would l i k e . t o e n t e r , (and if you h a v e n o n - s u b s c r i b ing f r i e n d s who might l i k e t o e n t e r ) p l e a s e send m e a p o s t - c a r d , a t the a d d r e s s above, stating: a ) y o u r n a m e a n d a d d r e s s ; b ) t h e Avalon Hill g a m e s t h a t you own, l i s t e d i n o r d e r of p r e f e r e n c e f o r u s e i n a m a t c h , and not f o r g e t t i n g t o mention what P l a y - b y - M a i l s e t s you own; c ) t h e n a m e s of a n y people that you know a r e e n t e r i n g , and t h a t you would both l i k e a n d be a b l e t o play - this will g r e a t l y h e l p p r o b l e m s of initial o r g a n i zation; a n d d ) whether you a r e i n f a v o r of the i d e a of i n t e r m e d i a t e s t a t e c h a m pionships a s explained below. T h e s e c a r d s should b e i n m y hands by M a r c h 17th, s i n c e m y E a s t e r vacation begins a r o u n d then, and t h a t ' s when I ' l l s t a r t o r g a n i z i n g things. The starting set-up may be a little u n f a i r , s i n c e i t ' s not v e r y p r o b a b l e t h a t the n u m b e r of e n t r i e s will b e e x a c t l y thirty-two o r sixty-four, which would b e perfect numbers a s f a r a s setting t h e t o u r n a m e n t up g o e s ; t h i s m e a n s s o m e people would b e a b l e t o s t a r t i n a l a t e r s t a g e than o t h e r s . T h e p r o b l e m

A final change is t h a t I allow t h e G e r m a n s t o b e f r e e of a i r a t t a c k i n a r e a s 8 E , F, G, H and 7 F. G,H. T h e s e a r e a s a r e c l o s e enough t o a x i s t e r r i t o r y t h a t a b a l a n c e of a i r equality would e x i s t allowing t h e G e r m a n s t o c o v e r t h e i r v e s s e l with p r o t e c t i v e f i g h t e r s . Optional air s u p p o r t m i g h t a l s o b e allowed i n 8 A, B, C, D with a r o l l of 2 , 4 , o r 6 defeating air a t t a c k s ' b e f o r e t h e y a r e even a b l e t o launch t h e i r weapons. We s e e m t o h a v e e n t e r e d a n o t h e r phase i n t h e p e r p e t u a l s u b m a r i n e q u e s tion. M r . J. K. N o r r i s i n f o r m s m e t h a t the I m p e r i a l War M u s e u m h a s a n e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t v e r s i o n of the a c t i o n r e l a t e d i n m y l a s t column. A p p a r e n t l y i t w a s the T o r r i c e l l i which w a s engaged i n t h e R e d S e a , a n d s h e w a s s u n k with n o l o s s t o H. M. s h i p s . T h e n e x t d a y HMS K h a r t o u m w a s d a m a g e d b y a n i n t e r n a l explosion of a t o r p e d o air v e s s e l and had to b e beached to prevent sinking. It s e e m s t h a t until f u r t h e r challenge m y contention h a s b e e n upheld again.

Middle Atlantic

V i c t o r Madeja 287 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y. 11211 EDITOR - - Middle Atlantic covering New York, New J e r s e y a n d Pennsylvania.

Stalingrad
by Victor Madeja On D e c e m b e r 5, -G e r m a n pene1941 t r a t i o n s into R u s s i a extended f r o m the s i e g e of L e n i n g r a d i n t h e North t o j u s t W of Rostov i n t h e South. T h e b a t t l e f o r Moscow had l e f t t h e G e r m a n s 25

THE GENERAL
m i l e s N of Moscow a n d 100 m i l e s SE of the city. In a g a m e i t i s v e r y r a r e that the G e r m a n player d o e s even one of t h e s e things in twice the t i m e , if a t all. T h e r e a r e s e v e r a l changes that could b e m a d e in the p r e s e n t r u l e s t o provide a m o r e r e a l i s t i c situation. 1. Use automatic v i c t o r y a s outlined in A f r i k a ' K o r p s . 2. Make two months = t o 3 t u r n s (movement unchanged). 3. The G e r m a n p l a y e r can not u s e R a i l r o a d section f o r one t u r n a f t e r h e c a p t u r e s it. It would t a k e about 3 weeks to r e p a i r a l l d a m a g e a n d change the gauge of the t r a c k s t o s u i t t h e m t o G e r m a n locomotives. 4. F i n l a n d - a ) The defense f a c t o r of a l l Finnish units i s doubled i n Finland. The n u m e r o u s l a k e s (250/oof the t e r r a i n ) provide s t r o n g defensive bottlenecks, and l a r g e "home guard'' a r m y would g r e a t l y l i m i t a n a t t a c k e r ' s gains. In the Soviet-Finnish W a r , N of L a k e L a doga, about 4 divisions stopped a l l a t t a c k s of 3 Soviet A r m i e s (17 d i v + ) . b ) No G e r m a n Units allowed in F i n land. Although t h e r e w e r e two Mt. C o r p s ( f r o m Norway), both of t h e s e o p e r a t e d t o the n o r t h of t h e g a m e b o a r d area. 5. Replacements: G e r m a n s r e c e i v e 3 f a c t o r s p e r t u r n in W a r s a w (2nd t u r n on). R u s s i a n - Sept. 1941 (5th t u r n ) Leningrad, Moscow, a n d S t a l i n g r a d a r e each 3 f a c t o r s ; Dec. 1941 additions Kubishev i s worth 3 a n d Maikop, 1 (total: 13); May 1942 additions Grozny, Batum a n d A r c h a n g e l a r e each 1 (total: 16). Optional T h e s e two r u l e s a r e flexible enough t o b e changed a t your d i s c r e s s i o n t o shift play b a l a n c e e i t h e r way (if you find i t unsuitable). a ) F o r e v e r y 3 shaded c i t i e s the R u s s i a n c o n t r o l s (excluding Moscow, Stalingrad, a n d L e n i n g r a d ) , he r e c e i v e s 1 f a c t o r (maximum: 4 ) . The G e r m a n g e t s 1 f a c t o r f o r e v e r y 6 such c i t i e s h e c a p t u r e s ( t h e r e a r e 15 of t h e m ) . Tow a r d s the end of t h e w a r about 1 company of e a c h G e r m a n battalion w a s R u s s i a n - n e a r l y 1 million s o l d i e r s . b ) In addition, f o r e v e r y 8 defense f a c t o r s d e s t r o y e d 1 def. infantry f a c t o r i s r e c r e a t e d . T h i s a p p l i e s only t o t h o s e units t h a t h a d a r e t r e a t r o u t e a n d w e r e not automatically eliminated. The G e r m a n d o e s not r e c e i v e t h i s d u r i n g Snow months. All above R u s s i a n r e p l a c e m e n t s r e f e r t o defensive f a c t o r s , they a r e placed in the t h r e e p r i m a r y c i t i e s o r i n Kubishev. My p u r p o s e in r e d i s t r i b u t ing r e p l a c e m e n t c e n t e r s w a s t o give e m p h a s i s to: population ( m a j o r c i t i e s and E a s t e r n R u s s i a b y way of Kubishev), r a w m a t e r i a l s ( C a u c a s u s ) , Lend L e a s e (Archangel), a s well a s i n d u s t r i a l a n d political c e n t e r s . I have found t h a t t h e s e r u l e s often provide a highly i n t e r e s t i n g a n d r e a l i s t i c game. Foul: g a m e s involved a 194142 Winter battle f o r Moscow. by H i l a r y Smith

PAGE 9

We Include Naval Power

F i r s t . I would l i k e t o apologize t o .he people (Alas, n u m e r o u s ) who have written m e and r e c e i v e d no a n s w e r . l'o you, I apologize. O r e a n i z i n e Navies on the Board T h i s i s s u e I a m going t o w r i t e on low we o r g a n i z e the navies on o u r 3oard. We do not put a l l the n a m e ships on the b o a r d , but r a t h e r the major s h i p s such a s battleships, c a r r i e r s , heavy c r u i s e r s and s o on. F o r the m i n o r s h i p s w e put t h e m into groups. two o r t h r e e t o a group. This i s done mainly f o r light c r u i s e r s . F o r d e s t r o y e r s we put t h e m into c l a s s e s by which t h e r e m a y b e up to 25 ships i n a c l a s s . T h i s s e e m s t o w o r k out f a i r l y well. F o r s u b m a r i n e s we put only a f r a c t i o n of the amount of s u b m a r i n e s on the board. T h i s i s put into a r a t i o a c c o r d i n g t o the n u m b e r of s u b m a r i n e s a country had, a t t h e t i m e of the outb r e a k of the w a r (WW 11). T o s t a r t the g a m e we allow a l m o s t f r e e movement of, r a t h e r f r e e positioning of the n a v i e s , in o t h e r w o r d s we don't have t o s e t up o u r navies the way they actually w e r e a t the beginning of the war. A l l Combat Considered Broadside O u r s h i p s can engage combat a t two r a n g e s , a s i n B i s m a r c k . But unlike B i s m a r c k we do not shoot bows, o r s t e r n s but r a t h e r e v e r y encounter i s c o n s i d e r e d to b e one a t b r o a d s i d e s . We a l s o do not switch t o a b a t t l e b o a r d t o fight o u r b a t t l e s , but r a t h e r keep t h e m on the playing board. Battleships engage combat a t B r a n g e when a s q u a r e s e p a r a t e s them. C r u i s e r s both heavy a n d light fight a t B r a n g e when they a r e adjacent t o each o t h e r . D e s t r o y e r s do not fight until they a r e on top of each o t h e r . T o c l o s e t o A r a n g e the s h i p s m e r e l y c l o s e a n o t h e r s q u a r e with the exception of the d e s t r o y e r s which wait another t u r n , s o t o s p e a k b e f o r e i t can c l o s e t o i t s "A1' r a n g e . It i s the s a m e position r e l a t i v e l y to the ship i t i s fighting, but that i t i s now i n even c l o s e r , o r we s a y i t i s . During t h i s wait the ship. g e t s i t s "Closing F i r e " . What we m e a n when we s a y closing f i r e i s that if a ship, s a y a c r u i s e r , i s closing on a b a t t l e s h i p the c r u i s e r will b e out of r a n g e when a s q u a r e s e p a r a t e s t h e m , but the b a t t l e s h i p i s not; s o the b a t t l e s h i p i s allowed t o f i r e i t s full b r o a d s i d e a t the closing c r u i s e r while the c r u i s e r i s allowed no s h o t s a t the battleship. T h i s i s called closing f i r e a n d each t i m e the s h i p c l o s e s a r a n g e the b a t t l e s h i p g e t s i t s full closing f i r e . T h i s i s applicable t o all s h i p s closing

Total War
In m o s t of the w a r g a m e s , units a r e c o n s i d e r e d eliminated even though a c t u a l c a s u a l t i e s , h i s t o r i c a l l y speaking, w e r e usually l e s s than 20%. H e r e i s a s i m p l e way t o p e r m i t combat until t h e involved units a r e completely d e s t r o y ed. (It d o e s not apply t o Stalingrad. ) Multiply all combat f a c t o r s by 5. E a c h t i m e the unit would n o r m a l l y b e eliminated, b y combat o r isolation, dec r e a s e t h e multiple by 1 a n d r e t r e a t i t one sq. (in combat). If t h i s i s not poss i b l e b e c a u s e of t e r r a i n o r e n e m y zones of control the unit r e m a i n s in place but l o s s e s 2 multiples. One multiple is equivalent t o one-fifth of the u n i t ' s strength. Stacking l i m i t s : Waterloo 75 f a c t o r s p e r sq; D-Day & A f r i k a Korps - 3 units (2 units f o r Allied i n D-Day) o r the equivalent in "weakened" ones. A unit m a y be brought up t o full s t r e n g t h by deducting f a c t o r s f r o m o t h e r u n i t s of the s a m e type. The G e r m a n r e p l a c e m e n t r a t e i n D-Day i s 25 f a c t o r s p e r turn. F o r g r e a t e r r e a l i s m , l a r g e r multiples m a y b e used. T h i s would p e r m i t assigning a "combat penalty" t o both attacker(s) and defender(s), where each would l o s e a m u l t i p l e ( s ) b e s i d e s regul a r die roll casualties.

9
Midwest
C a r l F. Knabe I1 1258 State S t r e e t C o u r t s We s t Lafayette. Iti'diana EDITOR - Midwest covering Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
AH N0TE:due t o mid-terms, M r . Knabe was n o t able to forward h i s column f o r t h i s issue...too bad since Mr. Knabe had come out on top, according t o r e s u l t s of l a s t i s s u e ' s survey.

I
South Atlantic
Hilary Smith 7805 Maple Ridge Rd. Bethesda 14, Maryland
If

A#=.< '

EDITOR - South Atlantic covering Maryland, D. C . , West Virginia, V i r ginia, Kentucky, North Carolina. South C a r o l i n a , Georgia, Alabama, M i s s i s sippi and F l o r i d a .

THE GENERAL
into the ranges of o t h e r s while themselves being out of range. Our ships a r e allowed to stay out one y e a r before they m u s t r e t u r n to a friendly port for r e p a i r s , fuel, ammunition, etc. This makes the conquering of n e u t r a l s s o m e t i m e s n e c e s s a r y f o r the securing of ports. Each ship h a s a n a n t i - a i r c r a f t fireback capacity which i s r a t e d on the type of ship i t i s and the defensive a r m a m e n t i t c a r r i e s . along the f o r e s t s running adjacent to the road. B e s t F r e n c h Course of Action Since the Allied s t r a t e g y i s basically the c o r r e c t reaction to the F r e n c h t h r u s t s , I s h a l l outline what I feel i s the b e s t Course f o r the F r e n c h to follow. A s m a l l holding f o r c e should r e m a i n in the center hill a r e a . This i s to t i e down Allied troops. The main effort should be put in a wide sweep t o the northeast of Tilly. Although this line of advance i s along a r i v e r , the Allies do not usually have enough f o r c e s h e r e to defend against F r e n c h c r o s s i n g s a t a l l points, a t l e a s t not under sustained attack. A secondary f o r c e should advance to the Nivelles a r e a . It should not attack until the battle on the F r e n c h Right h a s been joined. Whether the a t tack h e r e should be simultaneous with the one in the F r e n c h Right ( e a s t ) i s dependent upon the individual situation, and this can be a n important decision. A s a reaction to this, the Allied player should a t the beginning of the game s a c r i f i c e s o m e s m a l l units around Tilly t o buy time. This can b e done economically in the n a r r o w defiles a long the r i v e r c o r r i d o r . The center a r e a m u s t be defended, but can b e l e s s strongly held a s the F r e n c h split up f o r their double envelopment. Some f o r c e s should be sent to both flanks, but the amount m u s t depend on the F r e n c h effort a t each side. Disposition of f o r c e s i s extremely c r u c i a l , e s pecially in the NE where communications a r e t e r r i b l e . However, if too many f o r c e s a r e placed t h e r e , it i s impossible to get them back to the center area. T e r r a i n Saves Allies If I s e e m to imply that a g r e a t advantage l i e s with the F r e n c h , I do not intend to. It takes skillful manipulation of F r e n c h units t o overcome tactical t e r r a i n difficulties. Many t i m e s the t e r r a i n h a s saved the Allies f r o m defeat. Moreover, if e i t h e r flank f o r c e should be defeated, the o t h e r s cannot a i d it. Another danger i s heavy Allied f o r c e s attacking the center line. F r e n c h f o r c e s h e r e a r e completely out in t h e open. Even if the F r e n c h envelopments should succeed, heavy opposition can be r a i s e d by the Allies in the Mont St. J e a n area. a double To s u m m a r i z e : F r e n c h envelopment t o inflict maximum casua l t i e s in minimum t i m e by over-extending Allies. Allies Use t e r r a i n , light units, and communications to t r a d e s p a c e f o r time. Get a s much a s possible back t o St. Jean, but s o m e casualties m u s t b e inflicted on F r e n c h before then. P e r h a p s the m o s t important decision i s when to begin the s t r a t e g i c r e t r e a t .

PAGE 10

Southwest
SISGT. Louis Zocchi 139 Belvedere C i r c l e Biloxi, M i s s i s s i p p i EDITOR - Southwest covering Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkans a s and Louisiana.

Daniel Hughes 1634 North Sheiidan Wichita, Kansas 67203

c
Central
EDITOR - - Central covering North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Neb r a s k a , Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

Amero Have it Made in Midway

The only t i m e I open my mouth i s when I ' m changing feet. To prove that I love hanging out on a limb, I ' m going to s t a t e that the Japanese c a n ' t possibly sink any A m e r i c a n CV's if my defensive s y s t e m i s employed and the J a p t s use 2 CV's f o r the attack. If the J a p s t r i k e s with 3 CV's a t once, the A m e r i c a n h a s a good chance of beating off the attack with no CV's l o s t . If the J a p attacks with 4 C V t s h e will probably sink one A m e r i c a n CV. If you a r e not careful he could sink 2. The Jap i s weakest a t the beginning of the game. If you can attack h i m before 1500 H r s . on June 3 r d , you can bag a t l e a s t 2 CV's and probably 2 CAts. A m e r i c a n s Must Consolidate The A m e r i c a n should keep a l l h i s shibs together. This makes them h a r d to spot and provides excellent protection f o r the C a r r i e r s . H e r e i s my batt l e board s e t up. C5 New O r l e a n s , C7 Portland, C9 North Hampton, C11 Minneapolis. E6 E n t e r p r i s e , E 8 Yorktown, E l 0 Hornet, G5 Vincennes, G7 Astoria. G9 Atlanta, G11 Pensacola. Ships around the edges of the F l e e t a r e a t tacked the m o s t s o I have placed our s t r o n g e s t C A t s in the danger spots. Keeping a l l the C V t s together allows you t o s t r i k e h a r d when you have the chance. If the Jap s p l i t s his fleet up, you can overwhelm his defenses, sink m o r e of h i s ships, and keep your a i r c r a f t l o s s e s low. By keeping a l l your s h i p s together you will f o r c e the J a p t o do the s a m e . Get The Atago If you f a i l t o a t t a c k the m a i n Jap C V t s on the f i r s t day, t r y to pick up the Atago when i t c o m e s in. You will have plenty of po\ker t o sink h i s escorting ships on the f i r s t s t r i k e . Your second s t r i k e a t the Atago should be the clinche r . I don't go a l l o u t - t o sink the Atago on the f i r s t attack because i t is usually too well protected. The Jap finds it difficult t o protect the Atago and the Zuiho a t the s a m e time, which means

Strategy of Waterloo
by Daniel Hughes Waterloo i s , in my estimation, one of the b e s t AH games and certainly one of the b e s t balanced. I feel that luck on the dice plays l e s s a p a r t in this game than in the o t h e r s . C o r r e c t u s e of t e r r a i n can compensate f o r a l l but the w o r s t possible luck on t h e roll. The F r e n c h player may choose the a r e a s where the battle will be fought. Due t o the original dispositions, he h a s two disadvantages. F i r s t , while he i s a t a l m o s t full strength and the Allied player i s relatively weak, the F r e n c h player cannot close f o r battle f o r two o r t h r e e turns. This gives the Allies ample t i m e t o fortify the c e n t e r hill a r e a south of Quatre B r a s . The second disadvantage of the disposition i s that deception i s difficult. If the F r e n c h r e f u s e s t o a s s a u l t the c e n t e r hill, a s he usually must, any a t t e m p t t o flank the Allies can b e detected because of the f o r e s t s around which he m u s t move. Allied Side Quite Difficult T h e r e a r e a l s o s e v e r a l difficulties confronting the Allies. They have enough t r o o p s to block the c e n t r a l a r e a s but should the F r e n c h split into 3 f o r c e s , they can b e h a r d - p r e s s e d to defend the western flank a t ~ i v e l l e s . In addition to being difficult to defend with original f o r c e s , this a r e a i s c r u c i a l t o t h e A l l i e s , because a F r e n c h breakthrough h e r e makes a l l o t h e r defense l i n e s south of Braine La Leude untenable. The big advantage, if used carefully, i s this: While the F r e n c h a r e handicapped in movement and a t t a c k by t e r r a i n . Allied defense l i n e s a r e well backed by roads. Communications t o the c r u c i a l "Nivelles gapu a r e excellent, but a r e vulnerable

THE GENERAL
that you can get one o r the other your f i r s t t i m e around. The CV's that eluded you on the f i r s t day will probably abandon t h e i r movement towards midway s o that they can get a c r a c k a t your CVts. Move your midway a i r c r a f t t o one of your C V ' S a t the f i r s t opportunity. The Jap knows where midway i s , and will t r y to s t r i k e i t when you l e a s t expect it. He doesn't always know w h e r e to find your CV's. If you spot 2 lone Jap CV's, 5 Torpeado and 12 Dive bombers a r e m o r e than enough t o sink them both s o go ahead, even if i t ' s a 1 way mission. You can afford t o t r a d e 2 of his CV's for one of yours. Japs Will Avoid Combat The Japanese player should keep his CV's together with his CA's and BB's and t r y t o s t a y away f r o m the A m e r i c a n until a f t e r 1500 h r s . on the f i r s t day. When those 4 new CA's come in, join up with the CV's immediately s o you can defend your fleet f r o m a i r a t tack. Without those e x t r a CA's the

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A m e r i c a n s can sink 2 CV's. With them, he can only sink one. Striking into the unsearched a r e a s i s not a s h a i r y a s i t a p p e a r s . Let's s a y that the l a s t known A m e r i c a n position was D4 a r e a , E zone. You both move and he spots your fleet in A4 a r e a , E zone. It i s your t u r n to s e a r c h . You should t r y C4 because he could b e in any one of the 3 zones t h e r e . If no luck, t r y D4 to s e e if h e h a s moved. If he h a s , t r y C3 o r C5. If you t r y C3 and get no reply, he i s probably in C5 a r e a , C zone. Now c o m e s the writing of operations. He thinks he h a s eluded you s o he probably will not cap his fleet. He will send everything he h a s t o a t tack you. If you launch an attack you could probably catch him flat footed. This tactic i s m o s t effective if this happens to b e the l a s t daylight move. Attacking just before nightfall gives the A m e r i c a n s 3 moves t o get l o s t b e f o r e you can effectively s e a r c h f o r him again. " Z e r o q ' - The Book F o r Do-It-Yourselfers If anybody i s interested in knowing how many a i r c r a f t the Japanese really had, they should buy "ZERO" published by Ballantine Books. P a g e s 30 to 35 l i s t e v e r y ship in the J a p navy, how many a i r c r a f t w e r e on e a c h ship, and what types of a i r c r a f t they had. P a g e s 126 & 127 l i s t s the Names, displacement, lengths, speeds and dates of completion of e v e r y CV in the J a p Navy. This book h a s the f a c t s and F i g u r e s l ' d o it yourself'' War G a m e r s need. If you want t o balance the game s o that the A m e r i c a n s have a better chance, t r y this. No ship m a y f i r e a t m o r e than one group of a i r c r a f t . If you play this way, the Americans can do much m o r e damage with their dive bombers. This a l s o m e a n s that bunching up your CV's i s a s u r e way to lose. If you have 8 CA's and 1 CV, you couldn't f i r e on m o r e than 9 s e p a r a t e a i r c r a f t groups. Thus, if the enemy b r e a k s his attack down into 12 groups, 3 will attack without having to withstand the m a i n a r m o r fire.

Opponenf~ Wanted
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I will command either the Ruesians (Stalir~grad), Germans (D-Day). or b s ~ommcl, the Japanese in the respective g a m e . 1'11 take either side in Bi8,,,.rck. If you are not easily humiliated Mike McCaulsy. 36 Hershay Avenue. Lnncastar. Penna. [.not thare anyone in Midland T e n . who playa AH games? Can c r w h you in A f r b Korpa, D-Day. Stdingrad, o r Midway. Anyone who wisha* to be mIaughtered,plenssnotifyBrucs Sullivan 2412 Seaboard. Midland. Taxas -phone: MU 2-1447. Am interested in forming an Avalon Hill Wargame* Club in the Kalamasoo area. o r joining one if one exists in tbe area. If anyone i s interested, plea*= call 685-5791. Tom Wehater. 379 103rd Ave.. Plainwell. Michigan. 97-1 Odd. for Victory? Hal I challenge the "Brain Trust" mentioned in C a r l Knahe's column. in the Jan. issue of "The Gonoral", to a game of D-Day, Waterloo. SULingr.d. Afrika Korpa. I will take the Germans PDA, German.. olthor side. Write: Miehaol McCahe. 1 6 0 N 61.t Avs.. F o r t Laudcrdale. W Florlda 33313. Wanted: Anyone who would like to engage in r Play-by-Mall game ofmsAfrik. Korpe." lwould liks to play someone who doe. consider himself an ex307 E. pert. Write O: Buddy Mass.. 8th St.. Cwkevillc, Teno. 38501 Include the midc you prefer m y rule or deviation not included in "Afrika Korpe" orlginal rule.. High School Stlldent wishes to engage able opponent in life and deathetrugglc. Will play Tactics I1 (I will take either sidc a d he victoriow; only optional rule isolation) or Afrika Korps (again take either side - n e w rule*). If you think yaur force can annihilate mine. try me. Contact: Thonus Vaicntioo. 116-15 Union Tnmnpike. Foreat Hill. 75. New Y o r k Will play llvo or by mail either side of thefollowing game.: D-Day. Stalingrad. Tactics If. M r i k r Korps. B i ~ m a r c k . U-Boat and Midway. Please contact by mail: Richard J. Parrcka, c / o John E. Begley. R.D. (1, Main Street. Herkimcr. New York 13350. TACTICS U ENTHUSIASTS. .upporters of r Loetcause, and thoee who just think that Tactics U etiil holds promis? (all other madmen quits delcome). how would you liks n real challenge? Play Supsr-Tactics. Write: George Pstroni. 814 Fifth St., Cambridge. N. J. 08075. Due to the ahsurdcomplexity of the game battle can only be joined in the flesh.

A s a f r e e s e r v i c e t o s u b s c r i b e r s the following a d s a r e i n s e r t e d exactly a s they a r e subS mitted. A ~ received a f t e r the 15th day of the month preceding publication date will appear in the following i s s u e . P l e a s e keep a d s within 50 words.

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mLNTXYERiENCED opponent for l%ctiss u (I prefer Blue with fi.et move). Gettyaburg '64 sither side and Afrika ~ o r p soitber side. Play-hy-Mail for all. Write: John Kosmicki. Marple Route Box 34. Alliance. Neb. "A five yea. veteran of A-H warfare would like to find an experienced opponsntto share large Old Toam. Chicago aparrmeot and expsnacm. Regular play and construction of A-H games included. Age 21-29. Contact Robert Olmon, c / o C. W Olson and Co.. 175 . Chicago, lllinols W. Jackson Blvd.. HA 7-0480." Allied or Axis Admiral. wanted for Play-hy-Mail Game of Midway o r Bismarck. Write: Robert Parkin. 17 Valley View Road. Hyde Park. N.Y. area Wanted: Opponents in who would like to play any of our 11 (eleven) Avalon Hill games. All thoac intcrcmted could help to form an Avalon Hill club. Please Write or Phone: Bob and Steve Reuscbloln. 2225 Kcyea Ave., Madison. Wi~eonsin 53711. AL 5-2866. Our games are a ~ f o l l o w ~ : AfrikaKorps, Bismarck. Chrmccllorsvills,Di~~patcher, Football Strategy. Gatty~burg '61, Gettyehurg '64. Le Mans. Midway. Tactics 11. and Word Power. Opponents wanted for Gsttyahurg. Tactics U or D-Day by mail. Apply: Bruce T. Klem. 2463 South 80th Street. West Allis. Wisconein 53219. Adults Only (20 or over). Will not guarantee victory or defeat but will assure bard fought. well planned game of D-Day. Staiingrad. Afrika Korp., Waterloo. Bismarck. Gettysburg (64). or Midway. By mail or in person. call or write Jim Dunnigan. 851 2 5th Ave.. Brooklyn. N.Y. 11209. Phone: 8391082. WANTED: Expert. who w i ~ hto plny Afrika Korps. D-Day, Stalingrad. Waterloo, Midway. Gcttyeburg '61 or '64. Chancellorsville. All opponents will he given an interesting andexciting game though they will 1o.s. Write roquesting any game, any side to: THE T.A.S.E. CLUB. c / o Mark Diamond. 5747 Avle.boro A"=.. Pitteburgh. Pa. All East Bay peasants "ARISE" we must defeat the troops of Jack Grseno. Jr. Your help ia needed! No axperiencc needed. The cruel king of 'the peninsula must be defeated. If .'you are interested contact: L a r r y Jagard. 5300 & r e n Ave.. Richmond. Calif. Play-hy-Mail D-Day and Gettysburg '64 opponent* wanted. Write: Mark Diamond. 5747 Ayteahoro Ava.. Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania 15217. I a m interested i s contacting anyone in thi. a r e a in order to play almost any Avalilon Hill game or possibly organize a club. Either write ol call me a t homo. (tol. 525-4699) David Halprin, 486 E. 25th St., Patereon. N. J. Gettyaburg, anyone? I need a Play-hyMail opponent. Write: Peter Nicuchsas (OOP.. I mean Niewvhof). 25 McGilvray Cres.. Georgetown, Ontario. Can.da. Will play any opponent in a game of Stalingrad, Chancellorsvitlo, or Waterloo. 1'11 be either side. Please contact Jeff Kilsoin. 605 S. Thomas St.. Bedford. Pa. 15522. Two undefeated Generals (Admirals) need opponents. Write to Larry 30s Burstyn. Box 31. Frederick College. Portsmouth. Va. andlor PFC D. J. Farrow. ER13799779. 517th Mad. Co. LClr.). APO 252, N Y.. N. Y. 09752. . SAN FRANCISCONIANS AND PENINSULARIANS, W Y i I I The dread retches of the East Bay. H.Q. 5300 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Calif. 94508. lead by the purple clod. are about to ATTEMPT the destructionoftha colosmal Poninaularian Empire. RESIST l l Learn how you can destroy the haatban mobs of tho East. (communi~tic lead) by writing to our benevolent Majesty. King JackGroene the First. 67ODarrcll Rd.. Hili~borough.Calif., 94010. The Great Cause Calls. Achtmg: Wanted one opponent to do battle on the sands of Africa. Ruaeia. or on the belches a t Normandy. I also play Bismarck. Cbancellorsville. and Gettysburg (old version). I would prefer an opponent that lives in my area but will except play-by-mail for the firet three game. mentlonad. Also anyone in the Twln Cities a r e a that would like to joln an Avalon Hill club please contact me. even if you live in St. Louis Park. My address is: David L. Armemon. 1496 Hartford Avc.. St. Paul. Minnesota 55116. If you live in my area you can call 698-6300. War-Gamer* attending the University of Ponnsylvaniri Arc you interested in wiping out tho blot on our school'^ name for mot having a war-game. club. Anyone who might be interested in organizing a war game. club, please write: George Petroais. 814 Fifth Street. Cambridge. N J. 08075. Please . state whather you are r commuter o r a resident. Two experienced and able generals will play any Avalon Hill battle game. Pick any side and send opening move. and rules to: Ronald and Arthur Wright. 36 Reid Terrace, Fond du Lac. Wisc.

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ATTENTION ALL GENERAL+.%Do yolivo cast of the Minsissippi River ? Would you like tobs in command of your etate or of a section thereof? Would you like to engage In iotor-state and inter-~ectional conflicts? If your anm i swer to any of these q u c s t i a n ~ writ.: Brian Hoavey. 4413 Willow Wood. Dr.. Annandals. Va.. Commander in Chlof of Sp.Eho. (Specill Efficacy for Counter Intelligence, Revenge, and Ertcrminatlon), formally the Norther. Va. F i r a t Army.

I Someone

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Midshipman 4lc David Troutmnn. USNR in an effort to practice the principles of military science, needs an opponent. Playing by the revised rule. (and either side). I will prove Clauzwita rlght. Contact me at: 2715 Portland. L. A. 7. Callfornlr (the University of Southern California). Wanted: An opponent for almost m y A. H. game. Rules must be same as those included in game. 1 wlil take any side. By the way. anybody who plays m e should be a good Loser, because be r i l l he loming most of the time. John Emerson. 242 b c u s t St.. Danvcrs. Mas.. , phone: 774-7327. Will take either side in game ofGettymburg (original '58 version). Reply with moves if interested. Am 17 and senior in hixh echool. Randv Jones. Rhodead a l e , - ~ d . 21659. . Corps and Army Commander needed for country-wide club. Poaition going fast. f l r s t = m e , firat nerve. Contact: Peter McDonald. 4827 65th St.. Woudeids 77. New York. WANTED: VERY. VERY INEXPERI. ENCED player-by-mail of TACTICS U That would fit mv ~otential. Your choice of side. 858 edition. Prisoner. I~otrtion. Nuclear. Weather. Supply rules. C b r i s t o ~ h e rJones. 66 Stull St.. Kinchalos A. F.B. Micb. 49788. Wanted: Any Allied. British, Russian. Field Marehal to face unbeaten German Field Marshal in D-Day. Afrika Korpa or Stalingrad. Will play livo in Boetos area, by mail anywhere ole=. Write: 236 Jamaicaway. Robert F. Disli. Boston. Mass. 02130. Buffalo Area WilliamsvUle, New York. I am lookine for mature o ~ p a n e n t s over 21 years old; for D-D.;; ~ l c t i c s1. 1 Afrlkr Korps, Midway, or Gettyshurg. Would like to play in person. Frank A. Tureeon. 4712BrentsvoodDr.. Williamsville-, N.Y. 14221. CQ CQ CQ DE WAZIAD: Any active "hams" interested in an "A-H gaming QSO*,. coetasr me. Mv QTH i . : 29 E. . Welling Avenue. ~ o n n l n g t o hN J. 73's (and88'. to the YL's) KttGoll(WA2IAD).

wishing a good thrashing on the Steppe. of Russia. the Deserts of Africa or the plains of France. Death rate f o r opponaot. is high so coward. need not write. I get Germane in all three. I welcome foreign letter.. Eddie Rohisheaux. 4405 Driftwood. Corpus Christi, Texas. I am in need of a good thrashing on the &.arts of Africa, via Play-by-Mail. Rueb dispatch to: Dave Boyer, Jr.. 1342 Cashman. L . Vegas. Nev.d.. a Would anyone like to play the new Gettysburg with me (Robert Borrie.) in the mail and be the Northerner.? My address in: Robert Borrios. P.O. Box 832. Groan Cove Springs. F ~ L . Lonely A.H. game player wish=, to meet opponent. Object: To relieve the boredom of playing alone. I have , STALINGRAD. TACTICS U and WATERLOO. Plaaae call a t AUdubon 6-0029. or wrlte William Polyniak. 640 West 139th Street. N. Y., N.Y. 10031. MULTI-PLAYER WATERLOO GAME1 Send name, address. experience, side preference and command preferenca. Army Group. Army and Corpe c a n mand. available. Write: Bruce Evans. 74 Taylor Drive. Cloetsr. New J e r s o c Opponent wanted. Muat have a defeatist attitude and willing tobe d u l b t e i o d in a game of Afrika Korp. or Midway. Will take either side and will plny with m y rule supplemeate within reason. Douglrss Burke. 1108 Hiland Avenue. Corao~olis, Penru. 15108. Wanted: New M e m h d r ~(in thin area) for r young Avalon Hill Gamer. Club. The charter member. of this club have logged 2.000 game hour. with A-H game.. Write: Ron Gruben. 2902 3rd PI.. A-14. Lubbock, T e n s or call 806 PO. 3-8635. Wanted: an cxperiencod Britimh Commander to lose r game of M r b K o r p s . Please contact Field Marahall John Kester. 7056 Tulane Ave., St. Loui. 30. Mo. Will play Stalingrad. I have a system against which no player ha. yet lasted more than three turn.. Send your asceptance (for Germans). initial m w e (Russian.). andlor surrender toGeorge Pbillios. 2235 Burton Houme, 420 Memorial Dr.. Cambridge 39. Ma.. My term. are the same as thoaa of the M. 1. T. War Game. Society (see Vol. 1, No. 5). WANTED: Someone to teach two generals the meltling of the word defeat. Will play Afrika Korp. (either). or DDay (Germans). Please contact. Tim T w e r y . 2720 Lomhardy. Port A~thu.. Texas.

THE GENERAL

PAGE 12

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Pacific Coast

Jon P e r i c a 5663 Ramara Avenue Woodland Hills, California 91364 Pacific Coast c o v e r i n a a EDITOR waii, California, Oregon, Washington and the F a r East.

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The Granddaddy of All War Games

by Jon P e r i c a E v e r since Gettysburg f i r s t came on the m a r k e t in 1958, the Avalon Hill Company has been turning out a g r e a t variety of war games. Because of this g r e a t production, the Avalon Hill Company has rightly earned the title of father of military games. However, some credit should be r e s e r v e d f o r the grand-daddy of all war games, H. G. Wells. When he was not writing science fiction o r history, Wells was busy charging all over his back lawn on hands and knees advanceing battalions of -toy soldiers. F r o m these e a r l y exploits a book called Little Wars was published r u l e s to follow in 1913 t h a t x o when playing -miniature war games. About this s a m e time, the German High Command was playing. Kriegspiel, a strategic map game which enabled them to plan the b e s t way to attach France. A c e r t a i n Colonel Mark Sykes began plying Wells with questions about how to improve c e r t a i n "hypothetical" situations. By 1914, these "hypothetical" situations had become World War I. This e a r l y i n t e r e s t in miniature soldiers has grown rapidly until a t present, just about anyone can r e c r e a t e a famous battle. One of m y fellow r e a d e r s , Mr. Ken Allan. 4861 Reforma, Woodland Hills, Calif. has been kind enough to explain to me how he went about recreating famous scenes f r o m the battle of Gettysburg in complete miniatures. The f i r s t thing Ken did was to purchase 112 inch plastic soldiers f r o m a local hobby shop f o r a penny a piece along with exact scale caissons, wagons, cannons and horses. The company that makes the Civil War miniatures, the Airfax Company of London, England, a l s o makes Afrika Korps, 8th Army, Japanese. Arabian, Russian and Contiental German and English soliders. A complete line of vehicles f o r these men can a l s o be purchased in perfect HO scale. T o construct the battle board, Ken took some heavy plywood and p r e -

ceeded to c r d a t e his t e r r a i n w i t h p l a s t e r of p a r is, crushed rocke and HO t r e e s and plants. The next s t e p was to paint the soldiers withoil paints right down to the l a s t stripe on the sergeant's sleeve. Lastly, Ken mounted his men on the board and before his eyes was Pickett leading his famous charge up Cemetery Ridge with row upon row of Confederate infantry behind him. Those of you who like the added touch of r e a l i s m will enjoy creating your own battles just a s Ken did. This month's book review includes these favorites; a Triumph by 1. Patton-Ordeal & LadeIas Farago. Madallon Book 2. T h e F o r t r e s s by Catherine Gavin. Balantine Book 3. The Goebbels Diaries. Eagle Book 4. Andersonville by Mac Kinlay Kantor 5. Stalingrad by Theodore Plievier. Madallon Book

The Acid Tqst Mock-up games a r e prepared by the A r t Department. Outside players a r e invited iq to t e s t under close supervision. This fourth s t e p in the cycle i s most important because i t i s the only time during which we can really tell what i s good And bad about the new game. These players, who become our consumer t e s t panel, a r e carefully screened and the c r i t e r i a for their selection is based to a g r e a t deal on their ability to be objective. It i s most important that their comments be honest and frank. If we got a llbombll, we must know i t right then and there. If we a r e not entirely satisfied with these r e s u l t s we might send out additional mock-ups to Avalon Hill friends for further testing. But because these t e s t s cannot be under personal supervision, their findings a r e re-hashed and further tested by consumer t e s t panel m e m b e r s back in the .office. This phase of "Battle of the Bulge" took longer than usual because of the many changes made to the basic format, including a completely re-designed Combat Table which a l t e r e d play a t the tactical level. Watch and Wait The l a s t step i s production. The A r t Department p r e p a r e s final a r t that i s sent to our own printing department. About a month afterward the f i r s t copy off the assembly line i s sent to our who then winds his way President down to the catacombs to salute the design staff. The tlballn i s passed to Kenneth Johnson. Sales Manager, and then we watch and wait. This is only part of the story. In the May i s s u e we will elaborate on what's behind the scenes - the legal and the promotional end of game publishing.

New Battle Game

(Continued f r o m Page 1. Theyhadan "in" with the U.S. War College, Washington, D. C . , and f r o m them w e r e able to obtain the entire historical material including the complete o r d e r of battle right down to the a c c u r a t e placement of regiments a t any given time during the actual campaign. Meanwhile, other staff memb e r s were in contact with r e t i r e d Brig. General Anthony C. McAuliffe, hero of the battle of Bastogne. As with a l l p r e v i ~ u s battle games the historical data i s next assimilated out of which comes a black and white t e r r a i n map over which a crude set of troop counters a r e maneuvered. Information on the troop counters r e s u l t s f r o m correlating a l l such relative data a s : number of men involved; weapons; leadership; and morale. Some thought i s even given to actual performance of individual Units in the r e a l campaign. Office T e s t Games Follow Real Campaigns The design staff m e m b e r s run through the f i r s t few t e s t games by following the actual course of the r e a l battles, just to make s u r e that relative strengths have been accurately portrayed. In many c a s e s i t i s necessary to make changes to the map and to the troop counters. Then they play in earnest. . often friendly bets They play to win a r e made on the outcome. T h e r e a r e m o r e changes and adjustments. Then suddenly, our design fellows (in unison) r i s e up out of their cloistered a r e a in the game-playing catacombs and file past President E a r l Sparling's office, the right hand held high in salute a s the signal that "it i s ready.

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Chief of Staff's Reading List. . .

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This l i s t i s indorsed by General Maxwell D. Taylor a s basic professional reading recommended for Army officers. The Direction Of War, by Air Marshall Edw. J. Kingston-McCloughry, 1955. Forging A New Sword, by Col. W.R. Kintner, Col. J. I. Coffey, and R. J . Albrieht.. 1958. - " Nuclear Weapons And Foreign Policy by Henry A. Kissinger, 1957. War Potential Of Nations, by Klaus E. Knorr, 1956. The Middle E a s t In World Affairs, by George Lenczowski. 1956.