tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60532850081006660332024-03-18T20:58:29.875-07:00Chicago WargamerHistorical Boardgaming Events In the Greater Chicagoland AreaChicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-7327116761021016062023-01-27T05:32:00.005-08:002023-01-27T05:35:17.514-08:00Chicago Wargamer Guest Appearances On The 2 Half-squads Advanced Squad Leader Podcast - Episode 311: Surrender Your Integrity<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/Yt4wW3jZsss" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-53045526397623174982023-01-27T05:32:00.001-08:002023-01-27T05:32:06.310-08:00The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 310: Cruising Through Crucible of Steel<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aHM35YQvZBg/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/aHM35YQvZBg" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-26467652276083305792023-01-27T05:31:00.001-08:002023-01-27T05:31:26.486-08:00The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 304: Green Squirrels of Inor vs. Black Rider...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/yBiY35C54Dk" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-23637809970231935602023-01-27T05:29:00.001-08:002023-01-27T05:29:12.799-08:00The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 300: What? Already?<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NYNDDnhfDHE/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/NYNDDnhfDHE" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-53426149760151746992023-01-27T05:27:00.001-08:002023-01-27T05:27:44.934-08:00The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 291: Prokhorovka Power!<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/KBa4GBdLZ1s" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-23719089047252349452023-01-27T05:26:00.001-08:002023-01-27T05:26:22.710-08:00The 2 Half-Squads - 274: Brevity Biazza Booyah!<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KclUy6OKQiQ/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/KclUy6OKQiQ" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-39928126659749263602023-01-27T05:25:00.001-08:002023-01-27T05:25:40.454-08:00The 2 Half-Squads - 272: Bravo Biazza<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ro63LKfV45c/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ro63LKfV45c" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-25331034492815019182021-11-06T09:10:00.000-07:002021-11-06T09:10:17.816-07:00Civil War Tour August 2021 August 2021 featured new milestones for my annual Civil War battlefield tours. This was my largest group to date having finally convinced the friends of the 2 Half-Squads Podcast to make the journey. Seven intrepid explorers joined the adventure featuring Dave Kleinschmidt, co-host of the 2 Half-Squads, and his wife Laura. Rich Spilky, Advanced Squad Leader expert and commentator, flew in with his two sons, Eric and Jared. Also joining us were Mike and Phyllis Lembke. As any frequent reader will know, Mike has been my long time GCACW opponent and endured hours of my Civil War rants. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQulpbpzzz2Nk19iwFn0kN8xOOPjbZb20yQ2sW5i6hR6LjFkbKTeKERb1HOnSsAVal2GS_U4uRtzZphsHGLJszCjB1Ta7P990j6CxStYnYo0SNzEJobfO4EILgG-EDvlqgyi1wT6kPVvE/s2048/IMG_20210819_090624198_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQulpbpzzz2Nk19iwFn0kN8xOOPjbZb20yQ2sW5i6hR6LjFkbKTeKERb1HOnSsAVal2GS_U4uRtzZphsHGLJszCjB1Ta7P990j6CxStYnYo0SNzEJobfO4EILgG-EDvlqgyi1wT6kPVvE/s320/IMG_20210819_090624198_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>The three day tour featured Antietam and Gettysburg. The weather was unpredictably stormy, but we managed to time things well enough. We will all remember the torrential downpour we suffered at the Longstreet monument. The participants were all happy test subjects of my ever evolving guide book and lecture program. Many thanks to them all for their enthusiasm and endurance! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrJNc3kMCW7r0pD9PeKmIbiscfNOnLtLyje2seHw8H_48PA8HVPpBTdUF5sFPnGTSYQVQiU2KLfQx6f4GP4APjBeQVBba-BpTSgIARh7uUFoWhgDEhz9aII-wFv0OSXGWiI_gPMBggmU/s2048/IMG_20210817_145606305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrJNc3kMCW7r0pD9PeKmIbiscfNOnLtLyje2seHw8H_48PA8HVPpBTdUF5sFPnGTSYQVQiU2KLfQx6f4GP4APjBeQVBba-BpTSgIARh7uUFoWhgDEhz9aII-wFv0OSXGWiI_gPMBggmU/s320/IMG_20210817_145606305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi71WTut8sZmjy5V7ceHJOWoaUWMWPmiZfiqFt7zBG0o135tuYNAmMv103ViFHIofZtAz2KgaQz0TXuGVo4DcYtgiIATYCGU21XvYGA3KDmLR4ZI18ff-Z-zOmgmRsHskzmD7-8VQ7r0U/s2048/IMG_20210818_165544582_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi71WTut8sZmjy5V7ceHJOWoaUWMWPmiZfiqFt7zBG0o135tuYNAmMv103ViFHIofZtAz2KgaQz0TXuGVo4DcYtgiIATYCGU21XvYGA3KDmLR4ZI18ff-Z-zOmgmRsHskzmD7-8VQ7r0U/s320/IMG_20210818_165544582_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somebody's not listening to me - Get back here Rich!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMda3p-1ZfLeZnQI5YYmbtuAJ4qWVK4PSkQVGN0c84xUbl1E5RLqurPJjmLYMwb2aT0mSIEdegvgMikHYPntGolcs6IJfDKiELcaSyXqCwsX073n1jUMgRKttBpbyswb6OqZxvbWn8d50/s2048/IMG_20210818_160706379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMda3p-1ZfLeZnQI5YYmbtuAJ4qWVK4PSkQVGN0c84xUbl1E5RLqurPJjmLYMwb2aT0mSIEdegvgMikHYPntGolcs6IJfDKiELcaSyXqCwsX073n1jUMgRKttBpbyswb6OqZxvbWn8d50/s320/IMG_20210818_160706379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknF6x8BZtHx2iNAOlUoDLzCjfMIl2pb0jithGvoe274PeanzpfM7c-NvE2DE1ByYAxFuBf9gECfdMftgxqVopdd1etrgPq5jlOFZbzq8grERzEiIB5rAC_ASlQe2LjMLrU00iJg99BXE/s1034/J7-n3vCcRmGg6evlRiwyMQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="776" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknF6x8BZtHx2iNAOlUoDLzCjfMIl2pb0jithGvoe274PeanzpfM7c-NvE2DE1ByYAxFuBf9gECfdMftgxqVopdd1etrgPq5jlOFZbzq8grERzEiIB5rAC_ASlQe2LjMLrU00iJg99BXE/s320/J7-n3vCcRmGg6evlRiwyMQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schoolteacher Kleinschmidt at the 151 Pa Schoolteachers' Regiment </td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H_KPTTKIATEbSf7qAaGUnNpkE9ShsKUqlod6dmM8dX6ZD-T59835SnqujYRoNIHPYkrVRGVIsFxuF1pf_bEcijAkDPA8U83tOI5uVHHcrFQG_mGLghnLZXaklf_yfUFboPpLaNBu1n4/s1004/USVYeZs5Re-15CZqZ4LyUQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1004" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H_KPTTKIATEbSf7qAaGUnNpkE9ShsKUqlod6dmM8dX6ZD-T59835SnqujYRoNIHPYkrVRGVIsFxuF1pf_bEcijAkDPA8U83tOI5uVHHcrFQG_mGLghnLZXaklf_yfUFboPpLaNBu1n4/s320/USVYeZs5Re-15CZqZ4LyUQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Dinner at Dobbin House Tavern</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-68244289604650574502021-11-06T08:01:00.002-07:002021-11-06T08:03:10.217-07:00The Article that Put Chicago Wargamer on the Map!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5denhSBxeCmTjFdmyLkTfXu-bI9KGc1XacgDZaybOfewJQ8qvH3eR92g6m-vW0GIjHzDW6ve7HqMYWae1utG5G3Vym45wF_p3SHS8B_8Ag1XN60xgJLL_UtCBO3QetbB2ykgPT9Iivuk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4245" data-original-width="741" height="2353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5denhSBxeCmTjFdmyLkTfXu-bI9KGc1XacgDZaybOfewJQ8qvH3eR92g6m-vW0GIjHzDW6ve7HqMYWae1utG5G3Vym45wF_p3SHS8B_8Ag1XN60xgJLL_UtCBO3QetbB2ykgPT9Iivuk/w412-h2353/Daniel+Kraus+Foote+Article.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-16736032407299226122021-11-06T06:29:00.003-07:002021-11-06T06:29:59.114-07:00Book Review: Under The Crescent Moon with the XI Corps<p><br /></p><span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Under the Crescent Moon with the XI Corps in the Civil War: From the Defenses of Washington to Chancellorsville, 1862-1863</span></span><div><span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">James S. Pula</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><div>James Pula's in-depth examination of the XI Corps of the Union Army of the Potomac is required reading for a clear understanding of the most famous moment of the Chancellorsville battle, Stonewall Jackson's flank attack. Pula demonstrates how these "German" troops were deliberately blamed for the loss of Joe Hooker's grand plan despite the fact that the XI Corps units had a better defensive response than is traditionally recounted. </div><div><br /></div><div>While not explicitly stated, Pula's analysis of the events reminds the reader of how easily historical fact can be swept away, even in the moment, with the result that 160 years later popular memory will still think of the XI Corps routed from the field in disgrace. To that point, Pula's work is an excellent defense to the common challenge that there is no wider historical value to micro-histories of battlefield maneuvers. Here we see how a detailed examination of the regimental movements, responding bravely and competently in the face of overwhelming adversity, dispels not only the assumption of the XI Corps' ineptitude, but highlights the ease with which cultural bias can alter the true historical record.</div></span></span></div>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-12254766244096069082021-06-07T20:47:00.002-07:002021-06-07T21:09:59.709-07:00The 2 Half Squads 272: Bravo Biazza<p>Please join me for my YouTube debut with Dave and Jeff on their latest episode of the 2 Half Squads. We primarily discuss the new HASL "Brevity Assault" from the Italian designers at Advancing Fire.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro63LKfV45c">2 Half Squads: 272</a><br /></p>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-74095080923562547482020-08-31T20:25:00.003-07:002021-06-07T21:09:11.795-07:00The Living DeadI am pleased to announce that Daniel Kraus' new novel, "The Living Dead" was released in August 2020. Daniel was selected by the Romero estate to complete this epic zombie tale unfinished by George Romero. I had the honor to serve as the book's military history advisor on a wide range of topics that arise in this instant horror classic. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybe12kidbHef4IwyRhFN0qVPc6gXm58Prx0jxRoIrxD9cE-nCuBP4J7Gz4_HzcI0Iwxd_o6jnv4tZ3CzkBoVl_TmTtuWXqf4HT13qx7RBhqz-xplrGoYD0lMIFYWmPB8S_VxeJQj7Lg8/s499/51G7iV%252BD-fL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybe12kidbHef4IwyRhFN0qVPc6gXm58Prx0jxRoIrxD9cE-nCuBP4J7Gz4_HzcI0Iwxd_o6jnv4tZ3CzkBoVl_TmTtuWXqf4HT13qx7RBhqz-xplrGoYD0lMIFYWmPB8S_VxeJQj7Lg8/s320/51G7iV%252BD-fL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Living-Dead-George-Romero/dp/1250305128/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+living+dead&qid=1623122759&sr=8-2">The Living Dead at Amazon.com</a></div></div>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-28736626791524415832020-04-14T22:08:00.002-07:002020-04-14T22:09:22.876-07:00VASL with the 2 HalfsquadsListen in while I help Jeff and Dave finally get virtual with their Squad Leading! It only took a pandemic.<div>
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<a href="http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/04/244-here-we-go-vasling.html">http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/04/244-here-we-go-vasling.html</a></div>
Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-40567180114893944762020-03-19T20:32:00.001-07:002020-03-19T20:33:26.732-07:00Chicago Wargamer Discord ServerAs most of our Chicago game groups are quarantined for the duration, I have created an official "Chicago Wargamer" Discord server to facilitate communication and VASSAL game play. Our local community will continue to thrive even in the face of adversity. This week alone we have seen virtual action with ASL, To Take Washington, Space Empires 4x and Imperial Assault. We can only get through this together!Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-68385346530771762642020-02-26T21:45:00.001-08:002020-03-19T20:22:00.235-07:00Korean War ASL with The 2 HalfsquadsListen as I discuss with Dave Kleinschmidt, Dave T. and Chris W. our first impressions of the ASL Korean module "<i>Forgotten War</i>" on the lastest episode of Dave and Jeff's podcast. You can actually hear my eyes strain on the recording as I try to read the small font on a particular vehicular counter even with my reading glasses on!<br />
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Part 1<br />
<a href="http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/02/episode-240-game-of-rising-sun.html">http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/02/episode-240-game-of-rising-sun.html</a><br />
Part 2<br />
<a href="http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/03/episode-241-konigsberg-and-korea.html">http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/03/episode-241-konigsberg-and-korea.html</a>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-73825665563469625562020-02-23T07:09:00.001-08:002020-02-23T07:14:24.336-08:00Great Campaigns of the American Civil War "All Green Alike"Saturday, February 22 was the opening day of our epic multi-player format version of the full Virginia Campaign from "All Green Alike." This module is found in MMP's <i>Stonewall Jackson's Way II</i>. Six players faced off in this 14 day scenario utilizing the two maps from SJWII and the west map from <i>Here Come the Rebels</i>. The situation presented is the opening campaign of the American Civil War in July 1861. Two Union armies face off against their corresponding Confederate counterparts in nearby Virginia theaters. One set of opponents face off outside the gates of Washington D.C., while the others maneuver in the Shenandoah Valley. Each side faces an interesting set of decisions as to how to accomplish their goals. <br />
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We completed the first four days of the campaign from July 15 to 18. In the Valley, Patterson's Federals and J.E. Johnston's Rebels quickly and deliberately marched for each other along Mill Creek. Each side launched attacks where local advantages were found, but the end result was stalemate along the line. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalemate in the Valley</td></tr>
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McDowell's Union Army of Virginia marched on the direct road toward Bull Run. P.G.T. Beauregard's Confederates contested this advance with a series of sharp battles in a fighting withdrawal. General Keyes' Union command was routed while "Shank" Evens' brigade was obliterated in a massive Union counter-attack. The situation in this sector remains fluid and undecided. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union Advance on Bull Run</td></tr>
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Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-78370042014364231432019-05-12T09:16:00.000-07:002019-05-12T09:23:03.748-07:00Last Chance For Victory - July 1: Dawn to 2:00 pmDan K. and I recently started Last Chance For Victory's full battle of Gettysburg scenario, Dean Essig's latest regimental treatment of the battle using his Line of Battle series rules. The current edition is a much evolved version of his groundbreaking Civil War Brigade Series most remembered for the use of actual written orders to direct your troop movements. This signature command feature exists here along with a linear combat model that more accurately reflects the way Civil War era engagements played out. It is also unique in that it is one of the first Gettysburg games to constrain the Confederate player as he approaches the town on the morning of July 1 to better represent the actual historical situation. A.P. Hill and his boys cannot blitz across the map securing far flung objectives when in reality they barely knew what was over the next ridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 1 8:30AM Burford's Cav block the roads to Gettysburg</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Burns lends a hand!</td></tr>
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Here we see Heth's approach to McPherson's Ridge, who by design always opens the battle with his historical decision to send in Archer and Davis' brigades to probe Buford's cavalry screen. As higher level commands start to arrive you begin to develop your own battle plan, but the opening moves of the unexpected meeting engagement set the tempo of the battle in a more appropriate historical context.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 1 10:45AM Iron Brigade ambushes Davis<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 1 1:45 Reinforcements from all directions!</td></tr>
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<br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-30820088723375412112019-04-11T19:33:00.001-07:002019-04-11T19:46:43.966-07:00GMT Battles of the American Revolution RecapHere is a summary of our marathon of the Battles of the American Revolution series. Mike L. and I played each full battle scenario without any optionals when offered. We often switched sides based on preference, so this list does not reflect personal wins but simply which side was the victor.<br />
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Guildford Courthouse - British Marginal</div>
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Eutaw Springs - Patriot Marginal</div>
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Saratoga - Patriot Marginal</div>
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Brandywine - British Substantial</div>
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Germantown - Draw</div>
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Monmouth - Draw</div>
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Savannah - Patriot Decisive</div>
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Newtown - Patriot Substantial</div>
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Oriskany - Patriot Marginal</div>
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Pensacola - Patriot Decisive</div>
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One of the odd artifacts of the series rulebook is that every game can be won by reducing the enemy morale to zero, typically through success in combat, which immediately gives the victor a "substantial" victory. To attain a "decisive" victory each individual game provides some specific condition such as to occupy certain hexes at game end. If one succeeds in the field during the game, you may end up denying yourself the "decisive" victory accolade. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Final Battle - Pensacola Falls to the Spanish</td></tr>
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Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-32250307038493909762019-04-05T08:41:00.000-07:002019-04-05T08:41:15.002-07:00OSG Napoleon Retreats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-54510471675681179562019-03-17T11:44:00.000-07:002019-04-25T09:29:37.557-07:00Gene Wolfe Fuller Award 2012It's hard to believe it's been seven years since one of the most remarkable nights I have ever experienced. On March 17, 2012, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame awarded its first Fuller Award to Gene Wolfe for outstanding contributions to literature from a Chicago author. For those of you unfamiliar with his work, Gene is considered one of the masters of the science fiction/fantasy genre having influenced and mentored a generation of aspiring authors, most notably Neil Gaiman. I have been a devoted fan of Gene's since high school in the 80's when his masterpiece four volume <i>The Book of the New Sun </i>was recently published.<i> </i>Gene's works are rich with language, insight and wonder; he is able to connect vast cultural touchstones from ancient philosophy to modern space flight much in the spirit of Umberto Eco and Luis Jorge Borges. He is best known for his use of unreliable narrators, obscure vocabulary and hidden symbolism, requiring some effort on the part of the reader to reach understanding. These hallmarks of his style are all part of Gene's demonstration of the dynamic power of literature and the way words shape our understanding of the world. Of interest to readers of this blog is the fact that Gene was a combat veteran of the Korean War, having served with the US 7th Infantry Division at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. His works reflect many of his experiences and observations from the ordeal of army life and war.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Gene Wolfe at the Fuller Award</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanfilippo Carousel Hall</td></tr>
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When I moved to Chicago in the mid-2000's I was fortunate enough to strike up a friendship with Gene at one of his local convention appearances. Gene is an amazing personality as well as a writer. Those few times I was able to share with him will remain with me forever. Through a series of incredible coincidences, my wife's career in Chicago media had her promoting the upcoming Fuller Award for Gene Wolfe, so we were invited to attend the event due to both professional and personal relationships. The setting of the award ceremony was at the Sanfilippo Estate, the family home of Chicago's own nut barons who operate the Fisher Nut empire. The Sanfilippo Foundation opens the estate to notable events in the Chicago area in a venue that showcases their amazing collection of eclectic items ranging from vintage carousels to steam engines, circus art to antique electronic fortune tellers: a melange that could best be described as a steampunk-fairy-carnival. This was the perfect setting for an unforgettable night of music, stage-plays, readings and speeches from SF notables. The event was an intimate affair, perhaps a hundred guests, almost all of whom were people with a much stronger connection to Gene than I, ranging from his personal family to fellow writers and accomplished authors. I like to think of my symbolic identity there that ethereal evening as the one of the multitude of unknown admirers silently acknowledging the profound influence that the great authors such as Gene Wolfe have upon our lives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Gaiman presents the Fuller Award</td></tr>
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Update: Gene Wolfe passed away on April 14, 2019, just a few weeks after posting this reminiscence. He will be dearly missed by all.<br />
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<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2019/4/25/18515675/gene-wolfe-science-fiction-author?fbclid=IwAR2A2Z86_zQIFoDdzP5Gw_eZD_BMzr1NnvbEonWcNZCa9NehWJhkWBguZSI" target="_blank">Gene Wolfe Turned Science Fiction Into High Art</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/obituaries/gene-wolfe-dead.html" target="_blank">NYT Gene Wolfe</a>Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-5358046084436492832019-03-13T16:08:00.000-07:002019-03-13T16:08:20.314-07:00Red Factories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-15139903449130452392019-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:002019-05-12T09:17:24.148-07:00Cushing's Battery A, 4th U.S Artillery Position at GettysburgLocation: Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg<br />
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Features: Monuments and cannon.<br />
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History: The Union artillery played a vital role in the repulse of the Confederate attack known as Pickett's Charge on the third day of the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, commanded by 22 year old Alonzo Cushing, took up position along Cemetery Ridge in the area that would come to be known as "The Angle." Cushing's guns supported infantry from the 71st and 69th Pennsylvania regiments behind a low stone wall. This location would be the only position the Southern attack would reach that day, culminating in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. Though severely wounded several times, Cushing remained with his guns, pouring fire into the advancing Virginians. Cushing's heroic stand finally came to an end when he was mortally shot in the head. Due to his and many other Union soldier's sacrifices that day, the Confederate charge was broken and R.E. Lee's invasion of the North was finished.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE59zJQ4M3l1FsUU6GwaPbyWq8QhxEVYzSr43HXML-bMvzfOBfb69z-nJcxRclPA1smXT3y_E7DUis-LSwzOlaQDFkfeRc8d6sCYd1aezyeSZ5b2lKYXlp6oBGL-f0ymrnBVBPIwtWcQq/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE59zJQ4M3l1FsUU6GwaPbyWq8QhxEVYzSr43HXML-bMvzfOBfb69z-nJcxRclPA1smXT3y_E7DUis-LSwzOlaQDFkfeRc8d6sCYd1aezyeSZ5b2lKYXlp6oBGL-f0ymrnBVBPIwtWcQq/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Battery A Position, Cemetery Ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2ueBWkj3MRogTKBDkkqgiR0iipuvtlQ1j1_sEbYx9VZcKCTuT_9Ae-fA2m9uTbIEyOZVyKzS_6juDHgNqSTKVYNVMEf9VEQQjkLZYGHjXl8Si-NEiB_nQxs7w6BKTgVgXKmZGnxrJGvQ/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2ueBWkj3MRogTKBDkkqgiR0iipuvtlQ1j1_sEbYx9VZcKCTuT_9Ae-fA2m9uTbIEyOZVyKzS_6juDHgNqSTKVYNVMEf9VEQQjkLZYGHjXl8Si-NEiB_nQxs7w6BKTgVgXKmZGnxrJGvQ/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Angle - Cushing's Battery at left</td></tr>
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Heroic exploits were not uncommon in the Cushing family of Delafield, Wisconsin. Both of Alonzo's brothers served with distinction during the Civil War. Brother William Cushing served in the Navy and is best known for a daring night commando raid that sank the Confederate ironclad <i>Albemarle</i>. Howard, the oldest of the brothers, also served in the artillery and fought the Apaches in the post war period, meeting an untimely fate in the West which earned him the unfortunate title "The Custer of Arizona."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yICe5ZHVdwQvlpE56S_MDjtX2YaP0XGr7lFmcka64uddr89NDf7HMnSvKXTiMWQinFsFZbXUqinC96gEgA5y65OR9RkwbxaRL-utbxYftvfvvS8xgVtVuMuWSkxSPpDSJ6KmkiFsmwye/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yICe5ZHVdwQvlpE56S_MDjtX2YaP0XGr7lFmcka64uddr89NDf7HMnSvKXTiMWQinFsFZbXUqinC96gEgA5y65OR9RkwbxaRL-utbxYftvfvvS8xgVtVuMuWSkxSPpDSJ6KmkiFsmwye/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Battery A Position looking west toward the Confederate attack.<br />
In the foreground is the marker noting where Cushing fell.</td></tr>
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Note: This is a repost of an article originally published on August 26, 2014. It was on that date that President Obama announced Alonzo Cushing would finally receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, 151 years after the battle.<br />
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Resources: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2014/08/26/obama-to-award-medal-of-honor-to-civil-war-soldier">http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2014/08/26/obama-to-award-medal-of-honor-to-civil-war-soldier</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cushing's Battery - MMP Last Chance For Victory</td></tr>
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<br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0Hancock Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA39.813241506697707 -77.23609800801523339.81286050669771 -77.236728508015233 39.813622506697705 -77.235467508015233tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-78284241578101164782019-02-15T07:14:00.000-08:002019-02-15T07:30:54.859-08:00Axis & Allies RevisitedI recently introduced the original Milton Bradley Axis & Allies to a group of experienced gamers who had never encountered this classic boardgame. After a quick game the discussion turned toward the reputation of the classic version as a largely "unbalanced" scenario. The design of Axis & Allies attempts to simulate an understanding of World War II as a situation where the Axis powers (Germany and Japan) start out with an abundance of forces that must overwhelm the Allies (UK, USSR and USA). The Allies begin with a smaller amount of units on the board but have a larger economic potential to slowly build up and defeat the Axis. Victory for the Axis largely depends on an aggressive and lucky Germany defeating the Russians before they can build up massive infantry forces that eventually wear down the Axis advance. The luck factor here requiring the player to roll low with a "buckets of dice" approach to combat that gave rise to an entire classification of boardgame: Ameritrash. While I mostly agree that by modern standards the game has inherent flaws, I could not help but ruminate on how fundamental this game was to my development as a historical boardgamer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrvCOpRtfyVsIM0Vui5u6FljtHnEK_0SXgH_WZJhVhW2TgUelu3wMVviAUDXaO_ucCGh7oj-4kNAR8oWVLj6sRFNodItRCGvX41CuU3-rO7yr5CsLRDyVz3AT0bL3gdnBjhtv8uTYXio/s1600/20190209_100527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrvCOpRtfyVsIM0Vui5u6FljtHnEK_0SXgH_WZJhVhW2TgUelu3wMVviAUDXaO_ucCGh7oj-4kNAR8oWVLj6sRFNodItRCGvX41CuU3-rO7yr5CsLRDyVz3AT0bL3gdnBjhtv8uTYXio/s320/20190209_100527.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Axis & Allies Setup</td></tr>
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Axis & Allies was the first game where I finally found a group of players. My pre-teen efforts had been a solitaire effort with an assortment of the vintage Avalon Hill titles. However, meeting willing and like-minded gamers in high school really opened up the arena, and the 1984 release of Axis & Allies dominated those years. We devoured the game whole: constant replays turned to house rules turned to experiments with alternate setups, unit values and production. We created new nations, alien invaders, and expansive technological development trees. We developed names for our strategies such as "The Karelian Gambit" or the "Manchurian Candidate." We plotted and we analyzed. In short we discovered the power of the wargame sandbox. It was a tool that could be manipulated to explore history through the potential of myriad permutations. It was from these experiences that I was forever hooked on historical gaming and it shaped my particular love for operational and strategic simulations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karelia dominates the Eastern Front</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The other appeal of classic Axis & Allies may in fact be that it provides a playable "unbalanced" scenario. Historical gamers enjoy recreating events where one side is outnumbered, on the defense or has to exploit a momentary advantage before an inevitable outcome. The historical gamer may not always be looking to "win" so much as measure his performance to the historical outcome or hope to gain a better understanding of why certain decisions succeeded or failed. Any player who is challenged by the underdog position of the Axis and seeks to try again or do better next time is certainly a candidate for the larger world of wargaming. In that respect I think that Axis & Allies still serves as an excellent introduction to the world of historical gaming. I am aware of all the newer editions of Axis & Allies that are reported to fix many of the original game's weaknesses, I have never played any of them, but I would hope that they have not erased the level of "imbalance" inherent to the historical situation and the lessons and challenges it provides.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Axis & Allies and World In Flames.....pretty much the same game, right?</td></tr>
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<br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-75928927921126656922019-01-22T09:41:00.000-08:002019-02-16T06:58:12.215-08:00Battle of the River Raisin - January 22, 1813 "Remember the River Raisin" is the battle cry we remember today on the 206th anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Frenchtown or River Raisin. This battle from the second year of the War of 1812 is located in Monroe, Michigan, near the banks of Lake Erie between Detroit and Toledo, Ohio. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park has the distinction of being the only land battle found in the Northwest Territory to receive this recognition, with that honor only established as recently as 2010. The nearest battlefields of equal import are all administered by state park systems or in Canada, including Fort Mackinac in Michigan, Tippecanoe in Indiana and Moraviantown in Ontario.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9GHvwQzVqpCxvdb20QwYfM7cg0JQ1Vn3c91M7l8KosuoGvdWE0qfST7Ch_1Ico_m8EOMH2PMTbxc7CD6wix_QK1M-WhIjHvb1bCt3aRvGKsBvs_PpIr7ZnYDRM_4M1z-s-ZLREhE8ew/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1476" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9GHvwQzVqpCxvdb20QwYfM7cg0JQ1Vn3c91M7l8KosuoGvdWE0qfST7Ch_1Ico_m8EOMH2PMTbxc7CD6wix_QK1M-WhIjHvb1bCt3aRvGKsBvs_PpIr7ZnYDRM_4M1z-s-ZLREhE8ew/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Park - Monroe, Michigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Raisin Battle Line</td></tr>
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The 2nd Battle of Frenchtown was the final action in a series of skirmishes taking place from January 18-23, 1813. Detroit had surrendered to the British and William Henry Harrison launched a winter campaign to retake that strategic location. Moving from Ohio toward Detroit, an advance American force had pushed into Frenchtown on the 18th in what is considered the First Battle the River Raisin. On the 22nd the British, Canadian, and Native American combined forces counter-attacked the poorly prepared and inexperienced United States defenders. This surprise morning attack took the Americans under fire from three sides and they were soon routed. Despite a heroic and disciplined stand by the Kentucky Rife units on the American side, all forces were persuaded to surrender. The prisoners were marched off to Canada, but the wounded were largely left behind. On January 23, the Native Americans raided Frenchtown, killing the wounded and setting fire to many of the buildings in what would be know as the River Raisin Massacre.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6fm5n8i5XlR8TO_K9qqMGQgggeMD1kM8HGeIkCqQ7vJrI9EY8s5nnvXxO6wFUDuXqy_b-o1v7Yq8-hP6jIt1TdicsVqBtk01Lx-fenTkrbW2Ssn30GfPnBaB-x7suBNJ0VT13iFTwxU/s1600/20190122_101323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6fm5n8i5XlR8TO_K9qqMGQgggeMD1kM8HGeIkCqQ7vJrI9EY8s5nnvXxO6wFUDuXqy_b-o1v7Yq8-hP6jIt1TdicsVqBtk01Lx-fenTkrbW2Ssn30GfPnBaB-x7suBNJ0VT13iFTwxU/s320/20190122_101323.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Bicentennial Event</td></tr>
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This incident shocked a young nation and the headlines screamed "Remember the River Raisin!" This rallying cry outraged public opinion and fueled enlistment drives for the American militia, setting a precedent for future U.S. public responses to similar military events such as "Remember the Maine!" from the Spanish-American War or "Avenge Pearl Harbor!" from World War II. As one of American's "forgotten wars" the War of 1812 and the Battle of Frenchtown are likewise largely overlooked in the historical boardgaming community. The 200th anniversary did see the publication of two games that encompass the events at the River Raisin, albeit at a strategic scale. Clash of Arms Games "Amateurs To Arms!" is a card driven game that examines the entire war at a grand strategic level. GMT's "Mr. Madison's War," also a card driven design, focuses on the operations conducted along the Great Lakes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michigan Territory - Amateurs To Arms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frenchtown - Mr. Madison's War</td></tr>
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<br />Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6053285008100666033.post-13589828215343559602019-01-19T18:12:00.000-08:002019-02-15T07:14:45.711-08:00Falling SkyThe ancient tradition holds that the first multiplayer game day of the new year be brought in with blowing snow. Today held a series of firsts as it was the first multiplayer game in the new Palatine War Room as well as my first attempt at a COIN game. The game is GMT's Falling Sky, a counter-insurgency examination of Caesar's conquest of the Gaulish tribes. We more or less chalked this up to a learning test run, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that we had a good time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFohmRCtY2GgKYi7DH78f480CnWDUpSfx2NRoXS-j5DZnbcW28CEN060Rcscw2kILDnUYnFgNKcpITDTwvWa0FjZOGcr8GGYV67JH4k4Nv1ebIlgVl0ER5GLXBN2lwR7RLXOFqoTnE1UQ/s1600/20190119_200340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFohmRCtY2GgKYi7DH78f480CnWDUpSfx2NRoXS-j5DZnbcW28CEN060Rcscw2kILDnUYnFgNKcpITDTwvWa0FjZOGcr8GGYV67JH4k4Nv1ebIlgVl0ER5GLXBN2lwR7RLXOFqoTnE1UQ/s320/20190119_200340.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falling Sky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Jr091CWZUNOpt-kzVS9_LqguQ1f4Zgg4eOKg4RJ2B4WMI_2sVBZz1u6BB3Zoc1lSxhILPARg2qYdkmPGLz19iz0nXgge5n64MLJM0GiZE7lUZEDP1K6jE8tLLxTXP5FcBfGXoJJZBM/s1600/20190119_183205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Jr091CWZUNOpt-kzVS9_LqguQ1f4Zgg4eOKg4RJ2B4WMI_2sVBZz1u6BB3Zoc1lSxhILPARg2qYdkmPGLz19iz0nXgge5n64MLJM0GiZE7lUZEDP1K6jE8tLLxTXP5FcBfGXoJJZBM/s320/20190119_183205.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends, Roman, Gauls!</td></tr>
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<br />
David Martin wrote up a nice little summary of our misadventures in Gaul: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/250706/item/6673037%23item6673037&source=gmail&ust=1548185091661000&usg=AFQjCNHOQG6k-EAqtIJ8oo0Vl4F-juB2BA" href="https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/250706/item/6673037#item6673037" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">https://boardgamegeek.com/<wbr></wbr>geeklist/250706/item/6673037#<wbr></wbr>item6673037</a></div>
Chicago Wargamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17910534950172542711noreply@blogger.com1