Chicago Wargamer Guest Appearances On The 2 Half-squads Advanced Squad Leader Podcast - Episode 311: Surrender Your Integrity

The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 310: Cruising Through Crucible of Steel

The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 304: Green Squirrels of Inor vs. Black Rider...

The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 300: What? Already?

The 2 Half-Squads - Episode 291: Prokhorovka Power!

The 2 Half-Squads - 274: Brevity Biazza Booyah!

The 2 Half-Squads - 272: Bravo Biazza

Civil 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. 

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! 

Somebody's not listening to me - Get back here Rich!

Schoolteacher Kleinschmidt at the 151 Pa Schoolteachers' Regiment 

Traditional Dinner at Dobbin House Tavern

The Article that Put Chicago Wargamer on the Map!

 

Book Review: Under The Crescent Moon with the XI Corps

Under the Crescent Moon with the XI Corps in the Civil War: From the Defenses of Washington to Chancellorsville, 1862-1863

James S. Pula

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. 

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.

The 2 Half Squads 272: Bravo Biazza

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.

2 Half Squads: 272

The Living Dead

I 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. 

 The Living Dead at Amazon.com

VASL with the 2 Halfsquads

Listen in while I help Jeff and Dave finally get virtual with their Squad Leading! It only took a pandemic.

http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/04/244-here-we-go-vasling.html

Chicago Wargamer Discord Server

As 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!

Korean War ASL with The 2 Halfsquads

Listen as I discuss with Dave Kleinschmidt, Dave T. and Chris W. our first impressions of the ASL Korean module "Forgotten War" 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!

Part 1
http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/02/episode-240-game-of-rising-sun.html
Part 2
http://www.the2halfsquads.com/2020/03/episode-241-konigsberg-and-korea.html

Great 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 Stonewall Jackson's Way II. Six players faced off in this 14 day scenario utilizing the two maps from SJWII and the west map from Here Come the Rebels. 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. 

The Virginia Campaign - July 1861

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. 

Stalemate in the Valley

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. 

Union Advance on Bull Run

Last Chance For Victory - July 1: Dawn to 2:00 pm

Dan 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.

July 1 8:30AM Burford's Cav block the roads to Gettysburg

John Burns lends a hand!

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.

July 1 10:45AM Iron Brigade ambushes Davis

July 1 1:45 Reinforcements from all directions!

GMT Battles of the American Revolution Recap

Here 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.

Guildford Courthouse - British Marginal

Eutaw Springs - Patriot Marginal

Saratoga - Patriot Marginal

Brandywine - British Substantial

Germantown - Draw

Monmouth - Draw

Savannah - Patriot Decisive

Newtown - Patriot Substantial

Oriskany - Patriot Marginal

Pensacola - Patriot Decisive

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.  

The Final Battle - Pensacola Falls to the Spanish

OSG Napoleon Retreats

Gene Wolfe Fuller Award 2012

It'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 The Book of the New Sun was recently published. 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.

With Gene Wolfe at the Fuller Award

Sanfilippo Carousel Hall

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.

Neil Gaiman presents the Fuller Award

Update: Gene Wolfe passed away on April 14, 2019, just a few weeks after posting this reminiscence. He will be dearly missed by all.

Gene Wolfe Turned Science Fiction Into High Art

NYT Gene Wolfe