THE GENERAL

PAGE 2
Avalon Hill's C o n s u m e r T e s t P a n e l gave i t a beautiful r a t i n g (otherwise, we wouldn't even have c o n s i d e r e d publishing i t ) and i t s introduction r e c e n t l y a t the A m e r i c a n B o o k s e l l e r s Convention c r e a t e d a fantastic d e g r e e of i n t e r e s t . T h i s w a s highly encouraging e s p e c i a l l y since we didn't have anything to show them except the prototype. So e n c o u r aged w e r e we that o u r s a l e s d e p a r t m e n t decided not to w a i t until F a l l to i n t r o duce i t to the public a s originally planned. Instead, the g a m e will be available t h i s month, July, on a f i r s t come, f i r s t s e r v e d basis. To R e t a i l f o r $6. 98 Shakespeare will be displayed in a l l of the b e t t e r bookstores and d e p a r t m e n t s t o r e s . Those who wish to o r d e r d i r e c t l y f r o m Avalon Hill should send $6.98, adding 65$ special d e l i v e r y if you wish r u s h shipment. S u b s c r i b e r o r d e r s will be given p r i o r i t y and shipped immediately o n the r e l e a s e date in July. A s c e r t a i n m e m b e r s of o u r T e s t P a n e l exclaimed.. flyou'll b e c o m e enchanted with S h a k e s p e a r e ' s w o r k s that includes 5 poisonings, 6 stabbings, 10 suicides, 14 executions, 19 m u r d e r s and 26 o t h e r killings of a m i s c e l l a n e o u s " t h r i l l to the telling of such nature. P l a y s a s Titus Andronicus which i s highlighted by the scene w h e r e execution v i c t i m s a r e p r e s e n t e d to the e m p r e s s baked in a pie.

"AVAEON '?AIL: @EMBW2hL

.. . a losing venture published bi-monthly, pretty
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Guadalcanal Jungle Tactics

by John E. Dotson A s t h o s e of you who have gotten your copies of Guadalcanal have no doubt d i s c o v e r e d , the tournament r u l e s concerning jungle combat present the playe r with p r o b l e m s quite different f r o m t h o s e encountered s o f a r in Avalon-Hill g a m e s , just a s the r e a l campaign gave the g e n e r a l s something new t o w o r r y about. Along with those new p r o b l e m s though, a r e new opportunities. Most obvious of t h e s e i s the f a c t that, if you play your c a r d s right, the n e c e s s i t y f o r soak-off a t t a c k s i s l a r g e l y eliminated. T h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t f o r the Japanese player who m u s t c o n s e r v e h i s l i m i t e d s t r e n g t h . It i s a l s o important t o the U. S. player t o conserve the strength of the 1s t Marine Division d u r ing that long wait f o r reinforcements. In the jungle you m a y a t t a c k only w h e r e i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o obtain your objective. The jungle s c r e e n s you f r o m the u n i t s on your opponent's flanks. Speaking of flanks, security i s m o r e of a p r o b l e m in the undergrowth. It i s especially i m p o r t a n t not to l e a v e a n y space between units there. If you do, you will probably find you have b e e n inf i l t r a t e d , surrounded and clobbered. In n o r m a l t e r r a i n a long l i n e c a n b e maintained by a s e r i e s of s t r o n g points whose zones of control overlap. Not s o in the jungles of Guadalcanal, w h e r e a l i n e m u s t b e continuous. T h e m o s t subtle, and one of the m o s t effective, jungle t a c t i c s involves a t t a c k ing a unit on the edge of, but not in, the f o r e s t e d a r e a . If you can move a unit up t o your opponent, who i s on a c l e a r s q u a r e , a n d wait, leaving i t u p t o h i m t o a t t a c k o r withdraw in h i s t u r n , you r e a p the advantages the Combat R e s u l t s T a b l e g i v e s t o the defense. R e m e m b e r h i s zone of control does not extend into the jungle, while y o u r s does extend i n t o the c l e a r t e r r a i n . When doing t h i s you should f i r s t b e s u r e that h e cannot mount a n overwhelming counterattack. And r e m e m b e r t o g u a r d a g a i n s t i n f i l t r a tion! T h i s technique i s especially good f o r attacking a c r o s s those s t r e a m s which have jungle along t h e i r banks. Using the jungle a s a s c r e e n you can occupy the r i v e r s q u a r e a n d s t e a l your e n e m y ' s defensive doubling r i g h t away f r o m h i m ! In the t o u r n a m e n t v e r s i o n of Guadalcanal objective, -Henderson F i e l d i s t h e lynchpin of s t r a t e g y . T o win, the Japanese player m u s t occupy the a i r s t r i p f o r a considerable length of t i m e . His b e s t s t r a t e g y i s to get in t h e r e a s soon a f t e r the Oct. 11 t u r n a s possible, then hold on, accumulating that 7 point p e r t u r n allowance f o r a s l o n g a s p o s s i ble. Then, if you u s e the Optional T o u r n a m e n t Rules, when the Japanese

s 1966 The Avalon Hill Company, Baltimore,

Maryland. printed in U.S.A.

Cover Story.. .

Shakespeare Game Set for Summer Release

At sometime o r o t h e r you've p r o b ably h e a r d of a fellow n a m e d Shakesp e a r e . H e ' s dead now - - but h i s w o r k s will live f o r e v e r . (Would you believe 6 more months?) The concept of t h i s g a m e revolutioni z e s the e n t i r e educational industry. We think of this new concept a s " s u g a r coated!' education w h e r e p l a y e r s c a n enjoy t h e m s e l v e s in the p u r s u i t of culture. L e t ' s f a c e i t , S h a k e s p e a r e c a n be a r a t h e r d r y subject.. but not when i t i s reduced to the f o r m a t of a g a m e that can be played on v a r i o u s l e v e l s of s k i l l and knowledge. S h a k e s p e a r e i s actually 3 g a m e s in one, beginning with the basic game that r e q u i r e s no knowledge of S h a k e s p e a r e whatever, graduating to the tournament v e r s i o n designed to the self-styled Shakesshake do* p e a r e a n buffs.

..

Truly, a g r e a t g a m e f o r family fun.

Advertise Yourself.. .
Many of you have obtained new opponents by a d v e r t i s i n g in the Opponents Wanted Section of t h i s magazine. S e v e r a l have gone one s t e p f u r t h e r a n d a d v e r t i s e d right in the g a m e s t h e m s e l v e s . By slipping a note into the g a m e s on the s t o r e shelves, they have been a b l e t o m a k e acquaintances with potent i a l new p u r c h a s e r s of Avalon Hill g a m e s . F r o m a n idea f i r s t p r e s e n t e d by Sgt. Louis Zocchi, Avalon Hill h a s printed up announcements that a r e now available t o s u b s c r i b e r s f o r t h i s p u r pose. The f o r m s simply s t a t e that the p u r c h a s e r of that p a r t i c u l a r g a m e should c a l l o r w r i t e such and such a p e r s o n if h e knows of no one e l s e who plays Avalon Hill G a m e s . T h e s e 3" x 5" announcements a r e f r e e of c h a r g e t o s u b s c r i b e r s . . . t o get a s t a c k simply send u s a s t a n d a r d envelope containing your n a m e and a d d r e s s and f i r s t c l a s s postage. Make s u r e you specify '~Announcements" on your order.

Includes a l l P l a y s P l a y of the g a m e c e n t e r s o n Shakesp e a r e ' s m o s t f a m o u s quotations and knowledge of h i s c h a r a c t e r s . A 52-page booklet that c o m e s with the g a m e includes synopses of a l l 37 P l a y s plus interesting b i t s of h i s t o r i c a l information on the period in t i m e c o v e r e d by the Plays. A biography of the g r e a t b a r d , himself, i s a l s o included. ( G r e a t f o r students flunking E n g l i s h Lit). Naturally, the g a m e i s exciting to play. Believe i t o r not, the play of the game invokes the s a m e t a c t i c a l and s t r a t e g i c a l thinking that i s r e q u i r e d in our s e r i e s of battle g a m e s , symbolic of this i s the f a c t that the g a m e includes actual c h e s s p i e c e s a s playing pawns.

the

can no l o n g e r hold Henderson they should evacuate a s quickly a s they can and end the g a m e b e f o r e the U. S. playe r g e t s t o o m a n y points. The U. S. playe r in h i s s t r a t e g y should d e p r i v e the Japanese of those 7 points p e r t u r n a s long a s possible. If the A m e r i c a n m a k e s taking Henderson expensive enough when the bulk of h i s f o r c e s a r r i v e t h e r e will only be s o m e mopping up t o do. A r e a l l y good defense should deny the a i r f i e l d t o the Japanese completely. Whether Henderson F i e l d i s taken by the Japanese o r held by the M a r i n e s frequently t u r n s on the u s e each player m a k e s of h i s a r t i l l e r y . The Japanese, especially, should a t t e m p t t o e l i m i n a t e a s much of the A m e r i c a n a r t i l l e r y a s possible. It i s disheartening, t o s a y the l e a s t , to s e e your 3 t o 1 a t t a c k s dwindle away to 2 t o 1, o r 1 t o 1, o r w o r s e u n d e r a n effective defensive b a r r a g e . Admittedly, i t i s tempting t o put your a r t i l l e r y t o work on t h o s e big piles of u n i t s w h e r e t h e r e i s a chance to e l i m i n a t e a l a r g e n u m b e r of combat f a c t o r s in one t u r n , but you will l o s e m o r e in the long r u n if you l e a v e your opponent's a r t i l l e r y intact. I have a s sumed your enemy h a s had enough s e n s e to keep his artillery units in small s t a c k s . If he h a s n ' t , then s o much the b e t t e r , you c a n r e a l l y pour i t t o h i m then. Don't f o r g e t t o engage a r t i l l e r y to m a k e t h e m fight a s infantry if you can. You m a y e l i m i n a t e s o m e and even if you don't you have deprived your opponent of t h e i r u s e f o r that t u r n . T h i s advice a p p l i e s t o the A m e r i c a n comm a n d e r too, but i t i s h a r d e r f o r h i m t o follow since he frequently must use his guns to stop dangerous Banzai a t t a c k s . The Optional T o u r n a m e n t R u l e s give the Jap a n advantage which he should b e quick t o u s e : m o s t of the Japanese a r t i l l e r y u n i t s have a l o n g e r r a n g e than m o s t of the A m e r i c a n A r t i l l e r y , enabling t h e m t o engage in c o u n t e r - b a t t e r y f i r e without r e c e i v i n g any. In parting I would l i k e t o suggest that units should b e r e q u i r e d t o a p p e a r when the O r d e r of A p p e a r a n c e c a l l s f o r it. Guadalcanal a s s u m e s a s p a r t of t h e game that the naval campaign p r o g r e s s e s a s i t did h i s t o r i c a l l y . The Japanese could have had many m o r e t r o o p s on the i s l a n d than they actually did, had they not been i n t e r c e p t e d by the U. S. Navy. On the o t h e r hand, if i t had not been f o r the Japanese Navy A m e r i c a n supply a n d r e i n f o r c e m e n t would have been e a s i e r . Since r e i n f o r c e m e n t w a s not up t o t h e c o m m a n d e r s on the island, i t should not b e optional f o r the p l a y e r s either. THE D-DAY THAT WAS: NOTES AND COMMENTS M r . Fellows' a r t i c l e in the May,

'66 i s s u e of The G e n e r a l had the excell e n t idea of giving the habitually winning G e r m a n s of D-Day a r e a l problem: t o t r y t o do something with the original Nazi battle plan. I speak f r o m e x p e r i ence, having t r i e d i t once I w a s quickly and thoroughly trounced. Even m o r e r e a l i s m than M r . Fellows gives u s i s possible, however. While t h e West Point A t l a s of A m e r i c a n W a r s i s good t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r s o u r c e s the r e a l w a r g a m e buff cannot afford t o ignore. T h e s e a r e the v a r i o u s official h i s t o r i e s i s s u e d a f t e r the w a r . They a r e b a s e d on exhaustive r e s e a r c h by excellent s c h o l a r s and a r e the s o u r c e of a wealth of detailed information. The b e s t a r e The United States A r m y in World War 11, a n e n o r m o u s s e t , work on which i s s t i l l in p r o g r e s s , and Hist o r v of the Second World War, i t s B r i t i s h c o u n t e r p a r t . A M a s t e r Index a n d Reade r s Guide t o the U. S. A r m y i n W. W. I1 c a n be obtained f r o m the Superintendent of Documents, Government P r i n t i n g Office, Washington 25. D. C . , a s can any of the volumes in the h i s t o r y ( p r i c e of the Index i s 75 c e n t s ) . In addition the official h i s t o r i e s of the Canadian, A u s t r a l i a n a n d New Zealand a r m i e s c a n b e v e r y useful f o r campaigns in which they w e r e involved. T o supplement M r . F e l l o w s ' a r t i c l e I give below the exact unit placement of the original G e r m a n plan. My s o u r c e w a s the volume of the B r i t i s h official h i s t o r y entitled Victory in the West. vol. I: The Battle of Normandy. (Map opposite p. 120). Some difference of placement will b e noticed between M r . F e l l o w s ' a r t i c l e and mine. T h i s s e e m s to b e due t o a difference inopinion concerning how b e s t t o place the u n i t s on the stylized D-Day playing board. Natu r a l l y positions given on a n o r m a l m a p do not f i t exactly. EXACT UNITS: Static divisions: 16LW - F - 1 3 17LW - R - 3 0 18LW - M-22 - M-23 47 48 - L-20 - N-24 49 148 - RR-25 157 - LL-27 158 - F F - 4 1 159 - P P - 4 7 165 - K-18 182 - M-22 189 - HH-30 242 - TT-31 243 - (3-34 244 - TT-29 245 - Q-27 265 - X-42 266 - U-40 319 - Q-35 (actually stationed on the Channel I s l a n d s ) 326 - 0 - 2 5 338 - SS-32 343 - V-43 344 - 0 - 2 5 346 - 0 - 2 8 347 - F- 13 348 - P - 2 6 708 - 11-42 709 - R - 3 4 711 - T - 3 2 712 - K-19 716 - S-32 719 - H-15

of being t r a n s f e r r e d to Italy, n e a r B r u s sels) Infantrv:

Parachute: 612 3 5 optional, but a s Mr. Fellows said. "stay around Brittany. - W-42 - X-38

Armor: 2

Q-25

9
11 21 116

- QQ-32 - LL-42 - U-33

T-28

1SS 2SS l2SS Lehr

M-16 00-40 V-31 Y-31

Panzer -Grenadier:

T o be placed a s in A - H r u l e s : Armor: Gren: Headquarters: OBWest Neth B G 106 Bde. , 9SS, 49SS, 51SS; 3SS, 15SS & 25SS

V-27 G-13 U-27 RR-41

1 7 15 19

LL-44 Y-34 M-20 QQ-31

In playing a g a m e b a s e d on the above dispositions the Allied player should a l s o have t o o b s e r v e c e r t a i n h i s t o r i c a l l y justifiable limitations. The North Sea and Bay of B i s c a y invasion a r e a s should not b e used. Actually they w e r e not s e r i o u s l y c o n s i d e r e d because they w e r e out of r a n g e of effective fighter support f r o m planes b a s e d i n England. T o make the Allied player l a b o r under the burden of h i s t o r y along with the poor Nazi you might r e q u i r e h i m t o make h i s f i r s t invasion in Normandy, t h i s should even the match considerably. John E . Dotson. 212 S. 18th. F r e d e r i c k . Oklahoma.

Bombing in D Day
by J a m e s H a l e s T h e opportunity t o a t t a c k the enemy u n d e r the following conditions should not b e m i s s e d . 1. A s t a c k of t h r e e units containing 12 o r m o r e defense f a c t o r s . 2. Attack of two units containing 10 o r m o r e defense f a c t o r s .

( T h e r e w a s a l s o the 19LW D i v . , which w a s in the p r o c e s s

THE GENERAL
Note: In e i t h e r a t t a c k if 1-4 i s r e ceived a t l e a s t 10 defense f a c t o r s a r e s t r i k e n permanently. Never a t t a c k a t h r e e unit s t a c k of 9 defense f a c t o r s o r l o w e r , o r any two unit stack of 7 defense f a c t o r s o r l o w e r . Needless t o s a y you should n e v e r bomb a single unit. Both t h e s e r u l e s should be waived however, if a n operation o r a unit i s placed in jeopardy by them. Nonessential Attacks An enemy unit s u c h a s a 7-7-4 should n e v e r b e attacked wantonly and without r e a s o n . It would b e a r o u n d l a t e r a n d could thus be attacked a t a t i m e when i t s r e m o v a l would place a s t r a i n on the G e r m a n line (he might have none o r b e h a r d put t o get a r e p l a c e m e n t f o r i t . ) T h i s u s e of a i r power to s n a p a s t r a i n e d line ( I p r e s u m e that a competent a l l i e d commander a l w a y s k e e p s the G e r m a n line s t r a i n e d even on the t u r n h e l o s e s the g a m e ) i s a n i n t r i c a l thought of neglected p a r t of the B l i t z k r i e g theory. A i r P o w e r At I t s B e s t Thus, following t h e s e b a s i c r u l e s , I advocate a landing in B i s c a y a n d the u s e of two o r t h r e e a i r a t t a c k s t o fend off l a r g e enemy units which might move t o intercept. Beginning on the seventh t u r n the P a s De C a l a i s a r e a ought t o b e softened up by bombing i t s heaviest units. P a s De C a l a i s should then b e invaded with the f o u r o t h e r bombings held in r e s e r v e . T h i s plan, if p r o p e r l y applied, t r u l y gives the a l l i e d p l a y e r the "Best Of Two Worldsf'. L. T. & 1st. A r m o r e d which s t a r t a t D-8 and d e s t r o y City M-14. On the following t u r n fly 12 f a c t o r s f r o m City M1-4 to City CC-15 and have them join the units that a r e a t the front. The r e maining units i n M-14 t r a v e l by r o a d t o the action. City VV-25 m u s t be taken at all c o s t s ! I t m a k e s a good a i r b a s e and allows you to b r e a k - o u t in two d i r e c tions. You will be able to r e i n f o r c e the operation by a i r and with a l i t t l e luck should be i n Big Red by the 5th turn. Do not w o r r y about your supply l i n e s because you have a steady flow of troops coming in to the a r e a . Concerning the r e s t of the units; take YELLOW* country and defend the homeland. Reinforce the d e s e r t campaign a s often a s possible. (Air F o r c e units should be s e n t a s soon a s they have been used to get yellow country. Also take GREEN country a s soon a s you can. T h i s o p e r a t i o n i s only a g e n e r a l idea. I have used i t a s I have p r e s e n t e d it to you h e r e and have had g r e a t s u c c e s s . P l e a s e u s e i t a s i s o r with your own changes. Send c o m m e n t s to: G a r y M. Dziatko, 139 Adelaide St., Hartford, Conn. 06114. NOTE: See M a r c h '66 I1General" f o r identification of m i n o r c o u n t r i e s by color. Sea Zone D 4 r n g r bns; 4 m a r divs; 1 f t r wing. CCC29 314-4. DDD29 118-6. RRR39 114-4 a i r b o r n e . BBB 33 214-4, 118-4-4. BBB34 114-6. AAA38 214-4. AAA40 216-6. F F F 4 5 1/8-20 SAC, 116-6 a i r a s s a u l t . RRR54 114-4 a i r b o r n e . BBB54 114-4 a i r b o r n e . YY43 116-6, 214-8 TAC, 1/4-12 f t r . 2 2 4 8 114-4. 1/8-20 SAC. XX45 314-4. TT45 114-4. SS45 214-4, 118-4-4. RR50 114-4. QQ49 114-4. P P 5 0 218-4-4, 114-4. 0050 118-6. NN48 216-6, 2 / 6 - 1 0 mdm. NN49 216-6, 2/4-12 f t r . On the f i r s t move the a t t a c k on G r e e n should b e launched Only if Blue h a s unavailable f o r u s e a sizeable f o r c e in Sea Zones C, D, o r E, since the extende d a t t a c k l e a v e s Red r e a r a r e a s defensel e s s . But under good conditions. move: WW26 314-4 & VV26 118-6 a t t a c k VV25. WW33 114-6 & XX32 214-4, 118-4-4 a t t a c k WW32. UU38 216-6 & VV38 214-4 a t t a c k UU37. UU42 314-4 & VV42 214-8 TAC, 114- 12 f t r a t t a c k VV42. 0 0 4 1 214-4, 118-4-4 & P P 4 1 114-4 a t t a c k 0 0 4 0 . JJ45 218-4-4, 114-4 a t t a c k JJ46. I138 216-6 & JJ38 2/6-10 m d m , 3/4-12 f t r a t t a c k JJ38. *DD39 216-6 & DD40 118-6 a t t a c k CC39. +BB42 214-4 a i r b o r n e & BB43 114-4 a i r b o r n e , 4 r n g r s a t t a c k AA42. *DD33 216-4 m a r & DD34 116-4 m a r , 112-4 m a r a t t a c k EE34. *BB32 114-4 m a r . (* denotes the optional invasion of Green; o t h e r w i s e u s e them to b e s t advantage e l s e w h e r e . ) Home g a r r i s o n s : 114-4 in each NN48. NN49, 2 2 4 8 ; 1166, 1 / 8 - 2 0 SAC YY43; 116-6 a i r a s s a u l t , 1/8-20 SAC CCC45. It i s possible only t o give the f i r s t move, a n d that conditionally, because in a game l i k e Blitzkrieg, the whole complexion of the game can change rapidly. Ungawa m a y give Red a f a s t jump on e x t r a supplies a n d put i t s a r m y in a good offensive position, but the bulk of Blue l i e s ahead. Since Blue's o p e r a tions a r e unknown, R e d m u s t u s e h i s intellect t o a d a p t t o c i r c u m s t a n c e . E r i c R . S h i m e r , I l l i c k ' s MillRoad, M.R. $23, Bethlehem, P a .

-*

Operation Ungawa
by E r i c R. Shimer In the l a s t two i s s u e s of the General t h e r e w e r e s e v e r a l opening m o v e s f o r Blue in Blitzkrieg. H e r e i s one f o r Red. It i s not perfect, but i t i s a good way f o r Red t o expand--fast. Ungawa m a k e s c a p t u r e of the two minor c o u n t r i e s (White, in the North, and B l a c k ) a d j a cent t o Red a certainty, with a good chance of neutralizing G r e e n (between L a k e P i n s k y and Sea Zone C). Of c o u r s e , the plan hinges upon B l u e ' s f i r s t move and R e d ' s n e c e s s a r y r e a c t i o n t o it. But if Blue i s content with taking Yellow ( b o r d e r i n g on B l u e ) and m e r e l y r e g r o u p ing, and the weather h o l d s , the e n t i r e plan i s workable. If not, Red will still have White and Black. In any c a s e , Ungawa, when s u c c e s s fully completed, expands R e d ' s supply capacity t o such a n extent that i t i s v e r y difficult f o r Blue t o eliminate R e d units by capturing c i t i e s - - T h e y just cannot c a p t u r e enough to make a n a i r d r o p worthwhile. Similarly, R e d ' s supply l i n e s a r e diffused and difficult t o cut. And R e d i s in a good position t o s m a s h through Brown (capital city HH31) a n d / o r Green. F r o m t h i s position R e d c a n d r i v e overland o r launch a n amphibious a s s a u l t t o get a t Blue; he m u s t wait and s e e what develops. H e r e a r e the recommended s t a r t i n g positions:

Operation Sandstorm
by G a r y M. Dziatko Operation "Sandstorm" i s a d e s e r t BLITZ f o r Blue in the g a m e of EI t ' s purpose i s a quick p e n e t r a tion of Big R e d ' s b o r d e r s . In o r d e r to succeed i t m u s t be c a r r i e d out in an a g g r e s s i v e manner. F i r s t I will d e a l only with the units that take p a r t in the d e s e r t operation. The following i s the s t a r t i n g set-up: l s t , 2nd, & 3 r d Mar. in s e a zone A. Also place the l s t , 2nd, 3 r d & 4th. Inf. and the 14th. TAC. The Mar. units land a t 0 0 - 2 3 and hold i t a s well a s 0 0 - 2 4 ( 2 units in 0 0 - 2 4 ) . The Inf. units and the TAC take City CC- 15 and on the next t u r n r e i n f o r c e the Mar. units. (Do not f o r g e t to keep a unit in the city and keep the TAC a t sea). S t a r t the 3 r d & 4 t h A r m o r e d units a t L-6 and the 2nd & 16th a t City G-4. These units take City U- 11 then on the next t u r n move up the d e s e r t road. The 17th, 18th, & 19th. L. T. units move f r o m D-7 along with the 20th.

Blitzkrieg Offense 8 Defense

b y Michael C. Kohn On The Offense During the two d e c a d e s of r e l a t i v e

PAGE 5
peace following World War I a revolut i o n a r y concept i n m o d e r n w a r f a r e w a s created by England's Capt. B a s i l Liddell-Hart a n d p e r f e c t e d by G e r m a n y ' s Col. Heinz Guderian. The B l i t z k r i e g w a s not a new type of w a r f a r e , but a novel technique f o r bringing existing weapons into t h e field of b a t t l e with g r e a t e r speed, s t r e n g t h , and s u r p r i s e then w a s previously possible. In t h i s view then, a r m o r i s b a s i c a l l y a highly mobile a r t i l l e r y . To fully a p p r e c i a t e t h e d e c i s i v e n e s s of the B l i t z k r i e g t a c t i c , we m u s t define t h r e e new t e r m s : schwerpunkt, i r r u p tion, and aufrollen. The Schwerpunkt The schwerpunkt, usually t r a n s l a t e d a s thrustpoint (called a m a s s o r center of g r a v i t y by the U. S. A r m y ) i s m o s t often a i m e d a t a weak point i n the enemy's defenses where a prepondera n c e of power i n a r m o r , a r t i l l e r y , a n d b o m b e r s c o n v e r g e s t o produce a d e c i sive l o c a l s u p e r i o r i t y . It i s the s p e a r head of a m a j o r campaign, t h e constantly shifting m a s s which f o r c e s t h e defender t o a t t e m p t t o maintain m o d e r a t e s t r e n g t h i n a l l s e c t o r s and t h u s g a i n s the e l e m e n t of s u r p r i s e f o r t h e a t t a c k e r . Irruption A favorite tactic among generals f r o m Hannibal t o R o m m e l w a s the flank a t t a c k which enabled t h e attacking c o m m a n d e r t o pit the bulk of h i s f o r c e a g a i n s t the weak shoulder of the e n e m y ' s l i n e and " r o l l up" t h e e n t i r e f r o n t . But with t h e advent of t h e m a c h i n e gun, which r e s u l t e d i n t r e n c h w a r f a r e and s t a t i c d e f e n s e s , the f r o n t s w e r e often s e v e r a l hundred m i l e s long--effectively with no weak flank. The p r o b l e m facing the c o m m a n d e r of a b l i t z w a s t o c r e a t e weak f l a n k s by p i e r c i n g through a s e c tion of the f r o n t with lightning-fast violence. T h i s b r e a k t h r o u g h on n a r r o w frontage i s t e r m e d a n i r r u p t i o n . T h i s being the i m m e d i a t e goal of the s c h w e r punkt. Aufrollen When the a i r power, a r m o r , and a r t i l l e r y have c r e a t e d a hole i n the e n e m y l i n e s , and a r m o r i s i r r u p t i n g through the gap i n f o r c e t o e n c l o s e t h e newly developed flanks i n a p i n c e r s , a c r i t i c a l situation once a g a i n t h r e a t e n s the attacking c o m m a n d e r . T o k e e p t h e blitz a l i v e the a t t a c k e r m u s t k e e p open a l i n e of supply t o h i s i r r u p t i n g columns, i . e . he m u s t p r e v e n t t h e d e f e n s e f r o m r e s e a l i n g the gap i n h i s l i n e s . In addition, the a r m o r e d c o l u m n s a r e s u s c e p tible to vigorous a t t a c k s on t h e flanks. T h e s e p r o b l e m s a r e solved by a m a n e u v e r called t h e aufrollen, l i t e r a l l y rolling out. While t h e m a i n body of a r m o r a d v a n c e s , penetrating d e e p into e n e m y held t e r r i t o r y , s m a l l e r g r o u p s d e p a r t f r o m the m a i n column a t r i g h t a n g l e s t o t h e d i r e c t i o n of advance a t specified i n t e r v a l s , providing c o v e r f o r the f l a n k s of t h e advancing a r m o r and preventing e n e m y f r o m closing the gap. A s a r e s u l t the d e f e n d e r s a r e f o r c e d to r e t r e a t c r e a t i n g a deep pocket i n the line. T h i s w a s m o s t graphically d e m o n s t r a t e d b y t h e Battle of the Bulge. T a c t i c s of the Gap and P o c k e t Even when a pocket h a s been f o r m e d i n the e n e m y ' s f r o n t the fighting d o e s not become conventional, but a new schwerpunkt i s f o r m e d and t h r u s t e i t h e r a t the mouth of the pocket t o widen t h e g a p o r d e e p i n s i d e the pocket i n a n a t t e m p t t o s e v e r t h e defensive l i n e . T h i s l a t t e r technique w a s u s e d v e r y s u c c e s s fully d u r i n g the Spanish Civil W a r . The p r o c e s s i s r e p e a t e d s e v e r a l t i m e s until the f r o n t finally d i s i n t e g r a t e s . Once t h e gap h a s b e e n f o r m e d , a n d a r m o r i s proceeding t o route the r e m n a n t s of the defense, mechanized infant r y shock t r o o p s a r e poured into t h e pocket t o widen the g a p and defeat i n d e t a i l a n y surviving units. When the pocket i s c l e a r e d of r e s i s t a n c e , s t a t i c infantry u n i t s a r e brought up t o occupy t h e ground gained. The Air Pocket S t r a t e g i c and t a c t i c a l a i r a s s a u l t s often accompany a n a r m o r e d i r r u p t i o n . The a l e r t c o m m a n d e r , however, will not abandon the r e s t of t h e battle t o the r e m a i n i n g ground f o r c e s , but l i k e the a r m o r below will fan out h i s b o m b e r s c r e a t i n g a pocket of dominated a i r s p a c e . T h i s s e r v e s two p u r p o s e s . In addition t o p r e s s i n g t h e a t t a c k f u r t h e r , t h e widening pocket of a i r control i n t e r d i c t s the s e c t o r s behind the f r o n t l i n e s making r e t r e a t o r r e l i e f of t h e engaged u n i t s difficult o r i m p o s s i b l e . Logically then t h e p r o c e s s i s a s follows: T h e goal i s a flank a t t a c k , the m e t h o d - - i r r u p t i o n . T o achieve i r r u p tion, a t t a c k on n a r r o w frontage i s e m ployed. Concentration of f o r c e s enables t h e c o m m a n d e r to fight on a n a r r o w f r o n t . T h e a i m i s concentration of f o r c e s , the method i s organization, mobility, and s u r p r i s e . On The Defense Whenever a new weapon o r t a c t i c i s developed, counter m e a s u r e s a r e soon found. So i t w a s with B l i t z k r i e g . Capt. Liddell-Hart, i n the e a r l y d a y s of m e c h a n i z e d w a r f a r e , diagnosed the p r o b l e m a s one of preventing a devastating flank a t t a c k b e f o r e r e s e r v e s could b e brought up. He d e v i s e d the c h e c k e r e d line a s a defense a g a i n s t t h i s t a c t i c . T h e C h e c k e r e d Line L i d d e l l - H a r t ' s defense, singularly adaptable to w a r g a m e s , c o n s i s t s of placing s m a l l u n i t s c h e c k e r b o a r d fashion behind a fortified l i n e . E a c h unit supp o r t s e a c h of i t s neighbors. and a l s o s e r v e s a s a built-in p a r a t r o o p s c r e e n . T h e s e u n i t s s e r v e a s d e l a y s enabling the defender t o b r i n g i n r e s e r v e s i n t i m e to c u t off the blitz. Most i m p o r tant of a l l , t h e c h e c k e r e d l i n e p r e v e n t s

THE GENERAL
the a u f r o l l e n m a n e u v e r f r o m widening the gap and protecting the flanks of the irrupting a r m o r . F o r example: b e f o r e the B r i t i s h f e l l back to the A l a m Halfaya ridge a t E l A l a m e i n , they had positioned t h e i r f o r c e s in a c h e c k e r e d l i n e which sustained many a t t a c k s b e f o r e n u m e r i c a l l o s s e s r e q u i r e d r e t r e a t t o the m o r e e a s i l y held r i d g e . R o m m e l ' s inability to r o l l up the f r o n t b y a f l a n k a t t a c k h a s b e e n cited a s the r e a s o n f o r t h e d e f e n s e ' s s u c c e s s . T h e Web Defense Col. F. 0. Miksche, s h o r t l y a f t e r the o u t b r e a k of the Second World W a r , proposed a n o t h e r d e f e n s e - - t h e web def e n s e and counter-blitz. T h i s defense i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by two p a r a l l e l f o r t i fied l i n e s connected by t r a n s v e r s e b a r r i e r s . T h u s a s e r i e s of rectangular zones a r e sectioned off and a c t a s a sleve, slowing the r a t e a t which a r m o r m a y p e n e t r a t e i t s n e s t s of mutually supporting f i r e . When the a r m o r does b r e a k through the f i r s t fortified line, the f r o n t c a n ' t be r o l l e d up due to the p r e s e n c e of the t r a n s v e r s e b a r r i e r s . The flanking m a n e u v e r i s stymied and the a r m o r i s overextended, caught i n a web of c r o s s f i r e a n d p r e y to guerillal i k e combat t e a m s a r m e d w i t h anti-tank weapons. T h e t i m e h a s c o m e f o r a counterattack! The Counter-Blitz But w h e r e should the a t t a c k c o m e ? In the g u e r r i l l a z o n e ? No! T h i s would b e using s t r o n g a r m o r and a i r f o r c e r e s e r v e s a g a i n s t the powerful s p e a r head of the a t t a c k - - a m o s t inefficient and c o s t l y deployment of t r o o p s . The c o u n t e r - b l i t z should s t r i k e i n f r o n t of the gap f o r m e d by the o r i g i n a l blitz rolling a c r o s s the w e a k e r infantry units attempting to widen t h e gap, and surging f o r w a r d to t a k e supply c e n t e r s i n the e n e m y r e a r . T h e a r m o r in the g u e r r i l l a

DESTRUCTION-OF THE

LINMl?

DEFENSS

THE GENERAL
zone i s now isolated a n d m u s t a t t e m p t to link up with r e s e r v e s o r b e defeated in detail a t the d e f e n d e r ' s l e i s u r e . Thus the initial advantage gained by a violently executed a t t a c k h a s been neutralized. The a g g r e s s o r c a n minim i z e the danger to h i s supply l i n e s by l e s s r a p i d advance, but t h i s effectively t a k e s away the s o u r c e of the b l i t z ' s power. A s i s often the c a s e , the t a c t i c ' s weakness i s a d i r e c t r e s u l t of i t s strength. Michael C. Kohn, 1900 P e n dleston S t . , Columbia. S. Carolina. LOW & GREEN 3 e a c h ; WHITE & BROWN 2 each; BLACK 4. ( c ) A m i n o r country r e c e i v e s no more replacements after its a r m y i s completely d e s t r o y e d (no c a d r e ) . 5. P a n z e r - g r a n a d i e r units may, and a r m o r e d c a v a l r y units m a y not, conduct beach landings. In addition to the r u l e s , h e r e a r e s o m e "helpful hints" on playing with these new units: 1. The WHITE units m a y be m a d e on the r e v e r s e side of BLITZKRIEG o r MIDWAY units f o r ; the GREEN, u s e the r e v e r s e side of units f r o m m o s t o t h e r games. Change BLACK to GRAY and you c a n m a k e t h e i r s out of o r d i n a r y cardboard. F o r BROWN, t r y using white s q u a r e s with r e d l e t t e r i n g ; f o r YELLOW, the s a m e but with blue l e t tering. 2. F o r added i n t e r e s t , designate one o r two of the YELLOW o r WHITE infantry units a s " d e s e r t " units. No, they don't d e s e r t when the fighting s t a r t s ; they a r e the only units whose supply r e q u i r e m e n t s do not double while in the d e s e r t , and they move 1 e x t r a s q u a r e p e r t u r n when traveling c r o s s country in the d e s e r t . 3. My l a s t c o m m e n t d e a l s withScott Duncan's a r t i c l e , a l s o i n the M a r c h i s sue, on computing casualties. Why not add a r u l e to the effect that, when c a s u a l t i e s go beyond a c e r t a i n level, the people a t home s t a r t complaining and t r a n s m i t t h e i r dissatisfaction t o the troops, who e i t h e r d e s e r t o r d e f e c t ? When c a s u a l t i e s g e t too high, the c o m m a n d e r would have to r e m o v e e i t h e r a p r e - d e t e r m i n e d n u m b e r of c o m b a t f a c t o r s (desertion), o r twice that n u m b e r (defection). O r the guilty c o m m a n d e r could r e m o v e a c e r t a i n number while the opposing c o m m a n d e r added that many to h i s own f o r c e s . C o m m e n t s ? Send them to J o s e p h Antosiak, 2715 Lakeview Cir. , Beaumont, T e x a s 77703.

PAGE 6
one. While I a m probably not the f i r s t p e r s o n to conceive such a n idea, no one e l s e h a s had the unbridled a r r o gance to lay i t before the g e n e r a l public. To c r e a t e this weapon takes only a half-hour, s h i r t c a r d b o a r d , s c i s s o r s , and m a g i c m a r k e r . Cut out twenty-five s q u a r e s of the s a m e size, and l a b e l them one to twenty-five. Find a suitable container with a lid and the job i s done. Before you l i e s the equipment designed to give you peace of mind and the B r i t i s h A d m i r a l , headaches. To u s e t h i s s y s t e m , imagine the B i s m a r c k to be a t the c e n t e r of a box five zones to a side, twenty-five s q u a r e s in all. In a given t u r n , the B i s m a r c k can go to any of these she wishes, d i s counting land s q u a r e s . After a t u r n i s checked off, a s s i g n e a c h of t h e p o s s i b l e s q u a r e s that the B i s m a r c k c a n go to a number . Then shake the container thoroughly and pull o u t a c a r d . T h e r e you have it. Instant relaxation and r a n d o m p a t t e r n ! The theory behind t h i s stolid, nonthinking approach l i e s upon the f a c t that the B r i t i s h have only seven capital ships to cover twenty-five s q u a r e s . T h e r e f o r e , i t i s possible f o r the B i s m a r c k to never even contact a capital shipduring the e n t i r e game. Unfortunately, I have y e t to s e e this utopia come true. Consider, f o r instance, the following game. The B i s m a r c k , a l a s , lost, but managed to keep the B r i t i s h busy until the morning of the 27th. I w a s H e r r Lutjens, enjoying m y usual t e r r i b l e gunnery (meeting the Renown and Repulse t h r e e t i m e s and sinking neither d o e s things f o r the m o r a l e ) , while the B r i t i s h couldn't m i s s to save their souls. The b e s t I could do w a s r e t i r e f r o m the Battle Board quickly. In some m i n i s c u l e way, i t m a d e up f o r m y gunn e r y deficiencies. Still, in twenty-two t u r n s t h e r e w e r e only f o u r contacts and t h r e e battles. This s y s t e m throws the p r o b l e m to the British. He cannot r e l y on a plot of previous m o v e m e n t s to tell h i m what to do. The b e s t he c a n do i s place h i s ships in a blind p a t t e r n and hope the B i s m a r c k s t u m b l e s into a s q u a r e that he i s in. Neither of u s c l a i m that this method of playing will win. I t i s r a t h e r a n a t t e m p t to even the odds against the Bismarck. The p r e s s u r e i s now o n the B r i t i s h player. He c a n only hope f o r a chance meeting, f o r h e cannot e x t r a polate the plot. If he concentrates, he h a s l e s s chance of finding the Bismarck. If he goes one ship p e r s q u a r e , he can be defeated in detail o r escaped f r o m , a s the B i s m a r c k wishes. C o m m e n t s to ( L C ) 54 Westford S t r e e t , Chelmsford, M a s s . , (MN) 30 Lincoln St., Watertown, Mass.

What to do With Minor Country Troops

by J o s e p h Antosiak The a r t i c l e in the M a r c h i s s u e on t r o o p s f o r the m i n o r c o u n t r i e s in BLITZKRIEG w a s excellent. To save the R e s e a r c h & Design people s o m e work ( p e r h a p s they c a n put t h i s newfound t i m e to u s e designing a World War I g a m e ? ) , I should like to p r o p o s e the following a s a s t a r t i n g point f o r a n addition to the Battle Manual to allow f o r these new troops. 1. Rule (5) under "Minor Countries" i s deleted. I t i s a s s u m e d that the 2 f a c t o r s f o r m e r l y l o s t by the invading country r e p r e s e n t e d l o s s e s due t o the actions of the "invisible" a r m y . 2. The C i t y C a p t u r e Table i s r e vised a s follows:

The r e a s o n f o r making the invader fight f o r a c i t y i s that i t i s a s s u m e d that the people of the city will offer r e sistance if t h e i r a r m y i s not there. If units of the m i n o r a r m y a r e in the city, the battle i s r e s o l v e d a s if i t w e r e any other, and t h i s table i s not used. Naturally, if one country a l l i e s itself with another, t r o o p s m a y p a s s f r e e l y through e a c h o t h e r ' s cities. 3. In addition, m i n o r c i t i e s m a y n o t be used by f o r e i g n p o w e r s f o r supply, a i r t r a n s p o r t , etc., unless: ( a ) The two c o u n t r i e s a r e allies, and the m i n o r c o u n t r y ' s " r u l e r 1 ' h a s given permission; (b) The invading power h a s c a p t u r e d all the c i t i e s in the m i n o r country. 4. Minor a r m i e s r e c e i v e r e p l a c e m e n t s a t the s a m e t i m e s a s m a j o r a r m i e s , subject t o the following: ( a ) A m i n o r a r m y m a y n e v e r exceed i t s f i r s t - t u r n strength. (b) The r e p l a c e m e n t r a t e s in f a c t o r s - p e r - t u r n f o r e a c h a r m y a r e : YEL-

How to Play Bismark Without ~ x p e n d i n Energy ~

by Lincoln C l a r k with Modifications by M a r k Nickerson A d m i r a l Lutjens, a r e you f o r e v e r taking the d e e p six with your splendid v e s s e l because your opponents use crooked dice and peek o v e r s c r e e n s ? If you nod emphatically y e s , have hope. This a r t i c l e m a y p e r m i t you to l a s t a few d a y s l o n g e r . Around h e r e , the B i s m a r c k i s quickly clobbered by the B r i t i s h A d m i r a l outguessing the G e r m a n and deducing a pattern. Other than running away (which m e r e l y postpones the inevitable), the only way of preventing the B r i t i s h f r o m deducing a p a t t e r n i s not to have

PAGE 7

THE GENERAL
Odds* Combat Value e i t h e r the woods betweenQB and Nivelles o r even f u r t h e r w e s t in the a r e a between Nivelles and B r a i n e L e Comte. This i s playing right into t h e i r hands. Your s t r e n g t h , mildly d i s s a p a t e d a t f i r s t , i s f u r t h e r s p r e a d out due t o the f a c t i t ' s a b i t of a walk t o Nivelles f r o m F l e u r u s . So a s you get to the woods o r the Nivell e s - s o u t h w e s t r o a d , your f o r c e s a r e chewed up b i t by b i t - defeat in detail. My idea, strategically, i s t o attack down through Tilly t o w h e r e the e a s t w e s t r i v e r i n t e r s e c t s with the Thil R i v e r a n d then t o swing w e s t and north. P r e s t o ! No flank! Yes. I know, h e r e c o m e s the r e b u t t a l s . You'll s a y the P r u s s i a n s a r e too strong t o wipe out when you head f o r Tilly. You'll a l s o c l a i m that the 3-space p a s s a t Tilly i s too s m a l l t o allow a safe passage of the bulk of your a r m y . F i r s t the P r u s s i a n A r m y , while being equal in infantry a r t i l l e r y s t a c k s (five 15-high s t a c k s f o r both s i d e s , not counting the c o r p s a t Marchienne a u P o n t and G o s s e l i e s ) i s by no m e a n s equal in caval-ry. You can put up t h r e e 15-high s t a c k s , while the P r u s s i a n s have t o b e content with one 13-high one. So when you join in battle a t Tilly ( o r slightly south of t h e r e ) h e i s ( o r will b e c o m e ) tactically flankless. You can u s e a pincer movement with your cavalry. His few c a v a l r y p i e c e s will b e quickly u s e d up in delaying action. Secondly, the 3-space a t Tilly i s wide enough. If you defeat the P r u s s i a n s a t Tilly h e b e a b l e to hold you up in the s m a l l p a s s with h i s c a v a l r y f o r a while-----but how much c a v a l r y d o e s he p o s s e s s ? Your opening set-up ( a l l in s t a c k s of 15 on the F l e u r u s - C h a r l e r o i secondary r o a d ) should be i n t h i s o r d e r : cavalry, infantry, infantry, infantry, cavalry, infantry, c a v a l r y , I m p e r i a l Guard, Napoleon. T h i s l e t s your c a v a l r y cut out f a s t , but doesn't l e a v e it out on a limb. y o u r infantry should c r o s s the r i v e r a s f a s t a s possible. R e i l l e ' s 2nd C o r p s a t G o s s e l i e s i s t o b e u s e d t o cover QB f r o m a n English b r e a k - o u t (highly unl i k e l y ) i n the f i r s t four h o u r s . After f o u r h o u r s D ' E r l o n ' s 1 s t C o r p s will take o v e r the job, and the 2nd will b e f r e e t o e i t h e r protect the flank o r continue a l l the way t o Tilly. You had b e t t e r b e a good tactician f o r Tilly i s the t a c t i c i a n s ' paradise. Both a r m i e s join right in the middle, with, of c o u r s e , the F r e n c h c a v a l r y on the P r u s s i a n s ' flanks. A poor tactician can botch the whole operation by allowing too many powerful P r u s s i a n units t o e s c a p e f r o m the f i r s t battle of Tilly. Don't a t t a c k until you can get your ent i r e s t r e n g t h available a t Tilly. A p r e m a t u r e b a t t l e m e a n s c u r t a i n s f o r the French. T h e r e ' s one thing t o watch out f o r : that i s s o m e p l a y e r s get v e r y panicky should the Tilly battle r e q u i r e s e v e r a l

Combat Results Analysis

by Tony L e a l The s t a n d a r d c o m b a t r e s u l t s c h a r t f o r AFRICA KORPS, STALINGRAD, e tc., m a y be analyzed by giving n u m e r i c a l values to e a c h of the r e s u l t s and taking the a v e r a g e to g e t a c o m b a t value f o r each of the b a s i c odds divisions. result A ELIM A BACK 2 EXCHANGE D BACK 2 D ELIM value -2

*(S) = surrounded Now divide the s u m by the n u m b e r of battles. total battle value =

+1

-1
0 1 2

+ +

F o r e a c h of the b a s i c odds divisions t h e r e a r e 6 possible r e s u l t s . We m a y now a v e r a g e the 6 n u m e r i c a l v a l u e s to get a c o m b a t value. b a s i c odds standard D surrounded

A surrounded

Other a r r a n g e m e n t s in this p a r t i c u l a r battle m a y give a higher battle value than + 1. If so, they should be followed when fighting the battle. I t m a y b e a r g u e d that a value of 0 f o r EXCHANGE i s i n c o r r e c t since an exchange i s advantageous f o r the side which h a s units l e f t o v e r to c a p t u r e the ground. A s m a l l change in the table c a n fix this. F o r odds of 1-2 o r l e s s , l e t exchange = -112; f o r 1-1, the 0 value m a y r e m a i n ; and f o r odds of g r e a t e r than 1 - 1, a value of + 1/ 2 m a y be given. The battle value m u s t not be c o m puted o v e r too l a r g e a n a r e a since a soak-off on one p a r t of the board will cancel an automatic victory on another. The value would be meaningless. The method affords a good m e c h a n i c a l p r o c e d u r e f o r finding the b e s t way to fight multiple-unit battles. I t i s , of c o u r s e , not p r a c t i c a l to calculate e v e r y possible a r r a n g e m e n t of units, but in play-by-mail g a m e s , a longer p e r i o d of time i s available. In the example above, t h e r e a r e 7 G e r m a n units which could a t t a c k any of 2 Allied units and 5 which could a t t a c k any one of 3. T h i s g i v e s a m a x i m u m of 27-35 = 31, 004possible battles. (minus a few since e v e r y allied unit m u s t be attacked a t l e a s t once). I t would take too long to compute a l l of these, but c e r t a i n r u l e s c a n be followed. 1 ) G e t a s many surrounded b a t t l e s a s possible, 2) s t a y above 2-1 and 1-3 if possible since t h e s e give the biggest n u m e r i c a l jump on the table.

It i s now a n e a s y m a t t e r to a r r i v e a t the b e s t possible way of fighting a m u l t i ple-unit battle. Simply l i s t a l l of the odds a n d . a v e r a g e t h e i r c o m b a t value to get a total battle value. The a r r a n g e m e n t which m a k e s t h i s total battle value a m a x i m u m i s the a r r a n g e m e n t which h a s the b e s t p o s s i b i l i t i e s of s u c c e s s . The battle value will a l s o t e l l what should be expected i n the battle. F o r example, a battle value of 1.6 should yield m o s t of the d e f e n d e r s back 2 p l u s good c h a n c e s that a few will be e l i m i nated.

On to Brussells
by Ken Hoffman Most of u s play WATERLOO t a c t i c a l l y , o r , a t b e s t , grand tactically. I u s e d t o do t h i s . One night I decided t o look a t WATERLOO f r o m a s t r a t e g i c standpoint. H e r e i s the s t r a t e g y I d e veloped: The A l l i e s ( a s 1'11 c a l l the P - A - A ) have one s u p r e m e weakness - that i s the point a t which t h e i r r e i n f o r c e m e n t s e n t e r into the game. Most p l a y e r s f o r get about Tilly a n d QB and head f o r

As a specific example, I will analyze the battle given in the S e p t e m b e r 1965 i s s u e of "The General". (Volume 2, No. 3, page 7. Contest No. 9). Defender 501 502 506 CCR 327G Attacker 1, 20.7 554.562 2,124 8, 561.9,553 17

THE GENERAL
h o u r s m o r e than expected. Don't w o r r y ! You're hurting t h e P r u s s i a n s m o r e than y o u ' r e hurting y o u r s e l f . Also, i n s t e a d of h a v i n g a l o t of l i t t l e f o r m a t i o n s , have l e s s b i g - o n e s - - - s o r t of l i k e t h e A r m y of N o r t h e r n V i r g i n i a ! F o r i n s t a n c e , use 1 cavalry stack to replace t h e l o s s e s of the o t h e r two. Use up s o m e weakened infantry t o r e p l a c e the l o s s e s of o t h e r s s o you have a v e r y o r g a n i z e d a n d c o m p a c t a r m y . T h i s i s i m p o r t a n t so you can b r i n g a l o t of s t r e n g t h t o b e a r on one t u r n . P r e t t y soon the A l l i e s will get out of QB and f a l l back t o t h e l i n e of the Genappe R i v e r . Once a g a i n , he c a n b a r e l y r e i n f o r c e t h e Wavre f r o n t s o you continue t o u s e your c a v a l r y a s a s p e a r h e a d - - - confusing the A l l i e s and getting i n t h e i r way s o they c a n ' t f o r m a cohensive d e f e n s e line. Once you've b r o k e n t h e l i n e of t h e L a L a s n e R i v e r h e ' s had i t . R e m e m b e r - - - k e e p cool a n d you'll be in B r u s s e l s on June 19th. Any c o m m e n t s will b e v e r y gladly r e c e i v e d a t m y home a d d r e s s : Ken Hoffman, 266 C a r r o l l St., New Bedford, M a s s . 02740, Attn: WATERLOO, Avalon Hill to h e r audience. M r s . Blake h a s a n excellent voice. H e r c u r r e n t h i t s , " T u r n Around Boy", and "Two of Us" have gotten h e r scheduled f o r p e r s o n a l a p p e a r a n c e s on the r e a l l y big TV shows. H e r song-styling will make h e r quite a singing s t a r of t h e f u t u r e . Look f o r h e r soon. A l s o , look f o r Michael Blake who might just t u r n up i n your city s e a r c h ing f o r a n Avalon Hill opponent a s fanat i c a l a s he i s .

PAGE 8
The c a v a l r y group on HH22 can be employed on the QB f r o n t if n e c e s s a r y . but should usually continue on i t s way to the e a s t and end up on 1130, in support of the I C o r p s . The 5-4 on BB24 i s u s e d f o r a soak-off a g a i n s t AA25. It can be augmented with s o m e of the c a v a l r y , if n e c e s s a r y . Units on 2 2 7 and 2 2 8 c a n be taken c a r e of with the c a v a l r y adjacent to t h e m , and HH22 can supply a n y additional soak-off units you might need. Depending on what the PAA player h a s done i n h i s t u r n , you c a n e i t h e r h i t everything on AA26 a t t h r e e t o one, o r you c a n soak off again and s m a s h one o f t h e units a t four o r five to one ( a s s u m i n g t h e r e a r e two). T h u s the hilltop position i s effectively broken, and the PAA player m u s t continue the battle, which i s foolish a s well a s expensive, o r he m u s t w i t h d r a w , which i s bad f o r h i m a t t h i s e a r l y stage. T h e o t h e r F r e n c h units should c l o s e i n f r o m the w e s t . The F r e n c h player should continue to push in the c e n t e r , exploiting h i s advantage, with secondary drives through Tilly and Nivelles. The PAA player i s by no m e a n s finished, despite h i s l o s s . His l a s t n a t u r a l defense line i s the Genappe r i v e r , which m u s t be b r o k e n quickly. A capable opponent c a n slow the F r e n c h advance t o a c r a w l with 1-6 and 1-4 u n i t s , so a l l advances should be s p e a r h e a d e d by c a v a l r y f o r m a t i o n s to help b r e a k up and cut down on t h e s e t a c t i c s . Never p a s s up a n opportunity t o a t t a c k the enemy a t good odds. He cannot a f f o r d to take many c a s u a l t i e s among h i s heavy units if he e x p e c t s to put up a stiff defense. Don't l e t one portion of t h e f r o n t outrun the o t h e r s o r the e n e m y will m o s t likely cave in your extended flank and chew up your t r o o p s badly. Defeat in detail i s the big thing f o r the F r e n c h to avoid. A s long a s you can k e e p a f a i r l y cohesive f r o n t , you a r e doing fine. Drive down the r o a d to B r u s s e l s r e l e n t l e s s l y ; n e v e r l e t up f o r a moment. Your b e s t chance f o r v i c t o r y l i e s in using the d e fection r u l e . F o r you PAA p l a y e r s , the b e s t s t r a t e g y i s a n a v i d u s e of the weak units f o r delay. T h e s e can be c o n s e r v e d by the following method: A l t e r n a t e t h e s e units with s t a c k s of two 6 - 4 ' s which a r e a c c e s s i b l e f r o m only one s q u a r e . F o r e x a m p l e , on the f i r s t t u r n , you c a n place a 1 - 6 a t CC19 and DD15, with the 6 - 4 ' s a t BB17, and a n o t h e r group of 6 - 4 ' s a t BB21. The F r e n c h can only m a k e s n a i l ' s p r o g r e s s a t minimum cost t o yourself using t h i s method. He can a l w a y s a t t a c k a t r e l a t i v e l y poor odds, but s u s t a i n e d l o s s e s will slow blue p r o g r e s s even f u r t h e r l a t e r on. T h e r e i s no defense a g a i n s t the F r e n c h o p e n e r outlined above, but you c a n put powerful g r o u p s of units a t 227. 228, Z29, AA26, AA25 and AA24 to

;JETWEEN SHOWS: The big b r a s s a t Avalon Hill c h a t with popular c h a n t e u s s e H a r r i e t t e Blake (with o r a n g e juice). Seated l e f t to r i g h t a r e M r . & M r s . A. E r i c Dott, V i c e - P r e s i d e n t , M r s . Blake and Ted Wienert.

Songstress Harriette Blake Plugs the Games A Walloping in Waterloo

How f a r would you go f o r a n Avalon Hill Game ? A m i l e ? Two m i l e s ? How about 800 m i l e s ? T h a t ' s e x a c t l y how f a r Michael Blake t r a v e l e d j u s t to v i s i t Avalon Hill. "Some kind of nut, " you s a y ? Young Mr. Blake l i v e s in Chicago with h i s m o t h e r , H a r r i e t t e Blake, whose singing c a r e e r t a k e s h e r a l l o v e r the country. But Michael p r e f e r s to s t a y in C h i c a g o playing you-know-whoseg a m e s i n s t e a d of making t h e s e t r i p s to a l l of the big c i t i e s i n the f o u r c o r n e r s of the country. ( Y e s , we g u e s s he i s some kind of nut. ) However, when M r s . Blake w a s scheduled f o r a B a l t i m o r e a p p e a r a n c e in the Playboy Club, Michael decided that he must accompany h e r f o r the chance to v i s i t the m a k e r s of those game s. Of c o u r s e , we f e l t f l a t t e r e d by i t a l l a s we a r e when anyone w i s h e s to v i s i t o u r offices and plant. The l u d i c r o u s p a r t i s t h a t t h e r e r e a l l y i s nothing m u c h to s e e a t a g a m e - m a k i n g place e x c e p t the fun-filled side t r i p s w h e r e one c a n watch the printing p r e s s e s chew up the troop c o u n t e r s and the shipping c l e r k s manhandle the s p e c i a l handling p a c k ages. Meanwhile, b a c k a t the Club, the big b r a s s of Avalon Hill w e r e enjoying a between-shows tete-a-tete with H a r r i e t t e Blake, h e r s e l f ( s e e pix. ) M r s . Blake turned out t o be quite a c h a r m i n g c h a n t e u s s e who found t i m e to r a v e about by T o m E l l e r H e r e i s a F r e n c h opening move f o r Waterloo which e n s u r e s the c a p t u r e of the heights in f r o n t of Q u a t r e B r a s , and, inevitably, QB i t s e l f . Below a r e the i m p o r t a n t m o v e m e n t s f o r t h i s objective. Units: 6-4 2-6, 3-6 2-6 6-4, 6 - 4 5-4, 6 - 4 Three 5-4's Three 5-4's 4 - 6 , 3-6, 3 - 6 , 3 - 6 , 2-6 Start: LL20 LLZO LL20 MMZO LL2 1 0016 0015 PP15 Stop: DD2 5 BB27 BB25 EE23 EE22 GGZ 1 KK19 HH22

You will o b s e r v e that the f i r s t move f o r a l l the F r e n c h units i s not given. Only those units participating in the QB a t t a c k a r e shown. The r e s t c a n be positioned and moved a t the individual p l a y e r ' s option. H e r e i s the second turn. Units: 6-4 6-4, 6 - 4 3- 6 2-6 Three 5-4's Three 5-4's 3-6 6-4 5-4 Start: DD25 EE23 BB27 BB27 GGZ 1 KK19 HH22 EEZZ EE22 Stop: -

BB25 AA27 AA27 AA28 BB26 DD23 BBZ5 BB25 BB24

THE GENERAL
e x t r a c t the m a x i m u m toll of F r e n c h soak-off units, t h e r e a f t e r using delaying t a c t i c s o r a l i m i t e d battle. Nivelles will b e jeopardized by the f a l l of Q u a t r e B r a s , but you should not give up without a b i t t e r s t r u g g l e i n t h i s a r e a , t h e r e a f t e r conducting a slow r e t r e a t . T h e e n t i r e PAA s t r a t e g y can b e s u m m a r i z e d a s one of holding a position a s long a s possible and then conducting a slow withdrawal. Make a l a s t ditch effort in the f o r e s t de Soignes. Counterattack if the F r e n c h m a n g i v e s you a good opportunity t o do so. It i s i m p o r t a n t t o c o n s e r v e your t r o o p s t r e n g t h , however. A few closing r e m a r k s . The PAA player c a n hang on to good d e f e n s e positions even if t h e r e i s a hole n e a r b y , by plugging t h e gap with a d e l a y e r f o r a s many t u r n s a s f e a s i b l e . Some delaying units should b e s e n t south f r o m Nivelles on the f i r s t t u r n a n d m o r e t h e r e a f t e r to delay t h e I C o r p s advance. T h e d e laying units a r e g e n e r a l l y a l l the t r o o p s you will have t o s e n d h e r e , s i n c e a s u c c e s s f u l delaying a c t i o n will k e e p t h e F r e n c h away until t h e r e i n f o r c e m e n t s f r o m B r a i n e - l e - C o m t e m a k e the s c e n e . Delay by Tilly i s e a s y b e c a u s e of t h e wooded t e r r a i n . C o m m e n t s , poison-pen l e t t e r s and the like should b e a d d r e s s e d t o T o m E l l e r , 3100 6 3 r d Avenue, Cheverly, Maryland 20785. f i r s t o r the remaining principles a r e useless. The Three Levels T h e r e a r e t h r e e l e v e l s of obiectives. if we d i s c u s s t h e m we can m a k e t h e definition and the intent of t h i s principle c l e a r . T h e F i n a l Objective F i r s t of a l l , t h e r e i s Ultimate, Main, o r F i n a l Obj. F o r the A . H. w a r g a m e r , i t i s the conditions of v i c t o r y a s s e t i n t h e r u l e s of the game. F o r example, i n the b a s i c BULGE g a m e , the G e r m a n p l a y e r wins if he e i t h e r ( a ) g e t s a n y 20 u n i t s a c r o s s the M e u s e . . . b y h i s Dec. 23rd p . m . ' t u r n , o r by ( b ) eliminating a l l U. S. u n i t s on b o a r d . Often you get a choice l i k e t h i s f r o m among two o r three. T h e I n t e r m e d i a t e Objectives The next l e v e l down t h e l a d d e r , a r e t h e I n t e r m e d i a t e Objectives. Thiq i s w h e r e t h e r e a l b r a i n power c o m e s in. These a r e the major accomplishments, m a d e i n ~ l a n n e d seouence. that m u s t contribute t o w a r d gaining the F i n a l Objective. (Think about that f o r a m o m e n t . ) If you w e r e playing BLITZKRIEG, f o r e x a m p l e , one plan f o r a t taining the F i n a l Obj. might involve t h e s e I n t e r m e d i a t e Objectives. ( 1 ) T o a t t r i t i o n the enemy, stinging h i m f o r X n u m b e r o r m o r e combat f a c t o r s b e f o r e your m a i n b a t t l e f o r c e s join. ( 2 ) Then get h i m t o c o m m i t a s many of h i s f o r c e s , a s possible, while holding a m a x i m u m of o n e ' s own i n r e s e r v e f o r the "Big Bang". ( 3 ) F r o m t h e r e t r y to m a n e u v e r h i m t o a battleground of o n e ' s own choosing a n d ( 4 ) t h e r e t r y t o gain t h e balance of power i n the r e s u l t i n g b a t t l e s t o ( 5 ) i n c r e a s e o r a t l e a s t hold the b a l a n c e of power. And then if done well enough complete t h e F i n a l Obj. by ( 1 ) eliminating h i m , o r ( 2 ) by occupying a l l of h i s h o m e country c i t i e s f o r one complete t u r n . T h e s e and o t h e r s l i k e s e i z u r e & c o n t r o l of c r i t i c a l t e r r a i n . ( s u c h a s , t h e Q u a t r e B r a s a r e a i n Waterloo), des t r u c t i o n & nullification of a part> your opponent's f o r c e s i n a key s e c t o r , (such a s , encircling & destroying the m a x i m u m possible U.S. F o r c e s e a s t of the Ourthe Rive i n BULGE); o r t h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t of something within a certain time frame, (such a s , the speedy f a l l of Tobruk i n A. K. ) a r e a l l e x a m p l e s of I n t e r m e d i a t e Objectives. T h e L o c a l Objectives An objective i s a goal that i s within your ability t o r e a c h . E v e r y m i l i t a r y operation m u s t have a d e c i s i v e a n d a t t a i n a b l e goal b e f o r e you c a n do anything e l s e . T h e objective m u s t b e s e t T h e t h i r d l e v e l , a r e the L o c a l Obj e c t i v e s . T h e s e apply t o t h e g o a l s a t tained within one o r two m o v e s on one section of the g a m e b o a r d . T h e s e l i k e the i n t e r m e d i a t e m u s t contribute toward a c c o m p l i s h m e n t of the next highest objective. You c a n have a c t i o n s going on to a c c o m p l i s h one o r a n u m b e r of t h e s e d u r i n g a single move. A t t i m e s , you'll find that combat m a y not b e n e c e s s a r y t o a c c o m p l i s h a l o c a l objective, (such a s , finding Minsk, a decent l i t t l e communications c e n t e r , is y o u r s f o r the taking, a s t h e G e r m a n play i n STALINGRAD. ) At t h e s a m e t i m e a n u m b e r of o t h e r l o c a l o b j e c t i v e s a r e being s t r i v e d f o r , of c o u r s e . L o c a l t a c t i c a l Objectives a r e of i m m e d i a t e i n t e r e s t , b e c a u s e you have to take c a r e of t h e m now & i n the next move t o k e e p the g a m e moving. But they a r e only of value a s contribut o r s t o t h e higher objectives. Notes & Suggestions Capt. MacMurdy s a y s , "Choosing objective i s e a s y ; picking the a p p r o p r i a t e o n e s is something altogether different. F i r s t , i n s u r e t h a t you understand t h e final objective o r ultimate objectives (the v i c t o r y conditions ). Then plan your a t t a c k t o p r o c e e d logically f r o m l o c a l t o i n t e r m e d i a t e t o final obj e c t i v e ( ~ ) . F o r knowing w h e r e y o u ' r e going i s half the battle. E s p e c i a l l y , r e m e m b e r don't play t h e g a m e in a r a n d o m , move by move. style. Though the m e c h a n i c s of the g a m e a r e such t h a t i t l o o k s that way, don't think that way a s you play. Think of what you want t o a c c o m p l i s h f i r s t . Also, i t is a l w a y s a goad idea t o r e r e a d the r u l e & k e e p t h e final objective f o r e m o s t i n mind. It h e l p s keep you f r o m becoming confused about the r u l e s a s the game progresses. E d i t o r ' s Notes F o r high points & definitions s e e underlined w o r d s & p h r a s e s . J a r e d Johnson is doing a s u r v e y & h a s n ' t had m u c h luck i n getting anybody t o p a r t i c i p a t e . He s a y s i t ' s f o r a worthy c a u s e (A. H. ? ) How about a n s w e r i n g h i s a d i n the May '66 GENERAL, 4th col. f r o m left; 4th a d down f r o m top. Size up your opponent (the enemy), t h e g a m e b o a r d ( t h e t e r r a i n ) , the weather f a c t o r if involved, & Y o u r own s t r e n g t h s & w e a k n e s s e s , (both o n t h e b o a r d & i n your h e a d . ) R e m e m b e r , t h i s p r o c e s s b e g i n s when you p r e p a r e f o r play & should b e constantly reviewed & r e v i s e d a s t h e g a m e p r o c e e d s . By keeping a few n o t e s & analyzing t h e m a t the end of play you will know w h e r e your thinking w a s good & bad. Next i s s u e : beginning the P r i n c i p l e s of M a s s & M a n e u v e r . . M y r o n R . Brundage. 2437 W. Sunnyside, Chicago, Ill.

The Principles of War for the AH Wargamer

by M. J. F r a n k w i c z f o r m e r Capt., U. S. A. Capt. W.L. MacMurdy, U.S.A. M. B r u n d a g e , E d i t o r T h e P r i n c i p l e s of the Objective Why m u s t we study the P r i n . of the Obj. f i r s t b e f o r e a l l the o t h e r s ? Bec a u s e , a s G e n e r a l S h e r m a n said, "War i s Hell. I t War i s not something we c a n do on a r a n d o m , o r f i r s t - c o m e , f i r s t s e r v e d b a s i s , n o r something that c a n b e done on a p r o g r e s s i v e b a s i s , l i k e a baby who l e a r n s t o c r a w l b e f o r e walking. R a t h e r , Gentlemen, when one w a g e s w a r , one e n t e r s the m o s t violent of m a n ' s a c t i v i t i e s a n d h e had b e t t e r know w h e r e h e wants to go b e f o r e h e s t a r t s , b e c a u s e h e ' s going t o b e stung e v e r y s t e p of the way. T h i s i s why t h e objective i s t h e f i r s t p r i n c i p l e of w a r . Settine the Objective

THE GENERAL

Moscow at 3 to 1
by J a c k Donovan Many w o r d s have been w r i t t e n about p e r f e c t R u s s i a n placement but c o n t r a r y to the f a c t t h e r e a i n ' t no such thing a s a perfect R u s s i a n placement. The p e r f e c t G e r m a n plan we shall now d i s c u s s w a s good enough f o r the G e r m a n G e n e r a l Staff a n d i t will a l s o b e good enough f o r u s . The G e r m a n plan w a s t o place the bulk of h i s a r m o r and a r m o r e d infantry in the north c e n t r a l a r e a a n d d r i v e tow a r d Leningrad a n d Moscow with the p r i m e object of capturing Moscow a n d dividing the R u s s i a n a r m i e s in two. In the south between B r e s t Litovsk and the Black Sea the G e r m a n w a s t o t i e up a s much of the R u s s i a n a r m y a s possible without absorbin'g too much in the way of l o s e s . H e r e then i s o u r p e r f e c t G e r m a n plan including the division of t h e units into 3 a r m y groups. The 3 a r m y groups shall b e designated a s A r m y Group South (A.G. S. ), A r m y .Group North (A. G. N. ), a n d A r m y Group F i n land (A. G. F. ), e a c h of t h e s e groups shall have a definite a r e a of r e s p o n s i bility and n u m b e r of t r o o p units a t t a c h ed to i t a.s follows: A r e a of Responsibility UNITS 8-8-6 7-7-6 6-6-6 5-5-4 4-4-6 4-4-4 3-3-6 3-3-4 Finnish Rumanian A. G . ' S. A l l grbund North of B r e s t Litovsk A . G. S. A l l ground South of B r e s t Litovsk

A. G. I?. Finland

t o t i e up a s much of the R u s s i a n A r m y a s possible. T h i s i s done by placing 6 units of (4-4-4) and one unitof (3-3-6) between LL-12 and the Black Sea, 6 m o r e u n i t s of (4-4-4) m u s t b e placed next t o Hungary s o a s to b e a b l e t o move t h r u Hungary on the second t u r n of the g a m e , t o a t t a c k in the a r e a of GG-11 a n d 12 and JJ- 11 and 12. The balance of A. G. S. would b e placed between Z and EE. In the south the G e r m a n should only a t t a c k when h e can a t t a i n odds of 3 t o 1 o r b e t t e r . A s the game prog r e s s e s t h e R u s s i a n will b e f o r c e d t o withdraw units f r o m the south t o b o l s t e r the n o r t h c e n t r a l section. When the R u s s i a n south h a s been weakened sufficiently f o r the G e r m a n to b r e a k through the G e r m a n should d r i v e toward Moscow a s a p r i m a r y t a r g e t with Stalingrad a s a secondary t a r g e t , using only enough t r o o p s a t Stalingrad t o p r e s s the R u s s i a n but not completely defeat him. 2. In Finland, considering the G e r m a n strength h e r e , t h e r e a r e many possibilities that can and m u s t b e explored. The G e r m a n can a t t a c k a t 3 t o 1 on a 5-7 o r 4 t o 1 on a 4-6 and still b e a b l e t o protect i t s flanks f r o m a R u s s i a n b r e a k through to Helsinki. The G e r m a n c a n a l s o a t t a c k Leningrad a t 1 t o 2 if the R u s s i a n p l a c e s a 4-6 o r 5-7 in the city. T h e s e 1 t o 2 a t t a c k s can b e r e p e a t e d until the G e r m a n wins (defender back 2 o r exchange) o r until the R u s s i a n p l a c e s m o r e than one unit in Leningrad. If i n the a r e a n o r t h of Leningrad the G e r m a n can win ( e l i m ) a R u s s i a n u n i t on h i s f i r s t t u r n t h e R u s s i a n can b e p r e s s e d into withdrawing a n d h e could not think of counter attacking b e c a u s e h e would not have enough u n i t s t o a t t a c k a n d p r o t e c t h i s flank a t the s a m e t i m e . If the G e r m a n can t i e u p 4 t o 6 R u s s i a n units in the north f o r a period of t i m e a n d t h r e a t e n Leningrad a n d / o r Moscow the R u s s i a n m u s t comm i t r e s e r v e s in the n o r t h in o r d e r t o p r o t e c t h i s c i t i e s , t h e r e f o r e he will not b e a b l e t o fully r e i n f o r c e h i s f r o n t in the north c e n t r a l section. 3. In the north c e n t r a l section A. G. N. now c a r r i e s the ball. In t h i s a r e a t h e r e a r e 3 a r e a s w h e r e the point of e m p h a s i s will give you the d e s i r e d b r e a k through r e s u l t s . Of t h e s e a r e a s t h e a r e a a t S- 18 and S- 19 i s of the f i r s t o r d e r of importance, especially if a 4-6 a p p e a r s on s q u a r e S- 19. A 3 t o 1 a t t a c k a g a i n s t S-19 will allow the G e r m a n t o c r o s s the r i v e r no l a t e r than the second turn. In conjunction with t h i s a t t a c k a 1 t o 1 a t t a c k a g a i n s t R - 18 could l e a v e the unit on S-18 pinned in. The a r e a of the second o r d e r of i m p o r t a n c e i s s q u a r e V-19, a 3 t o 1 a t t a c k with soak off can b e achieved a t t h i s point with the r e s u l t being the G e r m a n c r o s s ing the r i v e r a t t h i s point. The a r e a of the t h i r d o r d e r of i m p o r t a n c e i s the a r e a around B r e s t Litovsk. AA-15,

BB-15, h e r e if a 5-7 i s placed inAA-15 o r a 4-6 in BB- 15 a 3 t o 1 a t t a c k with soak off c a n b e achieved and R u s s i a n t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a c r o s s the front i s halted. If the R u s s i a n p l a c e s h i s units s o a s to have m o r e than one unit per s q u a r e , s o much the b e t t e r , t h e s e t h r e e a r e a s a r e s t i l l the p l a c e s to a t t a c k a n d t h e s e a t t a c k s will s t i l l work. The R u s s i a n by stacking will b e f o r c e d t o l e a v e h o l e s in h i s line that he can not protect. Once the G e r m a n c r o s s e s the Nemunas r i v e r (no l a t e r than the second t u r n ) he m u s t fight a t l e a s t a total of 4 , 3 t o 1 o r b e t t e r b a t t l e s a c r o s s a l l h i s f r o n t s on each of the next 3 t o 4 t u r n s t o win. L e s s than 4 b a t t l e s p e r t u r n will allow the Russian s o m e help f r o m h i s r e p l a c e m e n t s . The G e r m a n , in the North C e n t r a l s e c tion, b a s e d upon the R u s s i a n defense, m u s t decide if h e wants t o take Lening r a d o r Moscow f i r s t . Of c o u r s e if A. G. F. h a s taken Leningrad e a r l y in the g a m e , a n d t h i s can happen, then Moscow i s the goal. One of t h e s e c i t i e s m u s t b e taken e a r l y in the game ( b e f o r e the end of w i n t e r ) s o a s t o r e duce the R u s s i a n r e p l a c e m e n t r a t e . If t h i s plan i s followed with the p r e s c r i b e d n u m b e r of 3 t o 1 a t t a c k s and c r o s s i n g the Nemunas r i v e r on t i m e t h e G e r m a n cannot f a i l t o win. I would a p p r e c i a t e any c o m m e n t s o r c r i t i c i s m s on t h i s plan. J a c k Donovan, 15150 S. Diekman C o u r t , Dolton, Ill.

Bulge View from Paris

by John A. Rancourt Any v e t e r a n Avalon Hill W a r g a m e s player knows that the m o s t enjoyable game i s one with both play -balance and h i s t o r i c a l a c c u r a c y . Battle of the Bulge, an excellent g a m e , r e t a i n s bothof these with the t o u r n a m e n t r u l e s m i n u s weather and one-way traffic. F i r s t of all, I w i s h to point out that the following i s n o t another unbeatable strategy. I f e e l that no s t r a t e g y i s unbeatable. I t i s only a n effective way of slowing down and driving back the G e r m a n f o r c e s . T h i s s t r a t e g y h a s been used often by m e successfully and should s e e m logical to anyone who h a s played a few games. A competent G e r m a n c o m m a n d e r will s e e the i m p o r t a n c e of the heights a b o u t c l e r v a w and will t r y to take them on the f i r s t t u r n by advancing a f t e r a 6-1 o r a 5-1. He m a y a l s o c u t a road i n the middle of the N o r t h e r n h i l l s to t r a p vital units t h e r e and p r e v e n t them f r o m reaching the i m p o r t a n t a r e a s . The Allied p l a y e r cannot do anything about this but pray. However, when h i s t u r n c o m e s a n d he getsoff h i s knees, h e r e i s a p l a n i t might be w i s e to follow. F i r s t l y , if t h e r e a r e any hill o r r i v e r positions l e f t that a r e valuable he should

2 ALL ALL* *The Question Box of the M a r c h 1965 i s s u e of the G e n e r a l s t a t e s that the Rumanian t r o o p s c a n b e s t a r t e d i n Poland o r Finland. Now that we have placed o u r f o r c e s l e t u s gonow t o the s t r a t e g y t o b e followed. 1. In the south, A. G. S. will b e u s e d

THE GENERAL
take them. Secondly, since the a r e a around Malmedy i s filled with h i l l s and one A m e r i c a n division c a n hold the G e r m a n s f o r e v e r , a l l units, m i n u s those needed t o hold road, r i v e r , and hill positions, and r e i n f o r c e m e n t s should be s e n t to w h e r e the G e r m a n d r i v e will be e a s i e s t , and probably s t r o n g e s t , toward Bastogne. Because the A l l i e s n e v e r outnumber the G e r m a n s a t the s t a r t of the game, t h e i r ' s should be a totally defensive battle until they a r e s t r o n g enough to launch a s u c c e s s f u l counter-offensive. Allied a t t a c k s a r e s o m e t i m e s d i s a s t r o u s since the units involved m a y become engaged and e i t h e r e n c i r c l e d o r attacked with overwhelming odds. F o r t r e s s e s a r e quite useful and often I p r e f e r them to fortifications. I usually build them in s t r a t e g i c p l a c e s to block the G e r m a n advance. A s t r i n g of t h e m well manned can stop a g e r m a n a t t a c k cold. However, I find that they come in m o s t handy defending the a r e a s b e tween the f o r e s t s and r i v e r s of the North-West s e c t o r , that i s , j u s t West of the Ourthe River. I usually send a l l the units I c a n s p a r e to build f o r t r e s s e s t h e r e , and by the t i m e the G e r m a n s a r r i v e t h e r e , t h e r e m a y be a double wall which c a n s t o p n e a r l y anything until the Allies r e c e i v e enough r e i n f o r c e m e n t s f o r a counter-attack. I always t r y to save m y units so I c a n have construction going on behind m y l i n e s to m a k e the defense even s t r o n g e r . I like to keep m y s t r a t e g i c bombing attack until I c a n g e t twenty o r m o r e points of a r m o r e d units. Anything l e s s i s a w a s t e and i t i s b e t t e r to have i t hanging o v e r your opponents head. When the final c o r p s c o m e s on, p r o vided t h e r e i s no e m e r g e n c y f o r i t in the defense of the Meuse, I b r i n g i t in deep in G e r m a n t e r r i t o r y . T h i s d r i v e cannot be stopped by the s m a l l units t h e r e and your opponent will have to withdraw s o m e a r m o r to stop i t o r he will have h i s supply l i n e s cut. If the Allied l o s s e s a r e g r e a t , then the final c o r p s should be kept f o r defense and the c o m m a n d e r should wait o u t the time limit. One method of conserving units i s to make s u r e that your unit always h a s a r e t r e a t r o u t e o p e n e v e n if i t c o s t s a few extra squares. Above a l l , the Allied P l a y e r should n e v e r leave a gap in h i s l i n e s . If c a n m e a n sudden death f o r obvious r e a s o n s . Also you should capitalize on the e n e m i e s gaps if any o c c u r , since one unit going through a gap c a n r a i s e havoc with supply lines. This i s the e s s e n c e of m y s t r a t e g y and the one which I think w o r k s best. C o m m e n t s o r c r i t i c i s m i s welcomed. Write John Rancourt, 38 Sanger Ave., Waterville, Maine 04901. Next i s s u e : The Bulge: View f r o m Berlin.

P B M Substitution
of Units in Blitzkrieg
by M a r k Rosenberg At p r e s e n t , t h e r e i s no method to b r e a k l a r g e r units into substitute units, and vice - v e r s a , simply and quickly when playing Blitzkrieg by mail. The following s y s t e m w a s devised by m e in o r d e r to r e m e d y t h i s situation. When a p e r s o n w i s h e s to b r e a k a l a r g e r unit down into a groupof s m a l l e r units he simply d r a w s a box around the l a r g e r unit o n the O r d e r of Battle Sheet and p r i n t s a c a p i t a l l e t t e r , for instance, A. He then d r a w s a box around the substitute units that the l a r g e r unit i s to be broken into and p r i n t s the s a m e l e t t e r a s the l a r g e r unit, a s i n the c a s e A. If one w i s h e s to combine substitute units to m a k e " O r d e r of Battle1' units he d o e s i t a s d e s c r i b e d above, e x c e p t that he p r i n t s s m a l l l e t t e r s . By using different l e t t e r s i t i s possible to b r e a k many units down and v i c e - v e r s a . When the defender gives the "Battle Results'' (Section 4) he s o m e t i m e s finds i t n e c e s s a r y to split l a r g e r units into substitute units. All he h a s to do i s to u s e the method d e s c r i b e d before. HOWe v e r , i t i s p r e f e r a b l e to u s e a d i f f e r e n t color pen o r pencil and different l e t t e r s to m a k e i t e a s i e r to distinguish the a t t a c k e r ' s substitution f r o m those c a u s e d by combat. This s y s t e m m a k e s i t possible f o r substitutions to be m a d e without having to u s e Section 1 ( C o m m e n t s ) o r the m a r g i n s . I hope a l l you f a n a t i c s adopt this s y s t e m o r a t l e a s t know how to u s e it when your o p p o n e n t u s e s it. All c o m m e n t s and c r i t i c i s m should be a d d r e s s e d to: M a r k Rosenberg, 187 Kings Point Road, E a s t Hampton, N. Y. 11937.

Nuts to Bulge Conditions of Victory

by Michael Mitchell After reading the a r t i c l e t l C o n d i t i o n s of Victory1' by B. K. B r a n c h i n the May 1966 i s s u e many questions in m y mind w e r e left unanswered. I t a p p e a r e d he considered the R u s s i a n s unworthy of victory if they s t o p the G e r m a n s f r o m attaining t h e i r goals in Stalingrad. He considered the Allies unworthy of v i c t o r y if they stop the G e r m a n s f r o m a t taining t h e i r g o a l s in Afrika Korps. He a l s o c o n s i d e r s the A m e r i c a n s unworthy of victory if they stop the G e r m a n s f r o m attaining t h e i r g o a l s in Bulge. However, I noticed nothing was wrong with the G e r m a n s staying on the defensive, slowly pulling back to the

Rhine, and winning a victory in D-Day. I fully expected h i m to s a y that the G e r m a n s should a t least drive the Allies back to P a r i s f o r a half victory. F o r the G e r m a n s to win a full o r decisive victory they would have to d r i v e all but five o r tenAllied units off the continent. (Any l e s s r e s u l t would be a continuing t h r e a t to Germany, and i s a stalemate). I r e a l i z e that the above i s foolish. The G e r m a n s would seldom win. I f e e l that the G e r m a n p l a y e r d e s e r v e s victory if he can keep the Allies f r o m c r o s s i n g the Rhine in fifty weeks. Now l e t u s c o m p a r e Mr. B r a n c h ' s conditions of v i c t o r y f o r Bulge. W e s t a t e s that the Allies should not win if the t i m e r u n s o u t on the Germans. In m o s t g a m e s of Bulge that I have played this i s the way the Allies usually win. At the beginning the Allies cannot hope of s e r i o u s l y hurting the G e r m a n s , bec a u s e of the Allied units' position and the f a c t that he i s a t a one to t h r e e d i s advantage. He t h e r e f o r e m u s t take the defensive. By the end of the game All i e s might have a one to one but this i s doubtful due to the f a c t that the Allies l o s e a n u m b e r of units before they can a s s e m b l e a decent counter-offensive force. A s w a s told the G e r m a n people bef o r e this campaign "Our a r m i e s a r e again on the m a r c h ; we s h a l l p r e s e n t Antwerp by the Fuehrer with C h r i s t m a s , " the G e r m a n s needed a f a s t win to obtain their objective. If the G e r m a n s didn't g e t a t l e a s t a c r o s s the Rhine by Dec. 30 t h e i r hopes f o r victory w e r e v e r y slim. In the a c t u a l campaign the Allies l o s t l e s s than half of the 200,000 G e r m a n c a s u a l t y total. These G e r m a n l o s s e s couldn't be r e p l a c e d and even if the G e r m a n s held o u t longer in Battle of the Bulge t h i s would have brought the inevitable Allied victory sooner. In conclusion I s t a t e that i t i s quite reasonable f o r the Allies to have victory if the G e r m a n s a r e n ' t a c r o s s the Meuse in f o r c e by D e c e m b e r 30. T h i s r e a l l y gives the G e r m a n s m o r e t i m e than they should be allowed. I will not take the t i m e o r space to d i s c u s s the s i m i l a r conditions of victory f o r Stalingrad and A. K. I f e e l that in these g a m e s the Allies d e s e r v e victory if they keep the G e r m a n s f r o m attaining t h e i r goals, just a s the G e r m a n s d e s e r v e victory in the s i m i l a r conditions in D-Day. Comments: Michael Mitchell, 614 West Tipton St. , Seymour, Indiana 47274.

St. Peter Wins P B M Tournament

M a r k St. P e t e r of Detroit, Michigan h a s won P.O. W.'s f i r s t annual PBM tournament. With a come f r o m behind

THE GENERAL
performance he r e g i s t e r e d two opening wins in T a c t i c s 1 1 , b e a t the tournament leader with the G e f m a n s in Stalingrad, and then clinched h i s victory via an Afrika Korps decision which edged out Alvin F i l e s of Oklahoma who c l a i m s secgnd. Mr. St. P e t e r i s a t r u e champion and will r e t u r n to defendhis crown inPennsylvania's second annual tournament. This announcement i s made to a l l who m i s s e d the previous General. The Doubles Tournament will officially s t a r t July 31, 1966 and run a full y e a r course. A t e a m i s composed of two wargamer s taking opposite s i d e s in the same game and playing a s i m i l a r l y matched team. To be eliminated both team m e m b e r s m u s t be beaten in the same game. A t e a m g e t s 3 points p e r victory, 1 point p e r l o s s , and a bonus of two points f o r eliminating the opposing team. A11 A.H. c u r r e n t land-battle g a m e s will be used but each team m u s t own 3 games jointly, when you decide which games your team owns, and the o r d e r in which you want to play them, send this information along with a selfa d d r e s s e d stamped envelope and a $1 e n t r e e fee per team, to P. 0. W., 128 Warren St., Sayre, P a . All those unable to find p a r t n e r s may write to P. 0. W. a t 516 E. Diamond St., Hazleton, P a . , being s u r e to state what g a m e s you own and p r e f e r e n c e s in partners. All e n t r y ' s m u s t be postmarked July 31, 1966 to be insured of a f a i r starting position. revulsion o r revolution (I c a n ' t r e m e m ber exactly how they phrased it) in the war g a m e s industry. No doubt, these unenlightened individuals t r i e d to play the opening just a s i t was written instead of using i t in conjunction with the "How to win without really playing" a r t i c l e published in the f i r s t i s s u e of the General. They have turned their unjustified wrath upon m e and leave m e no r e c o u r s e but to enlighten them on the m e r i t s of opening a second front. The f i r s t f a c t o r s to be considered when opening a second front a r e t e r r a i n and weather. Invite your unwary opponent to c a l l a t your house about 1 1 a.m. f o r lunch and a game. Schedule the match for a day when it will be raining o r snowing. When he a r r i v e s , allow him to ring your door bell a t l e a s t 20 times. Eventually he will t i r e of this and s t a r t bashing the door with h i s knuckles. Just before he l e a v e s in disgust, dash to the door in your bathrobe and a s k him why he a r r i v e d so early. Explain. with a forced show of congeniality, that you were taking a shower and didn't h e a r him a t the door. Invite him in and promptly help him off with h i s coat. The next step r e q u i r e s a bit o f p r a c t i c e . If you have a dog, s e c r e t l y teach him how to snatch the coat f r o m your hands and d r a g i t to the f u r t h e r e s t c o r n e r of the room. With a little training you c a n coax your dog to lay down on the coat and growl in a menacing manner e v e r y time anyone approaches him. If you don't have a dog, fling h i s coat on the floor with gay abandon and tell him not to w o r r y because the floor needed cleaning anyway. If he i s cold o r wet, f o r c e him to put on your m o t h e r ' s sweater and then promptly shove him into a chair before he h a s had a chance to get a good look a t the room. Make s u r e he s i t s in the c h a i r you have placed a child's toy on. This i s not only painful, but he will feel v e r y e m b a r r a s s e d when you inform h i m that he h a s just ruined poor little Tommy's favorite plaything. Explain to him that if he will get the game out and s e t i t up while you a r e getting d r e s s e d , he can help you save time. Then dash off without telling him where you have hidden it. If you have a dog, he can be v e r y helpful during this phase of the operations. All he h a s to do i s growl and snap a t your guest e v e r y time the poor boob t r i e s to move. Make s u r e that the room i s a m e s s before he a r r i v e s s o you c a n e x plain that you w e r e planning to clean i t before he was supposed to a r r i v e a t 1 p.m. After a few moments of f r u s t r a t e d looking, he i s s u r e to a s k you where you keep the game. Mumble something incomprehensible f r o m the other r o o m in reply to h i s question. This will cause him to r a i s e h i s voice and a s k again. Repeat this routine until he i s shouting

PAGE 12
a t the top of h i s lungs. At this point, have the woman in your life (mother, wife, etc.) stomp into the room and indignantly announce that his bellowing h a s awakened little Tommy f r o m h i s nap. Then have h e r say something like "and just what do you think you're doing in m y s w e a t e r ? " At this point, you r e - e n t e r the room and a s k h e r if she would mind preparing lunch for both of you. She promptly h i t s the ceiling and d e l i v e r s a blistering tyrade againstyour silly war g a m e s and how she can't g e t a lick of work out of you since you've been wasting your time with f r e e l o a d e r s like that worthless (have h e r look pointedly a t your guest and stop speaking a s though she sud'denly realized that he was here). Then, she spins on h e r heels and s a y s to you in heated anger that since she h a s to do your work a s well a s h e r own, she hasn't the time. With a f a l s e show of bravado, give a hollow chuckle and tell your friend that you'll fix the lunch. Leave him stranded with nothing to do while you wisk off to the kitchen. At 5 minute intervals your woman should r e - e n t e r the room, s t a r e pointedly a t your guest, and a s k "Are you still h e r e ? " While you're c r a s h i n g around the kitchen, tell your friend where you have hidden the game and a s k him to g e t i t out. Be vague. Say something like, "look in the desk." Don't tell h i m which drawer. This way, he m u s t open a l l the d r a w e r s and s e a r c h thru each one. While he i s in the p r o c e s s , have your mother catch him in the a c t with a witheringblast like. "And just what do you think you're doing in MY d e s k ? " Don't volunteer any information on your f r i e n d s behalf and if he solicits your aid, deny everything. I recommend serving him hamburgers that have been rolled in d r y oatmeal bef o r e frying. They a r e delicious and have an unidentifiable taste. After your friend h a s consumed his burger, have your mother c a l l to y o u f r o m the kitchen because she can't find the Gainsburgers she left in the f r e e z e r and it's time to feed Fido. With a look of astonishment, inform her that you thought they were hamb u r g e r s and that you and your friend have just eaten them. When your mother c o m e s in to question you f u r t h e r about this, she notices that your friend i s drinking out of the Blue cup. She should then say. "Billy, you know that only Uncle George u s e s the blue cup because he i s dying of contagious lung cancer. If anyone e l s e d r a n k f r o m the blue cup o r ate off of h i s special blue plate they might contract the disease."You quickly smooth things over by explaining that h i s cup wasn't a s dirty a s the r e s t of the dishes you used. At this point she checks to s e e if he i s eating off of the blue plate. That's when she disc o v e r s you s e r v e d h i s Gainsburger on

The Second Front

By s/sgt. Louis Zocchi
I t has been called to m y attention that many of the r e a d e r s considered "Operation Gulp" somewhat l e s s than perfect. These h e r i t i c s had the audacity to point out that m y attack on CC15 violated the r u l e which s t a t e s that ground units m u s t be used in conjunction with a i r units to subjugate a city. Air power alone i s not permitted, they c l a i m , and then blatantly r e f e r m e to page 6. Ha! These wild eyed r a d i c a l s go on to p r o c l a i m that a r t i l l e r y can't attack AA42 o r EE34 by s e a because of r u l e s on page 4. Again I say Ha! Not contented with the blasphemy previously perpetrated they go on to point out that the 4-4 unit cannot attack AA42 a f t e r invading the beach since you can't use road bonuses on a n invasion turn. # 12 page 5. Now I a s k you, have you e v e r heard such balderdash in your e n t i r e life ? But please don't be too h a r s h on them I beg of you. Obviously these ups t a r t s a r e not among those of u s who a r e familiar with Zocchi's Dirty Dozen (Vol. 1 No. I ) ! I have been informed that this a r t i c l e was responsible f o r a

THE GENERAL
F i d o ' s dish. Laughingly explain that Fido i s c l e a n and healthy since you s p r a y e d h i m f o r f l e a s yesterday. S c r a t c h yourself vigorously while you go on to explain that since your f r i e n d i s sitting on F i d o ' s f a v o r i t e c h a i r , and looks s o much l i k e F i d o anyway, you forgot yourself. Have h e r nag you s o m e m o r e about doing s o m e w o r k around the house while you and your friend a r e setting up the game. Be s u r e to have a s t r o n g l i g h t shining o v e r your shoulder when you play. He g e t s a l l the g l a r e and h a s difficulty seeing what you're up to. The l a s t suggestion1 m a k e w a s pulled on m e by C a r l Knabe. Get s o m e old s c r a t c h y r e c o r d s that have a r e m o t e m i l i t a r y theme. C a r l h a s a few b e a u t s to which he subjected me. One of t h e m w a s "The Meadowlands March1', the theme song of the r u s s i a n a r m y during WWII. At 8 b a r i n t e r v a l s , C a r l would inform m e that this w a s "The Meadowlands March", the theme song of the R u s s i a n a r m y during WWII. E v e r y 8 b a r s mind you, and the d a r n thing w a s an L P ! He h a s a n o t h e r pip which f e a t u r e s the sounds of H e r M a j e s t y ' s Cold S t r e a m G u a r d s a s they s p i t shine t h e i r boots f o r a r o y a l inspection. D i s t r a c tions like t h i s a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y effective when played a t full volume and your s p e a k e r s a r e situated around your opponents head l i k e a p a i r of e a r muffs. Your opponent m u s t shout above the din when he w a n t s to talk to you and t h i s b r i n g s m o m out on a dead run. She chews h i m o u t f o r awakening l i t t l e Tommy again and then a s k s h i m if he m u s t l i s t e n to that stupid r e c o r d a t such a loud pitch. H e r e i s w h e r e she d i s c o v e r s the broken toy and d e m a n d s to know who broke it. Say nothing. This puts the burden of r e p l y on him. If you s t i l l can't win, take up the study of Voodoo o r t r y P l a n smaller Bite" which w a s devised by John Schaefer of 2709 N o r b e r t St., F l i n t , Michigan 48504. He sent t h i s t o m e a s a n i m provement o v e r "Operation Gulp1'. Original Positions Units 3 Inf. 4 - 4 ' s 3 Inf. 4-4's 3 Inf. 4 - 4 ' s 3 Inf. 4 - 4 ' s 2Armor 6-6's 2 A r t y 8-4-4's 1 Inf. 4-4 1 Inf. 4 - 4 2Armor6-6's 1Armor8-6 1 A r m o r 4-6 3 F g t r . 4-12's Final Positions T-11 U-12 N-14 M-13 Q-16 & P - 1 6 W-21 W-20 DD-25 DD-24 U-27 T-26 S- 25 v-33 0-28
P- 29

P - 29 At S e a

D-7 Q- 16 P-16

1 Inf. 4-4 W-27 2 A r t y 8-4-4's W-26 1 Inf. 4-4 1A r m o r 8-6 5-25 1 A r m o r 4-6 2 Marine 6 4 ' s V-33 1 M a r i n e 6-4 0-28 1 AirAssault6-6 2 A r m o r 4-6's P - 2 9 1 Inf. 4-4 P-29 1 Tac. 4-8 1 F g t r . 4-12 4Rgr. 1-4's At Sea 3 Inf. 4 - 4 ' s 1 Tac. 4-8 2 Airborne BB-15 Inf. 4-4's 1 Sac. 8-20 CC-15 (then Q-16) 1 Sac. 8-20 CC-15 (then P-16)

Y
Question Box
Q . The supplemental r u l e s state that 8 G e r m a n F a c t o r s can b e s t a r t e d in Finland. The M a r c h 1965 General Question Box s t a t e s that the Rumanian t r o o p s c a n s t a r t i n Finland. A r e the Rumanian t r o o p s in addition to the 8 German factors? A: No - but can be p a r t of the 8 G e r man factors.

AH P B M League News
Those of you wishing to participate in adding new g a m e s to the game l i s t and suggesting play -balance rules should contact o u r G a m e s and Rules Committee, c / o P a l m e r Kocher, 1441 C a t h r i n e S t r e e t , H a r r i s b u r g . Penna. 17104. The league h a s been unable to keep up with the new games. P l e a s e a c c e p t the offices' apology on the new t a b l e s just s e n t out. Notice the 2: 1 column: Change the l a s t A to 1/2A. B r u c e D. Mathews, 423 West F i r s t S t r e e t , Cloverdale, Calif. 95425.

Need Some Facts?

KAMPF gives you the f a c t s behind the battle a s well a s the s t o r y of the battle itself. Organization, O r d e r of Battle, c o m b a t s t r e n g t h and much m o r e i s p r e s e n t e d in a m a n n e r Avalon Hill f a n s will find e a s y to understand. I s s u e s out a l r e a d y include; The Battle of the Bulge, The Invasion of F r a n c e (1944) andGuadalcana1. Coming a r e i s s u e s on Jutland, G e r m a n Weapons of WW 11. G e r m a n A r m y Organization and O r d e r of Battle i n WW I1 (in detail) ( 2 pamphlets), North A f r i c a 1940-43, Waterloo, World War I (1914) and K o r e a (1950-51). These c o m m e r c i a l l y printed, 24-40 page pamphlets a r e published and sold ($1.00 each) a t the s a m e frequency and r a t e s a s the Avalon Hill GENERAL. Send o r d e r s and r e q u e s t s f o r f u r t h e r information to: KAMPF, 8512 5th Ave., Brooklyn, New York

Design 3
Design 3, a new wargaming publication, a i m s a t t h o s e r e a d e r s who like to design a n d r e v i s e g a m e s . S e r i o u s stud e n t s of m i l i t a r y science will find the nominclature in e a c h i s sue indispencable to t h e i r studies. D3 h a s a c c e s s to, and will print, a t r e m e x o u s amount of milit a r y information unavailable to most. The f i r s t i s s u e (May-June) contained the a c t u a l C o r p s a r t i l l e r y l i s t u s e d f o r i n s t r u c t i o n in the Infantry School. F o r f u r t h e r information and p r i c e l i s t i n g s w r i t e t o John Adams, 10 Juracka Pkwy. Schenectady, N. Y. 12306.

q ~ e t t e rs Yes W e Get Letters

Dear Sirs: The a r t i c l e "More Game Spoofs" (May i s s u e ) w a s a m u s i n g , but i t failed t o c a p t u r e the t r u e s p i r i t of Avalon Hill wargaming. My a s s o c i a t e s (who p r e f e r t o r e m a i n anonymous) and I have captured t h i s e s s e n c e in o u r game, Atrocity, in which two a r m i e s compete with each o t h e r t o c o m m i t a s many a t r o c i t i e s a s possible on the civilian population of a city. P l a y e r s get points f o r committing specific a t t r o c i t i e s a s defined by the Geneva conventions a n d t h e Hague conference. A t r o c i t y i s still i n the design s t a g e s . Myself and m y a s s o c i a t e s have, however, decided t o go on t o bigger and b e t t e r things. T h i s s u m m e r we a r e beginning work on o u r f i r s t h i s t o r i c a l g a m e , Warsaw Ghetto, which we intend t o complete a t a l l c o s t s .

L-7
L-6 J-13 5-12 L-19 S-23 P-15 Q-16 P-16 S-25 V-33 S-22 U-26

BB-31 (then S-25) 2Mdm. 6 - 1 0 ' s BB-31 (then v-33) 2 A r m o r 6 - 6 ' s BB-30 1 Inf. 4-4 Y-26

In t r u e Avalon Hill style we a r e trying t o contact Gruppenfuhrer SS von dem Bach- Zelewski, who commanded the whole a f f a i r , t o authenticate o u r game. Bach- Zelewski managed to e s c a p e execution by the Nurenberg Tribunal only by shooting h i s second-in- command, becoming a prosecution witness, and waitin'g long enough t o come before a G e r m a n c o u r t (which according to Gen. C l a y ' s t h e o r y would promote G e r m a n s e l f - r e s p e c t ) w h e r e h e received a t e n y e a r suspended sentence of "special labor. l1

I think you will a g r e e that t h e s e g a m e s provide the ultimate in gut-level excitement. All t h r e a t s should b e add r e s s e d t o J a m e s Cocroft A s s o c i a t e s , 501 Hunter R d . , Glenview, Ill. 60025.

THE GENERAL

PAGE 14

Guadalcanal Clarifications
The following Appendix of Questions & A n s w e r s should be i n s e r t e d into the c u r r e n t Battle Manual f o r Guadalcanal game. The Battle Manual h a s not been reprinted a s yet, thus we s u g g e s t that you r e f e r to the following until such time a s a second printing of the Battle Manual b e c o m e s available.

Where Avalon

Hill Games Are Available

Avalon favorite drop u s we m a y
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The following n a m e s of w h o l e s a l e r s supplement the l i s t printed in the l a s t i s s u e (Vol. 3 , No. 1). These l i s t s r e p r e s e n t d e a l e r s who have stocked
L h B Sales 29111 V Street, U.8. u.h*er,. D . C. '
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Hill g a m e s recently. If your d e a l e r h a s not y e t been listed, h i s n a m e and a d d r e s s s o that include h i m in the nextprinting.
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103 5 . 21st AnPhoenix, * r i m

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COMBAT P. Is a Unit surrounded (enemy Units in all six adjacent squares) in the jungle forced to attack? A. No, because he is not technically in an enemy zone of control. Q. Do defending Units attacked from coastal squares double their factors when attacked by Units that moved overland first? A. No. Defense factors double only when assaulted directly after sea movement. .Also, combination sea and overland attack undoubles defense factor of Units attacked from coastal squares. Q. What happens to a Unit that suddenly finds itself forced to attack at 1-7 odds or worse? A. It is eliminated before normal combat is resolved. The defender does not advance in this case. Q. What happens to a soak-off Unit that is eliminated by artillery fire before normal combat is resolved? A. It is removed immediately. However, a new soak-off Unit is not required and remaining Units are not required to attack the enemy Units that were being soaked-off against by the eliminated Unit. ARTILLERY Q. I f a stack of Units containing, say 9 factors, is reduced by artillery fire to 8 factors, which column are succeeding shots rolled on? A. The "4-8" column. P. Can non-firing artillery be fired on? A. No unless it is in the same square with enemy artillery that is firing. In this event the firing player has the option to select enemy non-firing artillery to absorb such losses that may occur.

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Cash W l e s s l e C o p l o 65m m r b i n a wad ~ittlh e c k , b a s 12204 B l a t t Distributors C o p l o &5b E . nth Stmt l o s laselea, w i r o r n i a m 5 8 r e d e r d Yho1es.le Toy c o 3350 B . 26th S t m t lo- l a s e l e a 23, Callromia Pensick k Damn 6501 F l o t i l l a s t r e e t h a *asc1cs 22, California South m y Wle..lc Co. 10201 la cienelp Blud. lo* laselee, Calirornia
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Q. Can a player accumulate Units of Fire even when he has no Artillery in play? A. Yes. a. When incorporating the optional rule of varying artillery ranges, how does this affect the 7-square-range point scoring? A. Amend the victory condition to read, " within range of Henderson Field."

Other c l a r i f i c a t i o n s that will be ins e r t e d d i r e c t l y into the Manual include: 1. In the B a s i c Game, the condition of v i c t o r y w h e r e e i t h e r p l a y e r wins a s soon a s he occupies Henderson F i e l d f o r 2 consecutive t u r n s applies only between September 25 and November 20 inclusive.
2. Under Hidden Movement, U. S. Units that a r e adjacent but not in e n e m y zones of control do not have to a t t a c k hidden Jap Units but have the option to do s o provided U.S. zones of control f a l l o n such hidden J a p Units.

A r t i l l e r y that f i r e m u s t be placed on board. Also, a r t i l l e r y m a y not f i r e into s q u a r e s in which the existence of enemy Units i s i n doubt. 4. Under Psychological Effects, the e f f e c t a p p l i e s f o r the c u r r e n t t u r n , only.

.. .

HIDDEN UNITS Q. What happens when an invading U.S. Unit lands directly onto a hidden Jap Unit? A. U.S. Player places it back on any adjacent sea square and must attack. Retreats would be eliminations in this instance for U.S. Units. Q. May the Jap player hide only some of his Units on a square? A. Yes.

5. Under Casualty Table, (page 6 ) , Combat f a c t o r s m a y not be t r a n s f e r r e d between Units of different types such a s a r m o r f o r infantry and (in Optional R u l e s ) a r t i l l e r y of different ranges.

3.

Under A r t i l l e r y F i r e , Hidden J a p

6 . Under Withdrawal of U. S. M a r i n e s (page 12), add the 1 s t R a i d e r Unit a s p a r t of the 1 s t M a r i n e Division.

PAGE 15

THE GENERAL

Contest No. 13 Winners

The w i n n e r s w e r e those who effected an exchange o n the f i r s t battle, a r e t r e a t on the second battle, and a n elimination on the t h i r d (2-1) battle. Only 4 submitted the p e r f e c t paper. 1. C h a r l e s E. Johnson, 3539 S. 40. Lincoln, Nebraska. 2. Drue L. D e B e r r y , 4230 E. F a l con C t s . , McGuire A F B a s e , N. J e r s e y . 3. Kenneth Hoffman, 266 C a r r o l l S t . , New Bedford, M a s s . 4. Michael McGraw, 910, 1427 C e n t r a l , Memphis, Tenn. 5. William L. W i t m e r , 128 A r c h St. , Elizabethtown, Penna. 6. K. V. Wittmann, 10 Lexington St., Newark, N. J e r s e y . 7. T h o m a s Olszowy, 279 Solbieski St. Buffalo, New York. 8. L / C p t . J. T. McAniff, USS P o c o no, F P O New York. 9. Stephen Gilliatt, F o r e s t Hall, Carbondale, Illinois. 10. Steve L a r s o n , 16140 M o r r i s o n S t . , Encino, Calif.

Opponents Wanted Form

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Because subscriptions to t h i s magazine have quadrupled i n the p a s t y e a r t h e r e h a s been a flood of opponents

wanted a d s . We now find i t n e c e s s a r y t o l i m i t t h e m in o r d e r t o pet t h e m a l l published. Beginning with the Septemb e r i s s u e , t h e r e f o r e no a d will b e ins e r t e d u n l e s s w r i t t e n on the following

OPPONENTS WANTED ADVERTISEMENT

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

29

30

31

32

33

34

35 WORDS

Subscriber Discount. ..
The Coupon shown below i s f o r the benef i t of the full-year s u b s c r i b e r . A s soon a s you have accumulated 4 s u c h caupons, l e a c h f r o m t h i s a n d succeeding i s s u e s . you a r e entitled t o a $1.00 d i s count applied t o t h e p u r c h a s e of a n y Avalon Hill game. H e r e ' s how i t w o r k s Each coupon i s w o r t h 25$. But one coupon a l o n e does not entitle you t o a 25$ credit. You m u s t a c c u m u l a t e 4 different coupons b e f o r e taking advantage of the $1.00 c r e d i t . When you have accumulated 4 coupons, then you clip them all together a n d send t h e m i n with your o r d e r f o r a n Avalon Hill game. When o r d e r i n g in t h i s m a n n e r , you simply s e n d u s a check o r m o n e y - o r d e r f o r $1.00 l e s s than the u s u a l r e t a i l value of the g a m e . Coupons can b e u s e d t o w a r d s the p u r c h a s e of g a m e s , P a r t s , play-bym a i l equipment a n d the G e n e r a l . They a r e valid only when o r d e r i n g d i r e c t f r o m the Avalon Hill Company. Coupons a r e not r e d e e m a b l e a t r e t a i l outlets.

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

CONTEST NO. 14
You, a s DE C o m m a n d e r , m u s t sink the s u b m e r g e d U-Boat with but one depth c h a r g e remaining. I t h a s t o b e a d i r e c t hit on the U-Boat that i s hidden in one of the s i x s q u a r e s , A - F . In a c c o r d a n c e with the r u l e s of UBOAT the DE m a y only r e a c h , a t m o s t , 3 of the possible 6 s q u a r e s the U-Boat m a y be hiding in. On the Depth Charge Sheet d r a w a l i n e showing the e x a c t path of w h e r e you a r e moving the DE. Then m a r k a n "X" i n the s q u a r e you think contains the U-Boat. In addition. a l s o w r i t e in what you think i t s e x a c t depth i s : 1001, ZOO', 300'. 400' o r 500'. The exact location of the U-Boat will. b e d e t e r m i n e d by t h e closing N. Y. Stock Exchange t r a n s a c t i o n s of August 8, 1966. The l a s t digit of the s a l e s in-hundreds column will b e consulted; Goodyear f o r the s q u a r e location a n d I. B. M. f o r the depth. GOODYEAR I. B. M. Digit Square Digit Depth, E n t r i e s m u s t b e p o s t m a r k e d no l a t e r than August 7. 1966. P r i n t your name a n d a d d r e s s c l e a r l y and m a k e s u r e you l i s t the Avalon Hill g a m e you wish a s prize.

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Depth Charge Sheet

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1SAVE THIS COUPON

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

JULY, 1966